What are Touch Screen Monitors?
Touch screen monitors are a way to both input information and receive information from one peripheral (usually a monitor screen). Instead of using a keyboard or mouse, you can easily input data directly into the touch screen where you also are able to also receive information.
Touch screen monitors are used in a variety of different applications including POS (point of sale) cash registers, PDA's (personal digital assistants), ATM's, car navigation screens, cell phones, gaming consoles and any other type of appliance that requires you to input and receive information.
There are many different types of touch screen technology available. The most common types include: Resistive, Surface Wave, Capacitive and Infrared.
Resistive Touch Screen Monitors
A resistive touch screen monitor usually has a coat of very thin electrically conductive and resistive layer of metal. When pressed, the change in electrical current can be measured and the input processed by a computer. While very affordable they only offer about 75% clarity, they can also be easily damaged by objects that are sharp. Resistive touch screen monitors are the most popular types of touch screen monitors used today. They are usually not effected by dust or liquids which make them very reliable.
Surface Wave Touch Screen Monitors
Surface wave touch screen monitors use ultrasonic waves to process inputs from the screen. Ultrasonic waves flow over the touch screen, when a person touches the pad at a specific location, the wave is absorbed and immediately processed by the computer. While not as common as resistive touch panels, they are used in certain applications. Dust and water can contaminate a surface wave touch screen so it is important to keep the screens properly maintained.
Capacitive Touch Screen Monitors
Capacitive touch screens are coated with indium tin oxide. This material provides a continuous current across the screen. The current is precisely controlled throughout the touch pad and can be measured by the computer processor, when touched; the screen is able to send the processor specific coordinates to input information correctly. It is important to note that specific objects can only be used on capacitive touch screens. You can not use a stylus or a pencil for instance; usually you will need a bare finger. Capacitive touch screens have high clarity and are not affected by dust or liquids.
Infrared Touch Screen Monitors
There are two types of Infrared touch screen monitor screens, the first reacts to infrared or thermal waves (heat), unfortunately this technology is slow and does not work well with cold hands or objects. The second type of Infrared touch screen monitors use vertical and horizontal infrared sensors around the perimeter of the touch screen. Creating a grid, the touch screen is able to pinpoint the exact location of where the screen has been touched and send that information to the computer for processing. Infrared touch screen monitors are very durable and are used for industrial and military applications.
Touch screens have been around since the 1970's, in fact the technology was invented in 1971. Most of the patents for touch screens technology were established during the 1970's and 1980's making them no longer current. Today any manufacturer can produce touch screen technology without having to pay royalties or licensing fees.
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