11-09-2014, 11:06 AM
TOUCH SCREEN
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Introduction:
TouchScreens are display as well as input devices. These are electronic visual
devices that are sensitive to pressure thus detect the presence and location of a touch within the
display area. The screens are sensitive to pressure; a user interacts with the computer by touching
pictures or words on the screen. The term “Touch” generally refers to touch or contact to the
display of the device by a finger or hand. However, if the object sensed is active, as with a light
pen, the term touch screen is generally not applicable. The ability to interact physically with
what is shown on a display (a form of "direct manipulation") typically indicates the presence of a
touchscreen.
History:
Touch screens originally emerged from academic and corporate research labs in
the second half of the 1960s. In 1971, the first "touch sensor" was developed by Doctor Sam
Hurst (founder of Elographics) while he was an instructor at the University of Kentucky. This
sensor was called the "Elograph" and was patented by The University of Kentucky Research
Foundation. One of the first places where they gained some visibility was in the terminal of a
computer-assisted learning terminal that came out in 1972 as part of the PLATO project. They
have subsequently become familiar in kiosk systems, such as in retail and tourist settings, on
point of sale systems, on ATMs and on PDAs where a stylus is sometimes used to manipulate the
GUI and to enter data. The popularity of smart phones, PDAs, portable game consoles and many
types of information appliances is driving the demand for, and the acceptance of, touchscreens.
. Components that act as Backbone for this technology:
A basic touchscreen has three main components: a touch sensor, a controller, and
a software driver. The touchscreen is an input-output device, so it needs to be combined with a
display and a PC or other device to make a complete touch input system.
4.1 Touch Sensor
A touch screen sensor is a clear glass panel with a touch responsive surface. The
touch sensor/panel is placed over a display screen so that the responsive area of the panel covers
the viewable area of the video screen. There are several different touch sensor technologies on
the market today, each using a different method to detect touch input. The sensor generally has
an electrical current or signal going through it and touching the screen causes a voltage or signal
. Controller
The controller is a small PC card that connects between the touch sensor and the
PC. It takes information from the touch sensor and translates it into information that PC can
understand. The controller is usually installed inside the monitor for integrated monitors or it is
housed in a plastic case for external touch add-ons/overlays. The controller determines what type
of interface/connection you will need on the PC. Integrated touch monitors will have an extra
cable connection on the back for the touchscreen. Controllers are available that can connect to a
Serial/COM port (PC) or to a USB port (PC or Macintosh). Specialized controllers are also
available that work with DVD players and other devices.
. Conclusion:
Touch screen can be considered as the future on which all new gadgets shall bank
on. We are already in the era that has seen many ground breaking technologies emerge and
touch screen is one amongst them which has changed the way users interact with their gadgets to
a whole new level. Its needless to say that the further improvement in this technology is
inevitable and this can change the way we think what input-output devices are. Our world today
has already started to see the emergence of visual screen that are flexible, can be worn on wrist
like a wrist watch ,gadgets with gait recognition all thanks to ground breaking technology of
touchscreens that set the ball rolling.