Why Do Different Devices Use Different Touchscreen Types?
Touchscreens
have infiltrated the everyday devices we use; smartphones, tablets, ATMs, self service
kiosks, smart home appliances, just to mention a few. Have you wondered what
goes into the making and functioning of a touchscreen? It might seem
straightforward just a tap to execute a command but smart technology makes it
work. This is a simple breakdown of touchscreen technology and the five most common
types.
Resistive Touchscreens
Initially, resistive touchscreens were
used extensively. They are made of two thin layers of material - one of which
is conductive, the other resistive. There is a gap of a few milli meters
between the materials. When a user presses down on the material, the two layers
are brought together, making a contact closure, and indicating the position of
the touch. They will work with a finger, a glove, or a stylus, and will need a
little pressure to be applied.
Capacitive Touchscreens
Capacitive is the most common touchscreen technology found in tablets and
smartphones. Unlike resistive technology, they do not rely on touchscreen
pressure. They use the body's natural electric charge. A screen has a storing
layer of electrical charge, and once a finger touches it, the charge
dissipates, which the device perceives. They are very sensitive, support
multi-touch actions (like pinch to zoom), and do not work with gloves unless
they are touchscreen gloves.
Infrared Touchscreens
Infrared
(IR) touchscreens incorporate a mesh of IR light beams around the screen
surface. When the screen is touched, a few beams are blocked, and the sensors
figure out the coordinates. This type of touchscreen is very precise and allows
for non-contact operation, making it suited for kiosks in the public domain and
within the healthcare industry.
Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW)
Touchscreens
These
screens operate by sending ultrasonic waves which rest on the surface of the
screen. When the screen is touched some of the waves are absorbed, and the
sensors determine where the touch is by the difference. These touchscreens
provide good clarity and are best within clean environments. They are also
sensitive to water and dust.
Optical Imaging Touchscreens
These
systems use a combination of cameras and the use of IR light to detect touch.
When a finger is placed on the screen, a light pattern disruption is created
and cameras determine coordinates. These systems are best suited to larger
displays such as interactive whiteboards.
Final Thoughts
There
are a variety of technologies within touchscreen as every type within it has
benefits to offer. From pressure touch resistive screens to the very sensitive
and rapid responsive touch screens. Next time you touch your smartphone, you
will understand the technology at your fingertips!
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