22-01-2010, 03:18 PM
[attachment=1329]
ABSTRACT
TOUCH SCREEN
First computers became more visual, then they took a step further to
understand vocal commands and now they have gone a step further and
became ËœTOUCHYâ„¢, that is skin to screen.
A touchscreen is an easy to use input device that allows users to
control PC software and DVD video by touching the display screen. A
touch system consists of a touch Sensor that receives the touch input,
a Controller, and a Driver. The most commonly used touch technologies
are the Capacitive & Resistive systems. The other technologies used in
this field are Infrared technology, Near Field Imaging & SAW (surface
acoustic wave technology). These technologies are latest in this field
but are very much expensive.
The uses of touch systems as Graphical User Interface (GUI) devices for
computers continues to grow popularity. Touch systems are used for many
applications such as ATM™s, point-of“sale systems, industrial controls,
casinos & public kiosks etc. Touch system is basically an alternative
for a mouse or keyboard.
The market for touch system is going to be around $2.5 billion by 2004.
Various companies involved in development of touch systems mainly are
Philips, Samsung etc. Even touch screen mobile phones have been
developed by Philips.
INTRODUCTION
A touchscreen is an easy to use input device that allows users to
control PC software and DVD video by touching the display screen. We
manufacture and distribute a variety of touch screen related products.
A touch system consists of a touch
Sensor that receives the touch input, a Controller, and a Driver. The
touch screen sensor is a clear panel that is designed to fit over a PC.
When a screen is touched, the sensor detects the voltage change and
passes the signal to the touch screen controller. The controller that
reads & translates the sensor input into a conventional bus protocol
(Serial, USB) and a software driver which converts the bus information
to cursor action as well as providing systems utilities.
As the touch sensor resides between the user and the display while
receiving frequent physical input from the user vacuum deposited
transparent conductors serve as primary sensing element. Vacuum coated
layers can account for a significant fraction of touch system cost.
Cost & application parameters are chief criteria for determining the
appropriate type determining the system selection. Primarily, the touch
system integrator must determine with what implement the user will
touch the sensor with & what price the application will support.
Applications requiring activation by a
gloved finger or arbitrary stylus such as a plastic pen will specify
either a low cost resistive based sensor or a higher cost infra-red
(IR) or surface acoustic wave (SAW) system. Applications anticipating
bare finger input or amenable to a tethered pen comprises of the
durable & fast capacitive touch systems. A higher price tag generally
leads to increased durability better optical performance & larger
price.
The most commonly used systems are
generally the capacitive & resistive systems. The other technologies
used in this field are Infrared technology & SAW (surface acoustic wave
technology) these technologies are latest in this field but are very
much expensive.
How Does a Touchscreen Work?
A basic touchscreen has three main components: a touch
sensor, a controller, and a software driver. The touchscreen is an
input device, so it needs to be combined with a display and a PC or
other device to make a complete touch input system.
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 change. This voltage change is used to determine the location of
the touch to the screen.
2. 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.
3.Software Driver
The driver is a software update for the
PC
system that allows the touchscreen and computer to work together. It
tells the computer's operating system how to interpret the touch event
information that is sent from the controller. Most touch screen drivers
today are a mouse-emulation type driver. This makes touching the screen
the same as clicking your mouse at the same location on the screen.
This allows the touchscreen to work with existing software and allows
new applications to be developed without the need for touchscreen
specific programming. Some equipment such as thin client terminals, DVD
players, and specialized computer systems either do not use software
drivers or they have their own built-in touch screen driver.
Comparing Touch Technologies
Each type of screen has unique characteristics that can make it a
better choice for certain applications.
The most widely used touchscreen technologies are the following:
4-Wire Resistive Touchscreens
4-Wire Resistive touch technology consists of a glass or acrylic
panel that is coated with electrically conductive and resistive layers.
The thin layers are separated by invisible separator dots. When
operating, an electrical current moves through the screen. When
pressure is applied to the screen the layers are pressed together,
causing a change in the electrical current and a touch event to be
registered.
4-Wire Resistive type touch screens are generally the
most affordable. Although clarity is less than with other touch screen
types, resistive screens are very durable and can be used in a variety
of environments. This type of screen is recommended for individual,
home, school, or office use, or less demanding point-of-sale systems,
restaurant systems, etc.
Advantages Disadvantages
¢ High touch resolution
¢ Pressure sensitive, works with any stylus
¢ Not affected by dirt, dust, water, or light
¢ Affordable touchscreen technology ¢ 75 % clarity
¢ Resistive layers can be damaged by a sharp object
¢ Less durable then 5-Wire Resistive technology
Touchscreen Specifications
Touch Type: 4-Wire Resistive
Screen Sizes: 12"-20" Diagonal
Cable Interface: PC Serial/COM Port or USB Port
Touch Resolution: 1024 x 1024
Response Time: 10 ms. maximum
Positional Accuracy: 3mm maximum error
Light Transmission: 80% nominal
Life Expectancy: 3 million touches at one point
Temperature: Operating: -10°C to 70°C
Storage: -30°C to 85°C
Humidity: Pass 40 degrees C, 95% RH for 96
hours.
Chemical Resistance: Alcohol, acetone, grease, and general household
detergent
Software Drivers: Windows XP / 2000 / NT / ME / 98 / 95, Linux,
Macintosh OS
5-Wire Resistive Touchscreens
5-Wire Resistive touch technology consists of a glass or
acrylic panel that is coated with electrically conductive and resistive
layers. The thin layers are separated by invisible separator dots. When
operating, an electrical current moves through the screen. When
pressure is applied to the screen the layers are pressed together,
causing a change in the electrical current and a touch event to be
registered.
5-Wire Resistive type touch screens
are generally more durable than the similiar 4-Wire Resistive type.
Although clarity is less than with other touch screen types, resistive
screens are very durable and can be used in a variety of environments.
This type of screen is recommended for demanding point-of-sale systems,
restaurant systems, industrial controls, and other workplace
applications.
Advantages Disadvantages
¢ High touch resolution
¢ Pressure sensitive, works with any stylus
¢ Not affected by dirt, dust, water, or light
¢ More durable then 4-Wire Resistive technology ¢ 75 %
clarity
¢ Resistive layers can be damaged by a sharp object
Touchscreen Specifications
Touch Type: 5-Wire Resistive
Cable Interface: PC Serial/COM Port or USB Port
Touch Resolution: 4096 x 4096
Response Time: 21 ms.
Light Transmission: 80% +/-5% at 550 nm wavelength (visible light
spectrum)
Expected Life: 35 million touches at one point
Temperature: Operating: -10°C to 50°C
Storage: -40°C to 71°C
Humidity: Operating: 90% RH at max 35°C
Storage: 90% RH at max 35°C for 240
Chemical Resistance: Acetone, Methylene chloride, Methyl ethyl
ketone , Isopropyl alcohol, Hexane, Turpentine, Mineral spirits,
Unleaded Gasoline, Diesel Fuel, Motor Oil, Transmission Fluid,
Antifreeze, Ammonia based glass cleaner, Laundry Detergents, Cleaners
(Formula 409, etc.), Vinegar, Coffee, Tea, Grease, Cooking Oil, Salt
Software Drivers: Windows XP, 2000, NT, ME, 98, 95, 3.1, DOS,
Macintosh OS, Linux, Unix (3rd Party)
Capacitive Touchscreens
A capacitive touch screen consists of a glass panel with a capacitive
(charge storing) material coating its surface. Circuits located at
corners of the screen measure the capacitance of a person touching the
overlay. Frequency changes are measured to determine the X and Y
coordinates of the touch event.
Capacitive type touch screens are
very durable, and have a high clarity. They are used in a wide range of
applications, from restaurant and POS use to industrial controls and
information kiosks.
Advantages Disadvantages
¢ High touch resolution
¢ High image clarity
¢ Not affected by dirt, grease, moisture. ¢ Must be
touched by finger, will not work with any non-conductive input
Touchscreen Specifications
Touch Type: Capacitive
Cable Interface: PC Serial/COM Port (9-pin) or USB Port
Touch Resolution: 1024 x 1024
Light Transmission: 88% at 550 nm wavelength (visible light
spectrum)
Durability Test: 100,000,000 plus touches at one point
Temperature: Operating: -15°C to 50°C
Storage: -50°C to 85°C
Humidity: Operating: 90% RH at max 40°C, non-condensing
Chemical Resistance: The active area of the touchscreen is resistant
to all chemicals that do not affect glass, such as: Acetone, Toluene,
Methyl ethyl ketone, Isopropyl alcohol, Methyl alcohol, Ethyl acetate,
Ammonia-based glass cleaners, Gasoline, Kerosene, Vinegar
Software Drivers: Windows XP, 2000, NT, ME, 98, 95, 3.1, DOS,
Macintosh OS, Linux, Unix (3rd Party)
PenTouch Capacitive Touchscreens
PenTouch Capacitive touchscreen technology works with the CRT and LCD
touch monitors. This screen combines durable Capacitive technology with
a tethered pen stylus. The screen can be set to respond to finger input
only, pen input only, or both. The pen stylus is a good choice for
signature capture, on-screen annotations, or for applications requiring
precise input.
Surface Acoustic Wave Touchscreens
Surface Acoustic Wave technology is one of the most advanced touch
screen types. It is based on sending acoustic waves across a clear
glass panel with a series of transducers and
reflectors. When a finger touches the screen, the waves are absorbed,
causing a touch event to be detected at that point.
Because the panel is all glass there are no
layers that can be worn, giving this technology the highest durability
factor and also the highest clarity. This technology is recommended for
public information kiosks, computer based training, or other high
traffic indoor environments.
Advantages Disadvantages
¢ High touch resolution
¢ Highest image clarity
¢ All glass panel, no coatings or layers that can wear out or
damage ¢ Must be touched by finger, gloved hand, or soft-tip
stylus. Something hard like a pen won't work
¢ Not completely sealable, can be affected by large amounts of
dirt, dust, and / or water in the environment.
Near Field Imaging Touchscreens
NFI is one of the newest technologies. It consists of two laminated
glass sheets with a patterned coating of transparent metal oxide in
between. An AC signal is applied to the patterned conductive coating,
creating an electrostatic field on the surface of the screen. When the
finger or glove or other conductive stylus comes into contact with the
sensor, the electrostatic field is disturbed. It is an extremely
durable screen that is suited for use in industrial control systems and
other harsh environments. The NFI type screen is not affected by most
surface contaminants or scratches. Responds to finger or gloved hand.
Infrared Touchscreens
Infrared touch screen monitors are based on light-beam interruption
technology. A frame surrounds the displayâ„¢s surface. The frame has
light sources, or light-emitting diodes (LEDs),on one side, and light
detectors on the opposite side. This design creates an optical grid
across the screen. When any object touches the screen, the invisible
light beam is interrupted, causing a drop in the signal received by the
photo sensors. One concern with this technology is that it might
respond to a very light touch, even that of an insect crossing the
monitor, making unwanted system adjustments. This is the only type of
touch technology that are available for large displays such as 42-inch
Plasma screens. It is a durable technology that offers high image
clarity. Responds to any input device or stylus.
Information Kiosk Systems
A Kiosk (pronounced key-osk) is a computer based terminal or display
that is used to provide information or services, typically in a public
place. Kiosk systems are being used in a variety of applications,
including information directories, customer self-service terminals,
electronic catalogs, internet access terminals, tourism guides, and
more.
Complete Kiosk Systems
Several affordable and easy to use kiosk enclosures are available with
integrated touch screen monitors. Available with several of the leading
touchscreen technologies and with a variety of laminate, stained oak,
and painted metal finishes.
Mountable Monitors for Kiosk Systems
A variety of mountable
displays that can be used in kiosk applications, including mountable
CRT monitors and several types of mountable flat panel monitors are
available.
Other Components for Kiosk Systems
A variety of hardware
components that can be used in information kiosk systems, including
mountable printer, fan, and speaker grills are available.
Software for Kiosk Systems
Several software packages can
be used in a kiosk environment, including a presentation development
package and an on-screen keyboard package.
Software, Cables, and Accessories
Software:
Touchscreen related software, including presentation development
software and other utilities
1. MYTSOFT
My-T-Soft On-Screen Keyboard Software
2. RIGHTTOUCH
RightTouch Right-Click Utility Software
MYTSOFT
My-T-Soft On-Screen Keyboard Software
My-T-Soft is an On-Screen keyboard utility that works with any Windows
95 / 98 / Me / NT / 2000 / XP software. It provides on-screen keyboards
and user programmable buttons that allow users to enter data using a
touchscreen display.
My-T-Soft can be used by itself in home or workplace applications, and
it includes a developer's kit that allows the keyboard to be called up
from Web pages and other programs.
By allowing systems to operate without the need for a physical
keyboard, external templates, membranes, or buttons, My-T-Soft can
provide the finishing touch on sealed systems that only require a
touchscreen for user input.
My-T-Soft uses a concept called "Heads Up Display" technology and its
principal objective is to keep the users focus and concentration
centered in one place. My-T-Soft uses that concept to reduce the visual
re-focusing and re-positioning caused by the
head's up and down motion of going from screen to keyboard to screen.
Features:
Over 40 "Heads-Up Display" Keyboards with 12 base
sizes and infinitely larger sizes
ABCD Alphabetical, QWERTY, 3 DVORAK's, and over 40
International (German, Spanish, French, etc.) with Edit and Numeric
panels.
Store up to 2000 keystrokes/menu selections (or the applications macro
scripts) on each button. Up to 15 buttons can be grouped on individual
Panels, which auto-open when their assigned application becomes active.
Developer friendly
Show & Hide keys, program keys in Key
Options, Custom logo display, Operator mode, on-demand functionality.
The Developer's Kit comes with all kinds of utilities, source code,
sample code, and a wealth of information for integrating My-T-Soft with
your own application. Assignable Functions for Pointing Device Buttons
RIGHTTOUCH
RightTouch Right-Click Utility Software
An easy interface to bring Right Click capability to any touchscreen.
Most touchscreens work by emulating left mouse button clicks, so that
touching the screen is the same as clicking your left mouse button at
that same point on the screen. But what if you need to right click on
an item? Some touchscreens do include right click support, but many do
not. The Right Touch utility provides an easy way to perform right
clicks with any touchscreen.
The Right Touch utility places a button on your desktop that allows you
to switch the touchscreen between left and right clicks. When the
screen is emulating left clicks, simply touch the Right Touch button to
change to right click mode. Touch again, and you're back to the
standard left click.
Software Requirements
Windows95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP
Please Note: Many of the touchscreen systems include a similar right-
click tool with their software driver. The Right-Touch software is
useful for touchscreens that do not have an included right click
utility.
Cables:
Cables for use with the touch monitors, includes video and serial port
extension cables.
Serial Cables
SERIAL25: 25-Foot Serial Extension Cable
SERIAL50: 50-Foot Serial Extension Cable
SERIAL100: 100-Foot Serial Extension
VGA Video Cables
VGA25: 25-Foot VGA Extension Cable
VGA50: 50-Foot VGA Extension Cable
VGA100: 100-Foot VGA Extension Cable
VGA-Y: VGA Video Y-Splitter Cable
Accessories:
Stylus Pens
A stylus pen can be used along with our touchscreen systems for precise
input.
STYLUS1
Stylus Pen for Resistive Touchscreens
STYLUS2
Stylus Pen for Surface Acoustic Wave
Touchscreens
Touch Screen Drivers
UPD Driver 3.5.18
These drivers are for 3M Dynapro SC3 and SC4 Controllers
The new UPD Driver will work for the following controllers: SC3 Serial,
SC4 Serial, SC4 USB. Supported platforms are Win2000/WinNT/Win9x/Me/XP.
DOS and other drivers
Linux Drivers for SC3 and SC4 Controllers
Linux drivers for SC3 and SC4 were developed by a third party, not 3M
Touch Systems, and are provided for our customers convenience. 3M Touch
Systems cannot offer any warranty or technical support for them.
Linux Drivers
TouchWare Driver, Release 5.63 SR3
These drivers are for MicroTouch Touch Controllers (EXII, SMT3, MT3000,
MT410, MT510)
This release improves performance for Windows XP drivers. It provides
multiple monitor support, including dual head video adapters, from
TouchWare 5.63. Supported platforms are WinXP/Win2000/WinNT/Win9x/Me.
This service release also corrects known problems with silent
installation.
Microcal 7.1
Use this utility to modify controller settings and to calibrate the
sensor at different resolutions under DOS. Microcal is compatible with
fully-integrated ClearTek capacitive and TouchTek resistive
touchscreens. This release supports any serial and PS/2 SMT controller,
PC BUS controllers and the MT400 controller.
Near Field Imaging OEM Drivers
Use the OEM drivers below with Near Field Imaging touch screen
products.
For Windows NT/9X:
8.4-inch Near Field Imaging touch screens (approx. 2.5MB)
For Windows NT/9X/3.1 and MS-DOS:
10.4-inch and larger Near Field Imaging touch screens (approx> 3.6MB)
For Windows XP/2000 for 10.4-inch and larger Near Field Imaging touch
screens
Linux Drivers for NFI
Linux drivers for NFI were developed by a third party, not 3M Touch
Systems, and are provided for our customers' convenience. 3M Touch
Systems cannot offer any warranty or technical support for them.
APPLICATIONS
The touch screen is one of the easiest PC interfaces to use, making it
the interface of choice for a wide variety of applications. Here are a
few examples of how touch input systems are being used today:
1. Public Information Displays
Information kiosks, tourism displays, trade show displays, and other
electronic displays are used by many people that have little or no
computing experience. The user-friendly touch screen interface can be
less intimidating and easier to use than other input devices,
especially for novice users. A touchscreen can help make your
information more easily accessible by allowing users to navigate your
presentation by simply touching the display screen
2. Retail and Restaurant Systems
Time is money, especially in a fast paced retail or restaurant
environment. Touchscreen systems are easy to use so employees can get
work done faster, and training time can be reduced for new employees.
And because input is done right on the screen, valuable counter space
can be saved. Touchscreens can be used in cash registers, order entry
stations, seating and reservation systems, and more
3. Customer Self-Service
In today's fast pace world, waiting in line is one of the things that
has yet to speed up. Self-service touch screen terminals can be used to
improve customer service at busy stores, fast service restaurants,
transportation hubs, and more. Customers can quickly place their own
orders or check themselves in or out, saving them time, and decreasing
wait times for other customers. Automated bank teller (ATM) and airline
e-ticket terminals are examples of self-service stations that can
benefit from touchscreen input.
4. Control and Automation Systems
The touch screen interface is useful in systems ranging from industrial
process control to home automation. By integrating the input device
with the display, valuable workspace can be saved. And with a graphical
interface, operators can monitor and control complex operations in
real-time by simply touching the screen.
5. Computer Based Training
Because the touch screen interface is more user-friendly than other
input devices, overall training time for computer novices, and
therefore training expense, can be reduced. It can also help to make
learning more fun and interactive, which can lead to a more beneficial
training experience for both students and educators.
6. Assistive Technology
The touch screen interface can be beneficial to those that have
difficulty using other input devices such as a mouse or keyboard. When
used in conjunction with software such as on-screen keyboards, or other
assistive technology, they can help make computing resources more
available to people that have difficulty using computers.
Take a look at how one of our customers, CHI Centers, Inc., has
developed a system that allows non-verbal individuals to communicate
using a PC and touchscreen display.
ADVANTAGES OVER OTHER POINTING DEVICES
Touch screens have several advantages over other pointing devices:
¢ Touching a visual display of choices requires little thinking
and is a form of direct manipulation that is easy to learn.
¢ Touch screens are the fastest pointing devices.
¢ Touch screens have easier hand eye coordination than mice or
keyboards.
¢ No extra work space is required as with other pointing devices.
¢ Touch screens are durable in public access and in high volume
usage.
Disadvantages
¢ User™s hand may obscure the screen.
¢ Screens need to be installed at a lower position and tilted to
reduce arm fatigue.
¢ Some reduction in image brightness may occur.
¢ They cost more than alternative devices.
Conclusion
Touch systems represent a rapidly growing subset of the display market.
The majority of touch systems include touch sensors relying on vacuum-
deposited coatings, so touch coatings present opportunity for suppliers
of vacuum coatings and coating equipments.
Touch sensor manufactures currently require thin films in the areas of
transparent conductors, optical interference coating and mechanical
protective coatings. Touch sensors technical requirements dovetail well
with those of the flat panel and display filter markets. The reality
should provide value added opportunities to operations participating in
these areas.
INDEX
1. Abstract
2. Introduction
3. How Does a Touchscreen Work?
4. Comparing Touch Technologies.
5. Information Kiosk Systems.
6. Software, Cables, and Accessories.
7. Touchscreen Drivers.
8. Applications.
9. Advantages over other pointing devices.
10. Conclusion.
