1. Introduction
A type of display screen that has a touch-sensitive transparent panel covering the
screen. Instead of using a pointing device such as a mouse or light pen, you can use
your finger to point directly to objects on the screen.
Although touch screens provide a natural interface for computer novices, they are
unsatisfactory for most applications because the finger is such a relatively large
object. It is impossible to point accurately to small areas of the screen. In addition,
most users find touch screens tiring to the arms after long use.
Touch-screens are typically found on larger displays, in phones with integrated PDA
features. Most are designed to work with either your finger or a special stylus.
Tapping a specific point on the display will activate the virtual button or feature
displayed at that location on the display.Some phones with this feature can also
recognize handwriting written on the screen using a stylus, as a way to quickly input
lengthy or complex information
A touchscreen is an input device that allows users to operate a PC by simply touching
the display screen. Touch input is suitable for a wide variety of computing
applications. A touchscreen can be used with most PC systems as easily as other input
devices such as track balls or touch pads. Browse the links below to learn more about
touch input technology and how it can work for you.
History Of Touch Screen Technology
A touch screen is a special type of visual display unit with a screen which is sensitive
to pressure or touching. The screen can detect the position of the point of touch. The
design of touch screens is best for inputting simple choices and the choices are
programmable. The device is very user-friendly since it 'talks' with the user when the
user is picking up choices on the screen.
Touch technology turns a CRT, flat panel display or flat surface into a dynamic data
entry device that replaces both the keyboard and mouse. In addition to eliminating
these separate data entry devices, touch offers an "intuitive" interface. In public
kiosks, for example, users receive no more instruction than 'touch your selection.
Specific areas of the screen are defined as "buttons" that the operator selects simply
by touching them. One significant advantage to touch screen applications is that each
screen can be customized to reflect only the valid options for each phase of an
operation, greatly reducing the frustration of hunting for the right key or function.
Pen-based systems, such as the Palm Pilot® and signature capture systems, also use
touch technology but are not included in this article. The essential difference is that

2. the pressure levels are set higher for pen-based systems than for touch.Touch screens
come in a wide range of options, from full color VGA and SVGA monitors designed
for highly graphic Windows® or Macintosh® applications to small monochrome
displays designed for keypad replacement and enhancement.
Specific figures on the growth of touch screen technology are hard to come by, but a
1995 study last year by Venture Development Corporation predicted overall growth of
17%, with at least 10% in the industrial sector.Other vendors agree that touch screen
technology is becoming more popular because of its ease-of-use, proven reliability,
expanded functionality, and decreasing cost.
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.