A resistivetouchscreen monitor system consists of a glass LCD monitor panel that is composed of several layers. The most important are two thin metallic electrically conductive and resistive layers separated by a thin space. When a object touches the touch screen LCD panel, the layers are connected at that exact point. The change in the electric field is noted and the coordinates of that point are calculated by the computer, much the same as a mouse driver translates a mouse click or drag.
A resistive LCDtouch display is generally the most affordable technology but only offers about 70-75% clarity (vs. 90% for capacitive), and the outer layer can be damaged with sharp objects. Resistive touch screen monitors are not affected by outside elements such as dust or water; they are the most common type used today. They can be activated with a stylus, gloved finger, etc.
In a surface capacitive touch LCD panel, the LCD monitor panel is coated with a layer of indium tin oxide, which conducts a continuous electrical charge across the surface. When a user's finger touches the surface, the charge on the capacitive layer decreases. This decrease is measured in circuits located at each corner of the monitor. The computer calculates exactly where the touch event took place and then relays that information to the touch screen driver software. Its primary advantage is that it transmits 90% of the light from the LCD monitor, whereas the resistive system only transmits about 75%. This gives the surface capacitive system a much clearer picture than resistive technology. However, a surface capacitive monitor only responds to finger contact or a special capacitive-type stylus. It will not work with a gloved hand or pen stylus.
A projected capacitive touch screen is a variant of a capacitive touch technology. However, it offers two important advantages: - A projected capacitive touch screen can be activated by fingers wearing thin cotton or surgical gloves. - Projected capacitive touch enables multi-touch activation (simultaneous input from 2 or more fingers).
SAW (Surface Acoustic Wave) touch technology utilizes a series of transducers and reflectors along the sides of the monitor's glass plate to create an invisible grid of ultrasonic waves on the surface. When the panel is touched, a portion of the wave is absorbed. The receiving transducer locates the touch point, and sends the data to the controller. SAW touch screen panels have no layers on the screen, thus enabling over 90% image clarity, and can display high-detail graphics. They can be activated by a finger, gloved hand or soft-tip stylus.
Infrared touch screen monitors do no overlay the display with an additional screen or screen sandwich. Instead, infrared monitors use IR emitters and receivers to create an invisible grid of light beams across the screen. This ensures the best possible image quality. When an object interrupts the invisible infrared light beam, the sensors are able to locate the touch point, and send the X and Y coordinates to the controller.
We also offer the new industrial touchscreen monitors, eliminating the need for special drivers. TRU-Vu touchscreen monitors include touch screen controllers, touch screen driver software, video cables and interface cables.