By Stephanie Bentley
Touch screens are starting to appear in most electronic devices these days. Most of us are familiar with touch screens through our smart phones, or handheld tablets computers. Now, we are starting to see these new options in our desktop computer monitors, televisions and even game consoles. How did these panels come about, how do they work?
The touch screen has two main functions. It enables one to interact directly with what is displayed, rather than having to use an indirect function, such as a mouse. Since people are starting to accept touch screen devices, there is a larger demand for their creation.
In 1971 a professor for the University of Kentucky, named Sam Hurst, invented the first touch sensor called the "Elograph." In 1972 he presented this new business as "Elographics." In 1977 Siemens Corporation offered financial support for this product to produce the first glass touch sensor interface, which would be later known as the "touch screen."
There have been different kinds of touch screens developed over time. The biggest difference between them is the way the screen detects the user.
� The "resistive technology" developed by Elographics is made up of five main components; cathode ray tube, glass panel, sensitive coating, a separator dot, and conductive cover sheet. These resistive touch screens respond to touch pressure. So finger tips, nails, as well as a stylus could be used. The term, "resistive" refers to the way the system registers the touch of the user. A very positive aspect is these panels are not affected by outside elements such as dust or water. This type of inexpensive touch screen is the most commonly used because of its durability and versatility.
� A surface-acoustic wave touch identifies a touch by the reduction of the acoustic signals at the point of contact on the screen. These are the most advanced of the three panels. Although, they can be damaged by dust or water.
� Capacitive touch panels store electrical charges. So when the panel is touched, a fair amount of charge is drawn to the point of contact. These panels have to be touched with a finger. They have high clarity and performance is not affected by outside matter.
Just like other electronic devices such as TV's and computers, touch panels are starting to become smaller and lighter in weight. There are also more electronic devices that are beginning to carry this panel method, which will take the place or what we now consider "ordinary electronics" such as refrigerators, in our automobiles, fountain drink machines in fast food restaurants and home system control panels that allow all-in-one security and home management. These systems allow you to control security and home functions with the tip of your finger. Many of these systems allow you to even forward these control settings to your smart phone and handheld tablets. With how rapidly our technology is advancing, there is no telling what else can be accessed by a touch screen panel.
Gunze USA carries analog resistive touch panels. They offer touch solutions for all types of environments and touch display applications.
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