Touch screens are ubiquitous, found in our smartphones, self-serve kiosks at the airport, and many other devices. Given their widespread use, it's no surprise that there are several types of touch monitors, each with its own advantages and disadvantages tailored for specific tasks.
Continue reading to learn more about touch monitor types and their applications. Or explore Industrial Monitor Direct’s touchscreen displays for a comprehensive selection.
Did you know that touch panel technology was invented in the 1960s?
That's right. Long before smartphones became a staple in the late 2000s, touch panels had already been established technology for nearly four decades.
Despite their simplicity of use, the underlying technology of touch panels is quite complex, with four primary types in existence.
Before we dive into the details, let's back up.
You might not be entirely clear on what a touch panel is, the different types of touch panels, or how they apply to your daily life beyond your smartphone. We're here to help clarify.
What Are Touch Panels?
Quite simply, touch panels, also known as touchscreens or touch monitors, are devices that allow users to operate computers through direct touch. More specifically, using internal sensors, a user's touch is detected and translated into an instructional command that translates into a visible function.
The Different Touch Panel Types
Touch panels are not as straightforward as they might seem. The way they sense and react to touch varies widely based on their inherent designs. There are four main touch panel types in regular use: Resistive, Optical Imaging, Projected Capacitive, and Infrared. Below, we'll delve into their specifics, including their advantages, disadvantages, and real-life applications.
- Resistive Touch
Resistive touch panels are cost-effective and detect commands through pressure applied to the screen. This pressure sensitivity is typically limited to single-point touch, with a 20-inch maximum screen size, which is adequate for many use cases, from styluses to fingertips. As a result, resistive touch panels remain functional even with a water droplet on the screen.
However, this versatility comes at the cost of durability. Additionally, resistive touch panels cannot support multi-touch functionality. Despite these drawbacks, resistive touch panels are often found in grocery stores, where stylus-based signatures are required after credit card purchases.
- Infrared Touch
Infrared touch panels operate by setting up a grid of infrared beams across the panel, detecting touch through the disruption of these beams. These panels can support screens up to 150 inches and offer multi-touch functionality and durability.
However, infrared touch panels have one significant drawback: they perform poorly in direct sunlight. The sun’s rays can disrupt the infrared light beams, causing malfunction. Therefore, infrared touch panels should be used in appropriately shaded locations.
- Optical Imaging Touch
Optical imaging touch panels use infrared cameras and light strip disruptions to sense touch. This can be achieved with any input, from gloves to bare hands, across screens up to 100 inches.
Optical imaging touch panels are versatile, durable, and support multi-touch functionality. Their main disadvantage is their non-compact design, making them less suitable for small devices. Common applications include interactive whiteboards.
- Projected Capacitive Touch
Projected capacitive touch panels use electrical-based touch detection, known for high precision and fast response times. They support multi-touch functionality and are often used in small, compact, yet expensive devices. However, scaling up to larger sizes has proven challenging.
These panels are commonly found in smartphones, tablets, and GPS devices, offering a familiar and reliable touch experience.
Touch Panel Types in the Professional World
It's important to recognize that the applications of these touch panel types extend beyond consumer devices. In various industries, these touch panels are used to provide solutions to businesses. Whether in finance, manufacturing, retail, medicine, or education, touch-based solutions are integral to many practices, especially with the rise of the 'Internet of Things' and Industry 4.0.
In practice, these solutions often involve personnel management. For instance, in hospitals, stores, or banks, touch panels can answer basic questions, provide product information, or offer directions. In manufacturing, they enable employee management, workplace allocation, or attendance tracking.
Conclusion
Touch panels have been transformative in the four decades since their inception, significantly impacting how we teach in classrooms and collaborate in workplaces.
At Industrial Monitor Direct, we offer a comprehensive selection of touch-based solutions tailored to various professional needs. Explore our products at Industrial Monitor Direct or contact us at support@IndustrialMonitorDirect.com to find the perfect touch panel for your needs.
For more information on how touch panels can enhance your business, visit Industrial Monitor Direct.