The touchscreen technology has inspired many industries to offer innovative devices, like mobile, kiosks, laptop and other applications. The touchscreens are basically the interface for input in an application, designed with a touch-sensitive transparent panel covering the screen. Finger touch or tapping or a pointed stylus is typically used to operate the touchscreen devices.
With a boom in this technology, the demand for touchscreens is continuously increasing. Thanks to the many touchscreen suppliers who are making it possible to meet the demand consistently.
If we talk about the structural design behind a touchscreen, it comprises three components, namely- a touch sensor, a controller, and driver software.
Touch Sensor: – Commonly known as a touch detector, it is a kind of gadget that records physical touch. There’s a wide range of touch sensor technologies available in the market, each having a different method to sense touch input. Electrical current in the sensor and a touch on the screen results in voltage change. This voltage change helps in detecting the location of the touch.
Controller: – The controller is a small PC card used to connect the touch sensor and the PC. After taking information from the touch sensor, it converts the same into machine language so the PC can understand the command. It also determines the type of connection you need to connect the PC. A Controller can connect to a serial/ COM/ USB port.
Driver Software: –Driver software helps in driving the hardware through PC. We can say that it is a moderator between PC and hardware, controlled by PC. It directs computer’s operating system on how to interpret the information coming from touch event information through the controller.
These basic components collectively make a functioning touchscreen. However, adapting the progressing technology, manufacturers have introduced a different set of touchscreens, each with enhanced quality and improved design.
The common touchscreens in usage are broadly categorised into the followings:
Resistive Touchscreens: –It is the traditional touchscreens technology having 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 wired modes. These are two-layered touchscreens separated by insulating dots attached to a touchscreen controller. It is easily operated through a bare finger or gloved one or a stylus as well. Resistive touchscreens offer the most economical solution and are easy to integrate, making it still a popular choice in the industry.
Capacitive Touchscreens: – Basically used in industries, capacitive touchscreens offers more clarity and durable solutions. The capacitive touchscreens had glass overlay coated with a conductive material. Unlike resistive touchscreens, it cannot be operated using a gloved finger or a stylus. It has a sensor at every interaction of the row and column, increasing the accuracy during the input.
SAW (Surface Acoustic Wave) Touchscreens: –SAW touchscreen technology includes two transducers and reflectors placed on the glass surface. The sensor detects the touch when the waves are absorbed. These are more in demand these days because of their superior clarity, resolution, and durability. Moreover, SAW supports multi-touch input and can be operated using a finger or stylus.
Infrared Touchscreens: – The way in which it identifies touch commands makes Infrared (IR) touchscreens completely unique. In an IR touchscreen, there’s a grid-like array of LED lights and photodetectors (sensors) around the edges of the device. These LEDs though invisible to naked eyes, constantly emit and project light. On touch, a disturbance is created in this light. The device then locates the point of contact. They offer a superior level of strength and durability, making it an excellent choice in applications where sensitivity is needed.
AD Metro is a renowned name in this industry that manufactures innovative solutions in touchscreen technology. They have captivated the touchscreen suppliers market with their extraordinary products – ULTRA RESISTIVE, STANDARD RESISTIVE, PROJECTED CAPACITIVE, SURFACE ACOUSTIC WAVE (SAW), SURFACE CAPACITIVE and CONTROLLERS.
