Item |
Structure |
Explanation of Technology |
Resistive |
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Resistive touch technology consists of a glass or acrylic panel that is coated with electrically conductive and resistive layers. The thin layers are separated by invisible separator dots. When operating, an electrical current moves through the screen. When pressure is applied to the screen the layers are pressed together, causing a change in the electrical current and a touch event to be registered.
Resistive type touchscreens are generally the most affordable. Although clarity is less than with other touchscreen types, resistive screens are very durable and can be used in a variety of environments. This type of screen is recommended for individual, home, school, or office use, or less demanding point-of-sale systems, restaurant systems, etc. |
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Advantages |
Disadvantages |
Value solution
Activated by any stylus
High Touch point resolution
Low Power Requirement
Fully ADA compliant |
Reduced optical Clarity
Polyester surface can be Damaged |
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Item |
Structure |
Explanation of Technology |
Capacitive |
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A capacitive touchscreen consists of a glass panel with a capacitive (charge storing) material coating its surface. Circuits located at corners of the screen measure the capacitance of a person touching the overlay. Frequency changes are measured to determine the X and Y coordinates of the touch event.
Capacitive type touchscreens are very durable, and have a high clarity. |
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Advantages |
Disadvantages |
Extremely durable
Very Accurate
Good Optical clarity
Good Resolution |
Cannot touch with stylus
Scratches can damage touchscreen |
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Item |
Structure |
Explanation of Technology |
Acoustic
Wave |
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Acoustic Wave technology is based on sending acoustic waves across a clear glass panel with a series of transducers and reflectors. When a finger touches the screen, the waves are absorbed, causing a touch event to be detected at that point.
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Advantages |
Disadvantages |
Good Optical Clarity
Z-axis capability (depth information)
Durable glass front, scratch resistant |
Requires Finger or sound absorbing stylus
Difficult to industrialize
Signal affected by surface liquids or other contaminants
Scratches can damage touchscreen |
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Item |
Structure |
Explanation of Technology |
Infrared |
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An infrared touchscreen surrounds the face of the display with a bezel of light emitting-diodes (LEDs) and diametrically opposing phototransistor detectors. The controller circuitry directs a sequence of pulses to the LED's, scanning the screen with an invisible lattice of infrared light beams just in front of the surface. The controller circuitry then detects input at the location where the light beams become obstructed by any solid object. The infrared frame housing the transmitters can impose design constraints on operator interface products. |
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Advantages |
Disadvantages |
Zero overlay or films = 100% light transmission
Good Optical Clarity
Durable glass front, scratch resistant
Accurate-even under harsh conditions
Fully ADA compliant |
Costly
Parallax problem
Touch Frame Depth |
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Item |
Structure |
Explanation of Technology |
Optical |
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An Optical touchscreen surrounds the face of the display with a illuminated frame and custom line-scan cameras to determine touch point. The cameras direct beams of infrared light, which scan the screen 1mm above of the surface. The controller circuitry then detects input at the location where the light beams become obstructed by any solid object. |
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Advantages |
Disadvantages |
Zero overlay or films = 100% light transmission
High Resolution
Plug & Play HID compliant (no drivers)
Easy Calibration, zero drift technology
Highly Scaleable and Versatile
Durable glass front, scratch resistant
Fully ADA compliant |
Costly
Touch Frame Depth (about 9mm)
Probability of Touch error by flying insect |
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