Touch screens work thanks to a technology called capacitive, which detects variations in electrical charge induced by the contact of a finger. This allows for accurately locating the point touched and reacting accordingly.
Touchscreens are made up of several stacked layers that allow for the detection and location of a touch on the screen. The basic structure of a touchscreen typically consists of three main elements: a touch panel, a touch controller, and data processing software. The touch panel is the visible part of the screen and can be of different technologies such as capacitive, resistive, infrared, or acoustic wave. The touch controller is responsible for converting touch signals into usable data by the device, while the data processing software interprets this information to carry out specific actions based on the user's touch. This basic structure is essential to enable intuitive interaction with devices equipped with touchscreens.
Capacitive screens work thanks to a fundamental electrical principle: capacitance. Indeed, these screens are made up of thin layers of conductive materials, separated by an insulator. When a finger touches the screen, it creates an electrostatic field that disrupts the natural electric field. This disruption is detected by the system and allows for the precise localization of the point of contact.
This technology offers high sensitivity and responsiveness, making it particularly well-suited for modern touch devices. Capacitive screens can detect multiple points of contact at the same time, enabling multi-touch gestures such as pinch-to-zoom on an image.
A major advantage of capacitive screens is their durability, as they do not require physical pressure to function. This makes them more resistant to wear and damage. However, they do not work with gloves or non-capacitive styluses, as these materials do not disrupt the electric field in the same way as a human finger.
In summary, capacitive screens exploit the electrical properties of capacitance to detect touch, providing users with a smooth and intuitive tactile experience.
Resistive touch screens are made up of several layers: a top layer of glass or transparent plastic, a thin conductive layer, a spacer layer, and a lower conductive layer. When the screen is touched, the two conductive layers come into contact at that precise location. This pressure creates a change in electrical current, which allows the coordinates of the contact point to be determined. Resistive screens require physical pressure to function, which means they can be used with any type of stylus or with gloves. However, this technology has lower resolution compared to capacitive screens and may be less responsive.
Infrared touchscreens use a network of infrared light-emitting diodes placed on the edges of the screen. These diodes emit invisible infrared rays that are detected by photodetectors placed on the opposite edges of the screen. When an object or finger touches the screen, it interrupts the infrared rays, allowing the photodetectors to detect the position of the touch. This technology enables high precision and responsiveness, making it popular for applications requiring fast and accurate interaction, such as interactive kiosks and computer screens.
Acoustic wave touchscreens use sound waves to detect touch points on the screen. When a user touches the screen, it creates acoustic waves that propagate on the surface of the device.
These waves are then detected by special sensors placed around the screen. By measuring variations in the acoustic waves, the system can accurately determine the touch location.
This technology offers high precision and increased touch sensitivity compared to other types of touchscreens. Additionally, acoustic wave screens are durable and can be used in challenging environments without affecting their performance.
The first touchscreen was invented in 1965 by E.A. Johnson, an engineer at the British company Royal Radar Establishment.
Capacitive screens use variations in electrical charge to detect touch, making precise finger control possible.
Infrared touch screens work thanks to invisible rays that are disrupted by touch, allowing to accurately locate the finger's position.
Capacitive touchscreens work thanks to an electric field sensitive to variations induced by the contact of a finger, allowing the detection of the touch position.
Capacitive touchscreens use the conductivity of the human body to detect touch, while resistive touchscreens require physical pressure on the screen to function.
Capacitive touchscreens primarily respond to finger touches, but can sometimes react to specific styluses. Resistive screens, on the other hand, respond to any type of pressure.
Capacitive touchscreens may sometimes have difficulties with gloves or the use of certain insulating materials. Resistive screens may be less precise in touch detection.
Acoustic wave touchscreens use transducers to create sound waves on the surface of the screen. When an object touches the screen, the waves are disturbed, allowing the touch position to be detected.
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