(Issued by Frontier Electronics, 26 August 2003)
Touch screen is fast becoming the interface of choice for a wide variety of applications, literally putting information at people’s fingertips. That is why the Taiwanese manufacturer Young Fast Optoelectronics has decided to make it available in South Africa.
User-friendly and less intimidating than other input devices for novice users, touch-enhanced displays are used in the public information system field: information kiosks, tourism displays, and all kinds of electronic displays likely to be used by people who have little or no computing experience In fast-paced retail and restaurant environment, touch screen systems can significantly increase productivity. Work can get done faster, because employees can simply touch the screen to perform tasks, rather than entering complex key strokes or commands. Because the touch screen interface is more user-friendly than other input devices, overall training time for computer novices, and therefore training expense, can be reduced. It can also help to make learning more fun and interactive, which can lead to a more beneficial training experience for both students and educators. When used in conjunction with software such as on-screen keyboards, or other assistive technology, touch screen interface can make computing resources more available to people that have difficulty using computers. Touch screen interface is being used wherever it is necessary improve human-computer interaction: trade-show displays, electronic catalogues, computerized gaming, student registration systems, multimedia software, financial applications... In fact, touch screen displays are as versatile as you make them: the uses are limited only by your imagination and your creativity. There are three main types of touch screen technology, each with its advantages and disadvantages. Resistive touch screens are generally the most affordable. They have high touch resolution, they work with any stylus, are not affected by dirt, dust, water, or light. The disadvantage is clarity of about 75 %, and the fact that the resistive layers can be damaged by a sharp object. Capacitive touch screens have high touch resolution, high clarity, and are not affected by dirt, grease, or moisture. The disadvantage is that they must be touched by finger and will not work with any non-conductive input. Surface acoustic wave technology gives the highest clarity and high touch resolution. However, it must be touched by finger, gloved hand, or soft-tip stylus only. Something hard like a pen does not work. Also, it is not completely sealable, and can be affected by large amounts of dirt, dust, or water in the environment. Monitors with built-in touch screen technology are widely available, but they tend to be pricey. Frontier Electronics offers an affordable alternative: the kit that converts your ordinary monitor into touch screen in a matter of minutes. Touch screen converters available at Frontier Electronics are based on resistive touch screen technology. Built with durability in mind, this device is able to withstand a variety of harsh environments. The kit consists of an acrylic panel 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 changes in the electrical current and registering a touch event. All you need to do is attach the kit with clips and Velcro to your CRT or LCD monitor, connect it to your computer’s USB port, follow simple software installation instructions – and you have a touch-screen display. Use it with your finger or pen point. This type of screen is recommended for point of sale, restaurants, control and automation systems, medical use, and more. Author: Lana Stevic | 
