A touch screen or finger touch screen is an interactive assembly of both an output and input devices. The touch screen is generally placed on top of an integrated data processing unit. The display is most often the LCD or LED screen, while the unit is most often a tablet, smart phone, or laptop.
Touch screens operate on the principle of piezoelectricity, which involves the generation of electric charges when an object is moved. One such object is a finger. This charges up the device’s battery, which then gives out a signal that the finger is touching the screen. The device interprets this signal and uses it to process commands such as entering text into a touch screen virtual keyboard or to locate items on a checklist.
Touch screens are generally composed of two main components: a resistive display layer and a non-resistor organic layer. The resistive layer is usually made of silicon, which allows current to pass through the device. This current is conducted through a thin electric conductive film that runs across the top of the touch screen. The film may also be a metallic one. Lastly, the screen could contain liquid or semi-permeable resistive material.
The non-resistive screen layer has an organic component. This organic component can vary from conductive to non-conductive. The most common one today contains boron, which is a highly effective conductor of electrical charge. Touching a device with a boron-coated touch screen will cause the electrical charge to pass through the finger and through the device.
The typical use for touch screens is in industrial, medical, and software applications. Touch screen gloves are often used to provide users with an easier interaction with computer hardware and software applications. Touch screen monitors are often used in hospitals to track the movements of patients as they are being transported. In this case, the monitor can detect the motions of the finger of the patient’s hand and match it to the position on the monitor where the movements were made. Touch screen monitors are often attached to medical monitors to give a near real-time image of what the patient’s fingers are doing. This is helpful in determining early signs of eye disease, such as dry eye syndrome and glaucoma.
The other common application of touch screen monitors is in laptop computers. Touch screen laptops are a popular choice for many consumers today because they allow you to operate the computer without touching the keyboard or the screen itself. Because the monitor detects the motion of your finger, this means you do not have to worry about your fingers becoming accidentally caught on something. By simply using your finger to point at the screen, you are able to navigate your way around the screen and select various options or menus.
While these types of touch screen monitors have become very popular over time, many people still wonder if they are safe to use in the home. Finger printing technology has made it possible for anyone to reproduce their fingerprint onto any touch screen monitor. While fingerprints may not seem like that big of a deal, this can pose problems if someone in your family is also touch screen computer user. Touch screen monitors do have the ability to allow a user to input information from more than one finger. So even though your spouse cannot touch the screen, they can input their name on it just the same.
Touch screen monitors often come with protective covers for your computer monitor to ensure that your kids and household members do not end up damaging the display unit. These covers will be made out of vinyl, which is a touch sensitive material. If you have a notebook computer, make sure you purchase one with a built in touch screen, as it will save you a lot of hassle when typing information on the keyboard. These units are available at most computer supply stores as well as places such as Walmart, Target and K-Mart. To find the best deals on touch screens, always keep an eye on the local retail stores and their online websites.