Why Touch Screen Technology?
Posted 2 September 2024
More and more of our daily interactions are being digitised. Let's take an in-depth look at the basics of touch panel technology, its benefits and characteristics.
One of the technologies facilitating this transition is touchscreen technology. Most of us are familiar with it. After all, if you own a smartphone, then you likely interact with a touchscreen on a daily basis.
The usefulness and practicality of touchscreen technology is undeniable. So much so, in fact, that businesses have realized the benefits of adopting the technology. However, despite its simplicity for end users, there is more to this tech than meets the eye.
Ahead, we’ll take a look into why it’s a good idea to invest in touch monitor technology and discuss the potential of touch screen monitors to benefit your business. To understand this potential, we need to dive into the different types of touchscreen technology.
Types of touch technology
When it comes to touch screen technology, there are a number of different types of technologies on the market, each with its own set of characteristics.
Resistive, optical, projected capacitive, and infrared are four of the most common touch screen technologies. Each has different applications and can support your business in a meaningful way. For example, if you’re looking to a build and deploy touch screen solutions for a public space such as a outdoor shopping center, it would be useful to understand the strengths and weaknesses of different touch screen technologies in order to choose the right one for your application. There are panels that are optimal for creating monitors that your customers can easily read and interact with when in bright sunlight.
Other types of panels are preferable for touch screen applications that need to resist harsh outdoor weather conditions. Below is an outline of the characteristics commonly associated with each of these technologies.
Resistive Touch
Resistive touch technology can be found in an array of applications, including touch monitors and car navigation systems. Resistive panels are pressure sensitive, which means they use pressure placed directly on the screenas a means of detecting commands.
Resistive touch screens are generally single-point-touch displays and are typically less than 20 inches in size.
Unlike other touch technologies, resistive touch panels are covered by two layers of transparent electrode film separated by spacers. This pressure-based input method means that resistive panels can be operated with just about any type of touch, including finger, stylus, and even gloved touch.
Because of these layers of film, the transmittance of light is not as strong as with other types of touch technology.
Resistive touch panels are also known for being the most durable touch panel technology because pressure needs to be applied to the screen.
The cost of resistive touch is generally on the lower side when compared to different touch panel technologies, making them a good option for simple, single point touch applications.
Pros of resistive touch:
- • Cost effective touch solution
- • Finger, stylus, and glove touch compatible
- • Can be used if there are water drops on the screen
Limitations of resistive touch:
- • Weaker light transmittance and less durable than other touch technologies
- • Not capable of supporting true multi-touch
Optical Imaging Touch
Optical imaging touch technology uses infrared cameras and light to detect touch input. Touch detection accuracy on optical imaging touch displays can vary based on the components used.
Optical imaging touch panels are multi-touch and typically range from 19 – 100 inches in size. Since touch recognition on these devices works by way of imaging, any form of touch, whether it be finger, stylus, gloved touch, etc. can be used to input commands.
Light transmittance on optical imaging touch screens tends to be very good because there are no obstructing coatings used over the screen itself. In addition, optical touch displays tend to last for a long time because the light touches associated with this tech variant do not generally result in wear and tear.
Optical touch is the technology often used for larger screen touch applications.
Pros of optical imaging touch:
- • High light transmittance for crisp, clear images
- • Durable
- • Any input method can be used (finger, stylus, glove, etc.)
- • Multi-touch
Limitations of optical imaging touch:
- • Not as compact as other touch technologies
Projected Capacitive Touch
Projected capacitive touch is the touch technology commonly used for making smartphones. If you use an iPhone then you’re already familiar with using projective capacitive touch.
Projected capacitive touch is typically used on smaller touchscreens and is known for highly precise touch recognition and speedy response times. Projected capacitive touch panels are capable of multi-point touch and are usually less than 32 inches in size.
Since projected capacitive touchscreens detect touch commands by way of electrical currents, it is more challenging to make larger sized projected capacitive touch panels than it is to make smaller ones. Unlike resistive touch technology, projected capacitive touch panels can function with input from a finger or conductive pen, but not gloved touch.
The light transmittance of projected capacitive touch panels is very good, as is touch detection accuracy. In addition, the glass and plastic coatings on projected capacitive touch panel displays are generally very durable and dust resistant.
Projected capacitive touch is often touted as providing the best user experience of all the touch technologies. Mostly because of its highly sophisticated.
Pros of projected capacitive touch:
- • Best user experience
- • High touch detection accuracy
- • High light transmittance
- • Durable
- • Multi-touch
Limitations of projected capacitive touch:
- • Not compatible with gloved touch
- • Higher cost
Infrared Touch
Infrared touch technology uses light beam interruption to detect touch commands. In infrared touch displays, infrared beams are organized in a grid over the panel itself and touch points are calculated when the beams are interrupted.
Infrared touch screens are capable of multi-point touch and can be found in sizes ranging from 20 – 150 inches. Commands can be inputted on an infrared touch panel by way of a finger touch, a thick stylus, or gloved touch, though touch detection accuracy can vary based on the internal components used.
Infrared touch panels tend to have good light transmittance and are quite durable, however sunlight can cause glare and reflection, negatively impacting the user experience.
Like optical imaging touch, infrared touch can be used for applications with larger screen sizes.
Pros of infrared touch:
- • High light transmittance
- • Durable
- • Multi-touch
Limitations of infrared touch:
- • Sunlight can negatively impact user experience
A Quick Comparison of Touch Technologies
| Resistive | SAW (Surface Acoustic Wave) |
Optical Imaging | Projected Capacitive |
Infrared | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmissivity |
|
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|
|
|
| Durability |
|
|
|
|
|
| Handwriting |
|
|
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|
|
| Accuracy |
|
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|
|
|
| Typical Display Size | <20" | <20" | 19-100" | <32" | 20-150" |
| Multi-Touch? | not typically, but some demonstrated | not typically, but some demonstrated | yes | yes | yes |
| Input Method |
or stylus |
or soft tip pen |
anything |
or conductive pen |
or thick stylus |
| Challenges | needs forceful touch but no sharp objects |
rain, dust contamination | dust contamination, strong light source >500 lux or >840 nm wavelength |
can’t use with thick gloves | sunlight, contamination wide bezel |
| Application | for basic touch with 1 point gesture | for basic touch with 1 point gesture | Medium to large size, indoor touch | For best user experience | Large size, e-whiteboard |
Excellent/Yes
Good
Fair
OK
Varies
Summary
Resistive and SAW
Ideal for high durability, 1-point-touch, glove and hand writing support
Optical Imaging
Ideal for high image clarity, higher touch sensitivity, support multi-touch events
P-CAP
Ideal for multi-touch support, durability and sensitivity, and gesture control
Infrared
Ideal for high image clarity, high durability with glove support
Who uses touch screen technology?
As we have outlined, there has been a strong shift towards touch panel technology, with more and more businesses adopting touch panels every year. In fact, you would be hard pressed to find a business today that isn’t implementing some form of touch panel technology.
The reason for this is that businesses are realizing just how advantageous touch panel technology can be, thanks to their simple to use interface and ability to increase productivity and improve customer experiences. Industries using touch panel technology include:
- • Smart retail and POS
- • Education
- • Industrial Use & Smart Factory
- • Finance & Financial Services Industry
- • Medical Applications
Just how are these industries implementing touch screen technology? Let's discuss a few examples of how touch panels are being used today.
Food and Beverage
Long queues at restaurants during busy hours are always problematic for customers and store clerks. Waiting too long for service can lead to impatience, loss of customers and negative reviews. Touch screen solutions can act as a self-service point for customers to order and pay while waiting. They can further display advertised content such as promotions and events to keep customers engaged.
Transportation
Remember the days when arriving at the airport started with waiting in line for your boarding pass? Well, thankfully for all of you avid travelers out there, touch panel technology has changed this process for the better. Nowadays all you need to do is input your information, scan your passport, and off you go. Couple this with self-serve kiosks at public transit stations in cities such as London and New York and travelers can add efficiency across their journey or commute.
Banking and Finance
Banking institutions are leveraging digital signatures to digitize their workflow, saving both time and money. Digital signature solutions offer all the functionality of traditional pen and paper signature methods but with a plethora of additional benefits, such as heightened security and more. With digital signature, documents can be easily stored without the need for filing cabinets, digitally sent to customers, and easily retrieved for future reference.
Benefits of touch screen technology
Streamlined Processes
Touch panel tech puts the power controlling your display at your fingertips, resulting in faster display operations. In business settings, this reduction in time can give way to a multitude of benefits including shorter queue times and faster service for your customers. Moreover, these benefits can create a domino effect of positive outcomes, including higher customer satisfaction, better customer experiences, and greater brand loyalty from your customers.
Ease of Use
Since the introduction of touchscreen smartphones, the use of touch technology has become nearly universal. As such, everyone has become a master. In this case, this technology’s benefit is two-fold; it’s easy to implement and it’s faster for employees to operate. Easy implementation will enable employees to begin using the technology immediately without a learning curve, thus enabling faster operations.
Engaging & Interactive
Because touch panels are so versatile in the ways they can be implemented, they possess the ability to positively affect the user experience. Displaying engaging content for consumer interaction, for instance, is a good way to elevate your business above the competition.
Self-Service Feature
Beyond employee interactions, touch panels can be beneficial to customers. Therein, touch panel technology allows users to serve themselves. This functionality can be useful for mall or hotel information services and restaurant meal selection, to name just a few applications. This allows employees more time to focus on higher priority tasks and allows customers to take ownership of their own experience.
Durability
Inherently, touchscreens must be able to withstand constant physical interaction. With durability and limited replacement in mind, touch panel producers aim for the greatest possible lifespans and accidental damage prevention.
Clutter Reduction
Non-touch panels often require additional peripherals for operation. Implementation of touch technology eliminates the need for these accessories and, through its faster operation, results in a more streamlined workspace.
Increased Efficiency
Touch panel technology can increase efficiency in the workplace by, for example by reducing queue times. This efficiency increase translates into bottom line benefits by allowing employees to service more customers, thereby enhancing the customer experience.
Cost Effective
Digitizing your workflow with touch panel technology can reduce costs by eliminating office supply expenditures. Touch displays also can reduce storage costs by eliminating the need for physical document storage.
What features should a touch screen have?
As a rule of thumb, any type of touch screen technology you choose should have the following characteristics:
Touch panels should be easy to use
Since you will be asking employees to use a new type of technology, it should be easy for them to pick up and begin using right off the bat. This will help save time training employees on how to use the new technology and will save money by allowing them to start seamlessly using the technology to improve your business.
Touch panels should be easy to implement
Implementing your new touch panel technology should be the least of your worries. Touch panel technology with a wide range of compatibility with different operating systems makes implementation smooth and hassle free by allowing you to use the systems your employees are already familiar with.
Touch panels should be durable enough for your application
Durable technology saves money by reducing maintenance and replacement costs. Since touch screen displays will be interacted with frequently, it is essential that they are durable enough to withstand repeated usage over time.
As we discussed above, there are different types of touch technology to choose from, each with a different set of characteristics and capabilities. While one type of touch technology may be able to do more than another, it may not always be the most economical choice to go for the most comprehensive technology, unless your particular application calls for it. When looking into implementing touch panel technology, your starting point should be to first consider your needs:
- • Will you be using a touch screen monitor for your point-of-sale operations?
- • Will you be looking to implement a way for customers to sign digitally?
- • Will you need a combination of the two?
Another way to look into selecting the right solution for your business is to consider your business objectives:
- • Do you need to reduce queue times?
- • Are you looking for another way for customers to interact with your business?
- • Do you need a safer way for customer to sign for services?