Touch Screen Technology

Touch Screen Technology
Contents
 Introduction
 History
 Definition
 What are Touch Screens?
 Why to use Touch Screens?
 Applications of Touch
Screens
 Types of Touch Screens
 Resistive
 Acoustic Wave
 Capacitive
 Comparison of the
Different Types
 Construction of touch screen

 Manufacturing of touch
screen
 Application of Touch screen
 Latest development
 Conclusion
 Reference
1
Introduction
A touch screen is a computer display screen that is

sensitive to human touch, allowing a user to interact with
the computer by touching pictures or words on the
screen. Touch screens are used with information kiosks,
computer-based training devices, and systems designed
to help individuals who have difficulty manipulating a
mouse or keyboard. Touch screen technology can be
used as an alternative user interface with applications
that normally require a mouse, such as a Web browser.
Some applications are designed specifically for touch
screen technology, often having larger icons and links
than the typical PC application. Monitors are available
with built-in touch screen technology or individuals can
purchase a touch screen kit.
A touch screen kit includes a touch screen panel, a

controller, and a software driver. The touch screen panel
is a clear panel attached externally to the monitor that
plugs into a serial or Universal Serial Bus (USB) port or a
bus card installed inside the computer. The touch screen
panel registers touch events and passes these signals to
the controller. The controller then processes the signals
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and sends the data to the processor. The software driver

translates touch events into mouse events. Drivers can
be provided for both Windows and Macintosh operating
systems. Internal touch screen kits are available but
require professional installation because they must be
installed inside the monitor.
History of Touch screen
The first "touch sensor” was developed by Dr. Sam

Hurst, founder of Elographics, while he was an
instructor at the University of Kentucky in 1971. This
sensor was called the "Elograph", and was patented
by The University of Kentucky Research Foundation.
The "Elograph" was not transparent as are
touchscreens, but was a significant mile-stone for
touch technology.
The first true touch screen came on the scene in

1974, again developed by Dr.Hurst, of Elographics. In
1977, Elographics developed and patented five-wire
resistive technology, the most popular touch screen
technology in use today. On February 24, 1994, the
company officially changed Its name from
Elographics to Elo TouchSystems.
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Definition
What are Touch Screens?
The touch screen is the most user friendly PC

interface. It is an input device, a way to communicate
with the PC. The user touches the screen to select
options presented on the screen. Associated
hardware and software are used to determine the
location of the press.
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Touch Screen
Touch is the easiest to learn and use of any available

interface. Businesses both large and small are using touch
technology to create new products, reach new markets,
increase productivity, and ease the flow of information.
How Does a Touch screen Work?
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A basic touch screen has three main components: a touch

sensor, a controller, and a software driver. The touch
screen is an input device, so it needs to be combined with
a display and a PC or other device to make a complete
touch input system.
1. Touch Sensor
A touch screen sensor is a clear glass panel with a touch

responsive surface. The touch sensor/panel is placed over
a display screen so that the responsive area of the panel
covers the viewable area of the video screen. There are
several different touch sensor technologies on the market
today, each using a different method to detect touch
input. The sensor generally has an electrical current or
signal going through it and touching the screen causes a
voltage or signal change. This voltage change is used to
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determine the location of the touch to the screen.
2. Controller
The controller is a small PC card that connects between
the touch sensor and the PC. It takes information from the
touch sensor and translates it into information that PC can
understand. The controller is usually installed inside the
monitor for integrated monitors or it is housed in a plastic
case for external touch add-ons/overlays. The controller
determines what type of interface/connection you will
need on the PC. Integrated touch monitors will have an
extra cable connection on the back for the touch screen.
Controllers are available that can connect to a Serial/COM
port (PC) or to a USB port (PC or Macintosh). Specialized
controllers are also available that work with DVD players
and other devices.
3.Softwaredriver
The driver is a software update for the PC system that
allows the touch screen and computer to work together. It
tells the computer's operating system how to interpret the
touch event information that is sent from the controller.
Most touch screen drivers today are a mouse-emulation
type driver. This makes touching the screen the same as
clicking your mouse at the same location on the screen.
This allows the touch screen to work with existing
software and allows new applications to be developed
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without the need for touch screen specific programming.
Why use Touch Screens?
Touch is the easiest to learn and use of any available

interface. Businesses both large and small are using touch
technology to create new products, reach new markets,
increase productivity, and ease the flow of information.
Applications of Touch Screens
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Common Uses for Touch
 Informational kiosks
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 Trade show displays

 Museum / tourism displays
 Point-of-sale terminals
 Restaurant systems
 Employee time clocks
 Employee training systems
 Industrial process controls
 World Wide Web access kiosks
 Home automation systems
 Casino and other gaming systems
 Computer access for the physically disabled
 Railway station
 Airport
 Telephone exchange
Types of Touch Screens
There are a variety of types of touch technology available

but the five major ones include analog resistive,
capacitive, infrared, acoustic wave and near field
imaging. Of these only one may actually be appropriate
for your application.
Resistive Touch Screens

Analog resistive touch technology is comprised of a glass
overlay that fits exactly to the shape of a flat panel display.
The exterior face of the glass is coated with a conductive,
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transparent layer. A clear, hard coated plastic sheet is then

suspended over the glass overlay. The interior face of the
plastic sheet is also coated with a conductive layer. Between
the glass and the plastic sheet there are thousands of tiny
separator dots about one-one thousandth of an inch thick.
When a stylus applies pressure to the surface of the display,
the two layers make contact and a controller instantly
calculates X and Y coordinates. This accounts for resistive
overlay's very high touch recognition resolution.
An 8-wire analog resistive touch screen has held up to more

than 35 million touches in laboratory environments, although
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most are officially rated over 1 million touches. These

systems can also be sealed to prevent dust or water
penetration and meet NEMA 4/12 standards.
Capacitive overlay systems operate by way of a conductive
stylus and require the use of the human finger or stylus. It is
covered with a coat of transparent metal oxide but the coat
is bonded to a single sheet of glass making it susceptible to
scratches, which will jeopardize the integrity of the touch
screen. A touch on the screen creates a capacitive coupling,
drawing an electrical current to the touch point. However, as
soon as a glove is placed over the hand, the touch screen is
rendered inoperable which eliminates it from being effective
in many applications.
The resistive Touch Screen is set up in the following

way
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Resistive Touch Screens
Formed to fit the shape of a display, the glass panel has a

coating of uniform resistivity. A polyester cover sheet is
tightly suspended over the top of the glass, separated from
it by small, transparent insulating dots. The cover sheet has
a hard, durable coating on the outer side and a conductive
coating on the inner side. With a light touch, the conductive
coating makes electrical contact with the coating on the
glass.
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The controller circuit applies a voltage gradient across the

resistive surface of the glass. The voltages at the point of
contact are the analog representation of the position
touched. The controller digitizes these voltages and
transmits them to the computer for processing.
By using 4 wires, a pair of wires on each layer, both signals

of X and Y are registered by the controller. When a touch
occurs. The touch point introduces a pair of voltages for X
and Y direction. The Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC),
which is located on the controller, is then converts these
voltage positions into digital numbers. The device driver
calculates these digital numbers into display (X,Y)
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coordinate. Puts the mouse cursor onto the (X,Y) coordinate.

Also returns the operating system with mouse left-button-
down status, and left-button-up status while untouched is
occurred.
Five-Wire Technology Four-Wire Technology and

Eight-Wire Technology
Utilizes the bottom substrate Must use two layers to create
for both X- and Y-axis X- and Y-axis measurements.
measurements. The flexible For the Y-axis, the flexible top
coversheet acts only as a coversheet acts as a uniform
voltage-measuring probe. voltage gradient, while the
This means the touch screen bottom substrate acts as the
continues working properly voltage probe. The constant
even with non-uniformity in flexing that occurs on the
the cover sheet's conductive outer coversheet will change
coating. The result is an its electrical characteristics
accurate, durable and reliable (resistance) with use,
touch screen that offers drift- degrading the linearity and
free operation. accuracy of this axis.
Durability

Tested to over 35 million 1 million-touch life max.
finger touches with no
performance degradation.
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Design Flexibility

Advanced design allows flat Not available in spherical
and spherical designs. designs.
Advantages of Resistive
• High Resolution and Accuracy

• Fast Response
• Pressure-activated by finger or gloved hand with a very light
touch
• Durable hard-coat front surface can be non glare treated for
reflection control or polished for maximum clarity
• Touch screens and controllers are safety agency-approved
components, so certification of your system is easier
Disadvantages of Resistive
• 80 % Clarity
• Resistive layers can be damaged by a sharp object
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Surface Acoustic Wave Touch Screens
The SAW touch screen is a glass overlay with

transmitting and receiving piezoelectric transducers for both
the X and Y-axes. The touch screen controller sends a 5 MHz
electrical signal to the transmitting transducer, which
converts the signal into surface waves. These mechanical
waves are directed across the opposite side gather and
direct the waves to the receiving transducer, which
reconverts them into an electrical signal.
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Surface Acoustic Wave Touch Screens
When the front surface of the touch screen is

touched, a portion of the mechanical wave is absorbed, thus
changing the received signal. The signal is then compared to
a stored reference signal, the change recognized, and a
coordinate calculated. This process happens independently
for both the X and Y-axes. By measuring the amount of the
signal that is absorbed, a Z-axis is determined.
Acoustic wave touch screens have transducers that

emit ultrasonic sound waves along two sides. Guided
acoustic wave (GAW) systems function by the transmission
of an acoustic wave through a glass overlay on a display
surface, and surface acoustic wave systems (SAW) function
by the transmission of an acoustic wave over a glass overlay
on a display surface. When an input device, such as a finger,
dampens the wave, electronic sensors determine the
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location of the dampened area, recognizing a touch. SAW

touch screen monitors have significant stylus limitations. A
stylus is the actual device, which touches the displays
screen. These systems require a soft, energy absorbing
pressure that would come from a finger. Although the human
finger is the most popular stylus, often it is desirable to have
a pen-based stylus so the display does not become dirty. In
this case, if trying to use a pen, the acoustic wave would not
be dampened and no touch would be recognized.
Infrared touch screen monitors are based on light-beam
interruption technology.
How the Touch screen Controller Interprets Screen

Measurement
When the controller is waiting for a touch, the resistive layer

of the touch screen is biased at +5V through four drivelines,
and the coversheet is grounded through a high resistance.
When the touch screen is not being touched, the voltage on
the coversheet is zero. The voltage level of the coversheet is
continuously converted by the analog-to-digital converter
(ADC) and monitored by the microprocessor on the
controller.
When the touch screen is touched, the microprocessor
detects the rise in the coversheet voltage and begins
converting the coordinates as follows:
A The microprocessor places the X drive voltage on the
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touch screen by applying +5V to pins H and X and

grounding pins Y and L. An analog voltage proportional to
the X (horizontal) position of the touch appears on the
cover sheet at pin S of the touch screen connector. This
voltage is digitized by the ADC and subjected to an
averaging algorithm, then stored for transmission to the
host.
B Next, the microprocessor places the Y drive voltage on the
touch screen by applying +5V to pins H and Y and
grounding pin X and L. An analog voltage proportional to
the Y (vertical position of the touch) now appears on the
coversheet at pin S of the touch screen connector. This
signal is converted and processed as described above for
the X position
Advantages of Surface Acoustic Wave
o Excellent Image Clarity

o Very High Light Transmission
o Excellent Durability
o Stable "No-Drift" Operation
o High Resolution
o Finger or Gloved-Hand Operation
o Very Light Touch
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o Fast Touch Response

o X-, Y-, and Z-axis Response
o Overlay That Can Be Antiglare-Treated
Disadvantages of Surface Acoustic Wave
o Must be touched by finger, gloved hand, or

soft-tip stylus. Something hard like a pen
won't work
o Not completely seal able, can be affected by
large amounts of grease, water, or dirt on
the touch screen
Capacitive Touch Screens
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Capacitive Touch Screens
The touch pad contains a two-layer grid of electrodes that

are connected to a sophisticated full-custom mixed signal
integrated circuit (IC) mounted on the reverse side of the
pad. The upper layer contains vertical electrode strips while
the lower layer is composed of horizontal electrode strips.
The IC measures "Mutual capacitance" from each of the
horizontal electrodes to each of the vertical electrodes. A
human finger near the intersection of two electrodes
modifies the mutual capacitance between them, since a
finger has very different dielectric properties than air.
Position of the finger centroid is precisely determined based
22
on these mutual capacitance changes at various locations

and can be detected before a finger actually touches the
pad.
Capacitive overlay systems operate by way of a conductive

stylus and require the use of the human finger or stylus. It is
covered with a coat of transparent metal oxide but the coat
is bonded to a single sheet of glass making it susceptible to
scratches, which will jeopardize the integrity of the touch
screen. A touch on the screen creates a capacitive coupling,
drawing an electrical current to the touch point. However, as
soon as a glove is placed over the hand, the touch screen is
rendered inoperable which eliminates it from being effective
in many applications.
Advantages of Capacitive
• High Touch Resolution
• High Clarity
• Completely Seal able
Disadvantages of Capacitive
• Must be touched by finger- will not work with any
non-conductive input
• Can be affected by electricity
• May need re-calibration often
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Comparison of the Different Types
Advantages of Resistive
o High Resolution and Accuracy

o Fast Response
o Pressure-activated by finger or gloved hand with a
very light touch
o Durable hard-coat front surface can be no glare
treated for reflection control or polished for
maximum clarity
o Touch screens and controllers are safety agency-
approved components, so certification of your
system is easier
Disadvantages of Resistive
• 80 % Clarity
• Resistive layers can be damaged by a sharp object
Advantages of Surface Acoustic Wave
o Excellent Image Clarity
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o Very High Light Transmission

o Excellent Durability
o Stable "No-Drift" Operation
o High Resolution
o Finger or Gloved-Hand Operation
o Very Light Touch
o Fast Touch Response
o X-, Y-, and Z-axis Response
o Overlay That Can Be Antiglare-Treated
Disadvantages of Surface Acoustic Wave
o Must be touched by finger, gloved hand, or soft-tip

stylus. Something hard like a pen won't work
o Not completely seal able, can be affected by
large amounts of grease, water, or dirt on the
touch screen
Comparison Between the Different Types
Type: Resistive*: Acoustic Wave: Capacitive**:

Activation: Pressure sensitive Wave aborption Human body electricity
Antiglare protection: Minimal Medium Clear, Light-Etch, Etched
Clarity: Medium Best Minimal, Medium, Best
Damaged by: Very sharp objects Glass - breakable Glass coating wears out
Can handle dirt: Good Poor Best
Made with: Hardened acrylic plastic Glass with coatings Glass with coatings
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Durability (MTBF): 15 million touches 30 million touches 60 million touches
Resolution: 1 million touch points 1 million touch points 1 million touch points
Warranty: 1 Year 3 Years 5 Years
SUMMARY: Best Price Best Clarity Most Durable
Construction of touch screen
Resistive
TOP: Polyester with outside hard surface

coating with
polished or no glare finish.
INSIDE: Transparent conductive coating.
BOTTOM: Glass substrate with uniform conductive

coating.
Top and bottom are layers separated

by separator dots.
Surface Acoustic Wave
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Glass panel with transducers are attached to the front

surface of the glass.
The SAW touch screen is a glass overlay with transmitting
and receiving piezoelectric transducers
Capacitive
The touch pad contains a two-layer of electrodes that are

connected to a sophisticated integrated circuit (IC) mounted
on the reverse side of the pad. The upper layer contains
vertical electrode strips while the lower layer is composed of
horizontal electrode strips.
Manufacturing Process
The resistive material for a resistive touch screen

is usually made of a thin-film, Nickel -Phosphorous
(NiP) alloy. In the manufacturing process, about 0.1
to 0.4 microns of the alloy is electro-deposited onto
the rough, or tooth side, of a standard
electrodeposited copper foil.
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Resistor Conductor Sheet Material
Typical sizes available in the market are 25 ohm

per square and 100 ohm per square sheet resistivities
at + or - 5% tolerance. Ohms per square is a
dimensionless square area of resistive material, the
length and width of the resistor being of equal size,
having an Ohmic.
Application of Touch screen
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The touch screen is one of the easiest PC interfaces to use,

making it the interface of choice for a wide variety of
applications. Here are a few examples of how touch input
systems are being used today:
Public Information Displays
Information kiosks, tourism displays, many people

that have little or no computing experience use
trade show displays, and other electronic displays.
The user-friendly touch screen interface can be
less intimidating and easier to use than other input
devices, especially for novice users. A touch
screen can help make your information more
easily accessible by allowing users to navigate
your presentation by simply touching the display
screen.
Retail and Restaurant Systems
Time is money, especially in a fast paced retail or

restaurant environment. Touch screen systems are
easy to use so employees can get work done
faster, and training time can be reduced for new
employees. And because input is done right on the
screen, valuable counter space can be saved.
Touch screens can be used in cash registers, order
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entry stations, seating and reservation systems,

and more.
Customer Self-Service
In today’s fast pace world, waiting in line is one of

the things that have yet to speed up. Self-service
touch screen terminals can be used to improve
customer service at busy stores, fast service
restaurants, transportation hubs, and more.
Customers can quickly place their own orders or
check themselves in or out, saving them time, and
decreasing wait times for other customers.
Automated bank teller (ATM) and airline e-ticket
terminals are examples of self-service stations that
can benefit from touch screen input.
Control and Automation Systems
The touch screen interface is useful in systems

ranging from industrial process control to home
automation. By integrating the input device with
the display, valuable workspace can be saved. And
with a graphical interface, operators can monitor
and control complex operations in real-time by
simply touching the screen.
Computer Based Training
Because the touch screen interface is more user-
30
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.
Assistive Technology
The touch screen interface can be beneficial to

those that have difficulty using other input devices
such as a mouse or keyboard. When used in
conjunction with software such as on-screen
keyboards, or other assistive technology, they can
help make computing resources more available to
people that have difficulty using computers.
And many more uses...
The touch screen interface is being used in a wide

variety of applications to improve human-
computer interaction. Other applications include
digital jukeboxes, computerized gaming, student
registration systems, multimedia software,
financial and scientific applications, and more.
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Touch Screen Configurations
Touch Controls, Inc. offers the widest range of rugged zed

touch screen and highly adaptable operator interface touch
technology available anywhere. For example, your
application may require:
• a daily high pressure caustic wash-down (NEMA 4X/IP

66);
• protection against abrasive dust;
• the use of harsh chemicals or organic solvents;
• outdoor installation with environmental extremes;
• withstanding abuse by the general public or vandalism;
• special cursor manipulation; or
• ability to locate and trigger very small targets.
For all the requirements listed above, and others, Touch

Controls, Inc. can provide the right technology to protect
your operator interface investment and ensure a long,
trouble-free operating life.
Ruggedized Touch Screen Technology
Standard and Special Faceplate Configurations
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Based on 15 years of experience in manufacturing the most

ruggedized, tamper-resistant touch screens, Touch Controls,
Inc. offers a wide range of proven Touch Screen Faceplate
Technologies to ensure you receive the best solution that
meets the precise demands of your application.
Since Touch Controls, Inc. uses a special, patented form of
infrared technology (click here to learn more about our
exclusive
EnhancedInfrared™ technology), the touch screen

configuration and operation can be optimized to your
specific needs.
The standard clear faceplate is totally sealed and
manufactured to be scratch and impact resistant for
exceptionally sharp Images.
Optional faceplate configurations include:
o SealTouch™ - Industrial Faceplate - High Impact,

seal able to NEMA 4X / IP 66
o TouchGuard™ - Changeable Faceplate - High

Abrasion and scratch-resistant overlay, designed for dry
and abrasive environments. The TouchGuard™ allows
the user to easily replace a worn faceplate, without
dismantling or opening the unit, in as little as 2
minutes.
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o CleanTouch™ - Tempered Glass Faceplate - Built to

withstand Harsh Chemicals, and Organic Solvents.
o SunTouch™ - Hot Mirrored Glass Faceplate - Built

for outdoor environments, and designed to block 90%
of the heat emanating from direct sun radiation. This
very special glass protects the liquid crystals of LCD
panel from reaching high temperatures and converting
to black, when exposed to direct sunlight radiation.
o ToughTouch™ - Lined faceplate with high impact

resistant thick backing - Designed to withstand the
vandalism that may be encountered in a metropolitan
subway, or the impact of a baseball bat. The liner can
be replaced on site, in less than 10 minutes, by opening
the touch screen assembly.
By consulting with a Touch Controls' Application specialist,

you will be presented with the optimal solution to your
harsh environment interface and computing needs.
Exclusive High Performance Touch Screen

Technology
High Resolution Enhanced Infrared™
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High Resolution Enhanced Infrared™ touch screen

technology utilizes a tighter grid of infrared light than any
other infrared touch screen, which increases the operator's
level of control over touch targets and functions. The
benefits of this include:
 Easier to pinpoint small display targets. Ideal for

precision applications such as Internet, mapping or
plotting grid coordinates.
 Permits the use of a smaller stylus for better

"drag and drop" accuracy and more precise touch
target control. Provides smoother pixel transition for
applications that include handwriting and/or signature
recognition, drawing, or connecting points with straight
lines or arches.
 Extra resolution can be utilized to implement a

"Fault Tolerant" system, which will continue to
function even if several beams have failed. (The
average size finger now covers approximately 25
infrared beams.)
 Total external and internal sealing of the LEDs

and LRPs up to NEMA 4/4x standards.
 Rugged Mechanical Design. High Resolution

EnhancedInfrared™ technology was developed
specifically for use in harsh or demanding
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environments. The touch screen faceplate is scratch-

resistant and shatterproof. Cuts or scratches on the
surface of the screen have no effect on the efficiency of
the touch screen.
Micropointing™
Micropointing™ can be ordered as an option for Touch
Controls' EnhancedInfrared touch screen.
This technology allows the touch screen user to address
every pixel of the display and activate the touch screen only
when the cursor is on a selected target, even if the target is
very small. In addition, this technology allows the precise
adjustment of control sliders.
The Micropointing™ touch screen has a number of
calibration options that are used only for setting up the
desired calibration and operating mode of the touch screen.
Once the calibration and set up are completed, there is no
need to make any adjustment because the software
automatically uses the desired settings on restart. The
Enhanced Infrared calibration does not drift with varying
ambient conditions.
The Micropointing™ touch screen is compatible with
various computer operating systems through the use of a
system-specific touch screen software driver (mouse
emulator).
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The Micropointing™ touch screen includes special software

installed in the touch controller card at the factory. This
software allows two modes of operation:
 Normal Mode - The touch screen operates with the

normal touch screen settings.
 Micropointing™ Mode - The touch screen allows the
operator to precisely pinpoint a certain visual image
with the cursor arrow in full view.
The Micropointing™ mode can be engaged or disengaged

by the operator with a second quick touch on the screen
while the first finger is still on the screen. The touch screen
is activated only when the finger is lifted off the touch
screen.
When the Micropointing™ mode is activated, the
movement of the cursor is approximately 1/8th of the
distance that the finger is moved on the surface of the
screen.
Touch Keys™
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The Touch Keys™ technology is used to activate keyboard

functions, icons, points on a map, or other targets located
outside the display area.
The Touch Keys™ touch screens utilize an enlarged active
touch area. The rear of the extra faceplate area, outside the
display area, is silk-screened or engraved with touch-
activated "keys" that can communicate with the computer
through the keyboard port or an additional Rs232 serial port.
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Latest development
Introducing a New Touch Screen System

Touch screens are widely used in numerous industries and
applications that require exacting combinations of accuracy,
touch sensitivity, and durability. Each touch screen
application has its own unique challenges, and traditionally,
customers chose the touch screen technology with the
fewest disadvantages and technical limitations for their
specific application. Enter Dynapro’s Near Field Imaging
(NFI) Touch Screen System. Patented by Dynapro in 1997, it
is uncompromising in both performance and toughness,
making it the perfect choice when high clarity and durability
are at issue.
What is NFI?
Simply put, it’s a touch screen where the screen itself is the
sensor. NFI uses a sophisticated sensing circuit that can
detect a conductive object - a finger or conductive stylus -
through a layer of glass, as well as through gloves or other
potential barriers (moisture, gels, paints, etc.). This is
achieved with a high degree of accuracy using data
acquisition and image processing techniques that generate a
precise profile of the touch.
The NFI touch screen sensor uses a transparent conductive
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film patterned with a proprietary topology applied to the

base layer of glass. The front layer of glass is bonded over
the base layer with an optical adhesive. An excitation
waveform is supplied to the conductive layer by the
controller to generate a low strength electrostatic field in the
front layer of glass. The near field is modulated by finger
contact with the front layer of glass, and a resultant
differential signal is created, making it possible to accurately
resolve the electrostatic loading on the face of the screen.
Dynapro’s data acquisition expertise was instrumental in

designing the method by which the system firmware
recognizes and decodes the location of the touch. The
controller scans continuously until it receives signs of an
impending touch. At this point it shifts into a different mode
and subtracts the baseline associated with the conditions
immediately preceding the touch. This way, static and noise
do not affect the image of the touch. The profile of the touch
is constructed from a dynamic array of data points, and
resolved to an actual touch point through continuous re-
imaging of the electrostatic field. Touch coordinates are fed
back to the operating system as fully compliant Microsoft
mouse coordinates.
Once a touch is registered, its effect is zeroed out, so a

subsequent touch in another location can be detected. The
system resolves and reports concurrent touches without
averaging, allowing for advanced touch input capabilities.
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Any long-term changes in the electrostatic image are

compensated for, allowing the system to ignore unwanted
objects directly on the screen such as water droplets,
insects, conductive dirt, or other adhering contamination.
Imaging also enables the touch screen to ignore unwanted
loading effects from large or distant objects such as hands or
arms, and to reject false touches.
Sophisticated data acquisition and image processing ensure

NFI is accurate enough to control equipment consistently
and precisely, yet sensitive enough to detect finger touches
through gloves, and work through moisture and other
contaminants. The sensor’s glass construction provides
superior optical performance, and will continue to operate
despite scratching, pitting, and other surface damage from
abrasives, chemicals or vandals.
NFI touch screens can be reliably sealed for applications that

require high pressure washdown or protection from
contaminant-filled environments.
NFI Addresses Needs
NFI offers significant advantages in performance and

durability without compromises, and it’s the only touch
screen technology that overcomes the technical limitations
found in other touch screen technologies, by addressing
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three main factors:
• Accuracy - the ability to control equipment consistently

and precisely despite extreme environmental
conditions
• Touch Sensitivity - the ability to operate the touch

screen with gloves through moisture, dirt, and other
surface contaminants
• Durability - the ability to withstand scratches and other

surface damage caused by abrasives, chemicals, or
vandalism
The Benefits of NFI

Designed for Ruggedness
42
NFI technology offers protection against scratches, scrapes,

gouges, and severe abrasion. The sensor layer of the screen
is well protected beneath the glass surface, so performance
remains unaffected even if the front glass layer is damaged.
Contaminant Proof
Surface contaminants such as moisture, dirt, grease, and

chemicals do not affect the performance of the touch screen
and can easily be cleaned. The touch screen stands up to
virtually all chemicals and continues to function accurately
through any sub-stance.
Touch Sensitivity
You can activate NFI with a touch of a finger - gloved or

ungloved - or other conductive stylus.
Stability
Variations in temperature, humidity, and altitude do not
affect NFI. The touch screen remains drift-free and does not
require field calibration to maintain accuracy. NFI is also
immune to electro-static discharge and electromagnetic
interference.
Sealing Capability
NFI touch screens can be reliably sealed for applications that
43
require high pressure washdown or for protection from

contaminant-filled environments. Systems incorporating NFI
touch screens can readily achieve a NEMA 4X rating.
Performance
NFI requires very light contact and responds instantly to an

operator’s touch. With NFI’s linearity and resolution, you can
effectively perform drag and drop operations. And the NFI
touch screen also resolves and reports concurrent touches
without averaging.
Shock and Vibration
NFI touch screens can withstand significant vibration and

shock without jeopardizing safety or performance. With
chemically strengthened glass and no mechanically sensitive
components, NFI performs reliably when used in a high
vibration environment.
Optical Clarity
NFI’s solid glass layer provides excellent image clarity. With

extremely high transmissivity, and unobtrusive glare and
reflection protection, NFI provides a clear window for any
application.
44
How is Touch Technology different from other

devices?
No special commands to learn.
The user doesn't need to look away from the

screen to a keyboard and back again.
Entering wrong information is impossible, only

valid options are offered on the screen.
There are no loose pieces of hardware to be

damaged or lost
45
46
UltimaTouch
A high-performance touch screen POS platform with three

different systems keyed to your needs. All provide a superior
foundation for a comprehensive retail POS workstation. Each
features an integrated, single-board computer, active matrix
LCD with 5-wire resistive touch screen, and magnetic stripe
reader to support many retail applications. Highly
configurable with multiple mounting options and large
selection of interface ports, including USB for connectivity to
printers, cash drawers, scanners, keyboards and more.
Models are differentiated by processor speed.
• Attractive, compact ergonomic design

• Multiple mounting options ideal for any environment
• Rugged, tamper-resistant enclosure for high-use retail
interaction
47
• Easy installation, maintenance, and access to

peripheral connections
Ultrx Systems - the ultimate prescription to eliminate the

paperwork Pharmacy Technology - A Way Ahead
Whether you like it or not - change is on your doorstep! The

rate of change in technology occurring at present means
pharmacists can either get on the wagon, or be left behind in
the dust wondering just where everyone else has gone. This
article will give you an idea of some of the technology is
presently available to retail and hospital pharmacists to
make your life easier, and save you time (a most valuable
resource that pharmacists have little of!).
There are a range of technology options available to todays'

pharmacist, and you don't have to have a computer science
degree to be able to use them. Most systems come with
excellent back up, so even if you do test the "fool-proof"
system to the max., there will be someone to haul you out.
Technology can be divided broadly into three sections:
48
• Hardware
• Software
• Web-based/Internet/Intranet
Web addresses are listed where available for further

information.
1. HARDWARE
The decision to upgrade your computer is usually made

based on the software you choose to purchase for your
shop/dispensary system. The term "hardware" covers wide
range of products such as Automated drug dispensing
systems, information kiosks, EFTPOS terminals and scanners.
a) Automated Drug Dispensing Systems :
a) Healthpoint Kiosks:
Healthpoint kiosks are user-friendly, comprehensive tools for
up to date health information. With touch screen technology
and a wide range of information available such as adult
ailments, specialty diets, post-operative care, first aid,
mental health, vitamin and amino acid information,
pregnancy, child care and more, customers and staff find the
kiosks easy to use. Information is presented using print
media, and also video and graphic presentations.
Pharmacies who already have the kiosks installed find they
are popular with all age groups, and lead to an increase in
49
foot traffic, as well as improved communication between

pharmacist and patient.
b) EFTPOS terminals:
EFTPOS New Zealand Limited have recently launched an
innovative new product, PC EFTPOS Lite. PC EFTPOS Lite
enables any pharmacy to integrate their PC-Windows based
point-of-sale system with their EFTPOS terminal. This
provides retailers with the ability to keep an electronic
journal eliminating the need for receipt copies, and process
transactions cheaper, as EFTPOS receipt and sales receipts
are printed by one printer. PC EFTPOS Lite has the ability to
run multiple EFTPOS lanes from a single telephone line, as
well as increasing counter space due to a compact pinpad
unit and no need for a separate printer.
c) Bar Code Scanners - The main types of scanners
used in the retail environment are Laser Scanners and CCD
scanners. Both types scan automatically and can be initiated
by either a trigger switch, or automatically using flash mode.
Main differences are :
• Laser scanners read bar codes over short to medium

distances ( most types up to 1 metre ), and are in the
upper price range .
• CCD scanners can read barcodes only over small
distances - usually not more than 25mm.They are less
expensive and more robust than the laser scanners.
50
New technology which should be available to the pharmacy

market in the near future is wireless scanners which will
have uses for stocktaking, and potentially as a useful tool in
dispensing and checking prescriptions.
2. SOFTWARE
There are two main pharmacy software programmes :

(i) LOTS (Harvey Lockie):
LOTS is designed to be 100% Windows compliant. You can
have multiple windows open, for example, while dispensing
also have open orders, and Point of Sale (PoS) for instant
access. If you have both dispensing and OTC modules, the
two systems are integrated to combine ordering and
interactions(ie between OTC purchases and prescription
medicines), and also customer accounts.
LOTS uses sales forecasting and stock management
formulae which have been shown to allow some 15% more
turnover for the same stock compared to common computer
systems, with about 50% less out-of-stocks and dead stock.
LOTS has as a feature the "Compliance chart" that presents
the whole of the last 12 months history of a patient in visual
form on screen. It is a very popular features, and most
pharmacists say that it is allows a major advance in their
professional services.
(ii) TONIQ :
51
Toniq is a Windows-based program, with both dispensing

and retail
modules available. Toniq has electronic communications
used as frontline support, which means any time you have a
software problem, Toniq aim to resolve it for you while you
are on the phone, using modems and the pcAnywhere
program to control your computer from their office in
Christchurch and work on the problem for you. Help is
available anytime you need it.
Toniq has a comprehensive database of medicines, including
a large range of Hospital only medicines. The medicine file
update is available for download to registered users from
their website.
This year Toniq is introducing a number of new features-Web
based education and on-line forums, modules for assisting
patient compliance. The program prepares a patient guide,
which assist the patient to understand dose times, the
medication and expected pick up dates for repeats. Data
sharing tools are also being introduced, to allow transfer of
retail information within a group.
Other software available to assist in areas of pharmacy
practice includes-
a) pc Anywhere:
Pharmacies can use a program such as pcAnywhere to allow
staff to work off-site, accessing the pharmacy computer via a
modem connection. pcAnywhere is password protected, so
52
staff can only access areas that they are assigned to. Stobo's
pharmacy in Oamaru employ a staff member who works
from home to process inwards goods. This streamlines the
processing of orders, and frees up shop staff to be available
to customers. Their Dispensary Manager also accesses the
MAQS program from home to review documents using
pcAnywhere, without the interruptions of a normal busy day.
3.INTERNET/INTRANET
With the many applications available through the Internet, it

is rapidly becoming an essential business tool. Security
becomes an issue with internet access, and must always be
kept in mind.
Many pharmacies are now advancing in e-commerce, and
launching on-line stores. Pharmacy groups, such as Amcal
and Unichem, recognise IT as important directions for
growth, and have dedicated IT departments.
Amcal :
The Amcal website has a number of features which give
pharmacies in this group a presence on the Internet.
Each Amcal pharmacy has its' own on-line store, an e-zine
( an e-zine is an internet newsletter, if you're not familiar
with the term ) which is generated centrally, but
personalised when sent to the customer, a section where
customers can enter their repeat prescription details and a
53
fax is sent to their pharmacy ( which customers select from a

drop-down list), with all the details, including delivery or
collection time . This means Amcal pharmacists can have the
prescriptions ready for the patients before they come in.
Amcal also utilises Intranet technology ( which means all
members are linked via an independent line ) to run a point
of sale system called AdvanceRetail, which centralizes
product maintenance & sales information, and is used create
a national sales picture of what is happening in each
pharmacy.This allows measure of how successful a particular
promotion has been, and other important feedback.
Unichem
Unichem launched their IT department 6 months ago,
focussing on setting up an Intranet system which was
launched in Nov 2000, the first in a number of technology
projects the Board are committed to. It caters to the three
franchises, Unichem, Unichem Life, and Dispensary First,
with each franchise only accessing information relevant to
them.
The Intranet is named "Splash " and allows Unichem
members to "dive" into four different sections of information
technology - News, Knowledge, Discussion and Trade.
The News area has general news pertaining to pharmacy,
such as industry news - both local and international,
suppliers' news, conference and marketing information. The
Knowledge area contains logos and templates for
54
advertising, training information, marketing promotions, and

reference articles. This frees up the Head Office staff from
repetitive tasks to allow them to concentrate on other
issues, as well as allowing pharmacies to access information
in their own time, as often as they like. This flexibility, as
well as ease of content editing is essential for the success of
Splash.
The discussion area is proving popular for discussion on
issues such as Society and new Government initiatives, as is
the Trade area, giving pharmacists the opportunity to
exchange dead stock.
Primenet:
Primenet is a secure on-line information network and
communications package. With 50% ownership by the
Pharmacy Guild and the remaining 50% owned by
pharmacists, Primenet will bring pharmacy to the fore in the
ownership of medicine data collection and feedback, putting
a stake in the ground for pharmacy to be the correlators of
patient care.
The system has nationwide application, and so far , 763
pharmacies have shown interest in joining the Primenet
network. A number of IPA groups have also shown interest in
the system, recognising the value of feedback on issues such
as patient compliance, as well as prescribing habits and
correlation with costs.
55
Primenet offers a complete communication package,

allowing savings to be made on existing telecommunication
and operating costs. Savings will also be made through
access to medical reference material, reducing the necessity
for purchasing these items. Finding and retrieving
information will be quick and easy with high speed, secure
Internet access.
Of particular importance to pharmacy are the security
protocols that have been built into Primenet, to ensure an
exceptionally high level of security. Being a secure intranet
for the medical community, usage is restricted to registered
health professionals with authorised access. While the
protection of data is provided through a layer of encryption
processes and network firewalls.
Probably the most exciting benefit that Primenet offers is the
glimpse of future directions and uses the Primenet system
will offer. Data collection and exchange - not only
prescription details, but also clinical information such as test
results will give pharmacists meaningful data to assist in
patient care, and the tracking of any alterations in therapy
made through PRS.
IPA budget spending can already be tracked for individual
IPA groups and categorised into 144 Therapeutic groups.
Meaningful data is collected, with not only funded medicines
being analysed, but also prescription items that are
presently "lost"in the pharmaceutical system such as NSS
56
items and Under$15 scripts. Being able to extract, analyze

and correlate this type of data will improve doctor-
pharmacist relations, as has already been shown where
these types of systems have been trailed.
Conclusion:
Touch Screen is widely used and emerging technology that is

sensitive to human touch, allowing a user to interact with the
computer by touching pictures or words on the screen. It
57
provides a very good user interface with applications that

normally require a mouse.
It is very useful in various fields like Museum / tourism

displays, railway station, casino and other gaming systems,
Airport, telephone exchange etc.
It has good future in many new technologies like in cell
phones, palmtops, laptops etc.
References:
 http://www.touchscreen_encyclopedia.com
 http://www.elotouchsystem.com
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59

Touch Screen Technology

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Touch Screen Technology

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Touch Screen Technology

 Construction of touch screen

A touch screen is a computer display screen that is

A touch screen kit includes a touch screen panel, a

and sends the data to the processor. The software driver

History of Touch screen

The first "touch sensor” was developed by Dr. Sam

The first true touch screen came on the scene in

What are Touch Screens?

The touch screen is the most user friendly PC

Touch is the easiest to learn and use of any available

How Does a Touch screen Work?

A basic touch screen has three main components: a touch

touch input system.

A touch screen sensor is a clear glass panel with a touch

determine the location of the touch to the screen.

without the need for touch screen specific programming.

Why use Touch Screens?

Touch is the easiest to learn and use of any available

Applications of Touch Screens

Common Uses for Touch

 Trade show displays

Types of Touch Screens

There are a variety of types of touch technology available

Resistive Touch Screens

transparent layer. A clear, hard coated plastic sheet is then

An 8-wire analog resistive touch screen has held up to more

most are officially rated over 1 million touches. These

The resistive Touch Screen is set up in the following

Resistive Touch Screens

Formed to fit the shape of a display, the glass panel has a

The controller circuit applies a voltage gradient across the

By using 4 wires, a pair of wires on each layer, both signals

coordinate. Puts the mouse cursor onto the (X,Y) coordinate.

Five-Wire Technology Four-Wire Technology and

Five-Wire Technology Four-Wire Technology and

Five-Wire Technology Four-Wire Technology and

• High Resolution and Accuracy

Surface Acoustic Wave Touch Screens

The SAW touch screen is a glass overlay with

Surface Acoustic Wave Touch Screens

When the front surface of the touch screen is

Acoustic wave touch screens have transducers that

location of the dampened area, recognizing a touch. SAW

How the Touch screen Controller Interprets Screen

When the controller is waiting for a touch, the resistive layer

touch screen by applying +5V to pins H and X and

Advantages of Surface Acoustic Wave

o Excellent Image Clarity

o Fast Touch Response

Disadvantages of Surface Acoustic Wave

o Must be touched by finger, gloved hand, or

Capacitive Touch Screens

Capacitive Touch Screens

The touch pad contains a two-layer grid of electrodes that

on these mutual capacitance changes at various locations

Capacitive overlay systems operate by way of a conductive

Comparison of the Different Types

o High Resolution and Accuracy

Advantages of Surface Acoustic Wave

o Excellent Image Clarity

o Very High Light Transmission

Disadvantages of Surface Acoustic Wave