Touch Screen

First computers became more visual, then they took a step further to understand vocal commands and now they have gone a step further and became ‘TOUCHY’, that is skin to screen.

A touchscreen is an easy to use input device that allows users to control PC software and DVD video by touching the display screen. A touch system consists of a touch Sensor that receives the touch input, a Controller, and a Driver. The most commonly used touch technologies are the Capacitive & Resistive systems. The other technologies used in this field are Infrared technology, Near Field Imaging & SAW (surface acoustic wave technology). These technologies are latest in this field but are very much expensive.


The uses of touch systems as Graphical User Interface (GUI) devices for computers continues to grow popularity. Touch systems are used for many applications such as ATM’s, point-of–sale systems, industrial controls, casinos & public kiosks etc. Touch system is basically an alternative for a mouse or keyboard.

The market for touch system is going to be around $2.5 billion by 2004. Various companies involved in development of touch systems mainly are Philips, Samsung etc. Even touch screen mobile phones have been developed by Philips