A touchscreen is a transparent membrane switch; a display which has the ability to detect the presence and location of a touch within the display area, generally by a passive object such as a finger, hand or stylus. The touchscreen is an input device that allows users to operate a PC by simply touching the display screen. The touchscreen has two main attributes:

• Allows direct interaction with what is displayed on the screen, where it is displayed; as opposed to indirect interaction with a mouse or touchpad.
• The use of an intermediate device, such as a stylus, is not required.

The basic touchscreen has three main components:

1. A touch sensor – A clear glass panel with a touch-responsive surface placed over a display screen. Generally, the sensor has an electrical signal flowing through it. Touching the screen causes the signal change. This signal change is used to determine the location of the touch to the screen.
2. Controller – An intermediary electronic device that translates information from the touch sensor and communicates it to the PC.
3. Software driver – Software installed on the PC that allows the touch screen and computer to work together.

Touchscreen options include the following:

• Digital Touch Screen (Matrix touch screen)
  • Touch screen membrane switch
  • Multiple rows & columns of keys
  • Resolution depends on size and number of keys
  • All digital touch screens are custom
• Analog Touch Screen (4 & 5 wire)
• ITO Resistive
• Silver or Copper Flex Tail
• Crimpled connector option
• ZIF connector option
• With or without graphics
• Gloss coating
• Anti-glare coating
• Anti-reflective coating