report on touch screen

Electronics &Communication

1. INTRODUCTION

An IR interactive Display 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.

IR interactive Displays are used with information kiosks, computer-based training

devices, and systems designed to help individuals who have difficulty manipulating a

mouse or keyboard. IR interactive Display 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 IR interactive Display technology, often having

larger icons and links than the typical PC application. Monitors are available with built-in

IR interactive Display technology or individuals can purchase an IR interactive Display

kit.

An IR interactive Display kit includes an IR interactive Display panel, a controller, and a

software driver. The IR interactive Display 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 IR interactive Display panel registers touch events and

passes these signals to the controller. The controller then processes the signals 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 IR

interactive Display kits are available but require professional installation because they

must be installed inside the monitor.

1.1 DEFINITION

What are IR interactive Displays?

The IR interactive Display 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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IR interactive Display

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.

1.2 HISTORY OF IR INTERACTIVE DISPLAY

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 IR interactive Displays, but

was a significant mile-stone for touch technology.

The first true IR interactive Display 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 IR interactive Display technology in use

today. On February 24, 1994, the company officially hanged. Its name from

Elographics to Elo Touch Systems.

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2. HOW DOES IR INTERACTIVE DISPLAY WORK?

A basic IR interactive Display has three main components: a touch sensor, a controller,

and a software driver. The IR interactive Display 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.

2.1. TOUCH SENSOR

An IR interactive Display 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

determine the location.

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2.2. 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 IR

interactive Display. 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.

2.3. SOFTWAREDRIVER

The driver is a software update for the PC system that allows the IR interactive Display

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 IR interactive Display

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 IR

interactive Display to work with existing software and allows new applications to be

developed without the need for IR interactive Display.

3. WHY USE IR INTERACTIVE DISPLAYS?

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.

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4. TYPES OF IR INTERACTIVE DISPLAYS

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.

4.1. RESISTIVE IR INTERACTIVE DISPLAYS

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,

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

coordinate. This accounts for resistive overlay's very high touch recognition resolution.

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An 8-wire analog resistive IR interactive Display has held up to more than 35 million

touches in laboratory environments, although 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 IR interactive Display. 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 IR interactive Display is rendered inoperable which

eliminates it from being effective in many applications.

The resistive IR interactive Display is set up in the following way

Resistive IR interactive Displays

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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.

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

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driver calculates these digital numbers into display (X, Y) coordinate. Puts the mouse

cursor onto the (X, Y) coordinates. 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 for both X-

and Y-axis measurements. The flexible

coversheet acts only as a voltage-

measuring probe. This means the IR

interactive Display continues working

properly even with non-uniformity in the

cover sheet's conductive coating. The result

is an accurate, durable and reliable IR

interactive Display that offers drift-free

operation.

Must use two layers to create X- and Y-

axis measurements. For the Y-axis, the

flexible top coversheet acts as a uniform

voltage gradient, while the bottom

substrate acts as the voltage probe. The

constant flexing that occurs on the outer

coversheet will change its electrical

characteristics (resistance) with use,

degrading the linearity and accuracy of this

axis.

Durability



Tested to over 35 million finger touches

with no performance degradation.

1 million-touch life max.

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Design Flexibility



Advanced design allows flat and spherical

designs.

Not available in spherical designs.

4.1.1 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

IR interactive Displays and controllers are safety agency-approved components, so

certification of your system is easier

4.1.2. DISADVANTAGES OF RESISTIVE

80 % Clarity

Resistive layers can be damaged by a sharp object

4.2. SURFACE ACOUSTIC WAVE IR INTERACTIVE DISPLAYS

The SAW IR interactive Display is a glass overlay with transmitting and receiving

piezoelectric transducers for both the X and Y-axes. The IR interactive Display

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

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side gather and direct the waves to the receiving transducer, which reconverts them into

an electrical signal

Surface Acoustic Wave IR interactive displays

When the front surface of the IR interactive Display 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.

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Acoustic wave IR interactive Displays 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 location of the dampened area, recognizing a touch. SAW IR

interactive Display 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

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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 IR interactive Display monitors are based on light-beam interruption technology.

How the IR interactive Display Controller Interprets Screen Measurement

When the controller is waiting for a touch, the resistive layer of the IR interactive Display

is biased at +5V through four drivelines and the coversheet is grounded through a high

resistance. When the IR interactive Display 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 IR interactive Display 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 IR interactive Display 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 IR interactive Display 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 IR interactive Display 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 IR interactive Display connector. This signal is converted and processed

as described above for the X position

4.2.1. ADVANTAGES OF SURFACE ACOUSTIC WAVE

1. Excellent Image Clarity

2. Very High Light Transmission

3. Excellent Durability

4. Stable "No-Drift" Operation

5. High Resolution

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6. Finger or Gloved-Hand Operation

7. Very Light Touch

8. Fast Touch Response

9. X-, Y-, and Z-axis Response

10. Overlay That Can Be Antiglare-Treated

4.2.2. DISADVANTAGES OF SURFACE ACOUSTIC WAVE

1. Must be touched by finger, gloved hand, or soft-tip stylus. Something

hard like a pen won't work

2. Not completely seal able, can be affected by large amounts of grease,

water, or dirt on the IR interactive Display

4.3. Capacitive IR interactive Displays

Capacitive IR interactive Displays

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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 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 IR interactive Display. 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 IR interactive Display is rendered inoperable which

eliminates it from being effective in many applications.

4.3.1. ADVANTAGES OF CAPACITIVE

1. High Touch Resolution

2. High Clarity

3. Completely Seal able

4.3.2. DISADVANTAGES OF CAPACITIVE

1. Must be touched by finger- will not work with any non-conductive input

2. Can be affected by electricity

3. May need re-calibration often

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5 COMPARISON OF THE DIFFERENT TYPES

ADVANTAGES OF RESISTIVE

1. High Resolution and Accuracy

2. Fast Response

3. Pressure-activated by finger or gloved hand with a very light touch

4. Durable hard-coat front surface can be no glare treated for reflection control or

polished for maximum clarity

5. IR interactive Displays and controllers are safety agency-approved components, so

certification of your system is easier

DISADVANTAGES OF RESISTIVE

1. 80 % Clarity

2. Resistive layers can be damaged by a sharp object

ADVANTAGES OF SURFACE ACOUSTIC WAVE

1. Excellent Image Clarity

2. Very High Light Transmission

3. Excellent Durability

4. Stable "No-Drift" Operation

5. High Resolution

6. Finger or Gloved-Hand Operation

7. Very Light Touch

8. Fast Touch Response

9. X-, Y-, and Z-axis Response

10. Overlay That Can Be Antiglare-Treated

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DISADVANTAGES OF SURFACE ACOUSTIC WAVE

1. Must be touched by finger, gloved hand, or soft-tip stylus. Something hard like a pen

won't work

2. Not completely seal able, can be affected by large amounts of grease, water, or dirt on

the IR interactive Display

Type: Resistive*: Acoustic Wave: Capacitive**:

Activation: Pressure sensitive Wave absorption 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

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

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6. CONSTRUCTION OF IR INTERACTIVE DISPLAY

6.1. 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.

6.2. SURFACE ACOUSTIC WAVE

Glass panel with transducers are attached to the front surface of the glass.

The SAW IR interactive Display is a glass overlay with transmitting and receiving

piezoelectric transducers

6.3. 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 IR interactive Display 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

resistivity’s at + or - 5% tolerance. An ohm per square is a dimensionless square area of

resistive material, the length and width of the resistor being of equal size, having an

Ohmic.

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THE BENEFITS OF IR INTERACTIVE DISPLAY

1.REDUCE TRAINING EXPENSES

IR interactive Display system is far easier to learn then traditional keyboard based. Everyday retail function like Selection tender, editing and voiding line items and capturing customer demographic information are made intuitive by virtue of the IR interactive Display- and the right IR interactive Display software. Many retailers, especially those in the service sector, sell items that cannot be easily bar coded. Touch system make it easy to ring up these items and of course, still to allow the use of all standard bar coded technologies. Studies show reduction in training time in excess of 50% can be expected. Enhanced POS function can be added with the knowledge that employees will be able to utilize them quickly and easily.

2.IMPROVE CUSTOMER SERVICE

If your customer has to wait for your employees to figure out how to use the store’s system, you are going lose costumer. IR interactive Display system eliminates this embarrassing and all too common, problem. Today’s retailers need to learn as much as possible about there customers needs and buying habits. Capturing customer’s information is a snap with IR interactive Display POS systems.

3.REDUCE TRANSACTION TIMES

Studies show IR interactive Display systems process transactions up to 60% faster than traditional keyboard POS systems. One info touch’ customer has clocked in with a traction rate of over 60 per Hrs. per register, over 20,000per day-with volunteers.

4.DECREASE COST

In an IR interactive Display POS system, the lay out of the color coded “keys” is stored in file on your hard drive. Change to the layout can be accomplished during the nightly poll of store data the time and expense of changing hardware key caps is eliminated.

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7. APPLICATIONS OF IR INTERACTIVE DISPLAYS

COMMON USES FOR TOUCH

1. Informational kiosks

2. Trade show displays

3. Museum / tourism displays

4. Point-of-sale terminals

5. Restaurant systems

6. Employee time clocks

7. Employee training systems

8. Industrial process controls

9. World Wide Web access kiosks

10. Home automation systems

11. Casino and other gaming systems

12. Computer access for the physically disabled

13. Railway station

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14. Airport

15. Telephone exchange

SOME MORE APPLICATION OF IR INTERACTIVE DISPLAY

The IR interactive Display 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 IR interactive Display interface can be less

intimidating and easier to use than other input devices, especially for

novice users. An IR interactive Display 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. IR interactive Display 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. IR interactive Displays can be used in cash

registers, order entry stations, seating and reservation systems, and more.

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CUSTOMER SELF-SERVICE

In todays fast pace world, waiting in line is one of the things that have

yet to speed up. Self-service IR interactive Display 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 IR interactive Display input.

CONTROL AND AUTOMATION SYSTEMS

The IR interactive Display 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 IR interactive Display interface is more user-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.

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ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY

The IR interactive Display 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 IR interactive Display 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.

8. IR INTERACTIVE DISPLAY CONFIGURATIONS

Touch Controls, Inc. offers the widest range of rugged zed IR interactive Display and

highly adaptable operator interface touch technology available anywhere. For example,

your application may require:

1. a daily high pressure caustic wash-down (NEMA 4X/IP 66);

2. protection against abrasive dust;

3. the use of harsh chemicals or organic solvents;

4. outdoor installation with environmental extremes;

5. withstanding abuse by the general public or vandalism;

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6. special cursor manipulation; or

7. 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.

8.1 RUGGEDIZED IR INTERACTIVE DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY

Standard and Special Faceplate Configurations

Based on 15 years of experience in manufacturing the most ruggedized, tamper-resistant

IR interactive Displays, Touch Controls, Inc. offers a wide range of proven IR interactive

Display 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

ENHANCED INFRARED™ TECHNOLOGY

The IR interactive Display 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:

1. Seal Touch™ - Industrial Faceplate - High Impact, seal able to NEMA 4X / IP

66

2. Touch Guard™ - Changeable Faceplate - High Abrasion and scratch-resistant

overlay, designed for dry and abrasive environments. The Touch Guard™ allows

the user to easily replace a worn faceplate, without dismantling or opening the

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unit, in as little as 2 minutes.

3. Clean Touch™ - Tempered Glass Faceplate - Built to withstand Harsh

Chemicals, and Organic Solvents.

4. Sun Touch™ - 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.

5. Tough Touch™ - 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 IR interactive Display 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.

8.2. EXCLUSIVE HIGH PERFORMANCE IR INTERACTIVE

DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY

High Resolution Enhanced Infrared™ IR interactive Display technology utilizes a

tighter grid of infrared light than any other infrared IR interactive Display, which

increases the operator's level of control over touch targets and functions. The benefits of

this include:

1. Easier to pinpoint small display targets. Ideal for precision applications such as

Internet, mapping or plotting grid coordinates.

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2. 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.

3. 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.)

4. Total external and internal sealing of the LEDs and LRPs up to NEMA 4/4x

standards.

5. Rugged Mechanical Design. High Resolution Enhanced Infrared™ technology

was developed specifically for use in harsh or demanding environments. The IR

interactive Display faceplate is scratch-resistant and shatterproof. Cuts or scratches on

the surface of the screen have no effect on the efficiency of the IR interactive Display.

8.3 MICROPOINTING

Micro pointing can be ordered as an option for Touch Controls' Enhanced Infrared IR

interactive Display.

This technology allows the IR interactive Display user to address every pixel of the

display and activate the IR interactive Display 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 Micro pointing IR interactive Display has a number of calibration options that are

used only for setting up the desired calibration and operating mode of the IR interactive

Display. 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.

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The Micro pointing IR interactive Display is compatible with various computer operating

systems through the use of a system-specific IR interactive Display software driver

(mouse emulator).

The Micro pointing IR interactive Display includes special software installed in the touch

controller card at the factory. This software allows two modes of operation:

1. Normal Mode - The IR interactive Display operates with the normal IR interactive

Display settings.

2. Micro pointing Mode - The IR interactive Display allows the operator to precisely

pinpoint a certain visual image with the cursor arrow in full view.

The Micro pointing 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 IR interactive

Display is activated only when the finger is lifted off the IR interactive Display.

When the Micro pointing 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.

8.3 TOUCH KEYS

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 IR interactive Displays 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.

9. LATEST DEVELOPMENT

Introducing a New IR interactive Display System

IR interactive Displays are widely used in numerous industries and applications that

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require exacting combinations of accuracy, touch sensitivity, and durability. Each IR

interactive Display application has its own unique challenges, and traditionally,

customers chose the IR interactive Display technology with the fewest disadvantages and

technical limitations for their specific application. Enter Dynapro’s Near Field Imaging

(NFI) IR interactive Display 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 an IR interactive Display 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 IR interactive Display sensor uses a transparent conductive 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.

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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.

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 IR interactive

Display 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 IR interactive Displays can be reliably sealed for applications that require high

pressure wash down or protection from contaminant-filled environments.

NFI ADDRESSES NEEDS

NFI offers significant advantages in performance and durability without compromises,

and it’s the only IR interactive Display technology that overcomes the technical

limitations found in other IR interactive Display technologies, by addressing three main

factors:

1. Accuracy - the ability to control equipment consistently and precisely despite

extreme environmental conditions.

2. Touch Sensitivity - the ability to operate the IR interactive Display with gloves

through moisture, dirt, and other surface contaminants

3. Durability - the ability to withstand scratches and other surface damage caused by

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abrasives, chemicals, or vandalism

THE BENEFITS OF NFI

DESIGNED FOR RUGGEDNESS

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 IR interactive Display and can easily be cleaned. The IR interactive

Display 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.

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STABILITY

Variations in temperature, humidity, and altitude do not affect NFI. The IR interactive

Display 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 IR interactive Displays can be reliably sealed for applications that require high

pressure wash down or for protection from contaminant-filled environments. Systems

incorporating NFI IR interactive Displays 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 IR interactive Display also resolves and reports concurrent touches without

averaging.

SHOCK AND VIBRATION

NFI IR interactive Displays 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.

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How is Touch Technology different from other devices?

1. No special commands to learn.

2. The user doesn't need to look away from the screen to a keyboard and

back again.

3. Entering wrong information is impossible, only valid options are

offered on the screen.

4. There are no loose pieces of hardware to be damaged or lost

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ULTIMATOUCH

A high-performance IR interactive Display 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 IR interactive Display, 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.

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

Easy installation, maintenance, and access to peripheral connections

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ULTRX-ELIMINATING THE PAPERWORK MOUNTAIN

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 today’s' 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:

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

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products such as automated drug dispensing systems, information kiosks, EFTPOS

terminals and scanners.

a) Automated Drug Dispensing Systems:

a) Health point Kiosks:

Health point kiosks:

They are user-friendly, comprehensive tools for up to date health information. With IR

interactive Display 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 foot traffic, as well as improved communication

between pharmacist and patient.

b) EFTPOS terminals:

EFTPOS New Zealand Limited has 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 pin pad 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.

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Main differences are:

Laser scanners read bar codes over short to medium distances (most types up to 1

meter), 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.

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 programmers:

(I) LOTS (HARVEY LOCKIE):

LOTS are designed to be 100% Windows compliant. You can have multiple windows

open, for example, while dispensing also has 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 (i.e. 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 have 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 feature, and most pharmacists’ say that it is

allows a major advance in their professional services.

(ii) TONIQ:

Toniq is a Windows-based program, with both dispensing and retail

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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 staff can only access areas that they are assigned to. Stobo's pharmacy in

Oamaru employs 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, recognize IT as important directions for

growth, and have dedicated IT departments.

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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

personalized when sent to the customer, a section where customers can enter their repeat

prescription details and a 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 utilizes Intranet technology ( which means all members are linked via an

independent line ) to run a point of sale system called Advance Retail, 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, focusing 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 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,

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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, recognizing the value of feedback on issues such as patient compliance, as well

as prescribing habits and correlation with costs.

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 authorized

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.

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IPA budget spending can already be tracked for individual IPA groups and categorized

into 144 Therapeutic groups. Meaningful data is collected, with not only funded

medicines being analyzed, but also prescription items that are presently “lost” in the

pharmaceutical system such as NSS 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.

10. FUTURE SCOPE

1. RPO’ s Digital Waveguide Touch:

2. Minimal power requirements.

3. High inherent accuracy & precession.

4. Zero-pressure touches & allows finger scrolling.

5. Allows100% display light output, picture definition and color clarity.

6. Low-cost & Excellent durability.

7. 3-dimensional IR interactive Displays

11. CONCLUSION1. IR interactive Display 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 provides a very good user interface with applications that normally require a mouse.

2. It is very useful in various fields like Museum / tourism displays, railway station, casino and other gaming systems, Airport, telephone exchange etc.

3. It has good future in many new technologies like in cell phones, palmtops, laptops

etc.

4. Designers are trying to use IR interactive Display to simplify input commands for

largely unsophisticated computer users.

5. Today, a larger share of population is PC literate, yet the IR interactive Display has

become adopted by computer users of all abilities because it is simple, fast, and

innovative.

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6. In future there is no usage of mouse and keyboards as they will be replaced by

touchscreens.

12. REFERENCES

1. http://www.touchscreen_encyclopedia.com

2. http://www.elotouchsystem.com

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http://www.elotouchsystem.com/

http://www.touchscreen_encyclopedia.com/