21.11.2014 Views

Touch Screens: A Pressing Technology

Touch Screens: A Pressing Technology

Touch Screens: A Pressing Technology

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

1118 B9<br />

TOUCH SCREENS: A PRESSING TECHNOLOGY<br />

Timothy Hoye (tmh60@pitt.edu) and Joseph Kozak (jpk54@pitt.edu)<br />

Abstract - In today’s society, the way in which we physically<br />

interact with electronic devices is changing how we focus<br />

our technological research. This change has led to many<br />

great advances, including the development of touch screen<br />

technology. Through the use of touch screen technology, the<br />

operator is given an alternative method of how he or she can<br />

interact with a device. This technology operates in three<br />

distinct ways: resistive systems, capacitive systems, and<br />

infrared systems. This paper will investigate, discuss, and<br />

compare these different technologies, focusing on the<br />

differences in application, aspects of sustainability, as well<br />

as the positive and negative qualities.<br />

Key Words – Capacitive, Infrared, Multi-<strong>Touch</strong>, Resistive,<br />

Sustainability, <strong>Touch</strong> <strong>Screens</strong><br />

A BRIEF HISTORY OF TOUCH SCREENS<br />

Throughout the past century, technology has improved in<br />

many ways. The way in which humans interact with<br />

technology is one of the most important ways technology is<br />

changing. By using touch screen technology, the user is able<br />

to manipulate a digital environment by only the touch of<br />

their finger, or another input device, on the screen.<br />

Throughout this paper we will discuss the different<br />

technologies that make this possible: infrared, resistive, and<br />

capacitive touch screens, as well as their qualities in modern<br />

devices.<br />

<strong>Touch</strong> screen technology first entered the public eye in<br />

1971, with the invention of the Elograph, by Elographics,<br />

Inc [1]. This company was created to “produce Graphical<br />

Data Digitizers for use in research and industrial<br />

applications” [1]. This technology set the stage for many<br />

devices to come. One of the next devices to be invented was<br />

the HP-150, the first touch screen computer. Hewlett<br />

Packard invented this device in 1983 [2]. This technology is<br />

important because it “had infrared touch-screen capability,<br />

allowing for creation of ATM-like applications” [2]. These<br />

are two of the most important devices in the development of<br />

touch screen technology. As time progressed, touch screen<br />

devices have become increasingly more complex and<br />

sustainable, providing the user with greater accuracy and<br />

more features to improve the quality of life.<br />

INFRARED TOUCH SCREENS<br />

The first type of touch screen technology we shall discuss is<br />

based upon infrared light. There are two main infrared<br />

systems: a standard grid and an internal reflection system.<br />

These systems are very accurate; however, they require more<br />

space than other touch screen systems.<br />

Dr. Andrew Hsu, an expert on touch screen<br />

technologies, states that “IR (infrared) screens are among the<br />

most durable surfaces and can handle hostile environments,<br />

making them well suited for military applications”[3].<br />

Although we will not be focusing on the technology in terms<br />

of military applications, we can see that infrared touch<br />

screen technologies, while being the most durable surfaces,<br />

are also quite possibly the most versatile. This versatility<br />

comes from having two variant systems of infrared touch<br />

screen. The first system is similar to resistive systems, which<br />

will be discussed later, in that it consists of a two<br />

dimensional grid of infrared light.<br />

In this technology, infrared LEDs (light emitting<br />

diodes) are arranged on opposite sides of the unit underneath<br />

the glass. The diodes project infrared light into sensors<br />

located directly across from them. The sensors read the<br />

strength of the beams, and “when a user makes contact with<br />

the screen, the system measures the drop in the sensoroutput<br />

signal; this measurement allows the system to<br />

compute the location of the touch” [3]. This is to say that<br />

when the finger touches the screen, the infrared beams are<br />

obstructed by the user’s finger; however, some light<br />

continues to pass to the sensor. The sensors send the<br />

measurements of light to the operating system, which<br />

analyzes the data and recognizes where the user touched.<br />

This technology has multi-touch capability because the<br />

beams of light are never fully obstructed by the user’s touch.<br />

The second type of infrared system requires more<br />

space than the first. This system is based upon internal<br />

reflection; a beam of light is emitted from within the unit,<br />

hits the glass, and part of the beam exits through the lens<br />

while the other part goes back into the unit. Cameras are<br />

placed inside the unit and are calibrated to the standard<br />

reflection to the beams so that, “when objects such as fingers<br />

touch the surface, the light diffuses at the contact point,<br />

causing the acrylic’s internal-reflection pathways to change.<br />

A camera below the surface captures the diffusion and sends<br />

the information to image-processing software, which can<br />

read multiple touches simultaneously and translate them into<br />

a command” [4]. In the example stated, the screen is an<br />

acrylic screen rather than standard glass, allowing for a<br />

thinner lens that is just as durable, cheaper, and more<br />

resilient.<br />

Advances are being made in internal reflection systems<br />

to make the instruments much smaller. One of these<br />

advancements, called ThinSight, is “a thin form-factor<br />

interactive surface technology based on optical sensors<br />

embedded inside a regular liquid crystal display” [5].<br />

ThinSight will allow a row of circuitry that possesses<br />

hundreds of small infrared LEDs, similar to the emitters and<br />

sensors, used in standard infrared systems. These sensors<br />

University of Pittsburgh April 10, 2010<br />

TENTH ANNUAL FRESHMAN CONFERENCE<br />

1


1118 B9<br />

and emitters are much smaller and would cover a much<br />

smaller area of the screen. Traditional internal reflection<br />

system only required four or five emitters and cameras.<br />

Thinsight technology is still in development; however, it is<br />

believed that these advancements could make infrared touch<br />

screen technology much smaller. The advancements would<br />

also cause the system to be more available for future<br />

consumer touch screen devices.<br />

FIGURE 1<br />

THINSIGHT TOUCH SCREEN INFRARED EMITTERS AND DETECTORS [5]<br />

Microsoft Surface<br />

As mentioned above, the Microsoft Surface is a great<br />

example of internal reflection infrared touch screens. In<br />

early 2001, “Steve Bathiche of Microsoft Hardware and<br />

Andy Wilson of Microsoft Research began brainstorming<br />

concepts for an interactive table”, beginning the<br />

development of the Surface [6]. The process continued in<br />

development until 2003 when the idea was presented to Bill<br />

Gates, and 85 prototypes were created for developers on the<br />

Surface Computing group, a group created in 2004 to solely<br />

develop the Surface. In 2005, various prototypes were<br />

created and analyzed, and eventually, in 2008, the Microsoft<br />

Surface was on sale to the public for $12,500 or $15,000 [6].<br />

The Surface’s “technology uses multiple image sensors<br />

around one side of the touch surface and IR backlights on<br />

the other side. When a user places his finger on the surface,<br />

intercepting the infrared beam, the device projects a shadow.<br />

Using multiple cameras, the unit converts this shadow into a<br />

touch point through triangulation” [3]. As stated by Dr. Hsu,<br />

the Surface uses a system of cameras and IR LED’s to<br />

capture the image of the object touching the surface. The<br />

Surface took a step forward with their technology,<br />

developing a special motherboard to compute the data,<br />

transmitted at 100 megabytes per second, from the cameras.<br />

The board then divides the data into sections that decide<br />

what is relevant and what is not. Relevant data is considered<br />

to be any information from the cameras that has changed<br />

since the last transmission. An example of that is the shadow<br />

from the infrared light changing as someone touches the<br />

screen.<br />

This software is also revolutionary in that it detects and<br />

distinguishes different types of touches. The Surface<br />

categorizes touches into three sets: finger, blob, and tagged<br />

objects. Fingers are given the ability to click on software<br />

application buttons, paint across the screen, and further<br />

interact with the Surface. Blobs are generic objects that are<br />

given a circular or oval reading with a major and minor axis.<br />

Blobs include inanimate objects like paper or other pieces of<br />

technology like smart phones or cameras [7]. Microsoft<br />

products, like the Microsoft Zune music player, can interact<br />

with the Surface just by laying Zune upon the top of the<br />

screen. Multiple Zunes can interact with one another using<br />

the Surface as an intermediary, transferring songs from one<br />

to another. Cameras and phones can also perform similar<br />

tasks with contacts, pictures, maps, and many other pieces of<br />

data. Microsoft has been “initially selling Surface to<br />

Starwood Hotels for guest check in, Harrah’s Entertainment<br />

for video gambling, and T-Mobile for providing customers<br />

with technical information about the company’s mobile<br />

phones” [4]. The Surface allows for the use of tagged items,<br />

specific to where the device is located. Tagged items could<br />

include gambling chips at a Harrah’s Casino or an electric<br />

keycard at a Starwood Hotel. The tagged items give the<br />

Surface very specific data, which includes the facing<br />

direction of the object as well as electric data on the tagged<br />

item itself [7].<br />

FIGURE 2<br />

MICROSOFT SURFACE [6]<br />

Through previous advances in touch screen<br />

technology, Microsoft took a step forward in infrared<br />

systems with their Surface. The Surface’s starting price is<br />

$12,500. This high cost makes the Surface inaccessible to<br />

personal consumers, and is therefore marketed toward<br />

corporations or companies.<br />

RESISTIVE TOUCH SCREENS<br />

Resistive touch screen systems are the most common type of<br />

touch screen technology in today’s market. These devices<br />

are used in many applications, such as cell phones, handheld<br />

games, GPS navigation devices, and even some digital<br />

cameras [3].<br />

The resistive touch screen technology operates in a<br />

very simple way. These screens are built using two layers of<br />

the conductive material Indium Tin Oxide (ITO), separated<br />

University of Pittsburgh April 10, 2010<br />

TENTH ANNUAL FRESHMAN CONFERENCE<br />

2


1118 B9<br />

by a small gap of air [3]. The bottom layer is generally on<br />

glass, and the top on a flexible material, often plastic [8].<br />

When the user presses down on the top ITO layer, it<br />

physically bends to make contact with the bottom ITO layer,<br />

changing the resistance of the two layers [8]. A typical<br />

resistive touch screen uses 4 wires, 2 of them on each panel.<br />

As seen in Figure 3, each panel corresponds to a different<br />

axis. These perpendicular axes allow the computer to take<br />

the measurements of the change in resistance from each<br />

panel, and calculate the position of the touch point from its<br />

X and Y components [3].<br />

due to the slight electromagnetic charge contained in the<br />

human body [8]. These changes in capacitance are measured<br />

and calculated as touch points in a very similar way to<br />

resistive touch screens, by using the X and Y components.<br />

FIGURE 4<br />

PROJECTED CAPACITIVE TOUCH SCREEN LAYERS [8]<br />

FIGURE 3<br />

TYPICAL 4-WIRE RESISTIVE TOUCH SCREEN [3]<br />

CAPACITIVE TOUCH SCREENS<br />

Capacitive touch screens are very important within the field<br />

of touch screen technology. In the early 1990s, this<br />

technology made its initial appearance into the touch screen<br />

market in laptop computers, as touch pads [3]. Recently,<br />

capacitive popularity has grown, as it has become one of the<br />

leading technologies used in touch screen devices. In 2001,<br />

it began appearing in consumer devices, such as MP3-<br />

players and smart phones [3]. This increase in attention is<br />

likely due to the effectiveness of its design, its use of multitouch<br />

technology, and the popularity of Apple products<br />

using this technology: iPod <strong>Touch</strong>, iPhone and most recently<br />

the iPad. [9].<br />

Projected Capacitive <strong>Touch</strong> <strong>Screens</strong><br />

The design of projected capacitive touch screens is<br />

somewhat similar to that of resistive touch screens, in that<br />

they both utilize 2 layers of ITO, with perpendicular<br />

conductive measuring strips on the ends of each layer [8],<br />

which are encased between two glass layers (See Figure 4).<br />

This “grid,” formed by the perpendicular conductive layers,<br />

projects the electric field through the top layer of glasshence<br />

the name projected capacitive touch screens [8].<br />

Because of this projection, when the user touches the top<br />

layer of glass it “changes the measured capacitance values of<br />

the electrodes closest to it” [3]. This change in capacitance is<br />

Surface Capacitive <strong>Touch</strong> <strong>Screens</strong><br />

Surface capacitive is another form of capacitive touch<br />

screen technology. The primary difference between surface<br />

capacitive and projected capacitive is that surface capacitive<br />

uses only one ITO surface [3]. This layer calculates touch<br />

points using principles that are very similar to projected<br />

capacitive touch screens, in that touch points are observed<br />

by changes in capacitance if the ITO layer in the touch<br />

screen. However, these touch points are measured in a very<br />

different way. The computer measures the change in<br />

capacitance from each corner of the ITO layer, and with<br />

these 4 separate measurements, the X and Y coordinates of<br />

the touch point are calculated [3].<br />

Multi-<strong>Touch</strong> <strong>Technology</strong><br />

An important feature of capacitive touch screens is their<br />

ability to recognize and calculate multiple touch points at<br />

one time, commonly called multi-touch. “Multi-touch<br />

technology has been around since early research at the<br />

University of Toronto in 1982” [4]. The uses of this<br />

technology are very vast, allowing for greater humancomputer<br />

interaction. This technology is traditionally<br />

associated with capacitive touch screens, but is not limited to<br />

this technology. It can also be found in infrared touch<br />

screens and is beginning to appear in resistive touch screens<br />

[3]. Currently, multi-touch technology is being used with a<br />

purpose similar to the function keys (Control, Alt, Option,<br />

Command, etc.) on a standard keyboard. By adopting these<br />

functions, the user is able to complete the same tasks as<br />

before, but with one hand. With advances in hardware, multi<br />

touch will allow multiple users to access the same device<br />

simultaneously, like the Microsoft Surface’s capability of<br />

300 plus touches. While the hardware is available to create<br />

such devices, software implementation is holding back the<br />

growth of multi touch.<br />

University of Pittsburgh April 10, 2010<br />

TENTH ANNUAL FRESHMAN CONFERENCE<br />

3


1118 B9<br />

Apple<br />

Apple Corporation is a pioneer in the field of consumer<br />

electronics. With their innovative designs, Apple products<br />

have been setting new standards to which other technology<br />

is compared. In 2007, Apple revealed the iPhone, changing<br />

the face of telecommunications and touch screen technology<br />

[10]. This device was revolutionary because it incorporated a<br />

cell phone, iPod, and Internet communications device,<br />

making it the only electronic device you need [11]. Apple<br />

also created a version of this device to be the next generation<br />

of iPod, called the iPod <strong>Touch</strong> or the i<strong>Touch</strong>. It is very<br />

similar to the iPhone, except for the difference that it does<br />

not have cell phone capabilities. For our purposes, these<br />

devices will be described as interchangeable, because they<br />

both rely on the same touch technology and the same userinterface<br />

[9].<br />

manipulate documents, images, and other files with motions<br />

that feel like the task actually being completed, the user is<br />

able to work more efficiently and with less specific training<br />

or knowledge.<br />

Apple recently announced their next step in the field of<br />

touch screen technology: the iPad. Little is known about this<br />

device, aside from general technical descriptions of what it<br />

can do, and its 9.7-inch multi-touch display [9]. It can be<br />

assumed that it operates very similarly to that of the iPhone<br />

and iPod touch. This device was designed to browse the<br />

web, read and send email, view photos, movies, listen to<br />

music, play games, and read e-books, among many other<br />

things [13]. With these tasks in mind, the iPad is creating a<br />

new market for touch screen devices, much as the iPhone<br />

changed the mobile phone industry. By integrating<br />

innovative hardware, and creating arguably the most<br />

intuitive user interface available, Apple continues to raise<br />

the bar for all of their competitors in the consumer touch<br />

screen industry.<br />

PROS AND CONS<br />

FIGURE 5<br />

APPLE IPHONE [9]<br />

The iPhone and i<strong>Touch</strong> both use a projected capacitive<br />

touch screen, and are often used as examples in comparing<br />

projected capacitive technology to other touch screen<br />

technologies [10]. The patent application for this system is<br />

where most of our knowledge of the screen is from. It<br />

describes two different types of touch technology, selfcapacitance<br />

and mutual capacitance [12]. Self-capacitance is<br />

“a simple passive array of 2436 sensing electrodes in a<br />

single plane” [12]. Mutual capacitance, on the other hand,<br />

works much more like other capacitive touch screens. By<br />

setting two layers on top of each other, aligning the<br />

measuring strips perpendicular to each other, and calculating<br />

the touch point based on the X and Y coordinate of the<br />

touch, greater accuracy is achieved [10]. Another<br />

technologically relevant aspect of the iPhone is its use of<br />

multi-touch input, which allows for 15 touches at a time<br />

[12]. It is with this technology that the iPhone and iPod<br />

touch revolutionized the touch screen industry.<br />

These devices are important to the development of<br />

touch screen technology, because of their superior user<br />

interface (UI). There are six main functions of the iPhone’s<br />

touch screen: “Single tap to select or activate something,<br />

double tap to change the display format, drag and drop to<br />

move something, a stroke (“swipe” or “flick”)<br />

up/down/left/right to scroll, “pinching” two fingers together<br />

to shrink something,” and “spreading” two fingers apart to<br />

enlarge something” [10]. These intuitive controls have set a<br />

new precedent for all user interfaces. By being able to<br />

The two types of infrared systems are internal reflection and<br />

infrared grid. Infrared grids systems are reliable and can be<br />

manufactured inexpensively into appropriate sizes. Due to<br />

the grid of lasers and sensors, users do not need to press<br />

fully down on the screen putting less wear on screen<br />

increasing the life expectancy of the unit. The grid also<br />

increases the precision of the users touch.<br />

Internal reflection systems are large systems because<br />

of the space required for cameras to accurately measure the<br />

shadow produced by the infrared LEDs. The large space<br />

required for larger instruments does make internal reflection<br />

devices the most accurate touch screen technology. Units<br />

like the Microsoft Surface, the leading internal reflection<br />

device, are also able to increase their multi-touch capabilities<br />

to 300 plus touches.<br />

Resistive touch screen technology is the cheapest of<br />

the different types of touch screens; however, there are a few<br />

drawbacks. The first problem with this technology is the<br />

flexibility of the top layer of screen. This causes the ITO<br />

coating to crack due to the continual stretching and<br />

retracting of the flexible later [3]. This wear also relates to<br />

the air gap between the ITO layers. This gap allows dirt and<br />

dust to collect between the two conductive surfaces, making<br />

the display appear dirty. Additionally, these devices are “less<br />

than ideal for harsh environments,” due to the fact that they<br />

are vulnerable to temperature and humidity changes, which<br />

would affect the accuracy of the touch screen [3]. This is not<br />

to say that they do not perform consistently under standard<br />

conditions. One benefit of this technology is that the user is<br />

able to use his or her finger or a stylus as input devices [3].<br />

Overall, resistive touch screens perform very well,<br />

considering that they are the cheapest of the different touch<br />

screens.<br />

University of Pittsburgh April 10, 2010<br />

TENTH ANNUAL FRESHMAN CONFERENCE<br />

4


1118 B9<br />

Capacitive touch screens are very common in many<br />

consumer devices. Although there are two different types of<br />

capacitive touch screens, their performance is very similar,<br />

with the exception that projected capacitive touch screens<br />

are a little more accurate than surface capacitive touch<br />

screens, but this difference is relatively negligible. An<br />

important feature of this technology is its use and application<br />

of multi-touch gestures. This is because less force is required<br />

to maintain a “touch point”, making dragging and zooming<br />

items much easier. However, a drawback of this technology<br />

is that you can only touch the screen with your finger. This<br />

means that stylus and gloves, depending on their thickness,<br />

will not work with this technology [8]. Another drawback is<br />

the cost of the screen. These screens are more expensive<br />

than resistive touch screens [3]. Overall, capacitive touch<br />

screens are very effective in their current uses.<br />

Resistive and capacitive technologies are very similar,<br />

but also have several important differences. One of these<br />

differences is in durability and the need for calibration. In<br />

resistive touch screens, due to the deformation and warping<br />

of the ITO layer, the screens performance will be changed.<br />

This change creates a need to recalibrate the screen [8]. This<br />

problem, however, is not found in capacitive touch screens.<br />

This is because the ITO layers are less susceptible to<br />

damage. Additionally, this is capable “because the system<br />

can self-calibrate for environmental changes and is better<br />

able to adapt to environmental issues than resistive<br />

technology” [3]. Infrared devices also have the capability to<br />

self-calibrate for scratches because the sensors only react<br />

when something changes on the screen. A sensor would<br />

initially react to a scratch however, once the device is in rest<br />

it would read the new dimensions of the screen to be<br />

standard.<br />

This difference has a large impact on the use of each<br />

of the devices. Since capacitive and infrared devices do not<br />

need to be calibrated, they are more accurate than resistive<br />

devices after some wear. This difference between capacitive<br />

and resistive also increases because the ITO layers in<br />

resistive devices deteriorate over time. Capacitive touch<br />

screens are, therefore, more accurate and more durable than<br />

resistive touch screens.<br />

Another difference between the types of touch screens<br />

is the type of input devices allowed. In both resistive and<br />

infrared systems, you can use nearly any object to create a<br />

touch point. The only limitation on resistive systems is that<br />

the object needs to be somewhat pointed. This means that<br />

these touch screens allow for the use of fingers, a stylus,<br />

and, in infrared devices, just about any other object. This is a<br />

great benefit over capacitive touch screens, where a user can<br />

only use a finger to create touch points. The flexibility of<br />

using a stylus or finger allows for greater accuracy, and also<br />

allows the technology to be used in varied ways.<br />

The main difference between touch screen<br />

technologies is size and cost. Infrared touch screens are by<br />

far the biggest of the touch screen technologies. They are<br />

also more expensive than resistive and capacitive touch<br />

screens [3]. The size of resistive and capacitive touch<br />

screens is relatively similar, due to the similar nature of their<br />

technologies. However, there is quite a difference in price<br />

between these touch screens. Capacitive touch screens are<br />

more expensive than resistive touch screens because the<br />

systems of circuitry and measurement are more complex [3].<br />

It is with these differences in mind that we discuss the<br />

applications of these technologies. Infrared touch screens are<br />

best suited to devices like the Microsoft Surface, which<br />

require a very large touch screen. While resistive and<br />

capacitive screens have the potential to be this size, they do<br />

not perform as well as the infrared technology. This is<br />

because infrared technology uses sets of infrared LEDs and<br />

either cameras or sensors to detect the changes. Having a<br />

large capacitive or resistive system would require a large<br />

amount of wire throughout the screen; wires of that size<br />

would increase the chance for malfunction in detection, as<br />

well as wear and tear.<br />

Capacitive touch screens are best suited for high end,<br />

portable electronic devices, and devices that need to perform<br />

consistently in many conditions. This is because of its<br />

durability, accuracy, multi-touch support and ease, and its<br />

aesthetically pleasing appearance.<br />

Finally, resistive touch screens are best suited for<br />

mobile applications, in which conditions will be consistent.<br />

SUSTAINABILITY<br />

One definition of sustainability is the improvement of the<br />

quality of life by making life more enjoyable and less<br />

burdensome. <strong>Touch</strong> screen technology fits within this<br />

definition very well. <strong>Touch</strong> screen devices make life more<br />

enjoyable by creating a fun and intuitive user interface. This<br />

is a reason that the iPhone, iPod <strong>Touch</strong>, and similar devices<br />

are so successful. By allowing the user to operate the device<br />

in many different ways, the devices are more versatile and<br />

create a better interface for many applications. With a better<br />

interface, the devices become more enjoyable to use, and<br />

allow for other applications of the device.<br />

Sustainability also pertains to making life less<br />

burdensome. <strong>Touch</strong> screens are very sustainable because of<br />

the vast amount of applications that can be done on one<br />

device. This can be seen very easily in the iPhone and<br />

Microsoft Surface. Before the iPhone, many people carried<br />

around a cell phone, iPod, and PDA. With the<br />

implementation of a versatile touch screen, the iPhone and<br />

other touch screen devices are able to do the tasks of all<br />

three of these devices. This is because of the adaptability of<br />

the interface. The Microsoft Surface is similar to the iPhone<br />

because it makes many applications available to the user.<br />

Users are able to transfer contact information, calendars,<br />

pictures, etc. with just the touch of a finger. The<br />

sustainability aspects of both of these devices show the<br />

importance of these technologies. These devices improve the<br />

quality of life for the user by simplifying everyday tasks and<br />

making them more enjoyable for the user.<br />

University of Pittsburgh April 10, 2010<br />

TENTH ANNUAL FRESHMAN CONFERENCE<br />

5


1118 B9<br />

THE FUTURE OF TOUCH<br />

For now, the latest developments in touch screen technology<br />

include what is considered as an interactive touch screen—it<br />

is perceived that the screen shapes itself allowing a user to<br />

click a button. A. Peshkin and J. Edward Colgate, professors<br />

at Northwestern University, are at the forefront of this<br />

innovation. The Tactile Pattern Display, TPaD, has a small<br />

devise, piezoelectric ceramic disc that vibrates the outer<br />

most layer of glass. The vibrations through the glass create a<br />

small layer of air between the user’s finger and the screen<br />

itself. This changes the coefficient of friction between the<br />

finger and screen making it appear that the glass itself has<br />

changed. Peshkin and Colgate explain that, “the entire plate<br />

vibrates, so the amount of friction is the same all over the<br />

TPaD’s surface at any given time. But because the<br />

oscillations are modulated as your finger’s position changes,<br />

the device fools you into thinking that there are varying<br />

amounts of friction at different locations. The prototype uses<br />

optical sensors to keep track of your finger’s position. The<br />

friction reduction can be switched on and off so quickly<br />

(within about 4 milliseconds on average) that the pitch of<br />

virtual bumps or dips can be made far finer than what a<br />

fingertip can discern” [14].<br />

The TPaD is still in the prototype phase of<br />

development; however, it is a step forward with human<br />

interaction with technology. How far and how fast touch<br />

screen technology develops is only limited to the funding<br />

and resources available. Expect to be interacting with your<br />

devices more and more as advances are made in technology.<br />

TOUCH SCREENS AND CONSUMERS<br />

Moving towards the future, consumers will continue to see<br />

the growth of the touch screen industry, due to extensive<br />

engineering advancements in user interfaces. The ability to<br />

physically touch a screen is easier than searching for a<br />

specific key in a sea of buttons. Society, for these reasons,<br />

has found touch screens to be the future of many devices.<br />

The social norm of today includes walking down the street<br />

surfing the web on an iPhone or sifting through music on an<br />

iPod <strong>Touch</strong>. No additional buttons are necessary, just the<br />

small, portable device in one’s pocket until needed. Society<br />

will continue to see the development of touch screen<br />

technology as human-device interaction is perfected.<br />

[5]Izadi, Shahram, et al. "ThinSight: A Thin Form-Factor Interactive<br />

Surface <strong>Technology</strong>." Association for Computing Machinery.<br />

[6]"The Origins of Microsoft Surface". www.microsoft.com.<br />

http://www.microsoft.com/surface/Pages/Product/Origins.aspx. Accessed 3<br />

March 2010.<br />

[7]"The Microsoft Surface Vision System". www.microsoft.com.<br />

http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9707395. Accessed 3 March 2010.<br />

[8] Gray, Tony. “Projected Capacitive <strong>Touch</strong> Screen <strong>Technology</strong>”. Ocular,<br />

Inc. Accessed 3 March 2010.<br />

[9] “Apple.com”. www.Apple.com. http://www.apple.com. Accessed 3<br />

March 2010.<br />

[10] Walker, Geoff. “The Apple iPhone’s Impact on the <strong>Touch</strong>-Panel<br />

Industry”. Information Display 5/07. Accessed 3 March 2010.<br />

[11]"Apple Reinvents the Phone with iPhone". www.Apple.com.<br />

http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2007/01/09iphone.html. Accessed 3 March<br />

2010.<br />

[12] Walker, Geoff. “<strong>Touch</strong> and the Apple iPhone”. Veritas et Visus.<br />

Accessed 3 March 2010.<br />

[13]"Apple Launches iPad". www.Apple.com.<br />

http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2010/01/27ipad.html. Accessed 3 March<br />

2010.<br />

[14]Jones, Willie D. “<strong>Touch</strong> <strong>Screens</strong> with Feeling” IEEE Spectrum May.<br />

2009: 15. Accessed 3 March 2010.<br />

ADDITIONAL SOURCES<br />

Aguilar, R.N., and G.C.M. Meijer. "Fast interface electronics for a resistive<br />

touch screen." Proceedings of IEEE SENSORS 2002. 2002.<br />

Hill, Anthony. "<strong>Touch</strong> screen technologies: Their advantages and<br />

disadvantages; the guidelines offered will point you toward the best touch<br />

technology for your application needs." Control Solutions, September 2002:<br />

24.<br />

Hoggan, Eve, Topi Kaaresoja, Pauli Laitinen, and Stephen Brewster.<br />

"Crossmodal Congruence: The Look, Feel and Sound of <strong>Touch</strong>screen<br />

Widgets." ICMI. 2008. 157-164.<br />

Kim, Hong-Ki, et al. "Transparent and flexible tactile sensor for multi touch<br />

screen application with force sensing." Solid State Sensors, Actuators and<br />

Microsystems Conference. 2009. 1146-1149.<br />

Loviscach, Jorn. "Two-Finger Input with a Standard <strong>Touch</strong> Screen."<br />

Fachbereich Elektrotechnik und Informatik, October 7-10, 2007: 169-172.<br />

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS<br />

We would like to thank Luis Bon and Rowoli Scott-<br />

Emuakpor for their guidance in this project. We also thank<br />

those at the Engineering Library, Writing Center, and those<br />

involved in the Freshman Engineering Writing Program who<br />

have helped us with our research and in editing this project.<br />

We would additionally like to thank our peers in the<br />

Freshman Engineering Program, especially the SPACE<br />

Floors, for their support and assistance with the editing and<br />

revisions necessary to completing this project.<br />

REFERENCES<br />

[1]“Company history from Elographics to Elo <strong>Touch</strong>Systems, 1971 -<br />

present - Elo <strong>Touch</strong>Systems - Tyco Electronics”. www.elotouch.com.<br />

http://www.elotouch.com/AboutElo/History/default.asp. Accessed 3 March<br />

2010.<br />

[2]“The HP-150”. www.columbia.edu.<br />

http://www.columbia.edu/acis/history/hp150.html. Accessed 3 March 2010.<br />

[3]Hsu, Andrew. "Choosing a touch technology for handheld-system<br />

applications." EDN, January 8, 2009: 40-44.<br />

[4]Nichols, Steven J. Vaughan “New Interfaces at the <strong>Touch</strong> of a Fingertip”<br />

IEEE Society August. 2007: 12-15.<br />

University of Pittsburgh April 10, 2010<br />

TENTH ANNUAL FRESHMAN CONFERENCE<br />

6

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!