Touch panel technology is a regular part of our daily lives. It has integrated itself into almost every aspect of our lives, from digital devices like smartphones, gaming consoles and tablet devices, but many others such as bank ATMs, ticket vending machines in railway stations or airports to electronic kiosks inside shopping malls and even part of car navigation systems.

More and more, we’re also seeing touch panel technology used by businesses to enhance their customer experience. The most recognisable example also being fast food restaurants utilising touchscreen technology as part of their digitised menu and now a crucial element in their ordering process to help reduce queuing and speed up the delivery.

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To put it simply, a touchscreen panel PC is a digital device that enables user interaction without the need for a mouse or keyboard. This means that customers can interact with the computer by touching the screen directly.

A touch panel incorporates features into the monitor, such as sensors that detect touch actions and make it possible to issue instructions to a computer. Panel PCs are devices that fuse together the functions of display and input.

Panel PCs are perfect for a wide variety of different applications and environments, including for both industrial or commercial settings. The touch panel PC devices have advanced computing power that is available with a range of display options, types, sizes and customisation options to suit your business needs and requirements. Take a look at the full range of touch panel PCs offered by AOPEN on our dedicated page.

One of the main driving forces behind the surge in businesses’ using touch panel PCs is that they offer intuitive operation.

A touch panel device can be used for direct contact with icons and buttons. They’re easy to understand and use, even for people that aren’t confident or accustomed to using computers.

What are the different types of touch panels?

• Resistive film

This is the most widely used touch panel method. The position on the screen contacted by touch is detected using changes in pressure.

• Capacitive

The second most widely used touch panel system. With this method, the point at which touch occurs is identified using sensors to sense a minor change in the electrical current generated. There are two types of touch panels that use this method.

• Surface capacitive

Typically used in large panels. A transparent electrode film inside the panel is placed on top of a glass substrate and covered with a protective cover. The electric voltage is applied at the four corners of the device and when the finger touches the screen it is identified by measuring changes in electrostatic capacity. Structurally, this method finds it difficult to detect two or more points at the same time.

• Projected capacitive

Often used for smaller screens, in particular mobile devices. When a finger touches this surface, electrostatic capacity among multiple electrodes changes simultaneously. The position where contact occurs can be identified precisely by measuring the ratios between the electrical currents. This touch panel doesn’t respond to touch by clothing or a standard stylus.

• Surface acoustic wave (SAW)

This method was developed to address the drawbacks of low light transmittance in resistive film touch panels. This touch panel detects the screen position where contact occurs with a finger using attenuation in ultrasound elastic waves on the surface. When the screen is touched, the waves are absorbed and attenuated by the finger. The location is then detected by these changes. The strengths of this touch panel are that it has superior visibility and high light transmittance.

• Optical (infrared optical imaging)

This includes multiple sensing methods. It senses the position of touch through infrared image sensors that coordinate the location of contact by triangulation.

When choosing the right touchscreen display for your business, there are some important elements to consider first.

• What is the use or purpose?

What is the main purpose and use of this touchscreen display? You don’t want your touch screens collecting dust because the purpose for using them wasn’t clear at the start of your purchase.

• What screen size?

Touchscreen displays come in a variety of sizes. Depending on where the screen is going to be located, you almost always need to go for the largest screen size.

• Should it be moveable?

By this we mean, does your touchscreen display need to be mounted to a wall or displayed on an affixed stand? 

• Wall Mounts

• Floor Stands & Table Stands

You could also place the screen on a rolling stand to enable creative and agile working, depending on the purpose of your touch panel PC. However, sometimes affixing the touchscreen display to the wall or mount is the most appropriate option, as you may not want expensive equipment being moved around.

• Which computer to choose?

Predominantly, users aren’t too bothered about what PC or OS (operating system) a touchscreen display uses. Their main concern is that it’s easy to use and powerful enough to give them a good user experience.

When it comes to touchscreen displays there are three different PC options: built-in PC, OPS (open pluggable specification) PC and a plug in your own device option. Here, we’re going to focus on the first option: built-in PCs.

Built-in PC option

These types of PCs are powerful and can run on any OS. Typically, they have two different display modes: desktop mode or kiosk mode. The desktop mode can be used in secured rooms and offices as all the files and settings are freely accessible. Whereas, kiosk mode prevents users from seeing the desktop and only shows the display. This provides ease of use and security. 

Contact AOPEN

AOPEN supplies and manufactures a wide range of touch panel PCs. Call us today at +31 (0)73 646 6400, or email us at request@aopen.com and we’ll be in touch with you shortly.