How Does Industrial PC Touch Screen Work?

3D drawings of most Hope Industrial products are available online in both STEP and SolidWorks format.

Sihovision are exported all over the world and different industries with quality first. Our belief is to provide our customers with more and better high value-added products. Let's create a better future together.

Drawings can be found on each product's page (see products) and are also centrally located in the documents download section of our support page.

The components of a Hope Industrial workstation do require some assembly, but for those who need the quickest possible setup time most configurations can be ordered pre-assembled.

More information can be found in this article, or by contacting our sales department.

Some users may wish to use a single workstation to control multiple PCs, switching between the PCs as needed. For applications only requiring video and USB keyboard/mouse, most off-the-shelf KVM switches can be used, such as those commonly found in IT server room environments.

Hope Industrial USB touch screens, however, cannot be used with most KVM switches, since the USB signals used by our touch screens are not the same as those used by a standard USB mouse.

To provide touch screen switching, a KVM switch specifically designed for touch screens must be used. An example of one can be found in this article.

'VESA mounting' refers to a standard created by the Video Electronics Standards Association and adhered to by most manufacturers of flat panel displays. Among other things, the VESA standard prescribes four M4 screws spaced in a square pattern, 100mm per side.

This common mounting arrangement can be used both to attach a display to a mount or stand, or to attach a device, such as a small PC or thin client, to the rear of a display.

All Hope Universal Mount Monitors are fitted with a standard 100mm VESA mounting pattern. All Hope Panel Mount Displays either have an integrated VESA pattern, or can be purchased with an optional adapter plate that provides a VESA pattern.

All common video source formats and video connector types are supported by all Hope Industrial displays. Depending on the display model, the connector type is supported either natively, or through the use of zero-loss adapters or converters, all available from Hope Industrial.

Hope Industrial 19.5" and 23.8" displays include native DVI-I and DisplayPort connectors. All other Hope Industrial display sizes include native VGA and DVI-I or DVI-D connectors. DVI-I accepts both digital and analog signals.

• HDMI (all versions and connectors) - fully supported using DVI to HDMI (micro, mini, or standard) adapters.
• DisplayPort (all versions and connectors)
  • 19.5" and 23.8" displays - natively supported (DisplayPort mini using an adapter).
  • Other display sizes - fully supported using DisplayPort (mini, standard) to DVI converters.
• VGA Video (HD-15)
  • 19.5" and 23.8" displays - fully supported using an HD-15 to DVI-I adapter.
  • Other display sizes - natively supported.
• Component Video (3, 4, or 5-wire) - fully supported using an RCA/BNC to HD-15 adapter and associated converters. Note that support for the various types of component video (Separate, Combined, or Sync-on-Green) varies by model. Please consult the specifications on individual product pages or contact our support team for compatibility information.
• Composite Video - available using a Composite to VGA converter and associated adapters.

Note that compatibility depends on both the physical connector and the video signal format itself. Please contact our support team for more information on compatibility with your video source or PC.

Yes, Hope Industrial touch screens use either Resistive or Projected Capacitive (PCAP) technology and both types can be used with a stylus, with some considerations.

Hope Industrial Resistive Touch Screens are pressure-sensitive, and therefore work with any type of stylus (or any other object that can apply pressure).

Our multi-touch PCAP models use the same technology as a typical smartphone and can be used with a capacitive stylus. Hope Industrial also provides a capacitive stylus (part number: PD-STYLUS-1) that is suited for industrial environments.

Support for Linux-based operating systems is available through both native drivers and by using driver-less methods that rely on the HID device compatibility of our touch screens. A full review of the available methods is available on our blog.

You may also contact our support group for information specific to your environment and applications.

Hope Industrial Multi-Touch PCAP models are pre-calibrated at the factory and do not require calibration in normal use. These models do not require drivers for most operating systems.

Hope Industrial Resistive Touch models are also pre-calibrated at the factory, but may also be re-calibrated by the user after installing the driver package which is available for download. Calibration typically lasts a very long time but may "drift" over time, requiring re-calibration. Also, installation of new drivers may require a re-calibration.

Yes, our touch screen drivers allow multiple displays to be connected to a single PC, whether in mirroring mode (multiple screens showing the same desktop) or extended desktop (a single desktop stretched across multiple displays).

Our Windows drivers allow each touch screen to be calibrated independently, whether you are using USB or Serial for connection to the PC. Once configured, the cursor will follow your finger to any connected touch screen. For configuration help or more information, please contact our support group for assistance.

Connecting multiple computers to the same touch screen requires the use of a KVM switch that has been specifically designed to handle switching of USB touch screens. KVM switches intended for use with a standard mouse (the type commonly used in server rooms) will generally not work with Hope Industrial touch screens.

Please visit this post on our blog for a KVM switch review that has been certified by Hope Industrial for use with our USB touch screens.

Yes, Hope Industrial touch screens use either Resistive or Projected Capacitive (PCAP) technology and both types can be used while wearing gloves, with some considerations.

Hope Industrial Resistive Touch Screens are pressure-sensitive, and therefore work with any style or thickness of glove (or any other object that can apply pressure).

Our multi-touch PCAP models can be used with thin gloves or a capacitive stylus. Also, gloves advertised as compatible with smartphones (most of which use PCAP technology) will also work with Hope Industrial displays.

Hope Industrial products are engineered using materials specifically chosen for high resistance to the types of corrosive chemicals and gases commonly found in industrial and manufacturing environments. Resistance to any chemical depends not only on the materials and chemical in question, but on other factors, including chemical concentration, exposure time, and ambient temperature.

We have created an overview chart that lists each exterior material used in the construction of Hope Industrial products, along with a list of common chemicals each material can tolerate. This list can be used to qualify suitability of our products for your environment.

If you do not see a chemical in your environment on the list, or you would like more information, please contact us for detailed guidance from our engineering department.

All Hope Industrial touch screens are recognized as USB HID devices by most popular operating systems and often work upon connection with no driver installation.

For Hope Industrial Resistive Touch models, a driver is required for calibration and more advanced features, such as Hold-to-Right-Click. Drivers are available for a wide variety of operating systems in our support section.

For Hope Industrial PCAP Touch models, more advanced features are provided by the touch screen features of the host OS. For example, Windows provides an extensive list of touch screen features, including multi-touch gestures, all of which are compatible with Hope Industrial PCAP Touch models. Using an optional Windows driver, which is available in the support section of our website, provides additional features including Single Touch mode, Edge acceleration, Screen Clean mode, and Untouch timeout.

Yes, Hope Industrial monitors and touch screens work with ThinManager software. Our customers have been using our touch screens with ThinManager for over 18 years. Technical support for ThinManager software is available on the ThinManager website. See the "How do I calibrate touch screens" and "What touch screen module should I use?" questions for detailed instructions.

You may also contact our support group for additional assistance.

Approximately 50% of the heat of a Hope Panel Mount Monitor dissipates out the front of the monitor.  To determine the heat load created by a Hope Panel Mount Monitor inside an enclosure, multiply the typical power consumption of the monitor by 50%.

We have tested several of our Panel Mount Monitors to determine the exact percentage of heat that is transmitted out of the rear of the monitor into an enclosure.  Below is the percent of heat load of the monitors we tested:

• 12" Panel Mount Monitors transmit 53% of heat load out of the rear of the monitor
• 19" Panel Mount Monitors transmit 51% of heat load out of the rear of the monitor
• 23" Panel Mount Monitors transmit 44% of heat load out of the rear of the monitor

Please contact our support team if you'd like a detailed report.

Touchscreen technology is used in electronic visual displays. Touch panel technology is widely used and seen across the world in this day and age. From computers, mobile phones to bank ATMs, information kiosks, digital menu boards, public transport ticket machines and more.

Given its varied uses, it is not surprising that there are several different types of touchscreen technology that enable a screen to sense human touch. We'll explore this in more detail below.

Introduction to touch panel technology

What is touch panel technology? This technology, often found in touch panel PCs, enables a user to interact with a computer/ digital device or visual display without the need to use a keyboard or mouse. Instead, users can control the device or digital display by simply touching the screen with one or two fingers, or using a special stylus.

To simplify this definition even further, touchscreens are any display that a user interacts with by directly touching it.

While it is commonplace to see and use touchscreens in our everyday lives, you may be wondering, how exactly does the touch panel technology work?

Let's delve a little deeper into the technical aspects of this technology, beginning with what a touchscreen is made up of. A touch screen is the combination of both an input (touch panel) and output (display) device. The touch panel is normally placed on top of an electronic visual display (e.g. LCD or OLED).

On the display screen, a user can directly control the system by touching the screen with their finger or a special stylus and thus allowing the user to interact directly with what is being displayed. 

The visual display a user can interact with could be as simple as allowing the user to order food and drink via a digital menu board, or it could involve allowing the user to search their location and assist with wayfinding around a shopping centre.

Currently, there are 6 different types of touchscreen technologies and methods used for sensing touch.

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1. Resistive film

2. Surface capacitive

3. Projected capacitive

4. Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW)

5. Optical imaging

6. Infrared

Resistive film 

This technology is the most widely used method for sensing touch. Resistive film detects touch through where pressure is applied to the screen. 

How can the screen detect variations in pressure? It is because resistive film touch panel technology is composed of two crucial elements: a glass panel and a film screen. Both of which are covered with a metallic layer and separated by a narrow gap. It is in the separation where pressure and touch can be detected.

For example, when a user touches the screen, the two layers (e.g. the glass panel and film screen) are pressed together due to the pressure from the user's finger; this results in an electrical flow. The contact between the two elements closes the gap and causes a change in voltage, which is how the point of contact is then detected on the screen.

Benefits of resistive film:

• Cost-effective

• Remains fully functional, even when water is spilt on the screen

• Single-point touch reliance

• Often found in supermarkets or where digital signatures are required after card purchases

Surface capacitive 

Typically, this type of touch panel technology is used in large panel displays. This technology works due to reactions to the electrical current on the screen surface.

This touchscreen tech is made up of a transparent electrode layer being placed on top of a glass panel. They are covered with an outer protective cover. Alongside this, there are also electrode sensors located in the four corners of the screen.

This means that when a user's finger touches the surface of the monitor screen, it reacts to the static electrical capacity of the human body. 

The reaction between the screen surface and human touch causes a decrease in capacitance (e.g. amount of electrical charge). It is the four sensors that detect the decrease and then determine the exact touchpoint. This also means that capacitive touch screens can only be activated by human touch as they hold an electrical charge.

Benefits of surface capacitive:

• Excellent surface resistance to handle spills, fingerprint grease and dust

• Highly durable and scratch proof

Projected capacitive 

Project capacitive technology is often used for smaller screens, such as mobile devices. This type of touch panel detects touch by electrical changes on the panel. It has two strong advantages: it can be activated with a finger but also when wearing certain gloves AND, it is enabled for multi-touch activation.

This method for sensing touch is composed of a sheet of glass with embedded transparent electrode films and an IC chip. These components help create a three-dimensional electrostatic field that is used to detect touch on the screen.

Benefits of projected capacitive:

• Enabled for multi-touch use

• Known for high-speed response time and precision

• Often found in smartphones, tablets and GPS devices

Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) 

This method was developed to address the drawbacks of low light transmittance in resistive film touch panels.

SAW technology is made of a series of transducers and receivers along each of the sides of the touch panel monitor's glass plate. These elements along the side create an invisible grid of ultrasonic surface waves on the top of the panel. 

When the surface panel is touched by a finger or stylus, a section of the surface wave is absorbed and causes the wave transmission to change. This absorption and change then allow the receiving transducer to locate the exact touchpoint and send that data to the computer.

Benefits of this technology:

• Can be activated by a finger, gloved hand or soft-tip stylus

• Easy to use

• Scratch-resistant

Infrared (IR)

Infrared (IR) touch panels fall under the common saying that some will 'love it, or hate it'. They project a set of grid infrared beams across the panel and the touchpoint is determined by disruption to the grid.

Compared to the other touch technologies listed here, infrared touch screens do not overlay the display panel with an additional screen. As mentioned above, this technology creates an invisible grid of light beams across the screen through the infrared monitor using an IR emitter and receiver.

When an object (such as a finger or stylus) interrupts the invisible grid beam, the sensors are triggered and able to locate the touchpoint.

Benefits of this technology:

• Enabled for multi-touch functionality

• Scratch-resistant

• Optimal for indoor settings and darker areas

Optical imaging

A newer form of touchscreen technology, optical imaging senses touch through image sensors placed around the edges of the screen that emit infrared light. When the screen is touched by a finger or stylus, the touchpoint is determined by the disruption caused by the sensors and light strips.

Benefits of optical imaging:

• Versatile option for durability and multi-touch use

• Universal input options

Contact AOPEN

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

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