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2000-2001
Introduction to touch
Why is touch THE perfect input device? 2
Touch is used in hundreds of applications 3
1
Why is touch THE perfect input device?
In the past, touchscreens were an exotic, expensive interface for high-tech applications like air traffic control
and controlling nuclear power plants. Not anymore! Companies across a broad spectrum of industries have
successfully harnessed the power of touch for a wide variety of applications. Yet, the essential benefits pro-
vided by touch technology remain unchanged.
2
IntelliTouch surface wave touchscreens,
the brilliant choice for public-access applications
- Pure-glass touchscreen for superior image clarity, brightness, and light transmission
- Durable, scratch-resistant glass surface
- Even works with static water droplets and deep scratches on the screen
- Stable, “drift-free” operation - for touch response that's always accurate, even in electronically noisy environments
- Touch response is faster than human perception
- Smart touch response - no false touches
- Also works with gloved hands or a soft stylus
- Flat, spherical and cylindrical touchscreen options for design flexibility
- Available with anti-glare glass
How it works
The IntelliTouch touchscreen is a glass overlay with transmitting Transducer Transducers
and receiving piezoelectric transducers for both the X and Y-axes.
The touchscreen controller sends a five-megahertz electrical sig-
nal to the transmitting transducer, which converts the signal into
ultrasonic waves on the surface of the glass. These waves are
directed across the front surface of the touchscreen by an array of
reflectors. Reflectors on the opposite side gather and direct the
waves to the receiving transducer, which reconverts them into an
electrical signal - a digital map of the touchscreen surface. When
you touch the screen, a portion of the wave traveling across it is
absorbed. The received signal is then compared to the stored dig-
Transducer
ital map. The change is recognized, and a coordinate is calculated.
This process happens independently for both the X and Y-axes. Reflectors on
By measuring the amount of the signal that is absorbed, a Z-axis each axis divert
the ultrasonic
is also determined. The digitized coordinates are transmitted to burst across the
touchscreen
the computer for processing.
IntelliTouch performance
Accuracy ______________________________________________________________________________________ ± 2.03 mm
Reaction time _____________________________________________________________________ < 10 ms
Touchscreen resolution ______________________________ 4096 x 4096 touchpoints
Light transmission ______________________________________________________ Up to 92,5% (glass)
Operating temperature _________________________________ - 20°C to + 50°C
Storage temperature _________________________________________ - 40°C to + 71°C
Sealability ___________________________________________________________________________________ IP 54
Surface durability _____________________________________________________ Glass (7 on the Mohs scale)
4
iTouch “touch-on-tube” surface wave,
the perfect optical performance for CRTs
CRT surface
How it works
Flat-screen SecureTouch products are based on surface wave technology but are made with extra-tough glass sub-
strates that resist vandalism. These touchscreens incorporate the solid-glass and coating-free construction of Elo’s
proven IntelliTouch products.
5
AccuTouch five-wire resistive touchscreens,
proven reliability for employee-access applications
- Stable, “drift-free” operation for touch response that’s always accurate Conductive
coating
- Highest touchpoint density in the industry Conductive coating
- Gasket sealable
- Flat and spherical touchscreen options allow design flexibility
- Is not activated by dust or dirt
Y-voltage
tact with the coating on the glass. The AccuTouch con-
troller circuit applies a voltage gradient across the resis-
Ry
tive surface of the glass. The voltages at the point of con-
tact are the analog representation of the position touched.
The controller digitizes these voltages and transmits them
X-voltage
to the computer for processing.
Rx
0 volts
AccuTouch performance
6
CarrollTouch infrared touch frames,
for difficult environments and large plasma displays
• CarrollTouch infrared touch frames are also the perfect touch solution for large plasma screens with clip-on inte-
gration and no need to add fragile glass that adds weight and can break.
How it works
Scanning infrared (IR) technology
relies on the interruption of an IR Touch activation
light grid in front of the display
screen. The touch frame contains a Opto-
Matrix
row of IR-light-emitting diodes frame
(LEDs) and phototransistors, each inside
mounted on opposite sides in both X bezel
CarrollTouch performance
7
Guide to choosing an Elo touch solution
Your application requirements Specific Elo features
When 100% image quality - No overlay for perfect optical performance and no parallax
is a must - Even tougher than bonded overlays
8
Y O U R E L O T O U C H S O L U T I O N
Elo technologies Formfactor options
AccuTouch five-wire resistive technology - Desktop LCD and CRT touchmonitors for
most “countertop” applications
- Panel Mount, Rear Mount and Chassis LCD
and CRT touchmonitors for easy display
+ touch solutions
- Touchscreen, controller and chipset
components for OEMs and integrators
IntelliTouch surface wave technology - Desktop LCD and CRT touchmonitors for
“countertop” applications
- Panel Mount, Rear Mount and Chassis LCD
and CRT touchmonitors for “built-in”
installations
- Touchscreen and controller components
for OEMs and integrators
iTouch “touch-on-tube” surface wave technology - Desktop and Rear Mount CRT touchmonitors
and the iMac with iTouch
Buying an Elo Entuitive touchmonitor is the surest, fastest way to get your touchscreen application up and run-
ning and make sure it stays that way for a long time. Because standard desktop monitor models change fre-
quently - and are seldom designed with touch in mind - it’s difficult for typical providers of touchmonitors, based
on standard desktop displays, to ensure reliability under the heavy usage experienced by the most successful
touch-based systems. Elo's Entuitive line of touchmonitors gives you the advantage of over twenty-five years
of experience in touchmonitor integration. We continuously listen to our customers’ demands for better touch
solutions, and we’ve implemented these needs into our newest line of touchmonitors - which can truly be
called, “designed for touch.” In the new Entuitive line, Elo has applied its extensive knowledge of touch tech-
nologies, CRTs, and LCDs to the design and manufacture of consistently high-quality, reliable touchmonitors
with full agency approvals and Elo’s renowned service and support.
10
LCD or CRT?
Which display type is right for your application?
Once you’ve decided to enhance your application with touch and have selected a touch technology - five-wire
resistive, surface wave or infrared - you should compare characteristics of liquid crystal displays (LCDs) and
cathode ray tubes (CRTs) to determine which display type best suits your application and environment.
Comparing display types on the following criteria can help you make the best choice for your application.
Display life
All displays slowly decline in performance from their new condition by gradually losing brightness. This decline is
measured as the period of time required for the display to drop to 50 percent of its original brightness. Displays in
touch applications often operate around the clock because many are in public-access settings.
- LCDs: the average expected life of a LCD backlight is 30,000 to 50,000 hours. This represents three to four years of
use for a display operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The backlight of a LCD can be replaced economically,
prolonging the life of the display.
- CRTs: the average expected life of a CRT is 12,000 to 15,000 hours. This represents one and a half to two years of use
for a display operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It is rarely economical to replace the tube within a CRT.
The futuristic look of LCDs increases their appeal for customers who want to associate their company or application
with leading-edge technology. In addition, LCDs weigh much less than comparable CRTs, which can be a consideration
for displays mounted on mechanical arms in settings such as hospitals, or when shipping kiosks that use LCDs.
Image quality
- LCDs are approximately twice as bright as CRTs, which makes them the right choice for environments with high ambi-
ent-light levels and for applications, such as public access kiosks, where a brighter display attracts attention and
invites usage. LCDs also deliver a flicker-free image.
- CRTs are the right choice for ultra-high-resolution applications, such as medical imaging. In addition, because the
viewing angle of a CRT is greater than that of a LCD, CRTs are preferable for an application where multiple viewers
will be looking at a display from different angles. An example is a public access kiosk used by children and adults or
by a group of people at one time. CRTs are also ideal for displaying full-motion videos.
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Desktop or built-in,
the criteria for choosing a kiosk form factor
In the interactive public-access environment, Elo is the touchmonitor manufacturer of choice. But should that
choice of kiosk be a freestanding enclosure or a desktop interactive display? Elo offers solutions for both. Elo’s
line of touchmonitors and touchcomputers includes CRT (cathode ray tube) or LCD (liquid crystal display) dis-
plays in a range of sizes and enclosures for desktop or enclosure use. A touchcomputer is an “all-in-one”
touchscreen display and high-powered computer.
Elo has an outstanding set of Kiosk Partners who provide freestanding enclosures (see p.22). Elo offers touchmoni-
tors that are designed specifically for kiosk enclosures.
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Elo Custom Solutions,
when you need something special
Elo TouchSystems provides many standard LCD and CRT touchmonitors and touch components that meet
today’s increasing demand for a variety of form factors for touch input capability. Despite the touch industry’s
broadest line of standard products, there are still occasions when a customer’s requirement needs a custom
solution.
Customer-specific products
Elo is focused on the custom needs of the OEM. Working from your specifications, we can quickly develop unique touch
products that integrate seamlessly into your system. Our staff of experts oversees all the details - from prototyping
through development to production - to ensure the right touch solution for your application.
Customer-specific integration
Elo also has custom touchmonitor and all-in-one touchcomputer integration facilities in each of the major regions of
the world. This extra level of service answers the needs of OEM and large projects who would prefer to order a com-
plete custom solution from a single source.
Touchscreen expertise
Elo has an in-house electronic engineering staff with a broad-based knowledge of electronic design, systems, and
most importantly, nearly 30 years of touchscreen technology experience.
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Trademark and copyright information
AccuTouch, AccuTouch HL, COACh, ELODEV, Entuitive, IntelliTouch, IntelliTouch Ultra, iTouch, Kiosk Touchmonitor, MonitorMice,
MonitorMouse, Plug and Touch, Scribex, SecureTouch, SmartSet, TouchBack, TouchReady, TouchTools and TouchUp are trade-
marks of Elo TouchSystems, Inc. Apple and Macintosh are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. Windows is a regis-
tered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
AccuTouch products are covered by one or more of the following patents: 5,220,136; 4,220,815; 4,661,655; 4,687,885;
4,731,508; 4,822,957; 5,045,644; 4,659,873; 4,777,328; 4,797,514; 4,933,660.
IntelliTouch products are covered by one or more of the following patents: 4,642,423; 4,644,100; 4,645,870; 4,700,176;
4,746,914; 4,791,416; 4,825,212; 4,859,996; 4,880,665; RE.33.151; 5,591,945.
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Elo TouchSystems’ European distributors
Austria Italy
Rekirsch GmbH & Co. KG C&K Components srl
Tel.: +43 (1) 259 72 70-0 - Fax: +43 (1) 259 72 75 Tel.: +39 02 92 368 200 - Fax: +39 02 92 368 215
E-mail: tkronsteiner@rekirsch.com E-mail: sales@touchscreen.it
Web: www.rekirsch.com Web: www.ckitaly.com
Belgium / Luxembourg The Netherlands
DoBiT nv DIGIT Touch Systems
Tel.: +32 (0)14 28 57 85 - Fax: +32 (0)14 21 98 11 Tel.: +31 (0)487-585828 - Fax: +31 (0)487-518273
E-mail: sales@dobit.com E-mail: info@digit.nl
Web: www.dobit.com Web: www.digit.nl
Denmark Norway
Betech Components A/S Touch-IT AS
Tel.: +45 70 10 14 10 - Fax: +45 44 66 11 99 Tel.: +47 22 01 75 80 - Fax: +47 22 01 75 81
E-mail: pwt@betechcomp.dk E-mail: touchit@touch-it.no
Web: www.betechcomp.dk Web: www.touch-it.no
Finland Russia
Deal Comp oy Quarta Touch Systems
Tel.: +358 9 5878 033 - Fax: +358 9 5870 727 Tel.: +7 (095) 256-0101, 256-1600
E-mail: ilkka.langer@dealcomp.fi Fax: +7 (095) 256-1741
Web: www.dealcomp.fi E-mail: igor@touch.ru
Dosmar oy Web: www.touch.ru
Tel.: +358 9 8870 230 - Fax: +358 9 8870 2337 Spain
E-mail: raimo.lahtinen@dosmar.fi Macroservice
Web: www.dosmar.fi Tel.: +34 (91) 571 52 00 - Fax: +34 (91) 571 19 11
France E-mail: macroser@macroservice.es
IP-Systèmes Web: www.macroservice.es
Tel.: +33 1 69 29 87 30 - Fax: +33 1 69 29 87 31 Sweden
E-mail: serge.marenco@ip-systemes.fr Nelo Datakommunikation AB
Web: www.ip-systemes.fr Tel.: +46 155-26 07 40 - Fax: +46 155-26 04 24
Greece E-mail: rita.lundquist@nelo.se
Athens Microcomputer S.A. Web: www.nelo.se
Tel.: +30 1 61 33 000 - Fax: +30 1 61 33 301 Tesch System AB
E-mail: schalk@amy.gr Tel.: +46 8-441 56 00 - Fax: +46 8-441 56 19
Web: www.amy.gr E-mail: tesch@tesch.se
Hungary Web: www.tesch.se
BankSoft Kft. Switzerland / Liechtenstein
Tel.: +36 1 363 74 42 - Fax: +36 1 383 52 43 Inputech AG
E-mail: banksoft@banksoft.hu Tel.: +41 1 879 20 20 - Fax: +41 1 879 20 22
Web: www.banksoft.hu E-mail: info@inputech.ch
Israel Web: www.inputech.ch
Atar-El 2000
Tel.: +972 8 918-2090 - Fax: +972 8 918-2091
E-mail: info@atar-el.com
Web: www.atar-el.com
European distributor for the gaming and amusement market: Suzo International BV (Holland)
Tel.: +31 (0)186-643333 - Fax: +31 (0)186-643322 – E-mail: rvenkhuijzen@suzo.com – Web: www.suzo.nl
This list is valid as of date of printing, for the latest update on our distributors’ contact details,
please go to www.elotouch.com/howtobuy/europe
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Contactus
Corporate headquarters:
Elo TouchSystems Inc.
6500 Kaiser Drive
Fremont, CA 94555
USA
Tel.: +1 (510) 739 4600
Fax: +1 (510) 739 5353
E-mail: eloinfo@elotouch.com
European headquarters:
Elo TouchSystems
Tyco Electronics Raychem NV
Diestsesteenweg 692
3010 Kessel-Lo
Belgium
Tel.: +32 (0)16 35 21 00
Fax: +32 (0)16 35 21 01
E-mail: elosales@elotouch.com
Technical support: +32 (0)16 35 21 22
Offices:
Central Europe United Kingdom
Elo TouchSystems Elo TouchSystems
Tyco Electronics Raychem GmbH Tyco Electronics UK Ltd.
Haidgraben 6 Faraday Road
85521 Ottobrunn Dorcan, Swindon
Germany Wiltshire SN3 5HH
Tel.: +49 (0)89 60822-0 Tel.: +44 (0)1793 573 344
Fax: +49 (0)89 60822-150 Fax: +44 (0)1793 573 345
E-mail: elosales@elotouch.com E-mail: elosales@elotouch.com
Technical support: +49 (0)89 60822-193 Technical support: +44 (0)1793 573 346