How Do Touch Screens Work?

[sandyRoe]

In layman's terms, please.

[ToraToraTora]

Static electricity inherent in organic matter (your finger) distorts the screen on the phone and software is used to calculate the coordintes of where it touched. It also works using a sausage.

[barry1010]

The screen is coated with a thin layer of material that creates an electronic field.

When it is touched it disrupts the field and the screen reacts. 

 

[sandyRoe]

Thank you, both

[douglas9401]

Where can I access these sausages with screens?

[ToraToraTora]

Gregs doug.

[Togo]

There are in fact two types of capacitance touch screen(mainly)in everyday use. Large screens(ATMs & larger pc monitors) use surface capacitance and smaller screens(mobile phones and tablets) and smaller screens use projected capacitance screens. There are also resistive touchscreens that require a stylus and more pressure on the screen to work. These are mainly used in industry because they are hardier and cheaper to make. Interesting question that is a huge subject in terms of learning and development. Love it.

 https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/differences-capacitive-resistive-touchscreens-si/#:~:text=In%20the%20case%20of%20capacitive%20touchscreens%2C%20such%20as,touchscreen%20responds%20so%20differently%20is%

[Togo]

I am using a 22inch touch screen monitor for my desktop and am never going back to anything less. I am considering a 50inch for my Santa wish list. Probably the best upgrade I have done on my old desktop, and I have done a few. 

[Togo]

// It also works using a sausage.//

Careful what you tell the children TTT. You know what they are like. Be trying it with all sorts of "appendages" now. 🤣

[Canary42]

I detest the touch screen at the self-serive ticket machine at the station - many times it fails to respond, usually after I've already navigated several screens to get there.  I once called a passing station staff over and she, with a scornful expression, set out to show me - I laughed when it failed at the same point and she resorted to the then unmanned ticket office and got me a ticket there.

[Togo]

That won't be the screen they either work or they don't. It will be the rail "service" system being as fit for purpose as their trains.