Resistive
Resistive touch screens are composed of two flexible sheets coated with a resistive material and separated by an air gap or microdots. When contact is made to the surface of the touch screen, the two sheets are pressed together, registering the precise location of the touch. Because the touch screen senses input from contact with nearly any object (finger, stylus/pen, palm) resistive touch screens are a type of "passive" technology.
Four-wire resistive
For example, during operation of a four-wire touch screen, a uniform, unidirectional voltage gradient is applied to the first sheet. When the two sheets are pressed together, the second sheet measures the voltage as distance along the first sheet, providing the X coordinate. When this contact coordinate has been acquired, the uniform voltage gradient is applied to the second sheet to ascertain the Y coordinate. This operation occurs instantaneously, registering the exact touch location as contact is made.
Five-wire resistive
In the five-wire design, one wire goes to the coversheet (E) which serves as the voltage probe for X and Y. Four wires go to corners of the back glass layer (A, B, C, and D). The controller first applies 5V to corners A and B and grounds C and D, causing voltage to flow uniformly across the screen from the top to the bottom. Upon touch, it reads the Y voltage from the coversheet at E. Then the controller applies 5V to corners A and C and grounds B and D, and reads the X voltage from E again.
So, a five-wire touch screen uses the stable bottom layer for both X- and Y-axis measurements. The flexible coversheet acts only as a voltage-measuring probe. This means the touch screen continues working properly even with non-uniformity in the coversheet's conductive coating. The result is an accurate, durable and more reliable touch screen over four- and eight-wire designs.
Advantages (4-, 5-, 7-, 8-wired)
- Most widely used touch technology
- Can be activated by bare finger, gloved hand, or stylus
- Low cost
Disadvantages (4-, 5-, 7-, 8-wired)
- top sheet is highly susceptible to scratches, cuts and cigarette burns
- layer is a flexing mechanical element coated with a conductive ceramic which wears with every flex
- Transmission typically in 80% to 85%
Touch functionality
- Single touch
Product types
- Overlay frame
- Foil
Applied in:
iiYAMA ProLite T1930SR-1 with resistive touch foil
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