There are several ways to make a do-it-yourself (Do It Yourself) touch screen, and each may be better suited to a particular application.
To turn an ordinary netbook or laptop into a touch screen computer, the simplest method usually involves applying a clear capacitive or resistive sensor layer.
If a DIY touch screen is to work with a stylus, then a resistive touch screen is the way to go, otherwise capacitive typically provides better results. Another low-cost option for building a DIY touch screen is known as frustrated total internal reflection (FTIR), which uses an acrylic plate and a number of light emitting diodes (LEDs) to create a multitouch surface. which can be placed on a display.
Touch screens are a class of input devices that allow a person’s finger or stylus to interact with a computer. These screens are built into many smartphones and other portable computing devices, although most desktop monitors, laptops, and netbooks don’t have this input method. However, a DIY touch screen can be added to anything from a netbook computer to a large television, and several methods can be used.
The easiest way to make a DIY touch screen is to use a commercial sensor level.
These sensors are transparent, can be placed over an existing monitor or screen, and typically have adhesive on one side. The best type of sensor layer to use may depend on the application, although capacitive screens are typically easier to view in bright light and are often capable of multi-touch. A resistive sensor should be chosen in cases where you need to use a stylus, as capacitive touch screens can only be activated with your fingertips. It’s also important to choose a touch sensor that’s the same size as the screen you’re editing, and carefully place it in the correct location.
Another low-cost alternative when building a DIY touch screen is referred to as frustrated total internal reflection. This method uses a clear acrylic sheet that is placed over a television screen or monitor, as well as a video camera and array of infrared LEDs. These touch screens are suitable for many commercial applications as they can be virtually any size, can withstand a lot of pressure without damaging the monitor, and can detect multiple touches at a time. This is because the reflection pattern of the LEDs within the acrylic plate is disturbed whenever something touches the screen, which can be recorded by the camera and then processed into input data by a computer.
Author: Angelo Raguso
