A touch screen looks the same as any other screen in a
monitor , kiosk , etc and it
can do as much as a standard screen can and more. It possesses an extra piece of
glass with a sensor placed over the front of the original screen as well as an extra
cable at the back. Once you have plugged them in and loaded up the touch screen
software drivers, you'll be ready to experience a whole new way of working. Whenever
you touch the screen, the driver software will tell the computer that you have 'left
clicked' as you would with a mouse.
Close
Our products use the following touch screen technology:
Resistive touch screens
- A resistive touch screen is composed of two electrically conductive layers coated
in transparent metal oxide and separated by a narrow gap.
- When a user touches the outer, flexible layer, it contacts the solid layer beneath
and causes a change in the electrical current.
- The change in resistance to the current is measured and processed by the touch controller
which communicates this as a "mouse movement or click" to the computer's operating
system.
- Renowned as the most popular touch screen with a key advantage of being able to
be used with multiple pointing devices e.g. a gloved finger, finger nails, stylus
pens.
- The metal oxide coating and spacers may reduce the picture quality and brightness.
SAW touch screens
- Surface acoustic wave (SAW) touch screens send sound waves across your screen surface
to look for interruptions caused by touch. This change in the ultrasonic waves registers
the position of the touch event and sends this information to the controller for
processing.
- They are well suited to public access areas as, compared to resistive touch screens,
they have superior image clarity, resolution and higher light transmission.
- The SAW touch screens used in our Xen Kiosks are made from extra-tough glass substrates
that resist vandalism. They have been chemically strengthened and meet the industry
standard impact resistance test of a 0.5kg, 500mm diameter ball dropped from a height
of 1.3m.
- Because the technology cannot be sealed, it can be adversely affected by surface
contaminants and water, making it unsuitable for many industrial or commercial applications.
The contaminants can cause dead spots on the screen, requiring periodic cleaning
of the sensor and sometimes recalibration.
- These fast and sensitive touch screens work just as well with gloved hands and other
soft pointing devices as they do with your finger.
Optical touch screens
- Optical touch screens use two optical sensors that work together to track the movement
of any object close to the surface.
- The touch registers just before the physical touch on the screen which means that
users can apply zero or light touch to the screen to initiate a response, and use
any input device, so for example - a paintbrush, finger, pen, or stylus will all
work.
- Once the sensors detect the interruption of an infra-red light source, the light
is emitted in a plane across the surface of the screen and can be either active
(infra-red LED) or passive (special reflective surfaces).
- At the heart of the system is a printed circuit controller board that receives signals
from the optical sensors. Its software then compensates for optical distortions
and triangulates the position of the touching object with extreme accuracy.
Close
Touch screen monitor:Touch screen monitors are desktop or wall mounted (stands
and brackets available for purchase) and require an external PC. Basically, you
are replacing your existing computer screen with a touch screen so it will look
and work as your normal computer would. The Geode touch screens are designed from
the ground up to be touch screen units. The NECs are retro-fit which means we convert
them from standard display monitors into touch screens by building in sensors.
All-in-one touch PC:This is a complete system which has your PC housed within
the touch screen monitor and it can be desktop or wall mounted (stands and brackets
available for purchase). It is pretty much plug and play and does not require a
link to an external PC.
Open frame touch screens: These units are monitors, but they have no bezel
around them and are fixed within existing apertures or kiosks. They are designed
to be fixed behind an aperture so that they are then flush with whatever housing
you have incorporated them in to. They require an external PC.
Kiosk: Kiosks are typically indoor, floor standing or wall mounted, stand
alone, branded, complete solutions. They can be customised with numerous accessories
and perform various functions. PCs are inbuilt and we also have outdoor kiosks.
Close
You do not need specially designed software for our touch screen units. Our touch
screens will work with anything Windows based and drivers for other operating systems
are also available. The primary thing you need to remember is that a finger takes
up a lot more surface area than a mouse pointer so your programme design needs to
take this into consideration.
With the touch screen monitors (no PC) we will send out a start up disk; you will
need to load this into your PC and then link up our touch screen monitor as you
would with a normal computer screen monitor. Then, your computer will work just
as it normally would, but with 'touch' where you would have normally clicked with
a mouse.
Close
Yes this is possible but wait - have you thought about the user interface for the
people using it?
Most web sites are not suitable for using on a touch screen interface because they
are designed for use with a roller mouse and keyboard. If you want to use your existing
website it is a good idea to make sure the website has appropriately sized buttons,
correct size text and the correct resolution.
Close
A lot of our units will work with Apple Macs, but we will need to give you driver
download links. The best thing to do is to call and check with us before placing
an order or specify on the order that you need it to work with a particular version
of Mac. We will then confirm if this is possible.
Close
We can send out some demo / evaluation units to customers upon request; if you contact
the sales department and discuss this we can normally arrange something.
Close
Your touch screen will work just as your normal monitor or PC would, but you are
replacing the need for a mouse with touch screen technology.
With the touch screen monitors (no PC) we send out a start up disk; you will need
to load this into your PC and then link up our touch screen monitor as you would
a normal computer screen monitor.
Close
Most of our touch screens come with a desk stand as standard (exceptions to this
are the 32" NEC and 46" touch screens as well as the 19" Allure all-in-one touch
PC). All of our monitors and Touch PCs are VESA wall mountable, but if you require
wall mounting brackets please ask for a quote as most of them do not come with the
units as standard, but are available at extra cost.
Close
This is to do with the connection of your touch screen monitor to your PC; predominantly
we sell USB monitors because most modern PCs have USB connection - not serial. There
are no benefits to choosing one over the other.
Close
No, the touch screen will work with any specification PC. The only consideration
you need to make with regards to the PC is whether it fits your software/programme
requirements.
Close
Yes, there are limits because a kiosk with too many accessories will:
A: confuse the user as to what the kiosk's purpose is. As a rule of thumb you should
be able to summarise the purpose and intent of your kiosk in one brief sentence.
If you decide to have a multi-purpose kiosk you must ensure that the features offered
and accessories used complement each other. Such as a product finder kiosk, that
also offers payment, ordering and home delivery.
B: they will not all fit. If you would like more than two or three accessories on
the multi-function plate, you'll need to contact sales to confirm whether the configuration
is possible.
We use multi-function plates to allow you to update your kiosk at anytime. For example:
if at a later stage you decide you want to change the kiosk from having a keyboard
to taking chip & pin payment and giving a receipt, this can be changed with a simple
plate swap.
Close
Yes. We only use best of breed components which are tested to high levels in order
to prevent damage from attempted vandalism and theft.
All access points to the PC, screen and accessories are locked with keys supplied
to the administrator.
The components we use such as the keyboards are anti vandal so they do not include
"Ctrl, Alt, Delete". The touch screens in our Xen kiosks are made from extra-tough
glass substrates that resist vandalism. They have been chemically strengthened and
meet the industry-standard impact resistance test of a 0.5 kg, 50 mm diameter ball
dropped from height of 1.3 m.
The kiosks can also be bolted to the ground/wall.
Close
Yes, you can customise your kiosk with a vinyl laminate. This can either be a full
front/side/back cover or just a logo. Our standard kiosk colour is silver, but we
also offer the option to have a colour upgrade to any Ral colour of your choice.
In addition, our in house design service can create bespoke laminate designs for
you and also provide you with a free of charge mock-up visual of your kiosk.
Close
The kiosks run at max (start up) 180w and after 120w.
Close
Kiosks require a standard 240volt supply.
Close
We have a Technical Support Department that is more than happy to help you with
any problems that you may encounter with your unit during set-up or in the future.
In order for us to deal with your enquiry promptly, please have the serial number
and or the sales order / sales invoice number to hand before contacting us.
Technical telephone number: (0) 1276 68 44 00 - OPTION 3
Email:support@protouch.co.uk.
Close
As all our touch screen drivers are model / age specific you must contact our technical
support team and inform them of unit's serial number. They will then locate the
correct driver for your unit and either send it to you or advise you in how to get
it.
Technical Support telephone number: (0) 1276 68 44 00 - OPTION 3
Email:support@protouch.co.uk .
Close
If you are experiencing problems with your touch screen or your touch screen has
been damaged, you will need to contact our Customer Service and Returns Department.
In order for us to deal with your enquiry promptly, please have the serial number
of your unit along with a description of the fault you are experiencing to hand
(serial numbers are located on the back of each unit). A member of staff will then
be able to guide you through the required process.
Please note: A Return Merchandise Authorization Number (RMA) must be obtained via
our Returns Department prior to any goods being returned, goods without a valid
RMA number will be refused on delivery.
Customer Service and Returns telephone number: (0) 1276 68 44 00 - OPTION 4.
Close
Warranty starts from the day of dispatch from Protouch Manufacturing Ltd;
this is the date on the top of your sales invoice.
Close
Return To Base Warranty - Mainland UK means that your unit is covered for repairs
free of charge until the warranty expires. It is the customer's responsibility to
return the screen to Protouch Manufacturing Ltd and in turn it is our responsibility
to return the repaired screen back to you or your customer. As the warranty states
free return shipping only applies to those inside the Mainland UK only. Shipments
outside Mainland UK will be chargeable.
This warranty only covers manufacturing faults; it does not cover customer damage.
If you need to return your screen please see "If I need to organise a return or
repair what should I do?"
Close
Next Day Swap Out Warranty means that a replacement screen of equivalent condition
and era will be sent out to you or your customer the next working day, provided
that Protouch Manufacturing Ltd have been informed before 3pm. The faulty screen
will be collected on delivery of the replacement, If on receipt of the unit Protouch
find that the fault has been caused by customer damage we reserve the right to charge
for the replacement screen and shipping charges. For full details please contact
our Returns Department.
Close
No, warranties only cover free shipping during normal business hours Monday - Friday.
Close
Yes, we have in-house engineers and also work with a 3rd party support company that
can cover all areas in the UK & ROI.
Close
Yes, we have a 3rd party support company that operates in many European and international
regions. Please confirm with us the areas & levels of cover before offering or ordering
these services.
Also see our support page.
Close
We endeavor to hold a range of our products in stock - notably the 15", 17" and
19" Geode touch screen monitors. Lead times for NEC retro-fit touch screen units,
open frames, all-in-one touch PCs and large format touch screens can range from
2-6 weeks from date of order confirmation. Please call us to confirm before placing
any order.
Close
At present we are quoting a 5 week lead time and are slowly bringing this down to
a target of 2-3 weeks. However, lead times will vary depending on the design of
the kiosk and the quantity ordered.
Close
We require a PO (via email or fax confirming invoice and delivery addresses, part
numbers, unit description and price) and payment. If you have an account set up
with us we will be able to see this on your account and automatically invoice your
account.
Close
We accept debit/credit cards, BACS/CHAPS transfers and cheques (payment must appear within our
account before goods are dispatched).
You can also apply for a credit account with us if you wish to be
invoiced once your goods have been dispatched. To set this up you will need to
download a
Credit Application Form, fill it out and return it to accounts.
Close
Yes, shipping is applicable on all orders and varies depending upon the size of
the order and the delivery address.
We send our units out all over the world; to calculate shipping costs for overseas
deliveries we would require a full delivery address as well as knowing which units
and how many are being shipped. Quotes can take some time to receive so please be
patient - we will get back to you.
Close