Specifications

7
n Simplifies Complex Systems
Where an extensive database is
involved, touch systems simplify informa-
tion by limiting the number of options or
amount of data displayed at any one time.
Touch targets provide step-by-step, fail-safe
sequences to guide the user through a com-
plex set of procedures. This greatly simpli-
fies medical diagnostics applications, for
example, where voluminous databases need
to be accessed quickly and easily. Touch tar-
gets are also useful in simplifying process
control applications involving a large num-
ber of buttons or switches, and for applica-
tions where system contents require
protection from unauthorized entry.
Graphical interfaces designed for touch
devices are usually designed to display the
fewest possible choices within each screen,
so that users are not overwhelmed or con-
fused by too much information at a time.
Because only valid selections are offered on
the screen, the user is not confused by
options that do not correspond to the task at
hand.
n Everyone’s an Expert
Inexperienced computer users are fre-
quently as intimidated by the input device as
they are of the computer. For some people,
the image of the traditional desktop com-
puter with keyboard is not only uninviting,
they may go out of their way to avoid it. For
designers of systems used in retail sales,
public information, or self-service equip-
ment, this is obviously a highly undesirable
reaction.
Touch technology is extremely effective
in abating the fears of inexperienced users.
A touch-active display in a console with an
attractive graphical interface doesn’t look
like a computer anymore. For most inexperi-
enced computer users, that alone is enough
to try it out. With the addition of other
appealing features, such as music, using a
touch active computer to obtain information
or make a purchase can be a comfortable
experience for even the most cynical user.
Unlike any other input devices, you
don’t need to practice or get used to using a
touch system - everyone is an expert the first
time.