Specifications

9
Do I Need Touch Technology?
Touch technology is especially
beneficial if...
n Space is critical
Touch technology is an excellent alter-
native when the device is too compact to
make a keyboard or mouse practical. Hand-
held computers or personal digital assistants
(PDAs) are examples of applications that are
not suitable for use with traditional detached
input devices.
n Time is critical
Applications such as in-vehicle controls
can be dangerous if the user’s eyes are
diverted too long. Other applications, such
as automatic ticket-dispensing machines in
train stations or sports complexes, can accu-
mulate long lines unless they are intuitively
easy to use. Touch systems eliminate the
time it takes for the user to switch back and
forth between a display and the input device,
and the graphical user targets minimize or
eliminate the need for the user to read
instructions.
n Accuracy is critical
Touch technology is extremely useful
when fast and accurate system interaction is
required. For example, an air traffic control-
ler can touch a radar image on a display
rather than typing data to receive additional
information on a particular aircraft.
n Simplification is critical
Touch technology is ideally suited for
creating a simple interface to an otherwise
complex system. One example is an auto-
mobile diagnostics computer. This type of
computer, with a traditional interface, may
be frustrating to mechanics with no prior
computer experience and costly to their
employers during the learning curve. Graph-
ical touch interfaces can reduce or eliminate
both the frustration and the learning curve by
guiding the mechanic through the process
with a series of touch-active menus. (In
addition, many touch screens are impervious
to grease and other substances that would
damage a keyboard.)
Another example is in laboratories. A
chemist could use a blood analyzer program
to run a variety of diagnostic tests and per-
form management functions. A series of
touch-active menus can easily guide the
chemist through the necessary sequence of
tests required in a fraction of the time that it
would otherwise take the chemist to key in
data.