Cell+Phone+Touchscreen

=Cell Phone Touchscreen= jmazzi12toc

Purpose
//What is the fundamental purpose of the device?// To navigate through a cell phone by simply touching the surface with your finger or a stylus.

Energy
//What energy transformations are seen in its operation?// The most popular way that touch screens are built is using a resistive system. An electrical current runs through a conductive layer and a resistive layer in the screen. The screen is separated by tiny insulating dots. When you press down on the screen, the two layers come in contact, creating a change in the electrical field. A computer then calculates the change on a coordinate plane, figuring out the exact spot where the screen was touched. It then transfers this information into something the cell phone system can understand. [|Click here for more info and a diagram!]

Controls
//What sensors/controls are designed into the device?// Between the conductive and resistive layers, there is a sensor. The sensor detects changes in the electrical field, telling the computer exactly where you touched the screen.

Materials
//What material(s) are essential to the device?//
 * layer of glass substrate
 * resistive coating
 * polyester sheet
 * conductive coating
 * insulating spacers

Science
//What is scientific principle is central to its operation?// An electrical current runs through both layers of the phone's screen. When you touch the screen, the change in the electrical field is detected on a coordinate plane.

Design
//What does a typical device look like?// Typical touch screen cell phones are very slim with a touch sensitive screen covering most of the front of the phone. There may be buttons on the bottom of the front cover, or on the sides of the phone. Most touch screen cell phones also have a built-in camera on the back of the phone. The phones can also vary in color.

Evolution
//What changes have there been (or could there be) in this device?// Overtime, changes have been made to the systems inside of cell phones to create a faster response when you touch the screen.

Competitors
//What other devices serve a similar purpose?//
 * Iphone

Partners
//What other devices work in conjunction with this device?// -the devices listed below are built-in to most touch screen cell phones
 * Calculator
 * Cell phone camera
 * MP3 Player
 * Radio
 * GPS Satelitte

Siblings
What other devices use the same scientific principle? List of devices that use electrical current.