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A touch screen is a computer display screen that serves as an input device. When a touch screen is touched by a finger or stylus, it registers the event and sends it to a controller for processing.
A touch screen may contain pictures or words that the user can touch to interact with the device.
A touch screen has two main advantages. First, it allows users to interact directly with what is displayed, rather than indirectly with a pointer controlled by a mouse or touchpad. Secondly, it does not require the use of an intermediate device. Touch screens can be attached to computers or to networks as terminals. They also play a prominent role in the design of digital appliances such as the personal digital assistant (PDAs), satellite navigation devices, mobile phones and video games.
How a touch screen event is registered depends on the touch screen's inherent technology. The three main touch screen technologies are:
There are other, less-common touch screen technologies. These include:
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