← IGCSE Computer Science Paper 1

Resistive touch screen

A screen with two conductive layers that touch when pressed; the change in resistance at the touch point gives its position. Works with finger, glove or stylus.

Part of: IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 3.2 Input and Output Devices — Module 11

Understanding Resistive touch screen in IGCSE Computer Science Paper 1

What it does: Pressure is what makes the layers touch. The contact point changes the resistance, which gives the position. Any object that presses hard enough pushes the layers together, so a glove or stylus works as well as a finger. Resistive screens are usually cheaper. The extra layers reduce the clarity of the display, so the picture is less clear. A resistive screen finds one pressed point at a time, so multi-touch is not easy. Capacitive screens handle multi-touch much better. This is the structure of a resistive screen: two conductive layers kept apart by a gap that closes when pressure is applied.

Common mistakes: When a resistive screen is pressed, the flexible top layer touches the bottom layer at that point. The line should say the layers touch, not stay apart. The top layer of a resistive screen must be flexible so it can bend down and touch the bottom layer. It should be 'top layer = flexible'.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 252–261) and word search (Modules 240–261).

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Learning
Duo
How does a resistive touch screen detect where you touch?
The screen senses the electrical charge from your fingerTwo conductive layers touch and the change in resistance gives the position
Matches
A resistive screen detects touch by sensing infra-red beams being broken
↓
This describes an infra-red touch screen. A resistive screen detects touch when two layers are pressed together and the resistance changes.
Applying
Meanings
Term
resistive touch screen
Meaning
A screen with two conductive layers that touch when pressed; the change in resistance at the touch point gives its position. Works with finger, glove or stylus.
Practice
IF pressure = TRUE THEN
Testing
Gaps
conductiveLayers =
Check Answer
Spots
1IF pressed THEN
2 layers stay apart

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Quick Questions

1. How does a resistive touch screen detect where you touch?
A. The screen senses the electrical charge from your finger
B. Two conductive layers touch and the change in resistance gives the position ✓
A resistive screen has two conductive layers. Pressing makes them touch, and the change in electrical resistance at that point gives the position. Sensing charge from a finger is how a capacitive screen works.
2. What separates the top flexible layer from the bottom layer in a resistive touch screen?
A. A layer of infra-red beams
B. A small gap ✓
The two layers are kept apart by a small gap. They only touch when pressure is applied. Infra-red beams are used in a different type of touch screen.
3. What makes the two layers of a resistive touch screen touch each other?
A. Pressure from a finger, glove or stylus ✓
B. The heat of a finger
The top layer is flexible, so pressing it pushes it against the bottom layer. Heat is not what makes the layers touch.
4. Which of these can be used on a resistive touch screen?
A. A gloved finger ✓
B. Only a bare finger
Resistive screens work with a finger, a glove or a stylus because they only need pressure. Capacitive screens usually need a bare finger or a special stylus.
5. Compared with other touch screens, a resistive touch screen is usually...
A. Cheaper but less clear ✓
B. More expensive and clearer
Resistive screens are usually cheaper. The extra layers reduce the clarity of the display, so the picture is less clear.

Match the Pairs

resistive touch screen → A screen with two conductive layers that touch when pressed, so the change in resistance gives the touch position
top layer + gap + bottom layer → A flexible top layer sits above a bottom layer with a small gap between them until the screen is pressed
Pressing a resistive screen makes the two layers touch at that point, which changes the resistance → if pressure_applied: layers_touch = True
A resistive screen works with a finger, a glove or a stylus because it responds to pressure, not to the electrical charge of skin → input in ["finger", "glove", "stylus"]
A resistive screen detects touch by sensing infra-red beams being broken → This describes an infra-red touch screen. A resistive screen detects touch when two layers are pressed together and the resistance changes.
A resistive screen only works with bare fingers and easily supports multi-touch → Resistive screens work with a finger, glove or stylus, and they do not easily support multi-touch. Only a bare finger is needed on a capacitive screen.

Key Term

resistive touch screen
A screen with two conductive layers that touch when pressed; the change in resistance at the touch point gives its position. Works with finger, glove or stylus.

Fill in the Blanks

1. conductiveLayers = 2
Hint: Type the number of conductive layers in a resistive touch screen.
2. IF screenPressed = TRUE THEN layersTouch = TRUE ENDIF
Hint: Type the keyword that starts the block of code to run when the condition is true.
3. touchPosition = getPosition(resistance)
Hint: Type the electrical property whose change at the touch point gives the position.
4. multiTouchEasy = FALSE
Hint: Type the Boolean value showing resistive screens do not easily support multi-touch.
5. worksWithGlove = TRUE
Hint: Type the Boolean value showing that pressure from a gloved hand still works.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A IF pressed THEN
B layers stay apart
C resistance changes
D ENDIF
Line B — When a resistive screen is pressed, the flexible top layer touches the bottom layer at that point. The line should say the layers touch, not stay apart.
Question 2
A top layer = rigid
B bottom layer = rigid
C gap = air between layers
Line A — The top layer of a resistive screen must be flexible so it can bend down and touch the bottom layer. It should be 'top layer = flexible'.
Question 3
A screen = resistive
B finger works: TRUE
C glove works: FALSE
D stylus works: TRUE
Line C — A resistive screen works by pressure, so it works with a gloved hand as well as a finger or stylus. It should be 'glove works: TRUE'.
Question 4
A screen = resistive
B cost = usually cheaper
C clarity = very clear
Line C — The extra layers reduce how much light gets through, so resistive screens are less clear. The line should be 'clarity = less clear'.
Question 5
A screen = resistive
B multi-touch = very easy
C cost = usually cheaper
Line B — Resistive screens find one touch point and do not easily support multi-touch. The line should say multi-touch is not easy.

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