A touchscreen or touch screen is the assembly of both an input ('touch panel') and output ('display') device. The touch panel is normally layered on the top of an electronic visual display of an information processing system. The display is often an LCD, AMOLED or OLED display while the system is usually a laptop, tablet, or smartphone.
In the industrial and business context, "touchscreen" refers to a type of display device that allows users to interact with a computer or other electronic device by touching the screen directly. Here are some examples of the use of "touchscreen" in this context:
- Point-of-sale (POS) systems in retail stores may use touchscreens to process transactions and manage inventory.
- Self-service kiosks in airports, restaurants, and other public spaces may use touchscreens to allow users to access information or complete transactions.
- Industrial control systems may use touchscreens to monitor and control machines and processes.
- Medical devices such as X-ray machines and ultrasound equipment may use touchscreens to adjust settings and view images.
Other similar terms used in the context of display devices and user interfaces are:
- Digital display
- Interactive display
- Graphic user interface (GUI)
- Human-machine interface (HMI)
- Touchpad
- Trackpad
- Mouse
- Joystick
- Keyboard
All of these terms refer to different types of display devices or input devices that are used to interact with electronic devices or software, and that differ in their design, features, and capabilities.