There are a few different ways in which you can build, as well as manipulate a touchscreen monitor. Here are the main types of touchscreen technology:
-Capacitive: These touchscreen monitors are created by using multiple layers of thin glass. All in all, the innermost layer is used as a conduit for electricity. The outer most layer also conducts electricity. This means that the middle layer of glass acts as a capacitor. When your finger touches the outer most layer of glass, it changes the electrical field. Therefore, allowing you to touch the screen and operate at multiple touch points.
-Resistive: Resistive touchscreens are the most popular, as well as the most produced. They work by having a flexible outermost layer made from a conducting polyester plastic formed to a lower layer of conducting glass. All together, they are separated by the smallest layer of insulating membrane. Therefore, when you touch the screen you make the polyester touch the glass and you complete the circuit! It works much like pressing down on a computer keyboard.
-Infrared: All things considered, an infrared touchscreen monitor for PC, or other devices, works just like an intruder alarm. The touchscreen uses LEDs and light-detecting photocells to create a grid. The LEDs then shine infrared light in front of the screen and when you touch the screen, they are able to sense where you touch because you interrupt the infrared beams.
There are more, less popular styles of touchscreen technology as well. These include Surface Acoustic Wave, as well as Near Field Imaging more. However, they are less mass produced and you are less likely to have them on your home monitor.