HOW DO TOUCHSCREENS WORK? Touchscreens are computer interfaces that allow the user to interact with a display screen via a stylus or finger. Resistive or capacitive touchscreens sense the presence of a finger electrically and register the digit's location. Other methods of detection may use ultrasonic waves or pressure gauges. There are also optical methods that feature a grid of infrared beams, which are interrupted when the user touches the screen.
WHAT IS ERGONOMICS? This is a branch of science that strives to design the job to fit the worker, rather than the other way around. In the modern office, it most commonly relates to the physical stresses placed on joints, muscles, nerves, tendons, bones, even hearing and eyesight, along with other environmental factors that can adversely affect comfort and health. Ergonomics deals with the interaction of technology and work environments with the human body, and involves such things as anatomy, physiology, and psychology in the design of chairs, desks, computer accessories, the design of car controls and instruments -- in short, any kind of product that could help relieve potential repetitive strain from a given job or task.
The Human Factors and Ergonomics Society contributed to the information contained in the TV portion of this report.