What is the difference between a touch panel and a touch screen?

The terms "touch panel" and "touch screen" are often used interchangeably, but they can have slightly different meanings depending on the context. In general, both refer to interfaces that allow users to interact with electronic devices by touching the display surface. Here's a breakdown of the terms:

Touch Panel:

* A touch panel is a broader term that encompasses various technologies and methods for detecting touch input.
* It refers to the physical layer or surface that can sense touch and convert it into electrical signals.

* Touch panels can be resistive, capacitive, infrared, acoustic, or use other technologies to detect touch.

Touch Screen:

* A touch screen specifically refers to the display screen that incorporates a touch-sensitive surface, allowing users to interact directly with the content on the screen.
* A touch screen typically includes a touch panel as an integral part of the display, enabling the recognition of touch input.

In summary, a touch panel is the underlying technology that detects touch input, while a touch screen refers to the combination of a display screen and the touch panel, providing a direct interface for user interaction. The distinction between the two terms is sometimes subtle, and in casual usage, people may use them interchangeably.