Dual-touchscreen
Encyclopedia
A dual-touchscreen is a computer display setup which uses two screens, either or both of which could be touch-capable
, to display both elements of the computer's graphical user interface
and virtualized implementations of common input devices, including virtual
keyboards
. Usually, in a dual-touchscreen computer or computing device, the most persistent GUI elements and functions are displayed on one, hand-accessible touchscreen (changing with the software application in use) alongside the virtual keyboard, while the other, more optically-centric display is used for those user interface elements which are either less or never accessed by user-generated behaviors.
This approach is similar to that of the Nintendo DS
handheld game console's construction, in which user-generated actions are initialized on the lower resistive touchscreen while the resulting graphical displays are executed in the upper screen. The same approach was adopted on its successor unit, the Nintendo 3DS
and a similar concept was created for Nintendo's sixth home console, the Wii U, with its controller's capacitive touchscreen used in the same fashion as the lower part of the DS/3DS, and the secondary screen connected to the console.
Touchscreen
A touchscreen is an electronic visual display that can detect the presence and location of a touch within the display area. The term generally refers to touching the display of the device with a finger or hand. Touchscreens can also sense other passive objects, such as a stylus...
, to display both elements of the computer's graphical user interface
Graphical user interface
In computing, a graphical user interface is a type of user interface that allows users to interact with electronic devices with images rather than text commands. GUIs can be used in computers, hand-held devices such as MP3 players, portable media players or gaming devices, household appliances and...
and virtualized implementations of common input devices, including virtual
Virtual keyboard
A virtual keyboard is a software component that allows a user to enter characters. A virtual keyboard can usually be operated with multiple input devices, which may include a touchscreen, an actual keyboard and a computer mouse.- Types :...
keyboards
Keyboard (computing)
In computing, a keyboard is a typewriter-style keyboard, which uses an arrangement of buttons or keys, to act as mechanical levers or electronic switches...
. Usually, in a dual-touchscreen computer or computing device, the most persistent GUI elements and functions are displayed on one, hand-accessible touchscreen (changing with the software application in use) alongside the virtual keyboard, while the other, more optically-centric display is used for those user interface elements which are either less or never accessed by user-generated behaviors.
This approach is similar to that of the Nintendo DS
Nintendo DS
The is a portable game console produced by Nintendo, first released on November 21, 2004. A distinctive feature of the system is the presence of two separate LCD screens, the lower of which is a touchscreen, encompassed within a clamshell design, similar to the Game Boy Advance SP...
handheld game console's construction, in which user-generated actions are initialized on the lower resistive touchscreen while the resulting graphical displays are executed in the upper screen. The same approach was adopted on its successor unit, the Nintendo 3DS
Nintendo 3DS
The is a portable game console produced by Nintendo. The autostereoscopic device is able to project stereoscopic 3D effects without the use of 3D glasses or any additional accessories. The Nintendo 3DS features backward compatibility with Nintendo DS series software, including Nintendo DSi software...
and a similar concept was created for Nintendo's sixth home console, the Wii U, with its controller's capacitive touchscreen used in the same fashion as the lower part of the DS/3DS, and the secondary screen connected to the console.
Use in products
- In 2004, Italian design firm V12 DesignV12 DesignV12 Design is an Italian industrial design firm. It was founded in late 2004 by Valerio Cometti in Milan, Italy. Cometti and V12 Design create products such as TV sets, pieces of furniture, coffee machines, portable computers, eyewear, lamps, mobile phones....
designed a prototype dual-touchscreen laptopLaptopA laptop, also called a notebook, is a personal computer for mobile use. A laptop integrates most of the typical components of a desktop computer, including a display, a keyboard, a pointing device and speakers into a single unit...
known as the Canova. - In 2007, Pennsylvania-based company EstariV12 DesignV12 Design is an Italian industrial design firm. It was founded in late 2004 by Valerio Cometti in Milan, Italy. Cometti and V12 Design create products such as TV sets, pieces of furniture, coffee machines, portable computers, eyewear, lamps, mobile phones....
released its 2-VU laptop, initially for the United StatesUnited StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
militaryUnited States armed forcesThe United States Armed Forces are the military forces of the United States. They consist of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard.The United States has a strong tradition of civilian control of the military...
before a public release. - In 2008, the OLPC XO-2 was announced to use a dual-touchscreen setup.
- In May 2009, The AsusASUSASUSTeK Computer Incorporated is a multinational computer technology and consumer electronics product manufacturer headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan. Its product range includes motherboards, desktops, laptops, monitors, tablet PCs, servers and mobile phones...
Flipbook was first demonstrated, at CeBITCeBITCeBIT is the world's largest and most international computer expo. CeBIT is held each year on the world's largest fairground in Hanover, Germany, and is a barometer of the state of the art in information technology...
as a dual-touchscreen laptop with the ability to optionally display user interface elements in both screens both horizontally and vertically; the concept design was renamed as the Asus "Eee Reader", rebranded as an e-bookE-bookAn electronic book is a book-length publication in digital form, consisting of text, images, or both, and produced on, published through, and readable on computers or other electronic devices. Sometimes the equivalent of a conventional printed book, e-books can also be born digital...
reader, and scheduled for launch in Q4 2009. The device was finally renamed as "Eee Book" and scheduled for a June 2010 release at Computex in TaipeiTaipeiTaipei City is the capital of the Republic of China and the central city of the largest metropolitan area of Taiwan. Situated at the northern tip of the island, Taipei is located on the Tamsui River, and is about 25 km southwest of Keelung, its port on the Pacific Ocean...
. - In March 2010, the EnTourage eDGeEnTourage eDGeThe enTourage eDGe was a combined tablet computer and e-book made by enTourage Systems Inc., a small company in McLean, Virginia. It is advertised as "the world's first dualbook". The device runs Google's Android platform, version 1.6 'Donut'. Due to lack of sales, all enTourage eDGe products...
was released, also directed more as e-reader than as computer. One of the two touchscreens is monochrome E InkE InkE Ink is a specific proprietary type of electronic paper manufactured by E Ink Corporation, founded in 1997 based on research started at the MIT Media Lab...
, the other is color liquid crystal displayLiquid crystal displayA liquid crystal display is a flat panel display, electronic visual display, or video display that uses the light modulating properties of liquid crystals . LCs do not emit light directly....
(LCD). - In January 2010, Micro-Star InternationalMicro-Star InternationalMicro-Star International Co., Ltd is a Taiwan-based electronics company and one of the world's largest motherboard and video card manufacturers.-Overview:MSI is one of the top three motherboard and video card manufacturers worldwide...
(MSI) showed a prototype of a dual-touchscreen netbook at Consumer Electronics ShowConsumer Electronics ShowThe International Consumer Electronics Show is a major technology-related trade show held each January in the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. Not open to the public, the Consumer Electronics Association-sponsored show typically hosts previews of products and new...
(CES). - In June 2010, ToshibaToshibais a multinational electronics and electrical equipment corporation headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. It is a diversified manufacturer and marketer of electrical products, spanning information & communications equipment and systems, Internet-based solutions and services, electronic components and...
released the Libretto W100 dual-touchscreen notebook running Windows 7. - In January 2011, NECNEC, a Japanese multinational IT company, has its headquarters in Minato, Tokyo, Japan. NEC, part of the Sumitomo Group, provides information technology and network solutions to business enterprises, communications services providers and government....
announced the LT-W Cloud Communicator, a slate with dual touchscreens that unfolds like a book and runs Android 2.1. - In March 2011, Acer released the IconiaAcer IconiaThe Acer Iconia is a series of touch screen tablet computer made by Acer and unveiled on 23 November 2010. The Iconia was first announced at an Acer press conference in New York City on 23 November 2010....
6120 dual-screen touchbook notebook running Windows 7. - In April 2011, Kyocera International released the Kyocera EchoKyocera EchoThe Kyocera Echo is a smartphone manufactured by Kyocera International of Japan, and distributed by Sprint in the United States. It runs the Google Android operating system. It was announced by Sprint on 7 February 2011, and released for sale 17 April 2011.It is unusual in having two 3.5" screens...
smartphone running Android 2.2 Froyo. - In April 2011, SonySony, commonly referred to as Sony, is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan and the world's fifth largest media conglomerate measured by revenues....
announced the code-named S2, since renamed Sony TabletSony TabletSony Tablet is the brand name of a series of tablet computers which run Google's operating system Android 3.1 Honeycomb. They were informally announced on 26 April 2011, using the code names, by the Sony Corporation in the Sony IT Mobile Meeting...
P, running Android 3.1 Honeycomb, and scheduled for release in autumn 2011.