Home > Products > Free Programmable Graphical GUI-User-Interface for Touch Screens

Displays

Free Programmable Graphical GUI-User-Interface for Touch Screens

8th August 2012

Distec Ltd

ES Admin

0 0

With ArtistaGUI, Distec GmbH introduces a new human-machine-interface (HMI) controller that allows expansion of simple controls with TFT displays. Programming of the GUI (Graphical User Interface) is carried out with a WYSIWYG-Interface-Designer and the scripting language QT-Quick. The communication protocol is the robust and in-field proven Modbus-RTU. Machines and devices can be equipped with a modern graphical user interface in the course of a product modernization, but this is typically possible only with substantial modifications to the control electronics, explained Dieter Kiermaier, Director Technical Product Marketing at Distec. The existing microcontrollers usually don't have a graphical interface and a complete change of the machine's controls is complex and costly. This is exactly where our newly developed controller for the new GUI extension applies. To equip simple machine controls with a graphical user interface and Touch without extensive redesign, we designed the ArtistaGUI graphic controller.

ArtistaGUI is serially connected to the machine control in place by means of the widely-used Modbus-RTU-Protocol and can therefore transmit instructions and read data for the display. The control already in use may be furthermore used without any constraints. With dimensions of only 105 x 90 mm, the small and easy to implement ArtistaGUI-device supports LCD panels with resolutions of up to 800 x 600 (SVGA) with 18/24 Bit LVDS- or TTL interface. Already implemented on the assembly is a controller for 4-wire resistive touch sensors. P-Cap-touches may also be connected. Other product features include an integrated LED backlight driver, the power supply via 12 V DC as well as an SD card for the application programs. Programming is easily possible using a WYSIWYG editor and the scripting language QT Quick. Data, such as commands or measuring values, are serially exchanged between machine control and GUI by the Modbus protocol. As the service supplier, on customer request Distec offers complete design of the graphical interface as well as adaptations of the protocol to the particular application.