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2150 Display Touch Screen - Serial Installation

To use serial communications, you need to purchase the optional Serial Communication Pack from NextWindow.

The serial pack consists of a serial interface PCB and a power adaptor, which comes with a range of international power plugs. The power adaptor provides power to the touch overlay via a USB connection.

Notes

  • A serial cable for connecting to the computer is not supplied.
  • The USB receptacle and power socket on the serial PCB are not used.

2150 connect

NextWindow 2150 Serial Interface and Power Adaptor

  1. Plug the 12 Vdc adaptor into a power socket.
  2. Connect the USB cable from the touch screen to the power adaptor.
  3. Connect the flying lead from the touch screen to the Neltron 4-way connector on the serial interface PCB.
  4. Connect a serial cable from the computer to the PCB.
  5. Switch on the power.

Installing the Serial Communications Software

For the serial option, you need to install software on the computer to provide communications to the touch screen.

The serial utilities are included in the Touch+ Suite, which you can download here.

The Touch+ Suite installs five programs:

Program Name Purpose
USB Config Allows you to change the default USB operating parameters.
Serial Config Allows you to configure the serial communications and to calibrate the touch screen.
Serial Runtime Provides serial communications between the touch screen and the computer.
Panel Designer Allows you to design an off-screen touch panel.
Panel Runtime Runs the off-screen touch panel.

Once installed, these programs are available from the Start / Programs / NextWindow Touch+ menu.

Running the Serial Runtime program

This program must be running for the touch screen to work in serial mode.

At installation time, you can choose to run this program automatically every time the computer starts. Otherwise, you can start the program via the Start menu.

When the program is running, an icon appears in the computer’s system tray (Microsoft Windows) hand.  You can click this icon to access the serial configuration and calibration options, or to close the program.

Serial Calibration

With a clear desktop on the computer,

  1. Click the serial icon on the taskbar hand , then select Serial Config.
    calibration 1
  2. Click the [Calibrate] button, then let go of the mouse without moving it.

    The program moves the mouse pointer to a position at the top left of the screen and displays the following dialog.
    calibration 2
  3. Touch and hold your finger on the screen at that position until you hear a long beep.
  4. The pointer moves to three further positions in sequence—touch each point in turn until you hear the beep.

    This completes the serial calibration procedure. The program displays the following dialogue for a few seconds.
    calibration 3

Calibration notes

  • When moving your finger to the next calibration point, lift it straight off the screen, making sure you don’t drag it across the screen.
  • Test the calibration by moving the mouse pointer (cursor) around the screen checking that it closely follows your finger.  If the calibration is not satisfactory, you can re-calibrate.