News

Welcome to Visual Planet's 2009 Product launch

Visual Planet looking forward to another year of growth as the market for touch and interactive solutions expands

Visual Planet...Touch made easy

New USB controller
Improved Foil construction
Launch of self install software
The latest version of the driver
Preparation for USB release
Techie bits
Benefits of the ViP Interactive Foil

New USB controller up to 3 times faster

Visual Planet are pleased to announce that our new issue 6 USB controller launches today.

Key feature-benefits:

Up to three times faster response than our current controller providing a significant improvement in response to your touch
Ideal for using drawing and mark-up packages on screen
The controller is a standard HID device and conforms to the USB 2.0 interface that we require for the fast 18 millisecond scan speeds we can achieve with this controller
A removable controller option for installations that require the controller to be removed during installation of the foil
Software adjustable scan speeds for ease of adjusting the projected capacitance field sensitivity making it a simple setup for different thicknesses and material types
Designed to provide an improved platform for our dual touch system to be launched later this year
Uses standard off the shelf A Male to Male Mini B USB cables for ease of supply if you require extended cable lengths. 2M cables supplied as standard. Other lengths available on request (up to 5M). See price list. (It is possible to have up to 10M of cable with active extenders, but we recommend testing before this is attempted as this length is not guaranteed by Visual Planet.)
Fully functional with our full range of foil sizes up to 116 inch

The USB board is currently not available with Linux Operating systems. However the MAC Driver for the new USB version is currently in development

Improvements to the foil construction to meet thin LCD bezel requirements

We have undertaken further improvements of our ViP Interactive Foil construction to reduce the minimum border widths therefore meeting the market requirement for thinner bezels on LCD panels.

We have achieved minimum borders (distance from the foil cut edge to the start of the active area) which means enhanced performance when fully integrating the ViP Interactive Foil behind the bezel of LCD’s.
Previous versions of our foil had an offset active area. This has now been centralised as part of our development making integration into LCD & Rear Projection screens an easier process with the new system.
The new version has also been designed to accommodate our new USB controllers in the part numbering system so we will be using the new foil construction system for all future USB deliveries.
We will not upgrade the existing standard foils unless you switch from Serial to the USB controller. All Serial designs will have legacy minimum borders and drawings

Launch of self install software

Our new Auto-Install CD provides drivers for both Serial and USB versions of the ViP Interactive Foil. The latest version of the driver is MA7-87. Changes include:

Right-click mouse function after 5-6 seconds of holding your finger to the screen
Auto Run and Auto Installation functions
Installation Videos
Quick Start Installation Guides
Branding Instructions

What is being delivered and why?

The number of MA7 drivers has now increased due to the upgrading of the foil’s construction. The type of driver is dependent on whether you specify a side or a bottom tail position. To make this an easier transition we have developed an auto install CD containing all the drivers and documentation you will require. The Quick Start guides have also been updated to provide information about how the auto run and auto install functions will work. Please follow these documents when first receiving the new versions of the ViP Interactive Foils.

Structure of the CD

The CD menu has 5 drivers. Primarily drivers 0, 2 and 3 will be the most commonly used. Drivers 4 and 5 are for special long narrow foils:

“0” for our legacy 08 system foils both 16:9 and 4:3 format
“2” for the new 09 system bottom tail foils both 16:9 and 4:3 format
“3” for the 09 system side tail both 16:9 and 4:3 format
“4” for the 09 system bottom tail long narrow foils 16:30 format above 30”
“5” for the 09 system side tail narrow foils 16:30 format above 30”

The driver numbers have now been updated to the new .1 version (e.g. Driver 2.1, Driver 3.1). Driver 0 remains our legacy driver. The new .1 Drivers will be delivered with our ViP Interactive Foil, but all archived drivers can be downloaded from our Software Downloads page.

We have provided an Auto Install CD Guide which discusses the implications of the CD Layout and locations of the key files.

Can it be branded?

Yes the MA7 drivers within the auto install CD and the documentation can be customised as before.

The files in the Drivers’ folders must not have their names or locations changed otherwise the auto install process will not take place. You may of course add/modify/remove the files in the “ViP Documentation” folder. Full instructions will be provided. Please note, the legacy Branding Guide has now been updated to cater for the new changes required.

How does it work?

Select the correct driver as instructed in the documentation supplied with the foil. The correct driver will also be labelled on the foil’s electronic control board, the foil’s tail, and the foil’s part number. If there is no driver number identification on the foil or on the controller board then please use Driver 0, our legacy driver.

Please note, all drivers are available for download from our Software Downloads page.

Follow the on-screen instructions to begin the driver’s installation, bringing up the familiar MA7 control program. You will then follow the normal calibration and sensitivity setup. To confirm which driver you have installed select the “Help” tab in MA7 and click on “About”.

If you have rebranded this part of the driver then please maintain the driver number information. Please note that you must retain all reference to the foil’s driver number if the electronic control board cover is removed or if the packaging is discarded.

Software Downloads

To increase the availability of our ViP Interactive Foil driver software we have included a download area on our website. This will allow you to receive the necessary drivers for the foils. The download process requires you to submit a valid email address, to which you will be sent a link where you can access the documents and software for the ViP Interactive Foil. You must of course consult the foil’s tail, electronic control board and packaging to determine which Driver you need to download.

What do you need to do to be prepared for the release of the USB

Be aware that new drivers are required for the new 09 foils. These will be on the auto install CD and full instructions will be provided
Be aware of changes to the Quick Start and installation Guides and Full User Guides
Become familiar with the new driver requirements
Become familiar with the new scan speed setup
If you brand the software allow allocated time to rebrand the new auto install CD. If we upgrade the MA7 drivers in the future you will need to upgrade the auto install disc
New drawings will be issued for all USB requirements and new size requests which you will need to approve

Techie bits

Interactivity and Material Specification

Product Part Number Specification

The part number of the ViP Interactive Foil has started to feature on the electronic control board alongside the Serial Number. We will be issuing our part numbering system in the near future. Additions to the legacy part numbers include the addition of the Wire Layout, Driver information, and the option of a Removable Controller.

Benefits of the ViP Interactive Foil

Just a quick reminder of the feature - benefits of the ViP Interactive Foil:

Ability to work through any non metallic material (material density considerations to be taken into account) which means the ViP Interactive Foil fits a wide range of applications that aren’t suitable with other touch screen technologies
Works with gloved hands-ideal for outdoor applications
Not affected by dust, dirt or chewing gum
Custom sizes delivered like standard products – means short lead times for new project designs
Not affected by changes in lighting conditions
Easy to fix to a wide range of materials (non-metallic)
Easy to apply Rear Projection materials to the back of the touch foil
Light weight construction – ease of shipping - no broken glass!
Can be easily sealed – ideal for IP rated rugged LCD designs
Can be easily and fully integrated in to a wide range of standard LCDs, kiosks and totems
Can be integrated into flush glass weather proof kiosks
Can be integrated between glass combined with high quality holographic display

Touch Screen Innovation from Visual Planet

Please contact us for further information about our 2009 product releases. We will be extremely interested in providing you with innovative and creative touch solutions with the display technology and expertise of our worldwide resellers.