AMX VIEWPOINT WIRELESS TOUCH PANELS User Manual

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instruction manual

ViewPoint

Wireless Touch Panels (Extended Range) (Firmware version G3)

To u c h Panels and Accessorie s

AMX Limited Warranty and Disclaimer

AMX Corporation warrants its products to be free of defects in material and workmanship under normal use for three

(3) years from the date of purchase from AMX Corporation, with the following exceptions:

• Electroluminescent and LCD Control Panels are warranted for three (3) years, except for the display and touch overlay components that are warranted for a period of one (1) year.

• Disk drive mechanisms, pan/tilt heads, power supplies, and MX Series products are warranted for a period of one (1) year.

• AMX Lighting products are guaranteed to switch on and off any load that is properly connected to our lighting products, as long as the AMX Lighting products are under warranty. AMX Corporation does guarantee the control of dimmable loads that are properly connected to our lighting products. The dimming performance or quality cannot be guaranteed due to the random combinations of dimmers, lamps and ballasts or transformers.

• Unless otherwise specified, OEM and custom products are warranted for a period of one (1) year.

• AMX Software is warranted for a period of ninety (90) days.

• Batteries and incandescent lamps are not covered under the warranty.

This warranty extends only to products purchased directly from AMX Corporation or an Authorized AMX Dealer.

All products returned to AMX require a Return Material Authorization (RMA) number. The RMA number is

obtained from the AMX RMA Department. The RMA number must be clearly marked on the outside of each box.

The RMA is valid for a 30-day period. After the 30-day period the RMA will be cancelled. Any shipments received

not consistent with the RMA, or after the RMA is cancelled, will be refused. AMX is not responsible for products

returned without a valid RMA number.

AMX Corporation is not liable for any damages caused by its products or for the failure of its products to perform.

This includes any lost profits, lost savings, incidental damages, or consequential damages. AMX Corporation is not

liable for any claim made by a third party or by an AMX Dealer for a third party.

This limitation of liability applies whether damages are sought, or a claim is made, under this warranty or as a tort

claim (including negligence and strict product liability), a contract claim, or any other claim. This limitation of

liability cannot be waived or amended by any person. This limitation of liability will be effective even if AMX

Corporation or an authorized representative of AMX Corporation has been advised of the possibility of any such

damages. This limitation of liability, however, will not apply to claims for personal injury.

Some states do not allow a limitation of how long an implied warranty last. Some states do not allow the limitation or

exclusion of incidental or consequential damages for consumer products. In such states, the limitation or exclusion of

the Limited Warranty may not apply. This Limited Warranty gives the owner specific legal rights. The owner may

also have other rights that vary from state to state. The owner is advised to consult applicable state laws for full

determination of rights.

EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN THIS WARRANTY, AMX CORPORATION MAKES NO OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. AMX CORPORATION EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES NOT STATED IN THIS LIMITED WARRANTY. ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES THAT MAY BE IMPOSED BY LAW ARE LIMITED TO THE TERMS OF THIS LIMITED WARRANTY.

Table of Contents

Product Information .................................................................................................1

ViewPoint Wireless Touch Panel ...................................................................................... 1

Multiple ViewPoints in an installation ....................................................................................... 1

Specifications .................................................................................................................... 2

Recharging the Battery...................................................................................................... 3

Using Connector Ports ...................................................................................................... 3

Cleaning the Touch Overlay.............................................................................................. 4

Designing Touch Panel Pages ................................................................................5

Buttons .............................................................................................................................. 5

Activating Edit Mode.......................................................................................................... 6

Setting the Device Base .................................................................................................... 8

Setting the Device Used.................................................................................................... 8

Adding a page ................................................................................................................... 8

Setting the page color .............................................................................................................. 8

Adding a button ................................................................................................................. 8

Resizing a button ..................................................................................................................... 8

Button Properties............................................................................................................... 9

Setting the channel code.......................................................................................................... 9

Setting the variable text code................................................................................................. 10

Setting the page flip ............................................................................................................... 10

Setting the button colors for channel-off conditions ............................................................... 10

Adding text, icons, and bitmaps to a button ........................................................................... 11

Using TPDesign3 to Download Bitmaps, Icons, and Fonts............................................. 11

Button Properties for External Pushbuttons .................................................................... 12

Creating a Bargraph and Joystick ................................................................................... 12

Adding a bargraph or joystick button...................................................................................... 12

Setting Bargraph and Joystick Properties ....................................................................... 12

Setting the level code............................................................................................................. 13

ViewPoint Wireless Touch Panels

Table of Contents

Programming ..........................................................................................................15

Serial Commands............................................................................................................ 15

System Send_Commands .............................................................................................. 17

Programming Numbers ................................................................................................... 23

Shorthand Send Commands........................................................................................... 24

Color Send_Commands.................................................................................................. 28

Variable Text Send_Commands ..................................................................................... 30

Shorthand Variable Text Commands .............................................................................. 32

Button String Commands................................................................................................ 35

Button IR Macro Commands........................................................................................... 37

Using The IR Manager ............................................................................................39

IR Manager Context Menu .............................................................................................. 39

Creating a New IR File .................................................................................................... 39

System generated file names and IR files.............................................................................. 40

Entering Capture IR Mode .............................................................................................. 41

Capturing Hand Control IR Functions ............................................................................. 41

Capturing IR functions – Standard Capture mode ................................................................. 42

Capturing IR functions – Special (SP) mode.......................................................................... 42

Capturing difficult functions using P5-P7 modes.................................................................... 43

IRIS display characters and P1–P7 mode settings ................................................................ 43

Verifying IR Codes From a Hand Control........................................................................ 44

Actuating an IR Function................................................................................................. 44

Searching for IR Library (IRL/IRV) Files.......................................................................... 44

Searching for a Specific IR Function Across Multiple Files............................................. 45

Advanced IR Manager Features ..................................................................................... 46

Viewing an IR Waveform................................................................................................. 46

Viewing the Available Memory on an IR System Device ................................................ 46

Upgrading the Firmware ........................................................................................47

Configuration................................................................................................................... 47

Downloading the Firmware ............................................................................................. 47

VPA-DS ViewPort Docking Station .......................................................................49

ViewPort Docking Station Specifications ........................................................................ 49

ViewPort Product Information ......................................................................................... 49

Battery charging ..................................................................................................................... 50

Troubleshooting .....................................................................................................53

ViewPoint Wireless Touch Panels

Product Information

The ViewPoint Wireless Touch Panels and ViewPoint NetWave Touch Panels are hand-held liquid

crystal display panels that allow you to control devices remotely. They have programmable

firmware via the programming port.

TPDesign3 is used to construct the panel pages. Buttons are used throughout the ViewPoint panel

for control over external devices. FIG. 1 shows the external jacks and buttons.

Product Information

Programmable buttons

Programming jack

FIG. 1 ViewPoint Wireless Touch Panel

Panel programming, pages, and drawings are uploaded and downloaded using TPDesign (Windows convert G2 panel pages into G3 firmware compatible pages.

) 16-bit or TPDesign3 (Windows) 32-bit touch panel programs. TPDesign is used to

Programmable buttons

Power jack

ViewPoint Wireless Touch Panel

A Color-Passive series features a six-inch LCD with 256 colors. It comes with programmable

external buttons on each side that can be used to control levels such as channels, volume, and

lighting.

The ViewPoint Touch Panels are available with either one-way RF (VPT-CP) or two-way NetWave

(VPN-CP) digital spread-spectrum wireless control.

Two-way ViewPoints do not support AMX IR codes (38 KHz and 455 KHz) but do support other manufacturers IR codes. One-way ViewPoints support all IR codes.

Multiple ViewPoints in an installation

The ViewPoint transmits data via RF or IR. The VPT-CP ViewPoint Wireless Touch Panels are

shipped to operate on a standard frequency of 418 MHz RF and user-selectable 38 KHz or 455 KHz

IR frequencies. The ViewPoints can be ordered for different RF operating frequencies that must be

set when the unit is manufactured.

The VPN-CP operates on 2.4 GHz for two-way RF communications with the AXR-NWS NetWave

Server. It also provides one-way IR using other manufacturers IR codes. If you plan to use multiple

one-way ViewPoints within the same area, it is strongly recommended that each unit be ordered for

operation on different RF frequencies. This will prevent erroneous data being received by the

ViewPoint Wireless Touch Panels

Product Information

respective Controller. Refer to the AXR-NWS NetWave Server instruction manual for more

information.

The 2-way Viewpoint communication uses frequencies from 2.402 GHz to 2.478 GHz in 1 MHz steps. This results in 76 frequencies. All 16 Group IDs utilize all 76 frequencies. Changing Group IDs basically changes the hopping pattern sequence.

Specifications

The following table lists the specifications for the VPT-CP and VPN-CP.

Specifications

Dimensions (HWD): 5.99" x 8.75" x 2.78" (15.21 cm x 11.30 cm x 5.08 cm)

Weight:

VPT-CP

VPN-CP

Power:

VPA-BP (battery)

Power supply

Power Consumption: 1.3 A @ 13.5 VDC

Operating Frequency:

RF (VPT-CP)

IR (VPT-CP)

RF (VPN-CP)

Buttons: Four external programmable push buttons

Display: 6" (153.9 mm) color-passive LCD, 256 colors - 320 x 240 (HV) pixel

Assignable Devices:

VPT-CP

ViewPoint RF

AMX IR

IR other than AMX’s

VPN-CP

Device ID

Group ID

ViewPoint

Cables:

External power cable

Programming cable

Connector Ports:

External power

Programming

2.46 lbs. (1.11 kg) with battery, 1.97 lbs. (0.89 kg) without battery

2.48 lbs. (1.12 kg) with battery, 2.01 lbs. (0.91 kg) without battery

• 7.2 VDC, 6-cell NiMH (nickel metal hydride) rechargeable battery,

3.7 Ah minimum

• VPT-CP: 5 continuous hours with full back lighting

• VPN-CP: 5 continuous hours

13.5 VDC @ 2.8 A

418 MHz standard (other frequencies available upon request), one-way RF transmission

38 KHz or 455 KHz, one-way IR transmission

2.4 GHz two-way digital spread spectrum, two-way digital spread spectrum RF or one-way OM (other manufacturer’s) IR signals

Device 1

Device 2, 3, and/or 4

0 - 255

0 - 15

Device 1, 2, 3, and/or 4

Device 2, 3, and/or 4

6 mm coax male power cable - connects from an external 13.5 VDC power supply (included)

3-wire, 2.5 mm stereo conductor cable

6 mm coax female power jack - connects to external 13.5 VDC power supply

2.5 mm stereo female conductor jack

ViewPoint Wireless Touch Panels

Specifications (Cont.)

Memory:

IR files

Buttons

Bitmaps

Icons

Fonts

Operating Temperature: Indoor operation at temperatures between 0

Operating Humidity: 5% to 90% RH (non-condensing)

Enclosure: High impact molded plastic, matte black finish

Included Accessories:

VPA-BP

Power supply

Programming cable

Optional Accessories:

VPA-BP

AXR-RF

AXR-NWS

AXR-NWS/EU

VPA-DS

Extension cable

512 KB of SRAM and 2 MB of flash for a total of 2.5 MB

16 KB

225 KB

1245 KB

262 KB

ViewPoint Rechargeable Battery

13.5 VDC, PS 2.8 A power supply

2.5 mm stereo to male DB-9 (FG10-817)

Additional ViewPoint Rechargeable Battery (FG0962)

RF Receiver (VPT-CP only) (FG782-418)

NetWave Server (VPN-CP only) (FG5930-02)

NetWave Server (VPN-CP/EU only)(FG5930-12)

ViewPort Docking Station (FG5961-02)

DB-9 extension cable (female DB-9 to female DB-9) (FG10-727)

Product Information

º C (32º F) to 40º C (104º F)

Recharging the Battery

The battery (VPA-BP) can be recharged by connecting the 13.5 VDC power supply to the power

jack on the side of the ViewPoint (FIG. 1). The battery can also be charged on the ViewPort

docking station. Refer to the VPA-DS ViewPort Docking Station section on page 49 for more

information about charging batteries on the ViewPort docking station.

Using Connector Ports

All ViewPoints have two connectors (FIG. 2). The power jack is for connecting an external

13.5 VDC power supply for ViewPoint operation and charging. The programming jack is used for

communication between the ViewPoint touch panel and TPDesign3. The programming jack uses a

three-wire, 2.5 mm stereo jack. The required cable and power supply comes furnished with the

ViewPoint .

To download and upload TPDesign3 touch panel pages:

1. Connect the 2.5 mm stereo plug (male) end of the programming cable (FG10-817) into the

programming jack on the side of the ViewPoint.

2. Connect the DB-9 end of the programming cable (FIG. 2) to the female DB-9 connector on the

DB-9 extension cable (FG10-727).

3. Connect the female DB-9 terminal end of the extension cable to the port on the back of your

computer (FIG. 2).

4. Configure the communication parameters in TPDesign3.

ViewPoint Wireless Touch Panels

Product Information

Powe r

jack

Programming

Stereo plug male

programming

FIG. 2 ViewPoint connectors

jack

ViewPoint

to PC

cable

DB-9 connector

Cable FG10-817 to cable FG10-727

Cleaning the Touch Overlay

You should clean the touch screen overlay after each day’s use. Always use clean cotton cloths, and

a spray bottle of cleaning solution consisting of 50% isopropyl alcohol and 50% water.

It is recommended that you do not attempt to replace the internal Lithium battery. This battery has a lifespan of up to 5 years. If there is a problem with this piece, please contact your AMX sales representative to make arrangements to ship your panel back to the factory for battery replacement.

ViewPoint Wireless Touch Panels

Designing Touch Panel Pages

The VPT-CP ViewPoint one-way models do not support bargraphs, joysticks, VGA, or video (video

bargraphs and video joysticks). These functions are available in the EDIT drop-down menus and

can be setup. However, the functions are not operational. Since the VPN-CP modules contain

two-way RF, they support both bargraphs and joysticks.

There are three ways to approach creating touch panel pages:

 TPDesign3 - Refer to the TPDesign3 Touch Panel Program (Version 3.16 or higher)

instruction manual for more information.

 VPXpress - Refer to the VPXpress ViewPoint System Design/Programming Software

Program (Version 1.01 or higher) instruction manual for more information.

 On-board editor

This document describes the basics of using the on-board editor to create pages and buttons.

Buttons

Designing Touch Panel Pages

Standard button types include rectangles and other geometric shapes that you can create with the

touch panel editor. Buttons are set with attributes, which means there is feedback for the Controller

when you touch the button.

General buttons are part of the default touch panel program and cannot be changed. You use general

buttons to create or revise pages and specify panel communication parameters. The General Button

types are described in the table below.

General Button Types

Selection buttons Selection buttons appear on touch panel pages and set communica-

tion parameters.

Information buttons Information buttons contain serial numbers and firmware version

Adjustment buttons You can use the UP and DN buttons to set adjustment buttons. The

Decision buttons Decision buttons appear when an operation has two options and

information. The properties of these buttons cannot be changed. These buttons have a dark fill and light text.

adjustment button example sets the baud rate for the connection from the touch panel to the computer.

requires verification before an action is performed.

ViewPoint Wireless Touch Panels

Designing Touch Panel Pages

General Button Types (Cont.)

Keypad buttons The keypad button opens a keypad so you can enter a password or

value assignment. All keypad buttons are interactive except for the entry display.

Status buttons Status buttons always have a dark fill with light letters and have no

Operation bars Operation bars appear in the place of the Editor bar, after selecting a

Touch to Continue buttons "Touch to Continue" buttons appear when an operation requires user

Joystick buttons Joysticks are vertical and horizontal direction controllers for use with

Bargraph buttons Bargraph buttons display a dynamic bargraph (vertical or horizontal).

functionality except to display information.

button or page edit operation. The operation bar indicates which edit function is currently active. When an edit operation is selected, it remains active until you press EXIT.

acknowledgement.

pan and tilt camera controllers.

An example is the Battery level indicator button.

Activating Edit Mode

You must activate EDIT mode before creating touch panel pages and buttons. Use the EDIT button

to enter Edit mode. When powering up the touch panel, the first page is the Main page (see FIG. 3).

Note that the Edit button is not available initially.

FIG. 3 Main Page

To activate edit mode:

1. Press SETUP in the Main page to open the Setup page (FIG. 4).

VIewPoint Wireless Touch Panels

Designing Touch Panel Pages

FIG. 4 Setup page

2. Press PROTECTED SETUP to open the keypad.

3. Enter 1988 in the keypad and press ENTER to open the Protected Setup page (1988 is the

default password).

4. Press EDITOR to enable Edit mode. The EDITOR button is highlighted in the Protected Setup

page when enabled, as shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 5 Protected Setup page with the active EDITOR button

5. Press EXIT to close the Protected Setup page and return to the Setup page (now in Edit mode).

6. Press EXIT again to return to the Main page. The EDIT button appears at the top of the page

indicating that Edit mode is active.

7. Press EDIT to open the Edit bar. The BUTTON and PAGE options, in the Edit bar, (FIG. 6) are

used to design and modify button and page settings.

Edit bar

FIG. 6 Main page with Edit bar

ViewPoint Wireless Touch Panels

Designing Touch Panel Pages

Setting the Device Base

Press the DEVICE BASE option, in the Protected Setup page (FIG. 5), to assign a base (starting)

device address to the touch panel.

1. Enter the base address for the touch panel. The base address range is from 1 - 255. Standard

device addresses begin at 128.

2. Press Enter to save.

Setting the Device Used

Use the DEVICE USED option in the Protected Setup page (FIG. 5) to assign a value for the

number of devices being controlled by the touch panel.

1. Press DEVICE USED to open the keypad and enter the panel’s device number from 1 - 4. Each

device number supports up to 255 programmable channel codes. The multiple device settings

allow you to create up to four unique touch panel buttons and/or pages. This value is used to

determine the current device being used by the panel.

2. Enter the number of devices being used by the touch panel.

3. Press Enter to save the value.

Adding a page

1. Press PAGE on the Edit bar to open the PAGE menu.

2. Press ADD to open the keyboard and enter a name for the new page. Page names can be up to

20 characters.

3. Press EXIT CHANGE to save, close the keyboard, and go to the new page.

Setting the page color

1. Press EDIT to open the Edit bar on the newly created page.

2. Press PAGE on the Edit bar to open the PAGE menu.

3. Press PAGE COLOR to open the color palette.

4. Select a color from the palette. The page automatically changes to the new color.

Adding a button

To add a button to the current page:

1. Press BUTTON on the Edit bar to open the BUTTON menu.

2. Press ADD to open the ADD BUTTON operation bar. Then, touch and drag on the LCD screen

to create the button. The first touch point is the upper-left corner of the button.

Resizing a button

1. Press BUTTON on the Edit bar to open the BUTTON menu.

2. Press RESIZE. Then, touch any edge of the button and drag.

3. Press EXIT on the Edit bar to exit Edit mode.

VIewPoint Wireless Touch Panels

Designing Touch Panel Pages

Button Properties

Use the PROPERTIES option of the BUTTON menu in the Edit bar to set button borders, page

flips, button colors for channel on and off conditions, and channel and variable text codes. These

steps apply to setting properties for external buttons as well.

1. Press BUTTON on the Edit bar to open the BUTTON menu options.

2. Press PROPERTIES to open the PROPERTIES operation bar.

3. Press the new button to open the Button Properties page.

4. Press BUTTON TYPE to open the BUTTON TYPE menu.

5. Choose a button type for the selected button to open the associated Button Properties page.

Each button type has its own Button Properties page with settings specific to the button type.

6. Press BORDER to open the BUTTON BORDER pages.

7. Select a border to set for the button and return to the Button Properties page. The BORDER

button changes to show the selected border type.

Setting the channel code

The channel button sets the device and button channel codes for the buttons. Channel codes work

the same for all button types, including joysticks and bargraphs.

1. In the Button Properties page, press DEV to open the keypad and set the touch panel’s device

number.

2. Enter 1, 2, 3, or 4 in the keypad. The programming software uses device codes 1 - 4 to identify

the touch panel. The ViewPoint has a four-device capability.

If DEVICE USED is set to 4 and Base Device Number is 128, the Controller recognizes bus devices 128 - 131. The panel does not allow you to enter a device number greater than the DEVICE USED without first displaying a decision box asking if you accept the new selection or not.

 For one-way ViewPoints (VPT-CP), use device number 1 for AMX IR and RF. Use

device numbers 2, 3, and 4 for other manufacturer’s IR codes (at frequencies other than

the supported 38 KHz and 455 KHz).

 For two-way ViewPoints (VPN-CP), device numbers 1 - 4 can be AMX RF. The AMX IR

is not supported (38 KHz and 455 KHz); however, other manufacturer’s IR codes are

supported by assigning ViewPoint device numbers 2, 3, and 4 for IR codes.

3. Press ENTER to save the device number, close the keypad, and return to the Button Properties

page.

4. Press CHAN to open the keypad and enter a channel value of 1 - 255. The source code uses the

channel code number to identify the button and its programmed operations. The channel code

for non-active buttons is 0.

5. Press ENTER to save the channel number, close the keypad, and return to the Button

Properties page.

ViewPoint Wireless Touch Panels

Designing Touch Panel Pages

Setting the variable text code

The variable text buttons set the device and button channel codes for the buttons. Variable text

codes work the same for all button types, including joysticks and bargraphs.

1. Press DEV to open the keypad and set the device number.

2. Enter 1, 2, 3, or 4 in the keypad. The source code uses device codes 1 - 4 to identify the touch

panel.

3. Press ENTER to save, close the keypad, and return to the Button Properties page.

4. Press CHAN to open a keypad and set the channel number.

5. Enter a channel value of 1 - 255 in the keypad. The source code uses the channel code number

to identify the button and its operations.

6. Press ENTER to save the channel number, close the keypad, and return to the Button

Properties page.

Setting the page flip

1. Press the PAGE FLIP Type button (FIG. 7) in the Button Properties page to open the Page Flip

Type menu.

Page FLIP type button

FIG. 7 Page FLIP Type button

Flip to Page button

2. Select a Page Flip type. If you select FLIP PREVIOUS in the Page FLIP Type menu, the FLIP

to Page button appears.

3. Press the FLIP to Page button to open a list of all the saved touch panel pages. If the desired

page is not present in the menu, verify the page has been saved.

4. Select the target page for the page flip.

Setting the button colors for channel-off conditions

1. Press any button to open the Button Properties page.

2. Press BORDER under CHANNEL OFF in the Button Properties page. The color palette

appears. Select a color to set as the border.

3. Press the FILL button in the Button Properties page to open the color palette. Select a color to

set as the fill.

4. Press the TEXT button to open the palette. Select a color to use for the text.

5. Press EXIT SAVE CHANGE in the Button Properties page to save the new button properties

and return to the current page.

VIewPoint Wireless Touch Panels

Designing Touch Panel Pages

Adding text, icons, and bitmaps to a button

1. Press BUTTON on the Edit bar to open the BUTTON menu.

2. Press TEXT/IMAGE to add text to the button. The TEXT/IMAGE operation bar appears.

3. Press any button to open the Text/Image page.

4. Go through each option and set as desired:

 TEXT OFF and TEXT ON sets the text for the button's Off and On state.

 ICON OFF and ICON ON sets the icon for the button's Off and On state.

 BITMAP OFF and BITMAP ON sets the bitmap for the button's Off and On state.

 MAKE ON SAME AS OFF sets the On and Off properties the same.

You cannot create or edit buttons with Unicode fonts on the panel. Any use of the TEXT/IMAGE button to alter or create Unicode font supported buttons must be done in the TPDesign3 Touch Panel Design Program.

5. Press EXIT SAVE CHANGE to close the Text/Image page and return to the Main page.

Using TPDesign3 to Download Bitmaps, Icons, and Fonts

TPDesign3 allows you to download bitmaps, icons, and fonts into your touch panel from an

existing touch panel program. Touch Panel programs are created in the TPDesign3 software

program. Refer to the TPDesign3 Touch Panel Program (version 3.13 or higher) instruction manual

for more information. Use the Download to Panel button to download a project file.

To download bitmaps, icons and/or fonts from an existing TPDesign3 project file:

1. Then, launch the TPDesign3 software program and open a project file that contains the desired

bitmaps, icons, and fonts.

2. Select File from the menu bar to open the File menu.

3. In the File menu, click on Download to Panel, to open the Download to Panel dialog box.

4. Click the Comm Settings tab to set the communications port, baud rate, and other

communication settings.

5. Then, click the Actions tab to set the communication mode and select which elements of the

project file you want to download to the touch panel.

6. In the What To Send area, select one or more of the available options (All Bitmaps, All Icons,

All Fonts).

7. Select the mode of communication with the touch panel (RS-232 and AXlink). Confirm that

the correct panel is selected by verifying the ID values with the Base Address assigned to the

touch panel in the Protected Setup page.

8. After clicking Connect, the Available Panels list appears in the Available Panels field. Click

Begin to start downloading the project file into the panel.

9. After completing the download, the bitmaps, icons and fonts that were downloaded are now

accessible via the BITMAPS, ICONS and FONTS menus.

ViewPoint Wireless Touch Panels

Designing Touch Panel Pages

Button Properties for External Pushbuttons

External pushbuttons are configured with features similar to on-screen buttons. Their functionality

can be set just as any other button on the touch panel.

Use the PROPERTIES operation bar to assign properties to external pushbuttons. The BUTTON

options and VARIABLE TEXT features within the Properties page do not appear. Although the

Border and Color sections of this page appear, they are of no use to external pushbuttons since they

do not appear on-screen.

Creating a Bargraph and Joystick

Bargraphs are level monitors and adjustable level controls. These levels can be configured to adjust

and monitor audio outputs and lighting levels. Before starting, make sure to connect the touch panel

to your Controller; otherwise, the bargraph may not work properly.

Bargraphs and Joysticks only function on VPN-CP touch panels.

Joysticks are vertical and horizontal direction controllers you can use for camera for pan and tilt

control.

Adding a bargraph or joystick button

Create a new button using the ADD operation bar in the BUTTON menu.

1. Press BUTTON in the Edit bar to open the BUTTON menu.

2. Press PROPERTIES in the BUTTON menu to open the PROPERTIES operation bar.

3. Press any button to open the Button Properties page.

4. Press BUTTON TYPE to open the BUTTON TYPE menus. Choose a button type to open its

Button Properties page.

Setting Bargraph and Joystick Properties

Use the Button Properties page to set channel, level, and button colors. Refer toSetting the variable

text code section on page 10 andSetting the channel code section on page 9 for further information.

Refer toSetting the button colors for channel-off conditions section on page 10for more information

on colors for channel-off conditions.

You are able to position the joystick crosshair in the Button Properties page.

VIewPoint Wireless Touch Panels

Designing Touch Panel Pages

Setting the level code

Level buttons set the device and number codes for the touch panels.

Joysticks use two level numbers. The first is for the X-axis and the second is for the Y-axis. You only need to specify the first level.

1. Press DEV to open a keypad and set the device number.

2. Enter 1, 2, 3, or 4 in the keypad.

3. Press ENTER to save the device number, close the keypad, and return to the Button Properties

page.

4. Press NUM to open a keypad and set the level number assigned to the device.

5. Enter a number 1 – 8. Each device can range from 1 – 8 levels except for joysticks, where the

range is 1 – 7.

6. Press ENTER to save, close the keypad, and return to the Button Properties page.

ViewPoint Wireless Touch Panels

Designing Touch Panel Pages

VIewPoint Wireless Touch Panels

Programming

You can program the touch panel, using the commands in this section, to perform a wide variety of

operations using Axcess Send_Commands and variable text commands. Use the commands

described in this section to program the touch panel.

Serial Commands

Serial Commands are used in the AxcessX Terminal Emulator mode. These commands are not

insensitive.

Serial Commands

?PAR

Returns panel parameters to the PC terminal.

$SC

Sends a serial port send_command within a panel, as if sent from Axcess.

CALIBRATE

Starts touch panel calibration.

CHECK CAL

Enters the calibration test mode.

ECHO ON

Tur ns O n ch ar acter echo.

Programming

Panel parameters include: firmware version, device number, mouse type, output resolution, number of devices, cursor enable, brightness, and contrast.

Syntax:

"?PAR"

Example:

?PAR

Requests the information.

Syntax:

"$SC <device offset>,"’<send_command>,<variable text #>,<data>’""

Var iables :

device offset = Device number

variable text # = The variable text number value on the touch panel.

Example:

$SC 1,"’@TXT’,2,’TEXT’"

The string is sends the command to put text on a button with a variable text value of 2. It is crucial that all the correct ’ and " be used with no spaces after the commas.

Example:

$SC 1,"’SLEEP’"

Sets a touch panel to sleep.

Syntax:

"CALIBRATE"

Example:

CALIBRATE

Starts the calibration sequence mode on the touch panel.

Syntax:

"CHECK CAL"

Example:

CHECK CAL

Begins the calibration check mode on the touch panel.

Syntax:

"ECHO ON"

Example:

ECHO ON

The character echo is sent back to the computer.

ViewPoint Wireless Touch Panels

Programming

Serial Commands (Cont.)

ECHO OFF

Turns Off character echo.

GET CAL

Gets the calibration variables.

HELLO

Verifies that serial communication is working properly.

LZAP!

Clears all lowlevel memory and erases external touch drivers.

RESET

Cycles power on the touch panel.

SET CAL

Sets the calibration variables.

SETUP

Puts the touch panel on the Setup Page.

VER

Restores the current version.

Syntax:

"ECHO OFF"

Example:

ECHO OFF

The character echo is not sent back to the computer.

Syntax:

"GET CAL"

Example:

GET CAL

Gets the calibration variables on the touch panel.

Syntax:

"HELLO"

Example:

HELLO

If the communication is active and working, the response is "How are you doing?".

Syntax:

"LZAP!"

Example:

LZAP!

Clears all IR codes from the panel. Commands such as LZAP! and ZAP! can be used as both Serial Commands or Send_Commands.

Syntax:

"RESET"

Example:

RESET

Cycles the power on the touch panel. Once the firmware is downloaded, send this command to recycle power to the panel. This command prevents the user from having to physically re-cycling power on the unit.

Syntax:

“SET CAL <X Multiplier> <X Offset> <Y Multiplier> <Y Offset>"

Example:

SET CAL 2F 3A 2B 62

Sets the calibration values on the touch panel.

Syntax:

"SETUP"

Example:

SETUP

Flips the touch panel to the Setup page.

Syntax:

"VER"

Example:

VER

Returns the current version of the main firmware.

ViewPoint Wireless Touch Panels

Serial Commands (Cont.)

WORKING?

Verifies the communication between the touch panel and the Terminal Emulator.

ZAP!

Clears all memory and erases buttons, pages, drawings, and symbols.

Only use the ZAP! command to erase the saved data in the touch panel; data cannot be recovered after it is erased.

Syntax:

"WORKING?"

Example:

WORKING?

Response:

$SC 1,"’CPAGE72-Main Page’"

Responding touch panel turns its Main page the color white. This command verifies serial communication. The ViePoint panel must have a page named Main Page for this command to work properly.

Syntax:

"ZAP!"

Example:

"ZAP!"

Clears all memory and erases all buttons, pages, drawings, and symbols.

Programming

System Send_Commands

System Send_Commands are stored in the Controller and direct the touch panel to perform various

operations.

System Send_Commands

$SP

Sends data out the serial port with trailing CR and LF.

ABEEP

Outputs one panel beep even if the beep value is set to 0 in the Setup page.

ADBEEP

Outputs a double beep even if the double beep value is set to 0 in the Setup page.

Translates the ¦ and translates it as a carriage return to the next line.

Syntax:

"’$SP "<data>"’"

Example:

SEND_COMMAND TP,"’$SP "CALIBRATE"’"

Sends the Calibrate command to another panel through the Serial Port. It is crucial that all the correct ’ and " be used with no spaces after the commas.

Syntax:

"’ABEEP’"

Example:

SEND_COMMAND TP,"’ABEEP’"

Beeps the panel.

Syntax:

"’ADBEEP’"

Example:

SEND_COMMAND TP,"’ADBEEP’"

Double beeps the panel.

ViewPoint Wireless Touch Panels

Programming

System Send_Commands (Cont.)

AKEYB

Opens the touch panel keyboard and initializes the text string entry.

AKEYP

Opens the touch panel keypad and initializes the number string entry.

AKEYR

Closes/opens the touch panel keyboard/pad.

BAUD

Sets the program port baud rate.

BEEP

Gives an output of one beep.

BRIT

Adjusts brightness of display.

The keyboard string is set to null during power-up and stored until power-down.

Syntax:

“’AKEYB-<text string>’"

Var iable:

text string = 0 - 59 characters

Example:

SEND_COMMAND TP,"’AKEYB-TOUCH HERE’"

Opens the touch panel keyboard with TOUCH HERE in the display.

The keyboard string is set to null during power-up and stored until power-down.

Syntax:

"’AKEYP-<number string>’"

Var iable:

number string = 0 - 9999

Example:

SEND_COMMAND TP,"’AKEYP-1988’"

Opens the touch panel keypad with 1988 in the display.

Syntax:

"’AKEYR’"

Example:

SEND_COMMAND TP,"’AKEYR’"

Closes the keyboard/keypad opened using the ’AKEYB’, ’AKEYP’, or ’PKEYP’ commands.

The baud rate can also be set in the Protected Setup page’s BAUD level indicator.

Syntax:

"’BAUD <baud rate>’"

Var iable:

baud rate = 38400, 19200, 9600, 4800, 2400, 1200, 600, and 300

Example:

SEND_COMMAND TP,"’BAUD 38400’"

Sets the Baud rate to 38400.

This beep command sounds one tone for a time length of 50 milliseconds.

Syntax:

"’BEEP’"

Example:

SEND_COMMAND TP,"’BEEP’"

Activates one beep tone. Beeps the panel if the Beep button is not set to 0. The BEEP command does disable the beep after a QBEEP command.

Syntax:

"’BRIT-<level>’"

Var iable:

level = 1 - 5 (1 = minimum; 5 = maximum)

Example:

SEND_COMMAND TP,"’BRIT-5’"

Sets to highest brightness level.

ViewPoint Wireless Touch Panels

System Send_Commands (Cont.)

CALIBRATE

Starts the touch panel calibration sequence.

CONT

Adjusts contrast of display.

CLOCK

Sets the time and date.

DBEEP

Gives a double beep output.

ILEV

Inverts the joystick axis.

LZAP!

Clears all lowlevel memory and erases IR codes.

Syntax:

"’CALIBRATE’"

Example:

SEND_COMMAND TP,"’CALIBRATE’"

Starts the calibration operation on the touch panel.

Syntax:

"’CONT-<level>’"

Var iable:

level = 1 - 12 (1 = minimum; 12 = maximum)

Example:

SEND_COMMAND TP,"’CONT-12’"

Sets display to highest contrast level.

Syntax:

"’CLOCK <mm-dd-yy> <hh:mm:ss>’"

Var iables :

mm = 01 - 12, dd = 01 - 31, yy = 00 - 99

hh = 00 - 23, mm = 00 - 59, ss = 00 - 59

Example:

SEND_COMMAND TP,"’CLOCK 02-08-98 19:16:00’"

Sets the touch panel’s date to February 8, 1998, and time to 7:16 p.m.

This command only works if the Double Beep value in the Protected Setup page is set to On.

Syntax:

"’DBEEP’"

Example:

SEND_COMMAND TP,"’DBEEP’"

Double beeps the panel.

Syntax:

"’ILEV <joystick axis to invert>’"

Var iables :

joystick axis to invert =

0 = Normal G3 joystick (origin: top left)

1 = Invert horizontal axis (origin: top right)

2 = Invert vertical axis (origin: bottom left)

3 = Invert both axes (origin: bottom right)

Example:

SEND_COMMAND TP,"’ILEV 3’"

Inverts the joystick axis to move the origin to another corner.

This command can be used as Serial Commands and Send_Commands.

Syntax:

"’LZAP’"

Example:

SEND_COMMAND TP,"’LZAP!’"

Clears all IR codes from the panel.

Programming

ViewPoint Wireless Touch Panels

Programming

System Send_Commands (Cont.)

PAG E

Flips to a page with a specified page name.

PKEYP

Displays asterisks (*) for keypad entries.

PPOF

Closes a specific popup page.

PPON

Opens a specific popup page.

QBEEP

Stops all beeps.

RESET

Clears panel status (same as power up).

SETUP

Goes to the Setup page.

Syntax:

"’PAGE-<page name>’"

Var iable:

page name = 1 - 50 ASCII characters

Example:

SEND_COMMAND TP,"’PAGE-MAIN PAGE’"

Flips the touch panel to the page named MAIN PAGE.

Syntax:

"’PKEYP-<number string>’"

Var iable:

number string = 0 - 9999

Example:

SEND_COMMAND TP,"’PKEYP-1988’"

Displays the touch panel keypad with **** instead of 1988.

Syntax:

"’PPOF-<page name>’"

Var iable:

page name = 1 - 50 ASCII characters

Example:

SEND_COMMAND TP,"’PPOF-Popup Page 1’"

Closes Popup Page 1.

Syntax:

"’PPON-<page name>’"

Var iable:

page name = 1 - 50 ASCII characters

Example:

SEND_COMMAND TP,"’PPON-Popup Page 1’"

Opens Popup Page 1.

Syntax:

"’QBEEP’"

Example:

SEND_COMMAND TP,"’QBEEP’"

Stops all beeps, including "’ABEEP’", "’ADBEEP’", and AXlink beeps.

Saved data is not cleared.

Syntax:

"’RESET’"

Example:

SEND_COMMAND TP,"’RESET’"

Resets the touch panel.

Syntax:

"’SETUP’"

Example:

SEND_COMMAND TP,"’SETUP’"

Flips the touch panel to the Setup page.

ViewPoint Wireless Touch Panels

System Send_Commands (Cont.)

TPAGEON

Activates page tracking.

Syntax:

"’TPAGEON’"

Example:

SEND_COMMAND TP,’TPAGEON’

DEFINE_DEVICE TP1 = 128 (*AMX Touch Panel*) TP2 = 129 (*AMX Touch Panel*)

DEFINE_VARIABLE TP1_BUFFER[100] (*Buffer for TP1*) TP2_BUFFER[100] (*Buffer for TP2*) TRASH[50] (*For Parsing Above*)

DEFINE_START CREATE_BUFFER TP1,TP1_BUFFER CREATE_BUFFER TP2,TP2_BUFFER SEND_COMMAND TP1,'TPAGEON' SEND_COMMAND TP2,'TPAGEON'

DEFINE_PROGRAM (* PAGE TRACKING ROUTINE *) IF(LENGTH_STRING(TP1_BUFFER)) { IF(FIND_STRING(TP1_BUFFER,'PAGE-',1)) { TRASH=REMOVE_STRING(TP1_BUFFER,'PAGE-',1) SEND_COMMAND TP2,"'PAGE-',TP1_BUFFER" CLEAR_BUFFER TP1_BUFFER } IF((FIND_STRING(TP1_BUFFER,'PPON-',1)) OR(FIND_STRING(TP1_BUFFER, 'PPOF-',1))) { SEND_COMMAND TP2,TP1_BUFFER CLEAR_BUFFER TP1_BUFFER } }

Programming

ViewPoint Wireless Touch Panels

IF(LENGTH_STRING(TP2_BUFFER)) { IF(FIND_STRING(TP2_BUFFER,'PAGE-',1)) { TRASH=REMOVE_STRING(TP2_BUFFER,'PAGE-',1) SEND_COMMAND TP1,"'PAGE-',TP2_BUFFER" CLEAR_BUFFER TP2_BUFFER } IF((FIND_STRING(TP1_BUFFER,'PPON-',1)) OR (FIND_STRING(TP1_BUFFER,'PPOF-',1))) { SEND_COMMAND TP1,TP2_BUFFER CLEAR_BUFFER TP2_BUFFER }

}

(* The command string is sent to the Controller in the ’PAGE-(page name)’ or ’PPON/ PPOF-(page name)’ format. The string is captured in the buffer for one panel and sent to the other panel. If panels are combined using the DEFINE_COMBINE statement, the routine needs to be written only once, and the command is sent back to the same panel. *) (* END OF PAGE TRACKING ROUTINE *)

Programming

System Send_Commands (Cont.)

SLEEP

Forces the touch panel to screen saver mode.

TPAGEOFF

Deactivates page tracking.

WAKE

Deactivates screen-saver mode and resets the sleep timer.

XMRT

Sets the new network communication retry value for the panel and SoftROM.

XMTO

Sets the new network communication delay for the panel and SoftROM.

ZAP!

Clears all memory; erases buttons, pages, drawings, and symbols.

Syntax:

"’SLEEP’"

Example:

SEND_COMMAND TP,"’SLEEP’"

Activates the screen saver mode.

Syntax:

"’TPAGEOFF’"

Example:

SEND_COMMAND TP,"’TPAGEOFF’"

Deactivates the page tracking option.

Syntax:

"’WAKE’"

Example:

SEND_COMMAND TP,"’WAKE’"

Deactivates the touch panel screen-saver mode and resets the sleep timer.

Syntax:

"’XMRT <number>’"

Var iable:

number = 1 - 15 ASCII characters

Example:

SEND_COMMAND TP,"’XMRT 9’"

Sets the XMODEM wait for character retries to 9.

Syntax:

"’XMTO <number>’"

Var iable:

number = 4 - 30 ASCII characters

Example:

SEND_COMMAND TP,"’XMTO 5’"

Sets the new XMODEM character delay time to 5 seconds.

Syntax:

"’ZAP!’"

Example:

SEND_COMMAND TP,"’ZAP!’"

Clears all memory and erases all buttons, pages, drawings, and symbols.

Only use the ZAP! command to erase the saved data in the touch panel; data cannot be recovered after it is erased.

ViewPoint Wireless Touch Panels

Programming

Programming Numbers

The following information provides the programming numbers for colors, fonts, and borders.

Colors can be used to set the colors on buttons, sliders, gauges, and pages. The lowest color number

represents the lightest color-specific display; the highest number represents the darkest display. For

example, 0 represents light red, and 5 is dark red.

Colors and Programming Numbers

Color No. Color No.

Red 0 - 5 Purple 54 - 59

Orange 6 - 11 Magenta 60 - 65

Yellow 12 - 17 Pink 66 - 71

Lime 18 - 23 White 72 - 77

Green 24 - 29 Grey 78 - 83

Aqua 30 - 35 More Grey 84 - 86

Cyan 36 - 41 Black 87

Royal 42 - 47 Transparent 255

Font styles can be used to program the text fonts on buttons, sliders, gauges, and pages. The

programming numbers are assigned consecutively when downloaded to the touch panel.

Font Styles and Programming Numbers

No. Font styles No. Font styles

1 Extra small 5 Extra large

2 Small 6 Hollow medium

3 Medium 8 Hollow extra large

4 Large 32 - 255 Variable fonts

You must import variable text fonts into a TPDesign3 project file, and download the project file containing the fonts to the touch panel. The variable fonts are programming numbers assigned by the touch panel during the download process.

Border styles can be used to program borders on buttons, sliders, and gauges.

Border Styles and Programming Numbers

No. Border styles No. Border styles

0 No border 11 Double shadow

1 No border special 20 3-dimensional rectangle 1

2 Single line 21 3-dimensional rectangle 2

3 Double line 22 3-dimensional round 1

4 Triple line 23 3-dimensional round 2

5 Single rounded 24 3-dimensional neon 1

6 Double rounded 25 3-dimensional neon 2

7 Single raised 26 3-dimensional neon blue

8 Double raised 27 3-dimensional neon green

9 Triple raised 40 Single diamond

10 Double-line two single 41 Double diamond

ViewPoint Wireless Touch Panels

Programming

Shorthand Send Commands

The shorthand commands operate control equipment just like standard Send_Commands still used

in a wide variety of AMX products. However, shorthand commands are smaller byte-for-byte, and

are processed more efficiently. The table below lists the shorthand Send_Commands you can use

with the ViewPoint touch panels. The shorthand command data is 1-byte, non-ASCII format except

for pages, passwords, text, and bitmap names.

Shorthand Send_Commands

@CBF

Sets the OFF feedback border color to the specified color.

@CBN

Sets the ON feedback border color to the specified color.

@CFF

Sets the OFF feedback fill color to the specified color.

@CFN

Sets the ON feedback fill color to the specified color.

This works only if the specified background color is not the same as the current color.

Syntax:

"’@CBF’,<variable text address>,<color_number>"

Var iables :

variable text address = 1 - 255

color number = See the Colors and Programming Numbers table on page 23.

Example:

SEND_COMMAND TP,"’@CBF’,1,0"

Sets the OFF feedback border color to Red for the variable text button 1.

This works only if the specified background color is not the same as the current color.

Syntax:

"’@CBN’,<variable text address>,<color_number>"

Var iables :

variable text address = 1 - 255

color number = See the Colors and Programming Numbers table on page 23.

Example:

SEND_COMMAND TP,"’@CBN’,2,78"

Sets the ON feedback border color to Grey for variable text button 2.

This only works if the specified background color is not the same as the current color.

Syntax:

"’@CFF’,<variable text address>,<color_number>"

Var iables :

variable text address = 1 - 255

color number = See the Colors and Programming Numbers table on page 23.

Example:

SEND_COMMAND TP,"’@CFF’,1,72"

Sets the OFF feedback fill color to White for variable text button 1.

This only works if the specified background color is not the same as the current color.

Syntax:

"’@CFN’,<variable text address>,<color_number>"

Var iables :

variable text address = 1 - 255

color number = See the Colors and Programming Numbers table on page 23.

Example:

SEND_COMMAND TP,"’@CFN’,1,30"

Sets the ON feedback fill color to Aqua for variable text button 1.

ViewPoint Wireless Touch Panels

Shorthand Send_Commands (Cont.)

@CPG

Sets the page with specified page name background color to the specified color.

@CPP

Sets the specified page’s background color to the specified color.

@CTF

Sets the OFF feedback text color to the specified color.

@CTN

Sets the ON feedback text color to the specified color.

@IDF

The touch panel returns its MS-DOS file name in a string.

@IDP

Queries the touch panel to return a string with the TPDesign3 project name.

This only works if the new background color is not the same as the current color.

Syntax:

"’@CPG’,<color_number>,’<page name>’"

Var iables :

color number = See the Colors and Programming Numbers table on page 23.

page name = 1 – 50 ASCII characters

Example:

SEND_COMMAND TP,"’@CPG’,87,’Main Page’"

Sets the page title to Main Page, and the color to Black.

This only works if the specified background color is not the same as the current color.

Syntax:

"’@CPP’,<color_number>,’<pop-up page name>’"

Var iables :

color number = See the Colors and Programming Numbers table on page 23.

pop-up page name = 1 – 50 ASCII characters

Example:

SEND_COMMAND TP,"’@CPP’,54,’Audio Page’"

Sets the popup page title to Audio Page, and the color to Purple.

This only works if the specified background color is not the same as the current color.

Syntax:

"’@CTF’,<variable text address>,<color_number>"

Var iables :

variable text address = 1 – 255

color number = See the Colors and Programming Numbers table on page 23.

Example:

SEND_COMMAND TP,"’@CTF’,1,87"

Sets the OFF feedback text color to Black for variable text button 1.

This only works if the specified background color is not the same as the current color.

Syntax:

"’@CTN’,<variable text address>,<color_number>"

Var iables :

variable text address = 1 – 255

color number = See the Colors and Programming Numbers table on page 23.

Example:

SEND_COMMAND TP,"’@CTN’,1,72"

Sets the ON feedback text color to White for variable text button 1.

Syntax:

"’@IDF’"

Example:

SEND_COMMAND TP,"’@IDF’"

The touch panel returns its MS-DOS file name in a string.

Syntax:

"’@IDP’"

Example:

SEND_COMMAND TP,"’@IDP’"

The touch panel returns a string containing the TPDesign3 project name.

Programming

ViewPoint Wireless Touch Panels

Programming

Shorthand Send_Commands (Cont.)

@PPA

Removes all popup pages from a specified page.

@PPF

Deactivates a popup page on a touch panel page.

@PPK

Deactivates a popup page on all touch panel pages.

@PPN

Activates a popup page on a touch panel page.

If no page is specified, the active page is used.

Syntax:

"’@PPA-<page name>’"

Var iable:

page name = target touch panel page name

Example:

SEND_COMMAND TP,"’@PPA-Main Page’"

If there were several popup pages on ’Main Page’ that are active, sending the previous command would remove them all from that page.

If a page name is empty, the current page is used. If a pop-up page is part of a group, the whole group is deactivated.

Syntax:

"’@PPF-<popup page name>;<page name>’"

Var iables :

popup page name = target popup page name

page name = target touch panel page name

Example:

SEND_COMMAND TP,"’PPF-Laser Disc 2 Transport Control; Laser Disc Control Page’"

Deactivates the Laser Disc 2 Transport Control popup page on the Laser Disc Control Page. If a page name is empty, the current page is used. If the popup page is part of a group, the whole group is deactivated.

If a pop-up page is part of a group, the whole group is deactivated.

Syntax:

"’@PPK-<popup page name>’"

Var iable:

popup page name = target popup page name

Example:

SEND_COMMAND TP,"’@PPK-Laser Disc 2 Transport Control’"

Deactivates the Laser Disc 2 Transport Control popup page on all touch panel pages.

If a page name is empty, the current page is used.

Syntax:

"’@PPN-<popup page name>;<page name>’"

Var iables :

popup page name = popup page name

page name = page name

Example:

SEND_COMMAND TP,"’@PPN-Laser Disc 2 Transport Control; Laser Disc Control Page’"

Activates the Laser Disc 2 Transport Control popup page on the Laser Disc Control Page.

ViewPoint Wireless Touch Panels

Shorthand Send_Commands (Cont.)

@PPX

Removes all panel popup pages.

@PWD

Sets the password for the Page Flip on the touch panel.

@RDW

Redraws the current screen.

@SSL

Changes the Sleep string sent to the Controller when the touch panel activates sleep mode.

@SST

Changes the Startup string sent to the Central Controller when the touch panel powers up.

@SWK

Changes the Wakeup string sent to the Controller when the touch panel is activated.

The group that needs to be turned Off must contain the given popup page.

Syntax:

"’@PPX-<popup page>’"

Var iable:

popup page = popup page name

Example:

SEND_COMMAND TP,"’@PPX’"

Closes all popup pages from all of the pages in the panel.

Syntax:

"’@PWD-<page flip password>’"

Var iable:

page flip password = 0 - 9999

Example:

SEND_COMMAND TP,"’@PWD-1988’"

Sets the page flip password to 1988.

Syntax:

"’@RDW’"

Example:

SEND_COMMAND TP,"’@RDW’"

Sends a message to the touch panel to redraw the screen.

Syntax:

"’@SSL-<string>’"

Var iable:

string = alphanumeric characters

Example:

SEND_COMMAND TP,"’@SSL-Touch Panel Deactivated’"

Sends Touch Panel Deactivated to the Controller.

Syntax:

"’@SST-<string>’"

Var iable:

string = alphanumeric characters

Example:

SEND_COMMAND TP,"’@SST-Touch Panel Power On’"

Sends touch panel Power On to the Central Controller when the touch panel powers up.

Syntax:

"’@SWK-<string>’"

Var iable:

string = alphanumeric characters

Example:

SEND_COMMAND TP,"’@SWK-Touch Panel Activated’"

Sends Touch Panel Activated to the Central Controller.

Programming

ViewPoint Wireless Touch Panels

Programming

Color Send_Commands

Use the color Send_Commands to set the colors for text, buttons, and pages.

Color Send_Commands

CALL

Sets the colors for a variable text button.

CBOFF

Sets the OFF feedback border color to the specified color.

CBON

Sets the ON feedback border color to the specified color.

See the Colors and Programming Numbers table on page 23 for more information.

Syntax:

"’CALL<variable text address>-<data>’"

Var iables :

variable text address = 1 - 255

data = 6 color number series for:

FILL COLOR ON

FILL COLOR OFF

BORDER COLOR ON

BORDER COLOR OFF

TEXT COLOR ON

TEXT COLOR OFF

Example:

SEND_COMMAND TP,"’CALL1-1 3 0 0 72 74’"

Sets variable text button 1 to:

FILL COLOR ON = Red one shade from brightest

FILL COLOR OFF = Red three shades from brightest

BORDER COLOR ON = Red brightest

BORDER COLOR OFF = Red brightest

TEXT COLOR ON = White brightest

TEXT COLOR OFF = White two shades from brightest

Syntax:

"’CBOFF<variable text address>-<color_number>’"

Var iables :

variable text address = 1 - 255

color number = See the Colors and Programming Numbers table on page 23.

Example:

SEND_COMMAND TP,"’CBOFF1-0’"

Sets the OFF feedback border color to Red for the variable text button 1.

Syntax:

"’CBON<variable text address>-<color_number>’"

Var iables :

variable text address = 1 - 255

color number = See the Colors and Programming Numbers table on page 23.

Example:

SEND_COMMAND TP,"’CBON1-48’"

Sets the ON feedback border color to Aqua for variable text button 1.

ViewPoint Wireless Touch Panels

Color Send_Commands (Cont.)

CFOFF

Sets the OFF feedback fill color to the specified color.

CFON

Sets the ON feedback fill color to the specified color.

CPAGE

Sets the background page color to the specified color.

CTOFF

Sets the OFF feedback text color to the specified color.

CTON

Sets the ON feedback text color to the specified color.

Syntax:

"’CFOFF<variable text address>-<color_number>’"

Var iables :

variable text address = 1 - 255

color number = See the Colors and Programming Numbers table on page 23.

Example:

SEND_COMMAND TP,"’CFOFF1-72’"

Sets the OFF feedback fill color to White for variable text button 1.

Syntax:

"’CFON<variable text address>-<color_number>’"

Var iables :

variable text address = 1 - 255

color number = See the Colors and Programming Numbers table on page 23.

Example:

SEND_COMMAND TP,"’CFON1-48’"

Sets the ON feedback fill color to Blue for variable text button 1.

Syntax:

"’CPAGE<color_number>-<page name>’"

Var iables :

color number = See the Colors and Programming Numbers table on page 23.

page name = 1 - 50 ASCII characters (page names are case sensitive.)

Example:

SEND_COMMAND TP,"’CPAGE255-MAIN PAGE’"

Sets the background color on the MAIN PAGE to Transparent.

Syntax:

"’CTOFF<variable text address>-<color_number>’"

Var iables :

variable text address = 1 - 255

color number = See the Colors and Programming Numbers table on page 23.

Example:

SEND_COMMAND TP,"’CTOFF1-87’"

Sets the OFF feedback text color to Black for variable text button 1.

Syntax:

"’CTON<variable text address>-<color_number>’"

Var iables :

variable text address = 1 - 255

color number = See the Colors and Programming Numbers table on page 23.

Example:

SEND_COMMAND TP,"’CTON1-72’"

Sets the ON feedback text color to White for variable text button 1.

Programming

ViewPoint Wireless Touch Panels

Programming

Variable Text Send_Commands

Use variable text Send_Commands to set the borders, fonts, and text.

Variable Text Send_Commands

Sets a specific button to On or Off.

BTOF

Sets a specific button's active state to Off.

BTON

Sets a specific button's active state to On.

Sets the border, font, and text in one command.

Syntax:

"’!B’,<variable text address>,<ON/OFF>"

Var iables :

variable text address = 1 - 255

ON = 0

OFF = 1

Example:

SEND_COMMAND TP,"’!B’,128,1"

Sets button 128 Off.

Syntax:

"’BTOF<variable text address>’"

Var iable:

variable text address = 1 - 255

Example:

SEND_COMMAND TP,"’BTOF255’"

Sets the state for button 255 to Off.

Syntax:

"’BTON<variable text address>’"

Var iable:

variable text address = 1 - 255

Example:

SEND_COMMAND TP,"’BTON128’"

Sets the state for button 128 to On.

Syntax:

"’!C’,<variable text address>,<border style>,<font size>,’<new button text>’"

Var iables :

variable text address = 1 - 255

border style = See the Border Styles and Programming Numbers table on page 23.

font size = See the Font Styles and Programming Numbers table on page 23.

new button text = Enter button text to appear on the button.

Example:

SEND_COMMAND TP,"’!C’,1,6,6,’VCR PLAY’"

Sets the title on variable text button one to VCR PLAY using a hollow medium font, and changes the border attribute to double rounded.

ViewPoint Wireless Touch Panels

Variable Send_Commands (Cont.)

Sets the border, font, and text in one command.

Shorthand version of ’FONT’ command.

FONT

Changes the font size (or style) of the text in a specific button.

Shorthand version of ’ICON’ command.

ICON

Changes the border style of a specific button.

Syntax:

"’!C’,<variable text address>,<border style>,<font size>,’<new button text>’"

Var iables :

variable text address = 1 - 255

border style = See the Border Styles and Programming Numbers table on page 23.

font size = See the Font Styles and Programming Numbers table on page 23.

new button text = Enter button text to appear on the button.

Example:

SEND_COMMAND TP,"’!C’,1,6,6,’VCR PLAY’"

Sets the title on variable text button one to VCR PLAY using a hollow medium font, and changes the border attribute to double rounded.

Syntax:

"’!F’,<variable text address>,’<font size>’"

Var iables :

variable text address = 1 - 255

font size = See the Font Styles and Programming Numbers table on page 23.

Example:

SEND_COMMAND TP,"’!F’,’1,’6’"

Changes the font on the variable text button one to hollow medium.

Syntax:

"’FONT<variable text address>-<font size/style>’"

Var iables :

variable text address = The number of the variable text button (1-255).

font size/style = The size or style of the font (1-255). See the Font Styles and Programming Numbers table on page 23.

Example:

SEND_COMMAND TP,"’FONT1-6’"

Changes the font on the variable text button one to hollow medium. Variable fonts start at a value of 32.

Syntax:

"’!I’,<variable text address>,’<border style>’"

Var iables :

variable text address = 1 - 255

border style = 0 - 41. See the Border Styles and Programming Numbers table on page 23.

Example:

SEND_COMMAND TP,"’!I’,1,’6’"

Changes the border style on the variable text button one to double rounded.

Syntax:

"’ICON<variable text address>-<border style>’"

Var iables :

variable text address = 1 - 255

border style = See the Border Styles and Programming Numbers table on page 23.

Example:

SEND_COMMAND TP,"’ICON25-6’"

Changes the border style on the variable text button 25 to double-rounded.

Programming

ViewPoint Wireless Touch Panels

Programming

Variable Send_Commands (Cont.)

Shorthand version of 'TEXT' command.

TEXT

Enters text on a button.

Syntax:

"’!T’,<variable text address>,’<new button text>’"

Var iables :

variable text address = 1 - 255

new button text = 1 - 60 characters

Example:

SEND_COMMAND TP,"’!T’,1,’VCR PLAY’"

Changes the title on variable text button one to VCR PLAY.

Use the | character to display text on multiple lines.

Syntax:

"’TEXT<variable text address>-<new button text>’"

Var iables :

variable text address = 1 - 255

new button text = Enter button text to appear on button.

Example:

SEND_COMMAND TP,"’TEXT2-VCR|PLAY’"

Sets the VCR and PLAY text on variable button 2. The | character places VCR on a text line above PLAY on the button.

Shorthand Variable Text Commands

The table below lists the shorthand variable text commands you can use with the touch panel. The

shorthand command data is one-byte, non-ASCII format except for pages, passwords, text, and

bitmap names.

Shorthand Variable Text Commands

@BMP

Adds a bitmap file to a button.

@BOR

Sets the border style on a button.

Bitmap files are imported into TPDesign3; the numbers are assigned by the touch panel during the download process.

Syntax:

"’@BMP’,<variable text address>,’<bitmap>’"

Var iables :

variable text address = 1 - 255

bitmap = Bitmap chosen from a file location.

Example:

SEND_COMMAND TP,"’@BMP’,85,’Bitmap1’"

Adds the Bitmap1 file to button 85.

Syntax:

"’@BOR’,<variable text address>,<border style>"

Var iables :

variable text address = 1 - 255

border style = See the Border Styles and Programming Numbers table on page 23.

Example:

SEND_COMMAND TP,"’@BOR’,65,11"

Sets the border style to double shadow on button 65.

ViewPoint Wireless Touch Panels

Shorthand Variable Text Commands (Cont.)

@BMF

Sets multiple attributes to a button, slider, or gauge.

This command allows you to program up to 12 attributes on one command line.

Syntax:

"’@BMF’,<variable text address>,’<attribute data>’"

Var iables :

variable text address = 1 - 255

attribute data:

’%R,<left>, <top>, <right>, <bottom>’ = Sets the rectangle position.

’%B’,<border styles> = See the Border Styles and Programming Numbers table on page 23.

’%F’,<font styles> = See the Font Styles and Programming Numbers table on page 23.

’%T’,<button text > = ASCII characters (empty is clear)

’%P’,<bitmap> = Bitmap filename (empty is clear)

’%I’,<icon> = 1 - 255 (icon numbers are assigned in TPDesign3 project file)

’%J’,<text alignment> = 1 - 9 as shown the following alignment chart:

Programming

@ENA

Enables/disables buttons based on the variable text channel.

1 4 7

For %C1-%C6, Colors and Programming Numbers table on page 23.

’%C1’,<on-state fill color>

’%C2',<off-state fill color>

’%C3’,<on-state border color>

’%C4’,<off-state border color>

’%C5’,<on-state text color>

’%C6’,<off-state text color>

Example:

SEND_COMMAND TP,"’@BMF’,255,’%T POWER |ON’ ’%B’,’4’,’%C1’,’72’"

Sets the text on button 255 to POWER ON (appears on two lines), adds a triple-line border, and sets the On-state color to White.

Syntax:

"’@ENA’,<variable text address>,<disable button on/off>"

Var iables :

variable text address = 1 – 255

disable button on/off=

1 : button disabled

0 : button enabled

Example:

SEND_COMMAND TP,"’@ENA’,128,1"

Disables the button with variable text channel 128. This button will stop responding to pushes completely, until it is sent an Enable command. Nothing short of a touch panel SoftROM firmware reload will re-enable the button. Reloading the touch panel file, reloading the Axcess program, or resetting power on the panel or master will not re-enable the button. It must be sent an Enable command once it has been disabled.

ViewPoint Wireless Touch Panels

Programming

Shorthand Variable Text Commands (Cont.)

@FON

Sets the text font on a button.

@ICO

Assigns an icon to a button.

@JUS

Sets the text alignment on a button.

Syntax:

"’@FON’,<variable text address>,<font style>"

Var iables :

variable text address = 1 - 255

font style = See the Font Styles and Programming Numbers table on page 23.

Example:

SEND_COMMAND TP,"’@FON’,56,32"

Sets the text on button 56 to variable font style 32.

Syntax:

"’@ICO’,<variable text address>,<icon file number>"

Var iables :

variable text address = 1 - 255

icon file number = 1 - 255

Example:

SEND_COMMAND TP,"’@ICO’,16,12"

Adds icon 12 on button 16. Setting the icon value to 0 clears the appearance of the icon.

Syntax:

"’@JUS’,<variable text address>,<text alignment>"

Var iables :

variable text address = 1 - 255

text alignment = 1 - 9 as shown in the following alignment chart:

4 7

@SHO

Sets a specific button to on or off.

Example:

SEND_COMMAND TP,"’@JUS’,9,5"

Centers the text on button 9.

Syntax:

"’@SHO’,<variable text address>,<button on/off>"

Var iables :

variable text address = 1 - 255

button on/off=

0 : button Off

1 : button On

Example:

SEND_COMMAND TP,"’@SHO’,128,0"

Sets button 128 off.

ViewPoint Wireless Touch Panels

Shorthand Variable Text Commands (Cont.)

@TXT

Adds text to a button.

@UNI

Adds Unicode text to a button.

Use the | character to display text on multiple lines.

Syntax:

"’@TXT’,<variable text address>,’<text>’"

Var iables :

variable text address = 1 - 255

text = Enter button text to appear on the button.

Example:

SEND_COMMAND TP,"’@TXT’,2,’VCR|PLAY’"

Sets the VCR and PLAY text on variable button 2. The | character places VCR on a text line above PLAY on the button.

Characters for Middle Eastern languages, such as Arabic, are not supported within the Unicode fonts because they are bi-directional. Buttons with Unicode fonts can only be created and edited using TPDesign3 Touch Panel Design Program.

Syntax:

"’@UNI’,<variable text address>,’<text>’"

Var iables :

variable text address = 1 - 255

text = Enter button text to appear on button.

Example:

SEND_COMMAND TP,"’@UNI’,2,’Foreign Text’"

Sets the Foreign Text on variable button 2.

Programming

Button String Commands

The table below lists string commands you can assign to buttons by using the touch panel editor. Select the PROPERTIES option in the Edit bar, press the target button, and enter the string command with the Touch Panel keyboard. The control system receives the string command

when you press a button.

Button String Commands

$ID

Sets the group ID number on VPN panels.

Syntax:

"$ID,<group ID>"

Var iables :

group ID = 0 - 15

Example:

$ID 15

Sets the Group ID to 15.

ViewPoint Wireless Touch Panels

Programming

Button String Commands (Cont.)

$SC

Sends a serial port send_command within a panel, as if sent from Axcess.

$SL

Activates sleep mode on a wireless touch panel.

$SP

Sends data out through the serial port of the source panel to a destination panel.

$ST

Sets the idle time to activate sleep mode for a touch panel in 1-minute increments.

Syntax:

"$SC <device offset>,"’<send_command>,<variable text #>,<data>’""

Var iables :

device offset = Device number

variable text # = The variable text number value on the touch panel.

data = 0 - 59 characters

Example:

$SC 1,"’@TXT’,2,’TEXT’"

The string is sends the command to put text on a button with a variable text value of 2. It is crucial that all the correct ’ and " be used with no spaces after the commas.

Example:

$SC 1,"’SLEEP’"

Sets a touch panel to sleep.

This command does not set the panel to sleep, but actually puts a wavepack to sleep.

Syntax:

"$SL"

Example:

$SL

Activates sleep mode on a wireless touch panel (ViewPoint or other panel using a SmartPack/WavePack).

Syntax:

"$SP"<data>""

Var iables :

data = Serial string command

Examples:

$SP "CALIBRATE"

Sends the Calibrate command to another panel through the Serial Port.

$SP "$SC 1,"’@TXT’,1,’TEST’""

Uses the $SP command to send a Send Command ($SC ***) to another panel through the Serial Port. This is an on-panel button string that is entered using on-screen keyboard.

When the touch panel’s input time matches the sleep time, the panel goes to sleep.

Syntax:

"$ST<sleep timeout>"

Var iable:

sleep timeout = 1 (Off) - 120 (in minutes)

Example:

$ST 5

Sets the touch panel’s sleep time to 5 minutes.

ViewPoint Wireless Touch Panels

Programming

Button String Commands (Cont.)

WORKING?

Verifies the communication between touch panels through the use of the onpanel editor.

Responding touch panels tell the sending touch panel to change its Main page to the color white.

Syntax:

"WORKING?"

Example:

• VPN panel serial port is connected to TPI program port.

• VPN panel wants to verify communication between the TPI and itself.

• VPN panel issues "WORKING?" to its serial port. It will be sent as $SP "WORKING?".

• TPI receives the command and responds to the VPN panel by telling it to set the Main page background to white. Thus communication is verified.

Button IR Macro Commands

Only one macro can run at a time. The panel "locks" for the duration of the macro. A message

appears in the center of the touch panel signifying that a macro is executing and does not disappear

until the completion of the macro. In addition, the touch panel must be pointed at the IR receivers

during the entire macro execution cycle. Otherwise, some transmitted IR signals from the touch

panel may not reach the receiver.

Other string types may occur before and after the macro blocks as long as the strings are separated

from the macro block with a <CR> and the macro command exists at the beginning of the line. The

two commands are identified and defined in the following table.

Macro Commands

Executes an IR macro pulse.

The IR macro pulse is located at device#, channel#, for an "on" time in tenths of a second, and a wait time in tenths of a second before executing the next command.

Syntax:

"$P <dn> <cn> <tpo> <tpd> <CR>"

Var iables :

dn = device number 2, 3, or 4. This number represents an AXlink device that is associated with 255 channels.

cn = channel number 1 - 255. This number represents one of 255 particular control functions associated with a device. It must lie within the range of 1 and 255. For example, a button programmed on a touch panel with device 3, channel 15. When that button is pressed, the touch panel transmits the IR code programmed at device 3, channel 15.

tpo = time pulse on in tenths of a second (max. 65535 or approx. 109 minutes), For example, to add a delay between pulses for 10 seconds, the required parameter is 100.

<CR> = end of statement (Enter key pressed).

Example:

$P 3 15 10 100 <CR>

Transmits the IR code at device 3, channel 15 for 1 second. Then, the macro pauses 10 seconds before executing the next command or before finishing the macro if no other commands exist.

ViewPoint Wireless Touch Panels

Programming

Macro Commands (Cont.)

Used as a delay between pulses.

You must select the CHAR NUMS button on the Keyboard in order to enter the text. There is a space between the different sets of numbers and between the last number and the <CR>.

Syntax:

"$W <tdbp> <CR>"

Var iables :

tdbp = time delay before pulse in tenths of a second (max. 65535).

<CR> = end of statement (ENTER key pressed).

Example:

$W 455 <CR>

This command causes the panel to wait 45.5 seconds before executing the next macro command.

Creating an IR macro button allows you to control multiple devices with a single touch panel

button. You are only limited by touch panel IR memory (16 KB). The following steps provide an

example of creating an IR macro button controlling a television, VCR, and a satellite tuner.

The IR macro button performs the following processes when pushed:

 Turns On a Television and sets the audio volume.

 Turns On a VCR and selects TV.

 Turns On a satellite receiver.

1. Create a button and label it.

2. Select EDIT, BUTTON, PROPERTIES.

3. In the PROPERTIES dialog, select BUTTON TYPE, and then select GENERAL.

4. In the BUTTON OPTIONS field, select NONE.

5. In the CHANNEL dialog, set DEV to 1 and CHAN to 0.

6. In the STRING field enter the following using the keyboard:

$P 2 9 5 1 <CR>

$P 2 24 5 1 <CR>

$P 3 27 5 1 <CR>

$P 4 9 5 1 <CR>

Using this as a reference, the following explains what happens when a section of the string is

executed:

$P 2 9 5 1 An IR push is sent to device 2 (TV) on channel 9 (Power on) for a period of 5

tenths of a second and a one tenth of a second pause. The <CR> indicates an end to the

command string.

7. Press EXIT CHANGE, EXIT SAVE CHANGE, and then EXIT.

8. To cancel macro execution, touch the screen. All touch panel activity stops until another button

press occurs.

ViewPoint Wireless Touch Panels

Using The IR Manager

The IR Manager is a tool in NetLinx Studio that allows you to capture, create, edit and manage IR

Library files for use with IR-controlled devices in your Project/ System. The IR Manager works

with the AMX IRIS Infrared/Serial Data Capture Unit to capture IR files from hand-held remote

controls. For detailed information on the IRIS, refer to the IRIS Infrared/Serial Data Capture Unit

instruction manual.

If you already have the IR Library files that you need for a project, simply use the New/IR File option in the File menu to add the IR file to the active Project.

IR Manager Context Menu

Right-click inside the Channel/Function list in the IR Manager window to open the IR Manager

context menu, described below:

IR Manager Window Context Menu Options

Menu option Description

Cut/Copy Cuts or copies the selected Channel/Function to the clipboard.

Paste Pastes a Channel/Function from clipboard memory to the selected Channel/ Function row

in the IR Manager window. All entries below this entry are moved down one row.

Delete Deletes the selected Channel/Function.

Insert Channel Inserts a blank channel at the currently selected channel row in the IR Manager window. All

channels below the inserted channel are moved down one row.

Using The IR Manager

Creating a New IR File

1. In the File/New sub-menu, click IR File to open the New IR File dialog box.

2. Enter a path to the target directory for the new file in the File Path field (or use the Browse

button to navigate to the directory). This is where the new IR file will be saved.

If you have a Project open, click the Add To Project radio button to automatically add the new

IR file to the active Project.

3. Click the Use Generated File Name radio button to assign a System-Generated File Name to

the new IR file. When this option is selected, the Manufacturer field is enabled, and the File

Name field is disabled, since the generated file name will automatically contain the

Manufacturer name (refer to the System Generated File Names and IR Files sub-section below

for details). If the Use Generated File Name option is not enabled, the Manufacturer field is

disabled and the File Name field is enabled. Enter a name for the new file and click OK.

If you want to maintain compatibility with the DOS-based IRLib program, you must use generated file names.

4. A new (empty) IR Manager window opens (the name of the IR file will appear in the title bar):

ViewPoint Wireless Touch Panels

Using The IR Manager

The options in the Templates drop-down list represent the VPXpress template database.

a. Lock/Unlock the file: Check the Locked checkbox in the upper-right corner of the IR

Manager window to lock the file. A locked file cannot be edited. All new IR files are

locked by default. If the file is not locked, the Overwrite and Insert options are enabled.

b. Assign a Template: Open the Template drop-down list to display a collection of

templates for many common manufacturers and IR-controlled devices. These generic

templates provide a starting point for loading the IR file with functions. Choose a template

from the list that closely matches the Manufacturer and/or Device you are programming

for, if possible. You should use a template whenever possible to ensure a good load order

for your functions.

Once you have a template loaded, the Channel and Template Name columns are populated

with generic information, as described below:

• Function Name This column is still empty at this point.

• Template Name This column displays the name for the IR function, as it is listed in the selected template file.

• Channel column This column lists each channel, numbered from 1 to 255 (representing each of the 255 possible channels per each IR-controlled device).

To the left of the channel number is a representation of a red LED. If the LED is on (bright red), it is indicating that the channel/function is required for use with VPXpress. If the LED is off (dark red), the channel/function is not required by VPXpress. Use these LEDs to ensure that the file will be compatible with VPXpress.

VPXpress requires that certain functions be on certain channels, in order to properly populate touch panel buttons on a ViewPoint Touch Panel.

5. Edit the Channel/Function assignments as necessary. A file can only be edited if it is not

Locked. Use the IR Manager context menu (right-click on any Channel/Function to open) to

cut, copy, paste and delete Channel/Function entries. You can cut, copy and paste Channel/

Function entries across IR Files. When you are pasting Channel/Function entries into an IR

file, use the Overwrite and Insert radio buttons to control how the items are to be pasted into

your file:

• Overwrite With a Channel/Function entry selected in the list, this option replaces the

selection.

• Insert This option pastes the copied entry into the selected row, and pushes all of

the Channel/Function rows below the entry down (by the number of rows pasted).

System generated file names and IR files

System Generated File Names are slightly different for IR files than for other System files. If you

are familiar with the IRLIB program, you’ll recognize that NetLinx Studio treats them the same

way: Generated file names for IR files are a maximum of eight characters in length, and are based

on a portion of the Manufacturer’s name. For example, an IR file for a Sony device might look like

“SONY0001.IRL”. The four-digit number increments by one for each additional IR file that is

ViewPoint Wireless Touch Panels

Using The IR Manager

produced for that manufacturer. For example, the next IR file for a Sony file would be

“SONY0002.IRL”. The next would be “SONY0003.IRL”, and so on.

If the manufacturer name takes up eight or more characters, it is automatically truncated to make

room for at least one digit. For example, an IR file for a Pioneer device might look like

“PIONEER1.IRL”.

Entering Capture IR Mode

The NetLinx Studio IR Manager allows you to capture and verify IR codes from hand controls via

the IRIS Infrared/Serial Data Capture Unit. The IRIS unit connects to the PC running NetLinx

Studio via serial port. Refer to the IRIS Infrared/Serial Data Capture Unit instruction manual for

detailed installation and operating instructions.

Important! The IRIS unit must be set to communicate at 9600 baud. This means that before you

can capture IR codes, the IRIS must be connected to a PC running NetLinx Studio, and the PC’s

Master Communications Port must be configured with the settings listed in the table below. Set the

PC’s communication rate via the Com Properties dialog box (select Master Comm Settings in the

Tools menu, and click Configure in the Communications dialog box to open).

Communication Settings for PC/IRS Communication

Parameter Suggested Setting

Baud Rate

Data Bits

Parity

Stop Bits

Flow Control

9600

None

To capture IR code:

1. In the IR Manager window, select the Channel/Function you are going to capture.

2. Click Capture in the IR menu, or click the Capture toolbar button to open the Capture IR dialog

box. This dialog box displays the selected Channel number (read-only), and the Function

Name assigned to the Channels (if one is assigned). The Function Name can be edited in this

dialog box, if necessary.

3. Click Capture to capture an IR code.

Capturing Hand Control IR Functions

The IRIS unit uses several different modes to capture and identify different types of hand controls.

The modes are called Capture Mode, Special Mode and Modes P5 - P7. You should first try to

capture your IR functions in Capture Mode. If it doesn’t work, try Special mode. If you are still

having trouble, try modes P5-P7.

ViewPoint Wireless Touch Panels

Using The IR Manager

Capturing IR functions – Standard Capture mode

Use Standard Capture mode to capture most hand-control IR functions:

1. Make a list of the names and sequence of the hand control functions that you want to capture.

To view specific load orders per manufacturer, open the appropriate template in the Template drop-down list (by device type/manufacturer).

2. Use a RS–232 cable to connect the DB–9 connector on the IRIS unit to the RS–232 port on

3. Set the baud rate on your PC to 9600, to match the baud rate on the IRIS.

4. Connect the power supply to the 13.5 VDC connector on the IRIS unit. The READY LED

5. On the IRIS unit, press the UP, DOWN and SEND button simultaneously to enter P1 mode (P1

6. Press the UP button two times to toggle on P3 mode. P3 mode allows the IRIS to automatically

7. Hold the hand control approximately three inches from the IR capture window. Press and hold

your PC.

lights, and 01 appears in the display.

appears on the LED display).

send the captured function data to the PC running NetLinx Studio.

down the first key on the hand control to capture the first function. The SIGNAL LED will start

blinking. Release the HC key as soon as the READY LED goes dark.

8. The brackets [ ] appear briefly in the display to indicate that the function has been captured.

Then, 01 appears and the READY and VERIFY LEDs light.

The VERIFY LED will not light if P4 mode is active. IRIS Display Characters and P3 - P7 Modes Settings table on page 43.

9. Hold the hand control approximately three inches from the IR capture window. Press and hold

the same key on the hand control again to verify that the IR function was captured correctly. If

the function was captured correctly, a pair of [ ] (brackets) will briefly flash in the display. The

VERIFY LED goes dark, 01 appears in the display, and the SEND pushbutton's LED lights. If

an Er message appears in the display, repeat steps 3 and 5. Otherwise, go to step 6.

10. Repeat steps 7 through 9 to capture all the HC functions on your list.

Capturing IR functions – Special (SP) mode

If you cannot capture an HC function in the standard Capture mode, set the IRIS unit to Special

(SP) mode. Perform these steps to capture HC functions in SP mode:

If you have problems entering SP mode, you may need to power-cycle the IRIS unit and try again.

1. Press and release the UP and SEND pushbuttons on the IRIS at the same time. The message SP

briefly appears in the display, and the UP LED lights indicating that the IRIS is now in SP

mode.

ViewPoint Wireless Touch Panels

Using The IR Manager

2. Perform steps 7 through 9 under Capturing IR Functions – Standard Capture Mode three times,

or until the SEND LED lights to capture the HC function.

3. Press and release the UP and SEND pushbuttons at the same time to reset the IRIS unit to

default mode. The message nO (normal operation) briefly appears in the display to indicate

that the IRIS has returned to Standard Capture (or Verify) mode.

Capturing difficult functions using P5-P7 modes

If you cannot capture an HC function in the Standard Capture or Special modes, set the IRIS unit to

the P5–P7 modes:

1. Press and release the UP, DOWN, and SEND pushbuttons at the same time. The message P1

appears in the display. The IRIS unit is now in P mode.

2. Use the UP or DOWN pushbutton to select the appropriate P modes according to the

descriptions in IRIS Display Characters and P3 - P7 Modes Settings table. Each P mode setting

toggles on and off. The display will show an On or Off message indicating the current P mode

setting. You can activate multiple P modes to capture an HC function.

3. Press and release the UP, DOWN, and SEND pushbuttons at the same time to toggle the

selected P mode to ON. The P modes are now set in the IRIS unit

4. Perform steps 7 through 9 underCapturing IR functions – Standard Capture modethree times.

IRIS display characters and P1–P7 mode settings

The following table lists the display characters and P1–P7 mode settings for special hand

controllers.

IRIS Display Characters and P3 - P7 Modes Settings

[]

P1-P2

HC function is captured, analyzed, stored, and verified.

Error: HC function did not verify correctly.

No Device. Communication device error detected, or the IRLIB program is not staged to receive HC functions.

Normal Operation. Ready to capture HC.

P mode is off.

P mode is on.

Send OK. HC function sent without errors to a PC running IRLIB.

Special Function. Special mode to capture unusual HC functions.

Not used.

Send HC functions to a PC running IRLIB automatically after the VERIFY operation.

Disable the VERIFY operation to capture HC functions. Standard Capture mode requires the VERIFY operation. Set this mode to ON when capturing, set it to OFF when verifying or identifying IR functions.

Loose-timing mode to capture JVC (PQ10956) HC functions.

Glitch-detection mode to capture Kinderman and some Mitsubishi HC functions.

Disable glitch-detection mode to capture non-carrier HC functions.

ViewPoint Wireless Touch Panels

Using The IR Manager

Verifying IR Codes From a Hand Control

The Verify Function option, in the IR Menu, allows you to verify IR Channel/Functions in your IR

file. To verify IR code:

1. In the IR Manager window, select the Channel/Function you are going to verify.

2. Click Verify Function in the IR menu or click the Verify toolbar button to open the Capture IR

3. To verify the selected function turn P3 ON, and P4 OFF.

Actuating an IR Function

Use the Actuate Function option in the IR menu (or the Actuate toolbar button) to pulse a selected

channel/function. To use this feature, the IR file must be successfully downloaded to the Master.

To actuate an IR function:

1. Select the Channel/Function in an IR Manager window that you want to pulse.

dialog box.

 If the function was captured in Special mode, turn SP and P3 ON, and turn P4 OFF.

 If the function was captured in modes P5-P7, turn the specific mode (P5-P7) ON, P3 ON

and P4 OFF.

2. Select Actuate in the IR menu, or click the Actuate toolbar button to open the Actuate dialog

box.

3. By default, the Device, Port and System numbers are all set to zero. You can change these

values if necessary. The Function and ID fields are read-only displays of the selected IR

Function.

4. If the information in the Actuate dialog box is correct, click Actuate to pulse the selected

Channel/Function to the specified Master.

5. Click OK to close the Actuate dialog box.

Searching for IR Library (IRL/IRV) Files

Use the Find IRL/IRV toolbar button to find an IR file in a specific directory, based on certain

(optional) search criteria, like Manufacturer name, Model number, etc. The Find IRL/IRV function

uses an IR Lib Cross Reference Report to perform a search across multiple IR Files.

To search for an IR File:

1. In the Tools menu, click IR Lib Cross-Reference Report Utility to open the IR Cross-Reference

Utility dialog box.

2. In the Directory to process field, enter a path for, or use the Browse button to navigate to a

directory containing one or more IRLib files (.IRL/.IRV).

Use the Directory to process and Report name down-arrows to open a list of recently used directories/files.

3. In the Report name field, enter a path and filename for, or use the Browse button to navigate to

the target directory for the cross-reference report file.

ViewPoint Wireless Touch Panels

Using The IR Manager

4. Click Run to generate the report.

5. Click the Find IRL/IRV toolbar button to open the Find IR Files dialog box.

6. Enter the search criteria in the text boxes:

a. Enter the Manufacturer name, Hand Control Model number, and Device Model number in

the text boxes.

b. To search all files in the cross-reference report (without criteria), enter asterisks (*) in these

fields. You can also use asterisks to set partial search criteria for any item.

7. In the Cross-Reference File field, enter a path and filename for (or use the Browse button to

navigate to) the desired cross-reference report file.

8. Click Find to search for the selected IR function in the files included in the cross-reference

report file.

The results of the Find IRL/IRV search operation are listed in the Find IRL tab of the Output

window. The information in this tab includes the Manufacturer name, Hand Control Model number,

Device Model number, and the name (and path) of the associated IR File.

 Double-click any item in the Find IRL tab to open the selected IR file.

 Right-click to open the Find IRL context menu (same as the Build, Find and Diagnostics

tabs, with one exception: use the Add To Project to add the selected IR file to the active

Project).

Searching for a Specific IR Function Across Multiple Files

Use the Verify Existing File menu option or toolbar button to find a specific IR function in one or

more IR files. To use this feature, you must first complete a Find IRL/IRV search operation, so that

the Find IRL tab of the Output window is populated with one or more files.

To search across files for an IR function:

1. In an IR Manager window, select the IR function you want search for.

2. In the Verify column of the IRL tab, click the checkboxes for the files that you want to include

in the search.

3. In the IR menu, click Verify Existing File or use the Verify Existing toolbar button to open the

Verify Existing Files dialog box.

The files selected (checked) in the IRL tab are listed in the Files to verify box.

4. Click Yes to begin the search across the selected files. The word Yes appears next to the files

(in the Found column) that contain the specified IR function.

ViewPoint Wireless Touch Panels

Using The IR Manager

Advanced IR Manager Features

Click Advanced in the IR menu to open the Advanced IR sub-menu, described below:

Advanced IR Sub-menu Options

Available Memory Opens the Available Memory dialog box where you can view the amount of available

View Waveform

Zoom In/Zoom Out

Next/Previous Pattern

Viewing an IR Waveform

Click View Waveform in the Advanced IR sub-menu to open a Waveform view box inside the IR

Manager window(s). The Waveform view box displays a graphical representation of the waveform

associated with the selected IR function.

Note that when the View Waveform option is selected, several other details about the waveform are

displayed beneath the Waveform view box, including First Pulse Time (in microseconds), Length

(in bytes), Repeat Count, Total Repeat Time (in milliseconds), the Carrier frequency, and a list of

Unique Times in the waveform (in microseconds).

memory on any System device.

Opens a Waveform view box in the active IR Manager window, which displays a graphic representation of the IR waveform associated with the selected function.

Zooms in and out on the Waveform view.

Finds the next or previous pattern, in IR waveforms containing multiple patterns. These options are disabled for IR waveforms with only one pattern.

 To view other waveforms in the file, select another Channel/Function to update the

Waveform view.

 Use the Zoom In/Out toolbar buttons to adjust the view on the Waveform view.

 Use the Next/Previous Pattern toolbar buttons to go to the previous or next pulse pattern

in the Waveform view. These options are only available if the selected function contains

more than one pulse pattern (i.e. functions captured via Special mode).

Viewing the Available Memory on an IR System Device

1. Click Available Memory in the Advanced IR sub-menu to open the Available Memory dialog

box.

2. Enter the target IR device’s Address information (Device, Port and Address for NetLinx

devices).

3. Click Get Available Memory. The available memory for the selected device is displayed at the

bottom of the dialog box.

ViewPoint Wireless Touch Panels

Upgrading the Firmware

Your PC must be connected to the PROGRAM DB-9 to stereo plug connector on the Controller

using the programming cable in order to upgrade the firmware in the ViewPoint. Refer to theUsing

Connector Ports section on page 3 for more information on the use of the programming cable.

If power is lost during the download process, the unit powers up with the same set of code it had

prior to the download. There is a small window during which a loss of power can be catastrophic. If

power is lost between the erase of flash memory and the completion of copying the new boot code

from RAM to flash memory, the unit does not operate at all when power returns.

If you have not already installed the SOFTROM program, do so by following the steps contained on

the AMX Control Disc.

Configuration

To configure the communication setting for the SOFTROM program:

1. Press F1, the Configuration screen appears.

2. Using the up/down arrow keys, select the communications port you are using to interface with

the controller and press ENTER.

Upgrading the Firmware

3. Using the right arrow key, move to the BAUD RATE column. Then, use the up/down arrow

keys to select the interface communications speed and press ENTER. Be sure the BAUD

RATE selections match the setting on the Controller.

4. Press F10 to save the communication settings and to exit the CONFIGURE screen.

Downloading the Firmware

To download the firmware:

1. Press F5 to acquire the list of online programmable devices. You can also press F2 to select all

online programmable devices and F3 to clear all devices.

2. Using the up/down arrow keys, select your firmware versions listed in the Firmware column of

the screen, and press ENTER.

3. Using the Tab key, switch to the ONLINE MASTERS list.

4. Using the up/down arrow keys, select the device to be programmed.

5. Press ENTER for each device as it is selected

6. Press F4 to program the selected device; a loading message appears.

7. Press F5 to refresh the screen. Verify that the selected device has the correct firmware version.

If any devices still appear with an old firmware version, repeat steps 3 - 5 until it appears with

the correct version.

Firmware can be downloaded to multiple device numbers automatically. If multiple devices are selected, the bottom half of the loading bar indicates the percentage complete for the selected devices.

8. Press F10 to exit the SOFTROM program.

ViewPoint Wireless Touch Panels

Upgrading the Firmware

ViewPoint Wireless Touch Panels

VPA-DS ViewPort Docking Station

The ViewPort Docking Station (FIG. 8) includes a built-in battery charger and an angled desktop

docking station to cradle your ViewPoint touch panel.

FIG. 8 ViewPort Docking Station

ViewPort Docking Station Specifications

The following table lists the specifications for the VPA-DS ViewPort Docking Station.

Specifications

Dimensions (HWD) 4.83" x 8.26" x 7.62" (122.7 mm x 209.8 mm x 193.4 mm)

Environmental operating range:

Temperature 50 °F to 104 °F (10 °C to 40 °C)

Humidity 0% to 90% non-condensing

Power requirement 13.5 VDC at 2.8 A

Indicators (FIG. 9):

Yellow LED • Indicates ViewPoint connected to ViewPort Docking Station

Green LED • Indicates spare battery is fully charged

Red LED • Indicates spare battery is charging

Options:

Power supply 13.5 VDC @ 2.8 A power supply

Battery VPA-BP ViewPoint Rechargeable Battery (NiMH, 3.7 Amp @ 7.2 VDC)

ViewPort Product Information

The ViewPort Docking Station (FIG. 9) provides a built-in battery charger and an angled desk

docking station to cradle your ViewPoint touch panel. When a ViewPoint is placed in the docking

station's cradle, the ViewPoint makes contact with the charging pins and power is supplied by the

docking station.

ViewPoint Wireless Touch Panels

VPA-DS ViewPort Docking Station

VPA-BP ViewPoint Battery

Battery Compartment

Charging Pins

Green LED

Red LED

Ye l lo w L E D

ViewPort Docking Station

FIG. 9 ViewPort Docking Station (shown with two types of battery charging methods)

Battery charging

Power to charge the battery is supplied to the VPA-DS when the power supply is plugged into the

rear power connector on the docking station (FIG. 10). A ViewPoint battery can be charged in three

different ways:

 An external power supply can be plugged into the side of the ViewPoint which will

supply external power to run the panel and the onboard battery charger.

 The ViewPoint can be placed onto a VPA-DS ViewPort Docking Station that will supply

external power to run the panel and the onboard battery charger.

 The ViewPoint battery can be removed from the ViewPoint and placed into the battery

compartment of the ViewPort Docking Station (VPA-DS).

Charging of the battery within the compartment and the battery within the ViewPoint are no longer

mutually exclusive.

Insert or remove a battery slowly to avoid false indications on the LEDs.

A charge session for a ViewPoint (with VPA-BP battery) on the ViewPort lasts for 5 hours of

continuous use. The ViewPort has a self-contained smart-chip that reads the power level of the

battery and then "smart-charges" it based on the amount of power and duration needed for the best

possible charge per session.

ViewPoint Wireless Touch Panels

VPA-DS ViewPort Docking Station

Power Supply connector

Rear view

FIG. 10 Rear view of the docking station

Retaining ears (tabs)

The new ViewPort design allows simultaneous charging of both the installed battery and a mounted ViewPoint panel (assuming the use of a PSN2.8 power supply).

The RED LED does not turn Off when the ViewPoint is attached because the ViewPort is still charging the installed battery AND is still supplying voltage to the ViewPoint contacts.

It is recommended that you do not attempt to replace the internal Lithium battery. THis battery has a lifespan of up to 5 years. If there is a problem with this piece, please contact your AMX sales representative to make arrangements to ship your panel back to the factory for battery replacement.

ViewPoint Wireless Touch Panels

VPA-DS ViewPort Docking Station

ViewPoint Wireless Touch Panels

Troubleshooting

This section describes the solutions to possible hardware/firmware issues that could arise during the

common operation of a ViewPoint touch panel.

Troubleshooting Information

Symptom Solution

The RED LED on the docking station is flashing for extended periods of time.

Troubleshooting

• The RED LED on the ViewPort will blink at the beginning of the charge, when its going through Pre-Charge qualifications on the battery. This means that the base is making sure that the battery voltage is not too low, not too high, and the battery temperature is below a preset limit.

• Usually, this test only lasts for a couple of seconds. If, however, the temperature is too high; it will wait until the temperature is within specs to begin charging. If the voltage on the battery is too low, it will pulse trickle charge the battery until it is within specs, and then begin a fast-charge.

• If the Red LED continues to flash for more than a few minutes, carefully/cautiously feel the battery to see if it is hot to the touch. If it is, let it cool down, then retry the charging.

• If the battery is not hot, let it go through the trickle charge for 30 minutes or so. If the trickle charge does not bring the battery back into charging specs, there is a good chance that the battery has a bad cell. Replace the battery.

ViewPoint Wireless Touch Panelss

AMX reserves the right to alter specifications without notice at any time.

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3000 RESEARCH DRIVE, RICHARDSON, TX 75082 USA • 800.222.0193 • 469.624.8000 • 469-624-7153 fax • 800.932.6993 technical support • www.amx.com

AMX reserves the right to alter specifications without notice at any time. *In Canada doing business as Panja Inc.

036-004-2570 10/04

Last Revision: 10/10/04

AMX VIEWPOINT WIRELESS TOUCH PANELS User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

Product Information

ViewPoint Wireless Touch Panel

Multiple ViewPoints in an installation

Specifications

Recharging the Battery

Using Connector Ports

Cleaning the Touch Overlay

Designing Touch Panel Pages

Buttons

Activating Edit Mode

Setting the Device Base

Setting the Device Used

Adding a page

Setting the page color

Adding a button

Resizing a button

Button Properties

Setting the channel code

Setting the variable text code

Setting the page flip

Setting the button colors for channel-off conditions

Adding text, icons, and bitmaps to a button

Using TPDesign3 to Download Bitmaps, Icons, and Fonts

Button Properties for External Pushbuttons

Creating a Bargraph and Joystick

Adding a bargraph or joystick button

Setting Bargraph and Joystick Properties

Setting the level code

Programming

Serial Commands

System Send_Commands

Programming Numbers

Shorthand Send Commands

Color Send_Commands

Variable Text Send_Commands

Shorthand Variable Text Commands

Button String Commands

Button IR Macro Commands

Using The IR Manager

IR Manager Context Menu

Creating a New IR File

System generated file names and IR files

Entering Capture IR Mode

Capturing Hand Control IR Functions

Capturing difficult functions using P5-P7 modes

Verifying IR Codes From a Hand Control

Actuating an IR Function

Searching for IR Library (IRL/IRV) Files

Searching for a Specific IR Function Across Multiple Files

Advanced IR Manager Features

Viewing an IR Waveform

Viewing the Available Memory on an IR System Device

Upgrading the Firmware

Configuration

Downloading the Firmware

VPA-DS ViewPort Docking Station

ViewPort Docking Station Specifications

ViewPort Product Information

Battery charging

Troubleshooting