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3.5-6 inch TFT display with touch screen

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  3.5-6 inch TFT display with touch screen pozz <pozzugno@gmail.com> - 2013-09-14 08:21 +0200
    Re: 3.5-6 inch TFT display with touch screen Glenn <glenn2233@gmail.com> - 2013-09-14 12:17 +0200
      Re: 3.5-6 inch TFT display with touch screen Mike Perkins <spam@spam.com> - 2013-09-14 12:26 +0100
        Re: 3.5-6 inch TFT display with touch screen edward.ming.lee@gmail.com - 2013-09-14 06:04 -0700
          Re: 3.5-6 inch TFT display with touch screen Mike Perkins <spam@spam.com> - 2013-09-14 14:14 +0100
            Re: 3.5-6 inch TFT display with touch screen edward.ming.lee@gmail.com - 2013-09-14 06:33 -0700
            Re: 3.5-6 inch TFT display with touch screen Andrew Smallshaw <andrews@sdf.lonestar.org> - 2013-09-14 21:22 +0000
              Re: 3.5-6 inch TFT display with touch screen Mike Perkins <spam@spam.com> - 2013-09-14 22:56 +0100
                Re: 3.5-6 inch TFT display with touch screen edward.ming.lee@gmail.com - 2013-09-14 21:43 -0700
          Re: 3.5-6 inch TFT display with touch screen Paul Rubin <no.email@nospam.invalid> - 2013-09-14 09:07 -0700
    Re: 3.5-6 inch TFT display with touch screen Tim Wescott <tim@seemywebsite.please> - 2013-09-14 09:55 -0500
    Re: 3.5-6 inch TFT display with touch screen Don Y <this@isnotme.com> - 2013-09-14 09:32 -0700
      Re: 3.5-6 inch TFT display with touch screen edward.ming.lee@gmail.com - 2013-09-14 11:15 -0700
        Re: 3.5-6 inch TFT display with touch screen Paul Rubin <no.email@nospam.invalid> - 2013-09-14 11:46 -0700
          Re: 3.5-6 inch TFT display with touch screen edward.ming.lee@gmail.com - 2013-09-14 11:51 -0700
            Re: 3.5-6 inch TFT display with touch screen pozzugno@gmail.com - 2013-09-16 02:33 -0700
              Re: 3.5-6 inch TFT display with touch screen edward.ming.lee@gmail.com - 2013-09-16 07:49 -0700
        Re: 3.5-6 inch TFT display with touch screen Don Y <this@isnotme.com> - 2013-09-14 12:45 -0700
      Re: 3.5-6 inch TFT display with touch screen pozzugno@gmail.com - 2013-09-16 02:30 -0700
        Re: 3.5-6 inch TFT display with touch screen Don Y <this@isnotme.com> - 2013-09-16 03:00 -0700

#13568 — 3.5-6 inch TFT display with touch screen

I'm searching for a low-cost (1-5k pieces) small (3.5 to 5 inch maximum) 
TFT display with integrated touch-screen panel (resistive or 
capacitive... I don't need multi-touch).
Do you have any suggestions?

It's for a simple GUI device to mount to the wall.  So I'd like to have 
a low-cost kit with display, touch-screen, CPU board and nice plastic 
(recessed or not) case.  Imagine a GPS navigator to mount to the wall.

The only feature I need for the CPU board is a two-wires RS485 and the 
power to manage the display with some graphical menus/interface.

Any hints?

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#13569

On 14/09/13 08.21, pozz wrote:
> I'm searching for a low-cost (1-5k pieces) small (3.5 to 5 inch maximum)
> TFT display with integrated touch-screen panel (resistive or
> capacitive... I don't need multi-touch).
> Do you have any suggestions?
>
> It's for a simple GUI device to mount to the wall. So I'd like to have a
> low-cost kit with display, touch-screen, CPU board and nice plastic
> (recessed or not) case. Imagine a GPS navigator to mount to the wall.
>
> The only feature I need for the CPU board is a two-wires RS485 and the
> power to manage the display with some graphical menus/interface.
>
> Any hints?

Look at this one:

LCD Board, 4.3 inch TFT 480x272:
http://www.embeddedartists.com/products/displays/lcdb_43.php
Quote: "...
*Resistive touch screen
*Board includes TSC2046 touch screen controller (from TI) with SPI interface
..."

/Glenn

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#13571

On 14/09/2013 11:17, Glenn wrote:
> On 14/09/13 08.21, pozz wrote:
>> I'm searching for a low-cost (1-5k pieces) small (3.5 to 5 inch maximum)
>> TFT display with integrated touch-screen panel (resistive or
>> capacitive... I don't need multi-touch).
>> Do you have any suggestions?
>>
>> It's for a simple GUI device to mount to the wall. So I'd like to have a
>> low-cost kit with display, touch-screen, CPU board and nice plastic
>> (recessed or not) case. Imagine a GPS navigator to mount to the wall.
>>
>> The only feature I need for the CPU board is a two-wires RS485 and the
>> power to manage the display with some graphical menus/interface.
>>
>> Any hints?
>
> Look at this one:
>
> LCD Board, 4.3 inch TFT 480x272:
> http://www.embeddedartists.com/products/displays/lcdb_43.php
> Quote: "...
> *Resistive touch screen
> *Board includes TSC2046 touch screen controller (from TI) with SPI
> interface
> ..."
>
> /Glenn
>

I'm also looking for a screen though it doesn't have to be as large or 
high resolution.  Screens like this from reputable suppliers are 
expensive when compared to other sources.

Example:
 
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/High-Quality-3-2-240x320-TFT-Touch-Panel-LCD-Display-Module-SD-Card-Socket-/121137998657

I have talked to some Asian suppliers (not this one) and they do seem 
interested in maintaining a supply of screens if your numbers are large 
enough.

Its a shame there aren't local distributors that can supply a generic 
display and maintain interconnect and physical dimensions etc, at an 
affordable price.

-- 
Mike Perkins
Video Solutions Ltd
www.videosolutions.ltd.uk

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#13572

On Saturday, September 14, 2013 4:26:02 AM UTC-7, Mike Perkins wrote:
> On 14/09/2013 11:17, Glenn wrote:
> 
> > On 14/09/13 08.21, pozz wrote:
> 
> >> I'm searching for a low-cost (1-5k pieces) small (3.5 to 5 inch maximum)
> 
> >> TFT display with integrated touch-screen panel (resistive or
> 
> >> capacitive... I don't need multi-touch).
> 
> >> Do you have any suggestions?
> 
> >>
> 
> >> It's for a simple GUI device to mount to the wall. So I'd like to have a
> 
> >> low-cost kit with display, touch-screen, CPU board and nice plastic
> 
> >> (recessed or not) case. Imagine a GPS navigator to mount to the wall.
> 
> >>
> 
> >> The only feature I need for the CPU board is a two-wires RS485 and the
> 
> >> power to manage the display with some graphical menus/interface.
> 
> >>
> 
> >> Any hints?
> 
> >
> 
> > Look at this one:
> 
> >
> 
> > LCD Board, 4.3 inch TFT 480x272:
> 
> > http://www.embeddedartists.com/products/displays/lcdb_43.php
> 
> > Quote: "...
> 
> > *Resistive touch screen
> 
> > *Board includes TSC2046 touch screen controller (from TI) with SPI
> 
> > interface
> 
> > ..."
> 
> >
> 
> > /Glenn
> 
> >
> 
> 
> 
> I'm also looking for a screen though it doesn't have to be as large or 
> 
> high resolution.  Screens like this from reputable suppliers are 
> 
> expensive when compared to other sources.
> 
> 
> 
> Example:
> 
>  
> 
> http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/High-Quality-3-2-240x320-TFT-Touch-Panel-LCD-Display-Module-SD-Card-Socket-/121137998657
> 
> 
> 
> I have talked to some Asian suppliers (not this one) and they do seem 
> interested in maintaining a supply of screens if your numbers are large 
> enough.

Usually 2K pcs minimum.  But you almost have to go with a custom enclosure, which only make sense with 5k+.  Enclosure tooling is USD5K+.

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#13573

On 14/09/2013 14:04, edward.ming.lee@gmail.com wrote:
> On Saturday, September 14, 2013 4:26:02 AM UTC-7, Mike Perkins wrote:
>> On 14/09/2013 11:17, Glenn wrote:
>>
>>> On 14/09/13 08.21, pozz wrote:
>>
>>>> I'm searching for a low-cost (1-5k pieces) small (3.5 to 5 inch maximum)
>>
>>>> TFT display with integrated touch-screen panel (resistive or
>>
>>>> capacitive... I don't need multi-touch).
>>
>>>> Do you have any suggestions?
>>
>>>>
>>
>>>> It's for a simple GUI device to mount to the wall. So I'd like to have a
>>
>>>> low-cost kit with display, touch-screen, CPU board and nice plastic
>>
>>>> (recessed or not) case. Imagine a GPS navigator to mount to the wall.
>>
>>>>
>>
>>>> The only feature I need for the CPU board is a two-wires RS485 and the
>>
>>>> power to manage the display with some graphical menus/interface.
>>
>>>>
>>
>>>> Any hints?
>>
>>>
>>
>>> Look at this one:
>>
>>>
>>
>>> LCD Board, 4.3 inch TFT 480x272:
>>
>>> http://www.embeddedartists.com/products/displays/lcdb_43.php
>>
>>> Quote: "...
>>
>>> *Resistive touch screen
>>
>>> *Board includes TSC2046 touch screen controller (from TI) with SPI
>>
>>> interface
>>
>>> ..."
>>
>>>
>>
>>> /Glenn
>>
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>> I'm also looking for a screen though it doesn't have to be as large or
>>
>> high resolution.  Screens like this from reputable suppliers are
>>
>> expensive when compared to other sources.
>>
>>
>>
>> Example:
>>
>>
>>
>> http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/High-Quality-3-2-240x320-TFT-Touch-Panel-LCD-Display-Module-SD-Card-Socket-/121137998657
>>
>>
>>
>> I have talked to some Asian suppliers (not this one) and they do seem
>> interested in maintaining a supply of screens if your numbers are large
>> enough.
>
> Usually 2K pcs minimum.  But you almost have to go with a custom enclosure, which only make sense with 5k+.  Enclosure tooling is USD5K+.
>

Can I advise against using Google groups as it's broken and puts extra 
lines in quoted posts?

I do understand the cost of tooling.  However, I don't understand why 
manufacturers don't come up with generic solutions specially for lower 
volume customer requirements.  When smaller customers like myself are 
added together, I can't believe it's not worthwhile.

-- 
Mike Perkins
Video Solutions Ltd
www.videosolutions.ltd.uk

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#13574

> Can I advise against using Google groups as it's broken and puts extra 
> lines in quoted posts?

Perhaps Google is forcing us to minimize and edit quotes.
 
> I do understand the cost of tooling.  However, I don't understand why 
> manufacturers don't come up with generic solutions specially for lower 
> volume customer requirements.  When smaller customers like myself are 
> added together, I can't believe it's not worthwhile.

Manufacturer A's solution is the generic solution.  Manufacturer B's solution is also the generic solution.  Unfortunately, the generic solutions are not always the same.  I have 3 LCDs using the same chip, but three different FPC interface: 20 pins 0.5mm, 28 pins 0.5mm and 28 pins 0.8mm.  The 20 pins chip is the newer version, but with less capacitors.

In another word, you are locked into the supplier no matter what.  It's a simple business decision for them.

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#13586

On 2013-09-14, Mike Perkins <spam@spam.com> wrote:
>
> Can I advise against using Google groups as it's broken and puts extra 
> lines in quoted posts?
>
> I do understand the cost of tooling.  However, I don't understand why 
> manufacturers don't come up with generic solutions specially for lower 
> volume customer requirements.  When smaller customers like myself are 
> added together, I can't believe it's not worthwhile.

The problem is that people always imagine their specific requirements
are generic without reference to precisely how many other "generic"
size/form factor/resolution/colour/touch system etc combinations
there are that could be considered equally generic.

Look through the catalogues of any of the larger distributors and
you'll find tens of pages of different "generic" switches and a
similar quantity of various connectors.  How many times have you
still found yourself thinking "Hmm, none of those are quite what
I'm looking for, surely _someone_ makes an off the shelf switch
with X, Y and Z..."?

-- 
Andrew Smallshaw
andrews@sdf.lonestar.org

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#13587

On 14/09/2013 22:22, Andrew Smallshaw wrote:
> On 2013-09-14, Mike Perkins <spam@spam.com> wrote:
>>
>> Can I advise against using Google groups as it's broken and puts extra
>> lines in quoted posts?
>>
>> I do understand the cost of tooling.  However, I don't understand why
>> manufacturers don't come up with generic solutions specially for lower
>> volume customer requirements.  When smaller customers like myself are
>> added together, I can't believe it's not worthwhile.
>
> The problem is that people always imagine their specific requirements
> are generic without reference to precisely how many other "generic"
> size/form factor/resolution/colour/touch system etc combinations
> there are that could be considered equally generic.
>
> Look through the catalogues of any of the larger distributors and
> you'll find tens of pages of different "generic" switches and a
> similar quantity of various connectors.  How many times have you
> still found yourself thinking "Hmm, none of those are quite what
> I'm looking for, surely _someone_ makes an off the shelf switch
> with X, Y and Z..."?
>

I do see your point, but at the same time I can probably second source a 
number of switches that have the same footprint and the same action.

Likewise, I can also find a number of sources for DDR memory that behave 
in much the same way.  In other words I will accept the interface a 
generic item will give me, even if it doesn't quite suit my need.

I will design around the items I can find, rather than specifying and 
having manufactured what is ideal.  For example there are a number of 
LCD driver ICs.  I would be happy to accept any screen with a common 
physical and electric interface if I could determine what the driver IC 
was and drive the display accordingly.

Yes I know I'm dreaming  :-)

-- 
Mike Perkins
Video Solutions Ltd
www.videosolutions.ltd.uk

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#13589

> I will design around the items I can find, rather than specifying and 
> having manufactured what is ideal.  For example there are a number of 
> LCD driver ICs.  I would be happy to accept any screen with a common 
> physical and electric interface if I could determine what the driver IC 
> was and drive the display accordingly.

Common signal interfaces, YES.
Common physical/electrical interfaces, NO.

For example, i found 3 different (in sizes) LCD using ST7565, but 3 different FPC interfaces.  Two with same physical connectors, but different pin assignments.  Unfortunately, there is no standard at all.

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#13576

edward.ming.lee@gmail.com writes:
> Usually 2K pcs minimum.  But you almost have to go with a custom
> enclosure, which only make sense with 5k+.  Enclosure tooling is
> USD5K+.

Where I used to work we had a thing like that custom built, in qty much
lower than 5K+, but I guess it was pretty expensive for what it was.  If
someone were doing that project today I'd have suggested using a
consumer Android tablet wrapped in some kind of kiosk enclosure.

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#13575

On Sat, 14 Sep 2013 08:21:02 +0200, pozz wrote:

> I'm searching for a low-cost (1-5k pieces) small (3.5 to 5 inch maximum)
> TFT display with integrated touch-screen panel (resistive or
> capacitive... I don't need multi-touch).
> Do you have any suggestions?
> 
> It's for a simple GUI device to mount to the wall.  So I'd like to have
> a low-cost kit with display, touch-screen, CPU board and nice plastic
> (recessed or not) case.  Imagine a GPS navigator to mount to the wall.
> 
> The only feature I need for the CPU board is a two-wires RS485 and the
> power to manage the display with some graphical menus/interface.
> 
> Any hints?

Android tablet?

-- 
Tim Wescott
Control system and signal processing consulting
www.wescottdesign.com

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#13577

Hi,

On 9/13/2013 11:21 PM, pozz wrote:
> I'm searching for a low-cost (1-5k pieces) small (3.5 to 5 inch maximum)
> TFT display with integrated touch-screen panel (resistive or
> capacitive... I don't need multi-touch).
> Do you have any suggestions?

Tablets are the obvious choice.  If you won't be using the wireless
capabilities, you can find a few vendors who will have most of the
drivers available for you (assuming you are not willing to run
under the native OS).

Your quantity sits in that large "bad spot" between "just a few"
(that you could scrounge from other applications) and "a good
size run" (that a larger vendor would be willing to produce
economically).

There are, also, some "surplus" vendors you can approach for
one time buys (i.e., they probably will *never* have the same
particular model available again) -- but, you're stuck with
whatever they happen to have on hand at the time.

> It's for a simple GUI device to mount to the wall.  So I'd like to have
> a low-cost kit with display, touch-screen, CPU board and nice plastic
> (recessed or not) case.  Imagine a GPS navigator to mount to the wall.
>
> The only feature I need for the CPU board is a two-wires RS485 and the
> power to manage the display with some graphical menus/interface.
>
> Any hints?

Here (prototype quantities), I opted for some surplus PDAs to
fit that role (4" dia) with BT & WiFi to give me the connectivity
I needed (I wanted a handheld solution).

You might also consider non-visual interaction (I opted for haptic
and speech) as this is often less expensive and more "available".

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#13579

> Here (prototype quantities), I opted for some surplus PDAs to
> fit that role (4" dia) with BT & WiFi to give me the connectivity

Which is the wrong radio for us.  We need the third radio (802.15.4: de facto standard for metering).
 
> I needed (I wanted a handheld solution).

We also want handheld, but with charging more like a cordless phone.  Basically, something that can just drop in a wall-mounted box for charging.

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#13580

edward.ming.lee@gmail.com writes:
> We also want handheld, but with charging more like a cordless phone.
> Basically, something that can just drop in a wall-mounted box for
> charging.

I know that archos.com can make customized android and similar hardware.
I don't know what quantities they require.  I have couple of their
consumer products and they are nice, but I haven't dealt with the
company any other way.

http://www.archos.com/corporate/company/bizdev.html

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#13581

On Saturday, September 14, 2013 11:46:15 AM UTC-7, Paul Rubin wrote:
> edward.ming.lee@gmail.com writes:
> 
> > We also want handheld, but with charging more like a cordless phone.
> > Basically, something that can just drop in a wall-mounted box for
> > charging.
> 
> I know that archos.com can make customized android and similar hardware.

We don't need Android, just a PIC32 with 512K flash.  We are currently using a 132x32 LCD with physical keypad, but might also use bigger LCD with touchpad.

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#13628

Il giorno sabato 14 settembre 2013 20:51:40 UTC+2, edward....@gmail.com ha scritto:

> We don't need Android, just a PIC32 with 512K flash.  We are currently 
> using a 132x32 LCD with physical keypad, but might also use bigger LCD 
> with touchpad.

What is the LCD you are using? Is there a LCD controller and RAM embedded?
How does PIC32 manage the display (SPI, parallel bus, ...)?

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#13635

> > We don't need Android, just a PIC32 with 512K flash.  We are currently 
> > using a 132x32 LCD with physical keypad, but might also use bigger LCD 
> > with touchpad.

> What is the LCD you are using? Is there a LCD controller and RAM embedded?
> How does PIC32 manage the display (SPI, parallel bus, ...)?

One working LCD is from orientlcd.com (the Jazz series).  It uses the ST7567 controller.  There is a small display ram on the controller.  But for serious graphics, you would need to manage it from the controller.  The PIC32 has 128K SRAM to do so.  There are both SPI and 8 bits parallel.  We use parallel.

To simplify interface, we build flash table of single (5x7) and some double (10x14) characters.  The main counter (9 digits) in this picture is double size.

http://173.224.223.62/rf/remote.jpg

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#13585

Hi Edward,

On 9/14/2013 11:15 AM, edward.ming.lee@gmail.com wrote:
>> Here (prototype quantities), I opted for some surplus PDAs to
>> fit that role (4" dia) with BT & WiFi to give me the connectivity
>
> Which is the wrong radio for us.  We need the third radio (802.15.4:
> de facto standard for metering).

In my case, the "display" is talking to "The System" -- so, I can opt
for any convenient means of connecting the two.  As I already use BT,
this was a much better choice than, e.g., ZigBee.

>> I needed (I wanted a handheld solution).
>
> We also want handheld, but with charging more like a cordless phone.
> Basically, something that can just drop in a wall-mounted box for charging.

Yes, you can charge these in a "cradle" -- which is how they are
typically used when *not* being held in the hand (i.e., like a
very small "console" on a desktop, counter, etc. -- that just
*happens* to also be portable so you can lift it out of the cradle
and walk around while interacting with it).

Of course, if you are *actively* walking around, then a visual
interface is less than desirable... (you need your eyes to see
where you are walking!)

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#13627

Il giorno sabato 14 settembre 2013 18:32:14 UTC+2, Don Y ha scritto:
> >
> > Do you have any suggestions?
> 
> Tablets are the obvious choice.  If you won't be using the wireless
> capabilities, you can find a few vendors who will have most of the
> drivers available for you (assuming you are not willing to run
> under the native OS).

Could you give me some links of manufacturers of those kind 
of tablets?
I can find Android tablet, but I don't want to give so much
flexibility to my users, I'd like a "closed" interface (no app 
to install, no icons customization, ...)


> Your quantity sits in that large "bad spot" between "just a few"
> (that you could scrounge from other applications) and "a good
> size run" (that a larger vendor would be willing to produce
> economically).
> 
> There are, also, some "surplus" vendors you can approach for
> one time buys (i.e., they probably will *never* have the same
> particular model available again) -- but, you're stuck with
> whatever they happen to have on hand at the time.


> Here (prototype quantities), I opted for some surplus PDAs to
> fit that role (4" dia) with BT & WiFi to give me the connectivity
> I needed (I wanted a handheld solution).

Ok, I'll try to make some search in this direction, even if I 
don't need wireless connectivity.

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#13630

On 9/16/2013 2:30 AM, pozzugno@gmail.com wrote:
> Il giorno sabato 14 settembre 2013 18:32:14 UTC+2, Don Y ha scritto:
>>>
>>> Do you have any suggestions?
>>
>> Tablets are the obvious choice.  If you won't be using the wireless
>> capabilities, you can find a few vendors who will have most of the
>> drivers available for you (assuming you are not willing to run
>> under the native OS).
>
> Could you give me some links of manufacturers of those kind
> of tablets?
> I can find Android tablet, but I don't want to give so much
> flexibility to my users, I'd like a "closed" interface (no app
> to install, no icons customization, ...)

If you have access to the source, you can "lock" the device
(disable upgrades).  You could also lock the device with
hardware hacks -- i.e., close off any interfaces that could
be used to install software, etc.

Kindle Fire's source is (was?) available:

<http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=200203720&tag=5336653508-20>

You can undoubtedly find others.  Usually, the biggest problem
is subsystems like "wireless" are only supported via a "BLOB"
(no real source available so you use it "as is" or not at all!).

>> Here (prototype quantities), I opted for some surplus PDAs to
>> fit that role (4" dia) with BT & WiFi to give me the connectivity
>> I needed (I wanted a handheld solution).
>
> Ok, I'll try to make some search in this direction, even if I
> don't need wireless connectivity.

In my case, I deliberately wanted device(s) that were reasonably
commonplace.  I.e., I could install a compatible "app" on a
smartphone instead of forcing people to buy <whatever> I
happened to use (or, worse yet, having to *manufacture*
something for them!)

You can always NOT use a feature!  :>

Good luck!
--don

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