Touchscreen Touchscreen
Introduction
I became interested in Touchscreen technology and it's applications back
in 1992/1993 when I was touring U.K. and
Europe. I happened to come across various Touchscreen Display units at
various shows, expo's and shopping centres.
Having
looked at the units I soon realised that with a little work I could produce
something much better and as an
Amiga fan and gfx enthusiast I could produce a unit with a more streamlined
computer system, more attractive
computer gfx and improved and simpler user GUI. Couple that with a cabinet
that was designed to be much more
cosmetic than the ones I had seen - I was certain I would be on a winner.
This
has been a project of mine for some time. (Ok a few years now). My main
aim was to design and produce a
cabinet that would house a computer system, Television or computer monitor,
stereo Hi-Fi Car Audio speakers and
the necessary Touchscreen hardware.
Update: 19th August 1999
I guess the most exciting news for most Amigan's
is that of the new Amiga Clones coming from IWin Corporation. Still
many remain doubtful and the hardware is questionable. In the meantime
this would offer the most ideal Hardware
solution for me. An improved motherboard with enhancements and still giving
me the best of what Amigas have to offer.
While still unsure of models (A510/A1010) the C65 may yet offer the most
cost effective yet. With its smaller board
design and enhanced spec.'s this little unit would be perfect.
Again! If the hardware is to be delivered I would say at this point in
time that my vote goes for the IWin clones!
Update: 15th July 1999
The main reasons for choosing the Amiga as a computer base was because
of my familiarity of the system and it's ease
of use. One major factor which contributed was the natural size of the
motherboards and the fact they contained all I/O
sound and graphics onboard. Unlike PC's of the time.
But recently there has been a change in PC motherboard technology. The
introduction of the Cameo chip sets, namely
810 and 820. This means it will be easier for OEM manufacturers to add
Gfx, sound and other features to the boards.
Plus the addition that many boards are now being offered in not only At
and ATX formfactor but also Micro ATX. This
again suits my requirements perfectly now - I only hold out on the Amiga
Ng systems now to offer a decent
comparison.
Applications
- Mpeg based Jukebox (Video a future possibility)
- Tourist information display unit
- Interactive Movie/Video Display Unit (Ideal for Video rental shops)
- Promotional Display Unit
- - or
even a simple display unit with a DVD, Video Player or VCD unit for Promos/Training
Sessions.
- Touchscreen mobile Karaoke Unit.
- VDU (Video Display Unit) for my Virtual Reality Arcade Machine
- It also make one hell of a Home Entertainment System Cabinet. Modify
a little for extra hardware with I/O ports.
These are just a short list but many more applications are envisaged.
Hardware
I won't go into to much detail as I have put a considerable amount of time,
effort and money into this project so far but
the basics consist (Thus far) of: (Application pending)
-.
Moulded Fiberglass cabinet with various face plates to suit various applications
- 21cm High Quality TV (Sony or JVC)
- Alpine 3 way Stereo Hi Fi Car Audio Speakers
- Amplifier system (undecided and depends on application)
- Covered plate to allow various sockets for Audio/Visual and Power
with led lights and meters.
- Computer System (Undecided)
- Touchscreen Hardware/Software (N/A)
- Removable head from base mount to allow different Head Units for
differing applications
Photos
Of the greatest news is (As you may see by looking at the photos) that
I have gained permission off Petro from A.I.
to use the "Powered by Amiga" sticker on my cabinets.
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So where to now?
Well at the moment I am concentrating on saving for my holiday overseas.
I aim to travel back to the U.K and see
friends and relatives and visit places like Egypt, Turkey, Greece and Jordon.
Aswell as spending a reasonable amount
of time in England. I hope to visit many Amiga retailers and distributors
and talk to various designers like Access
Innovations. Not forgetting I have to go to a few Amiga Shows like WOA
2000.
I
guess after all this I can finally get back into completing some of my
projects and with new research information and
hopefully new information on new Amiga Hardware and Software I can once
again go back to the aim of an Amiga
based application.
More to come...
Extra
Notes
I
had hoped to utilize an Amiga computer and run software like Scala. It
all came down to the units application as to
what software and hardware was required. Over the years I had looked at
the CD32 unit. This offered all that I
required except for the lack of FMV cards. There was a foreign company
that applied to Amiga Int for a license to do
another run of the original Commodore FMV cards but after 12 months or
so there was still no news.
Another
alternative was to be the Access System from Access Innovation. This little
unit offered all I could want and
in a very small and compact design. Still a little more CPU power would
have been required but the fact that it had
had ISA slot allowed potential for Mpeg hardware decoding and various other
cards to be used.
An Mpeg Decoder/Genlock was in development at various times but there is
still no news on this thus far.
Still, adding cd roms, hard drives and Zips/LS120's were no problem as
the unit came with inbuilt drivers, a Flashrom
and improved AGA like the BoXer.
A1200's
were small and compact yet didn't offer enough power for most of my applications.
The 4000 was the ideal
solution but it's cost was prohibitive. I am still considering the A1200
with additional hardware (perhaps Coldfire
Accelerator for some applications but I hold high hopes that the new Amiga
will serve for all my future requirements.
Time will tell. I guess I am luck I'm not on any strict timetable.