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Up to now, TFT displays with a resolution of
320 x 240 pixel (QVGA) can be controlled via USB interface with the ArtistaUSB
Controller (former name: ImageLink USB2.0). Now also TFT displays with
a VGA resolution of 640 x 480 pixels can be controlled with the
unique ArtistaUSB controller! Samples for 6,5“ and 10,4“
Optrex TFT displays and 6,4“ and 20,1“ LG.Philips
TFT displays are in preparation and will be available together with
drivers for Windows 2000/2003 and XP at the end of the
first quarter of 2005.
First
tests for TFT displays with SVGA resolutions (800x600) were also
carried out with promising results.
General features:
 Plug&Play - The QVGA version of the ArtistaUSB controller is fixed at the
back of the display and thus forms a monitor unit. With the VGA and
SVGA version, the controller is connected to the display via cable. The
ArtistaUSB controller is then connected to a processor unit (PC, IPC,
micro controller) over the USB interface and can be operated
immediately.
No
graphics card needed - Pixel image data that are
provided by any processor are directly put out over the USB interface
without the need of a graphics card or a graphics processor. These
pixel data are loaded into the frame buffer of the ArtistaUSB
controller and then displayed on the monitor. Thus the displayed image
data that are provided by the host system are being transferred 1:1 to
the screen!
Brilliant
images and video playback – Due to the
1:1 transfer, even simple and small embedded computers equipped with a
USB host, are able to display brilliant images. Depending on the
display resolution and the performance of the processor, even the
playback of videos with conventional video players is possible.
Double power – The double frame buffer of
the ArtistaUSB controller can store two complete images and provides
for a prompt screen layout that is free from frame tears, even at a
slower USB1.1 full speed transmission.
Simple and cost-efficient – The
ArtistaUSB controller is a cost-effective and easy to handle solution,
which allows the displaying of brilliant images on TFT displays via the
USB interface, and which facilitates system integration.
Touch screen – In addition to transferring
images, the ArtistaUSB controller is also able to control a 4-wire
resistive touch screen. The touch screen data are transferred via
USB2.0 interface together with the controller status informations,
thereby.
ArtistaUSB controller as
virtual graphics card – Graphics
drivers are available for the ArtistaUSB controller, which allow to run
displays that are equipped with the ArtistaUSB controller just like
usual monitors under Windows. Hereby, the ArtistaUSB controller is
installed as virtual graphics card as software under Windows (or as
“frame buffer device” under Linux) and uses a part of the
random access memory as video memory. The generated image is sent to
the ArtistaUSB display via USB interface. Thus, displays that are
equipped with the ArtistaUSB controller can be used as a second / third
/ fourth / etc. display, just like usual combinations out of graphics
card and monitor.
Ideal as additional display(s) – A wide application area is opening up for the ArtistaUSB controller
when applied for additional display(s), since according to the USB
standard, over more than 100 ArtistaUSB controller can be connected to
one computer. Cash registers for example need a second graphics card or
complex RGB splitter solutions to be able to run an additional customer
display. With the ArtistaUSB controller, the operation of a second
display is easily managed – just plug it in and it runs! Even in
CNC-manufacturing, in operation rooms and in audio and film studio
technology, the ArtistaUSB controller can be applied as a detached
display unit in the distance of 5 m (with a special extension up to 60
m), that works independently from the main monitor. More application
areas are for example displays that are used as outside mirrors for
driving simulators and gambling machines, the screen for the insertion
of coins at ticket machines or slot machines. Other possibilities are
counters to test-hear CDs and displays in supermarkets for displaying
advertisements or prices. Furthermore, it can be employed as high end
keyboard that is assigned with tasks additionally to the main keyboard,
or as a display for embedded computers without graphic controllers that
are equipped with a USB host.
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