Week 8

From this week, we have not received any answers from the companies. So with further assistance, we decided to create a model layout of a basic keyboard with a single key by next week. The first step was to understand how a keyboard works and is built. A keyboard is a smaller computer. It is made of a microprocessor and controller circuitry which are like a brain that interprets data from the key matrix, the "input".

Figure 1: Microprocessor and Controller Circuitry

Figure 2: Key Matrix

Instead of using the Key matrix as the input, the LCD touchsreen display is the new input. The microprocessor then would be receiving the data from this. We looked at different applications with the LCD screen to get an idea of how to make this LCD touchscreen keyboard. One of these applications was the MP3 player. The MP3 touchscreen was made of two layers, the LCD module, and the Touch panel, seen in Figure 3. This was exactly the same as the diagram of a basic touchscreen that we found from research, seen in Figure 4. This touchscreen is linked to a controller which processes the data and then to the LCD screen.

Figure 3: MP3 Player Circuit Diagram

Figure 4: Basic touchscreen Diagram 

 From what we know, we need a touchscreen, LCD display, circuit controller, and a microprocessor. The construction of the LCD touchscreen keyboard itself can be made. An open of layout can be seen in this video below which can be related to what we are trying to create.

Week 7

This week we've contacted Kent Displays, 3M Touch systems, and Mad Catz. Kent Displays said they did not have such prototype, but they directed us to other companies that might have it such as ELO and Berquist. 3M Touch systems also did not have such prototype. Mad Catz did but they could not share it with us due to confidential reasons in the company. The only thing left was for us to contact ELO and Berquist today. Now, we are waiting for their reply, and hopefully, start this touchscreen keyboard soon.

Week 6

So far this week, the companies that we contacted did not either have the prototype or development kit that we were looking for or replied back to us. We decided to look into other companies such as Eclipse and Planar Touch to see if they have such a design.

Week 5

This week, we have already contacted the previous companies listed in Week 4, but there was no progress. Under advice of the advisor, we started looking instead for development kits or prototypes from companies. The companies that we found were: 3M KentDisplays Dupont Hopefully, either of these companies would have some type of prototype that we can physically have, and be able to build it. We are going to contact these companies and let them know that it is for educational purposes.

Week 4

By this week, we have completed our research for our Project. From our research, we learned that it would take more than ten weeks to actually produce our own LCD touchscreen keyboard because we lack the programming knowledge. So with the advice of our advisor, we decided to look for a driver board for our design. A driver board is a design that has all of the programming needed so that when it is plugged into a computer, the driver board controls the features of the LCD touchscreen keyboard. We plan to look for driver boards in these companies: NewArk (newark.com) Digikey (digikey.com) We also are planning to buy the LCD touchscreen from the previous two or planartouch (planartouch.com). We decided on the resistive touch screen. The resistive touch screen is the most durable, accurate, and cost-efficient screen.

Week 3

Our group is trying to develop and create an LCD touchscreen keyboard. This week, we looked into different types of LCDs and touch sensors. By looking at the basic architecture of similar LCD touchscreen devices, such as the iPhone, we had a better knowledge of how to create an LCD touchscreen. We learned that it would require tedium amount of hours to program such device. This was another design constraint for this project because neither of our group members are proficient with programming.

There are multiple layers integrated in a touch screen to detect contact. Also, there are different designs in a touch screen that are made specifically for certain 'touch' conditions. By the end of this week 3, we have almost completed our research for touch screens involved with LCDs. Hopefully by the end of Week 4, we will have our research finished, and possibly start our project.