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Wonderware InTouch Software and the Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition Operating System
Wonderware's InTouch® human-machine interface (HMI) software running on the Microsoft® Windows® XP Tablet PC Edition operating system offers users exceptional flexibility as well as many other advantages.
For example, the Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition operating system offers several features that can help users improve efficiency and productivity — and the InTouch software has been enhanced to leverage these features, such as inking and handwriting. The result: Tablet users can move freely around the plant floor yet still effectively share, collect and manage information, without additional training.
Tablet and Pen Settings
The following features have been added to the InTouch HMI to leverage the Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC operating system:
Handwriting Using the Pen Input Panel
Users can enter data into tablet computers through a keyboard and mouse or a digital pen. Users can input text into applications using their own handwriting on the writing pad or by tapping characters on the on-screen keyboard with the digital pen.
InTouch applications allow users to easily modify variables while maintaining mobility throughout the plant. The InTouch HMI supports a variety of languages.
Screen Capture
Wonderware's InTouch HMI includes a new script function called Annotate Layout. This script function allows users to annotate the current view screen. This function is only supported on the Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC operating system.
When Annotate Layout is called, the Annotate Window dialog box appears. This dialog box:
Captures the View screen image- Allows users to annotate the screen capture using the Toolbar and Menu
- Lets users save the image and annotation as a GIF or JPEG file
- Enables printing of the image and annotation (if a printer is configured)
- Gives users the option to send the image and annotation as an e-mail attachment (if SMTP is configured).
The above features empower users to travel throughout the plant and capture static images of InTouch applications in real time. They can then mark up the images, save them, and print or e-mail them for further analysis.
The InTouch Annotate Window dialog box contains a Toolbar, Menu items and shows the InTouch Window Viewer screen capture in its client area. The Annotate Window Toolbar includes buttons for the Save, E-mail, Print, Cut, Copy, Paste, Pen, Highlighter, Eraser and Lasso functions for easy use with InTouch applications running on tablet computers.
The following table describes the Toolbar commands and functions:
| Command |
Functions |
| Save |
Saves the image and annotation as a GIF or JPEG file. |
| E-mail |
Invokes a dialog box similar to the Microsoft Outlook® New Message dialog box and allows the user to email the image. |
| Print |
Invokes the standard Print dialog box and allows the user to print the annotated image to the selected printer. |
| Pen |
Enables the user to annotate the screen capture in the Annotate Window dialog box. The user can specify Color, Size, Tip and Transparency options for the pen. |
| Highlighter |
Allows the user to configure the Highlighter options. The highlighter is used to annotate the screen capture with a tool that resembles a highlighter pen. |
| Eraser |
Enables the user to configure the Eraser options. The eraser is used for eliminating annotations previously made on the screen capture. |
| Lasso |
The Lasso is a drawing tool that allows users to select portions of the screen capture by drawing a freehand perimeter around a section of the screen. |
Preferences for the Toolbar and Tools menu settings can be set for each user. The dialog box will display each user's current Pen/Highlighter/Eraser options, not the default settings. Therefore, several users can easily share one tablet computer while maintaining distinct user preferences.
Portrait/Landscape Orientation
With the InTouch software, tablet computers can be switched between tablet and PC modes. When the mode switches, the computer's orientation will switch accordingly. For example, if the computer's resolution is 800 x 600 in PC mode, the resolution will switch to 600 x 800 in Tablet mode.
In addition, the Wonderware InTouch HMI enables users to opt for dynamic resolution with the WindowMaker™ graphical editing program to automatically rotate the application when switching between the two modes on the Industrial Tablet computer. This feature is very handy because most people use tablet computers in Portrait mode when they are mobile, but view applications in Landscape mode when the unit is docked.
Additional Features
The following additional features provide more effective and efficient access to the features and functions that Wonderware's InTouch software and the Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC operating system offer.
Tablet and Pen Settings
The Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition operating system lets users customize tablet computers and tablet pens. Individual users can save their own Tablet and Pen settings and can adjust the following attributes through the Control Panel, under Tablet and Pen Settings:
- Change the screen orientation between Landscape and Portrait modes
- Adjust the pen for left- or right-handed use
- Calibrate the display based on how the user holds the digital pen
- Change the default settings of the hardware buttons
- Match the pen to mouse movements such as single-click, double-click, right-click and hover
- Select the language for handwriting recognition
- Customize the features of Microsoft Windows Journal, Input Panel and Sticky Notes.
Handwriting Using Microsoft Windows Journal
Microsoft Windows Journal allows users to take notes in their own handwriting, as if writing on a piece of paper. The notes can later be converted to text. Both handwriting (also known as "ink" notes) and text notes are searchable. Users can also create drawings or graphics that can be saved or sent to other applications from Windows Journal.
How to Set the Pen and Screen for Left-Handed Users
The Tablet, Pen and Screen settings can be adjusted for left- or right-handed users. Follow these steps to change handedness settings:
- Double-tap the Change Tablet and Pen Settings icon in the Notification Area of the Windows Taskbar
- Under Handedness, select Right-Handed or Left-Handed
- Under Menu Location, select Right-Handed or Left-Handed
How to Create "Sticky Notes"
The Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition operating system also includes a Sticky Notes application that lets users scrawl quick notes and "stick" them on a Word document (or any other application that supports OLE). Sticky Notes can contain both writing and voice recordings. Voice Notes can last a maximum of 30 seconds.