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Interfaces

Interfaces. Points where your product and the outside world come together Human (User) Interface For most products, the most crucial part Includes displays, buttons, knobs, switches, “look-and-feel” Machine Interfaces Methods of communicating with other machines Electronic Mechanical.

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Interfaces

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  1. Interfaces • Points where your product and the outside world come together • Human (User) Interface • For most products, the most crucial part • Includes displays, buttons, knobs, switches, “look-and-feel” • Machine Interfaces • Methods of communicating with other machines • Electronic • Mechanical

  2. User Interfaces • How does a human interact with your product? • Goals: • Complete – All functions can be controlled • Comprehensible – User can figure out how to successfully interact with your product • Easy to learn – Can do the above easily • Multicultural/Multilingual • Mechanically easy to use • Lowest cost

  3. Conflicting Interests • Ease-of-learning • Novice can pick up device and use it • No user training needed • Full descriptions of all features provided • Can abort and back out of mistakes • Ease-of-use • Quick operation • Few keystrokes/button presses • No need to look at device to use it

  4. Visual Distinguishers • Distinguishers – In prioritized order • Label/Icon • What is the function of this button? • Avoid making “new” icons. Use only established international symbols. • Location • Important functions up front and center • Group related items together • Shape/Size • Crucial functions (i.e. STOP) may have special size/shape • Color • Not a good distinguisher • Use only in addition to other distinguishers

  5. Mechanical Guidelines • Consistency • All buttons should be in the same area • Power switch should be near other buttons • Use the same type of buttons throughout • Tactile feel • Buttons should give tactile feedback when pressed • Practical • Avoid buttons that stick up far from the surface • Buttons that stick far below the surface may conflict with internal components • Changing the batteries is a UI issue!

  6. Displays • General-purpose • LCDs • ASCII – Easy to use, generic • Graphic – More versatile, but harder to program • Custom – Hard to use, but cheaper in the long run • VFDs • Special-purpose • LEDs • Indicate high-priority needs • May draw attention to primary display • Seven-Segment LEDs • Used when numerical data is primary purpose

  7. Machine Interfaces • What non-human devices does your system work with? • Computers • Storage devices • Other similar instruments • Batteries • Power source • Calibrating instruments

  8. Data Interfaces • Communication of data to other devices • Standard protocols for communication • RS232, USB, Firewire, PCMCIA • Documentation and specification • All protocols must have high-level spec • Ex: Sending the character “G” over the serial line will start the download of data • Ex: Computer will respond by sending all the data in packets of this form…

  9. Analog Interfaces • Analog interfaces must be robustly designed • Static protection • Over-voltage protection • Over-current protection • Insulation • Often a front-end is used that provided isolation of internal signals from external

  10. Mechanical interfaces • Batteries • Where do they go? • How are they serviced? • Other external devices • How do they interface? • How is interface maintained?

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