Developer information - usability related brainstorming
For full-featured tuningsoftware, there is a reliance on the use of a Laptop or PDA. Anyone serious will use that.
The 350 Euro (like MAF / MAP substitute, BoostController) market is different: PDA or PC can be an offputting aspect for many as a large number of potential users will have to the aquire the additional equipment.
Note that the target audience in the future will be less skilled than GenBoard/VerThree users.
Display
LCD 4x20 is a bit tight. We can tune anything with it, but a newbie finds it hard.
We must seriously evaluate the use of a graphical LCD screen - like the one used for this [blackfin beast]
It's not a good solution to have the display on the control unit.
The other solution is to make a reliable feed of (possibly used) PDA-s. If it's just 98 Euro, noone will have a problem. But 400 Euro for something that they'd use just for tuning - I agree that's too much.
Sharp OZ-590 80 x 111 dot display with backlight $35 (can we get code in it?)
GBA $79.99
But any time we look, again and again... we always find that we cannot find a display for the price we can buy a PDA. TODO: collect links...
Please help find affordable LCD-s, weather just graphic LCD-s (50..100 pieces) or with CPU and memory like a game, learn-aid or PDA. We prefer devices with 6+ buttons (not just touchscreen).
- PDA
- handheld scope
- game machine
- other simple device with graphic LCD
- would a device with equalizer-like display be of use? there is lot on the market (think: home-stereo). Better than just alphanumeric, but ... think about this
some manufacturers are unlikely to cooperate (so we don't buy from them). But some might provide half-finished product with some documentation (eg. type and used ports of main CPU).
It seems it should be possible to get color graphic LCD-s for 60..120 Euro, probably with CPU and memory. Some porting will be needed for megatunix in any case, but we prefer buying sg. to own design.
- [intel 80186 based awkward controller] also expensive, but worths a look
- 5.8 .. 8 inch Rearview Mirror (or headrest) TFT-s are available for 73 .. 140 USD. Without controller, I guess. Eg. DLP060B (is this the digital light processing series from Texas Semi ?)
Input
The 5 button interface (up, down, left, right and OK) has several serious problems:
- boardspace
- enclosure
- logistics (reliable feed of reasonably priced buttons)
- enclosure
- menu design
- menu implementation
- usage and documentation: It's not a good solution to have the buttons on the control unit.
I think that a PS2 keyboard (4 Euro) is affordable for everyone, and much more convenient than 5 buttons. You don't need the keyboard after the unit is tuned.
[using LEDs as output and input]
6-button interface example for use together with a 4x20 character LCD
This is basically the same that we have now. Anything can be done with it. Conveniently? No, the tables cannot be tuned conveniently. Acceptable for other configuration though.
Character LCD in display mode:\nÿ1ÿ
Switch screens with the arrow buttons and go to the menu mode by pressing the select key.
Character LCD in menu mode:\nÿ2ÿ
Use the arrow buttons and the select key to go to a menu. Use the ?back? button to return to the display mode.
Character LCD in table mode:\nÿ3ÿ
Use the arrow keys to browse, press select key to edit a cell. In edit mode use the arrow keys to change the value, use back to discard change and select to store it. While holding the select key you can copy the value to an adjacent cell with the arrow keys.
Also, LCD is good for many things, but many variables are much more visible on a round gauge (eg. lambda, EGT) than in numeric. We shouldn't settle for less than graphical LCD, and for the price of graphical LCD a PDA can be bought with CPU + mem + input device + serial comm.
The onboard 6 buttons interface question is still up: do the gains justify it? I can't imagine how I'd push the buttons in the engine-bay when tuning ignition while the driver is driving. I don't feel safe near the engine bay of a car on a dyno (with cause).
Even after 1.5 years
- we don't have a good tuning software for the newbies (MegaTune provides more functions on GenBoard than on the basic ECMs, but design and keycuts should be improved).
- We don't have a 6-button menu that is suitable for newbies either.
If we can make a 6-button menu, we can - for sure - make the same (even literally the same menu is possible) for a graphic LCD device. The reverse is not true.
Round gauges are provenly the best when the reading time is considered. This had been studied extensively for military pilots. Also best for fluctuations (tricks are possible if not physical gauges are used but an LCD).
Graphic LCD makes it possible to choose between fastest read round gauges, fiat-typo style barlines or digital. 4x20 or any size alphanumerical LCD forces something that is good for many things, but far from ideal when tuning a map.
Menu
The Apexi fuel controller that I got a chance to use the other evening had a very simple text menu system that makes the system accessable for almost everyone. Could we describe the menu structure of it?
See also