TheaterTouch System Controller User’s Guide and Programming Manual The Power Of A Touchscreen In The Palm Of
TheaterTouch System Controller FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION NOTICE This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation.
TheaterTouch System Controller SAFETY SUGGESTIONS Read Instructions. Read all safety and operating instructions before operating the unit. Retain Instructions. Keep the safety and operating instructions for future reference. Heed Warnings. Adhere to all warnings on the unit and in the operating instructions. Follow Instructions. Follow operating instructions and instructions for use. Heat. Keep the unit away from heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, etc.
TheaterTouch System Controller LIMITED WARRANTY AND DISCLAIMER Remote Technologies Incorporated warrants its products for a period of one (1) year from the date of purchase from Remote Technologies Incorporated or an authorized Remote Technologies Incorporated dealer. This warranty may be enforced by the original purchaser and subsequent owners during the warranty period, so long as the original dated sales receipt or other proof of warranty coverage is presented when warranty service is required.
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TheaterTouch System Controller Table of Contents Federal Communications Commission Notice ....................................................................... IV Safety Suggestions ............................................................................................................. V Limited Warranty and Disclaimer......................................................................................... VI CHAPTER 1. WELCOME .......................................................................
TheaterTouch System Controller CHAPTER 5. THEATERTOUCH DESIGNER ADVANCED FEATURES ...................... 33 How How How How How How How How How How How How How How How How How How How How How How How to Rename a Page .....................................................................................................33 to Duplicate a Page....................................................................................................33 to Merge Pages ....................................................
TheaterTouch System Controller Infrared Problems..............................................................................................................95 Unable to Learn Commands................................................................................................96 Macro Problems ................................................................................................................96 CHAPTER 9. SERVICE AND SUPPORT ..................................................................
Chapter 1 • Welcome Chapter 1. Welcome Congratulations on your purchase of the TheaterTouch universal system controller. The TheaterTouch combines the power and flexibility of a graphic LCD touchscreen with an ergonomic design that permits effortless one-handed operation. This design overcomes the need for compromise between form and function. Sleek and perfectly balanced, the TheaterTouch is infinitely flexible and expandable.
TheaterTouch System Controller PRODUCT CONTENTS Contents within the box include the following items: • Owner’s Manual • Warranty and Registration card • TheaterTouch™ System Controller • Two (2) rechargeable Nickel Metal-Hydride battery packs • Smart battery charger • Wall-mount power supply for battery charger • TheaterTouch Designer™ software CD-ROM • Serial cable for programming SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS TheaterTouch Designer software minimum system requirements: 2 • Windows 95, Windows 98
Chapter 2 • Introduction Chapter 2. Introduction The TheaterTouch is a programmable touchscreen computer that is designed to provide wireless control of audio/video and automation systems. Like other “universal” or “learning” remote controls, the TheaterTouch allows you to consolidate the functions of many independent infrared remote controls into one unit.
TheaterTouch System Controller • A serial port for communication with the TheaterTouch Designer programming software. • Non-volatile flash memory. The TheaterTouch will not lose any programmed data when the batteries are exchanged. • One-year parts and labor warranty. IMPORTANT NOTES Please read these important notes about the TheaterTouch: • The TheaterTouch should be placed in an area where it is around normal room temperature (between 60°F to 90°F).
Chapter 2 • Introduction BATTERIES AND CHARGER The following recommendations will assure the best battery performance. 1. Operate the unit until you receive a Low Battery warning in the upper left hand corner of display. 2. At that point, you will have approximately 10 - 20 minutes of run time remaining before the unit shuts down. At any point after the Low Battery icon appears, you can exchange the depleted battery with a charged battery from the charger.
TheaterTouch System Controller Custom Installation Note: The TheaterTouch battery charger’s power can be hardwired through the back of the charger for permanent mounting on a wall or other flat surface. This is done by removing the bottom plate of the charger and hard wiring the wall mount power supply directly to the terminal strip. Replace the bottom plate before mounting. Use only the original power supply. Power Connection - (J2) 9VDC 0.5A J2 Battery Charger with bottom plate removed.
Chapter 2 • Introduction REMOTE REFERENCE Transmitting and Learning Window Transmitting and Learning Window Touchscreen Rechargeable Battery Pack MUTE PWR MAIN MENU C H A N V O L SELECT GU 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 ENTER Backlight Key (Glows in the Dark) Serial Port Back Programmable Keypad Buttons EXIT IDE Front 7
TheaterTouch System Controller THE TOUCHSCREEN DISPLAY The TheaterTouch touchscreen display is organized as a series of pages and frames. A page can consist of up to 12 frames of information having one frame displayed on the screen at a time. Normally each frame on a page contains objects (buttons, text, graphics, and symbols) that are related in some way. For instance, they may all display information necessary for controlling a particular VCR.
Chapter 2 • Introduction The Control Panel consists of the following three frames: To change frames, press the frame Left the bottom of the touchscreen. or frame Right buttons on To return to your TheaterTouch program, press the Main Manu key. ADJUST CONTRAST This button displays a window that allows you to adjust the LCD contrast. Press the Left Arrow or Right Arrow keypad buttons to adjust. Press the OK button in the window to close.
TheaterTouch System Controller BEEPER This button displays a window that allows you to turn the audible beep on or off. The beeper provides feedback that a button was pressed. Press the OK button in the window to close. TIME OUT This button displays a window that allows you to adjust the amount of time the unit stays awake after the last button press. The time is variable from 1 second to 60 seconds (default is 10 seconds). Press the arrows to the left or right of the Time Out setting to adjust the time.
Chapter 2 • Introduction TILT SWITCH This button displays a window that allows you to adjust the settings for the built in tilt switch, which is a device that turns the remote on when tilted passed a 45 degree angle. On means the tilt switch is active and will turn on display and backlight when picked up. Off means the tilt switch is inactive. Press the OK button in the window to close. PROGRAM LOCKOUT This button displays a window that allows you to turn the program lockout feature on and off.
TheaterTouch System Controller CHANGE PASSCODE This button displays a window that allows you to set the passcode that is used to limit access to the Computer Link mode and Clear All function on the control panel page, as well as the Button Lockout function that is available on all buttons. When you press the Change Passcode button, the screen will prompt you to enter the old passcode using the hard keys, then press the Enter key on the keypad. (The default code is 0000).
Chapter 2 • Introduction COMPUTER LINK This button displays a window that allows you to put the TheaterTouch into Computer Link mode. This is used for RS-232 communications between a personal computer and the TheaterTouch for loading a program into the TheaterTouch or extracting a program from the TheaterTouch.
TheaterTouch System Controller IR CAPTURE This button displays a window that allows the TheaterTouch to align, learn, and test infrared commands from donor remotes. Used together with the TheaterTouch Designer Infrared Library Manager software you can create a custom database of infrared commands. The use of the IR Capture command is described in chapter 6 “IR Library Manager”. To exit IR CAPTURE mode, press the Main Menu button on the remote.
Chapter 3 • TheaterTouch Designer Software Chapter 3. TheaterTouch Designer Software TheaterTouch Designer allows you to create the entire graphical interface for a RTI TheaterTouch System Controller on your computer. Once the interface has been created, it is downloaded to the TheaterTouch using the included programming cable. Existing programming can also be extracted, modified, and re-sent to any TheaterTouch system controller. Software updates will be available for download at www.rticorp.
TheaterTouch System Controller THEATERTOUCH DESIGNER SCREEN Menu Bar Toolbar 16 Page List Touchscreen grid Design Window
Chapter 3 • TheaterTouch Designer Software Frame Left and Right arrows 17
TheaterTouch System Controller Tool Palette Keypad Buttons TOUCHSCREEN GRID The touchscreen grid is where the buttons, text, graphics and symbols are placed. or frame Right buttons at the bottom of the Click on the frame Left touchscreen grid to place buttons on other frames.
Chapter 3 • TheaterTouch Designer Software DESIGN HINTS 1. Be consistent with the location of similar buttons. For example, if you have a DVD player and a VCR in your system, try to make the transport controls (Play, Pause, Stop, etc.) on both pages look similar. 2. It’s not necessary to re-create each donor remote in its entirety on the TheaterTouch. Think of the functions the user will be using daily. 3. Use macros to hide complex command sequences from the user.
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Chapter 4 • TheaterTouch Designer Basics Chapter 4. TheaterTouch Designer Basics The TheaterTouch system controller is divided into two sections: the touchscreen and the keypad. You can assign commands, macros and page links to any button you create on the touchscreen or on the keypad buttons. The keypad button layout of the TheaterTouch follows the pages, not the frames, so all 12 frames of a page will have the same commands, macros and page links on the keypad buttons.
TheaterTouch System Controller BUTTONS Buttons are the functional elements of the TheaterTouch system controller. Each button can be associated with commands, macros, and page links. Creating buttons in the touchscreen grid consists of making the button itself and then adding text, bitmaps, or symbols to them. HOW TO ADD BUTTONS 1. Select a page from the Page List, and then the frame on that page with the frame left and right arrows on the bottom of the touchscreen grid. 2.
Chapter 4 • TheaterTouch Designer Basics HOW TO ADD TEXT TO BUTTONS 1. Select the Edit Text tool from the Tool Palette. 2. Place the mouse cursor over the button you want to add or edit text on. 3. Click the left mouse button. 4. Enter the text in the Edit Button Text dialog and click OK. You can use any of the options in the Edit Button Text dialog to customize the button. Make the text bold. Justify the text to left side of the button. Center the text horizontally in the button.
TheaterTouch System Controller HOW TO PLACE A BITMAP The Bitmap Library window allows you to assign bitmaps to buttons in your file or to create new bitmap buttons by dragging the bitmaps from the Bitmap Library to the Touchscreen grid. Hold the mouse over any bitmap in the Bitmap Library window to see its title and the Bitmap Library it is stored in.
Chapter 4 • TheaterTouch Designer Basics HOW TO LINK PAGES The TheaterTouch Designer software gives you the ability to link pages. When a button with a page link is pushed on the TheaterTouch, the linked page becomes active, in essence turning the page. Page links are indicated by a small green box containing the number of the linked-to page in the lower left corner of the button. 1. Select the Assign Pages tool from the Tool Palette. 2.
TheaterTouch System Controller HOW TO REMOVE PAGE LINKS 1. Select the Assign Pages tool from the Tool Palette. 2. Place the mouse cursor over the button from which you wish to remove the page link. 3. Click the left mouse button. 4. Select the item from the bottom of the pop-up menu. HOW TO ADD COMMANDS TO BUTTONS IR commands are indicated by a small red box with the letter ‘C’ in the upper right corner of buttons. 1. Select the Command Library tool from the Tool Palette. 2.
Chapter 4 • TheaterTouch Designer Basics Remotes are listed by manufacturer, type, and model in the Select Remote from Library window; use this to select the remote you would like to assign codes from. Remotes that have already been used in the current remote file will be moved to the top of the list and their icon will turn red for easy identification. 3. If the remote is in a different library or no library is open, click on the Open Library command button to find the library you are looking for. 4.
TheaterTouch System Controller HOW TO DELETE COMMANDS FROM BUTTONS 1. Select the Delete Command tool from the Tool Palette. 2. Place the mouse cursor over the button with the command you wish to delete. 3. Click the left mouse button. HOW TO SAVE A FILE The files created with TheaterTouch Designer hold all the elements that make up an individual remote file. They have the extension .rti and may be stored in any directory. Default directory is: [C:\Program Files\TheaterTouch Designer\My Remotes] Note: I
Chapter 4 • TheaterTouch Designer Basics HOW TO PREVIEW YOUR FILE The Preview mode in TheaterTouch Designer allows you to see exactly what your file will look like when it is sent to the TheaterTouch remote. Click the Preview Mode Command from the Toolbar. Use the mouse to press the buttons in the preview window. The buttons will push-in just like they would on the TheaterTouch, and if they are linked to another page, the linked page will become the current page in the Preview Window.
TheaterTouch System Controller HOW TO SETUP COMMUNICATIONS The Communications Setup dialog box is for setting up communications between the TheaterTouch and your PC. To open the Communications Setup dialog box: Choose Set COM Port from the Options menu. Com Port group box - Choose the COM Port that the TheaterTouch is connected to. Auto Detect - Click this button to have TheaterTouch Designer attempt to automatically locate the correct COM port.
Chapter 4 • TheaterTouch Designer Basics HOW TO SEND A FILE TO THE THEATERTOUCH 1. Click the Communications Command on the Toolbar. 2. Choose Send File. All buttons, commands, bitmaps, and macros are sent. Any existing program in the TheaterTouch is replaced with the file you send. All communications take place on the COM port selected with the Set COM Port command from the Options menu.
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Chapter 5 • TheaterTouch Designer Advanced Features Chapter 5. TheaterTouch Designer Advanced Features HOW TO RENAME A PAGE 1. Make sure the desired page is displayed in the touchscreen grid. 2. Select the Edit Text tool from the Tool Palette. 3. Place the cursor over the page title area at the top of the touchscreen grid and click the left mouse button. 4. Specify the new page title and click OK. HOW TO DUPLICATE A PAGE Pages can be instantly duplicated.
TheaterTouch System Controller HOW TO MERGE PAGES The Merge Pages dialog makes it possible to move groups of pages from another .rti file to the current remote file. 1. Click the Merge Pages tool on the Toolbar. 2. Select the remote file from which you wish to merge pages from. Choose from the list located in the Select file to merge from dialog box and click Open. 3. Place a check next to each page you would like to merge into the current file. 4.
Chapter 5 • TheaterTouch Designer Advanced Features HOW TO USE THE PAGEWIZARD TheaterTouch Designer comes with a library of pre-built pages for many common types of equipment that you can insert into your file and customize as desired. The page library is accessed through the PageWizard tool. To add a pre-built page to your file: 1. Click the Page Wizard Command on the Toolbar. 2. Scroll through the list of available pages and select the one you want.
TheaterTouch System Controller HOW TO SELECT BUTTONS The Select Button tool is used to select buttons for cutting, copying, moving, resizing, or property editing. When buttons are selected, they are painted in red. To select a single button or a group of buttons next to each other: 1. Click the Select Button tool on the Tool Palette. 2. Place the mouse over one corner of the button(s) and click the left mouse button. 3.
Chapter 5 • TheaterTouch Designer Advanced Features HOW TO MOVE A BUTTON 1. Use the Select Button tool button(s). from the Tool Palette, to select the 2. Hold down the left mouse button to drag the selection to a new location. 3. Release the left mouse button to place the buttons. HOW TO RESIZE A BUTTON Existing buttons on the touchscreen grid may be re-sized using TheaterTouch Designer. The text on a button may be clipped if the size is reduced, but any associated command or macro will not be lost.
TheaterTouch System Controller HOW TO USE THE MACRO EDITOR Macros are a sequence of commands placed on any single button. Macros are placed by using the Edit Macro application found on the Tool Palette. Buttons with macros can be moved, cut, copied, and pasted to other pages without discarding the codes attached to them. Macros are indicated by a small black box with the letter ‘M’ in the upper left corner of buttons. EDITING MACROS To add a new macro or edit an existing macro on a button: 1.
Chapter 5 • TheaterTouch Designer Advanced Features Report command – The Report command button at the bottom of the macro editor opens up your default web browser for viewing and printing of the open macro. Trash Can – The Trash Can located at the bottom of the macro editor is used to delete commands from a macro. Left click and hold the command you want to delete and drag it to the Trash Can and release. The Infrared from Library macro step type causes the macro to output an Infrared command.
TheaterTouch System Controller seconds. After you have set your desired delay time, drag the Time Delay icon from the right to the macro display on the left. Release the mouse button at the location where you would like to add the time delay step. The Button Test step causes the macro to execute the following steps ONLY IF the button that the macro is attached to is Held Down for a specified amount of time or Double-Clicked within a specified amount of time, depending on the option selected.
Chapter 5 • TheaterTouch Designer Advanced Features Double-Clicked – In the example above, if the button is double-clicked within 0.3 seconds, the ON command will execute. If the button is not double-clicked within 0.3 seconds, the command will not execute. This can be used to make a source button that switches pages if pressed once, or switches pages and turns equipment on if double-clicked within the specified amount of time.
TheaterTouch System Controller Button Pause – The Button Pause step causes the macro to stop executing until the button it is attached to is released. In the example above, if you press and hold the button that the macro is attached to, the macro will execute the first command and pause until the button is released, then execute the rest of the commands in the macro. This works well for commands like Scan on some VCR’s and DVD players, which you need to send the play command to stop the scan function.
Chapter 5 • TheaterTouch Designer Advanced Features In the example above, each time the button that the macro is attached to is pressed, the commands alternate. The initial button press executes the A command and the second button press executes the B command. If you have equipment that uses toggle codes, you must learn each code twice, and then place the two codes within the Toggle IR Code step.
TheaterTouch System Controller HOW TO EDIT AN IR COMMAND IN A MACRO 1. To edit an individual command in a macro you must have the macro displayed in the Macro Editor. 2. Double click on the command in the macro you want to edit to open the Edit Infrared Command dialog box. Note: Not all of the controls will be available simultaneously. Only the options relevant to the default settings and command being edited will be shown.
Chapter 5 • TheaterTouch Designer Advanced Features Default - Check this option to set the default output type for this command to the button default. The button default is the option selected on the Output tab of the Edit Button Properties command. IR - Check this box to force this command to transmit IR directly out the infrared window on the front of the remote, regardless of the system setting.
TheaterTouch System Controller IR Outputs group box: Check the box(s) that corresponds with the output(s) you wish to send the command(s) on this button out of the IRF-6. Note that the labels for the output can be changed with the Edit Remote Properties command on the Edit menu. The default is to have the command(s) come out of all of the outputs on the IRF-6. This option will not normally need to be changed unless you have multiple identical components or are using one of the power sensor modules.
Chapter 5 • TheaterTouch Designer Advanced Features HOW TO USE THE CHANNEL MACRO WIZARD TheaterTouch Designer comes with a feature called the Channel Macro Wizard. The Channel Macro Wizard allows you to quickly and easily create macros for satellite and cable channel presets. To start using the Channel Macro Wizard: 1. Select Channel Macro Wizard from the Edit menu. 2.
TheaterTouch System Controller 4. Click the Add/Edit in the BEFORE or AFTER section if choose to add commands. This will open the Macro Editor where you can select the commands using the Marco Editor commands. If you need help with these commands, see the “How to Use the Macro Editor” section. 5. Click the Next >> command button. 6. Select the page you wish to place macros on from the Page drop-down list and then select the frame by clicking on the Left and Right frame arrows.
Chapter 5 • TheaterTouch Designer Advanced Features 7. Select the number of digits in the channel macro from the Spin box in the lower right corner. If you enter more digits than selected the numbers will wrap around. 8. Click the first button from the touchscreen grid on which you want to place a macro. 9. Enter the channel numbers by either clicking the numbers in the Channel Macro Wizard with the mouse or you can enter them with the numbers on the keyboard. 10. Click Save after you enter each macro.
TheaterTouch System Controller HOW TO EDIT THE REMOTE PROPERTIES The Remote Properties dialog box allows you to change settings that affect the entire remote. To open the Remote Properties dialog box: Choose Edit Remote Properties from the Edit menu. POWER TAB The Power tab options are: Power Down Time: This allows you to adjust the to time the unit stays awake after the last button press. The time is variable from 1 second to 60 seconds (default is 10 seconds).
Chapter 5 • TheaterTouch Designer Advanced Features The Misc. tab options are: Enable Beeper: Check the box to enable the beeper. If this box is checked, the TheaterTouch will beep every time a button is pressed. Scroll Rate: Slide this control to set how fast the frames scroll left and right when the frame scroll arrows are pressed.
TheaterTouch System Controller Default RF ID Code: Use this to set the default RF ID code. This RF ID code will be used for all RF buttons unless it is set differently in the properties for each button. The ID code switch on the back of the IRF-6 must also be set to this setting. IRF-6 TAB The IRF-6 tab lets you label the outputs of the IRF-6. Use the pull down list to choose the IRF-6 ID code for which you wish to modify the labels.
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TheaterTouch System Controller HOW TO EDIT BUTTON PROPERTIES The Edit Button Properties dialog allows you to edit many different attributes of a button or a group of buttons. To open the Edit Button Properties dialog box: 1. Select the Edit Button Properties tool Palette. from the Tool 2. Click the button you want to edit, either touchscreen or keypad buttons Note: Not all of the tabs and/or controls will be available simultaneously. Only the options relevant to the button being edited will be shown.
Chapter 5 • TheaterTouch Designer Advanced Features Secured - Check this box to require that the security code be entered before the action (command, macro, or page link) associated with this button is run. The security code is set with the Edit Remote Properties command on the Edit menu. Special Functions group box None - Check this option to cause this button to have no special function.
TheaterTouch System Controller OUTPUT TAB The options on the Output tab are: Output Type: Unless the system contains a mixture of direct IR and IRF-6/RF commands, this option will not normally need to be changed. Default - Select this option to set the default output type for this button to the system default. The system default is the option selected with the Edit Remote Properties command on the Edit menu.
Chapter 5 • TheaterTouch Designer Advanced Features IRF-6 TAB The IRF-6 tab options are: IR Outputs group box: Check the box(s) that corresponds with the output(s) you wish to send the commands on this button out of the IRF-6. Note that the labels for the output can be changed with the Edit Remote Properties command on the Edit menu. The default is to have the commands come out of all of the outputs on the IRF-6.
TheaterTouch System Controller INFRARED TAB The Infrared tab options are: Min. Repeats - Enter in this box the number of times that the repeating part of the IR code is sent by the remote. Some infrared receivers need a command to be repeated a certain number of times to work properly, and some may not work properly if the command is repeated at all. Change this setting only if you are having trouble with a command. Frequency - This box shows the carrier frequency of the IR code. This is set automatically.
Chapter 5 • TheaterTouch Designer Advanced Features COMMAND TAB The Command tab displays the manufacturers name, type of equipment, model number and function of the command on a button. WAVEFORM TAB The Waveform tab displays the waveform of a command for advanced troubleshooting or if you would just like to see what Infrared data looks like. HOW TO EDIT THE PROPERTIES OF MULTIPLE BUTTONS The Edit Button Properties dialog allows you to edit many different attributes of a button or a group of buttons.
TheaterTouch System Controller 1. Select the buttons using the Select Button tool Tool Palette. from the 2. Click the right mouse button on one of the selected buttons, either touchscreen or keypad buttons and choose Edit Properties. For an explanation of all the button properties, see the “How to Edit Button Properties” section. Note: Not all of the tabs and/or controls will be available simultaneously. Only the options relevant to the button(s) being edited will be shown.
Chapter 5 • TheaterTouch Designer Advanced Features If options with radio buttons have different settings, NONE of the radio buttons will have a dot next to them. In that case, each button will retain its original function. If you do wish to assign the SAME function to EVERY button, select one of the functions from the dialog.
TheaterTouch System Controller HOW TO PRINT SCREENSHOTS TheaterTouch Designer comes with the ability to print screenshots of the individual frames of your remote file for reference purposes. To print screenshots of the open remote file: 1. Choose Print from the File menu. 2. Choose whether you want to a) Print Current Page Only – Prints a life-sized image of all of the frames of the currently displayed page.
Chapter 5 • TheaterTouch Designer Advanced Features HOW TO CHECK MEMORY USAGE It is possible, though not likely, to create a file in TheaterTouch Designer with more information than the TheaterTouch can hold. To make sure this does not happen, use the Check Memory Usage command on the Edit menu to see how large the current file is.
TheaterTouch System Controller HOW TO CREATE A “SELF-DOWNLOADING .EXE” This command creates an executable from the current file that will automatically download itself to the remote when run. These executables can be distributed to client sites to simplify the process of updating remotes in the field. TheaterTouch Designer does not need to be installed for the self-contained executable to work. To make a Self-Downloading .EXE of the current file: 1. Choose Create Self-Downloading .
Chapter 6 • IR Library Manager Chapter 6. IR Library Manager The TheaterTouch reproduces the infrared commands of other remote controls. Each of these infrared commands must be captured (learned) and placed into the TheaterTouch Designer Command Library. This is done by using the original remote control (the donor) from a piece of equipment to teach its commands to the TheaterTouch. The TheaterTouch then transfers the captured command to the Infrared Library Manager software through its RS-232 serial port.
TheaterTouch System Controller PULSED IR CODES This type of transmission does not use a carrier frequency. Pulsed codes are quite common in cable TV converter boxes. HOW THE THEATERTOUCH LEARNS IR CODES There are many different encoding schemes used for IR codes. The burst and pause times have fixed lengths, variable lengths, or some combination of the two. To learn the code, the TheaterTouch “records” a sample of the code in a manner similar to the way a tape recorder records sound.
Chapter 6 • IR Library Manager HINTS FOR LEARNING IR CODES Always place the TheaterTouch and the donor remote control on a flat surface. You may find it necessary to elevate the donor or the TheaterTouch with a book or similar object to align them vertically. Once you have learned and tested a code from a remote, try not to move it until you have learned all the codes. If you do accidentally move either remote, you should realign them.
TheaterTouch System Controller HOW TO OPEN THE IR LIBRARY MANAGER 1. Choose IR Library Manager from the Library menu from the TheaterTouch Designer toolbar. 2. From here, you can decide to create a new library of commands or add to an existing library by choosing from the File menu either New or Open. HOW TO CREATE A NEW IR LIBRARY 1. Choose New from the File menu, the Create IR Library dialog box will open. 2. Enter the name of the new library in the File name box. 3.
Chapter 6 • IR Library Manager Once you click the Save button, the Edit View dialog box will open showing you the remotes that are in that particular library. If there are no remotes in that library, such as after creating a new library, the fields will be empty.
TheaterTouch System Controller HOW TO OPEN AN EXISTING IR LIBRARY 1. Choose Open from the File menu. 2. When the Open IR Library dialog box opens, select the file you wish to open. 3. Click the Open button. Once you click the Open button, the Edit View dialog box will open showing you the remotes that are in that particular library.
Chapter 6 • IR Library Manager HOW TO ADD A NEW REMOTE TO AN IR LIBRARY 1. Click on the New button on the upper right hand side of the Edit View dialog box. 2. This will open the Create New Remote dialog box. 3. Enter the manufacturer’s name, type of equipment, (such as TV, VCR, Drapes, Lights and so on) and model number of the component or remote in the appropriate fields. 4.
TheaterTouch System Controller HOW TO USE THE NEW REMOTE WIZARD If you are entering a commonly used component to the IR Library, you can use the New Remote Wizard to enter the titles of commonly use commands for that type of equipment. 1. Open the Create New Remote dialog box. 2. Enter the information on the equipment you are about to learn commands from.
Chapter 6 • IR Library Manager HOW TO ALIGN A DONOR REMOTE CONTROL To ensure that a valid signal is being received, all donor remote controls must be properly aligned with the TheaterTouch learning window. This is the window located on the front of the unit. The TheaterTouch has an ALIGN function to help determine the correct position in front of the learning window, and determine the modulation frequency of the donor remote’s infrared signal.
TheaterTouch System Controller To properly align a donor remote control with the TheaterTouch: 1. Make sure the donor remote has fresh batteries then line up donor remote so that is at the same height as the learning window on the TheaterTouch. It may be necessary to place the donor remote control on a higher surface than the TheaterTouch, or vice-versa. 2. Press any key on the donor remote control, moving the remote back and forth in front of the learning window.
Chapter 6 • IR Library Manager HOW TO CAPTURE INFRARED COMMANDS Once a donor remote control is properly aligned, the TheaterTouch is ready to start capturing the IR commands and transferring them to the Infrared Library Manager Software. 1. Make sure the TheaterTouch is in the IR CAPTURE LEARN MODE on frame 2 of the IR CAPTURE page and says STATUS: READY. The last frequency measured with the ALIGN function should be displayed at the bottom of the screen.
TheaterTouch System Controller 4. Now press and hold the key on the donor remote control that transmits the command that you want the TheaterTouch to learn. Continue to hold the key down until the TheaterTouch displays OK. After the command has been processed, the TheaterTouch will display Captured then Sending. If an error message is displayed, realign the donor remote control and try again.
Chapter 6 • IR Library Manager HOW TO TEST INFRARED COMMANDS After the TheaterTouch has learned a command, you can test it to make sure it behaves properly. 1. Press the SELECT button while in the IR Capture Test Mode on frame 3 of IR Capture page, this will test the last captured IR command. The command will remain in memory (for testing) until it is overwritten by the next captured command. 2. Make sure you point the TheaterTouch at the equipment to be controlled when you press the SELECT button.
TheaterTouch System Controller HOW TO EDIT INFRARED COMMANDS Most infrared commands will transmit continuously as long as the remote control key is held down. This means that either the entire command or some part of it is being repeated over and over. The Infrared Library Manager software allows you to adjust the number of command repeat times and to enable or disable continuous transmission. Min. Repeats - Enter in this box the number of times that the repeating part of the IR code is sent by the remote.
Chapter 6 • IR Library Manager Sustain - Check this box to control whether or not the IR code should repeat if the button is held down. Most infrared codes will transmit continuously as long as the button is held down, but some infrared receivers may not work properly if the command is repeated at all. If the Sustain button is checked, the code will be transmitted for as long as the button is held down, or the Minimum Repeat times, whichever is greater.
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Chapter 7 • Image Editors Chapter 7. Image Editors The TheaterTouch Designer software comes with two additional programs for creating custom graphics. These programs are very similar in appearance and functionality and both programs can be accessed from the Library menu within the TheaterTouch Designer program. The Button Bitmap Editor is for creating and editing button bitmaps for such things as channel and transport icons.
TheaterTouch System Controller BUTTON BITMAP EDITOR SCREEN To open the Button Bitmap Editor, select Button Bitmap Editor from the Library menu in the TheaterTouch Designer program. CUSTOM BUTTON EDITOR SCREEN To open the Custom Button Editor, select Custom Button Editor from the Library menu in the TheaterTouch Designer program.
Chapter 7 • Image Editors TOOLBAR The toolbar provides instant access to commonly used Button Bitmap Editor and Custom Button Editor functions. Create New Library Command – Use this command to create a library to hold your custom buttons or bitmaps. The built in libraries that come with the software are read-only and new images cannot be saved to them. This command should only be used when a new library is desired. If you want to create a new New Image Command. image, use the Create libraries.
TheaterTouch System Controller image in the dialog will be built in libraries that saved to them. Create New Image Command – Use this command to create a new currently open library in the Bitmap Editor, the New Bitmap Size displayed, where you can select the size for the new Bitmap. The come with the software are read-only and new images cannot be Open Image Command – Use this command to open an existing image in the currently open library for editing.
Chapter 7 • Image Editors Undo Command – Use this command to reverse the last change you made to the image. Choose the Undo command again to reverse the previous change. A maximum of 64 changes are reversible with the Undo command. The Undo command can only reverse editing changes to the current image. It cannot undo changes to a library, and the Undo information is destroyed when the image is closed or the view is toggled between the Up and Down images in the Custom Button Editor.
TheaterTouch System Controller Paste Command – Use this command to place previously cut or copied sections from the clipboard back onto the touchscreen grid and switches the Button Bitmap Editor or Custom Button Editor into Selection mode. You can drag the pasted sections to the desired position on the page. You can use this to move images between the Button Bitmap Editor and the Custom Button Editor. This command is not available if the data on the Clipboard is not in bitmap format.
Chapter 7 • Image Editors TOOL PALETTE The Tool Palette provides access to all the drawing tools used by the Button Bitmap Editor and Custom Button Editor. Selection Tool - The Selection Tool is used to define a rectangular selection region on the image. To define a selection, click the left mouse button in the Drawing Area where one corner of the selection rectangle should be placed, drag the mouse to the opposite corner, and release the mouse button.
TheaterTouch System Controller Pencil Tool - The Pencil Tool is used to color individual pixels on the image. Click the left mouse button in the Drawing Area to turn the pixel under the Pencil point black, and click the right mouse button to turn the pixel white. Brush Tool - The Brush Tool acts like the Pencil Tool, but colors a larger portion of the image.
Chapter 7 • Image Editors line, and release the mouse button. To draw a white line, follow the same steps but click the right mouse button instead of the left. Text Tool - The Text Tool is used to place text on the image. To place text, click the left mouse button in the Drawing Area, and the Place Text dialog will appear. Enter the desired text in the dialog and click OK. The text will appear in a blue selection rectangle, where it can be placed precisely on the image.
TheaterTouch System Controller Filled Rectangle Tool - The Filled Rectangle Tool is used to draw rectangles filled with a Fill Pattern on the image. Several Fill Patterns are available in the rectangular area below the drawing tools. To use the Filled Rectangle Tool, choose the desired Fill Pattern, click the left mouse button in the Drawing Area where one corner of the rectangle should be placed, drag the mouse to the opposite corner, and release the mouse button.
Chapter 7 • Image Editors Click on the Up Image button to display the Up Image in the Drawing Area, or click on the Down Image button to display the Down Image. All Custom Buttons have two totally separate images, an Up image, which represents the button in its normal state; and a Down image, which represents the button in its pressed state.
TheaterTouch System Controller In most cases, you will find it easiest to create the Up image first. As a starting point for creating the Down image, you may want to select the whole Up image, copy it to the Clipboard, switch to the Down image, and paste the image from the Clipboard. At this point, you can use the editor to modify the image you pasted to make it the Down image. If a simple reversal is all you need, the Invert Selection command on the Edit menu will do the trick.
Chapter 8 • Troubleshooting Chapter 8. Troubleshooting If you have difficulty with your TheaterTouch universal system controller, read through these troubleshooting tips and common questions before contacting technical support. If you continue to have difficulties, do not hesitate to contact technical support. See chapter 9 for more information on contacting RTI. DISPLAY IS DIM, BLANK OR UNREADABLE Make sure the battery pack is snapped on the remote properly and that the battery is charged.
TheaterTouch System Controller If you are trying to use the second serial port on your computer, it is possible that it is disabled in the computer’s CMOS (or BIOS) setup. Consult your computer’s documentation or contact your computer manufacturer for more details. If your computer is a notebook or laptop, be sure that the external serial port is enabled properly. Some laptops, especially (but certainly not limited to) IBM ThinkPads, have their external ports disabled by default.
Chapter 8 • Troubleshooting INFRARED PROBLEMS The TheaterTouch and TheaterTouch Designer software are compatible with infrared (IR) commands with carrier frequencies between 15kHz and 460kHz. This covers the vast majority of remotes available to date, including Bang & Olufsen® (most of which use 455kHz) and Vidikron® (some of which use 333kHz). However, some older Pioneer® Elite remotes have a carrier frequency of 1.
TheaterTouch System Controller UNABLE TO LEARN COMMANDS If for some reason you are unable to learn commands into the TheaterTouch, or you cannot get commands to work, contact Technical Support to see if we can help you. You may wish to check our web site to see if the codes are already available. If need be we can try to learn the commands for you at our factory by sending us the donor remote. If successful, we can send you the commands via E-Mail or on diskette so you can insert them into your remote file.
Chapter 9 • Service and Support Chapter 9. Service and support UPDATES AND NEW PRODUCTS For news about the latest updates, new product information and accessories, please visit our web site at: www.TheaterTouch.com CONTACTING REMOTE TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED For general info, you can contact RTI at: Info@rticorp.com Remote Technologies Incorporated Tel. (612) 253-3100 Fax (612) 253-3131 www.rticorp.com RTI TECHNICAL SUPPORT At RTI, customer service and satisfaction is an utmost priority.
TheaterTouch System Controller If you are having a problem with hardware-note the equipment you are using, what the problem is you are having and any troubleshooting you have tried. If you are having a problem with software-note what version software you are using, the operating system on your PC, what the problem is you are having and any troubleshooting you have tried.
Chapter 9 • Service and Support SHIPMENT OF REMOTE FOR SERVICE Remote Technologies Incorporated will pay all labor and material expenses for all repairs covered by this warranty. If necessary repairs are not covered by warranty, or if a unit is examined which is not in need of repair, you will be charged for the repairs or examination. If it is necessary to ship the TheaterTouch system controller for service: Please pack it securely and we suggest that it be insured.
TheaterTouch System Controller Specifications Power: 4.8 VDC, 900 mA NiMH Battery Pack Power Management: Automatic on/off (tilt switch) Infrared Control Range: 30 Feet (9.1m) @ 60 Degrees Infrared Frequency Range: 15kHz – 460kHz (learning and transmission) Radio Frequency Control Range: Up to 100 Feet (30.5m) (with optional IRF-6 System Interface) Radio Frequency Carrier: 418MHz (U.S.
Specifications Communications: PC compatible RS-232 port TheaterTouch Device ID: 10 unique ID codes available Optional IRF-6 System Interface ID: 10 unique ID codes available Dimensions- 9.9 in. (251mm) Length: Width: 2.4 in. (61mm) body, 2.9 in. (74mm) center Height: 1.1 in. (28mm) Enclosure: High impact molded ABS with textured finish Weight: 11 oz. (312g) with battery pack 8 oz. (227g) without battery pack All specifications subject to change without notice.
TheaterTouch System Controller Appendix SOFTWARE LICENSE AGREEMENT (SINGLE USER PRODUCTS). This is a legal agreement between you (either an individual or an entity) and Remote Technologies Incorporated. By installing the software accompanying this guide you are agreeing to be bound by the terms of the agreement. If you do not agree to the terms of this agreement, promptly return the software CD-ROM and the accompanying items to the place you obtained them for full refund. SOFTWARE LICENSE GRANT OF LICENSE.
Appendix OTHER RESTRICTIONS. You may not rent or lease the SOFTWARE, but you may transfer the SOFTWARE accompanying written materials on a permanent basis provided you retain no copies and the recipient agrees to the terms of this Agreement. You may not reverse engineer, decompile or disassemble the SOFTWARE. If the SOFTWARE is an update or has been updated, any transfer must include the most recent update and all prior versions.
TheaterTouch System Controller Index — A— — L— Adding Text, 21 — B— Linking Pages, 23 — M— Battery Recharging, 5 BEEPER, 10 Bitmap Library, 22 — C— Merge Pages dialog, 32 Merging Pages, 32 — P— Change passcode, 12 Changing Button Styles, 33 Checking Memory Usage, 59 Clear all, 14 COMPUTER LINK, 13 CONTRAST, 9 Control Panel Page, 8 — D— Deleting Commands from Buttons, 26 Deleting Macros from Buttons, 40 Design Guidelines, 17 difference between Custom Buttons and Bitmaps, 77 Duplicating Pages, 31 — E—