Human Machine Interface

The HMI is not just an addition to your product.

From the user's point of view, it is the most important aspect.

Often a product's value to its

owner is what can be seen from the outside.

And a good HMI can enhance market

penetration.

Once the appropriate interface has been selected,

Develco will carry out the design in a professional

manner, elevating your product to perfection.

Displays

Colour displays are becoming the norm in

cellular phones and many other consumer

products. You may be met with expectations from

your customers for your products to have the

same features.

However, it needs to be considered if this is necessary

or appropiate. A colour display is more expensive,

more current-consuming, more vulnerable,

and additional measures may have to be taken

to avoid EMC problems.

At Develco we can guide you to choosing the

most suitable solution.

Keys and Keyboards

The working environment should be considered

carefully when designing keypads. There is a

world of difference between using them for a

desktop and for an oil truck, wearing greasy

gloves.

The user profile should also be taken into consideration. What are the skills of the typical user? And of the less skilled?

Light and Sound

The working environment changes with daylight

and background noise.

Choosing the right light and sound sources is

crucial to satisfy your customers.

Driving a taxicab during the daytime on a sunny day

is one thing; driving it in the dark is a totally different matter. A simple light on/off

switch is unlikely to meet the driver's needs and expectations.

The importance of “sound quality” is accepted in

many businesses. Choosing the right sound

pattern for your product can turn inevitably noise

into acceptable sound.

Design

If you want to be a market leader, your product

will have to meet the market's expectations. If the product

is targeted at the consumer market, Develco

recommends involving industrial designers.

Adding a few curvatures can make all the difference

between success and failure.

Targeting e.g. mechanics, the toughness of your

design is important. If a handheld terminal is to

be used alongside screwdrivers and wrenches, it

needs to be able to withstand a few bumps and thumps.

Menu-driven MMI

Most products contain intelligence. Thus, if the

MMI includes a display, a menu-driven human

interface is an obvious possibility. At Develco we hold the black belt in building complex

yet intuitive menu structures.

Handheld Devices

Remote handheld computers have become popular

as MMI for larger, more complex systems. Develco

is experienced in several operating systems,

including Palm and Microsoft. Linux and proprietary

operating systems may be desirable, as there are

no royalties to be paid.

Download Develco's Man Machine Interface flyer (pdf)

Cases:	R50 - "The Electronic Polygrip"
	COM2100 - Taxicab terminal
	Devireg 550 - Heating controller
	MMI pilot projects