News

Fremont, CA –– May 11, 2010 — Reach Technology Inc., a recognized leader in Embedded LCDs, Embedded Touch Screens, and Embedded Controller Boards, today announced the release of a new version of firmware for SLCD5 serial LCD controller boards. Consider updating firmware if you are in the development phase and using one of the following units:

The new release includes support for selecting between the onboard beeper and an external speaker (on the new Rev D hardware only), a “text-in-a-box” mode for the DISPLAY TEXT command, and a few bug fixes. See a complete history of SLCD5 firmware revisions.

New Features

Fixes

To download the latest 1.2.9 Firmware, search for the File Package by product in the Reach Download Center.  Reach recommends you use all the elements of the file package for best results.

Fremont, CA – May 4, 2010 – Reach Technology Inc. (www.reachtech.com), today announced the release of a new version of firmware for SLCDx (SLCD43, SLCD6, SLCD+) serial LCD controller boards. Consider updating firmware if you are in the development phase and using one of the following units:

Fixes

• Button with index of 0 now draws “release” bitmap when released.
• “bd” cmd at end of macro label section no longer causes next label to execute too.
• Sending a chart values after the screen has been cleared no longer “freezes” the display
• Boot Loader 1.3 corrects erase bug in Boot Loader 1.2 (only visible during f/w upgrade)

To download the latest 2.8.3 Firmware, search for the File Package by product in the <a href=”http://www.reachtech.com/support/downloads/”>Reach Download Center</a>.  Reach recommends you use all the elements of the file package for best results.

New SLCD5 MX21 embedded controller boards from Reach Technology allow engineers to quickly add large embedded LCD, SVGA (800×600) touch screens to their products.

Fremont, CA April 23, 2010 — Reach Technology Inc., a recognized leader in Embedded LCDs, Embedded Touch Screens, and Embedded Controller Boards, today announced the SLCD5 MX21 embedded touch screen controller board which powers panels up to 12.1” with SVGA resolution (800×600). Large panels and high pixel density allow more controls to be visible at the same time, which is important for many medical and industrial embedded LCD touch screen applications.

The Reach SLCD family of embedded controller boards gives engineers a quick way to generate a graphical user interface without a lot of low-level graphical programming. They can use Reach SLCD embedded controller boards to “write once, deploy on any panel” now, and in the future. Designed for use in space-constrained applications, SLCD embedded controller boards are mechanically easy to accommodate across a wide range of product form factors.

“We created the SLCD5 MX21 when medical and industrial customers started asking for larger screens with high resolutions,” said Jonathan More, President for Reach Technology. “It allows them to get SVGA resolution in panels up to 12.1-inches.”

SLCD5 MX-21 Embedded Controller Board Specifications
The SLCD5 MX21 shares form factor and mounting with the existing SLCD5 embedded controller board, has standard embedded LCD panel connectors, sports a 266MHz ARM processor, and offers wide voltage operation (5-12V). It drives a variety of backlight inverters, has a SD memory card slot for storage and upgrades, and provides ESD protection for the embedded touch screen. The company will have full production by the beginning of Summer 2010. For pricing and availability, contact Embedded Touch Screen Sales at (510) 770-1417.

Talk to an Embedded Touch Screen Expert at the Embedded Systems Conference in San Jose, CA on April 27-29th in Booth #2330.

Register for a free exhibits pass and come visit us at booth 2330. Show Hours:

Get more information about the show.

Fremont, CA – February 20, 2010 – Reach Technology Inc. (www.reachtech.com), today announced the release of a new version of firmware and accompanying BMPload software for SLCDx (SLCD43, SLCD6, SLCD+) serial LCD controller boards.

Consider updating firmware if you are in the development phase and using one of the following units:

The new release includes support for anti-aliased fonts (2 bpp and 4 bpp) and a new, text-in-a-box mode for the TEXT DISPLAY command. A complete list of features and fixes follows.

• Added an optional index parameter to the “lsmac” and “lsbmp” commands.
• Added error message to *macdebug mode when maximum macro nested calling depth is exceeded.
• Added “text in a box” mode to “t” command.
• Added support for anti-aliased fonts (2bpp and 4bpp).
• Added manual section detailing use of variables and formatting them for output.
• Added support for creating a hotspot that returns the absolute and relative X,Y values of the touch.

• Fixed “ss” and “sr” commands to work when used outside a macro.
• Fixed “anid” command; now stops on given yield point (if present) or immediately (if not present).
• Fixed touch handling to ignore a press that is already present when a touch spot is defined, and to ignore the release that follows.
• Fixed handling of right edge of strip chart when pen width is greater than 1.
• Changed *paneladj to report vertical values in lines, not pixels.
• Fixed handling of indents in “macros.txt” file.
• Optimized handling of EEPROM data storage update to minimize data loss if power is lost during EEPROM write.
• Fixed limitation of 3M usable external Flash when 4M parts used; now, all but 64K of the 4M part is usable.
• Fixed “t” command to properly position the cursor when in Right-Aligned mode.
• Fixed “out” command to work with “\x00″
• Fixed “bdc” and “bd” commands to be consistent in expecting 2 bitmaps (one for on state, on for off) and clarified manual.
• Removed WINDOW SAVE and WINDOW RESTORE commands from SLCD43.
• Arc and Ellipse commands now properly observe the x,y origin set by the “o” command.
• Fixed DEFINE TOUCH commands so all parameters are reset to defaults at the start of the command.
• Fixed crash caused by trying to use a slider indicator bitmap that doesn’t fit within the slider body bitmap.
• Fixed TOUCH CALIBRATE command to reset origin to 0,0 before attempting the calibration.
• Added new chart type to enable defining a STRIP chart that starts drawing on the right edge.
• Fixed command parsing to handle comments at the end of a macro command line.

To download the latest 2.8.0 Firmware, search for the File Package by product in the Reach Download Center.  Reach recommends you use all the elements of the file package for best results.

Fremont, CA – January 26, 2010 – Reach Technology Inc. (www.reachtech.com), today announced the release of a new version of firmware and accompanying BMPload software for SLCD5 serial LCD controller boards.

Customers should consider updating firmware if they are in the development phase and using one of the following units:

“New features were inspired by our customers’ real world embedded touch screen problems. Our technical support staff’s dedication to our customers gives us the information we need to continually improve our embedded touch screens,” said Jonathan More, President for Reach Technology.

The new release includes changes to improve macro development and control, localization, field upgrades, screen shot capture, user-loadable fonts, error detection of received commands, FAT16 file system, and overall accuracy of command functionality. A complete list of features and fixes follows.

New Features

• UTF8 support for UNICODE fonts.
• Binary Download Protocol (field upgrades).
• Incoming CRC.
• Ability to remember serial baud rates changes.
• Macro call by name.
• Macros support up to ten parameters.
• Block character in fonts.
• Add index parameter to listing commands.
• Macro Save State and Restore State commands macro depth aware.
• Macdebug error when max levels exceeded.
• Version string needs additional build information.
• WAIT REFRESH command needed.
• Add “all” parameter option to ENABLE/DISABLE TOUCH.
• Support for LCD Shift Clock Polarity config.ini option (new 5″ VGA LCD).
• Add METER DEFINE and METER VALUE commands.
• User fonts for SLCD5.
• Load Image file from SD Card Directory.
• Added tu command.
• Added macro sub in animation / text flash
• Added command “set” for strings s0 - s9.
• Add Labels to macros.
• Add ability to save BMP files on SD Card.
• Integrated FAT16 File System.

Fixes

• Macro “name:label” syntax format .
• Hotspot handling redefine button when finger on screen.
• EPROM improvement / fix in I2C I/O (stop bit not being generated reliably).
• CRC SCREEN command does check entire screen.
• Binary response for xxy (hotspot returning relative x,y) wrong.
• “CLEAR TOUCH BUTTON / HOTSPOT” command not working, and title confusing.
• Fixed binary response plus slider.
• Fixed binary response for aux port.
• METER DEFINE/METER VALUE point off 180 degrees for certain values.
• Flicker problem with WVGA Evervision 7″.
• Assigning external font to button crashes program.
• Slider command (sl) leaves slider control debris for non-equivalent x-y coordinates.
• RTS not driven properly for RS485.
• Software Flow control (receiving only) counts XOFF.
• Text Flash and Animation Delete commands do not exist.
• 8×8 font at offset 0 first pixel line missing.
• Animation disable (anid) not working correctly in a macro.
• BIN file not loading properly from SD Card).
• Corrected Flash name output during programming.
• Fixed file error output to display error number.
• Interrupts enabled before UART initialization complete.
• LCD does not consistently display.
• Improvements to labels via customer feedback:
  - Ignores text after label string; distinguishes label from repeat keyword; error if no command lines processed.
  - Removed old quoted string code (just cleanup).
• On board flash chip “Flash1″ now output as “Data Flash”.
• Labels now terminate after at least 1 processed line and the next label (or end of macro)\.

To download the latest 1.2.0 Firmware, search for the File Package by product in the Reach Download Center.  Reach recommends you use all the elements of the file package for best results.

Program allows users of SLCDx controller boards SLCD43, SLCD6, and SLCD+ to update bitmaps, macros, fonts, and firmware data via a PC COM port.

Fremont, CA – October 6, 2009 – Reach Technology Inc. (www.reachtech.com), today announced a new working program that gives customers a direct approach to updating display modules, enclosed display units and controller boards without having to cycle units from the field to the factory.

“Now customers can make updates to Reach displays through their own host processor. To make it simple, we developed a working program, offer how-to demonstrations, and include source code structured in a modular format,” according to a Reach Technology technical support engineer.

Customers can download a ZIP file that contains an application note, source code, test data, and a complied version of the program from the Reach Download Center or download directly here.

Fremont, CA – October 5, 2009 – Reach Technology Inc. (), today announced the release of a new version of firmware for SLCD43, SLCD6, and SLCD+ controller boards.

Customers should consider updating firmware if they are in the development phase and using one of the following units:

New Features

• Support for strip charts.
• Increased the number chart pens from four to eight.
• CRC value for a command string.
• CRC EXTERNAL FLASH (*CEXT) command supports address ranges.
• Macros now support up to ten parameters.
• Macros now have additional flow control with labels. This also includes labels used with macros assigned to hotspots/buttons.
• Simulation of touch at current cursor position.
• SLCD+ hardware supported.
• Macro Abort command (”*abt”) added.
• User variables supported for 32-Bit integers, Text string, and X and Y coordinates.
• In-field firmware programming with Binary Download.
• Added simple math for macro arguments e.g. `(`0`+1)`.

Fixes

• Improved parsing of OUTPUT STRING (MAIN) command.
• Error message added if a macro is executed but no commands processed.
• Fixed temp sensor reading on SLCD43.
• Improved buffer changes for better overflow handling.

To download the latest 2.7.0 Firmware, search for the File Package by product in the Reach Download Center. Users of the SLCD43, SLCD6 and SLCD+ should use the Windows BMPload application to update firmware.

To serve customers better, Reach Technology, Inc. is moving its corporate offices to a new facility. As of September 1, 2009 the new address will be: 

Reach Technology, Inc.
4575 Cushing Parkway
Fremont, CA 94538

The main phone line remains 510-770-1417.

EXISTING CUSTOMERS AND VENDORS: Please be sure to send all shipments, correspondence, invoices and payments to this new address.  Be sure to update Reach Technology’s new address in your accounting and purchasing systems.

The new space allows Reach to put inventory and production management in the same vicinity and provides more space to improve work flow and efficiency. This will allow the company to bring product to customers more quickly.

New Reach Technology product exploits the 7-inch LCD popularized by DVD players to create a ready-to-deploy module complete with controller board, LCD, and touch screen

Fremont, CA – July 31, 2009 – Reach Technology Inc. (www.reachtech.com), today announced a new 7-inch display module that gives customers access to the wide WVGA screen size that offers extended control area. The module uses a 7-inch LED backlight TFT panel suitable for industrial, long-life applications.

Reach Technology’s 7-inch module comes complete with an SLCD5 controller board, LCD, backlight driver, and touch screen. Reach’s display module technology and simple-to-use programming tools make GUI interface and integration easy. This helps customers reduce time-to-market and development costs. The company is in full production.

The 7-inch LCD is an ideal size for a broad range of control surfaces. The wide screen ratio creates an ideal user interface space and gives customers looking for a screen larger than 5.7-inches a good value. Even though the 7-inch module is nearly as wide as the 8.4-inch module, it costs 40% less.

“We created the 7-inch module when one of our medical customers needed a screen bigger than the 5.7-inch, but at a lower price point than the 8.4-inch,” said Jonathan More, President for Reach Technology. “This 7-inch display module gives our customers good bang for the buck.”

Module specifications
The display resolution is 800×480 pixels (WVGA) with a luminance of 280cd/m2, contrast ratio of 400:1, and uniform viewing angle of 130 degrees. A high bright 400cd/m2 option is available. The module has a steel mounting bracket with convenient mounting holes that makes the display easy to mount. Power requirement is 5VDC, and two serial interfaces are supplied. Get the panel specification and download a product datasheet at www.reachtech.com/products/display_modules/. For pricing and availability, contact sales by calling (510) 770-1417.