HighLight on Tablet Devices
Display Configuration
Tablet screen displays are of a modest size - typically 1024 by 600 pixels. This makes the display of data on the display challenging - particularly as use in the field is a key element of the application. HighLight is specifically coded to use larger font sizes, command buttons and colours to make use in the field as easy and straightforward as possible.
Unfortunately - a standard Windows installation on a tablet device does not offer an ideal configuration for general use as very little Display Configuration is given to address the unique operating environment. As a consequence users are recommended to make their own adjustments - and the following have been found to be most effective.
The following options are found under the Windows Start -> Control Panel (View by Small or Large Icons) -> Display. The following are Windows 7 display options - the same functions are available under Windows XP (under Display Properties -> Appearance tab -> Advanced options)
General Character and Font Sizes
Do NOT apply the overall Do NOT apply the overall Medium 125% size option on these devices. The option will make the panels and fonts larger - but you will find some key Windows panels will no longer fit the display and will become un-usable. HighLight makes it's own allowance for font and panel sizes without the need to change this setting.
Change Display Settings If you wish to operate the device under Portrait (Taller than Wide) rather than the default Landscape (Wider than Tall) display mode you may do so. HighLight will operate under either orientation.
Personalization. These Personalisation settings are not obvious - the link is given in small characters to the bottom left of the Display Settings panel. The following are recommended:
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Disable any 'Aero' style display options and opt for a Windows 7 Basic or Windows Classic style. Panels will show as solid colours (not partially transparent) and processing power will not be wasted on display functions.Disable any 'Aero' style display options and opt for a Windows 7 Basic or Windows Classic style. Panels will show as solid colours (not partially transparent) and processing power will not be wasted on display functions.
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Set a Desktop Background that is appropriate for use outside (Solid colour perhaps).Set a Desktop Background that is appropriate for use outside (Solid colour perhaps).
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Additionally - set options under the Additionally - set options under the Windows Color to set the size of key elements of the Windows display panels. These settings are general to Windows and cannot set by HighLight or individual applications and hence need to be set manually. Open the link to show the Window Color and Appearance options. The following are of direct interest:
- Select the Select the Active Title Bar item and increase the size (to 25 recommended), and increase the Font Size (to 12 / Bold recommended). This will make panel captions easier to read.
- Select Select Scroll Bar and increase the Size (to at least 25 recommended). This will make all scroll bars larger and easier to hit with a stylus.
Users may wish to make other settings changes.
Stylus Settings and Control
Tablets screens are usually touch sensitive and an alignment check should be made before use in the field - this aligns the pen with the screen sensitivity and makes hitting smaller points on the display much easier / more reliable.
Touch settings are under the Pen and Touch Control Panel icon. There is an alignment check facility - somewhere - (Aaaah - Lost it again!)
Windows Desktop
Given the very limited real estate on the screen display - setting the Windows Taskbar to the 'Auto-hide' function is useful. This may be applied using the Properties panel on the Taskbar itself. Or move the Taskbar to the left edge.
Note - The Stylus Alignment should be run before making this change to ensure the stylus will pick up the Taskbar easily when the edge of the screen display is touched.
Camera and Image Storage
Where the device holds a camera - this may be configured and used to take photographs out in the field. The device capabilities will vary on the specific hardware, but the following are usual:
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Modest image size - May be configurable but often limited to 2mp size - or 1600 x 1200 pixels max.Modest image size - May be configurable but often limited to 2mp size - or 1600 x 1200 pixels max.
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Autofocus and Auto-exposure controls (or control limited)Autofocus and Auto-exposure controls (or control limited)
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No zoom facility - digital or (certainly not) physical.No zoom facility - digital or (certainly not) physical.
It is recommended that a separate memory card (SD usually) is fitted to the device and that the camera settings as set to save all images to the card - and NOT the local hard drive. Image files are usually saved in .jpg format (preferred) and file sizes will vary on image size / quality. A low quality image will be around 250 kb per image, high resolution images nearer 1500 kb per image. A 2gb memory card will likely hold between 4000 images (low quality) and 600 images (high quality) - but this is only a very rough guide.
The Device may support the activation of the Camera through a specific command button (e.g. button F2).
If the Image Folder location is specified in the HighLight configuration file [HighLight.ini] then the HighLight will pick up images and allocate them to the current Object Record (Incidents, Asset etc). The upload of data to HighStone will also return images to the host server automatically - and optionally clear image files from the local device card freeing the card space for reuse. The required HighLight settings is:The upload of data to HighStone will also return images to the host server automatically - and optionally clear image files from the local device card freeing the card space for reuse. The required HighLight settings is:
[HighField]
PhotosFilesPath=D:\Images
Where the unit camera support a GPS link the image may be overprinted with the location position when the image is saved - this is limited to the display of Longitude and Latitude.
Note: If HighLight is running and using the GPS for recording the current location, the camera application may NOT be able to read the GPS settings at the same time.If HighLight is running and using the GPS for recording the current location, the camera application may NOT be able to read the GPS settings at the same time.
HighStone Preparation of HighLight
Databases
Linking Photograph Images to
Incident