TCxWave Touch Screen: Driver and Usage Modes
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Introduction
The Toshiba TCxWave system has a touch screen that is a tablet type digitizer for multi-touch
applications, but may also act as a mouse device for classical single-touch applications, if the
appropriate driver is installed. Which mode may be used is dependent on the operating
system and the specific driver type loaded at setup. Windows 7 and later versions of the
operating system by default work with the digitizer mode, which enables gesturing and other
multi-touch applications. Windows XP and its derivatives (for example, POSReady 2009) do
not have multi-touch capability, and therefore work only in the single-touch mouse mode and
should have the touch driver loaded for optimum performance.
Windows 7/8
Windows 7/8 by default uses the native digitizer capability of the touch screen. That will give
the user the gesture capability (see sections below) that comes with Windows 7/8, without
needing any specific driver (inherent to the OS). If the user wishes to modify the touch default
configuration, the 3M MT 7 driver may be loaded as a default “Windows digitizer” type. Such
features as the Beeper may be configured if the corresponding Windows 7 beeper application
is loaded. Also the driver provides a much preferred 3-point alignment utility, although
generally not needed. And there a features to adjust the double-touch area and speed,
although the defaults are adequate for most applications. All of the Windows gesturing
remains intact if the driver is loaded as a digitizer.
Although the digitizer function enables a rich set of user touch inputs, there is one little draw
back, particularly for a rapid succession of single touch inputs (common in legacy POS
applications). Working in the digitizer mode implies considerable processing by the OS
employing several software stacks, as many different input conditions must be rationalized to
enable gesturing and other multi-point routines:
• multiple touches (5 or more)
• touch inertia (on all points)
• spacial relationship between points
• palm rejection
All of this extra processing tends to slow down the overall response speed and under certain
conditions may result in missed button actions. Although in most cases this is not an issue,
especially for gesturing applications, it may present some performance issues for classical
single-point applications.
If the user application is a single-point touch POS type (the most typical), then it is advisable
to load the 3M MT 7 driver as a “Legacy mouse” type. This removes all the extra processing
normally found in Windows, since the touch screen is treated as mouse, and not a digitizer.
In this case the OS only has to work with essentially a single software stack of processing,
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and consequently the response speed to touches is noticeably faster when operating as a
mouse device. Of course, in this mode, Windows 7 gesturing features are not available.
There are two scenarios that may be configured for Windows 7/8:
1. Multi-touch with gesturing capability: use either the default Windows 7/8 embedded
driver, or load the 3M MT 7 driver as a default “Windows digitizer”
2. Single-touch legacy POS applications: load the 3M MT 7 driver as a “Legacy mouse” (the
HID mouse option is not recommended)
See Figure 1 for a screen shot of the driver configuration options during the install process for
Windows 7 (shows the default digitizer type selected). The above also applies to the
embedded variations, such as POSReady 7.
Fig 1. Driver type options when installing the MT7 driver in Windows 7
POSReady 2009 (Windows XPe)
Windows POSReady 2009 does not have native digitizer capability and will therefore only
recognize a mouse function of the touch screen. The mouse mode is a single touch function
only, and is typical for many POS applications. To get an optimum mouse function, one
should load the 3M MT 7 driver using the default “Legacy mouse” type option. Since there is
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no extra processing of digitizer information, the performance of touch inputs will be similar to
that found on legacy POS touch solutions. Of course there is no Windows 7 type gesturing
capability in this case.
See Figure 2 for a screen shot of the configuration options during driver install in POSReady
2009 (XPe), shown with the default Legacy mouse type selected.
Fig 2. Driver type options when loading the MT 7 driver in POSReady 2009 (XP)
Note that since there may be no touch response in POSReady 2009 until the driver is fully
loaded, a mouse or keyboard should be used to aid in the installation process. This is
particularly the case during uninstall. In both cases, the OS may require a reboot to complete
the process (for uninstall, it may require a complete power cycle).
HID Mouse Type
One of the options in the Select Components panel of the install process is the “HID Mouse”.
This is also a single-point mouse type input, but using the HID Mouse driver features inherent
in the OS. Although this driver type provides a right-click button option, it does not support
touch in a second monitor for the extended display mode. For most POS applications, it is
advised to use the Legacy mouse for single-touch POS applications. The HID mouse option
is not recommended.
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Windows 7 Gestures
Windows 7 and Windows 8 have many gesture features included, which take advantage of
the multi-touch capability of the digitizer touch screen. A minimum number of gesture
functions are enabled by default in Windows 7 such as:
• scroll up/down flicks
• page forward/back flicks
• pinch and expand images
• rotate images
• classical double-click
• right-click by touch and holding
More extensive editing flicks may be configured via the Windows Pen and Touch control
panels. To access the control panel, open the main Control Panel as shown in Figure 3.
Click on the Hardware and Sound option (highlighted) and you will get the panel shown in
Figure 4. Then click on the Pen and Touch option (highlighted) to open the panels for
configuring the gestures. Note that if the driver is loaded in one of the mouse modes, this
option will not appear in the Hardware and Sound panel, as shown in Figure 5.
Fig 3. Main Control Panel in Windows 7
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Fig 4. Hardware and Sound panel in Windows 7, digitizer mode
Fig 5. Hardware and Sound panel in Windows 7, mouse mode
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Fig 6. Pen Options panel in Windows 7
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Fig 7. Flicks panel in Windows 7
The first panel for Pen and Touch is the Pen Options (Figure 6), which is only applicable for
an active pen device (not applicable to the TCxWave). The second tab is the Flicks option,
shown in Figure 7. The default is as shown, which defines the basic flick gestures for
scrolling up/down and page forward/back.
Diagonal flicks as well as configuration of the flicks may be activated by clicking on the
“Navigational flicks and editing flicks” radio button, as shown in Figure 8. The default
definitions are shown, but each flick direction may be customized for other functions by
opening the pull-down button on each point. An example list of standard functions is shown in
Figure 9, but this may be edited or others added. You may store a particular configuration by
giving a name in the indicated field for future call-up.
Clearly there are many different functions that may be called with an associated flick gesture.
However, consideration should be given in the selection of function and gesture direction to
minimize erroneous actions from poorly executed gestures.
Another tab (Handwriting) is related to automatic learning during writing.
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Fig 8. Diagonal flick options
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Fig 9. Flick command options
The touch configuration tab is called Touch, as shown in Figure 10. Multi-touch gesturing
may be turned off, as well as finger touch. You may also modify the equivalent mouse action
and modify the mouse pointer characteristics. Figure 11 shows the Panning options tab,
where characteristics of the panning function may be modified.
Calibration using OS Utility
The touch screen comes from the factory already calibrated for accurate touch response.
However, if there is a need to more precisely calibrate the screen, such as to compensate for
viewing angle parallax effects, Windows 7 provides such a utility in the PC Tablet Settings
panel (Figure 12). When you click on the Calibrate icon, you will get a full blank screen with a
succession of corner cross-hairs to touch (Figure 13). After touching each cross-hair, another
cross-hair in one of the other corners will appear to touch. Finish by saving the values.
The Windows calibration utility is not the most user friendly (see driver calibration), as the
initial calibration attempt may require touching 16 different points (subsequent attempts may
only require touching four points). Care must be taken in lining up the finger or stylus
precisely with cross hairs before touching. Of course, if you are not satisfied with the results,
especially if you missed the center of one of the cross hairs, you may repeat the process.
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Fig 10. Touch configuration options (Win 7)
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Fig 11. Panning options in Windows 7
Fig 12. Windows 7 Calibrate option on the PC Tablet Settings panel
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Fig 13. Windows 7 calibration screen
Data Input
Windows 7 provides two utilities to facilitate data input from the touch screen. One is a
keyboard application that may be pulled up by touching anywhere on the touch screen. You
will see an element that appears to be hidden off the left hand side of the screen. Just double
touch that and the keyboard will appear on the screen as shown in Figure 14. You may use
this to enter text/data, just as you would with a physical keyboard.
Another utility is the writing pad, which may be pulled up by tapping the writing icon in the
upper left hand corner of the keyboard utility. This will bring up the writing pad as shown in
Figure 15. You may use your finger or a stylus to start writing words in the area indicated,
and the application will do its best to decipher what letters or numbers you are inputting and
enter them in script form. Some editing tools are included to optimize the writing algorithms
for your particular use.
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Fig 14 On screen keyboard
Fig 15. On screen writing pad
Driver Configuration Options
A number of customizable configurations may be achieved by installing the 3M MT 7 driver.
This will permit you to enable a number of different features not normally found in the native
driver of the OS. Among the features are:
•
User friendly calibration utility
•
Mouse usability mode (mouse mode only)
•
Beeper configuration
•
Double click configuration
•
Edge configuration
Calibration using Driver Utility
The most immediate feature, found on the Main tab (Figure 16) is the Calibration utility.
Windows 7 provides a calibration utility as described in prior sections, but the MT 7 calibration
utility is much easier to use. Clicking on the Calibration tab will bring up a calibration target as
shown in Figure 17. Note that the calibration target looks like a target. Important in the use
of the target is the characteristic that the calibration coordinates will only be taken when the
finger/stylus is lifted. That allows the user the opportunity to move the finger/stylus to a more
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precise location before registering the coordinates. Three different targets will appear to
touch and then a check (OK) target presents itself to finish the process.
Fig 16. MT 7 Control Panel, Main tab
Fig 17. MT 7 calibration screen
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Touch Settings
The Touch Settings panel (Figure 18) permits the configuration of the Touch Modes, RightClick tool, Touch Sound and the Double-Click. By default, the Touch Mode is set to Lift-off
(preferred for most POS applications) and the Touch Sound is set to cause a beep when the
finger/stylus is lifted off the touch screen. The Double-click speed and size are set to
intermediate ranges, and the Right-click icon is turned off. Each of these features may be
modified by touching or clicking on the respective icons.
The full featured configuration is available only if the touch screen is in the mouse mode
(driver loaded as one of the mouse types, not the digitizer; see driver installation in a later
section). If the touch screen is configured as a digitizer, then the Touch Modes and Rightclick options will be grayed out (inactive), as shown in Figure 19. In the digitizer mode, the
touch options are determined by the OS, as described in a preceding section.
Note that for the beeper to work in Windows 7, the TGCS Beeper application must be loaded.
Fig 18. Touch Settings, Mouse Mode
Fig 19. Touch Settings, Digitizer Mode
The Edge Adjustment tab is a standard option on MT 7 drivers (Figure 20), and is typically
used on only touch screens with bezels, where it is difficult to touch along the outer edges of
the touch screen. But in the case of the TCxWave there is no bezel to interfere and therefore
typically no need to adjust the behavior of the touch near the edges.
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Lesser Used Driver Features
The Tools tab (Figure 21) include a number of utilities which are more useful for trouble
shooting purposes. One useful test tool is the Draw Test function. This will bring up a full
screen with a grid to use to test drawing accuracy. If in the digitizer mode, multiple lines of
different colors may be drawn. The Restore Factory Settings buttons do what they suggest:
the Software reset returns the default Touch Settings to the factory settings. The Controller
reset returns the controller FW related features (such as calibration) to the factory default
values. The Reset Controller button has no noticeable effect on this controller; it is more
relevant to other types of controllers from 3M. Likewise, the Advanced Options button has no
relevance to this touch screen controller.
Fig 20. Edge Adjustment tab
Fig 21. Tools tab
Driver Installation
For all Windows versions, the install process is very similar. Figures 22-33 show the
sequence of panels displayed when installing the 3M MT 7 driver. The only difference will be
in the Component selection options screen, wherein POSReady 2009 (XP) will only provide
the two mouse options HID Mouse and Legacy mouse (Figures 27 and 30) and have as a
default the “Legacy mouse” type.
In the Setup Type (Figure 25), the Typical selection is the default, but the Custom type may be
selected to disable some features, such as not showing the Control Panel on the desktop.
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Fig. 22 Welcome screen
Fig 23. Standard license agreement screen, with accept clicked
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Fig 24. Choose driver destination folder screen
Fig 25. Setup screen, with default “Typical” selected
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Fig 26. Components screen with default “Touch digitizer” selected (Windows 7)
Fig 27. Components screen with default “Legacy mouse” selected (POSReady 2009)
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Fig 28. Start Copying Files screen, showing controller support
Fig 29. Start Copying Files screen scrolled down to show Driver type (Windows 7)
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Fig 30. Start Copying Files screen scrolled down to show Driver type (POSReady 2009)
Fig 31. Window Security screen requesting confirmation to install driver
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Fig 32. Setup Complete screen
Fig 33. Restart screen
Default Driver Settings Configuration
The default configuration of the driver is determined by the TWFactory.cfg file, which is
invoked when the driver is installed, or when clicking on the Reset Factory Settings –
Software button in the Tools tab of the driver control panel. The driver provided by Toshiba
has a preloaded TWFactory file with default contents which are editable with any text editor
(NotePad is adequate). The commands, their function, acceptable values and the default
values loaded are described in Table 1. The TWFactory file should have no comments.
The configurations may also be invoked with the command string:
c:\Program Files\3M Touch Systems\TwCfgUtil /u TWFactory.cfg
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Table 1. TWFactory Parameters
Command
Function
Value Range
Def
DriverScreenCount
Allows multiple screen attachments
1-255
255
SerialDisableSearch
Disables searches for RS232 devices that 0 = not disabled
may cause conflicts
1 = disabled
1
Sets default touch mode
0 = Draw mode
1 = Desktop mode
2 = Button mode
3 = Click mode
4 = Touch Down
5 = Lift Off
6 = Down/Up
5
LiftOffSound
Enables beep on touch release
0 = no beep
1 = beep to system beeper
2 = beep to sound card
3 = beep from file to card
1
LiftOffSoundDuration
Touch release beep duration (ms)
<1000
100
LiftOffSoundFrequency
Touch release beep frequency (Hz)
<5000
2500
TouchDownSound
Enables beep on touch down
0 = no beep
1 = beep to system beeper
2 = beep to sound card
3 = beep from file to card
TouchDownSoundDuration
Touch down beep duration (ms)
<1000
100
TouchDownSoundFrequency Touch down beep frequency (Hz)
<5000
2500
SysDoubleClickAreaMin
Double click area adjustment min (pixels)
>1
SysDoubleClickAreaMax
Double click area adjustment max (pixels) <768
100
SysDoubleClickArea
Double click area setting (pixels)
1-768
50
SysDoubleClickTimeMin
Double click time adjustment min (ms)
>1
180
SysDoubleClickTimeMax
Double click time adjustment max (ms)
<1000
900
SysDoubleClickTime
Double click time setting (ms)
1-1000
500
TouchRegionMode
0
10
Summary
The TCxWave touch screen is by default a digitizer (multi-touch) but can be configured as a
mouse (single-touch). For Windows 7 and later, the default mode is a digitizer, but either type
may be selected via the 3M MT 7 driver. On the other hand, POSReady 2009 (XP) will only
work with a mouse type touch screen, so it requires that the touch screen be configure as a
mouse with the 3M MT 7 driver. If gestures are required by the application, then Windows 7
or later must be the operating system and if the 3M MT 7 driver is loaded for additional
options, then it should be installed as the default “Windows digitizer” type.
If the application is a single-touch type (most touch applications for POS), then better
performance may be achieved by installing the 3M MT 7 driver as a “Legacy mouse” type.
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