It is common practice , in the industry , to use table driving and binary or text based scripting to design user interfaces . The Front End Module takes this concept to the ultimate and is based on the usage of binary coded scripts . The Module acts as a Front End to basic GUI and GDI functions . It translates binary coded scripts that describe the layout of the UI , via the GUI and GDI , to display the actual UI . It provides full functionality to handle the UI operations .
 
The Module provides extensive facilities to specify the layout of the User Interface . Full control is provided over the presentation . It executes the binary scripts as an interpreted text , graphics and screen objects based language . Full data input and editing facilities are provided - including clip board and undo . An extensive set of layout specification and control commands are provided . Screen objects include text fields , buttons and linked and activated areas and much more . Text fields include numerical , string and document formats . A full set of data manipulation operations are provided .
 
The Front End Module is a middleware product that sits between the Application and the GDI . Application data and functions are linked in an ' Object Oriented ' format to the User Interface - by use of the ' Object Name ' and the Field Number . All scripts and script objects - buttons etc. - are linked in via a 2D tree based linked list arrangement . Objects are handled on a full virtual manner - via tables - where their characteristics are localised and , as such , handled locally . Application Interfacing is fully automated and is very easy to establish - just specify the Application data and functions within tables within the Application . The Module has been very heavily designed both in concepts and architecture and in operations . It is extensively featured and has extensive capabilities . The Module is written in ANSI C and is designed to be used in Embedded applications on any platform .
 
Typical applications include :-
  1. Mobile Phones .
  2. Digital T.V. Set Top Boxes .
  3. In Car Entertainment and Control Systems .
  4. Hand Held Devices - Navigators , Gas Monitors etc. .
  5. Sophisticated Home Entertainment Systems .
  6. Marine Equipment - Navigation , Sonar etc. .
  7. Industrial Equipment - Scanners , Weighing Equipment , Sorting Equipment etc. .
  8. Ticket Dispensers .
  9. Information Booths .
  10. Electronic Signs
The Module is also available as a Single Chip Solution .
 
Using the Module allows you to design a simple generalised application component - such as a data base component or an email component - and to attach this to a customised User Interface . This allows products to be quickly and simply developed . It also allows for quick turnaround for different and new versions of the product .
 
Using the Front End Module will save you massive amounts of money , not only in initial development costs , but also in ongoing project updating costs . It will also save you massive amounts of development time . As such it not only allows you to be much more competitive but also allows you to concentrate your efforts and resources in the areas that are important - the unique part of your project that fundamentaly underlies the capital value of your product .
 
Typical User Interface Development - Showing Time Saved by Using the Module
 
6 Week Original Development Period
Using
printf & getch etc.
Taking 6 Weeks
Costing
Using
The Front End Module
Taking 1 Week
Costing
Saving
 
5 Weeks
 
£ 10,800 £ 5,000 £ 5,800
€ 16,750 € 8,000 € 8,750
U.S. $ 16,750 U.S. $ 8,000 U.S. $ 8,750
 

Using the Module a User Interface for Industrial Equipment and Hand Held Devices will take typically 1 to 2 weeks to develop ( including the porting ) .

A Digital T.V. Set Top Box will take typically 1 to 2 weeks to develop - 2 days for the porting + 3 to 8 days for the Application function and script design ,

     
3 Month Original Development Period
Using
printf & getch etc.
Taking 3 Months
Costing
Using
The Front End Module
Taking 2 Weeks
Costing
Saving
 
11 Weeks
 
£ 21,600 £ 6,500 £ 15,100
€ 33,500 € 12,000 € 21,500
U.S. $ 33,500 U.S. $ 12,000 U.S. $ 21,500

Home Entertainment , In Car Entertainment and Control Systems will take typically 1 to 2 weeks to develop .

Mobile Phones and Marine Equipment - 1 to 2 weeks .

Ticket Dispensers , Information Booths and Electronic Signs - 1 to 2 weeks .
 
As the project is subsequently updated and expanded there will be further massive savings . This is not only due to the speed of development of the user interface but is also due to the complexity of the User Interface code being minimised . Because the User Interface can be so easily and quickly developed it can be developed in house rather than by bringing in a contractor . Further the use of The Front End Module allows a formalised approach to User Interface design to be used . Because the User Interface design is scripted different User Interfaces can be easily constructed for different market areas .
 
The Front End Module is extremely easy to learn to use . It’s just a matter of trying out the script commands and getting to know their capabilities . Simple screen designs can be developed initially . The screen designs can then be evolved to more sophisticated designs . The scripts are easily compiled into binary files using the supplied Application Scripts Project .
 
The Module is very easy to port . It only requires a basic GDI and can operate without an Operating System .
 
We also provide a fixed charge porting service - on site or at base for the U.K. and Continental Europe - and at base for all other parts of the World . We can provide a User Interface - script - design service - if required . We can also provide an all in service .