Specifications

Touch Panel
Screen shots must be submitted to Towson University for review prior to project competition
*Note: We are currently transitioning to the new Crestron TSW-750 panel which will eliminate the hard buttons.
The options will still be present in the same locations but as “soft” buttons instead.
Overview (CTSG-014)
The Crestron TPS-6L combines 12 "hard" switches on the left and right sides of the device with a touch panel
"inner core" that allows the programmer to include other interface components: display messages, selection
menus, submenus, status indicators, etc. Hard buttons are permanently etched into the control unit bezel; they
cannot be changed once the final design is chosen. When a hard button is clicked, the text in the touch panel
area describes the functionality ("behavior") that must follow.
Article CTSG-014; Version 1; Last Revised 5/18/2012
Natural Flow Patterns When Moving Between Controls (CTSG-015)
A. The user begins the experience with the Start button and works their way through the left panel of hard
buttons. The Start button doesn't do much except tell the user what to do next: step through the other
buttons on the left-hand panel and turn on the projector, select their audiovisual source, and lower the
screen. When class is done, they'd press the Finish to shutdown the system. This kind of natural flow
pattern helps guide the movement of a user through a class session.
B. When deciding on what goes on the left-hand panel of hard buttons vs. the right, we followed people's
natural reading style for a two-column presentation: you start at the left-most column, read your way
from top to bottom, then move on to the next column, doing the same: top to bottom.
C. Secondary controls, menus, and submenus then appear "on demand" in the touch panel based on
choices made by pressing a hard button. This follows people's natural skimming style: periphery first
(the left and right hard-button panels), followed by the content in the central field (the touch panel).
Article CTSG-015; Version 1; Last Revised 5/18/2012
Status Bar (CTSG-016)
The status bar will be always visible at the bottom of the touch panel. It will include the current time of day (12
hour time); current sound level; currently active audiovisual source(s) on the dual-image projector; projector on
or off (it won't be obvious if it's in No Show); and annunciators to show whether No Show or No Sound is
selected. Since it's a status bar and non-interactive, small but clear icons are acceptable. Example: the sound
volume in Windows has a little speaker icon in the System Tray; when muted, there's a red line through the
speaker.
Article CTSG-015; Version 1; Last Revised 5/18/2012
Nesting Menus in Layers (Drilldown) (CTSG-017)
Generally, anything more than one layer deep must be avoided; forcing the user to drill down tends to create
confusion in how to get back out. Where possible, a flatter approach is better—provided the interface isn't too