Graphics code generation for embedded, user interface displays reduces graphics programming time.
Colorado Springs, Colo., June 1, 2001 - DeepScreen 1.0 addresses the challenges faced by today’s embedded systems programmer who now shoulders the time-consuming task of writing graphics code for embedded targets. These challenges stem from the rise in popularity of a new breed of embedded systems containing pixelated graphics displays. Examples of such systems include automotive navigation and infotainment systems, cockpit multi-function displays, and medical devices. Competition drives companies to bring these products to market quickly, thus shortening the time available to them for development. Compounding the problem is the currently small number of embedded programmers with graphics experience.
DeepScreen answers the need by generating the code for these graphics displays, saving the embedded systems programmer time spent writing graphics code by hand. DeepScreen generates code that is small in size yet high in performance. The code is also complete, producing both the framework and the actual drawing and rendering commands.
By using DeepScreen, embedded systems programmers can design systems with extremely complex GUIs (graphical user interfaces) without first writing complex graphics code. Likewise, DeepScreen easily handles the code required for both static and moving or animated display graphics. DeepScreen’s code brings high-quality graphics to any embedded display, regardless of the level of sophistication.
With DeepScreen, embedded systems manufacturers can generate code for a variety of target RTOSs (realtime operating systems) and processors. Since DeepScreen generates straight C code, it is easy to modify the code to work on any target system, including "home grown," proprietary RTOSs. To further speed development, Altia provides specific code generators for popular processors that require no modifications. Examples of direct DeepScreen support include the StrongARM and Hitachi processors running on the Windows CE and QNX operating system. Other target hardware and RTOS platforms, such as VX Works, Linux, and Java, will be directly supported over time as driven by customer demand.
DeepScreen is used in conjunction with Altia Design 4.5, Altia’s award-winning, easy-to-use, graphics design environment. With it, developers can create interactive, animated graphics without programming. It allows them to develop prototype interface components, such as knobs and buttons, as well as the screen graphics, which will later be deployed into the final product. After creating their display graphics in Altia Design, embedded systems programmers simply run them through DeepScreen to automatically generate complete code for their target system.
About Altia
Four Hewlett Packard embedded systems
developers discovered a customer need for host-based graphics tools to prototype
instrumentation front panels. These engineers founded the privately held Altia,
Inc. in 1991.
Altia's primary mission is to enhance the value of system simulation tools by expanding markets for these products through development of simulation graphics software. More than 1,500 licenses of the company's flagship product, Altia Design, have been sold worldwide, while the need for graphics software in embedded systems development continues to expand rapidly.
Altia, Inc. is located at 5030 Corporate Plaza Drive, Colorado Springs, CO, 80919. Tel: 719-598-4299, Fax: 719-598-4392, Web: www.altia.com.
Editorial Contact Paul de Curnou | Reader Contact Altia, Inc. |