User interface for text mode LCD display [closed]

Question

Does anybody know any resources on this subject?

I'm developing an embedded application for 2x16 LCD display. Ideally I would like to have a general (display independent) framework, that could be used virtually on any display - one or more segment(s) LED, 1x16, 2x16 LCD, etc. Also would like to learn about general guidelines for such small user interfaces.

EDIT: I'm interested in high-level functionality, how to organize the user interface - the menus, options and the user input. We don't dicuss the LCD controller issues here.

Answer 1

I would design it for a single-line interface, using more lines would give you more space.

I would go for at least 4 buttons:

• MENU
• UP
• DOWN
• OK

If you specify the line width (like 16), then this would work for 16x2, 16x1 and 16 7-segment displays.... and you would take that into consideration when designing the text on the menus.

The UI would be more useful if you add more buttons, I would think about these, ordered by priority, but these are not essential:

• LEFT & RIGHT
• NUMERIC KEYS
• QWERTY

You would have a main menu, that would take you to nested submenus or action items.

I'll give an example, let's assume you're doing a digital clock that would work on 16x1 or 16x2.

The main screen would be something like 08:15P SUN101908 when you press the menu key, it will show a menu (Set Time, Set Date, Set Alarm,Set Display), with UP&DOWN to move the item, and OK to select an item.

If you select "Set time" the UP and DOWN arrows will change the hours and OK will accept and move to the minutes selection ...etc.

If you had a numeric keypad, it would be simpler to use.