RTiPanel Setup Guide

RTiPanel Overview and Requirements

RTiPanel is an iOS application designed to run on iPad and iPhone devices, enabling full control of your RTI system from these devices. It operates on LAN and WAN networks, offering two-way feedback. A license is required for each Apple device used with the system. Licenses can be purchased from the RTI online store or a local distributor.

Software Requirements:

• Integration Designer programming software version 8.2 or higher
• Any version of XP-3 processor firmware
• Firmware 1.1 or higher for the XP-6 control processor
• Firmware 3.0 or higher for the XP-8 control processor

Hardware Requirements:

• A PC-based computer running Windows XP or higher for programming RTiPanel for Apple devices.
• An Apple iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch device.
• An RTI XP3, XP6, or XP8 control processor.
• If using an XP8 processor, an SD card must be installed in the front for additional file space to store RTiPanel data files.

Network Requirements:

• Apple devices must be connected to the same Ethernet network as the XP series control processor for local access.
• For remote access, Apple devices require an Internet connection.
• Remote access requires the XP series processor to have a static IP address from the Internet Service Provider (ISP). If a static IP is not available, a dynamic DNS service must be used.

Licensing Requirements:

A license is required for each iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch device. If an Apple device is replaced, rebooting the XP processor will free up the license. The license is transferred to the new Apple product upon installation and connection.

For systems with multiple XP processors on the same network, a single RTiPanel license communicating with a "main" XP processor is sufficient. In Integration Designer, ensure the "Default System" for the Apple device is set to the XP processor with the RTiPanel license. Alternate processor communication can be selected for individual buttons.

Licenses can be purchased online at http://www.rticorp.com/dealers/rtipanel dealer.html or by contacting your local RTI distributor.

Basic Integration Designer Programming

To include an RTiPanel device in a system, start with a system file containing an XP series processor. Add the Apple device as you would any other RTI device, then add an RTiPanel license.

Adding an RTiPanel Device to System

From the 'Device' menu, select ‘Add New’. In the ‘Add New' dialog box, find the ‘Virtual Controls' section and choose the desired Apple device.

Adding RTiPanel Licenses to System

From the 'File' menu, select ‘System Properties'. Navigate to the ‘iOS/Virtual Panel' tab, find the ‘Licenses' section, and press ‘Add' to include your license file.

Configuring ® iPad®, iPhone® or iPod touch® Device

Configuration is straightforward. Download the RTiPanel app from the iTunes app store. Upon launching, select 'Get Started'.

The next screen displays a list of available RTI XP processors on the LAN. For remote configuration, you can add the DNS hostname by selecting the '+' button in the upper-right corner.

After selecting a server, a list of compatible devices will appear. If RTiPanel is running on an iPhone 4, both iPhone and iPhone 4 devices will be listed.

Finally, select the desired device. The configuration will download, and the device will be "configured". The RTiPanel app checks in with the server after each connection to determine if a new configuration is available for automatic download.

Reconfiguring Device

If the RTiPanel needs to connect to a different server, the configuration can be reset. This returns the RTiPanel to the “Welcome” screen for re-configuration. The “Reconfigure” option automatically resets to “Off” upon returning to the RTiPanel app. This is useful for users with XP processors in multiple locations who wish to switch controlled systems.

Advanced Integration Designer Programming

Integration Designer offers advanced tools for Apple device programming:

Gauge Drawing Tool

Use the gauge drawing tool to add gauge objects. Select the tool, then the ‘Draw Button' tool. Draw the gauge to the desired size. Gauge orientation depends on the button's dimensions; a tall, skinny button creates a top-to-bottom gauge. Gauge objects are for feedback only and do not accept commands.

Slider Drawing Tool

Use the slider drawing tool to add slider objects. Select the tool, then the ‘Draw Button' tool. Draw the slider to the desired size. Similar to gauges, button dimensions affect slider orientation. Driver commands and feedback variables can be assigned to sliders.

Toggle Button Drawing Tool

Use the switch object drawing tool to add toggle button objects. Select the tool, then the ‘Draw Button' tool. The toggle button graphic has a fixed size, regardless of the button drawn. Driver commands and feedback variables can be assigned to toggle buttons.

One-Way List Drawing Tool

Use the static list object drawing tool to add one-way list objects. Select the tool, then the ‘Draw Button' tool. Draw the list to the desired size. Populate the list by right-clicking and selecting “Edit Scrolling List”. This allows for the creation of macro commands for list item selection. Button text and bitmap fields can be customized. One-way lists are useful for controlling many fixed options, such as music or TV stations.

Two-Way List Drawing Tool

Use the static list object drawing tool to add two-way list objects. Select the tool, then the ‘Scrolling List Object' tool. Draw the object to the desired size. Driver commands and item list feedback variables can be assigned for two-way communication. Button text properties (size, font, alignment) can be adjusted by right-clicking and selecting “Edit Properties”.

Note: RTiPanel's two-way lists leverage native iOS scrolling list capabilities, eliminating the need for separate progress bar or scroll commands.

RTiPanel Password

Secure access is provided via the “Security” tab in Device Properties. When the password option is enabled, a prompt appears before the user interface loads. For enhanced security, completely close RTiPanel after each use, rather than leaving it running in the background.

Locking Orientation

RTiPanel supports both Portrait and Landscape GUI layouts, enabled by default. For a fixed orientation, right-click the Apple device in the System Workspace, select “Edit Properties”, go to the General tab, and choose the preferred orientation. Customization in Integration Designer will then only apply to the selected orientation.

Changing View of Orientation

When using both orientations, switch between Portrait and Landscape views via the Device Menu in Integration Designer or by using the shortcut “Ctrl + Q”.

Hiding Buttons for an Orientation

When auto-rotation is enabled, buttons are visible in both Portrait and Landscape modes by default. To make a button visible in only one orientation, right-click the button, select “Edit Properties”, go to the General tab, and uncheck the view where the button should not appear.

Video/Dynamic Images

RTiPanel version 1.0 supports streaming MJPEG images and Dynamic Images (e.g., Cover Art) over LAN connections. WAN or 3G video/image tunneling is not currently supported.

Remote Access Setup

Dynamic Name Service

To set up remote access, create a Dynamic Name Service (DNS) account with a provider like DynDns.com. You will receive a DNS hostname, which is used in Integration Designer.

Setting up DynDns Account

Visit the DynDns website (http://dyn.com), navigate to account setup, and create a new account. Enter your router's IP address, which is your external ISP-provided address. Your router will update this IP address automatically.

Setting up DnyDns on Router

After creating a DynDns account, configure your router's DNS setup page. Select 'DynDns', then enter your username and password. The router will log into your DynDns account whenever the IP address changes.

Network Router Setup (Port Forwarding)

Configure port forwarding in your router's settings. Forward packets from port 4110 to the gateway XP processor (e.g., Destination: 192.168.1.200).

Integration Designer Setup

Enter the DNS hostname into your Integration Designer system file.

Setting External Hostname

In Integration Designer, go to 'File' > 'System Properties' > 'iOS/Virtual Panel' > 'Remote Access'. Enter the hostname provided by your DNS account. Entering the IP address directly is not recommended.

Setting External Gateway

If your system has multiple XP series processors, designate one as the gateway for iOS communications. Note that RTiPanel licenses are tied to specific processors; changing the gateway may require new licenses.