haiwen@hp-ptp.HP.COM (Hai-Wen_Bienz) (12/15/89)
The Industrial Precision Tools from Hewlett-Packard are a set of software tools to help solution creators worldwide overcome the challenges facing them: high-speed data management, human interface, and factory-floor device communications. HP announces the rollout of the Industrial Precision Tools (IPT) and the first release of HP Interactive Visual Interface (HP IVI). HP IVI is currently released and orderable on the HP 9000 Series 800 and on the HP 9000 Series 300. HP INTERACTIVE VISUAL INTERFACE HP IVI is a powerful user-interface development environment that gives rich functionality to software solutions creators (targeted for industrial automation) seeking to develop graphical user interfaces. HP IVI reduces time-consuming and expensive user-interface development and maintenance time by approximately 50 to 70 percent. HP IVI offers a powerful user-interface builder, plus an Application Program Interface (API). HP IVI, built upon the industry-standard X Window System, Version 11, features 2D process graphics and 3D widgets in one consistent environment. * The builder - HP IVI's interactive builder is a powerful screen design editor. Following the builder's user-friendly menu, the user can merge 3D widgets (push buttons, scroll bars) and 2D graphics (circles, arcs) objects to create the optimum displays for one's applications without any code. * Application Program Interface (API) - The API consists of a structured library of functions to ensure consistent programmatic screen manipulation. The API handles functions ranging from creating and copying new objects to initializing the dynamic attributes of the process elements on the screen. * Dynamic graphics - HP IVI provides dynamic animation capabilities through changes in such attributes as color, scaling, and translation. For example, an alarm situation can be depicted as a high-contrast change from blue to red. * X Window System environment - HP IVI's robust functionality is built upon the industry-standard X Window System, Version 11. The client-server architecture of the X Window System is utilized to distribute access to this functionality across the manufacturer's existing network. HP REAL-TIME DATABASE To address the high-speed data management problem, HP Real-time Database offers high-speed performance and a full feature set for developing a memory-resident database. HP DEVICE INTERFACE SYSTEM To address the factory-floor device communications problem, HP Device Interface System offers solutions creators a productive and cost-effective means of developing and testing communications links to any RS-232-C plan-floor device. For more information about HP IVI or any of the IPT tools, contact your Hewlett-Packard sales representative.