Touchscreen Setup

Overview

This guide covers the setup, configuration, and troubleshooting of touchscreen displays for use with the Trossen AI Data Collection UI. Proper touchscreen configuration ensures accurate input mapping and optimal user experience when operating the robot control interface.

Hardware Setup

Required Hardware Components

Touchscreen Display

Touchscreen Display

Specifications:

Power Supply

Power Supply

Specifications:

  • Model: KA-12020100

  • Input: AC 100-240V, 50/60Hz

  • Output: DC 12V, 2000mA (2A)

  • Connector Type: DC barrel connector

HDMI Cable

HDMI Cable

Specifications:

  • Type: HDMI 2.0 or higher

  • Connector: HDMI Type A

  • Features: Supports 1080p

USB Cable

USB Cable for Touch Input

Specifications:

  • Type: USB Type-A to USB Type-B

  • Purpose: Touch input data transmission

  • USB Version: USB 2.0 or higher

Physical Connection

Connection Diagram showing cable connections

Follow these steps to physically connect the touchscreen display:

  1. Connect the HDMI Cable

    • Locate an available HDMI output port on your computer

    • Connect one end of the HDMI cable to the HDMI port on your computer

    • Connect the other end to the HDMI input port on the touchscreen display

  2. Connect the USB Cable for Touch Input

    • Locate the USB input port on the touchscreen display.

    • Connect the USB Type-A end to the touchscreen display

    • Connect the USB Type-B end to an available USB port on your computer

  3. Connect the Power Supply

    • Locate the DC power input port on the touchscreen display.

    • Connect the DC barrel connector from the power supply to the power input port

    • Plug the power supply into a wall outlet or power strip

    • The screen should power on and display the startup screen

Verify Display Detection

After connecting all cables, verify the display is detected by the system:

xrandr --query | grep " connected"

Example output:

eDP-1 connected (normal left inverted right x axis y axis)
HDMI-1-0 connected 1920x1080+0+0 (normal left inverted right x axis y axis) 290mm x 172mm
DP-1-4 connected primary 1920x1080+1920+0 (normal left inverted right x axis y axis) 1394mm x 784mm

You should see your touchscreen display listed among the connected outputs (e.g., HDMI-1-0 or similar).

Software Setup

Install Required Packages

Install the necessary tools for touchscreen configuration:

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install xinput x11-xserver-utils

These packages provide:

  • xinput: Tool for configuring and testing input devices

  • x11-xserver-utils: Utilities including xrandr for display management

Verify Touchscreen Detection

Check that the touchscreen input device is properly detected:

xinput list

Look for your touchscreen device in the output. Common names include:

  • TSTP MTouch

  • TouchScreen

  • Touchscreen

  • Device names containing your manufacturer name

The output will show entries like:

⎜   ↳ TSTP MTouch                              id=28   [slave  pointer  (2)]

Note the device ID number (e.g., id=28).

Important

Make sure to identify the pointer device, not the keyboard entry. Some touchscreens register multiple input types.

Configure Touchscreen Mapping

To ensure touch input works correctly, you need to map the touchscreen to the correct display.

Identify Display Outputs

List all connected displays to find the correct output name:

xrandr --query | grep " connected"

Example output:

HDMI-1-0 connected 1920x1080+0+0 (normal left inverted right x axis y axis) 527mm x 296mm
DP-1 connected primary 1920x1080+1920+0 (normal left inverted right x axis y axis) 509mm x 286mm

In this example, the display outputs are HDMI-1-0 and DP-1.

Map Touchscreen to Display

Use xinput to map the touchscreen input to the correct display output:

xinput map-to-output <device_id> <display_name>

Replace:

  • <device_id>: The touchscreen device ID from xinput list (e.g., 28)

  • <display_name>: The display output name from xrandr (e.g., HDMI-1-0)

Example:

xinput map-to-output 28 HDMI-1-0

Verify Touch Functionality

Test the touchscreen to confirm input is correctly mapped:

  1. Touch different areas of the touchscreen

  2. Verify the cursor appears at the touched location

  3. Test all corners and edges of the display

If the touch input is not responding correctly, verify:

  • You used the correct device ID

  • You selected the correct display output name

  • The USB cable is properly connected

Troubleshooting

Application Opens on Wrong Monitor

If the Trossen AI Data Collection UI application opens on a different monitor than the touchscreen, you can move it using these methods:

Method 1: Using F11 (Full Screen Toggle)

  1. Press F11 to exit full-screen mode (if the application is in full-screen)

  2. Drag the application window to the touchscreen display

  3. Press F11 again to return to full-screen mode on the correct display

Method 2: Using Keyboard Shortcuts

Use Shift+Windows+←/→ to move the application window between monitors:

  • Shift+Windows+→: Move window to the monitor on the right

  • Shift+Windows+←: Move window to the monitor on the left

Repeat the key combination until the window appears on the touchscreen display.

Note

On some systems, the Windows key may be labeled as “Super” or have the Ubuntu/Linux logo.

Touchscreen Not Detected

If the touchscreen doesn’t appear in xinput list:

  1. Check USB Connection

    Verify the USB cable is properly connected:

    lsusb

    Look for your touchscreen device in the list.

  2. Try Different USB Port

    Some touchscreens work better with specific USB ports. Try connecting to:

    • A different USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 port

    • A port directly on the motherboard (not a front panel or USB hub)

  3. Check System Logs

    View system logs for USB device detection:

    dmesg | grep -i touch

  4. Restart the System

    Sometimes a system restart is needed for the touchscreen to be properly detected.