My Beeping 2Touch IWB

/ FAQ-2Touch / By

Your 2Touch IWB is equipped with a simple buzzer which emits tones depending on certain conditions.   There are two normal operating conditions in which you should hear tones from your 2Touch iwb:

  • Calibration tones: When calibrating, a high tone indicates that the calibration mode has been launched, and a low tone indicates the calibration mode is being terminated (and normal touch mode resumed).  Read more about calibrating your 2Touch iwb.
  • The touch tone: By default, during normal operation your 2Touch IWB will emit a faint “click” every time you touch the surface of the board, assuming that it is plugged in and working. The “click” is actually a very short “beep”, with the beep duration set to 1 millisecond.  We have found that most people prefer to have this audible feedback on touch, however sometimes it can be intrusive for example if the user wants to use the iwb as a standard whiteboard (ie not interactively).  The beep-on-touch can be changed if you wish to make the unit completely silent (by setting beep duration to zero), or to make the feedback more prominent (using a longer beep duration).  How to change the default beep.

Read on if the sound produced from your iwb is other than the default behaviour described above….

There are a few reasons for a beeping board. These are easily distinguished and in most cases just as readily remedied.  The symptoms described in this article are:

Erratic “clicks” or short high tones (when not touching the IWB).

Regular high beeps.

Regular longer, low-frequency “buzz” .

Erratic “clicks” or short high tones (when not touching the IWB).

The distinguishing feature is “erratic” ie not regular.  These could be indicating erroneous touch signals – that is, the IWB thinks it’s being touched and produces a signal – even though there is no touch taking place.  This can develop after an IWB has been relocated or reinstalled, if the optics have not been configured to suit.

  1. Check there is nothing on the surface of the IWB (magnets, erasers, magnetic pens, post-it notes, stickers, blue-tak).
  2. Disconnect the IWB from your PC and turn off any other power supply to the IWB.  Check the power is off, by pressing the calibration button – if there is a tone then there is still power getting to the IWB).  Leave power off for at least thirty seconds (30 seconds), before reconnecting.
  3. If the above do not resolve the issue please contact support@twotouch.com for assistance.

Regular high beeps.

This usually indicates that the IWB is receiving an incorrect power input.  Most commonly this is because of a component in the USB line, probably a powered USB hub, in combination with certain laptop models.  Sometimes, even just changing the laptop connected to the IWB can result in this symptom.

Powered USB hubs have been used frequently as an inexpensive way of ensuring good power to the IWB (since USB sockets from laptops are not reliable enough in terms of providing reliable power supply at the required current, over a length of cable).  By fitting a powered USB hub, the IWB benefits from a reliable power supply independant of the quality of the USB connection to the computer.  However, some USB hubs, in combination with some laptop models, produce “spike” voltages on disconnection or connection of a USB plug to a computer, and these can result in the IWB beeping symptom described.

The solution is easy and inexpensive:

  1. Check for the presence of a powered USB hub.  This is often hidden by an installer behind the IWB.  When you find it, disconnect the iwb from this.  Try connecting the IWB direct to the laptop via a good quality straight-through usb cable only (no “smart” cables or USB “repeaters” or “extenders” please!)  You should find that the IWB connects and works as required without any beeps.
  2. Replace the hub with a USB Power Injection kit.  You can source one from us; otherwise the following will do just as well:
    1. AUSTRALIA
      1. Radioparts Australia:
        http://www.radioparts.com.au/product/27727222/lc7222-30cm-usb-power-injection-lead-usbaf-usbamdc5.52.1mm#.VvsGgeJ9600 for the injector bit ($5.95)
        and
        http://www.radioparts.com.au/product/33774380/sm528-5v-dc-2.8a-power-supply-switchmode-2.1mm-cen-tve#.VvsIgOJ9600 for the adapter.  This has the required 2.1mm plus and at 2.8A is well over spec.
    2. NEW ZEALAND
      1. MikroTik injector:
        http://www.gowifi.co.nz/mikrotik-routerboard/mikrotik-accessories/mikrotik-5v-usb-power-injector.html
        Note – check that you get the right connector.  We require a 2.1mm.
        For the adapter 5v2A:
        http://www.gowifi.co.nz/mikrotik-routerboard/mikrotik-accessories/power-supply-5v/2a.html?keyword=power+supply has a 2.1mm connector.

Regular long, low-frequency “buzz”

This tone is regular, low frequency, about once every second or every second-and-a-half.  It is a lower tone than either of the two tones produced when pressing the calibration button (calibration on = high beep, calibration off=low beep).  This error tone is more of a buzz than a beep.  This is associated with a “disconnected camera” warning from the IWB.  This problem only occurs with a physical camera disconnect within the board, which might happen if there was a significant bump or knock to the IWB.

The remedy is straightforward but involves a well prepared technician dismantling the IWB, reconnecting the camera, reassembling the IWB and re-checking settings.  Please contact support@twotouch.com for on-site assistance.