How to select a screen for Internet of Things devices?

The Internet of Things (IoT) is the idea of networking various devices and objects, equipped with electronics and software, enabling them to communicate and exchange data without human intervention. IoT solutions are increasingly used both in private life and in industry. Projections indicate that by 2030 the number of connected IoT devices could reach up to 50 billion. A significant portion of these will use displays.

In this article, we will look at the available display technologies for IoT applications. We will discuss their advantages, disadvantages and application areas. We will also analyze the trends and requirements of the IoT device market to help you select the optimal display solutions for your specific applications. As Unisystem, we are the largest … supplier of displays for IoT devices.

The IoT market and the role of displays

Internet of Things devices are widely used in smart homes and buildings (lighting, heating and security controls), transportation and logistics (vehicle and cargo monitoring), medicine (patient telemonitoring), agriculture (crop automation and control), industry (production line control) and many other areas.

According to projections by the McKinsey Global Institute, the economic value that IoT can bring is enormous and growing, reaching between $5.5 trillion and $12.6 trillion worldwide by 2030. The greatest economic potential of IoT is concentrated in specific locations, with factories leading the way, accounting for about 26% of the potential value in 2030. Although B2B dominates IoT value creation, 55% of global IoT value is expected to come from developed countries by 2030.

A key component of many IoT devices are displays. They allow the user to present information and interact with the system. Hence, the growth of the IoT market goes hand in hand with an increase in demand for screens with specific features.

Selected display technologies for IoT

IoT devices use a variety of display technologies that differ in parameters, advantages and disadvantages. Here are the most popular ones:

• LCD TFT – liquid crystal displays with a transistor matrix (TFT). They provide fast response time, good color reproduction and multimedia support. They are relatively energy-intensive.
• OLED – organic displays. They have excellent contrast, wide viewing angles, low power consumption and can be made with flexible technology. More expensive than LCDs.
• EPD – electronic paper displays. Low power consumption, excellent daylight readability, no backlight. Slower image refresh time.
• Segmented LCDs – simple numeric and alphanumeric displays. Low cost, versatility, ruggedness. Limited functionality.
• Touch – displays with a touch panel, allowing control directly from the screen. Various touch technologies are available: capacitive, resistive, infrared.

What sets IoT displays apart?

Displays used in IoT devices should allow free communication and data exchange between connected smart devices. It is crucial to equip them with appropriate communication protocols connecting the display to the control unit, which in turn should be networked with other Io T devices (e.g. via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth). This is especially true if the display is equipped with a module that allows touch control.

Consider advanced solutions in the form of all-in-one HMI panels, which themselves contain microprocessors and communication interfaces. They allow full integration of the display into the IoT system without the need for additional modules.

An example of such a solution is the Riverdi STM32 Embedded Display, described later in this article. It includes an embedded STM32 microcontroller, communication ports and the ability to easily program graphical user interfaces (GUIs). It provides a complete solution for IoT devices.

Selecting displays with extensive communication and computing capabilities is crucial for efficient data exchange within IoT systems and avoids the additional costs associated with implementing communication modules.

Examples of display applications in IoT

Displays in IoT play a key role in presenting information to users and enabling interaction with devices. Here are some examples of the use of displays in IoT:

1. Smart watches (Smartwatches): They use displays to show notifications, track physical activity, monitor health and many other functions.
2. Smart thermostats: Such as Nest or Ecobee, which have touchscreen displays that allow users to adjust the temperature and monitor energy consumption.
3. Smart lighting systems: Some systems have displays that tell you the current status of the lights, energy consumption or on/off schedules.
4. Smart refrigerators: Equipped with touchscreen displays that show fridge contents, recipes, shopping lists or even family calendars.
5. Medical wearable devices: Such as glucose monitors that show blood sugar levels in real time.
6. Fleet management systems: Use in-vehicle displays to monitor route, fuel consumption and other relevant vehicle information.
7. Smart Cities: Displays placed at bus stops or subway stations, providing information on the arrival time of the next means of transportation or current traffic conditions.
8. Electric vehicle charging stations: Equipped with displays that inform users of charging status, cost and time needed to fully charge.
9. Security and monitoring: security cameras with built-in displays that can show live video from other cameras in the system.

These are just a few examples, and the possibilities for the use of displays in IoT are almost endless, especially as technology and innovations in the field continue to evolve.

Example of industrial IoT display application

Portable measurement devices with IoT technology are common in industry. These devices transmit information to databases in real time. Working in places such as factory floors, they are exposed to a variety of factors, including interference, shock, extreme temperatures or dust.

OLED displays, such as the single-color models in the series WEO012864G from Winstar, are ideal for these applications. They operate at temperatures from -40 to 80°C and offer excellent visibility in a variety of lighting conditions.

When it is necessary to display diagrams or charts, LCD-TFT displays may be more suitable. Important parameters include brightness, viewing angles, and a wide operating temperature range. Model WF40ESWAA6MNN0# from Winstar meets these requirements.

Additional protection is provided by placing the display in a highly sealed enclosure, such as IP65. Such an enclosure is completely dustproof and partially waterproof according to EN 60529.

All-in-one displays as a solution for IoT applications

Human-Machine Interface (HMI) control panels are commonly used in industry. Sometimes you can still find boards with buttons, switches, dials or meters/counters, which today are being displaced by screen-based solutions, including those with touch functionality. These types of control panels most often use LCD-TFT displays with appropriately selected parameters, to which touch sensors and protective glass are then applied. Models that will be perfect for this type of application are the 7- or 10-inch all-in-one modules in the STM32 Embedded Displays series designed by the Riverdi team. Their resolution (1024×600 or 1280×800), brightness (at least 800 cd/m2) and contrast ratio (1000:1), as well as full viewing angles, will ensure excellent readability of content, even in bright light conditions (e.g., in production halls). A feature of the series is modularity, making numerous variants with different parameters available off-the-shelf, including models such as. With touch panels and protective glass.

Selecting displays for IoT applications

When choosing a display for a specific IoT device or system, there are several key factors to consider:

• Purpose and functions of the device – what information is to be displayed
• Operating conditions – indoors, outdoors, temperature range, humidity
• Required durability and reliability – operating time, resistance
• Power supply – mains, battery, energy efficiency
• User interface needs – touch controls, buttons
• Costs – project budget, display price
• Aesthetics – size, shape, color For example, in a simple smart energy meter, a basic iconic one for displaying tariffs and measurements will be useful. In precise medical meters, an OLED will work better. On the other hand, in a bus stop timetable – an energy-efficient e-paper.

Trends in displays for IoT

Observing the development directions of displays for IoT, there are several major trends:

• Development of flexible and foldable screens – increasingly popular in mobile devices.
• Higher resolutions and better readability of displayed content.
• Touch integration – displays become the user interface at the same time.
• Energy efficiency – longer battery life, lower operating costs.
• Better resistance to external factors – shock, dust, water.
• Anti-reflective coatings to improve daylight readability.

Summary

Choosing the right display technology is critical to the success of an IoT project. It must take into account the specific requirements of the application. There is a wide range of LCD, OLED, EPD displays available on the market, which differ in parameters and application areas.

TFT LCDs will do well in home appliances and places with access to power. OLEDs are gaining popularity due to their low power consumption and ability to be made into flexible versions. EPDs are the choice for battery-powered applications. Touchscreen displays make it easier to interact with the system.

With the rapid development of the IoT market, the demands placed on displays are also increasing – greater energy efficiency, better image quality, resistance to operating conditions. To meet these trends, it’s worth keeping abreast of new developments and consulting with an experienced supplier when selecting the optimal displays for IoT devices.