Editing Embedded system (section)

===User interfaces===
[[File:MicroVGA TUI demoapp.jpg|thumb|Embedded system [[text user interface]] using MicroVGA<ref group="nb" name="MicroVGA">For more details of MicroVGA see this [http://www.microvga.com/pdf/uvga-text-ds.pdf PDF].</ref>]]

Embedded systems range from [[Headless computer|no user interface]] at all, in systems dedicated to one task, to complex [[graphical user interface]]s that resemble modern computer desktop operating systems. Simple embedded devices use [[Push-button|buttons]], [[light-emitting diode]]s (LED), graphic or character [[liquid-crystal display]]s (LCD) with a simple [[menu (computing)|menu system]]. More sophisticated devices that use a graphical screen with [[touch screen|touch sensing]] or screen-edge [[soft key]]s provide flexibility while minimizing space used: the meaning of the buttons can change with the screen, and selection involves the natural behavior of pointing at what is desired.

Some systems provide user interface remotely with the help of a serial (e.g. [[RS-232]]) or network (e.g. [[Ethernet]]) connection. This approach extends the capabilities of the embedded system, avoids the cost of a display, simplifies the [[board support package]] (BSP) and allows designers to build a rich user interface on the PC. A good example of this is the combination of an [[embedded HTTP server]] running on an embedded device (such as an [[IP camera]] or a [[network router]]). The user interface is displayed in a [[web browser]] on a PC connected to the device.