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Kiosk Installation Guide

Complete step-by-step installation guide for the EyeOn Kiosk Application on Linux Mint systems

Kiosk Application Installation

The EyeOn Kiosk Application is designed to run on Linux Mint systems with specific hardware requirements. This guide will walk you through the complete installation process, from hardware setup to software configuration and initial deployment.

The installation process includes hardware preparation, Linux Mint setup, application installation, Portal CMS integration, and final configuration for optimal kiosk operation.

Prerequisites

  • •Mini PC with minimum hardware specifications
  • •Linux Mint installation media (latest version)
  • •Stable internet connection for Portal CMS API access
  • •Portal CMS account with kiosk management permissions
  • •Touch screen display (Full HD minimum, 4K preferred)

Hardware Requirements

Minimum and recommended hardware specifications for optimal kiosk performance:

Minimum Requirements

These specifications will run the kiosk application with basic functionality:

  • •CPU: Intel Core i3 or AMD Ryzen 3 (4th generation or newer)
  • •RAM: 16GB DDR4
  • •Storage: 256GB SSD
  • •Display: Full HD (1920x1080) touch screen
  • •Network: Ethernet or WiFi connectivity
  • •USB: USB 3.0 ports for peripherals
  • •Power: 65W power adapter

Recommended Specifications

These specifications provide optimal performance and future-proofing:

  • •CPU: Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 (8th generation or newer)
  • •RAM: 32GB DDR4
  • •Storage: 512GB NVMe SSD
  • •Display: 4K (3840x2160) touch screen
  • •Network: Gigabit Ethernet + WiFi 6
  • •USB: Multiple USB 3.0+ ports
  • •Power: 90W power adapter with UPS backup

Display Requirements

Touch screen specifications for optimal user interaction:

  • •Resolution: Full HD (1920x1080) minimum, 4K (3840x2160) preferred
  • •Touch Technology: Capacitive multi-touch (10-point minimum)
  • •Brightness: 300+ nits for indoor visibility
  • •Viewing Angle: 178° horizontal and vertical
  • •Response Time: 5ms or less
  • •Size: 55" to 75" depending on installation location
  • •Mounting: VESA mount compatible for flexible installation

Software Requirements

Required software components and versions:

Operating System

Linux Mint is the recommended and supported operating system:

  • •Linux Mint 21.x (latest stable version)
  • •64-bit architecture only
  • •UEFI boot support
  • •Secure Boot disabled (if applicable)
  • •Full disk encryption optional but recommended

System Dependencies

Required system packages and libraries:

  • •curl - for API communication
  • •wget - for file downloads
  • •unzip - for archive extraction
  • •git - for version control
  • •nodejs (18.x or newer) - for application runtime
  • •npm - for package management
  • •chromium-browser - for web application display
  • •xinput - for touch screen calibration
  • •xrandr - for display management

Network Requirements

Network configuration for Portal CMS integration:

  • •Stable internet connection (10 Mbps minimum)
  • •Static IP address recommended
  • •Firewall configuration for Portal CMS API access
  • •DNS resolution for Portal CMS endpoints
  • •HTTPS support for secure API communication

Installation Steps

Complete step-by-step installation process:

1

Hardware Setup

Prepare and configure the kiosk hardware:

Steps:

  1. 1.Mount the mini PC in the kiosk enclosure
  2. 2.Connect the touch screen display via HDMI or DisplayPort
  3. 3.Connect USB peripherals (keyboard, mouse for setup)
  4. 4.Connect network cable or configure WiFi
  5. 5.Power on the system and verify hardware detection
  6. 6.Test touch screen responsiveness and calibration

💡 Tips:

  • •Ensure proper ventilation around the mini PC
  • •Use high-quality cables for reliable connections
  • •Test all hardware before proceeding to software installation
2

Linux Mint Installation

Install and configure Linux Mint operating system:

Steps:

  1. 1.Download Linux Mint 21.x ISO from official website
  2. 2.Create bootable USB drive using tools like Rufus or Etcher
  3. 3.Boot from USB and start installation process
  4. 4.Select 'Erase disk and install Linux Mint' option
  5. 5.Create user account (avoid using 'kiosk' as username)
  6. 6.Complete installation and reboot system
  7. 7.Update system packages: sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

💡 Tips:

  • •Choose a strong password for the user account
  • •Enable automatic login for kiosk operation
  • •Disable screen lock and power management
3

System Configuration

Configure Linux Mint for kiosk operation:

Steps:

  1. 1.Install required dependencies: sudo apt install curl wget unzip git nodejs npm chromium-browser xinput xrandr
  2. 2.Configure automatic login in System Settings > Login Window
  3. 3.Disable screen lock: System Settings > Screensaver > Disable
  4. 4.Configure power management: System Settings > Power Management > Never turn off
  5. 5.Set up network configuration (static IP recommended)
  6. 6.Configure firewall for Portal CMS API access
  7. 7.Test internet connectivity and DNS resolution

💡 Tips:

  • •Create a backup of system configuration
  • •Test all network connections before proceeding
  • •Document all configuration changes for future reference
4

Kiosk Application Installation

Download and install the EyeOn Kiosk Application:

Steps:

  1. 1.Download the latest kiosk application package from Portal CMS
  2. 2.Extract the application files to /opt/eyeon-kiosk/
  3. 3.Set proper permissions: sudo chown -R kiosk:kiosk /opt/eyeon-kiosk/
  4. 4.Install application dependencies: cd /opt/eyeon-kiosk && npm install
  5. 5.Create application configuration file
  6. 6.Set up systemd service for automatic startup
  7. 7.Test application startup and basic functionality

💡 Tips:

  • •Keep the application package for future updates
  • •Test the application in a non-kiosk environment first
  • •Verify all file permissions are correct
5

Portal CMS Integration

Configure connection to Portal CMS:

Steps:

  1. 1.Obtain Portal CMS API credentials from your administrator
  2. 2.Configure API endpoint URLs in application settings
  3. 3.Set up authentication tokens and API keys
  4. 4.Test API connectivity and data synchronization
  5. 5.Configure content update intervals
  6. 6.Set up error logging and monitoring
  7. 7.Verify real-time content updates

💡 Tips:

  • •Store API credentials securely
  • •Test with different content types
  • •Monitor API response times and reliability
6

Desktop Configuration Application Setup

Install and configure the EyeOnKiosk desktop application:

Steps:

  1. 1.Install the EyeOnKiosk desktop application (installed by EyeOn support staff)
  2. 2.Configure multi-display setup using the Displays section
  3. 3.Map touch input devices for each display
  4. 4.Select environment (Staging/Production) and center
  5. 5.Assign display types (App/Media) for each screen
  6. 6.Configure application settings and boot options
  7. 7.Test the configuration and launch kiosk mode

💡 Tips:

  • •Desktop application is installed by EyeOn support staff
  • •Test all display configurations before final setup
  • •Verify touch input mapping across all displays
7

Kiosk Mode Configuration

Configure the system for kiosk operation:

Steps:

  1. 1.Set up Chromium to launch in kiosk mode
  2. 2.Configure full-screen display settings
  3. 3.Disable browser navigation and address bar
  4. 4.Set up automatic application restart on errors
  5. 5.Configure touch screen calibration
  6. 6.Test accessibility features and display scaling
  7. 7.Set up remote monitoring and management

💡 Tips:

  • •Test kiosk mode thoroughly before deployment
  • •Configure proper error handling and recovery
  • •Set up monitoring for system health

Application Configuration

Detailed configuration options for the kiosk application:

Portal CMS API Configuration

Configure connection to Portal CMS APIs:

API Base URLRequired

Base URL for Portal CMS API endpoints

https://api.eyeonllc.com/v1
Center IDRequired

Unique identifier for your shopping center

center_12345
API KeyRequired

Authentication key for API access

ak_1234567890abcdef
Update Interval

How often to check for content updates (in minutes)

5

Display Configuration

Configure display and touch screen settings:

Screen ResolutionRequired

Display resolution for the kiosk

1920x1080 or 3840x2160
Touch CalibrationRequired

Touch screen calibration settings

Auto-detect or manual calibration
Brightness Level

Screen brightness percentage

80
Accessibility Mode

Enable accessibility features

true/false

Network Configuration

Configure network and connectivity settings:

Connection Timeout

API connection timeout in seconds

30
Retry Attempts

Number of retry attempts for failed requests

3
Offline Mode

Enable offline operation when API unavailable

true/false
Proxy Settings

Proxy server configuration if required

http://proxy.company.com:8080

Systemd Service Configuration

Set up automatic startup and management of the kiosk application:

Service File Creation

Create a systemd service file for the kiosk application:

[Unit]
Description=EyeOn Kiosk Application
After=network.target graphical-session.target
Wants=network.target

[Service]
Type=simple
User=kiosk
Group=kiosk
WorkingDirectory=/opt/eyeon-kiosk
ExecStart=/usr/bin/node app.js
Restart=always
RestartSec=10
Environment=NODE_ENV=production
Environment=DISPLAY=:0

[Install]
WantedBy=graphical.target

Service Commands

  1. 1.Create service file: sudo nano /etc/systemd/system/eyeon-kiosk.service
  2. 2.Reload systemd: sudo systemctl daemon-reload
  3. 3.Enable service: sudo systemctl enable eyeon-kiosk
  4. 4.Start service: sudo systemctl start eyeon-kiosk
  5. 5.Check status: sudo systemctl status eyeon-kiosk

Installation Testing

Comprehensive testing procedures to verify proper installation:

Hardware Tests

  • •Touch screen responsiveness and accuracy
  • •Display brightness and color accuracy
  • •Audio output (if applicable)
  • •Network connectivity and speed
  • •USB port functionality
  • •Power management and stability

Software Tests

  • •Application startup and loading
  • •Portal CMS API connectivity
  • •Content synchronization and updates
  • •Touch interaction and navigation
  • •Error handling and recovery
  • •Accessibility features
  • •Performance under load

Integration Tests

  • •Store directory display and search
  • •Interactive map functionality
  • •Center information accuracy
  • •Sales and events display
  • •Mobile QR code generation
  • •Real-time content updates

Deployment Checklist

Final steps before deploying the kiosk to production:

Pre-Deployment

  • •Complete all installation and configuration steps
  • •Run comprehensive testing procedures
  • •Verify Portal CMS integration and content sync
  • •Test accessibility features and display scaling
  • •Configure monitoring and logging
  • •Create system backup and recovery procedures
  • •Document all configuration settings

Deployment

  • •Install kiosk in final location
  • •Connect all hardware and test functionality
  • •Configure network settings for production
  • •Enable systemd service for automatic startup
  • •Test full kiosk operation in production environment
  • •Verify content updates and real-time synchronization
  • •Train staff on basic troubleshooting procedures

Post-Deployment

  • •Monitor system performance and stability
  • •Verify content accuracy and updates
  • •Check user interaction and feedback
  • •Schedule regular maintenance and updates
  • •Document any issues or improvements needed

Common Installation Issues

Solutions to common problems during installation:

Touch screen not responding

Solution:

Check USB connection, install touch drivers, run calibration tool

Prevention:

Test hardware before software installation

Display resolution incorrect

Solution:

Configure xrandr settings, update display drivers, check HDMI connection

Prevention:

Use recommended display specifications

API connection failed

Solution:

Verify network connectivity, check API credentials, test firewall settings

Prevention:

Test network configuration before API setup

Application won't start

Solution:

Check file permissions, verify dependencies, review error logs

Prevention:

Follow installation steps exactly, test each step

Content not updating

Solution:

Check API connectivity, verify center ID, test content sync

Prevention:

Test API integration thoroughly before deployment

Ongoing Maintenance

Regular maintenance tasks to keep the kiosk running optimally:

Daily

  • •Check system status and application health
  • •Verify content updates and synchronization
  • •Clean touch screen and display surface
  • •Monitor network connectivity and performance

Weekly

  • •Review error logs and system performance
  • •Test all major application features
  • •Check for system updates and security patches
  • •Verify backup systems and recovery procedures

Monthly

  • •Update application to latest version
  • •Review and update Portal CMS configuration
  • •Clean system files and optimize performance
  • •Test accessibility features and display calibration

Quarterly

  • •Complete hardware inspection and cleaning
  • •Review and update security settings
  • •Test disaster recovery procedures
  • •Evaluate performance metrics and optimization opportunities

Ready to Install Your Kiosk?

Follow this installation guide to deploy your EyeOn Kiosk Application and provide visitors with an exceptional digital directory experience.

View Configuration Guide