PDA custom run-time menu actuation

[rberger]

Hi Gang:

Run the attached VI (LV 8.0) on the desktop.

Press the <Alt> key and then use the arrow down key to scroll through the menu items.  Notice when you press the <Alt> key the REGION menu items is actuated.  Kool huh?

Now how do you this with a PDA?  There is no <Alt> key on the PDA and there is no documentation I can find to define a key combo that simulated the <Alt> key function to actuate a custom run-time menu as demonstrated above.

Why do I need this?  The Motorola Q phone has no mouse or touchscreen.  It runs Windows Mobile 5.0 and only has a scroll wheel to scroll through the user interface.  I need to define a key combo in order to actuate a menu item.

What am I missing?

Thanks

Robert

[Andy F.]

Robert,

That is a very interesting problem you have.  Does the Q not even allow you to select the menu with the scrollwheel?  If you wanted to simulate keystrokes on the PDA you would probably have to find API calls for those keys.  I checked on a PDA here and was not even able to access the Alt key from the on screen keyboard, so I don't know if it is even available on the PDA.  I might suggest making the menu selection an enum or ring control that you can select using the scrollwheel if you aren't able to get to the menu with it. 

Please let me know if you have any questions.  Thanks and have a great day!

Andy F.

[rberger]

Hi Andy:

The Motorola Q's scrollwheel is just like a mouse wheel where you can scroll and push the wheel down to select the graphics item.  However, the selection is done ONLY after a graphic is highlighted.  The highlight comes from "scrolling" the wheel to that pariticular grahics item.

In my example above, after the menu is actuated by the <Alt> key, you can use the up/down arrow keys to go through the items.  This is where I get stuck.  LabVIEW has no key combo (or Alt key) for PDA menu actuation.  The Motorola Q scrollwheel will not highlight/actuate a run-time menu within a LabVIEW app.  In order to actuate the menu so I can "scroll" through my menu items, I can use the enum as you sugested but screen real-estate which is crucial in my app is compromised.

If you can do me a huge favor and point the PDA developers to this thread, maybe NI can release PDA v8.2 with a key combo or a native VI primitive to get menu actuation.  I've done my share by going to the requests webpage, but I don't think I've explained myself to clearly.

Thanks

Robert

[Andy F.]

Robert,

I will certainly point the PDA R&D to this thread.  I also understand about not having screen real estate.  Would you maybe be able to use a tab control with the Q.  This gives you a lot more space that is available, but I know doesnt always fit into the application.  Let me know if you have any other questions.  Thanks!

Andy F.

[rberger]

Hi Andy:

Yes I've thought about Tab Control.  But the most efficient way of doing this app that gives me the most screen real estate (believe me I need the real estate) is a custom run-time menu.  It also makes my app more professional.

Thanks for the reply and have a good day.

Robert

[CKap]

Hello Robert,

The following links from the PDA help files might prove to helpful.

Info about how events work:

http://zone.ni.com/reference/en-XX/help/370642D-01/lvpdahelp/pda_events/

Info about detecting PDA button inputs:

http://zone.ni.com/reference/en-XX/help/370642D-01/lvpdahelp/pda_keyinput/

Info about menu functions and custom run-time menus:

http://zone.ni.com/reference/en-XX/help/370642D-01/lvpdadiff/pda_bd_menu/

Regards,

Chetan K

Application Engineering

[rberger]

Yep, already went through all that material.  That material pertains  to menues when THEY ARE ALREADY ACTUATED.  My problem is getting the custom run-time menu to actuate with a keystroke on the PDA.  Try my example above with the ALT key on Windows Desktop to understand what I'm trying to spew out.

Thanks for reading
Robert

[CKap]

Hello Robert,

I understand your situation. I haven't dealt with Q before so I am curious to know how Q works with different controls and indicators on the front panel. Does it cycle through all of them in a defined manner? For other applications which have drop-down menus, how does Q handle those? I'll try and see if I can get a hold of a Q here and play with it.

Regards,

Chetan K

Application Engineer

National Instruments

[rberger]

The Samsung BlackJack from Cingular has the same problem.  That device uses a scroll wheel to select apps etc.  I'll have to get my brothers Q again to answer your other questions.

Thanks

Robert

[CKap]

I am trying to see how things would be if we worked with the emulator for this phone. Please check this link http://developer.motorola.com/?path=1.2.5.149.

I came across the following message while trying to install the emulator. From what I make of it....Q does have a Alt key..but its not available to developers..??

Regards,

Chetan K

Message Edited by CKap on 12-05-2006 06:06 PM

Message Edited by CKap on 12-05-2006 06:07 PM