IDEA: launch application upon focusing a GUI element

[gjehle]

ok, this might sound a bit confusing, let me elaborate.
mouser suggested i post it in here (original: https://www.donation...ex.php?topic=10517.0)

environment:

• windows XP / 2000
• touch-screen display (for windows this is just a simple mouse)
• 2 applications (A and OSK)
  A: random application with GUI
  OSK: on-screen-keyboard

the idea:

• monitor A's GUI
• launch/unhide OSK as soon as focus is given to an edit control (usually needs keyboard input)
• if edit control looses focus (or OSK has no more GUI-clicking going on, aka timeout) close/hide OSK

candy:

• make this work global for all running apps
• make it only work for a list of applications
• make types of controls that trigger the OSK configurable
• support for arbitrary OSK apps (windows' own, 3rd party)

alternative:
is there any OSK app out there that already does it?
i couldn't find any.

[belkira]

Using AHK, I came up with a way to open the osk, but not auto close it. I am no programmer tho so maybe someone can take this code and run with it.....

[Select]

#Persistent
SetTimer, WatchCursor, 100
return

WatchCursor:
MouseGetPos, , , id, control

StringLeft, control_edit, control, 4 ;The edits are usually Edit1 Edit2 etc so we only want the first 4 chars
if (control_edit = "Edit")
{
run osk.exe
}
return

[belkira]

Ok, after playing around a bit I think I may have it. Give this a try and let me know how it works for you.
Again this is in AHK

[Select]

#NoEnv ; Recommended for performance and compatibility with future AutoHotkey releases.
SendMode Input ; Recommended for new scripts due to its superior speed and reliability.
#Persistent
#SingleInstance, Force

SetTimer, WatchControl, 500
return

WatchControl:
ControlGetFocus, a_control, A
StringLeft, activeControl, a_control, 4
; ToolTip, %activeControl%
if (activeControl = "Edit")
ifWinExist, On-Screen Keyboard
return
else
run, osk.exe
if (activeControl <> "Edit")
IfWinExist, On-Screen Keyboard
process, close, osk.exe
else
return
return

[gjehle]

nice one!
I'll test it if I get the chance next week

[f0dder]

Nice idea - too bad if some application has a custom edit control...

[gjehle]

Nice idea - too bad if some application has a custom edit control...

-f0dder (October 27, 2007, 07:56 AM)

I'm wondering if it works for custom controls inheriting the base edit control.

[belkira]

If you run AHK Window Spy Im sure you could find the name of the control and adjust the script accordingly.

I am still in the learning process, so if I think of anything to make it more universal I will update it. I was hoping for some way of saying,
If this field can be typed in, launch osk, but have not yet found that magical ability.

[f0dder]

Nice idea - too bad if some application has a custom edit control...

-f0dder (October 27, 2007, 07:56 AM)

I'm wondering if it works for custom controls inheriting the base edit control.

-gjehle (October 27, 2007, 11:59 AM)

Subclassed yes, superclassed no.

Of course you can detect other classnames and adjust, but it's annoying - just like getting "scrolled app captures", though not as bad.