application selector buttons

**RiXst3r** · 04-24-2005, 03:08 PM

I want to put 3 buttons on my dash that bring into focus either GPS, XM, or MP3, or control the fontend to bring up that option... does anybody know of a way to do this? I havent found anything that would be a complete solution.. I thought about using phidgets, or hacking up a keyboard or mouse, but i am having trouble figuring out a way to make it switch apps...

**0l33l** · 04-24-2005, 03:11 PM

Use a serial port.

**RiXst3r** · 04-24-2005, 10:21 PM

I am not worried about what port or what button type to use... I am good with circuits and electronics... I am more wondering how to do this on the software side...

I may just do one "mode" button that alt-tabs.. and then the other 2 buttons send commands to FP or RR to switch between MP3 and embedded GPS.

I am mostly looking for the best/easiest software/hardware combo...

There has to be someone out there who has done something similar... basically I want 3 idiot buttons that say XM, GPS, and MP3 on them, and when you push them, they launch(or switch to) the right app...

I am trying to make this be most like a standard radio setup as possible, so if someone got in the car, and had no clue what the screen did, could read the pysical buttons to the right of the screen, push one, and viola!

**RiXst3r** · 04-24-2005, 10:25 PM

basically I dont wany to re-invent the wheel with this, if someone already has a software/hardware combo that can do this... please, let me know before I waste a bunch of time programming something i didnt need to...

**IntellaWorks** · 04-24-2005, 10:46 PM

Your best bet is with phidgets they come with software examples.

**justintime** · 04-24-2005, 10:58 PM

SOunds like something very easy to do...

I would personally consider using keyboard controller board, such as the I-Pac (www.ultimarc.com) for the hardware piece. For software, I think something like AutoIT would work wonders. (http://www.autoitscript.com/autoit3/)

I've used both on my MAME arcade cabinet, but never on a carputer.

**Chairboy** · 04-24-2005, 11:04 PM

Phidgets sounds like a great way to make this expensive. Use the i-pac mentioned by justintime. Super easy.

Guys, he needs a couple buttons, not the abillity to do realtime accelerometer sampling.

**veedubya** · 04-24-2005, 11:09 PM

If I am not mistaken dosent FP have keyboard shortcuts in Setting 1
I just checked and set "G" to open GPS and that works great

Why not grab a cheap keyboard and rip out the encoder and look at what 2 pins
go to the keys you choose and solder a button to it

Cheap man IPAC

**0l33l** · 04-25-2005, 12:59 AM

Yeh... why reinvent the wheel. Here's a cheap solution (price of serial port plug): use the serial port!

**RiXst3r** · 04-25-2005, 10:03 AM

I think I will use the USB I-Pac VE, its 35 bucks shipped, and I can make more buttons with this in the future... and I love how its programmable...

Thanks guys, thats just what I needed!

anyone know if the USB version of the i-pac servives hibernation?