Some Garmin Mobile PC solutions...

rEegLer · 08-23-2009, 01:20 PM

Hey Guys,

I just started using GMPC and I really like it (I know some people don't) but for my situation it's perfect and it's cheap!.

I have a dual screen setup (one in the double din and one about six inches above it). The top screen always has GMPC running and the bottom always has Centrafuse running. Those who have one screen might not find all this useful.

To have an OSK with two screens:

- I downloaded Zwkb.exe (Free on screen keyboard, http://www.freshnet8.com/)
- Created a shortcut and added the parameters: NoBumpBox NoTapBox KeyClick=3

These will make it hide in the background and give it a beep when you press keys. Also, it makes it so that you HAVE to press the right shift button in order to show the keyboard. Since a lot of us don't have keyboards right there all the time this can create a problem but I'll talk about this later. If also added this shortcut to the startup so it's always running in the background.

-To get around the hit right shift button, I used AutoIT (FREE! - http://www.autoitscript.com/autoit3/index.shtml) to write a really simple program that sends "right shift" (which activates the keyboard) and then sets focus to GMPC so that you can type.

Code:

Send( "{RSHIFT}" )
winactivate ( "Garmin Mobile PC" )

-Then I embedded the executable into Centrafuse and named it OSK. So when I click the button, it brings up the KB and is full screen on the bottom screen and I can type in Garmin. To hide the KB, just click the hide button on the keyboard in the upper left corner.

If you only have one screen, you can just download the keyboard program and then add the parameters to the shortcut: NoTapBox KeyClick=3

This will make it so there is a little orange box (always on top) in the corner that you click on when you need a keyboard.

To get rid of the Warning in the beginning, I just wrote another really simple program in AutoIT that waits for the program to run and then sends an escape key:

Code:

If WinWait( "Garmin Mobile PC" ) Then
	
	WinActivate( "Garmin Mobile PC" )
	send( "{ESC}" )
EndIf

It's kinda crude because the warning does show up for about half a second but it works for me.

Anywho that is all I've thunk up so any comments or suggestions are welcome.

- rEegLer

BIGGKATT01 · 08-25-2009, 02:13 AM

could we see some pics please

rEegLer · 08-25-2009, 07:48 AM

Yea I just took some yesterday and forgot to post them.

The second image with the osk is a little blurry but you can see how it's blue and transparent.

obstacleman · 08-25-2009, 07:51 AM

Thats a pretty cool setup, heres my question. I find that the most distracting part of GPMC is typing things in while driving. Why not switch the two screens when entering information so that you can have more of a line of sight on the road while entering info?

Just my 2 cents

rEegLer · 08-25-2009, 07:56 AM

The reason I got the second screen was so that my GPS could be in my line of sight. I use to have to look down to get a look at the screen and my wife often complained how dangerous that was (typical). So I got a second screen and I usually don't type much into the GPS while I'm driving unless I'm stopped at a red light or something.

For some reason the keyboard will not go into my second screen. So that's another problem. Also, as of right now the top screen isn't touch screen. It's a usb monitor that I got for cheap so I bought an aftermarket one that should be coming any day now.

rEegLer · 08-25-2009, 12:58 PM

I changed the OSK program a little bit. With the KB program, I accidentally close it sometimes when I'm trying to hit escape. So I changed the program so that it looks to see if the program is open and if so then hits right shift, if not then open it, waits 400ms and then hits right shift. If I didn't put that delay in, then the keyboard would respond fast enough and wouldn't show. I don't really do much programming so there might be an easier way to do this.

Code:

If winactive ("zwkb.exe")=1 Then
	Send("{RSHIFT}" )
	winactivate ( "Garmin Mobile PC")
ElseIf winactive ("zwkb.exe")=0 Then
	ShellExecute ("zwkb.exe", "NoBumpBox NoTapBox KeyClick=4" , "C:\zwkb.exe")
	Sleep ( 400 )
	Send("{RSHIFT}" )
	winactivate ( "Garmin Mobile PC")
EndIf

NOTE: This also essentially negates the need to startup the keyboard which could help a little bit with startup time

Jistari · 08-26-2009, 05:14 AM

Nice setup. I dont have Garmin but was looking for a nice OSK, Thanks for posting the Zwkb info. Very nice osk

supasigma · 09-20-2009, 08:07 AM

Can you pls give more detail infos on how to embed the autoit script into garmin?I put mine into the startup folder, and it only ran once.after i shut down garmin, it wont run anymore.
thanks.

rEegLer · 09-20-2009, 03:02 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by supasigma

Can you pls give more detail infos on how to embed the autoit script into garmin?I put mine into the startup folder, and it only ran once.after i shut down garmin, it wont run anymore.
thanks.

Can you give me a little more info. What exactly are you trying to do? Did you compile the script?

supasigma · 09-20-2009, 03:08 PM

im trying to make a script for auto hit the esc button upon opening up the garmin app for the warning message, however autoit will just open up a window and asking me to browse for the autoit v3 script file.i have added autoit program into my start up folder.

rEegLer · 09-20-2009, 03:27 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by supasigma

im trying to make a script for auto hit the esc button upon opening up the garmin app for the warning message, however autoit will just open up a window and asking me to browse for the autoit v3 script file.i have added autoit program into my start up folder.

Ok, you need to compile the program. In autoit, click on tools, then hit compile. Save it somewhere and it will compile it into an executable. Then just put this in your startup folder. Then you don't need autoit installed on your carputer.

Also make sure your script is as follows:

Code:

If WinWait( "Garmin Mobile PC" ) Then
		WinActivate( "Garmin Mobile PC")
	send( "{ESC}")
EndIf

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