RemoteControl II RemoteControl II v3.
RemoteControl II User Manual © 2010 WinCESoft All rights reserved. No parts of this work may be reproduced in any form or by any means graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or information storage and retrieval systems - without the written permission of the publisher. Products that are referred to in this document may be either trademarks and/or registered trademarks of the respective owners. The publisher and the author make no claim to these trademarks.
Table of Contents 1 Introduction.......................................................................................................................................6 2 System Requirements........................................................................................................................7 2.1 Supported Device Classes..........................................................................................................7 2.2 Supported Operating Systems.................................
8 Opening a Existing Remote Control Project...................................................................................35 9 Importing a Project File Package....................................................................................................36 10 Creating a new Remote Control Project........................................................................................39 11 Exporting a Project into a Project File Package.................................................................
18.2 Importing CCF IR Hex Codes.............................................................................................102 18.2.1 Supported CCF IR Hex Code Formats........................................................................102 18.3 The CCF IR Hex Code Format............................................................................................103 19 Designing Layouts on a PC.........................................................................................................
Chapter 1: Introduction 1 Introduction RemoteControl II turns your mobile device into a configurable universal network and infrared touch screen remote control for your home automation and entertainment system. It combines two powerful remote control systems in one application: • Use the included wireless network capabilities of your mobile device to remote control network devices like Media PCs, Set Top Boxes, RF controllers, switches, light dimmers and external IR transmitters.
Chapter 2: System Requirements 2 System Requirements RemoteControl II was created for mobile devices which use Microsoft's operating systems Windows CE / Pocket PC / Windows Mobile and Windows Embedded Compact. 2.1 Supported Device Classes There exist presently four mobile device classes with touch screen displays. 1. Smart Phones with and without keyboard: 2. Pocket PC / PDA / PNA / Windows Mobile devices: 3. Web Pads: 4. Handheld PCs with included keyboard RemoteControl II, v3.
Chapter 2: System Requirements 2.2 Supported Operating Systems Supported operating systems: • Windows CE 3.0: Handheld PC 2000, Pocket PC 2000, Pocket PC 2002, Smartphone 2002 • Windows CE 4.x: Windows Mobile 2003 / 2003SE, bSquare Power Handheld • Windows CE 5.x: Windows Mobile 5.0 - 6.5 • Windows CE 6.x: Windows Mobile 7.0. Not tested because still not available on consumer devices Not supported operating systems: • Windows CE 1.x • Windows CE 2.x 2.
Chapter 2: System Requirements 2.6 Supported Processors Almost all mobile devices with Windows CE / Pocket PC / Windows Mobile / Windows Embedded Compact uses an ARM (Advanced RISC Machine) CPU. RemoteControl II works presently with all ARM- CPU's from Intel, Samsung, Texas Instruments, Qualcomm, Marvell, Motorola / Freescale, NVIDIA and others. Obsolete devices with Hitachi- SHx, MIPS and x86 CPU's are not supported. 2.
Chapter 2: System Requirements 2.8 CF IR Extender Cards (optional) Optionally one of the following Compact Flash IR extender cards can be used on some devices to increase the infrared transmit range: • Laser / Electric Dog PDA-IR Extender to increase the IR transmit range to 50feet. PDA-IR Extender This card was available from: http://www.laser.com and eBay • UltraMote CF Extender to increase the IR transmit angle and the range to 50feet.
Chapter 2: System Requirements 2.9 External IR Transmitters (optional) RemoteControl II can access external IR transmitters like USB-UIRT, GlobalCaché, Y.A.R.D. Tira2, Irman, WinLIRC and IRTrans by a WLAN, Ethernet, Bluetooth or USB- network connection. 2.10 WLAN Module (optional) If you would like to control devices via WLAN or send IR commands by an external IR transmitter like USB- UIRT (Universal Infrared Receiver Transmitter), a WLAN module is required.
Chapter 3: Program Features 3 Program Features With RemoteControl II you have obtained a feature rich application to control you home entertainment and home automation system. Some of it's unique features: • Send commands via wireless network connections RC-II can send HTTP- requests via WLAN, Bluetooth or USB connections to network capable devices like Media PCs, Set Top boxes, IR transmitters and RF switches.
Chapter 4: Program Installation 4 Program Installation RemoteControl II is distributed in two variants: 1. As a Windows PC- set- up application in a ZIP- archive. E.g. RemoteControl_II_v3xx.ZIP 2. As a Windows CE- CAB- file. E.g. RemoteControl_II_v3xx.CAB Both variants can be downloaded from http://www.WinCESoft.de or from the website of the distributor of the full version. 4.
Chapter 4: Program Installation 4.2 Manual installation by a CAB- file If you don't have a Windows PC with ActiveSync or the Mobile Device Center, or if your ActiveSync cable is broken, you can install RC-II manually by using the CAB file “RemoteControl_II_v3xx.CAB”. Copy the CAB file by a memory card onto your mobile device and double click on this file to install it. You can download the CAB file from your retailer or from www.WinCESoft.de.
Chapter 4: Program Installation 4.3 First Launch of RemoteControl II After the successful installation you will be asked to start RC-II. Alternatively you can find the RC-II program icon in the programs folder of your mobile device. To launch RC-II click on the RC-II program icon. RC-II- icon in the programs folder At the first launch, RC-II will install some sample project files from the project archive “Setup_RCII.ZIP”. Setup_RCII.
Chapter 4: Program Installation After importing the sample project files, RC-II loads automatically the best matching sample project (e.g. 240x320 PocketPC) for the display size of your device. Loading of a 240x320 project RC-II will show Quick Help information boxes. These boxes contain useful information about the present operation context. Check “Don't show this again” to keep these boxes from opening. The quick help boxes can be re enabled in the program settings dialog.
Chapter 4: Program Installation RC-II will start per default with the full screen mode. In this mode, the start and program menus are not visible. To leave the full screen mode there exist three methods: 1. By pressing the button “OK/Enter” of the device. This button has per default the function “Toggle Fullscreen” assigned. 2. By pressing the top right soft button on the screen. This button has the function “Toggle Fullscreen” in the sample projects assigned. RC-II in full- screen- mode 3.
Chapter 4: Program Installation After two seconds a pop up menu will appear. Select the function “Fullscreen” from this menu. The pop- up menu appears The start and program menus are now visible. To disable the full screen mode at program start up you can change this by removing the option “Start in Fullscreen Mode” in the program settings dialog (see chapter “Display Settings”).
Chapter 4: Program Installation 4.4 Activation of the full version The full version of RC-II is protected by a activation key. To get your personal key you have to send an activation key request file “RegInfo.txt” with your name and email address to sales@wincesoft.de 4.4.1 Creation of the Key Request File “RegInfo.txt” Step 1: To create the activation key request file, click on the “Request Activation Key” button.
Chapter 4: Program Installation Step 3: RC-II has now created and stored your activation request file to “\RegInfo.txt” and “\My Documents\RegInfo.txt” on you mobile device. This file contains your given name, email address, the version number of RemoteControl II and a unique registration number. To receive your activation key you have to send this by an email to Sales@WinCESoft.de. For this you may use the email application of your mobile device or copy the file RegInfo.
Chapter 4: Program Installation In the last step you can choose to delete the trial version from your device to free some memory space. Your key is valid If you have more than one device you have to create a key request file for each. There is no additional license purchase required. All additional keys for your personal use are free. RemoteControl II, v3.
Chapter 5: Program De Installation 5 Program De Installation To de install RemoteControl II from you mobile device, you should first exit the program and then use the Remove Programs control panel of your mobile device. On Smartphones and PocketPCs you can find this at: Start- Menu → Settings → System → Remove Programs: Exit RemoteControl II Select RC-II and click on “Remove” If you want also to delete your project files answer with “Yes”.
Chapter 6: Program Menus 6 Program Menus A short description of all menu functions. 6.1 File Menu Menu: New Project File... With this function a new remote control project can be created. A project contains a set of remote control panels. See chapter 10, “Creating a new Remote Control Project”. Menu: Open Project File... With this a existing project can be loaded. There are some preconfigured projects for typical mobile devices with different display resolutions.
Chapter 6: Program Menus 6.2 Edit Menu Menu: Edit Project... With this function you can add new panel pages to the current project. See chapter 12, “Editing a Remote Control Project”. Menu: Edit Panel... With this, the included panel editor can be opened. With the panel editor you can modify the panel- pages of your project. See chapter 13, ”Editing a Panel Layout”. Menu: Edit IR Database... This opens the IR- code editor and code database.
Chapter 6: Program Menus 6.3 Help Menu First Steps... Displays a Quick Help box with some informations about using RemoteControl II. Help... Opens the included help pages. About... Displays some program informations like the version number and the registered user. Help Menu 6.4 Panel Selection Menu The Panel Selection Menu lists all included panel pages of the loaded project. RC-II will jump to the selected page.
Chapter 7: Program Settings 7 Program Settings 7.1 Infrared / IrDA- Port Settings 7.1.1 Setting the Infrared / IrDA port Select raw or native IrDA port: If your mobile device has a IrDA / infrared port included, RC-II will try to detect and select the correct IR port automatically for you. IR Port Settings There may exist situations where this auto detection will not work. For this you can select the IR port manually.
Chapter 7: Program Settings 7.1.2 Setting the IR Extender If you have inserted a CF IR extender card, you can choose one of the two available card types. Supported CF IR extender cards: • Laser- / Electric Dog PDA-IR Extender http://www.laser.com/?laserlink=ahpda-ir • UltraMote CF Extender http://www.ultramote.com/extender.
Chapter 7: Program Settings 7.2 Network Settings RC-II can access network devices via WiFi, Ethernet, USB and Bluetooth connections. 7.2.1 The network connections In this dialog you can see all existing network connections. A network connection consists of a connection name, a server name or IP address and a optional port number. To create a new network connection click on the “Add” button.
Chapter 7: Program Settings 7.2.3 Testing a Network Connection 7.2.3.1 Ping Test Button “Ping Test”: The Ping test will send a ICMP echo request package to the target host and listen for the echo response. The contents of the echo are verified and the response time is measured. With the ping test some data will be sent to the server. The answer will be verified and the transmit time measured and listed. Ping Network Connection Test 7.2.3.
Chapter 7: Program Settings 7.3 Display Settings Start in Fullscreen: Per default RC-II will start in full screen mode. In this mode, the start and program menus are not visible. Use Hi- Res.: Most windows mobile devices have a QVGA (240x320) display. If you have a Windows Mobile device with a VGA display (480x640), the panel graphics will be scaled per default by a factor of two. To use the full display resolution you can set this option.
Chapter 7: Program Settings 7.4 Time Format Settings The display format of the time can be configured in this dialog. Display formats: System format: The system default format is used. The system format can be changed in the regional settings of your device. 12h: 11:30 12h + A / P: 11:30 P 12h + AM / PM: 11:30 PM 24h: 23:30 Time Format Settings 7.5 Quick Help Settings RC-II will show per default some quick help message boxes in some situation.
Chapter 7: Program Settings 7.6 Miscellaneous Settings 7.6.1 Auto Display Off RC-II can optionally power down the display back light and the TFT display without powering down the complete device. This is useful if you are using a Bluetooth or WLAN connection because these are still powered on and will not disconnect from the WLAN access point. The touch screen may also be disabled on some devices too. To enable the display press on any device button. This function is not supported by all devices.
Chapter 7: Program Settings 7.6.3 Audio Settings Enable Soft and Device Button Beep Sound: With this option RC-II will create a short beep noise when a soft or device button is pressed. Enable System Touch Click Sound: Enable System Key Click Sound: Enable System Keyboard Autorepeat: This should be disabled if you want to send infrared codes by the internal IR port because the system click sounds and the autorepeat could affect the IR signal quality on some devices. Misc. Settings 7.6.
Chapter 7: Program Settings RC-II will ask for your password if you try open the layout editor, IR editor of if you try to add or remove a panel page from your project. Password protected layout editor Page 34 RemoteControl II, v3.
Chapter 8: Opening a Existing Remote Control Project 8 Opening a Existing Remote Control Project To open a existing project, select “Open Project File...” from the file menu and choose one of the listed project file. RC-II has some pre configured sample projects for different display sizes included. Open a project file List of available project files In the following sample the project file “Lion” is loaded. This project is designed for a landscape 640x480 display.
Chapter 9: Importing a Project File Package 9 Importing a Project File Package A project file package is a ZIP archive which contains all dependent files of a remote control project. A project consists of the panel pages, bitmaps, fonts, IR codes, network connections and command macros. You can find some project packages in the RC-II skins section at www.WinCESoft.de To import a project package, select “Import Project...” from the file menu.
Chapter 9: Importing a Project File Package Select the project package and press the top right OK button. RC-II imports the contents of the ZIP archive into its program directory. Choose the ZIP- project package Import in progress... After the import has finished you can open the new project file. Import successfully finished Open the imported project file RemoteControl II, v3.
Chapter 9: Importing a Project File Package Each project package ZIP archive contains also a README.TXT file with some informations about the included project: This ZIP archive contains all components (IR codes, panels, buttons, macros, bitmaps, fonts...) of a RemoteControl II project. ProjectName: Display: VersionRCII: VersionScript: Archived: "Lion" 640x480 3.00 1.2 2009.03.
Chapter 10: Creating a new Remote Control Project 10 Creating a new Remote Control Project To create a new and empty project select “New Project File...” from the File menu and enter the name of the new remote control project: Create a new and empty project Enter the name of the new project A new project contains no panels.
Chapter 11: Exporting a Project into a Project File Package 11 Exporting a Project into a Project File Package To archive or to share your created or modified RC-II project with other RC-II users, you can export a project into a project package. A project package is a ZIP archive which contains all components of your active RC-II project. To export your current project select “Export Current Project...” from the file menu. Export Current Project Select which components of your project to export.
Chapter 11: Exporting a Project into a Project File Package Enter the file name of the project package and press the OK button at top right. The file name extension “.ZIP” will be added automatically. File name of the project package Your project will be saved into the given ZIP file: Your project is saved into a ZIP file Project was successfully exported RemoteControl II, v3.
Chapter 12: Editing a Remote Control Project 12 Editing a Remote Control Project Most RC-II projects have more than one panel page included. You can get a quick overview about the included pages of your project by opening the panel list or by opening the Panel Selection Menu. Calling the panel list via pop up menu Calling the panel list via Edit → Jump to Panel... Panel List Panel Selection Menu Page 42 RemoteControl II, v3.
Chapter 12: Editing a Remote Control Project 12.1 Adding Panel Pages to a Project To manage the panel- pages of your project, select “Edit Project...” from the Edit menu. Open the Project Editor This opens the project editor with two lists. On the left side you can see all available panel pages, on the right side all included panel pages of your project. The listed *.pnl- files can be found in the RC-II program- directory in the sub directory “Panels\” Project Editor RemoteControl II, v3.
Chapter 12: Editing a Remote Control Project 12.1.1 Adding Existing Panel Pages With the project editor you can manage which panels are included in your project. To add existing panels from the left side to your project list on the right side, select the desired panels and press the right- arrow- button “->”. To remove panels from your project, select the desired panels from the right list and press the left arrow button “<-”. Select desired panels The selected panels are now part of your project.
Chapter 12: Editing a Remote Control Project 12.1.2 Adding a new Panel Page To create a new panel page press the “New” button in the project editor. Create a new panel- page Choose a device category for the new panel from the list or just enter any category name. In this sample we want to create a new panel for a Sony DVD player. Choose a device category for the panel RemoteControl II, v3.
Chapter 12: Editing a Remote Control Project Enter a name for the panel. We choose “Sony DVD Page 1”. Per default a blank panel page will be created. You can choose to copy the layout of an existing panel with the option “Copy layout from existing Panel” and by selecting one from the list. We want to create a new page from the scratch and don't copy the layout from a existing panel. Enter a name for the new panel page The new and empty panel was created.
Chapter 12: Editing a Remote Control Project After creating the new panel page, we have to add this to our project. Copy the new panel from the left ... … to the right list With a click on the “OK” button, the new blank panel page “Sony DVD Page 1” will be loaded and can be selected from the panel selection menu. Select the new panel page New panel “Sony DVD Page 1” RemoteControl II, v3.
Chapter 12: Editing a Remote Control Project 12.2 Define the Startup panel of a Project The startup panel will be automatically displayed as the first page when you start RemoteControl II. To define the startup panel page, click on one of the panels in the right list. Choose the startup panel Page 48 RemoteControl II, v3.
Chapter 13: Editing a Panel Layout 13 Editing a Panel Layout RemoteControl II has a graphical layout editor included. With this editor you can modify the appearance of existing panel pages, create completely new designs and assign functions to the created soft and device buttons. 13.1 Opening the Panel- Layout Editor We suggest switching into full screen mode to get a maximum space for editing the pages. Switch to full screen mode Full screen mode without any menus RemoteControl II, v3.
Chapter 13: Editing a Panel Layout If you tap and hold the stylus for more than two seconds on any point of the background, a pop up menu will appear. To open the layout editor select “Edit Panel...” from the pop up menu: Select “Edit Panel...” from the menu To close the dialog click on the “X” The context sensitive layout editor dialog “Objects Settings” should appear. “Context sensitive” means that the contents of the dialog will depend on the selected object.
Chapter 13: Editing a Panel Layout If you are in the edit mode and tap and hold the stylus for more than two seconds onto any point of the blue background, a pop up Menu will appear: Paste Object: Will add a previously copied object to the panel. If you select a object instead of the background, “Copy Object” is displayed instead. Add Object: This opens a button, bitmap and text label addition dialog. Fullscreen: Enables / Disables the program and system menus. Edit Panel: Leaves the layout editor.
Chapter 13: Editing a Panel Layout 13.2 Adding a Soft Button, Bitmap or Text Label to a Panel Page To add a new soft button, bitmap or text label to a panel page choose “Add Object” from the pop up menu or click on the “Add” button on the Object Settings- dialog. This will open the object browser dialog: The object browser shows a preview of the selected object. Object browser Choose the desired object type: Object Types: Button: Adds a soft button with one of the predefined layout.
Chapter 13: Editing a Panel Layout Choosing a layout for a button: Choose the object type “Button” and one of the predefined button layouts from the “Button- Layout” list. Some additional button packages can be downloaded from http://WinCESoft.de/html/skins.html Choose the desired button layout Press the “Add” button to add the selected object to your panel page. Press the “Add” button To leave the object browser click on the button “Back”. RemoteControl II, v3.
Chapter 13: Editing a Panel Layout 13.3 Editing the Text Label of a Button To edit the label of a button click on the desired button and enter the text in the edit box “Button Label:”. For this you can use the system keyboard of your device.
Chapter 13: Editing a Panel Layout 13.4 Deleting Objects from a Panel To delete an object click on the object to select it and press “Delete” or click on the “Del.” button. You can also use the “Delete Object” function from the context menu. Delete a Object 13.5 Moving and Placing Objects in a Panel An object can be moved in three dimensions: Horizontally, vertically and into the depth. 13.5.1 Moving Objects horizontally and vertically.
Chapter 13: Editing a Panel Layout 13.5.2 Moving Objects into Depth To change the depth layer of a object, select the object and the z position in the object settings dialog. There exist three z positions: Top: This places the object above all other objects with the position “center” and “bottom”. Center: This places the object above all objects with the position “bottom” and under all objects with the position “top” Bottom: This places the object under all objects with the position “center” and “top”.
Chapter 13: Editing a Panel Layout 13.6 Using the Edit Raster It may be helpful to enable the edit raster to align objects to rows and columns. To enable the raster set the “Show” check box, to snap the object to the raster set the “Snap” check box in the object settings dialog. The raster size can be changed with the raster size edit boxes. Unaligned objects Enabled edit raster 13.
Chapter 13: Editing a Panel Layout 13.8 Duplicating Objects in a Panel by Copy & Paste To copy and paste a object, click and hold on the desired object and select “Copy Object” from the pop up menu. Then click and hold onto the destination position of the copy and select “Paste Object” from the pop up menu. Alternatively the buttons “Copy” and “Paste” from the object settings dialog can be used. Copy and... ...
Chapter 13: Editing a Panel Layout 13.9 Changing the Panel Background Color and Background Bitmap To change the background, click on the background of the panel and choose a bitmap from the list. Choose a background image To use a background color instead of a bitmap, choose from the bitmap list “_NONE_”, click on the button “Background Color” and choose a color. Choose “_NONE_” Choose a color for the background RemoteControl II, v3.
Chapter 13: Editing a Panel Layout 13.10 Setting a Default IR Device for a Panel Page With this function you can quickly change the IR codes of all soft and device buttons of the selected panel page to a specific remote control model and device brand. In this example the two buttons have assigned the Sony TV IR codes VolumeUp and Volume Down for the remote control model “RM-620”.
Chapter 14: Editing a Button Layout 14 Editing a Button Layout 14.1 Modify a Existing Button Layout To edit the layout of a button select the desired button and click on the “Edit” button. This will open the button layout editor. Select the button and click on “Edit” A button can have two states: Pressed and released. For each of these two states a layout can be assigned.
Chapter 14: Editing a Button Layout The font type, color, size and the text alignment and position offset can be modified for both button states: Changing the text alignment Changing the font type To change the bitmap for a button state select one from the bitmap list. You can add more bitmaps by copying them into the bitmaps directory in the RemoteControl II program folder (e.g. \Storage Card\Program Files\RemoteControl II\Bitmaps\). Supported file formats are: BMP, GIF, JPG and PNG.
Chapter 14: Editing a Button Layout 14.1.1 Using Bitmap Transparency RemoteControl II supports the use of transparent bitmaps. A transparent area of a bitmap will show the background instead of the bitmap color. To make an area of a bitmap transparent set the “Transparent” check box, click on the “Pick Color” check box and click in the button bitmap on the desired area you want to be transparent. The selected color of the bitmap will be used as the transparency color.
Chapter 14: Editing a Button Layout 14.2 Create a New Button Layout To create a new button layout you need one or two button bitmaps for the pressed and released state. Copy these bitmaps into the bitmap directory of the RemoteControl II program directory. E.g. to \Storage Card\Program Files\RemoteControl II\Bitmaps\ Supported bitmap formats are BMP, GIF, JPG and PNG. Step 1: Add a new button with one of the existing layouts (e.g. “Battery 32”) to your panel.
Chapter 14: Editing a Button Layout Step 3: To create a new layout to the list of existing layouts click on the “New” button. Click on “New” to add a new layout Step 4: Enter the name of the new button layout (e.g. “NewLayout”). You can choose between two button types: 1. Bitmap Button: The layout uses up to two bitmaps for the button graphics. 2. Standard Button: The buttons looks like the standard Windows buttons without graphics. The size and the color of the new button are adjustable.
Chapter 14: Editing a Button Layout Step 5: Select the new layout from the layout list. Select the new layout from the list New layout with default settings Step 6: Choose a bitmap for the two buttons states “pressed” and “released” and set the desired font options. If you have finished the new layout leave the layout editor with the “Exit” button. Set bitmaps and text options Page 66 Final result: A new button layout RemoteControl II, v3.
Chapter 15: Assigning Functions to Buttons 15 Assigning Functions to Buttons After finishing the layouts of the panels the included buttons needs to get their functionality. All soft and device buttons can be assigned with several functions like sending a infrared command, sending a HTTP request to a server, jumping to another panel, calling an external applications inclusive command line parameters, swapping the full screen mode or exiting RC-II.
Chapter 15: Assigning Functions to Buttons Step 3: Set additional parameters for the selected button function. For the function “Jump to panel” you have to choose the destination panel you want to display after clicking the assigned button. Set additional function parameters The additional parameters depends on the selected function. If you have selected the function “Send IR Code” you will need to choose the the parameters for the IR code you want to send (e.g.
Chapter 15: Assigning Functions to Buttons 15.2 Assigning Functions to Device Buttons For each panel the device buttons can be individually assigned with button functions. If you swap to another panel the assigned button function will change to a new function set. Per default the button Enter/OK has the function “Toggle Full Screen” assigned. Step 1: Click somewhere on the background of the panel to show the object settings for the selected panel.
Chapter 15: Assigning Functions to Buttons Step 3: RemoteControl is now waiting for a button press on one of the device buttons. RC II is waiting for a button press Step 4: Press any of the device buttons (e.g. the up arrow button). RC-II will display the recognised button code. If you have pressed the desired device button click on the “OK” button to leave the button scanner dialog. Press any button on your device Page 70 RemoteControl II, v3.
Chapter 15: Assigning Functions to Buttons The recognized device button “UP ARROW” will be added to the list. Per default the button has assigned the buttons function “_NONE_” (no function). Recognized device button Step 5: Now you can assign one of the button functions (e.g. “Send IR Code”). Choose a button function RemoteControl II, v3.
Chapter 15: Assigning Functions to Buttons Step 6: Set the optional parameters for the assigned device button function. Set additional function parameters Configure all desired device buttons. To leave the device button editor click on the “Back” button. Configure additional device buttons Page 72 RemoteControl II, v3.
Chapter 16: Button and Macro Functions 16 Button and Macro Functions Functions can be assigned to soft- and device buttons and can be also called from function macros.
Chapter 16: Button and Macro Functions 16.1 Function “Call External Programs” With this function a external application can be launched. A command line parameter for the launching application can be attached. Step 1: Select the soft button to assign the button function and select the button function “Call External Program” from the function list. Step 2: To select the external application click on the “Browse” button. This will open a file browser.
Chapter 16: Button and Macro Functions Step 3: Enter the optionally command line for the application. If you call the Internet Explorer you could enter a URL to a on-line EPG service like “www.zingzing.co.uk”, “tvpixie.com/tv-listings”, “www.tvpal.co.uk”, “www.tvtv.de” or similar. Enter the optionally command line If you close the layout editor and click on the button with the new assigned button function, Internet Explorer will be launched and the web server with the URL “www.zingzing.co.uk” connected.
Chapter 16: Button and Macro Functions 16.2 Function “Call Macro” With the “Call Macro” function you can execute a group of commands with a single button click. Example of a macro- list: 1. Send IR Code “PowerOn” 2. Wait 5000ms 3. Send HTTP Request “LaunchMediaPlayer” 4. Wait 500ms 5. Send HTTP Request “Play” This will power on a IR device (e.g. a PC with a HTTP- server and a IR receiver) by sending a IR command, wait 5 seconds, send a HTTP- request “LaunchMediaPlayer”, wait 0.
Chapter 16: Button and Macro Functions Step 2: Choose a predefined macro from the list of available macros Choose a macro from the list 16.2.1 Editing Function Macros To modify existing or create new macro lists click on the button “Edit”. This will open the macro list editor. Click on Edit RemoteControl II, v3.
Chapter 16: Button and Macro Functions 16.2.1.1Modifying Existing Macros In the macro editor the list of function calls can be modified. Choose the desired macro from the “Used Macro List” and the included functions calls will be listed. Macro List Editor To add a new function call to the list, place the cursor onto one of the already included function calls and click on the “add” button. The new function will be inserted beneath the selected function.
Chapter 16: Button and Macro Functions To change the function of the selected entry choose a new function from the function list. Set the function of the new entry 16.2.1.2Creating new Macros Step 1: To create a new macro click on the “New” button. For a new macro click on “New” RemoteControl II, v3.
Chapter 16: Button and Macro Functions Step 2: Enter the name of the new macro and click on “OK”. Enter the name of the new macro Step 3: A new macro with a empty function list was created. Click on the “Add” button to insert the desired function calls to the macro list. New macro with empty function list Page 80 RemoteControl II, v3.
Chapter 16: Button and Macro Functions 16.3 Function “Close RC-II” “Close RC II” will close the RemoteControl II application. This function has no additional options. Function “Close RC II” 16.4 Function “Hide RC-II” On PocketPCs or Windows Mobile devices the application window of RC-II will be moved into the background. On Windows CE devices the Window of RC-II will be minimized. The window can be reactivated on PocketPCs by the task manager or by clicking on the RemoteControl II program icon.
Chapter 16: Button and Macro Functions 16.5 Function “Jump to Panel” With the function “Jump to Panel” you can jump from the active panel to one of the other panels of your RC-II project. This allows to create very complex menu systems. Function “Jump to Panel” Page 82 Choose the destination panel RemoteControl II, v3.
Chapter 16: Button and Macro Functions 16.6 Function “Send HTTP Request” The function “Send HTTP Request” allows you to control network devices with a included HTTP server like Set Top boxes, Media PCs, RF controller, switches and external IR transmitters. By using RC-II instead of a slow web browser a have very short latency time. Set the function “Send HTTP Request”. Function “Send HTTP Request” Choose one of the network connections. To create a new network connection click on the button “...”.
Chapter 16: Button and Macro Functions Enter the URL path inclusive a command for the web server. RC-II can send two different commands at the press and at the release of a button. This is very useful for volume change, brightness change and color change commands. While holding a button the volume will be automatically increased and stopped at release. To enter a button release command set the sign “|” behind the button press command and enter the button release command behind this sign. E.g: “\Index.
Chapter 16: Button and Macro Functions Alternatively the URL “http://192.168.0.101:80/Index.html?VolumeUp” can be split into “192.168.0.101:80/Index.html” for the network connection and “?VolumeUp” for the the URL edit field: IP address incl. part of the URL path Second path of URL incl command Splitting the URL “http://192.168.0.101/Index.html?VolumeUp” into “192.168.0.101/Index.html?" and "VolumeUp” is also valid. With this you only have to enter the HTTP- request commands without any “/” or “Index.
Chapter 16: Button and Macro Functions 16.7 Function “Send IR Code” If your device has a built in IR /IrDA port you can use this to send IR commands to your home equipment. Most PocketPC and mobile phone devices until 2007 has a IrDA port included because of a requirement from Microsoft for these device types. IrDA is primary used to connect the Windows CE device via ActiveSync to a laptop, IR printer or to use a mobile phone for a internet connection via GSM/GPRS/EDGE/UMTS.
Chapter 16: Button and Macro Functions 16.8 Function “Show Battery Gauge” This function will display a remaining battery capacity text or alternatively a battery capacity bar on the selected button. Select the function “Show Battery Gauge” Function “Show Battery Gauge” If you change the bitmap button to a standard button you can also display a battery capacity bar. The predefined button layout “Battery” uses a standard button. Capacity bar with a standard button RemoteControl II, v3.
Chapter 16: Button and Macro Functions By editing the button layout the dimensions and the color of the capacity bar can be modified. Changing the dimensions of the bar Batter capacity bar with new layout 16.9 Function “Show Memory Gauge” This function will use the selected button to display the used and free system memory of the device. Select the function “Show Memory Gauge” from the button function list. The layout can be also changed as described in the chapter 16.8, “Function “Show Battery Gauge””.
Chapter 16: Button and Macro Functions 16.10 Function “Show Panel List” With this function a jump list to all the included panel pages of the active RemoteControl II project can be displayed. Select the function “Show Panel List” from the list of button functions. Function “Show Panel List” With a click on the button with the assigned function a list with all panel pages is displayed. Click one of the entries to jump to the desired panel. Opened panel jump list RemoteControl II, v3.
Chapter 16: Button and Macro Functions 16.11 Function “Show Time” This function will display the system time on the selected button. Select he function “Show Time” from the the list of button functions. Function “Show Time” The format of the time text can be changed in the settings dialog of RemoteControl II: Choose the time format Page 90 New time format RemoteControl II, v3.
Chapter 16: Button and Macro Functions 16.12 Function “Toggle Fullscreen” This function will toggle between the fullscreen and menu mode. Select the function “Toggle Fullscreen” from the button function list. Function “Toggle Fullscreen” With a click on the button the display will toggle between the menu- and fullscreen mode: Menu mode Fullscreen mode RemoteControl II, v3.
Chapter 17: Learning new Infrared Commands 17 Learning new Infrared Commands If your device has a built in IR/IrDA port you can send IR commands to your home equipment and learn new commands from your original remote controls. Most PocketPC and mobile phone devices until 2007 have a IrDA port included because of a requirement from Microsoft for these device types.
Chapter 17: Learning new Infrared Commands RC-II will display a short instruction message on how to teach new IR codes. If your original remote control uses a toggle code IR format set the “Learn toggle codes” option. If you have learned from a remote control which uses the IR toggle code format without set this option, only every second sent command will be recognized from the controlled device. Click on “OK” to start the quick learn mode.
Chapter 17: Learning new Infrared Commands RC-II is now waiting for a IR signal from your original remote control. If no IR signal is received within 10 seconds learning will be cancelled. Put the IR transmitter of your original remote control with a distance of 1530cm / 6-10inch from the IR receiver of your Windows CE device and press the button of your original remote control until you hear a beep noise from RC-II. Repeat this with all soft and device buttons you want to teach.
Chapter 17: Learning new Infrared Commands 18 The Infrared Code Database In the IR database you can display and modifying existing IR codes, creating new IR code device collections and importing IR CCF hex codes. To start the IR database click on the menu entry “Edit->Edit IR Database...”. Start the IR Database In the upper third you can see the pulse graph of the selected IR codes in the tree. In the mid a editor window with the CCF IR hex code.
Chapter 18: The Infrared Code Database 18.1 Creating new IR Database Entries To add new IR devices to the IR database there exist two methods: 1. By using the quick learn method described in chapter 17.1, “IR Quick Learn Mode”.
Chapter 18: The Infrared Code Database Step 2: RC-II will ask you for a new device type category. You can chose one of the predefined from the list or enter a new device type (e.g. “Video Games”). Enter the new device type category Step 3: To add a new device manufacturer name to the newly created device type category select the new device type in the tree and click on the “Add Brand” button. Add a device manufacturer name RemoteControl II, v3.
Chapter 18: The Infrared Code Database Step 4: Choose one of the predefined manufacturer names from the list or enter a new name. Enter the name of the brand Step 5: To add a new remote control to the manufacturer select the newly created manufacturer in the tree and click on the “Add RC” button. Add a new remote control Page 98 RemoteControl II, v3.
Chapter 18: The Infrared Code Database Step 6: Enter the name of the new remote control (e.g. “XBOX 360”) and optionally the name of the controlled device and add the required IR functions to the right list. You can use predefined IR code function names from the left list or add still undefined IR codes names by entering the name in the edit box “User defined function”. To get an enhanced list with uncommon function names set the “Extended functions” check box.
Chapter 18: The Infrared Code Database Step 7b: ...or teach each IR function step by step by selecting the IR function from the tree and click the “Learn IRCode” button. Learn a single IR code Step 8: RC-II is now waiting for a IR signal from your original remote control. If no IR signal is received within 10 seconds learning will be cancelled.
Chapter 18: The Infrared Code Database Step 9: In the last step you can verify and test the learned code by selecting the code in the tree and click on the “Send IR-Code“ button. Here you can also verify and edit the IR code manually if you find any drop outs in the signal. The red part of a signal is the looped signal, the green part a single shot signal. There exist also IR codes which start with a single sequence and end with a looped sequence.
Chapter 18: The Infrared Code Database 18.2 Importing CCF IR Hex Codes If you don't have the original remote control any more or if you want to use special discrete IR codes you can import IR codes in the CCF IR hex format. This format is used by the Phillips Pronto (http://www.pronto.philips.com/) and other remote controls.
Chapter 18: The Infrared Code Database 18.3 The CCF IR Hex Code Format There exist many descriptions about the Pronto CCF IR hex format in the web. I recommend reading these two documents if you want to know more about this IR code format. Learned IR Code Display Format: http://www.the-gordons.net/homepage/Downloads/IRDocs.zip Pronto IR Formats: http://www.hifi-remote.com/infrared/prontoirformats.pdf RemoteControl II, v3.
Chapter 19: Designing Layouts on a PC 19 Designing Layouts on a PC If you don't want to edit the layouts on your Pocket PC or Smart Phone you can install and use Microsoft's Windows CE emulator or the free remote window application “MyMobiler” on your PC and use a mouse instead of a stylus. RemoteControl II running in the 800x480 emulator and the MyMobiler remote window I recommend enabling the shared folder option of the emulator and install RC-II into this folder. Microsoft Device Emulator 3.
Chapter 20: Network Application Examples 20 Network Application Examples By using RC-II instead of a slow web browser a have very short latency time. 20.1 EventGhost A media PC can be controlled by using tools like EventGhost. EventGhost is an advanced, easy to use and extensible automation tool for MS Windows. It can use different input devices like infrared or wireless remote controls to trigger macros, that on their part control a computer and its attached hardware.
Chapter 20: Network Application Examples Choose “Webserver” from the list Like all HTML servers this plugin requires a HTML file. You can create a dummy HTML file “e.g. Index.html” with a text editor like notepad.exe and any contents like Hello World from the Webserver :) and save this file into any directory (e.g. D:\Program Files\EventGhost\HTML-Files\) of your PC. Page 106 RemoteControl II, v3.
Chapter 20: Network Application Examples Enter this directory path into the HTML root field: Enter the path to your html file “Index.html” And click on the “OK” button. The webserver plugin should appear in the configuration tree of EventGhost: Active webserver plugin RemoteControl II, v3.
Chapter 20: Network Application Examples To send events to EventGhost you have to create a network connection to your PC. If your PC has the IP address “192.168.0.101” you have to create the network connection (e.g. “EventGhost”) with this IP address: Add new network connection Added EventGhost connection The port number “:80” is optionally and per default 80. Most web servers uses the port number 80. Then assign to any soft or device button the function “Send HTTP Request” with the option “/Index.
Chapter 20: Network Application Examples Leave the panel editor and click on the soft button to send the new created HTTP request “VolumeUp” to EventGhost. Event Ghost should display the received event in the log window at the left side: Received “VolumeUp” event Now you can connect this event to any EventGhost action or macro like “Change Master Volume by +2%”. Please read the EventGhost manual for further information. You can also define auto repeat events.
Chapter 20: Network Application Examples 20.1.1 HTTP Request Pattern for EventGhost: The blue part should be entered in the network connection settings and the yellow part into URL field of the HTTP request function. Pattern without html file: http:///?& Pattern with html file: http:///?& Examples without html file: 192.168.0.101/?VolumeUp 192.168.0.101/?VolumeUp&withoutRelease 192.168.0.
Chapter 20: Network Application Examples 20.2 External IR Transmitter If your mobile device doesn't have a included IR port you can use external IR transmitters like IRTrans from http://www.irtrans.de IRTrans from www.IRTrans.de This device has a included HTTP server and can be controlled by RemoteControl II via HTTP command requests. 20.2.1 HTTP Request Pattern for IRTrans The blue part should be entered in the network connection settings and the yellow part into URL field of the HTTP request function.
Chapter 20: Network Application Examples 20.3 Home Automation Control There exist home automation control devices with included HTTP server like the EZcontrol XS1 from www.EZcontrol.de EZControl XS1 from www.EZcontrol.de This device enables you to control RF devices like simple RF switches, light dimmers and rolling shutters by RemoteControl II via HTTP command requests. 20.3.
Chapter 20: Network Application Examples 20.4 Set Top Boxes If your set top box has a alternative operating system like Neutrino or Enigma installed you can control this by RemoteControl ll via the HTTP request function. Description of the http- commands for Enigma: http://wiki.tuxbox.org/wiki/index.php/Ehttp_api_doku http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DreamBox http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DBox2 20.4.
Chapter 21: List of Tested Devices with included Infrared Port 21 List of Tested Devices with included Infrared Port If you want to send IR commands directly from your mobile device with RemoteControl II IR or RemoteControl II PRO, the device must have a IrDA port included. Most PocketPCs until 2007 have a IrDA port included because of a requirement from Microsoft. Used devices are available at eBay or or similar auction platforms for about €20 to €70 or U$30 to U$100.
Chapter 21: List of Tested Devices with included Infrared Port • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Qtek 9100 Samsung i700 Siemens AT&T Wireless SX56 Siemens SIMpad SL4, CL4, IR- transmit range > 50feet/15m by using the supported CF IR extender SPV M3000 Stampcomputer Stamp 8402 Sumo ST370 T-Com T-Sinus Pad Toshiba e350, e355, e550G, e570, e740, e750, e755, e800, e805, Genio-e ViewSonic V35, V37, Viewpad VPA Compact S VPA Compact II XDA II XDA Neo XDA mini S … RC-II can use the IR port off all mobile devices w
Chapter 22: Program Version History 22 Program Version History V3.00 (2010.02.21): • Wireless network support added. Network devices like Media PC's, Set Top boxes and switches can now controlled via WLAN, Ethernet, Bluetooth or USB connections. • RC-II is now available in three versions. RemoteContol II NET: For controlling network devices by a WLAN, Bluetooth or USB connection.
Chapter 22: Program Version History v2.12: • • • PocketLOOX N520 / N560 battery warning message problem fixed. Enhanced signal accuracy for devices with Intel XScale- CPU. PNG bitmaps with alpha layer are now loaded correctly. v2.11: • • • New button function "Hide RC II": Minimizes the RemoteControl II- application window. New button function "Close RC II": Quits RemoteControl II application. Improved start-up speed. v2.
Chapter 22: Program Version History • Import function supports now also projects with umlauts in the file and pathnames. • Also partially loaded panels are now visible. • Bug fix: Error message if the number of valid objects or panels is exceeded in the trial version. • Sample projects cleaned and redundant bitmaps removed. v2.05: • Bug fix: "First Start-up"- problem on some WM 5 devices after installation solved. v2.04: • Support for devices with TI OMAP850 CPU added.
Chapter 22: Program Version History v2.02: • Support for devices with Samsung CPU (S3C2410, S3C2440) added. Tested on Acer N30, Acer N35, HP iPAQ rx3715. RC II supports now devices with Intel StrongARM (SA1100, SA1110), Intel XScale (PXA250, PXA255, PXA260, PXA270, PXA272) and Samsung (S3C2410, S3C2440) CPU's. • Quick help function added. • IR- Signal accuracy for Intel PXA25x and PXA27x CPU based devices enhanced. v2.01: • IR signal optimizations for Intel PXA270 systems.
Chapter 22: Program Version History • Windows Mobile 5 Bug fix: "Screen rotation is not supported by this device"- error fixed. • Tons of other bug fixes. v1.18: • Set-up- Error- Message: "The program you have installed may not display properly because it was designed for a previous version of Windows Mobile software." fixed • Unified Handheld- and PocketPC- set-up files. One set-up file for all OS- variants. v1.17: • Bug fix: Activation of the hi- res.
Chapter 22: Program Version History • Bug fix: In full screen mode, applications mapped to the device hardware keys do not launch properly. • Bug fix: Scrollbars disappears in full screen edit mode. • Bug fix: Error Message "Unknown File Version xx, Please use a newer version of RCII.". • Bug fix: Soft- keyboard is now automatically activated in IR database. v1.12 • • • • • • Support of the PocketLoox 710/720 CIR- port for a extended transmit range. Call of external applications (e.g.
Chapter 22: Program Version History • • • • • • Improved IR. learn accuracy with PXA270 CPU's. IR- Quick learn function for buttons and device keys added. Editor context menus added. Copy & paste function added. New panels can be derived from existent panels. Some bug fixes... v1.08 • Support of CF- IR- extender cards (for SIMpad & t-Sinus pads) (Laser- / Electric Dog- PDA-IR-Extender & UltraMote CF- Extender) added.
Chapter 22: Program Version History mode. • Reduced memory requirements (from 10MB to 7MB free RAM) v1.03 • • • • Bug fix: IR code file format: Some IR codes was not saved correctly. Faster button recognition. Now you can type much faster. Slightly optimized IR record function. More IR- code types are recognized now. v1.03ß • Support of "old" non burst IR codes. • Bug fix: Registry access (call of RegCloseKey() with correct handle).
Chapter 22: Program Version History v1.00ß (2004.02.23) • First public BETA release of RemoteControl II with graphical layout editor, IR database and IR code learn functionality. v0.01ß (2000.09.30) • First working predecessor (RemoteControl I) with static interface. Support for Windows CE 3.0 devices with Intel Strong ARM SA1110 CPU. 23 Support You can find the newest version of RemoteControl II, this user manual, new project files and some how- to pages at our website: www.WinCESoft.de or www.WinCESoft.
Chapter 24: Index 24 Index Index A ActiveSync.......................................................13 Adding a Bitmap..............................................52 Adding a new Panel Page.................................45 Adding a Soft Button........................................52 Adding a Text Label.........................................52 Adding Existing Panel Pages...........................44 Adding Panel Pages to a Project.......................43 Assigning Functions..........................
Chapter 24: Index Home Automation Control.............................112 HTTP Request Test...........................................29 HTTP Server.....................................................83 I IBD Future.pad-CE..........................................27 Import Project...................................................23 Importing a Project File Package.....................36 Importing CCF IR Hex Codes........................102 Infrared / IrDA- Port Settings...........................
Chapter 24: Index Siemens SIMpad..............................................27 SIMpad...........................................................123 Single Sequence.............................................101 Smart Phones......................................................7 Start in Fullscreen Mode..................................30 Startup Panel of a Project.................................48 Sumo ST375.....................................................27 Support..................................
