Database Users

Change Backlight Button to Camera flash light

Hi all,..
Is there a way to change the Backlight button on the universal so it activates the Camera light on the back of the device instead of turing on the backlight?
When possible the Universal becomes a pocket flashlight. Now when I want to activate the universal camera light I need to start up the camera software, It would be much quicket to just press the Light button to enable and disable the bright camera light. The Light button is now unuseful to me because the backlight automatticly turns on when tapping the screen, so no button needed...
anyone got a idea?
Best regards,..
Arjan

Now thats a damned good idea!! The backlight button is useless anyway.
Anyone here got the skills, I am afraid that I am just a lowly win32/KM developer...
Whats the best way to get into WM2005 coding?? Does it still require you to install 10,000 toolkits, or does Visual Studio 2005.net have the nessesaries? (if work ever sorts out our MSDN sub that is!)
Nigel

Paging buzz_lightyear! Paging buzz_lightyear!
buzz_lightyear to the rescue!
..... please?

As an almost entirely unrelated aside, you guys know that my program VJLumos, for the superbright screen, works on the Universal?
Doesn't make that much difference because it already has a nice screen.
V

Hi Buzz,..
Seems you know all about this schit. Can you tell uss if this is possible?
Regards..
arjan

vijay555 said:
As an almost entirely unrelated aside, you guys know that my program VJLumos, for the superbright screen, works on the Universal?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True, true... but the camera flash is trully bright!!! Even more than the screen!
I've checked the Win32 Mobile API and found nothing, so the solution must be in one of the HTC DLL's!
Disassembling Camera.exe in IDA didn't give big results neither... :?
I'll continue my reseach and post the results here!

Just wanted to keep this close to the top of the forum,
I would love this feature! Please please pretty please
Regards, Simon

Me To
would be great to have a portable flashlight with me all the time

Still triying, but until now, no success...
buzz_lightyear, can you give a hand here?

Realy hope anybody can find it out because this would be really great!!!

But can it be fixed?

Will this be possible?
not that I really know too much about all this kinda stuff, but MortPlayer refuses to recognise the button with a lightbulb on it even if you use the option that allows you to specify a hardware button by pressing it. Does this mean that this button is somehow hidded frm WM5 or am I being silly?
//Xi

MusicPlayer can recognize the button, I think it takes it as some kind of function button (F4 or F6 or something like that), so is definitely possible to use it.

I actually use it, after adding it to the registry. The button code is C8, so you just have to copy paste another button, and change any CX occurence to C8.
Key is HKLM/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/Shell/key/40CX

OK, so that's taken care!! Now to find HOW the camera turns the flash light on... I'm sure it's some kind of API..... :? :?

http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/e..._7effd1fa-1b3e-41ba-b176-42cb16dae7d4.xml.asp
i think this is done at driver level....
we might need to hook up with the camera driver dll, disassemble it and get the function names....
and then, need to write an app which will link up the dll at run time and call the fn....
apart from that, theres no simple way to do so using MS provided sdks for wm5....
S

dreamtheater39 said:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/en-us/still/hh/still/WIA_PropTable_7effd1fa-1b3e-41ba-b176-42cb16dae7d4.xml.asp
i think this is done at driver level....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree!! But I don't think that WIA is something to go thrue, since that applies to Win32 only!

That link was from the Desktop Windows DDK. The windows mobile DDK is a different beast.
I suspect the API will be similar tho. I very much doubt whether the camera app is going to directly call an IOCTL down in kernel mode to control the camera light (that would be crude!) It will be doing so via a user mode API. The key is going to be to find which DLL handles this and what the function name and format is!
Unfortunately although I write Desktop Windows drivers, I have not got the first clue about windows mobile programming - dont even know what tools to install!
Nigel

Just noticed something very odd: WM2005 emulator does NOT have camera.exe!!!
Camera.exe is the picture taking app on the WM2005! Where the hell is it?? Only on real devices (my Exec has it)?

ei99070 said:
Just noticed something very odd: WM2005 emulator does NOT have camera.exe!!!
Camera.exe is the picture taking app on the WM2005! Where the hell is it?? Only on real devices (my Exec has it)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the wm5 sdk has the camera api exposed...however, no luck finding anything related to the flash light
i think its something htc has directly hooked up.
horrible MS they have to goof up somewhere ..... :evil:
i guess some disassembling is needed
buzz...where r u dude???
San

[new release] VJLumos III (Hermes only)

[EDIT - I forgot to mention what this app does!]
All, this is a new version of VJLumos for the Hermes (primarily). VJLumos is used to take advantage of the brief flash of extra brightness you see when you start the camera.
VJLumos puts your device into that extra bright mode (semi-)permanently.
You are advised to look up VJLumos II on my website to find out more detail.
Guys, I'm stuck in court every day until Christmas, so I'm not getting much programming done these days, and when I am, it's on a new website, not C++
However, I finally gave VJLumos another crack, since I can't believe the Hermes screen is so pale. So here you go, a TEST version of VJLumos III. It's not feature complete yet, but it works (I think )
Instructions:
Launch it to make the screen brighter.
Launch it again to disable it.
While VJLumos is on, you cannot use the camera. Deactivate it (ie load it a second time) to use the camera.
It seems to work, and seems to survive pressing standby. I may add more features as required, but it's hot off the press for you guys to try out.
Let me know if it works, what you think, and how your battery life gets on.
No installer for now, just run the app.
http://www.vijay555.com/vj/releases/vjlumosiii/vjlumosiii.exe
V
PS It may work on other devices.
For the Magician, use VJLumos II
For the Wizard, send me a wizard and I'll support it!
On the Universal it doesn't make much difference, so not recommended.
But on the Hermes, super brite!

thank you very much
worked fine but we can't run the camera ,, Why!!!
the error is : the camera is in use ,, we have to exit from the super brite to open the camera
anyway ,, thank u 2much bro

@its right: It's because you're too f***ing lazy to read a damn thing! vijay has told on several occasions how his hack works. Basically: load the camera (not visible) and voila!

vijay555 said:
...
V
PS It may work on other devices.
For the Magician, use VJLumos II
For the Wizard, send me a wizard and I'll support it!
On the Universal it doesn't make much difference, so not recommended.
But on the Hermes, super brite!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"send me a Wizard" hehe, i'd love to have more devices to study them too but in this case i don't think it's needed since the Wizard has a very bright display. I use it on the lowest level (bellow that light is off ) and only if sunlight is hitting it directly it's needed to increase the backlight
cheers

thank you.
its working great on my hermes...
thank a lot.

mestrini said:
only if sunlight is hitting it directly it's needed to increase the backlight
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is that so? I'd love that while watching movies on my Magician. Lowest level is only sufficient under blanket ;-)

Chatty, what phone are you on now? Did you ever get your camera thing sorted out?
V

Chatty said:
Is that so? I'd love that while watching movies on my Magician. Lowest level is only sufficient under blanket ;-)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yep, i even use it as a flashlight in my home at night when all lights are off and get sore eyes when trying to see the time in the middle of the night. All this in lowest brightness level

I've tried VJLumos on my Magician and Hermes, and suprisingly the Hermes screen is slightly brighter. The Universal is quite dark, and the Mio a701 is quite bright (but VJLumos doesn't work on this).
V

Can you possibly make on/off comand line options in addition to the default toggle.
This makes it possible to automatically turn your app off before launching camera app.

Somebody willing to test a little hack on his/her Hermes? It should lighten up its display without doing a softreset if you start the camera app...

For me the Lumos program has the added plus of disabling my unit's internal CPU clock scaling, so it runs at full speed while on. Although I do not have the hermes or tytn, this probably applies to all new HTC units with internal camera.
This has also helped me with PHM overclocking in the past, because the conflict of controling the CPU was removed while using the Lumos program.
Max CPU speed is probably also why the battery drains faster.

Lol, that's a good "feature"!
Chatty, I'll be intersted, I think I found another way to do it recently as well without using the camera function. Haret also shows another way. But send me over a test app if you have one.
V

vijay555 said:
I think I found another way to do it recently as well without using the camera function. Haret also shows another way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What are those ways? Mine involves nothing but a few peeks and pokes around 0xB00013xx.
I'll be disclosing my new program in a few days... anxiuos about hearing about your success on hermes with it.

Works on Prophet
Hi,
Thanks for this app. VJLumosIII works on my i-mate Jamin, so it should work on the Prophet, because they have the same hardware.
The app pulls the brightness to the same level as the highest that can be reached with Settings -> System -> Backlight. That's quite nice, because it helps reading the display when I'm outdoors.

Does your screen go brighter when you start the camera? It's supposed to emulate that brightness, so on Hermes/Universal/Magician it makes the screen brighter then the normal maximum brightness you can configure in settings.
V

Works great for me. I added to my windows/start menu folder and then was able to add it on the PTT button for the toggle on/off Brightness and then set the Press and Hold for the PTT toggle to vibrate.
You guys are great.
Thanks
Rick
Cingular 8525

vijay555 said:
[EDIT - I forgot to mention what this app does!]
All, this is a new version of VJLumos for the Hermes (primarily). VJLumos is used to take advantage of the brief flash of extra brightness you see when you start the camera.
VJLumos puts your device into that extra bright mode (semi-)permanently.
You are advised to look up VJLumos II on my website to find out more detail.
Guys, I'm stuck in court every day until Christmas, so I'm not getting much programming done these days, and when I am, it's on a new website, not C++
However, I finally gave VJLumos another crack, since I can't believe the Hermes screen is so pale. So here you go, a TEST version of VJLumos III. It's not feature complete yet, but it works (I think )
Rumor has it that you have a program that can shrink the size of the top taskbar and then size of the soft keys to save space?
I can't find it on your website.
Could you help?
I think the start bar is a big waste of space as are the soft keys--why so big?
Instructions:
Launch it to make the screen brighter.
Launch it again to disable it.
While VJLumos is on, you cannot use the camera. Deactivate it (ie load it a second time) to use the camera.
It seems to work, and seems to survive pressing standby. I may add more features as required, but it's hot off the press for you guys to try out.
Let me know if it works, what you think, and how your battery life gets on.
No installer for now, just run the app.
http://www.vijay555.com/vj/releases/vjlumosiii/vjlumosiii.exe
V
PS It may work on other devices.
For the Magician, use VJLumos II
For the Wizard, send me a wizard and I'll support it!
On the Universal it doesn't make much difference, so not recommended.
But on the Hermes, super brite!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rumor has it that you have a program that can shrink the size of the top taskbar and then size of the soft keys to save space?
I can't find it on your website.
Could you help?
I think the start bar is a big waste of space as are the soft keys--why so big?

If what the program does is start camera app and minimize it, why not give it the ability to, when you press the camera button, you just maximize the camera app?

It doesn't start the camera app and minimise it.
VJLumos I did that, but it had a tendency to hard reset the phone due to the camera having fits about being minimised - it's programmed to disable itself when it's not the onscreen app.
VJLumos II onwards use a different technique.
VJLumos III is built on VJLumos II, but aimed primarily at the Hermes.
pufftissue: I missed your post! VJToggleToday II
V

Tytn and maximum lcd backlight

Hi, did anyone noticed that maximum Tytn's backlight is much dimmer than Wizard's? But it seems that it is only a software block because when you start Camera application, brightness goes much higher.. It's not matter of life and death, but it quite annoys me.
So.. Do anyone know if there is some way how to enable higher values? Probably some registry fix or something like that...

naciniak said:
Hi, did anyone noticed that maximum Tytn's backlight is much dimmer than Wizard's? But it seems that it is only a software block because when you start Camera application, brightness goes much higher.. It's not matter of life and death, but it quite annoys me.
So.. Do anyone know if there is some way how to enable higher values? Probably some registry fix or something like that...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well thanks to the fantastic Vijay555 there is something you can do:
check this:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=279365&highlight=lumos
Mike

oh.. thanks

I have to say, I hate using my Hermes without VJLumos. The normal max brightness is horrible, washed out and weak...
V

i remapped the record button for youre great app works well

Yeah.. nice program.. but unfortunately it is still just trying to bypass the problem by using the camera application. So when Vjlumos is running you are unable to use the camera.. There must by some other way. I hope somebody will find it..
But still.. It is a great program

There is another way, but remember that the extra brightness is tied to the camera functions.... I've been thinking about rewriting this app to turn it into a service so it takes less resources.
If and when, I'll try to make it camera independant. But the problem with that is that it will be device specific ie Hermes.
But then I thought, meh? Whatever, it'll still be better!
V

naciniak said:
Yeah.. nice program.. but unfortunately it is still just trying to bypass the problem by using the camera application. So when Vjlumos is running you are unable to use the camera.. There must by some other way. I hope somebody will find it..
But still.. It is a great program
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is a great app. However for me, I'm able to use the camera without having to disable the app. I just hit the camera button to access the camera function, then hit the camera button again and was able to take a picture. With that being said, once I exited the camera function, the screen was dim again and I had to hit my VJLumos icon twice (once to disable, once again to enable) to get the screen back to its brightness. Currently a small price to pay.
Vijay, nice apps. Even if you make this app specific to Hermes, I think you'll have a lot of satisfied people. Thanks for great apps!

Amazing Simple Torch no .Net needed

http://www.freewarepocketpc.net/ppc-download-torchbutton.html
Has 5 separate modes, accesible INSTANTLY after the icon press.
Love it.

AWESOME!!!
doministry said:
[
Has 5 separate modes, accesible INSTANTLY after the icon press.
Love it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
EXCELLENT!!!
hTorch always gave me the worst of problems.... crashing and what not
excellent find! thx so much!
indeed the best flashlight!

waht about damaging the led and the vibration device?
many many people made bad expierence with htorch

Fikachu said:
waht about damaging the led and the vibration device?
many many people made bad expierence with htorch
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If they use it too long.
We have to be careful, that's it.

Actually hTorch is only front-end to this. It's even written somewhere in hTorch readme.
I use it especially because instant reaction, I have it mapped to hardware button.
Yes, some guys had troubles. But even camera software will use the LED on low-power mode for unlimited time. I guess low power mode is supposed to be safe. Sure you might have wrong unit and the LED will burn out, but then it would probably burn out with camera software too.
And of course, it's intended for occasional use.

I love it! ThX! You can use Push-To-Talk if you have Spb PocketPlus (I suppose it works with AEButtons Plus as well). Marvellous!
And about the LED: Just keep using it with low power (Why would you need the bright mode?! You aren't a football floodlight, are you?). If EVER there's a problem, uninstall the app and make use of your warranty

iPAQ 614 - Using "flash" as light - Create a possible Titanium plugin?

One of the "accidental" features of our phone is that the camera "flash" can be used as a GREAT flashlight when you're out in the dark. I probably use it once or twice a week, and I am sure I am not the only one. I was wondering however, if it might be possible to enable the LED without opening up the camera program.
Since I have winmo 6.5 installed, I was thinking about maybe taking advantage of the Titanium plugins, or perhaps even a mortscript application to make the flashlight a homescreen option. I'm new to phone modding, but I have coding experience so it shouldn't be too hard for me to figure out.
If this seems possible, I am willing to put in the effort of making it, but I'd like to know if it seems doable before I start coding or anything.
Thanks in advance.

hi all,
i use the flash as light like you.
one year ago i tryed to find an API to write a little application to poweron/poweroff the camera flash led but without success.
can anyone share with us some experience about this?
in alternative you can use an application called plamp that use the screen like a camera flash led. it is not the same but it is useful, also configuring an hardware button.
regards, Soldato

i used to use a mortscript that would launch teh camera then turn on the flash after 10 seconds it will auto close the camera app.
only down side was that the camera app would take about 10 seconds to load anyway (for my phone) so it was not a instant flash light.

thebranded said:
i used to use a mortscript that would launch teh camera then turn on the flash after 10 seconds it will auto close the camera app.
only down side was that the camera app would take about 10 seconds to load anyway (for my phone) so it was not a instant flash light.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah that's part of the reason I would like to just skip the camera app altogether. It would be nice to have the light on quickly and not have the camera on.

DSwarP said:
Yeah that's part of the reason I would like to just skip the camera app altogether. It would be nice to have the light on quickly and not have the camera on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hi @ all!
I'm also very interested in an app like that.
Unfortunately I'm not experienced in coding for PPCs. So my question:
Was there any success or found a solution?
Thx a lot!
VirTuZ

http://www.freewarepocketpc.net/ppc-download-nuelight3.html
^ this is one for htc touch pro but i just tried it and it didnt work on the 614c
also tried htorch and that didnt work either

bungle2k3 said:
http://www.freewarepocketpc.net/ppc-download-nuelight3.html
^ this is one for htc touch pro but i just tried it and it didnt work on the 614c
also tried htorch and that didnt work either
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The method to control the camera flash is device specific. At this moment, no one know how to control the ipaq 612 flash light

ke_steve_le said:
The method to control the camera flash is device specific. At this moment, no one know how to control the ipaq 612 flash light
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Indeed. I'd love to know what sort of things I have to look at to get this started, but I really don't know where to start. Anyone who's made this for another phone: point me in the right direction?

DSwarP said:
Indeed. I'd love to know what sort of things I have to look at to get this started, but I really don't know where to start. Anyone who's made this for another phone: point me in the right direction?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Basically, the camera flash can be controlled in this way:
Use CreateFile() to get the Camera handle :-
CreateFile( _T("CAM1:") ....... )
then, use DeviceIoControl() to send command, this is the most important step, I don't know how to fill the InBuffer in order to turn the flash on.