Android control key ext keyboard

fekhner · 10-03-2012, 10:05 PM

I would like to use the control key on an external usb keyboard. It does not seem to work in terminal emulator, where I need it. What does work is using the control key on the hackers keyboard or using volume down as a control key (it is just not very convenient). Also there is a special version of connectbot for instance for which ctrl on the external keyboard does work. My question here is if somebody knows whether one can get this to work on the edge by changing for instance the keyboard layout file as described in some other thread (using the keytest app) or in some other way ?
Cheers, F

solarbanjo · 10-04-2012, 08:26 PM

Unfortunately, I only have an unhelpful answer. I have also tried mapping the control key but, so far, have had no success. Similarly, I can't seem to get the shift lock key to work correctly.

The rest of the common keys (including home, backspace, menu and back) all map without issue.

However, this may be an issue with the keyboard I'm using. Have you tried mapping the keys to the "CTRL_LEFT" or "CTRL_RIGHT" android constants in your keylayout?

fekhner · 10-13-2012, 05:11 AM

Hi solarbanjo,

I just realized that the original detailed instructions on what to do are from you, thanks a lot for that! The keytest app gave keycode 0 and scancode 29 for the left control key, so I added key 29 CTRL_LEFT at the top of the qwerty.kl file. The result was that the external keyboard stopped working altogether.

Any suggestions on what else to try ?

solarbanjo · 10-13-2012, 11:15 PM

In my experience, a total stoppage of the keyboard after changing mappings was caused by accidentally using the same scancode twice. I'd check carefully through the rest of the file and make sure 29 (or any other scancode for that matter) isn't also mapped to something else. If any code is used more than once, the external keyboard simply will stop working until you fix the file.

Beyond that, I haven't had success with getting the control key to work. We may both just be missing something simple. A more definitive source is
http://www.kandroid.org/online-pdk/g...ard_input.html
It gets into the kcm files as well as modifiers for the control key. I haven't experimented enough to see what might work for our little device.

Good luck! If I do get something working I'll let you know.

10-03-2012, 10:05 PM	#1
fekhner Addict Posts: 326 Karma: 6908 Join Date: Sep 2010 Device: DRs, EE, ipad/iphone, Helix	control key ext keyboard I would like to use the control key on an external usb keyboard. It does not seem to work in terminal emulator, where I need it. What does work is using the control key on the hackers keyboard or using volume down as a control key (it is just not very convenient). Also there is a special version of connectbot for instance for which ctrl on the external keyboard does work. My question here is if somebody knows whether one can get this to work on the edge by changing for instance the keyboard layout file as described in some other thread (using the keytest app) or in some other way ? Cheers, F

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10-04-2012, 08:26 PM	#2
solarbanjo Enthusiast Posts: 25 Karma: 582 Join Date: Jul 2011 Device: Entourage Pocket Edge, Entourage Edge	Unfortunately, I only have an unhelpful answer. I have also tried mapping the control key but, so far, have had no success. Similarly, I can't seem to get the shift lock key to work correctly. The rest of the common keys (including home, backspace, menu and back) all map without issue. However, this may be an issue with the keyboard I'm using. Have you tried mapping the keys to the "CTRL_LEFT" or "CTRL_RIGHT" android constants in your keylayout?

10-13-2012, 05:11 AM	#3
fekhner Addict Posts: 326 Karma: 6908 Join Date: Sep 2010 Device: DRs, EE, ipad/iphone, Helix	Hi solarbanjo, I just realized that the original detailed instructions on what to do are from you, thanks a lot for that! The keytest app gave keycode 0 and scancode 29 for the left control key, so I added key 29 CTRL_LEFT at the top of the qwerty.kl file. The result was that the external keyboard stopped working altogether. Any suggestions on what else to try ?

10-13-2012, 11:15 PM	#4
solarbanjo Enthusiast Posts: 25 Karma: 582 Join Date: Jul 2011 Device: Entourage Pocket Edge, Entourage Edge	In my experience, a total stoppage of the keyboard after changing mappings was caused by accidentally using the same scancode twice. I'd check carefully through the rest of the file and make sure 29 (or any other scancode for that matter) isn't also mapped to something else. If any code is used more than once, the external keyboard simply will stop working until you fix the file. Beyond that, I haven't had success with getting the control key to work. We may both just be missing something simple. A more definitive source is http://www.kandroid.org/online-pdk/g...ard_input.html It gets into the kcm files as well as modifiers for the control key. I haven't experimented enough to see what might work for our little device. Good luck! If I do get something working I'll let you know.

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