Archived:Controlling the keyboard repeat rate

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Article Metadata

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Tested with

Devices(s): All (S60 non-touch)

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Compatibility

Platform(s): S60 3rd Edition
S60 3rd Edition, FP1
S60 3rd Edition, FP2

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Article

Keywords: GetKeyboardRepeatRate, SetKeyboardRepeatRate

Created: User:Kbwiki (29 Jun 2010)

Last edited: hamishwillee (11 Oct 2012)

Overview

This article shows how to change the keyboard repeat rate on Symbian devices using Symbian C++ code in Qt applications.

Description

Keyboard repeat rate in Symbian devices can be controlled using functions from the RWsSession class:

  void GetKeyboardRepeatRate( TTimeIntervalMicroSeconds32 &aInitialTime, 
                              TTimeIntervalMicroSeconds32 &aTime );
 
  TInt SetKeyboardRepeatRate( const TTimeIntervalMicroSeconds32 &aInitialTime, 
                              const TTimeIntervalMicroSeconds32 &aTime );

Because the repeat rate is a global setting, the WriteDeviceData capability is required for SetKeyboardRepeatRate(). Also, applications modifying the repeat rate should reset back to the default values whenever switched to background or terminated.

Solution

  CCoeEnv::Static()->WsSession().SetKeyboardRepeatRate( 200000, 50000 );

Virtual mouse cursor in Qt applications

On non-touch Symbian devices, the following code will enable a virtual mouse cursor, controlled by the navigation keys:

  QApplication::setNavigationMode( Qt::NavigationModeCursorAuto );

The speed of the cursor movement can be controlled by changing the keyboard repeat rate as above.

For example, to set the initial delay to 200 milliseconds, and subsequent repeats to 50 milliseconds:

 #ifdef Q_OS_SYMBIAN
 #include <coemain.h>
 #include <w32std.h>
 #endif
 
 int main( int argc, char *argv[] )
 {
   QApplication a( argc, argv );
   ...
 #ifdef Q_OS_SYMBIAN
 
   QApplication::setNavigationMode( Qt::NavigationModeCursorAuto );
 
   CCoeEnv::Static()->WsSession().SetKeyboardRepeatRate( 200000, 50000 );
 
 #endif
   ...
 }

In the .pro file, add the WriteDeviceData capability and the required libraries:

 symbian {
   TARGET.CAPABILITY += WriteDeviceData
   LIBS += -lcone -lws32
 }