Windows XP Media Center Edition SDK Operating Modes
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Operating Modes
The Triple-tap/Soft-keyboard control exposes a property called HtmlInput.InputMode that allows you to specify the mode in which the control operates: either triple-tap or soft keyboard. In triple-tap mode, the control displays a text input box similar to the text input box created by the standard HTML INPUT element. The control also displays a character map similar to that on a telephone keypad, identifying the letters generated by each number key. When the user presses a remote control number button a certain number of times, a corresponding letter appears in the text input box. For example, if the user presses the 5 button twice, the letter K appears.
In triple-tap mode, if you use several instances of the Triple-tap/Soft-keyboard control on the same page, you do not need to display the character map more than once. You can prevent the control from displaying the character map by setting the control's height attribute to 50 pixels or less, or by enclosing the control in a SPAN element with the overflow style set to auto.
In soft keyboard mode, the control displays a text input box along with a grid of focusable, on-screen buttons that represent keyboard characters. The user presses the remote control arrow buttons to move the focus to a particular letter, and then selects the letter by pressing the OK/Enter button, causing the letter to appear in the text input box.
In soft keyboard mode, you should use just one instance of the control on a particular page, even if you need to get multiple text entries from the user. To get multiple text entries using a single control, first create a separate text box to hold each text entry. Then, as the user completes a text entry, move the entry from the control's text input box to the corresponding text box. You must also provide a way for the user to choose the target text box while the focus is still on the control. Using a button called "Next Field" is a possible solution for this.
Regardless of the operating mode, the Triple-tap/Soft-keyboard control can be used with a keyboard and mouse, if available, as a standard HTML input box. The user can click the control to set the focus to the control's text input box, and then type characters from the keyboard to make them appear in the box.
To decide which mode to use for the Triple-tap/Soft-keyboard control, consider the advantages that each mode offers. The soft keyboard mode is simple, intuitive, and for tasks such as entering a password, may result in fewer user errors. On the other hand, the triple-tap mode, once mastered, may be more efficient, requiring fewer remote control button presses per letter entered. The triple-tap mode is easier to implement for multiple text entries on the same page; you simply add a separate control for each text entry.
See Also
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