Overview
:
This
mxm provides a way to control a third party software from
Manager or Display Controller. The application to be controlled
can reside on the local computer or on a remote computer.
If it resides on a remote computer it will run on this computer
and vill be remotly controlled from the computer where Manager
or Display Controller is running. The command set provides
a wide range of commands including windows size, bring to
top, etc to fully control software behaviour. Key commands
are also provided : they simulate keyboard strokes in the
application.
A command line can be added at startup to proceed tasks.
A knowledge of the application that has to be controlled
(command line documentation, shortcuts, menus...) is recommended.
For example, this MxM can be used to control presentation
software such as Microsoft PowerPoint ®, Macromedia Director®
or any other software needed in an application.
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Installation (MXM) :
When
the application to be controlled is running on a remote
computer, the executable 'AppRemote.exe' must also be running
on this computer. The MXM AppLauncher will communicate the
actions to proceed to AppRemote through TCP/ IP.
AppRemote is available on the MXM sub-folder of Medialon Product, after MXM installation. AppRemote can be also downloaded from Medialon WEB Site.
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Creation
(Device) :
A
setup dialog box requires informations for the creation of
this mxm.

If the 'Remote connection to Medialon AppRemote' is not
checked, the other parameters are grayed because they
are not used by the mxm when it operates locally.
IP address (or host name): Address of the remote computer
Port: IP Port, must be the same as the one introduced in AppRemote.exe (default value is 4550)
Timeout on connection: Time that the MxM will wait for a response of AppRemote.exe before considering that the connection is not established.
Auto Reconnect: When checked the device will try to reconnect to the remote host if the connection is lost (this is the default behaviour).
Sense AppRemote before connection: When checked the device will first sense the presence of AppRemote (from version 2.1.0) before attempting a connection. This is safe when using Windows XP SP2 or above to avoid security restrictions to be enabled when the remote host is not present.
AppRemote Configuration:

Note: To show AppRemote application, double-click in the AppRemote icon located in the task bar.
Communication Port: IP Port on which Appremote listens AppLauncher device connections. Default value is 4550.
Client Connected: Indicates the number of AppLauncher client devices currently connected.
Status: Indicates the current status of AppRemote. Available values are:
- Stopped: AppRemote is in stop mode, no connection is accepted.
- Listening: AppRemote is ready and listening for incoming connections.
- Listening (ND Failed): AppRemote is ready and listening for incomming connections, but the network detection service hasn't been able to start (this service is used for the "Sense AppRemote before connection" option of AppLauncher device).
- Error: Cannot Bind: AppRemote is in error. The server could not bind, generally because another application already uses the same IP Port.
- Client error: A client has caused an error, generally a network error.
- Command Error: A client has sent an unknown command or the command format is not valid.
Bottom bar buttons' description:
- Start: Starts AppRemote, this causes AppRemote to switch to listening state.
- Stop: Stops AppRemote, this causes AppRemote to switch to Stopped state.
- Log...: Display the log file into the default text editor.
- Hide: Keeps AppRemote running and hides the user interface. An icon in the Task bar enables to show-up again the application.
- Quit: Quits AppRemote. The icon in the task bar is removed.
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Commands
(List Of) :
Start
Program :
Description
: Starts a new application
(if a previous application was opened before by this device,
it is closed)
Parameters :
Program path [Type : String] : the full path of
the executable file.
Command line [Type : String] : optional command
to apply to the application at startup (ex: document name to open).
Starting path [Type : String] : optional directory
where the application can load files at startup
X position [Type : Integer] : left position of
the main window of the application, in pixels.
Y position [Type : Integer] : top position of the
main window of the application, in pixels.
Width [Type : Integer] : width of the main window
of the application, in pixels.
Height [Type : Integer] : height of the main window
of the application, in pixels.
Usage : Some programs will work if the path and
the command are grouped into the 'Program path', separated
by a blank, without any other parameter. If the size
parameters values are null, default values are considered.
The title of the window that will receive all the commands
is contained in the variable CurrentTarget .
Stop
Program :
Description
: Closes the current opened application.
Parameters : None.
Usage : This command is available only for the
program that has been opened by "Start Program",
not for the one where the commands have been redirected
by "Change target".
Suspend
Program :
Description
: Pauses the current opened application.
Parameters : None.
Usage : This command is available only for the
program that has been opened by "Start Program",
not for the one where the commands have been redirected
by "Change target".
Resume
Program :
Description
: Restarts the current opened application, if paused
Parameters : None.
Usage : This command is available only for the
program that has been opened by "Start Program",
not for the one where the commands have been redirected
by "Change target".
Set
position :
Description
: Moves the current target window to a new position.
Parameters :
X position [Type : Integer] : Left position of
the main window of the application, in pixels.
Y position [Type : Integer] : Top position of the
main window of the application, in pixels.
Set
Size :
Description
: Resizes current target window .
Parameters :
Width [Type : Integer] : Width of the main window
of the application, in pixels.
Height [Type : Integer] : Height of the main window
of the application, in pixels.
Set
Visibility :
Description
: Hides or shows the current target window.
Parameters :
Visibility [Type : Enum] : "Off" as value hide
window, "On" as value show window.
Maximize
:
Description
: Shows the current target window full screen.
Parameters : None.
Minimize
:
Description
: Reduces current target window to an iconic state.
Parameters : None.
Restore
:
Description
: Resizes current target window to its initial size.
Parameters : None.
Bring
to Top :
Description
: Puts the current target window over any other windows.
Parameters : None.
Set
Title :
Description
: Changes the text of the title bar of current target window.
Parameters :
Text : [Type : Integer] : Text for title bar..
Keys
:
Description
: This command will simulate the pressing of the specified
keys into current target window.
Parameters :
Serie of keys [Type : String] : Key values.
Usage : if non litteral values are required, an
hexadecimal value can be sent if preceded by an exclamation
point '!'. For example, to send a carriage
return : !0D (0D is the hexadecimal value of the
'Enter' key). By the way, the syntax for one exclamation
point is: !!
Non litteral key codes in hexadecimal values:
08 : BACKSPACE key
09 : TAB key
0C : CLEAR key
0D : ENTER key
10 : SHIFT key
11 : CTRL key
12 : ALT key
13 : PAUSE key
14 : CAPS LOCK key
1A : Undefined
1B : ESC key
21 : PAGE UP key
22 : PAGE DOWN key
23 : END key
24 : HOME key
25 : LEFT ARROW key
26 : UP ARROW key
27 : RIGHT ARROW key
28 : DOWN ARROW key
29 : SELECT key
2A : Original equipment manufacturer (OEM) specific
2B : EXECUTE key
2C : PRINT SCREEN key for Windows 3.0 and later
2D : INS key
2E : DEL key
Function
Key :
Description
: This command will simulate the pressing of the specified
function key into current target window . The key is represented
by its number (1 for F1, 2, for F2, ...).
Parameters :
Key number [Type : Integer] : Number of function
key.
Alt+Keys
:
Description
: This command will simulate the pressing of the specified
keys into current target window with the 'ALT' key
pressed.
Parameters :
Serie of keys [Type : String] : Key values.
Ctrl+Keys
:
Description
: This command will simulate the pressing of the specified
keys into current target window with the 'CONTROL'
key pressed.
Parameters :
Serie of keys [Type : String] : Key values.
The
next two functions have been added for the following reason
: some application, when they start, opens several main
windows and the mxm was able to send command only to one
of these windows. With the command "List windows",
you can now retreive all the windows opened on the desktop
of the local or remote computer. With the command "Change
target", you can redirect the AppLauncher commands
to another window or back to the original window. The title
of the window that receive commands is contained in the
variable CurrentTarget.
List
windows :
Description
: Lists all the titles of the windows opened on the local
or remote desktop.
Parameters :
No parameter
Usage : The list is a string variable ( WindowsList,
see below ) that can be displayed in Manager list. These
names can be used in the next command
Change
target :
Description
: To redirect all the commands to a new window.
Parameters :
Type [Type : Enum] : available values are "Current
program" or "Specified window".
Specified window [Type : String] : the title of
the specified window.
Usage :
When Type is "Specified window",
the new window is referred by its title in the second
parameter (which can be retreived by the previous command
"List windows"). When Type is "Current
program", the commands are redirected to the program
launched if any. The title of the window is contained
in the variable CurrentTarget (see below) which can be
a way to check if the commands are effectively redirected
to the desired window.
WARNING : the commands "Stop program", "Suspend
program" and "Resume program" only apply
to the program started by "Start program"but
they have no effect on a redirected window. Thus, to shutdown
one of these windows, you can use alt-f4.
Find
executable by ext :
Description
: To retreive the executable program associated with files
with the specified extension.
Parameters :
Extension [Type : String] : the extension of the
file (without dot).
Return file name [Type : String] : the variable
that will contain the name of the executable program
Usage :
The name of the program can be used to open a document
with the specified extension, using the "start program"
command.
Reboot/Shutdown
:
Description
: Reboots or shuts down the local or the remote computer.
Parameters :
Mode [Type : Enum] : available values are "restart
windows', "restart computer" or "shutdown".
Get
Mac adresses :
Description
:Return the list of the Mac adresses of the remote or
local computer
Parameters :
Return list [Type : String] : the variable that
will contain the list of adresses in return.
Send
Wakeonlan :
Description
: Sends a "WakeOnLan" packet to the remote
computer to switch it on :
Parameters :
Mac address[Type : String] : the Mac address
of the computer's ethernet card.
Net address[Type : String] : the broadcast address
of the network adapter used; a wizzard gives the list
of broadcast addresses for each adapter present on the
computer.
Usage :
The ethernet card present on the computer must support
WakeOnLan. Not all the cards support it. Check your
documentation about the card.
WARNING : if there is a main power loss, the
wakeonlan will not work, setup the computer to auto
boot to prevent from this inconvenient.
Change
Hostname :
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Variables
(List Of) :
Status
:
Type
: Enum.
Description : Reflects the status of the current
application.
Available Values :
"Iddle" : No application is running.
"Running" : Application is currently running.
"Suspended" : Application is currently suspended (paused).
"Error" : Application response error.
"IP Error" : Network error, only significant in case
of remote application
"Connecting" : the device is connecting to the remote
host.
Usage : This variable can be read for checking
if the application is still running and if the connection
is established on the network.
CommandStatus
:
Type
: Enum.
Description : Reflects the status of the current
command.
Available Values :
(Ready, Busy, Error)
"Ready" : No command pending.
"Busy" : A command is in progress.
"Error" : a command error occured.
Usage : This variable can be read for checking
if the current command has been completed.
WindowsList
:
Type
: String.
Description : A list of the titles of all the
windows present on the desktop. This list is filled by
the command "List windows".
CurrentTarget
:
Type
: String.
Description : The title of the window that currently
receives the commands.
Hostname
:
Type
: String.
Description : IP Address or Hostname of the remote
host.
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Support
(Difference with previous versions) :
V 1.0.1:
- Added: Support for Showmaster.
V 1.0.2:
V 1.0.3:
- Fixed: AppRemote sense feature doesn't work with machine names.
V 1.1.0:
- Fixed: Memory leak when multiple device are used with sense feature.
- Fixed: Internal changes.
- Added: Port parameter for 'Change Hostname' command.
V 1.1.1:
- Fixed: WakeupOnLan command doesn't work if the device is not connected to AppRemote.
V 1.1.2:
- Fixed: Device stop may take a long time when multiple devices are in 'Sensing' state.
V 1.1.3:
- Added: Support for Showmaster Pro.
V 1.1.4:
- Fixed: Project may be corrupted if there are too many devices.
- Fixed: Network Address Selector wizard shows in the wrong screen place.
V 1.1.5:
- Fixed: 'WakeOnLan' command didn't work when device state was Sensing.
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