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New Guy Needs Some Direction Please!... — Parallax Forums

New Guy Needs Some Direction Please!...

Hey, can't say how grateful I am to have found this forum! Although I'm not from the robotics community, I am a crafter of sorts and have an idea for a little device I'd like to build, and I need your advice on where to go from here.

My task is fairly simple. I work in an industry that uses 6-8" computer tablets, and when a part of the screen changes color to indicate an available 'job,' whoever hits the on-screen 'button' first gets the job, thusly increasing their income. Basically, I just need to create a device that senses when that particular part of the screen changes color, and then automatically responds with some type of actuator (I assume) to make contact with the screen using a stylus device.

Sounds simple? I hope so!

I know this may take some work, but I'm def willing to make an investment in time and effort.

Without going into further detail I should stop short and simply ask...is this the place I need to be to begin developing such an idea? Also, I'd like to try to develop this idea simultaneously at as many locations as possible here on the net; so if there's another place besides here that may be of help I would surely appreciate some direction.

Looking forward to your ideas and questions!

Comments

  • The onscreen button. Is that in a fixed location, or where the screen changes color?

    What are the dimensions and positions of things. Can you post a photo?
  • tonyp12tonyp12 Posts: 1,951
    edited 2016-09-01 23:58
    Could you not just intercept it in software?,
    take it a step further, a wifi device with no screen waits for the incoming data and reply's back the same data as a tablet would done.
    even one Step further, run it on a amazon server, tcp data is easily sniffed and duplicated.




  • jmgjmg Posts: 15,173
    My task is fairly simple. I work in an industry that uses 6-8" computer tablets, and when a part of the screen changes color to indicate an available 'job,' whoever hits the on-screen 'button' first gets the job, thusly increasing their income. Basically, I just need to create a device that senses when that particular part of the screen changes color, and then automatically responds with some type of actuator (I assume) to make contact with the screen using a stylus device.

    Sounds simple? I hope so!

    Sounds like you want to 'game the system', that presently requires someone actually be there, ready.
    Such job-stealing-by-bot is unlikely to be well received by those other workers who think they are now missing out.

    You will need a thick skin, and some rugged design, that cannot be easily damaged.... ;)



  • Heater.Heater. Posts: 21,230
    I'd love to know what "job" it is you get to do after hitting the button before anyone else. Is this how Uber works or what?

  • I personally don't work with tablets, but I have a fairly well rounded knowledge of software, and to me, this sounds like a problem that can be handled strictly by software.

    Run software in a loop.... Take a snapshot of the tablet screen in the area that you want to test for a color change, if there is a color change, then simulate an input (stylus) trigger. This is a relatively simple task for a decent programmer.
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    Photocell and a servo. What's my cut?
  • Photocell and a servo. What's my cut?

    Classic. :)
  • Uber, etc?
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    Make a video of the screen with the button changing colors. Full screen, so the video essentially duplicates the tablet.
  • MicksterMickster Posts: 2,693
    edited 2016-09-05 11:23
    Are we talking Android?

    Basic for Android (B4A) is able to create background apps that keep running. Whether one can monitor for screen changes and trigger a phantom touch selection is something to ask over on their forum.

    Much cleaner than a Rube Goldberg mechanical contraption.

    Edit: I routinely use TeamViewer Quick-Support to remotely control my clients' tablets so this seems to be within the realm of possibility.
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