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Controlling Input Devices

This chapter describes how you can use additional input devices beyond the usual PS/2 or HP-HIL keyboard and mouse. Topics include:

Note: The .Xdevices file and .Xpointerkeys files are no longer used to configure input devices. All of this functionality has been centralized in the remote configuration file. For more information, refer to Using Remote Configuration to Configure Devices.

Supported Devices

Topics in this section include:
Note: HP-HIL device support applies to ENVIZEX and 700/RX stations only.

Supported Keyboards

A wide variety of national-language PS/2 and HP-HIL-type keyboards is supported. For a complete list, refer to the keyboard selection list on the [Terminal] configuration screen.

Changing Keyboard Behavior

If you need to modify which keys can reset the X station (typically [Ctrl] [Alt] [Del]) or which keys can access the configuration screens (typically [F12], you can set the following remote configuration variables: For more information about these parameters, refer to Remote Configuration Parameter Reference.

Supported Mice

Product
Description
46060B
HP-HIL mouse
A2839A
PS/2 3-button mouse
100296-536L-5
PS/2 trackball mouse
46060A
HP-HIL 2-button
 
Serial PC mouse (Microsoft, Logitech)

Supported Tablets

The following Hewlett-Packard and CALCOMP tablets are supported:
Product
Description
A4364A
HP Graphic Tablet 12 x 12 (Serial)
A4365A
HP Graphic Tablet 12 x 18 (Serial)
46087C
HP Tablet A Size (HP-HIL)
46088C
HP Tablet B Size (HP-HIL)
33120SER
CALCOMP 12 x 12 Drawingboard Tablet III (Serial)
33180SER
CALCOMP 12 x 18 Drawingboard Tablet III (Serial)

Most other tablets use the same protocol and may work, but are not supported.

Miscellaneous Input Devices

The following input devices are supported:
Product
Description
A4363A
HP Button Box (Serial)
A4362A
HP Dial Box (Serial)
A46085A
HP-HIL 9 Knob Box
A46086A
HP-HIL 32 Button Box
A4360A
HP Spaceball (Serial)
Other HP-HIL devices (such as barcode readers) should also work, but are not supported.

Operating without a Mouse

For mouseless operation, simply leave the mouse disconnected from the X station. The keyboard cursor movement keys will function as the pointing device. If you want to attach a mouse later, simply plug in any PS/2-type mouse.

Operating without a Keyboard or Mouse

If you want the X station to operate without a keyboard or mouse, leave them disconnected: the X station will boot up successfully. If you need a keyboard or mouse later on, simply plug in any PS/2-type keyboard or mouse.

Using Remote Configuration to Configure Devices

If the input device you plan to use has an HP-HIL interface, simply plug the device in -- no configuration changes are necessary. However, to configure a non-standard serial input device, you need to configure one or more of these new remote configuration variables:

Each variable can be specified as a comma-separated string of fields. Each field specifies a single driver and its associated optional parameters: 

"driver_name[args],driver_name[args],driver_name[args]"

In most cases, all you need to specify is the driver name as listed below:

Driver
Default Path and Parameters
PS2_KEYBOARD
/dev/ps2kbd (PS/2 keyboard driver)
PS2_MOUSE
/dev/ps2mouse (PS/2 mouse driver)
HIL_DRV
/dev/hil (HP-HIL devices driver)
NULL_KBD
/dev/null2 (Keyboard cannot be used)
NULL_MSE
/dev/null2 (Mouse cannot be used)
HP_TABLET
/dev/serial1 (HP4364A, HP4365A tablets)
HP_BUTTONBOX
/dev/serial1 (HP4363 button box)
HP_KNOBBOX
/dev/serial1 (HP4362 dial box)
PC_MOUSE
/dev/serial1 (Microsoft and Logitech RS232 mouse).
For more information about these remote configuration parameters, refer to Remote Configuration Parameter Reference.

Setting Up a Button Box

If your button box has an HP-HIL interface, simply plug it into the HIL port at the back of your X station. If the button box has a serial interface, follow these steps:

  1. Plug the device into the X station's first serial port

  2. Edit the remote configuration file as follows:
    Set the Input Drivers variable to:
    HP_BUTTONBOX /dev/serial1

  3. Reboot the X station.
The serial button box will be reported as an extension device.

Setting Up a Knob Box

If your knob box has an HP-HIL interface, simply plug it into the HIL port at the back of your X station. If it has a serial interface, follow these steps:

  1. Plug the device into the X station's first serial port

  2. Edit the remote configuration file as follows:
    Set the Input Drivers variable to:
    HP_KNOBBOX /dev/serial1

  3. Reboot the X station.
The knob box will be reported as an extension device.

Setting Up a Tablet

If your tablet has an HP-HIL interface, simply plug it into the HIL port at the back of your X station. However, if your tablet has a serial interface, follow the steps listed below:

If you plan to use a serial tablet and NO mouse...

  1. Plug the device into the X station's first serial port

  2. Edit the remote configuration file as follows:

    1. Set the Input Drivers variable to:
      HP_TABLET /dev/serial1

    2. Set the XPointer Device variable to:
      TABLET

    3. Set the Other Pointers variable to:
      TABLET

  3. Reboot the X station.
Because no mouse is attached, the tablet will act as the pointing device.

If you plan to use a serial tablet AND a mouse...

  1. Plug the mouse (PS/2 or HP-HIL) into the mouse port as usual.

  2. Plug the tablet device into the X station's first serial port.

  3. Edit the remote configuration file as follows:

    1. Set the Input Drivers variable to:
      HP_TABLET /dev/serial1

    2. Set the "Other Pointers" variable to:
      HP_TABLET FIRST_TABLET

  4. Reboot the X station.

Using this configuration, the tablet becomes a second pointing device.

Tablet Subsetting

If your application uses tablet subsetting, you will need to modify the Tablet Subset Area (W,H,X,Y) variable in the remote configuration file to section off and assign the tablet area. Some applications need to assign part of the tablet as the X Pointer and the rest as an X input extension device. For details, refer to Tablet Subset Area (W,H,X,Y).

Setting Up a Space Ball

Applications that use the spaceball provide their own drivers. No configuration changes are necessary. Simply plug in the spaceball and use it as your application directs.

Setting Up a Serial PC Mouse

If you want to use a serial mouse (e.g., a Microsoft or Logitech RS232 style mouse), set the remote configuration variables as follows:
Input Drivers = PC_MOUSE /dev/serial1
If you have two serial ports, you can plug the serial mouse into either serial port (and use /dev/serial1 or /dev/serial2 accordingly).

If you also want to use a tablet with this X station, set the variables as follows: 

Input Drivers = PC_MOUSE /dev/serial1, HP_TABLET /dev/serial2

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