Keypad to contol one window/program Only, Multiple Monitors

[miked79]

Hello,
I am hoping someone would be kind enough to give their opinion.
I have a client that runs something similar to a cafeteria. They want me to organise 6 screens. 5 of them will be on display on a wall......
- 4 will be running a different powerpoint presentation showing menus, specials, events etc. (this would only get minimal changes weekly)
- the 5th on display they want to have attached to a keypad so they can type in an order number.... press enter.. the number shines up full screen and the person comes and collects their order
- The 6th display will be in the back office for editing slides etc.

Now I have set up the multiple powerpoint slideshows, they are running and it is pretty straight forward to change and configure which monitor they go to.

The thing that is posing a problem is the Order number screen. I was hoping that I could just write some HTML or flash and run it full screen... and somehow plug in a USB keypad that would ONLY EVER change focus and change things on that particular browser/program window?
The user would simply punch in a number, press enter and it would make a noise and the older numbers would shrink to a corner or go from the screen completely.

Can something like this be done?
Remembering that the office screen might have someone buggering around on the keyboard in their at any point in time.

I would love to know your thoughts... thanks for taking the time to read.
Miked

[igro]

Do you have all screens connected to same computer? How are you gonna display stuff on those screens? Do they share same computer or do they have built in terminals?
I doubt that this question fits here.

[miked79]

Yeah 3 graphics cards with monitors all connected via HDMI. I currently only have 4 monitors (Actually LCD TV's) running because they have only bought 4. but all from the one PC.... I was actually surprised that it worked

[Spharx]

I think that this could be possible with HIDMacros and some scripting like for example with Autoit.
One Autoit script is running in the background and is scanning ... maybe some little text file and HIDMacros is executing another Autoit script that is writing into the text file. If the main background Autoit script finds out that a enter key input accrued it could launch something other or you write some display output in the Autoit script itself.
Which OS is going to be used ?

[miked79]

Thanks for the prompt reply, i am running Win7 64 bit.
I see what you are saying... so HIDMacros would know the difference between the "main" keyboard and the keypad.... maybe it alone could edit the text file? And i could just get the HTML page to read the last line of text?
I have never used those programs so really have no idea?

[Spharx]

Well HIDMacros is kinda THE only program for windows that is able to differentiate between keyboards but it's ability's are pretty decent. Is only able to send key sequences and launch other programs. As I saw now there is a new version with scripting (Javascript / Virtual Basic) included but for now I did not test this new feature.
You don't have to use Autoit you can also use some other script applications that can generate executables. Its up to you
Just download HidMacros and test around for a bit. The newest version needs XP compatibility turned on at my system.

[miked79]

Thanks again Spharx, I will test it out and post the outcome.

[webwit]

Check the tutorial for HID macros.