Here is a sample Midlet:
Media:CustomInputMidlet.zip
Here is a basic example showing how to create a custom text input using J2me and Canvas, things that is often needed when using low level graphics (e.g. for games).
In this code, you can:
- define which characters map to each key
- define blinking interval
- define max interval between subsequent key presses
- move left/right within the text
- delete text
A lot of features are missing, so if you want to implement them you're welcome :)
package com.jappit.custominput.screen;
import javax.microedition.lcdui.Canvas;
import javax.microedition.lcdui.Font;
import javax.microedition.lcdui.Graphics;
public class CustomInputCanvas extends Canvas implements Runnable
{
static final char[] KEY_NUM1_CHARS = new char[]{'.', '?', '!'};
static final char[] KEY_NUM2_CHARS = new char[]{'a', 'b', 'c'};
static final char[] KEY_NUM3_CHARS = new char[]{'d', 'e', 'f'};
static final char[] KEY_NUM4_CHARS = new char[]{'g', 'h', 'i'};
static final char[] KEY_NUM5_CHARS = new char[]{'j', 'k', 'l'};
static final char[] KEY_NUM6_CHARS = new char[]{'m', 'n', 'o'};
static final char[] KEY_NUM7_CHARS = new char[]{'p', 'q', 'r', 's'};
static final char[] KEY_NUM8_CHARS = new char[]{'t', 'u', 'v'};
static final char[] KEY_NUM9_CHARS = new char[]{'w', 'x', 'y', 'z'};
static final char[] KEY_NUM0_CHARS = new char[]{' '};
int clearKeyCode = Integer.MIN_VALUE;
StringBuffer currentText = new StringBuffer();
String currentString = new String();
int lastPressedKey = Integer.MIN_VALUE;
int currentKeyStep = 0;
Font inputFont = null;
int inputWidth = 0;
int inputHeight = 0;
int inputTranslationX = 0;
long lastKeyTimestamp = 0;
long maxKeyDelay = 500L;
int caretIndex = 0;
int caretLeft = 0;
boolean caretBlinkOn = true;
long caretBlinkDelay = 500L;
long lastCaretBlink = 0;
boolean goToNextChar = true;
public CustomInputCanvas()
{
new Thread(this).start();
inputFont = Font.getDefaultFont();
inputWidth = getWidth();
inputHeight = inputFont.getHeight();
}
public char[] getChars(int key)
{
switch(key)
{
case Canvas.KEY_NUM1: return KEY_NUM1_CHARS;
case Canvas.KEY_NUM2: return KEY_NUM2_CHARS;
case Canvas.KEY_NUM3: return KEY_NUM3_CHARS;
case Canvas.KEY_NUM4: return KEY_NUM4_CHARS;
case Canvas.KEY_NUM5: return KEY_NUM5_CHARS;
case Canvas.KEY_NUM6: return KEY_NUM6_CHARS;
case Canvas.KEY_NUM7: return KEY_NUM7_CHARS;
case Canvas.KEY_NUM8: return KEY_NUM8_CHARS;
case Canvas.KEY_NUM9: return KEY_NUM9_CHARS;
case Canvas.KEY_NUM0: return KEY_NUM0_CHARS;
}
return null;
}
boolean isClearKey(int key)
{
return key == -8;
}
void clearChar()
{
if(currentText.length() > 0 && caretIndex > 0)
{
caretIndex--;
currentText.deleteCharAt(caretIndex);
currentString = currentText.toString();
}
}
void updateCaretPosition()
{
caretLeft = inputFont.substringWidth(currentString, 0, caretIndex);
if(caretLeft + inputTranslationX < 0)
{
inputTranslationX = - caretLeft;
}
else if(caretLeft + inputTranslationX > inputWidth)
{
inputTranslationX = inputWidth - caretLeft;
}
}
public void keyPressed(int key)
{
int gameAction = getGameAction(key);
System.out.println("KEY: " + key + ", " + gameAction);
if(isClearKey(key))
{
clearChar();
updateCaretPosition();
goToNextChar = true;
}
else if(key >= KEY_NUM0 && key <= KEY_NUM9)
{
writeKeyPressed(key);
}
else if(gameAction == Canvas.LEFT)
{
if(caretIndex > 0)
{
caretIndex--;
updateCaretPosition();
goToNextChar = true;
}
}
else if(gameAction == Canvas.RIGHT)
{
if(caretIndex < currentText.length())
{
if(goToNextChar)
caretIndex++;
updateCaretPosition();
goToNextChar = true;
}
}
}
public void writeKeyPressed(int key)
{
if(goToNextChar || key != lastPressedKey)
{
goToNextChar = true;
lastPressedKey = key;
currentKeyStep = 0;
}
else
{
currentKeyStep++;
}
char[] chars = getChars(key);
if(chars != null)
{
if(currentKeyStep >= chars.length)
{
currentKeyStep -= chars.length;
}
if(goToNextChar)
{
currentText.insert(caretIndex, chars[currentKeyStep]);
caretIndex++;
}
else
{
currentText.setCharAt(caretIndex - 1, chars[currentKeyStep]);
}
currentString = currentText.toString();
updateCaretPosition();
lastKeyTimestamp = System.currentTimeMillis();
goToNextChar = false;
}
}
public void checkTimestamps()
{
long currentTime = System.currentTimeMillis();
if(lastCaretBlink + caretBlinkDelay < currentTime)
{
caretBlinkOn = !caretBlinkOn;
lastCaretBlink = currentTime;
}
if(!goToNextChar && lastKeyTimestamp + maxKeyDelay < currentTime)
{
goToNextChar = true;
}
}
public void run()
{
while(true)
{
checkTimestamps();
repaint();
try
{
synchronized(this)
{
wait(50L);
}
}
catch(Exception e)
{
e.printStackTrace();
}
}
}
public void paint(Graphics g)
{
g.setFont(inputFont);
g.setColor(0xffffff);
g.fillRect(0, 0, getWidth(), getHeight());
g.setColor(0x000000);
g.translate(inputTranslationX, 0);
g.drawString(currentString, 0, 0, Graphics.LEFT | Graphics.TOP);
if(caretBlinkOn && goToNextChar)
{
g.drawLine(caretLeft, 0, caretLeft, inputHeight);
}
g.translate(- inputTranslationX, 0);
}
}