How to Implement a Control Panel Application (Windows Embedded CE 6.0)
1/6/2010
The Windows Embedded CE Control Panel provides a central location in the user interface for small applications used to set system-wide properties and parameters used by the operating system (OS) or applications running on the OS. An OS can include standard Control Panel applications and custom Control Panel applications added by OS and application developers.
Note
OS developers also have access to the source code for standard Control Panel applications and can customize them as well. This source code can be found in the %_WINCEROOT%\PUBLIC\WCESHELLFE\OAK\CTLPNL directory. Modifying the source code for these applications is beyond the scope of this how-to topic.
The following table shows the steps to implement a Control Panel application. The steps can be performed on any display-based OS design.
Steps
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1. Use the Windows Embedded CE OS Design Wizard to select the Enterprise Web Pad design template and the initial components for the OS design.
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2. Choose a Release configuration to target when Platform Builder builds the OS design into a run-time image. To use the kernel debugger, make sure that support for the kernel debugger is enabled. |
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3. If you expect the size of either the debug or the release run-time image to exceed 32 MB, enable support for a large run-time image in the settings for the OS design. .gif "Ee502286.note(en-US,WinEmbedded.60).gif") Note:
Debug run-time images are typically larger than release run-time images. If you choose a debug configuration and the OS design contains many features, it is likely that the size of the run-time image will exceed 32 MB.
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4. Build the OS design into a run-time image. |
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5. In the Output window, on the Output tab, verify that the build contains no errors. |
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6. Create a "Hello World" application and add it to your OS design. |
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7. Create a project for your Control Panel application and add its code. |
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8. Create a resource file and the necessary resources to support the code in your Control Panel application. |
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9. Type the build settings for your Control Panel application. |
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10. Choose a download service appropriate for the connection hardware. The download service will download a run-time image to the CEPC. |
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11. Set up and configure the connection hardware required for the download service. That hardware connects the CEPC to the development workstation, on which Platform Builder is installed. Examples of connection hardware include cables, a hub, or Ethernet network adapters. |
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12. If you selected Serial Download Service in step 10, configure the HyperTerminal terminal emulation application to display the serial debug output from the serial port on the CEPC. This configuration requires a null-modem cable connected to a serial port, such as COM1. |
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13. Turn on the CEPC so that it becomes active on the Ethernet network or over the serial connection, and Platform Builder can discover it. |
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14. Configure the connection to the CEPC. Choose the appropriate topic based on whether the development workstation and the target device are connected by an Ethernet network or a serial port connection. |
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15. Download the run-time image to the CEPC through the configured connection and open Control Panel to view your application. The icon for your application should appear in the control panel. Double-click the icon for your application to open your Hello World program. To close the Hello World application, right-click the taskbar icon and choose Close. |