[APP] hTorch v3.2 | using camera LED as flashlight [updated: 2008-11-20]

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hTorch is a small application with a graphical user interface that enables you to use your Touch Pro as flashlight.

hTorch is built for the HTC Raphael (aka HTC Touch Pro) and has only been tested on this device. It probably works on all other devices with a build-in LED as well but since I can't tell if those devices are heat sinked please be very careful! PLEASE NOTE: Use this application at your own risk! I’ve done as much testing as possible, and will try to fix every bug which will be reported but it's my first Windows Mobile application and I can not guarantee that it is free of bugs. NetRipper deserves most of the credit because my application uses his TorchButtonLibrary v1.0 to control the LED itself.


Usage:

The program installs itself into "%ProgramFiles%\hTorch" and also creates a shortcut into %StartMenu%\Programs\Accessories. The further usage is as simple as possible. Start hTorch using the shortcut. On program start the LED will automatically be turned on and you will see the programs main screen.
On the main screen you can:

• enable and disable the standard LED mode using the upper left bulb button.
• enable and disable the bright LED mode using the upper right bulb button.
• disable the display using the lower left button (The display can be turned on again using the power button)
• exit the application using the lower right button.
• enable and disable the standard LED mode using the D-Pad Action hardware button.
• enable and disable the bright LED mode using the D-Pad UP hardware button.
• disable the display using the D-Pad DOWN hardware button.

PLEASE NOTE: The flashlight will stay on forever - there is no timeout programmed. So the only timeout is the capacity of your battery. Burning the LED should not be very likely as this posting explains but please take care anyway. Please also note that the LED can not be left turned on while the device is in standby. So if you want to use the torch for an extended period please use the display off button but be aware that the hardware buttons will still function!

pRequirements:

• This program requires .NET Compact Framework 3.5 to run. If you are not sure if you have the Framework installed or which version you have installed please follow this instructions (.NET Configuration Tool)
• Since hTorch v3.0 it is no longer necessary to uninstall TorchButton. They can now be installed both at the same time.

Version History:

v3.2:

• Added AppToDate support.
• Some minor code optimizations.

v3.1:

• Fixed several minor bugs
• Fixed one huge bug preventing the device from standby even after hTorch was already closed.
• Added a special error handling in case a user terminated hTorch instead of using the quit-button.

v3.0 (unreleased private beta):

• Source again completely rewritten. I'm now using the TorchButtonLib v1.0 to control the LED. Which now also means that hTorch and TorchButton can be installed at the same time.
• Action button mapped with LED on/off function.
• "UP"-button mapped with LED bright on/off function.
• "DOWN"-button mapped with build-in display off function (display can be turned on using the power button).
• Changed right softkey to menu with sub menu items: "Quit", "Bright LED On/Off", "Display Off", "About".
• Changed normal LED on/off button. (Artwork was done by obsidian73 - Thank You!)
• Added bright LED on/off button. (Artwork was done by obsidian73 - Thank You!)
• Added display off button. (Artwork was done by obsidian73 - Thank You!)
• Changed the program window not to maximize (so that now the status bar is visible).
• Added function to prevent ideling into standby (AndyZap - Once again thank you for your help!)

v2.2:

• Updated TorchButton to v1.2 which enlarged the maximum timeout from 300 seconds to 86400 seconds (a day) - Thank you NetRipper!

v2.1:

• Completely replaced all graphics to give the program a much more professional look and feel. (Artwork was done by obsidian73 - Thank You!)
• Replaced the exe-file icon with a more diamond-like one

v2.0 (unreleased private beta):

• Completely rewritten source so that hTorch can now detect the LED state
• Tightened the program as much as possible (exe-file lost about a bit more than 25% of its size)
• Automatically turn off the LED on program exit
• Changed auto-off timer to 5 minutes (hard coded)
• Added SoftKey functions
• Added About Dialog

v1.1:

• Fixed Bug when installing to Storage Card
• Start LED on program start

v1.0b:

• Initial version

On the picture you can see the programs
main screen with usage information:



Downloads so far (counting since v3.2):


AppToDate Users:

Do you like my work? Please consider donating:

Thank you for your support!

Thank you for your donations: snake_be, del4, rjmjr69, unknown_07.01.2009, unknown_12.01.2009, Fantedon - THANK YOU!

NEWS

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hTorch v3.2 has been released!
Last Update: 2008-11-20
--> DOWNLOAD HERE <--

Discovered bugs in version 3.2:

• none...so far.

Discovered bugs in version 3.1:

• None

Discovered bugs in version 2.2:

• None

Discovered bugs in version 1.0b:

• Installing on storage card does not work. The app must be installed into the main memory. --> FIXED in v1.1

Todo list for next version:

• Look if I can optimize the code a bit after I received my new VB.NET handbook
• Only prevent idling to standby while LED is turned on, not as long as hTorch is running.
• Set default LED mode (which will be engaged on program start) via registry (0=off, 1=normal, 2=bright)

Further Plans and Ideas:

• Provide a softer light option by displaying just a white LCD without the LED
• Create an additional button to turn on/off the light cyclically like bicycle lamp
• Implement morsecode feature (f.e. signaling SOS)

OLD VERSION FILES (Just for archiving. Please always use the latest version of hTorch if possible!)

This perfect and just the way I would've wished it. Thanks a bunch! and it seems to work perfect on my Touch Pro.

Tested and works good. Is it possible to set it so that when I exit the program it automatically turns the light off too? (Instead of currently having to tap the off button and then the exit button)

Thanks mate.

Works fine for me.

yep, exit should turn light off
and you should make it possible to disable auto off or atleast set max time manually

very good, thank you

I doubt it will work on the diamond as (IIRC) the diamond has no Flash, but thanks for the app anyway

Works great on my cdma TP. just had to click on the flash light again to turn it off

You should try a disco button, to turn the light on and off quickly. Soi can get my grove on outside the club, lol

It doesn't seem to work when installed on storage card btw.