_Timer_GetIdleTime()

[PsaltyDS]

This function returns the time (in ticks) since the last user action with mouse/keyboard.

Info on the first DLL call for GetLastInputInfo came from a post by GaryFrost. This method does not require a call to the function for "initializing" before gettting the user idle time, which is why I prefer it to _CheckIdle().

The second call to convert the time is lifted from _Date_Time_GetTickCount().

Seems to work pretty well. Constructive critique is always welcome.

Here's the function:

expandcollapse popup

; #FUNCTION#;===============================================================================
;
; Name...........: _Timer_GetIdleTime()
; Description ...: Returns the number of ticks since last user activity (i.e. KYBD/Mouse)
; Syntax.........: _Timer_GetIdleTime()
; Parameters ....: None
; Return values .: Success - integer ticks since last (approx. milliseconds) since last activity
;                 Failure - Sets @extended = 1 if rollover occurs (see remarks)
; Author ........: PsaltyDS at http://www.autoitscript.com/forum
; Modified.......: v1.0.0  --  03/20/2008 First version
;                 v1.0.1  --  06/11/2008 Fixed bug when idle time = 0ms
; Remarks .......: The current ticks since last system restart will roll over to 0 every 50 days or so,
;                 which makes it possible for last user activity to be before the rollover, but run time
;                 of this function to be after the rollover.  If this happens, @extended = 1 and the
;                 returned value is ticks since rollover occured.
; Related .......: _CheckIdle()
; Link ..........;
; Example .......; Yes
;
;;==========================================================================================
Func _Timer_GetIdleTime()
; Get ticks at last activity
    Local $tStruct = DllStructCreate("uint;dword");
    DllStructSetData($tStruct, 1, DllStructGetSize($tStruct));
    DllCall("user32.dll", "int", "GetLastInputInfo", "ptr", DllStructGetPtr($tStruct))

; Get current ticks since last restart
    Local $avTicks = DllCall("Kernel32.dll", "int", "GetTickCount")

; Return time since last activity, in ticks (approx milliseconds)
    Local $iDiff = $avTicks[0] - DllStructGetData($tStruct, 2)
    If $iDiff >= 0 Then
    ; Normal return
        Return $iDiff
    Else
    ; Rollover of ticks counter has occured
        Return SetError(0, 1, $avTicks[0])
    EndIf
EndFunc  ;==>_Timer_GetIdleTime

...and here's the demo script:

; _Timer_GetIdleTime.au3
#include <Timers.au3>

; Mouse/Keyboard action during this 10 sec delay will change reported idle time
Sleep(10 * 1000); 10sec

Global $iIdleTime = _Timer_GetIdleTime()

MsgBox(64, "_Timer_GetIdleTime", "Idle time = " & $iIdleTime & "ms")

Edit: v1.0.1 Fixed bug reported by FitzChivalry

Edit: Reformatted for submission as a UDF.

Edited June 18, 2008 by PsaltyDS

[monoceres]

This one is a keeper!

Thanks very much

[Skrip]

Very nice! This will be good.

[PsaltyDS]

v1.0.1 posted after FitzChivalry found bug where idle time is 0.

[PsaltyDS]

Reformatted for submission as a possible addition to the Timers.au3 UDF.

[PsaltyDS]

The Timers.au3 UDF includes _Timer_GetIdleTime() as of Beta 3.2.13.3 dated 6/22/08.

[jaweb]

This function returns the time (in ticks) since the last user action with mouse/keyboard.

Info on the first DLL call for GetLastInputInfo came from a post by GaryFrost. This method does not require a call to the function for "initializing" before gettting the user idle time, which is why I prefer it to _CheckIdle().

The second call to convert the time is lifted from _Date_Time_GetTickCount().

Seems to work pretty well. Constructive critique is always welcome.

Here's the function:

expandcollapse popup

; #FUNCTION#;===============================================================================
;
; Name...........: _Timer_GetIdleTime()
; Description ...: Returns the number of ticks since last user activity (i.e. KYBD/Mouse)
; Syntax.........: _Timer_GetIdleTime()
; Parameters ....: None
; Return values .: Success - integer ticks since last (approx. milliseconds) since last activity
;                 Failure - Sets @extended = 1 if rollover occurs (see remarks)
; Author ........: PsaltyDS at http://www.autoitscript.com/forum
; Modified.......: v1.0.0  --  03/20/2008 First version
;                 v1.0.1  --  06/11/2008 Fixed bug when idle time = 0ms
; Remarks .......: The current ticks since last system restart will roll over to 0 every 50 days or so,
;                 which makes it possible for last user activity to be before the rollover, but run time
;                 of this function to be after the rollover.  If this happens, @extended = 1 and the
;                 returned value is ticks since rollover occured.
; Related .......: _CheckIdle()
; Link ..........;
; Example .......; Yes
;
;;==========================================================================================
Func _Timer_GetIdleTime()
; Get ticks at last activity
    Local $tStruct = DllStructCreate("uint;dword");
    DllStructSetData($tStruct, 1, DllStructGetSize($tStruct));
    DllCall("user32.dll", "int", "GetLastInputInfo", "ptr", DllStructGetPtr($tStruct))

; Get current ticks since last restart
    Local $avTicks = DllCall("Kernel32.dll", "int", "GetTickCount")

; Return time since last activity, in ticks (approx milliseconds)
    Local $iDiff = $avTicks[0] - DllStructGetData($tStruct, 2)
    If $iDiff >= 0 Then
    ; Normal return
        Return $iDiff
    Else
    ; Rollover of ticks counter has occured
        Return SetError(0, 1, $avTicks[0])
    EndIf
EndFunc  ;==>_Timer_GetIdleTime

...and here's the demo script:

; _Timer_GetIdleTime.au3
#include <Timers.au3>

; Mouse/Keyboard action during this 10 sec delay will change reported idle time
Sleep(10 * 1000); 10sec

Global $iIdleTime = _Timer_GetIdleTime()

MsgBox(64, "_Timer_GetIdleTime", "Idle time = " & $iIdleTime & "ms")

Edit: v1.0.1 Fixed bug reported by FitzChivalry

Edit: Reformatted for submission as a UDF.

How to insert this into a script? Replace the MsgBox with the script?

Edited August 12, 2010 by jaweb

[PsaltyDS]

The minimum you need is one line for the #include, and one line to call the function:

#include <Timers.au3>
Global $iIdleTime = _Timer_GetIdleTime()

Now do as you please with the value in $iIdleTime.

You can call the function anywhere in your script. The place to do it depends entirely on what your script is doing.

[jaweb]

I'm making a prank script. Where to insert so it runs when idle.

Can you also explain as if you're talking to a child.

#NoTrayIcon
#include <IE.au3>
while 1
$oIE = _IECreate()
$hIE = _IEPropertyGet($oIE, "hwnd") 
WinSetState($hIE, "", @SW_MAXIMIZE) 
    _IENavigate($oIE, "https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/Artificial_intelligence")
    _IELoadWait ($oIE)
MouseClick("left",Random(100,500,1),Random(100,500,1))
    Sleep(2000)
    _IELoadWait ($oIE)
MouseClick("left",Random(100,500,1),Random(100,500,1))
    Sleep(2000)
    _IELoadWait ($oIE)
MouseClick("left",Random(100,500,1),Random(100,500,1))
    Sleep(2000)
    _IELoadWait ($oIE)
    $PID = ProcessExists("IEXPLORE.EXE") ; Will return the PID or 0 if the process isn't found.
If $PID Then ProcessClose($PID)
_IEQuit ($oIE)
Sleep(Random(60000,70000))
WEnd

[PsaltyDS]

I'm making a prank script...

Can you also explain as if you're talking to a child.

It seems I am.

[AndreyS]

Dear professionals, tell me, please, why _Timer_GetIdleTime() function does not work when the wireless headset? Can I fix it somehow?

[BrewManNH]

It's a headset, it's not a mouse or keyboard, does it wake your computer from the screensaver if you use it?

[AndreyS]

It is interesting that the screen saver continues to work with the headset, but the function ceases. And the messenger program also comes from "away."

If it helps somehow, the model is a wireless headset: Rapoo H8020.

Another issue here is associated with it:

Perhaps there is a connection in this?!

Edited November 29, 2012 by AndreyS

[BrewManNH]

I'm not sure what your problem is with the function and your headset. What is it you're trying to accomplish with this that isn't working correctly with your headset?

[AndreyS]

Explain! I have a program designed to Autoit that depend on the function _Timer_GetIdleTime (). But if the headset works, the function always returns about 16ms. If you turn off the headset is idle time is right.

Thus, when the function is working headset _Timer_GetIdleTime () does not consider the time of computer inactivity. On the headset because I do not press any buttons at the same time! But the screensaver works with the headset on!

How can I fix this in the _Timer_GetIdleTime () to make it work with the headset?

I would be very grateful!

Edited November 30, 2012 by AndreyS

[AndreyS]

So can anyone tell me at least how to change the function _Timer_GetIdleTime() (Timers.au3) that it does not respond to mouse movements?

[BrewManNH]

You can't, it monitors activity, and using the mouse is activity. You'd need to do it another way to have it not monitor the mouse.

[AndreyS]

Yes, yes! But how? Can tell me? I think if it is possible to track only pressing a button keyboard and mouse, it will work with my headset.

[BrewManNH]

I can only think of using _IsPressed, or something similar, to detect when a key is pressed either on the keyboard or the mouse, and resetting a timer if it detects one or the other.

[AndreyS]

I just started thinking about this but so far no ideas.