ANY-maze Help > The ANY-maze reference > The Protocol page > The elements of a protocol > Apparatus > Apparatus > Setting up a piece of apparatus > Choosing a test control key or switch

Choosing a test control key or switch

In brief

You can control tests in a piece of apparatus using one of the 'F' keys located at the top of your keyboard, or using an input switch or remote control of an I/O interface. You don't have to select a key or switch, as there are other ways to control tests too.

If you want to use a key or switch, and I recommend you do, then use the Test control key and Test control switch lists shown on the apparatus's settings page to choose the ones to use.

Details

Setting a test control key

To specify a test control key, you simply need to select it in the list. If the key you select has already been assigned to another piece of apparatus, then a message will be displayed asking you whether you want to control multiple apparatus with the same key; if you do this, then selecting one key will start the tests in all the apparatus that use it - this can be useful if you want to synchronise the start of tests in multiple apparatus.

If you have multiple apparatus, and you don't want to control them all with the same key, then it's a good idea to try to choose keys which are not physically adjacent on the keyboard. This just helps to avoid the possibility of pressing the wrong key - good choices are F4, F5, F8 and F9 (there are gaps on most keyboards between F4 and F5 and F8 and F9).

As well as the 'F' keys F1 to F12, the list of keys includes an entry for Media play/pause. This is a special key which can be found on some 'multi-media' keyboards, but more importantly, it can also be emulated by some remote control devices. Thus, if you have such a remote control you can use it to control tests in ANY-maze by pressing its Play/Pause button. Exactly how this works will depend on the remote control you are using, but a good tip is to set the device to use its 'Windows Media Player' settings (assuming it has these settings).

As well as starting a test, the test control key can also be used to end a test (see Controlling testing for more details). Generally, this is a useful feature but it does have one disadvantage: in some circumstances, if you accidentally press the key twice then you will both start and then end the test. To prevent this from happening, you can deselect the option to Allow the test control key to end tests - then the key will only ever start tests; it will never end them.

Setting a test control switch

A test control switch is either a button on a remote control or a physical switch connected to (or sometimes part of) an of I/O device.

Using a button on a remote control, such as the AMi2 Remote control, is a great way to control tests at a distance from your computer, especially as these remote controls work through walls. An alternative is to use a switch on a long cable and mount it close to (or on) your apparatus. In fact, some devices, such as the ANY-maze Operant interfaces, include a test control switch built into them.

If you select a test control switch that is not a remote control, then you will be able to specify a short delay to occur after you press the switch but before the test begins. This can be very useful in equipment like an Operant cage, where the cage and the Operant interface might be inside a sound attenuating chamber. In these cases, the delay gives you time to close the chamber's doors after you press the test control switch. You can specify a delay from 1 to 15s, or just leave the field blank, for no delay.

To use a button on a remote control, you just have to select it in this list. To use a switch, you must be using a Protocol mode which supports inputs and you must have included in the protocol at least one I/O device that has an input switch, such as an ANY-maze Digital interface.

Switches that are already assigned to other apparatus or that are being used by an on/off input item in your protocol won't be listed.

If a switch or remote control button is shown with an X drawn over its icon, it means that the switch has been defined as the test control switch for the apparatus, but it's not currently available - for example, it might be a switch on a USB interface device and the device might have been unplugged.

If you would like to use a switch, but you're unsure how to connect it to your computer then ANY-maze Support who will be happy to advise you.

See also:

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ANY-maze help topic T0121