how to detect a keyboard key in a while loop using a figure

I am using arduino nano and checking push buttons in a while loop. I want to detect a keyboard key, say 'spacebar' and simulate a push button. A figure with a push button is the desired output. Everytime the figure is in focus and the 'spacebar' is pressed on the keyboard, it should turn on and off a digital output of arduino board.

[Paul]

That’s an interesting setup, especially for anyone trying to build small reaction-based projects. I’ve been experimenting with space-press mechanics myself while messing around with a simple browser game at https://space-bar-clicker.github.io/, and timing intervals really make a difference. Adding a delay to emulate spacebar presses should work well if you trigger it with a timer inside the callback.

Answer 1

[Tommy]

You could use the figure's KeyPressFcn, possibly combined with some of the ideas below:

myFig = figure('KeyPressFcn', @myKeyPressFcn,...
    'UserData', false);

a = 0;
while true
    a = a + rand;
    if myFig.UserData
        close(myFig)
        break
    end
    drawnow % <- important so that myKeyPressFcn() gets called when a key is pressed
end
disp(a)

function myKeyPressFcn(src, evt)
    if strcmp(evt.Key, 'space')
        src.UserData = true;
    end
end

[Ahsan Ayyaz]

Hi Tommy

'waitforbuttonpress' worked for me.

Thanks for your reply.

[Tommy]

Glad to hear you got it working!