spin

a small utility to assist in setting usage modes of laptop-tablet devices

features

• automatic palm rejection when using stylus
• automatic disable/enable of touchpad and nipple when device toggled between laptop and tablet states
• manual control of display orientation and input devices

setup

This utility requires X11.

Install PyQt5. On Ubuntu 16.04 LTS, run the following:

sudo apt install python-qt5

On Ubuntu 18.04 LTS, run the following:

sudo apt install pyqt5-dev pyqt5-dev-tools

Now install spin by running the following:

sudo pip install python_spin

To set up globally a Linux desktop launcher with icon, execute the following:

sudo wget --content-disposition -N -P /usr/share/icons/ https://raw.githubusercontent.com/wdbm/spin/master/python_spin/static/spin.svg

sudo wget --content-disposition -N -P /usr/share/applications/ https://raw.githubusercontent.com/wdbm/spin/master/python_spin/static/spin.desktop

quick start

This utility can be run in its default graphical mode or in a non-graphical mode. The graphical mode is engaged by running

spin

while the non-graphical mode is engaged by using the option --no_GUI:

spin --no_GUI

There are other options which are described by spin --help.

By default, this utility disables the touchscreen on detecting the stylus in proximity and it changes between the laptop and tablet modes on detecting toggling between the laptop and tablet usage configurations. These default behaviours are provided by both the graphical and non-graphical modes of this utility. This utility should be initiated in the laptop usage configuration.

compatibility

computer model	operating system and setup	comment
ThinkPad S1 Yoga	Ubuntu 16.04 (X11, Unity)	working
ThinkPad S120 Yoga	Ubuntu 16.04 (X11, Unity)	working
ThinkPad Yoga 14	Ubuntu 16.04 (X11, Unity)	possibly working with some reduced functionality
ThinkPad Yoga P40	Ubuntu 16.04 (X11, Unity)	possibly working

acceleration control

There is an experimental acceleration control included which is deactivated by default. It can be activated by selecting the appropriate button in the graphical mode.

future

Under consideration is state recording in order to avoid execution of unnecessary commands and better handling of subprocesses.