system.setIdleTimer()

Type Function
Library system.*
Return value none
Revision Release 2024.3703
Keywords system timer
See also system.getIdleTimer()

Overview

Controls whether the idle timer is enabled. If set to true, the timer will be active (default) or inactive if false. When active, the idle timer dims the screen and eventually puts the device to sleep when no user activity occurs.

Gotchas

Battery Life

When most applications have no touches as user input for a short period, the system puts the device into a "sleep" state where the screen dims. This is done for the purposes of conserving power. However, applications that don't have user input except for the accelerometer — games, for instance — can disable the "idle timer" (by setting this property to false) to avert system sleep.

You should set this property only if necessary and should be sure to reset it to true when the need no longer exists. Most applications should let the system turn off the screen when the idle timer elapses. This includes audio applications. The only applications that should disable the idle timer are mapping applications, games, or similar programs with sporadic user interaction.

Syntax

system.setIdleTimer( enabled )
enabled (required)

Boolean. Pass true to enable the idle timer; false to disable it.

Examples

system.setIdleTimer( false )  -- disable (turn off) the idle timer
 
system.setIdleTimer( true )  -- enable (turn on) the idle timer