Related
On WM6.5 and WM6.5.x you have the option of using the new sliding lock screen. I for one prefer to use the old 'Windows Classic' lock screen (i.e. the one where you have to tap the soft key then an unlock button like in WM6.1, see images), as it uses less memory and allows me to see the today screen. However, on many ROMs for HTC phones, even stock ROMs, it doesn't seem to work properly with regards to incoming calls.
When you receive an incoming call, the lock screen pops up asking you to tap unlock, but it is unresponsive and obscures the caller ID screen, meaning you can't see who's calling you or the accept / reject slider. On phones / ROMs were it does work properly, you sometimes still have to press the unlock button manually before you can do anything.
This had annoyed me for ages and I couldn't find a solution, so since I am learning C++ at uni, I decided to try and teach myself Win32 programming and create a a program to fix it. The result was this little utility, my first windows mobile app
The program basically just sits and waits for an incoming call, and when the system notifies it of one, if the device is locked it waits for the unlock screen to pop up and then very quickly presses the '*' key. The result is that the device unlocks before the screen messes up, allowing you to see the dialler! The app is very lightweight (executable is only ~6KB), fast (native code), and does not use the CPU whilst idle since it makes use of the windows messaging notification system. Should theoretically work on any resolution on any device, but I've only tested it on my Touch Pro2 (WVGA).
I originally made this just for myself, but XDA Developers has been so useful to me over the years I thought it would be nice to share it with you guys For this reason it is provided as is, I may or may not add to it. I'll try and fix any bugs and stuff if they arise, but I'd like to keep it a simple, lightweight app.
[size=+1]VERSION HISTORY:[/size]
1.0 - Initial Release
1.1 - Multilingual support. If v1.0 works for you, you don't have to upgrade but you can if you like.
Fixed the bug that causes program to crash if not using an English ROM.
Removed message box that tells you you're using the sliding lock. Program now just exits silently.
CAB file now changes the registry key to disable the sliding lock screen for you.
[size=+1]INSTALLATION:[/size]
I've attached the EXE in a zip file, simply unzip, place it on your device somewhere and run it to activate the program. Run it again to exit the program. You might like to place a shortcut in \Windows\Startup. The program will not run if you have the WM6.5 sliding lock enabled, you need to have set:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Shell\LockScreen] "Enable"= dword:00000000 (obviously).
I've also made a cab file which just simply places the EXE in \Program Files\DeviceLockXT, and creates a startup shortcut and the reg key for you, if you prefer
If you already have DeviceLockXT installed and are installing a newer version, you probably need to stop the old one from running first, and you should probably uninstall the old CAB before installing the new one. I don't know what difference it will make if any.
Enjoy!
DISCLAIMER: In the unlikely event that this program damages your device / causes you to lose data / kills your cat / whatever, I am not responsible. Use at your own risk.
Feel free to include it in a custom ROM if you like!
This looks interesting. Like you, I also do not like the latest lock screen (I've been searching forever for a better one). Does yours support PIN lock? And if you wouldn't mind, I think it'd be cool to see a screenshot (or just a google image), I'm not sure if I remember the classic lock screen you are referring to...
Certainly! Images added & first post updated
The reason I like it is that it isn't a lock screen as such, more of a lock softkey. This allows you to see through to the lovely HTC flip clock when the phone is locked / you turn it on to see the time. You only see the rather ugly looking grey screen when you want to unlock the device.
The program will run if you have PIN lock enabled, but there is no need to use the program in this case, it will literally sit there doing nothing. If you are using the PIN lock then the dialler screen works fine, at least on my phone anyway
To use the Windows Classic Lock Screen with a PIN just set:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Shell\LockScreen]
"Enable"=dword:00000000
Then enable a PIN in Settings > Lock and you're good to go! No need to install my program You can also set:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Shell\LockScreen]
"ShowLockScreenPicker"=dword:00000001
To get an extra tab in Settings > Lock which lets you change lock screen without editing the registry.
EDIT: There is not supposed to be a space between the c and r in LockScreen in the reg keys, don't know why the forum does that.
I'm also a fan of the "Windows Classic Lock Screen", and have encountered the same problem that you describe!
So thanks a lot for this great tool, I'm trying it ASAP.
i see your point of locking and seeing at the same time your home screen right there and then and i think i'm liking it. i'll give it a try. any chance to change the "ugly" gray unlock screen to something else? a simple black one would be good for me, or better still to a customized background.
edit: btw, does this work on stock wm 6.5? it says 6.5+ in your post.
Yup, I meant 6.5+ as in 6.5 and above (including both 6.5 and 6.5.x)
Not that I know of, the grey screen is part of the windows mobile locking program itself so I don't think it can be easily changed. On some ROMs I have tried the grey screen is skipped entirely, unlocking straight away when you press the softkey, but this is tied to something at the ROM level I think. So it's possible, but I don't have the time or ability to figure it out
Another way to do it would be to write your own locking program from the ground up that mimics the standard windows classic one, then you could do what you like, which interestingly is what I tried initially. But it was much harder than I thought! Defeats the point of utilising what is already on your phone though, which is what I like to to (minimal 3rd party software).
I repeat my program is NOT a stand alone lockscreen, but a utility to hopefully make the built in one work properly. In my opinion the windows classic lock is fine as it is, apart from the issue my program aims to fix
Great job!
This little app works very well and it does what it promises.
The grey screen is something that I've seached how to change for quite some time, but haven't found nothing. It would be very cool if we could edit it!
This is just awesome...thanks so much for sharing...
What about cooking this program into ROM? Is it fine to do so?
Yeah sure, it says so at the very end of the first post (under 'Disclaimer')
Uch, sorry, I never read disclaimers or other important notes.
Keep up great work. I'll include this software into my ROMs if I don't find anything annoying
thank you very much.this problem is annoying me for a long time,i'll have a try.is this work well,i'll get a reply.wish it work well and jack use it in his roms~
It's work very well in my phone,thank you very much~good job~
Been using this for a day or so now...no complains...works as intended. Thank you!
i find a problem with the app.when i use the app,the screenlight is turn on and turn off,it's change all the time.when i use the swith button to turn off the screen light,the screen light will turn on soon.and if i close the app ,the screen light became well.what's the wrong?can you help me ?
I'm not sure what would be causing that behaviour, what device are you using? What version of windows mobile / ROM are you using? Do you have any other screen lock type apps installed?
It is nice
but unfortunately it works only for WM6.1
i hope i can find one for WM6.5
jamiemckee said:
I'm not sure what would be causing that behaviour, what device are you using? What version of windows mobile / ROM are you using? Do you have any other screen lock type apps installed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use HTC TOUCH PRO 2 ,HTC Version.and the rom is Jackos EVO FULL v1.1.0.i don't installed another screen lock.do you know what cause the problem?thanks~
Delete Hd2ProximityScreenOff.lnk from /Windows/StartUp
Jackos said:
Delete Hd2ProximityScreenOff.lnk from /Windows/StartUp
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you very much ,i 'll have a try~
Though I am not a developer, I think it would be nice to start a thread for ideas to be thrown out on what people would like to see in development for the EVO LTE so developers can get an idea of MODs and features this community is interested in. Not that every single feature/MOD should be in one single ROM, but just an idea of what MODs have interest. I think I make sense.
This list reflects my suggestions as well as member's posts through this thread as of 5/31/12.
While the phone is locked, pushing the dedicated camera button for XX amount of seconds wakes the phone and opens the camera app, but doesn't necessarily unlock the phone
Quicksettings/Quick settings tab in notification area
Ability to place the 1x1 widgets (such as Sync All) into the Rosie
A MOD for a curved, classic EVO 4G Rosie
Increase the transparency of HTC widgets
A MOD to create a white pull down notification area as opposed to the black space
Multitasking "issue" to be resolved
A MOD to force the screen to stay locked after a call ends
Tthe ability to adjust the notification volume separate from the main ringtone volume
Get rid of the app association feature
Volume wake
CRT Animations
Long press volume keys to skip a track forward and back in Music apps
Ubuntu development
Other interests?
I'd like to get a mod to force the screen to stay locked after a call ends. If you're talking hands free with phone in pocket, it will unlock when your call ends. Should be a straightforward fix to force lock after call if screen is off.
someone to dig through the android code change from GB to ICS and see wtf Google changed that borked the ability to adjust the notification volume separate from the main ringtone volume...I'd LOVE to have that back....from what ive been told it isn't in stock ICS nor is it even able to be controlled via 3rd party apps on devices running 4.0.X like they could in GB and previous versions...
^^^^^^ agreed.
And how to get rid of the black menu bar and incorporate longpress for menu somehow.
Lastly, (well, for now, lol)
Brightness slider in notification bar (may have to wait for AOSP for that), but actually, it was something else, oh, yeah, how to get rid of the damn app association feature that HTC had to develop to get around apple patent BS. I've read that simply removing htclinkify.all does not accomplish this. I hate what apple forced on Android.
Oh, and CRT animations.
sent from my Evo LTE, usually.
Would be nice to be able to adjust the auto-brightness levels like Cyanogen.
Volume wake
Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk 2
scottspa74 said:
^^^^^^ agreed.
And how to get rid of the black menu bar and incorporate longpress for menu somehow.
Lastly, (well, for now, lol)
Brightness slider in notification bar (may have to wait for AOSP for that), but actually, it was something else, oh, yeah, how to get rid of the damn app association feature that HTC had to develop to get around apple patent BS. I've read that simply removing htclinkify.all does not accomplish this. I hate what apple forced on Android.
Oh, and CRT animations.
sent from my Evo LTE, usually.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I for one have 0 problem with that feature and actually like it better now than it was before. the way it is now at least offers us more customization over the previous...no?....
Long press volume keys to skip a track forward and back.... CRT animations.... and The HTC Shortcuts and Clock widget!
sgt. slaughter said:
someone to dig through the android code change from GB to ICS and see wtf Google changed that borked the ability to adjust the notification volume separate from the main ringtone volume...I'd LOVE to have that back....from what ive been told it isn't in stock ICS nor is it even able to be controlled via 3rd party apps on devices running 4.0.X like they could in GB and previous versions...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is an app that takes care of it already, actually:
ICS Enhanced Ringer
Like most people, I'd like to see the recent apps button become the menu button and get rid of the damn triple dot bar. The recent apps should be a long press of the home button like it was on the OG EVO.
Now, if I'm dreaming big dreams, this is what I really, really want:
I want Ubuntu for Android on my EVO. The demos I've seen so far have Ubuntu activated when the phone docks, but who needs that when you have HTC Media Link. I envision hooking a media link up to a monitor, and pairing it with a bluetooth keyboard and mouse (maybe a DLNA hard drive). Obviously you'd have to manually launch the Ubuntu desktop, but in that case, you could even have a popup option that offered you Ubuntu desktop, or the Ubuntu TV interface.
sgt. slaughter said:
I for one have 0 problem with that feature and actually like it better now than it was before. the way it is now at least offers us more customization over the previous...no?....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good luck watching YouTube videos in the YouTube app when they're posted as a link. Chrome often launches the YouTube app when trying to play a video, but isn't always consistent. It's an improvement over the stock browser... But I'd rather it launch the app than try and render it on the page. If we get prompted, we can pick every action as they occur, or even leave some options open so you can use a couple different apps for one choice (ergo, click a phone number and add it to contacts/call the number/send that number a text message. I like that much more. I imagine most do too.
Tapatalked from my shiny new HTC Evo LTE
sgt. slaughter said:
I for one have 0 problem with that feature and actually like it better now than it was before. the way it is now at least offers us more customization over the previous...no?....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you mean the app association? If so, how do you figure? I really like when I click on a link, when it asks me if I want YouTube or browser. Right now, I'm not allowed to change anything. Defaults are set, and I don't get a choice. A total Fn joke, in my opinion. I can only imagine many others agreeing (unless I'm missing something)
sent from my Evo LTE, usually.
scottspa74 said:
Do you mean the app association? If so, how do you figure? I really like when I click on a link, when it asks me if I want YouTube or browser. Right now, I'm not allowed to change anything. Defaults are set, and I don't get a choice. A total Fn joke, in my opinion. I can only imagine many others agreeing (unless I'm missing something)
sent from my Evo LTE, usually.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But you get a choice in the defaults...?
I'm not arguing against you, but I can't agree that you have no choice.
Sent from my EVO using XDA
No. In my defaults, I see no other choices. For links it says browser. No option for YouTube (even though I wouldn't want to pick it because of course some links shouldn't open with YouTube). IDK, am I missing something?
Edit: I know, buddy. You and I have been on the same page on lots of stuff
sent from my Evo LTE, usually.
w3r3wolv3s said:
Like most people, I'd like to see the recent apps button become the menu button and get rid of the damn triple dot bar. The recent apps should be a long press of the home button like it was on the OG EVO.
Now, if I'm dreaming big dreams, this is what I really, really want:
I want Ubuntu for Android on my EVO. The demos I've seen so far have Ubuntu activated when the phone docks, but who needs that when you have HTC Media Link. I envision hooking a media link up to a monitor, and pairing it with a bluetooth keyboard and mouse (maybe a DLNA hard drive). Obviously you'd have to manually launch the Ubuntu desktop, but in that case, you could even have a popup option that offered you Ubuntu desktop, or the Ubuntu TV interface.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
check the dev sections this is already done!
These are great and I believe very plausible.
Some of these features have already been done
RegnierD said:
Good luck watching YouTube videos in the YouTube app when they're posted as a link. Chrome often launches the YouTube app when trying to play a video, but isn't always consistent. It's an improvement over the stock browser... But I'd rather it launch the app than try and render it on the page. If we get prompted, we can pick every action as they occur, or even leave some options open so you can use a couple different apps for one choice (ergo, click a phone number and add it to contacts/call the number/send that number a text message. I like that much more. I imagine most do too.
Tapatalked from my shiny new HTC Evo LTE
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay I get the frustration with youtube....but seriously do you go to youtube and watch a ton of vids every day?
If they added youtube as one of the association types and let you pick youtube app or browser that would solve that...
still able to long press on phone number in your address book and send text message...you couldn't go directly to text message form a phone number from within gmail email message before from what I can tell on my 3D...though it takes no time to long press and copy it then go to messages and send that copied number a txt...
gianmarco00 said:
There is an app that takes care of it already, actually:
ICS Enhanced Ringer
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
48hr preview?.....ehh ill pass on that esp at $3 for full version....I love supporting Dev's for their work but $3 is wayyy too high for that small added feature i'd be getting out of it...
Hey all,
I've thought up what I think is a good idea for Samsung's "Smart App Challenge". As you can probably guess by the forum this is in, this would be primarily an S-Pen app, although you could use it without one. I would make this app myself, but have no experience writing apps and if I were to take the time to learn (which I do plan on doing), the contest will be over. *End rambling* Here's the idea:
Have an app that allows the user to press the side button of the pen (or maybe use some other shortcut, eg long press menu, home, etc). This would make whatever you're doing fade and you can write on the screen with your pen. You can assign different symbols or drawings or whatever to perform different actions, such as launching apps, opening bookmarks, changing settings, etc.
It's sort of a cross between "Activator" on jailbroken iOS and "Lost Magic" for the DS. I'm sure this has been thought of before, but no one (to my knowledge) has ever actually done it. Not sure if anyone has the ability to write something like this, but if you do and are looking for an idea, I think this has potential.
Thoughts?
Sounds like a decent idea to me, assuming you use the SPen a lot. I've used mine just a handful of times personally, but your idea makes some sense to me. Gestures for screenshot, specific apps, etc, sounds like a good idea.
I won't be using a TW based ROM any more, so unless the SPen stuff can be compiled into CM9/CM10 I won't be seeing your app but good luck
Thanks for the feedback! Alternatively, you could do this without an s-pen, allowing you to set up different gestures and actions to trigger different events or change different settings.
For example:
Let's say you use your phone as a flashlight a lot, and want to make it easier to access on your non-cm/aokp based rom. Theoretically, you could set long-pressing the home button to turn your flash on. (Or, using the s-pen, you could press the side button and draw a circle or a lightbulb or something.) I know there are a lot of launchers that incorporate simple gesture recognition, but this would have a broader application, changing the way we interact with our phones. Another example, you could set s-pen input to only be used for gestures. So if you wanted to turn your flashlight on, you simply pull out your s-pen and write "light" or draw the gesture of your choosing on the screen and your flashlight turns on. There are so many ways people could potentially do things, and I think there should be an app that focuses on tailoring your phone to best suit your own personal needs.
xxBrun0xx said:
Hey all,
I've thought up what I think is a good idea for Samsung's "Smart App Challenge". As you can probably guess by the forum this is in, this would be primarily an S-Pen app, although you could use it without one. I would make this app myself, but have no experience writing apps and if I were to take the time to learn (which I do plan on doing), the contest will be over. *End rambling* Here's the idea:
Have an app that allows the user to press the side button of the pen (or maybe use some other shortcut, eg long press menu, home, etc). This would make whatever you're doing fade and you can write on the screen with your pen. You can assign different symbols or drawings or whatever to perform different actions, such as launching apps, opening bookmarks, changing settings, etc.
It's sort of a cross between "Activator" on jailbroken iOS and "Lost Magic" for the DS. I'm sure this has been thought of before, but no one (to my knowledge) has ever actually done it. Not sure if anyone has the ability to write something like this, but if you do and are looking for an idea, I think this has potential.
Thoughts?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are several gesture-based app but here's one that pretty much does what you are suggesting.
My Gesture Shortcut Launcher
https://play.google.com/store/apps/...=W251bGwsMSwxLDEsInNvbmcueS5qLm15Z2VzdHVyZSJd
xxBrun0xx said:
Hey all,
I've thought up what I think is a good idea for Samsung's "Smart App Challenge". As you can probably guess by the forum this is in, this would be primarily an S-Pen app, although you could use it without one. I would make this app myself, but have no experience writing apps and if I were to take the time to learn (which I do plan on doing), the contest will be over. *End rambling* Here's the idea:
Have an app that allows the user to press the side button of the pen (or maybe use some other shortcut, eg long press menu, home, etc). This would make whatever you're doing fade and you can write on the screen with your pen. You can assign different symbols or drawings or whatever to perform different actions, such as launching apps, opening bookmarks, changing settings, etc.
It's sort of a cross between "Activator" on jailbroken iOS and "Lost Magic" for the DS. I'm sure this has been thought of before, but no one (to my knowledge) has ever actually done it. Not sure if anyone has the ability to write something like this, but if you do and are looking for an idea, I think this has potential.
Thoughts?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's kind of like the lock screen gestures on cm7, which I really miss, but having it anywhere would be awesome. Great idea!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda app-developers app
ArborRes said:
There are several gesture-based app but here's one that pretty much does what you are suggesting.
My Gesture Shortcut Launcher
https://play.google.com/store/apps/...=W251bGwsMSwxLDEsInNvbmcueS5qLm15Z2VzdHVyZSJd
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This looks pretty sweet. Had no idea this existed, but looks interesting. What it has that I don't really like is that big green "G" that's always sitting on top of what you're doing (from what I gather reading the description). I think we need a more elegant way to activate the system.
I'm not sure if it is possible but I have an idea of a widget:
It's a widget that contains another widget that will auto after a specific condition (perhaps with llama/tasker?)
Examples:
hide music widget of choice if there's no music playing or headset plugged in.
Hide (school) timetable if you're not at that location.
Show GPS/traffic widget if not at home/school/work.
You might think of another great use yourself.
This is just an idea, and since I'm no app developer myself, (at least not yet) I hope one of the great android developers that are on these fora will take an interest in this project.
Sent from my SHV-E160L 32GB with XDA HD
But why hide the widget? That space where the widget that hid the other widget is still unusable because the widget can become transparent, but it can not remove itself from the home screen and then put itself back, since adding widgets is a system level command. And if it could do what I just said it can't, what if you put apps/shortcuts/widgets in its place, where would they go? I might be over thinking this whole idea a little but that's just my two cents. I do have a similar idea now that I read this, though. Use Tasker to restore backed up Nova/Holo/Adw/Apex/Etc, settings and home screen layouts based on what you said in your first post. That is probably going to take way longer to do, but it get the same effect and could probably save battery that way too. I mean, if I make a Tasker profile set up so that whenever I connect to my schools wifi, that it restores a previous backed home screen and settings layout. My phone always dies at school, so my home screen would become blank, with no dock or status bar, and just have gestures set up so that I can still get to my apps (swipe up for drawer, down for notifications, two fingers up for phone app, and two fingers down for messaging). With nothing on my home screen, I save battery because the Launcher does not have to load any thing. Android itself might be a limitation for what we're saying here, but maybe Key Lime Pie could bring us closer to that.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk 2
Thanks for the reply!
PenguinxEnjoi said:
But why hide the widget? That space where the widget that hid the other widget is still unusable because the widget can become transparent, but it can not remove itself from the home screen and then put itself back, since adding widgets is a system level command. And if it could do what I just said it can't, what if you put apps/shortcuts/widgets in its place, where would they go? I might be over thinking this whole idea a little but that's just my two cents.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the reply, PenguinxEnjoi
I can see now that my idea can be a bit confusing.
I just had the idea to hide the widget when I don't need it so it doesn't clog up my lock/home screen.
If it means turning it invisible I'd like that just as much as removing it. I just don't want to see it.
PenguinxEnjoi said:
I do have a similar idea now that I read this, though. Use Tasker to restore backed up Nova/Holo/Adw/Apex/Etc, settings and home screen layouts based on what you said in your first post. That is probably going to take way longer to do, but it get the same effect and could probably save battery that way too. I mean, if I make a Tasker profile set up so that whenever I connect to my schools wifi, that it restores a previous backed home screen and settings layout. My phone always dies at school, so my home screen would become blank, with no dock or status bar, and just have gestures set up so that I can still get to my apps (swipe up for drawer, down for notifications, two fingers up for phone app, and two fingers down for messaging). With nothing on my home screen, I save battery because the Launcher does not have to load any thing. Android itself might be a limitation for what we're saying here, but maybe Key Lime Pie could bring us closer to that.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If this is possible it would totally be an option. Especially since I'm using widgetlocker and nova launcher.
This will probably be done using intents (if it's supported) but I've only begun using tasker (after llama) so I'm still not sure how they work.
Have you found the way to auto hide widgets for example with Tasker?
extension!?
I have been trying to find a way to recreate a menu pop down resembling the app drawer menu on my desktop and yes...there are many hurdles to be made through an auto hide feature. Why there cant be an app writin that works along with zooper pro or uccw (or done internaly themselves) that can acknowlege a widget name and link it to a static bitmap/icon within another widget as in a"press on" action is beyond me. I know that is probably the last thing those two companies wanna do but it would really make it fun for the average joe just trying to create something fresh and different for their own pride and joy. I havent had much luck getting any reaponse on this. Lol obviously due to a lack reason. And no im not talking about the chocolate covered carmel candy. Bit if any of you developers out there want to take a stab at it. Looks like there is a code writtin in a somewhat similar context that i believe could work. In the end. Its us vs. Them. Hope to see something more happen with this.
And of course..i am mot allowed to copy and paste outside links yet. Thanks XDA. but if you type in."auto hide widget" in google it should be the second link you see. Hope someone makes this a reality. Will be watching for developments.:silly:
Pop up widgets from the developer of the sslauncher. Does the trick nicely. Also you can use swipepad with the widgetpad addon. Works nice for me. Widget here, widget gone
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk
tie7 said:
Have you found the way to auto hide widgets for example with Tasker?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you could use overlays (paid version) which integrates in tasker (free version does not)
My father has early onset Alzheimers and I need to create a rom that when the device is powered on all he sees is 3 buttons call, end call, and text which brings up the plain texting option. Call shows square photos of people and services..etc.. tap on one it calls that person. I Would also like to do things like change the power button so it cant fully shut down the phone with out a specific combination of buttons or a pattern. Where do I begin to learn how to do this? I would really like to learn to do this on my own.
Hi there. Sorry to hear about your father. I've had a couple members of my family suffer from this and it's difficult, to say the least. As far as what you are looking for, well, I'm not sure you need to go all in and make a custom rom for this. I think many of the things you are trying to do can be done with existing mods.
As far as the power button, you can look into using the Xposed Framework and the Xposed Additions module which allows you to customize the activity of the hardware buttons.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/xposed/framework-xposed-rom-modding-modifying-t1574401
http://forum.xda-developers.com/xposed/modules/mod-xposed-additions-t2294274
For the buttons on screen for Call / End Call - Well, the Call with a link to favorite contacts with pictures is easily done with most launchers or a favorite contact widget. The End Call option though, I'm not so sure about. Reason being is that any time you're going to make a call, it's going to open the dialer app and the end button will be there. I can't really think of a way around that. I looked into adding a shortcut to that activity with Nova Launcher, but it's not an option available (though there are a dozen other shortcuts).
But with a launcher like Nova, you will have the ability to add / delete anything off the main screen besides what you want. You can lock the home screen so he can't inadvertently make changes to it and enable a gesture he wouldn't be likely to use to allow you to access the app drawer (like 2 fingers swipe up, etc). You can also use one of the variety of locking apps that will prevent access to any unwanted apps by requiring a password or PIN.
Ooh. Custom ROMs. A lot of work for such simple need. Maybe use Tasker instead? You can accomplish this with a scene and some profiles/tasks setup on stock ROM. Only disadvantage I see compared to making your own rom is long boot time. You can bypass everything in regards to Android UI just by making the scene fullscreen and disabling keyguard with a on-boot profile. That way, when he turns the screen back on, it goes right to your scene setup with no "slide-to-unlock" crap. I am very experienced in Tasker, so if you need any help, I can help you. I'd be willing to develop this for you, it would be about a half hour on my part
All the best,
Sent from my SCH-I605 using XDA Free mobile app
Thanks for the suggestions, these are great places to start.