Situation:
A GUI app contains functionality (off a menu option) that produces a frequently updated image to a directory.
A logged-in, running instance of the app is the ONLY source for this image (functionality 'reliant' on display device). I have researched this to death - it is a sad fact.
The GUI application offers COM interfaces, but none that generate the image.
GUI code cannot be change in the least (big surprise).
Requirement:
These current images are needed by other processes at various times.
Obvious solution:
A process that creates an instance of the GUI app and uses SendKeys to manipulate the controls to produce the image.
Roadblocks (do I need to elaborate)
Aside from the flakiness of Sendkeys - assuming that Sendkeys WAS reliable....
Sendkeys can't work when console session is locked (locked is production requirement)
SendMessage API can't send key combinations like 'shift/letter' (required to invoke menu option).
Questions
Is there any other way to programatically interact with the app when the session is locked?
Can a windows service unlock/lock the sesion at predetermined times - long enough to allow an image generation to occur.
I know, I know, its crap. ANY high level ideas and MOST opinions are appreciated ;)