Display; Video Modes; Standard Mode 3 Vs Graphics Mode; Cursor Mode - Intermec PEN*KEY 6400 Programmer's Reference Manual

Communications and Device Support

Display

Video Modes

Refer to the Controlling the Display with APIs paragraph, page 4-24, for a list of
APIs that can be used for controlling the video display from an application.

Standard Mode 3 vs Graphics Mode

The 6400 Computer is CGA compatible in standard modes. In these modes, you
can write directly to the video memory.
Since the BIOS puts the system into graphics mode 43h, whenever the character
size is changed from 8x8, the video memory could produce undesired results if
your application writes directly to the video memory.
Therefore, if your application requires the system go into graphics mode, make
sure the development platform is capable of directing the display output to the
BIOS, rather than directly to the video memory.
Mode 43h
This 6400 specific video mode allows for larger and smaller characters than the
typical 8x8 offered by the standard CGA modes. Once set in this mode, all video
access should go through the BIOS or DOS interface.
" NOTE:
Blinking is not supported in Video Mode 43h.

Cursor Mode

Within emulations, you can change the style of the cursor, using the "Cursor
Mode" option in the "Display Options" menu. The possible choices are as follows:
"
"
"
"
"

Backlight Control

The backlight time is adjusted by selecting Backlight from the Display Options
menu. The value chosen sets the number of seconds the backlight stays on after
a key is pressed. You can turn the backlight on or off with the [green SHFT] key
and the up arrow key.
Refer to the Sticky Keys paragraph on page 4-17, for an explanation of the use of
[SHIFT] keys on the 6400 Computer.
4-18
PEN*KEYR 6400 Programmer's Reference Guide
Blinking Cursor — Within emulations, the blinking cursor (represented
by an underline character) only works with standard mode 3. This is the
18 rows by 20 columns mode. When the blinking cursor is enabled for other
font sizes, the underline (text and cursor) does not work.
Block Cursor — A "Block" cursor is indicated by a reverse video
(highlighted) block (J) character.
Block Blink Cursor — The "Block Blink" cursor is represented by
blinking a reverse video block at the current position in the line.
Underlined Cursor — An "Underlined" cursor is indicated by a line under
the character at the cursor position.
Underline Blink Cursor — The "Underline Blink" cursor is represented
by blinking an underline below the character at the current position.
SECTION 4