Symbol Series 6800, Product Reference Manual

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5-7
Operating the Series 68XX
The keyboard also has an optionally configurable auto-repeat function. If the application
allows, a character repeats as long as the key is held down. If the key is pressed immediately
following a modifier key, the modifier sequence affects only the first occurrence of the
character key.
Modifier Keys
The Shift, Alpha, Function, and Control keys are modifier keys. When pressed individually
or in certain combinations, these keys change the keyboard state and possibly the character
produced by the character key subsequently pressed. Refer to
Table 5-1 for a list of the
68XX’s special keys.
For example, pressing <Func> followed by <Ctrl> produces Alt characters, with the same
effect as pressing the Alt key on a PC.
Keyboard Speed
If your application program allows it, the characters may be set to appear faster or slower.
Refer to the Series 3000 Application Programmer's Manual for more information.
Keyboard States
The keyboard states are listed below, in the order in which they take priority:
Unshifted
Shifted
Function
Control
Momentary and Locked States
Each keyboard state is either momentary or locked. A momentary state lasts for only the
following keystroke. A locked state lasts until the activator key is pressed again.
Only one momentary state can be active at a time. Momentary states always take priority
over locked states. If you press several momentary state keys in a row, the system changes to
the state of the last key pressed. For example, if you press SHF, then CTRL, the terminal
enters the CONTROL state.
The CTRL, SHF, and FUNC keys activate a momentary state. If you press a momentary state
key twice in a row, the system enters the state and then cancels it. For example, if you press
SHF, SHF, the terminal is shifted and then immediately unshifted.
When batteries are low, the cursor changes. See Keyboard State Cursor Formats in Table 5-2 .