inkey

InKey

Syntax:

    output = InKey

Command Availability:

Available on all microcontrollers.

Explanation:

The InKey function will read the last pressed key from a PS/2 keyboard, and return an ASCII value corresponding to the key. If no key is pressed, then InKey will return 0.

It will also monitor Caps Lock, Num Lock and Scroll Lock keys, and update the status LEDs as appropriate.

Example:

  'A program to accept messages from a standard PS/2 keyboard
    'Any keys pressed will be shown on an LCD screen.

    'Hardware settings
    #chip 18F4620, 20

    'LCD connection settings
    #define LCD_IO 4
    #define LCD_DB4 PORTD.4
    #define LCD_DB5 PORTD.5
    #define LCD_DB6 PORTD.6
    #define LCD_DB7 PORTD.7
    #define LCD_RS PORTD.0
    #define LCD_RW PORTD.1
    #define LCD_Enable PORTD.2

    'PS/2 connection settings
    #define PS2Clock PORTC.1
    #define PS2Data PORTC.0
    #define PS2_DELAY 10 ms

    'Set up key log
    Dim KeyLog(32)
    DataCount = 0
    KeyLog(1) = 32

    Main:
        'Read the last pressed key
        KeyIn = INKEY
        'If no key pressed, try reading again
        If KeyIn = 0 Then Goto Main

        'Escape pressed - clear message
        If KeyIn = 27 Then
            DataCount = 0
            For DataPos = 1 to 32
                KeyLog(DataPos) = 32
            Next
            Goto DisplayData
        End If

        'Backspace pressed - delete last character
        If KeyIn = 8 Then
            If DataCount = 0 Then Goto Main
            KeyLog(DataCount) = 32
            DataCount = DataCount - 1
            Goto DisplayData
        End If

        'Otherwise, add the character to the buffer
        If KeyIn >= 31 And KeyIn <= 127 Then
            DataCount = DataCount + 1
            KeyLog(DataCount) = KeyIn
        End If

    DisplayData:
        'Display key buffer
        'LCDWriteChar is used instead of Print for greater control
        CLS
        For DataPos = 1 to DataCount
            If DataPos = 17 then Locate 1, 0
            LCDWriteChar KeyLog(DataPos)
        Next

    Goto Main