Important note! This is an unadvertised and unsupported feature of the Argus, software version 4.1. While we believe the information furnished below is correct, we are not responsible for bugs or problems encountered in attempting to use the terminal mode. We strongly recommend that you test your application thoroughly before release. This information is subject to change without notice.
The Argus can go into terminal mode by two means. If the LRN in setup is selected as "ASCII PORT A" or "ASCII PORT B" then terminal mode is the only operation (besides setup) which the Argus will support.
If a valid LRN is selected and the adapter type is selected for "AUX. TERM. B" then the Argus will operate normally until "info" is hit twice with no selected object. At that time, the Argus will enter terminal mode with a small prompt at the bottom of the screen. When "info" is hit the Argus will leave terminal mode and return to the map display. If "aux" is hit three times the Argus will leave terminal mode and go into the main menu page.
When in terminal mode, the Argus will echo an ACK ($06) when it receives an ENQ ($05).
The terminal mode uses the "software handshake" (XON/XOFF) protocol.
If the Argus goes into terminal mode as "AUX. TERM. B" then it will send the string "YY" when it enters terminal mode and "ZZ" when it leaves terminal mode.
While in terminal mode, the Argus will send the following characters when the front panel buttons are pushed:
| Key | Character sent |
| DEP push | A |
| ENR push | B |
| ARR push | C |
| AUX push | D |
| SEL push | E |
| INFO push | F |
| EMER push | G |
| DEP hold | I |
| ENR hold | J |
| ARR hold | K |
| AUX hold | L |
| SEL hold | M |
| INFO hold | N |
| EMER hold | O |
When a key is held, the character for the push of that key will be sent first. The hold character will be sent once per second while the key is held. For the combinations (SEL, INFO and EMER) each key code will be sent as that key is pushed. Thus, when holding the SEL combination the Argus will send "D" when AUX is first pushed, "E" will be sent when SEL is pushed (AUX and DEP) and finally "M" will be sent after one second has passed.
The terminal mode responds to some standard and some non-standard VT-100/ANSI command sequences. All commands begin with the escape character ($27) and the left bracket ($5B). The escape character is shown here as "ESC". There are no spaces before or after the left bracket. Most of the commands accept one or more numerical values. If the value is not present, it will be assumed to be equal to one. If more than one value is needed they are separated by a semi-colon (;).
Move the cursor up "N" lines. All lines are assumed to be
32 pixels high.
Move the cursor down "N" lines. All lines are assumed to be
32 pixels
high.
Move the cursor right by "N" characters. The width of a character
varies with the size of the currently selected font.
Move the cursor left by "N" characters. The width of a character
varies with the size of the currently selected font.
Move the cursor to character row number "Y" and character
column number "X". If "Y" and "X" are omitted,
the cursor will be positioned at 1;1 which is the upper left corner of
the screen.
Clear the screen and position the cursor at the upper left corner of
the screen.
Erase from the cursor position to the end of the line.
All character attributes off. Set font to "monospace", cancel
inverse video and set color to yellow.
Set inverse video on all following characters.
Set foreground color to red on all following characters and graphics.
Set foreground color to green on all following characters and graphics.
Set foreground color to yellow on all following characters and graphics.
Set to "small" font.
Set to "medium" font.
Set to "large" font.
Set to "monospace" font.
Set to "giant" font.
Draw to screen number zero (the displayed screen).
Draw to screen number one.
Draw to screen number two.
Draw to screen number three.
Copy screen number one forward to screen number zero.
Copy screen number two forward to screen number one.
Copy screen number three forward to screen number two.
Set the drawing mode to "OR".
Set the drawing mode to "AND".
Set the drawing mode to "XOR".
Set the drawing mode to "PATTERN MOVE".
Set the drawing mode to "PATTERN OR".
Set the drawing mode to "PATTERN AND".
Set the drawing mode to "PATTERN XOR".
Set cursor to the pixel at X,Y. This sets the cursor on pixel boundaries instead of character boundaries.
Set the current drawing pattern to the longword "PPPPPP". The value is the decimal representation of the binary pattern.
Draw a line from the cursor position to the pixel located at X,Y. After drawing the cursor is positioned at X,Y.
Draw an arc centered at the cursor, starting at angle "S", ending at angle "E" with a radius of "R" X pixels. The pixels have a 2:3 aspect ratio, thus the radius is specified in X pixels. The cursor is not moved.
Draw a filled box with one corner at the cursor position and the opposite corner at X,Y. After drawing the cursor is positioned at X,Y.