Int 09h translates scancodes to ASCII character codes or other hexadecimal codes as shown in the tables below. The first table shows scancodes generated and character codes produced when the Fn function is OFF. The second table shows similar results when the Fn function is ON. For each scancode, the tables give the equivalent character codes for each keyboard state: normal, shifted, [Ctrl] active, and [Alt] active.
It is important to emphasize here that the tables show Int 09h inputs and outputs, not the Int 16h outputs. The Int 16h outputs depend on whether the "old" (00h, 01h) or the "new" extended (10h, 11h) functions are called. The old Int 16h functions will discard many of the character codes listed in the table. The new Int 16h functions will generally return the values in the table, but in some cases will first translate the table value. For example, the keycode for [ALT][ESC] is 01/F0h. This keycode is discarded by Int 16h, Fcn 00h and is translated to 01/00h by Int 16h, Fcn 10h.
Note: Some shifted characters on the HP palmtop are non-shifted on standard IBM keyboards and vice-versa. Some examples follow.
As an example, on a standard IBM keyboard the user would press and then release the "[" key to obtain the code for a left bracket. The Int 09h code would receive two scancodes corresponding to the Make and then Break of the key. To obtain the same function on the HP palmtop, the user presses and releases the Left Shift key and then presses and releases the [7] key. On the HP palmtop, this action results in six scancodes being sent to the Int 09h code: