Importance

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Abstract

The intermingling of bar code data and typed-in data in a keyboard-wedge configuration is prevented through the use of a message-based keyboard inhibit procedure implemented by the bar code scanner. In this manner, both the typed-in data and the bar code data will remain uncorrupted, even if the keyboard data is being entered substantially simultaneously with the scanning and/or decoding of bar code data. This message-based keyboard inhibit procedure tests for any communication in progress between the keyboard and PC. If no communication is in progress, the bar code scanner places a switching mechanism into a first state so as to disable communications between the keyboard and a keyboard controller port of a PC (personal computer), thereby inhibiting the keyboard. The bar code scanner then transmits the decoded bar code to the PC as a sequence of data bytes. The bar code scanner also implements any communications that are required between the PC and the keyboard during this time. The inhibit will not be released until all characters of the bar code have been transmitted by the scanner. Once all characters of the bar code are transmitted, the bar code scanner releases the inhibit by placing the switching mechanism into a second state, so as to permit communications to take place between the keyboard and the PC. Any keyboard key that was typed in during transmission of the bar code will now be transmitted from the keyboard to the PC.

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First Claim