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Multimedia interface device and method

  • US 5,167,021 A
  • Filed: 09/19/1988
  • Issued: 11/24/1992
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/19/1988
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A method for providing data from one of a pluality of media reader devices, said plurality of media reader devices including a bar code wand, bar code slot reader, laser scanner, CCD scanner and magnetic slot reader, to a host comprising the steps of:

  • providing an interface device between said media devices and said host;

    providing first and second input ports to said interface device, each input port having three input lines for receiving one data and two control signals, respectively, from a connected media device, wherein said laser scanner and CCD scanner are connectable only to said first port, said control signals for said first port include signals for timing and a trigger, said magnetic slot reader is connectable only to said second port, and said control signals for said second port include signals for clock and badge-in-slot;

    providing a line for an enable signal from said interface device to a media device connected to said first port, said enable signal being effective for activating either said laser scanner or CCD scanner;

    selecting one or two of said media devices and connecting it or them to one or respective ones of said input ports;

    identifying the type of media device connected to said first port by;

    sampling said timing signal to determine if the media device is a CCD scanner;

    transmitting said enable signal and sampling said timing signal to determine if the media device is a laser scanner; and

    sampling said trigger signal or said data signal to determine if the media device is a bar code wand or bar code slot reader;

    identifying the type of media device connected to said second port by;

    sampling said clock or badge-in-slot signal to determine is the media device is a magnetic slot reader; and

    sampling said data signal to determine if the media device is a bar code wand or bar code slot reader;

    determining when an identified media device is active by sampling control or data signals from each port that has an identified media device connected thereto;

    transferring data signals from said active media device into said interface device for processing; and

    transferring said processed signals to said host.

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