System for enabling decoding of bar code and other symbols with a digital microcomputer connected via the input/output port thereof to the scanner
First Claim
1. A computer system operable as a platform for symbol reading scanners so that the computer controls a scanner and processes data from the scanner representing symbols read by the scanner for decoding the symbols into information corresponding thereto, said system comprising:
- a general purpose computer separate from the scanner and having a communications port connectable to the scanner for receiving undecoded data representing the symbols via a communications link between the scanner and the port;
means in said computer responsive to said communications over said link indicating that the scanner is in data communicating relationship with said computer over said link and that said computer is ready to decode the data;
means in said computer for transmitting and receiving commands necessary for controlling the scanner;
means for translating said data into a format for decoding; and
means connected in said link for preventing unauthorized transfer of data into and out of said computer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A scanner communicates with a microcomputer over a serial communications link utilizing the serial I/O port of the microcomputer. Both signals representing the data which is scanned and signals representing commands to the scanner and commands from the scanner indicative of the status thereof (e.g., scanner trigger actuation) are communicated over a plurality of lines in the communication link. These lines may be of the type utilized for transmission of data and commands in accordance with a communications protocol, such as the RS-232 protocol. Interrupts are generated when the scanner is connected to the serial port via the communication link and the microcomputer is available for decoding. Then appropriate interrupts are generated to actuate the scanner and to respond to the data. The scanner may be a laser or optical beam scanner or a wand which is moved across a bar code symbol. The symbol has bars which are relatively opaque and reflective (black or white). The microcomputer translates the data which represents the width of each bar and the number of bars and the detection of the end of a bar code symbol (Quiet Zone) into digital values which are stored in memory and presented for decoding in accordance with programming of the microcomputer which decodes the symbol. The decoded symbol may be displayed graphically, with its opaque and reflective bars and the alphanumerics which the symbol represents, on the screen of a terminal including the microcomputer.
19 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A computer system operable as a platform for symbol reading scanners so that the computer controls a scanner and processes data from the scanner representing symbols read by the scanner for decoding the symbols into information corresponding thereto, said system comprising:
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a general purpose computer separate from the scanner and having a communications port connectable to the scanner for receiving undecoded data representing the symbols via a communications link between the scanner and the port;
means in said computer responsive to said communications over said link indicating that the scanner is in data communicating relationship with said computer over said link and that said computer is ready to decode the data;
means in said computer for transmitting and receiving commands necessary for controlling the scanner;
means for translating said data into a format for decoding; and
means connected in said link for preventing unauthorized transfer of data into and out of said computer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
said link has a plurality of lines;
said computer has means for transmitting signals over a first of said lines and for receiving signals from the scanner over a second of said lines; and
said means for preventing unauthorized transfer includes means responsive to a predetermined sequence of signals transmitted over said first line for providing an output on said second line to authorize said computer to transfer data.
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3. The system according to claim 2 wherein said signals carried over said first line represent requests from said computer to send signals, and said computer receives signals representing readiness to receive data over said second line.
- 4. A method for reading data with the assistance of a general purpose computer, comprising the steps of:
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13. A method of interfacing a peripheral reading device and a general purpose computer, comprising the steps of:
- 14. A system for reading data, comprising:
Specification