JP2597457B2 - Signal input device and signal input method - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an input signal processing device and an input signal processing method, and more particularly to a bar code reader,
The present invention relates to a signal input device and a signal input method for handling data input from an input device other than a keyboard, such as a magnetic stripe reader and an OCR, as data input from a keyboard.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In some cases, a bar code is input from a keyboard, but is read by a bar code reader.
There are overwhelmingly many cases where the data is captured and processed by a personal computer or the like including a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

[0003] Most personal computers have R
Since an interface such as S / 232C is provided as a standard, in this case, a bar code reader is connected using this interface. JP-A-1-20793
In the publication, after a barcode read by a barcode reader is converted into the same format as data input by a keyboard by software provided in the barcode reader, the barcode is provided inside a personal computer. The barcode is transferred to the keyboard input buffer, and the barcode is no longer distinguished from a keyboard input or read by a barcode reader, facilitating the processing of applications in the personal computer. The technology to do this is described.

Further, a bar code reader and a keyboard are connected to a connection input device having two input terminals for connecting the bar code reader and the keyboard, and the input from the bar code reader is performed by the connection input device. After converting both the data and the input data from the keyboard to the format of the keyboard data, the data is transferred to the personal computer, and the barcode is input from the keyboard or read by the barcode reader. There is also known a technique for eliminating the distinction.

Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-105183 discloses a technique in which a barcode front-end processor converts input barcode information into keyboard information and stores it in a keyboard input buffer.

[0006]

However, the technology disclosed in JP-A-1-20793 and JP-A-4-105183 discloses a technique in which an application for reading a barcode transferred to a keyboard input buffer has its own keyboard. There is a problem that it does not work when an input routine is used. In general, depending on the application, keyboard data is fetched in various ways, such as invoking an OS (operating system) service or instructing direct access to hardware. Is defined in the application, there occurs a problem that the data is fetched ignoring the difference between the actual input routine of the keyboard input data and the input routine of the bar code data to the keyboard input buffer, and the operation becomes inoperable.

When a connection input device for connecting a bar code reader to a keyboard is used, the connection input device is expensive and cannot be used with a notebook personal computer having no external keyboard. There is.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to treat data input from an input means such as a keyboard and other input means different from the input means as data of the same format, and to convert data operated on a personal computer. An object of the present invention is to provide a signal input device and a signal input method that do not depend on a data access method by an application for taking in.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a first buffer for storing first data input in a first format via an output buffer is provided. Processing means having a second buffer for storing second data input in a second format different from the first format; and transferring data of the second format in the second buffer to the first format. An input buffer for inputting the third data output from the processing means, which is data converted into the format of the first buffer, together with an output instruction command for the first buffer, And control means for controlling the data to be stored in the first buffer in the processing means via the output buffer.

[0010] In order to achieve the above object, a second aspect is provided.
According to the invention, an input buffer to which data from the processing means is input, an output buffer to which data output to the processing means is input, and an output buffer to which the first data of a predetermined format input from the input means are inputted. A second data having a format different from the predetermined format, the format being converted into the predetermined format by the processing unit and input to the input buffer. And control means for controlling the input second data to be input to the processing means via the output buffer.

In the invention according to claim 2, the first data is data represented by a scan code, and the second data is code data represented by a code other than the scan code. As codes other than scan codes, there are ASCII codes.

Further, in the invention of claim 2, the first data is data input from a keyboard, and the second data is code data input from input means other than the keyboard.

[0013] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a fifth aspect.
Is a signal input device including an input buffer to which data from a processing unit is input and an output buffer to which data output to the processing unit are input, and a first format of the first format through the output buffer. A signal input method in a signal input device having a configuration for inputting first data to a first buffer in the processing means, wherein the second data input in a second format different from the first format In the second buffer in the processing means, converting the second data in the second buffer into the first format, and converting the second data in the second buffer into the first format. The third data output from the processing means is input to the input buffer together with an output instruction command to the first buffer. It has a step of, and controlling so as to store the third data in the input buffer to the first buffer in said processing means via said output buffer by said command.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a signal input device including an input buffer for inputting data from the processing means and an output buffer for inputting data output to the processing means. A signal input device having a configuration for inputting the first data represented by the scan code to the first buffer in the processing means via Storing the data in a second buffer in the processing unit, converting the second data in the second buffer into a scan code, and converting the data into a scan code in the step; Inputting third data output from the processing means to the input buffer together with an output instruction command to the first buffer; And a step of controlling so as to be stored in said first buffer in said processing means third data in the input buffer through the output buffer by serial command.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a signal input device including an input buffer to which data from the processing means is input and an output buffer to which data output to the processing means are input. A signal input method in a signal input device having a configuration for inputting first data represented by a scan code to a first buffer in the processing means via a second data represented by an ASCII code Storing a second data having a start code and an end code in a second buffer in the processing means; deleting the start code and the end code and converting the ASCII code into a scan code; The third data output from the processing means, the data being converted into the scan code in the step. Is input to the input buffer together with an output instruction command to the first buffer, and the third data in the input buffer is transmitted to the first buffer in the processing means via the output buffer by the command. Controlling the data to be stored in the buffer.

[0016]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a first buffer for storing first data input in a first format via an output buffer and an input in a second format different from the first format are provided. Processing means having a second buffer for storing the converted second data; and data obtained by converting data in a second format in the second buffer into the first format, An input buffer for inputting the third data to be output together with an output instruction command for the first buffer, and a third data in the input buffer according to the command through the output buffer to the third data in the processing means. Is controlled to be stored in one buffer.

[0017]

[0018]

Thus, the first input from the input means is performed.
And the second data can be handled as data input in the same format.

As the first data, data represented by a scan code or data input from a keyboard can be used. As the second data, code data represented by a code other than a scan code such as an ASCII code or code data input from input means other than a keyboard can be used.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the first data of a predetermined format is input via the output buffer of the signal processing device. Also, the format of the second data which the processing means has and which is different from the predetermined format is converted to the predetermined format. The converted second data is input to the processing means via an input buffer and an output buffer.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the sixth aspect, the first data is data represented by a scan code, and the second data is data represented by an ASCII code. Format conversion of data into data represented by a scan code.

In the invention of claim 8, in the invention of claim 6, when the second data is data represented by a start code, an ASCII code and an end code, the start code and the end code are deleted, The ASCII code is converted into data represented by a scan code and input to the processing means via an input buffer and an output buffer. Thus, the first data and the second data input from the input means can be handled as data input in the same format in the inventions of claims 6 to 8.

[0024]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to a case where data is input from two input means of a keyboard and a bar code reader as input means. As shown in FIG. 1, a personal computer 10 is provided with a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 12 for processing data, an interrupt controller 14 for performing interrupt processing, and a keyboard controller 16, which control signals, data,
They are connected to each other by a bus 30 for transferring address signals. The keyboard controller 16 has C
1-byte input buffer 18 for holding data input from PU 12, 1-byte output buffer 22 for holding data to output data to CPU 12, CPU 1
2 to transfer the data held in the input buffer 18 to the output buffer 22 and output a control signal to the interrupt controller 14 to instruct the CPU 12 to receive the data transferred to the output buffer 22. And a latch 24 for temporarily holding data input from a keyboard 32 provided in the personal computer 10.

The bar code reader 28 has an asynchronous communication R
Although it is possible to connect to the personal computer 10 through the connector of the S232C interface or the connector of the auxiliary input device of the keyboard interface, in the present embodiment, it is connected to the personal computer 10 through the connector 26 of the RS232C interface. .

The keyboard controller 16 of the embodiment includes:
A function as a normal keyboard controller that transfers data input from the keyboard 32 to the CPU 12 of the personal computer 10, and a keyboard emulator that handles 1-byte data as keyboard data by a command from the CPU 12 and retransmits the data to the CPU 12. Has functions.

The keyboard controller 16, CP
The operation of the U12 and the interrupt controller 14 will be described.

First, the operation of the keyboard controller 16 for processing data input by the keyboard 32 will be described.

When the operator types the keyboard 32, one byte of data is stored in the keyboard controller 16
Sent to Control unit 20 of keyboard controller 16
Temporarily stores the data in the latch 24.

The control unit 20 outputs the data stored in the latch 24 to the 1-byte output buffer 22. If data is held in the output buffer 22, the output buffer 2
Wait until the data is no longer stored in 2.

The control unit 20 outputs the data to the output buffer 22
After that, a control signal (interrupt request signal) for instructing the interrupt controller 14 to receive the data of the output buffer 22 is output to the bus 30.

The interrupt controller 14 notifies the CPU 12 that there is an interrupt due to the control signal.

The CPU 12 has an interrupt controller 14
When an interrupt signal is received from the CPU, an interrupt processing routine is started. This interrupt processing routine receives data from the output buffer 22, performs necessary processing, and ends the interrupt processing.

Next, a processing routine of the CPU 12 for handling a bar code input from the bar code reader 28 as data input by the keyboard 32 will be described.

When a barcode is input by the barcode reader 28 connected to the connector 26 of the RS232C interface, the CPU 12 starts an interrupt processing routine shown in FIG. 2 for receiving the barcode.
In step 48, one byte of data is received. In step 50, the data received in step
Read into register dt in PU12.

In step 52, it is checked whether or not the content of the register dt is the head identifier of the bar code, that is, the start code (STX) indicating the start of the text. If it is the first identifier of the bar code, in step 54, n indicating the address of the bar code is set to 0, and the process returns to step 48. If it is not the first identifier of the barcode, the process proceeds to step 56.

In step 56, it is checked whether or not the content of the register dt is the last identifier of the bar code, that is, the end code (ETX) indicating the end of the text. If it is not the last identifier of the bar code, the contents of the register dt are stored in a buffer db [n] for storing the bar code.
In step 60, n is incremented by one, and the process returns to step 48. Note that n is the buffer db
Indicates the address of

If the content of the buffer dt is the last identifier of the barcode, the data read by the barcode reader and stored in the buffer db [n] is equivalent to the data obtained by the keyboard using the keyboard. The process proceeds to step 62 of performing keyboard emulation processing for handling. In this emulation processing, the conversion of the barcode into the ASCII row scan code data row and the deletion of the above-mentioned start code (stx) and end code (etx) are executed.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the processing of step 62 in detail. As shown in FIG. 3, first, at step 80, the ASCII (ASCII) data string of the bar code stored in the buffer db [n] is converted into a scan code data string and stored in the buffer Sb [n ₂ ]. Note that n ₂ indicates the address of the buffer Sb.
This means that when data is input from the keyboard, the data input involves an operation of pressing a predetermined key and then releasing the key, and the data input to the CPU 12 from the keyboard is a make-up indicating that the key is pressed. This is because the message is sent in a format including a code (make code) and a break code (break code) indicating that the key has been released. For example, if "a" is typed as a key, a CPU 12
Then, a make code of “a” and a break code of “a” are sent. In the case of uppercase “A”, a make code of “Shift” indicating that the shift key is pressed, a make code of “a”, a break code of “a”,
A “Shift” break code indicating that the shift key has been released is sent.

The bar code ASCII data string is converted into a scan code data string, and
The process of storing the value in b [n ₂ ] will be described with reference to FIG.

In step 100, the buffer db
In order to sequentially convert the data stored in [i] one byte at a time, the count value i indicating the address is set to 0. In step 102, the count value p is set to 0 in order to specify the address of the buffer Sb [p] for storing the data converted to the scan code.

In step 104, the buffer db
The data stored in [i] is checked whether it is necessary to add a make code and a break code of “Shift”. If it is necessary to add the “Shift” make code and the break code, the process proceeds to step 106. If it is not necessary to add the “Shift” make code and the break code, the process proceeds to step 116.

In step 106, the buffer Sb
In step [p], the make code of "Shift" is stored. In step 108, the make code of the data in the buffer db [i] is stored in the buffer Sb [p + 1]. In step 110, the buffer db is stored in the buffer Sb [p + 2]. The break code of the data [i] is stored, and in step 112, “Shi” is stored in the buffer Sb [p + 3].
The break code of “ft” is stored, and p is incremented by 4 in step 114.

On the other hand, if it is not necessary to add the make code and the break code, in step 116, the make code of the data in the buffer db [i] is stored in the buffer Sb [p], and in step 118, the buffer Sb [p + 1] is stored. ], The break code of the data in the buffer db [i] is stored, and in step 120, p is incremented by two.

Thus, the one-byte bar code in the buffer db [i] is converted into a scan code string.

In step 122, the count value i is incremented by one. In step 124, it is checked whether or not the count value i is equal to n, that is, whether or not the process of converting the barcode stored in the buffer db [i] into the scan code has been completed. If the process of converting the barcode into the scan code has been completed, step 10
4; otherwise, go to step 126. In step 126, it assigns the contents of the count value p to the count value n ₂ showing the number of scan code ends.

Returning to FIG. 3, the processing after step 82 will be described. In step 82, the count value i for emulating the data of the buffer Sb [i] storing the data converted into the scan code string is set to 0. In step 84, a command for instructing the CPU 12 to retransmit to the keyboard controller 16 via the input buffer 18 and the output buffer 20, for example, a “instruction to output to the keyboard output buffer” command is sent to the bus 30. Input buffer 18 via
Transfer to Control unit 20 of keyboard controller 16
Fetches a command of "instruction of output to the output buffer of the keyboard" from the input buffer 18, and enters a standby state to receive data transmitted next from the CPU 12.

In step 86 (FIG. 3), the CPU 1
2 checks whether the keyboard controller 16 has received the "instruction of output to the keyboard output buffer" command, and if not, waits until this command is received. In step 88, the CPU 12
Writes the contents of the buffer Sb [i] into the input buffer 18 of the keyboard controller 16.

When the 1-byte buffer Sb [i] data written to the input buffer 18 is received,
At 50 (FIG. 5), it is checked whether data is held in the output buffer 22. Output buffer 2
If No. 2 holds data, it waits until data is no longer held. If the data is not held, the process proceeds to step 152.

In step 152, the output buffer 2
2, the data of the input buffer 18 is output as the received data.
4 is transferred to the interrupt signal.

The interrupt controller 14 notifies the CPU 12 that this interrupt signal is interrupted. Upon receiving the interrupt signal from the interrupt controller 14, the CPU 12 generates this interrupt,
An interrupt processing routine for this interrupt is started. This interrupt processing routine reads the data converted into the scan code string from the output buffer 18 and stores the data in the keyboard output buffer for storing the scan code when input by the keyboard 32.

The data stored in the keyboard output buffer is data converted to a scan code.
Moreover, since the data input by the keyboard is stored in the same buffer as the buffer in which the data is input, the data can be processed by the application as data input by the keyboard.

Even in an application having its own keyboard interrupt processing routine, the scan code is transferred to the keyboard controller 16 together with the above-mentioned "instruction of output to keyboard output buffer" command to generate a keyboard interrupt. Thus, the same processing as input by the keyboard can be performed.

That is, the application calls the service routine of the operating system (OS),
It can be processed as keyboard data no matter how it is accessed, such as calling a unique keyboard interrupt processing routine, taking out data from a keyboard output buffer that the personal computer 10 has in memory.

In step 90, when the contents of the output buffer 22 are read by the interrupt processing routine of the CPU 12, the end of the interrupt processing is notified, and the process waits until this is notified. When the end of the interrupt processing is notified, in step 92, the count value i is incremented by one.

In step 94, it is checked whether or not the scan code has been taken into the CPU 12. This is because the count value i is equal to the number n of scan code strings.
Judgment is made based on whether or not they match ₂ . Count value i
If does not match the number of scan codes n ₂ , the process returns to step 84, and if they do match, the process ends.

As described above, the bar code read from the bar code reader 30 is converted into a scan code string, and can be handled as data input from the keyboard 32. Further, the bar code is independent of the data access method of the application. In addition, processing becomes possible. This converts a data sequence of barcode data into a keyboard format, inputs the converted data to an input buffer together with an output instruction command to a keyboard buffer, and processes the data in the input buffer via the output buffer according to the command. This is achieved by controlling to be stored in a buffer in the means.

The keyboard controller may have a function of only the emulator and may be different from a keyboard controller having a normal function of enabling input from the keyboard.

In this embodiment, the bar code reader is set to RS2
Although the description has been given of the asynchronous communication device having the 32C interface as an example, it may be an auxiliary input device. As the auxiliary input device, a bar code reader, an OCR (optical character reading device), a magnetic card reader, a mouse, a pen input device, a customized keyboard, and the like can be used.

In the case of voice input, the voice input by the voice input device is converted into digital data by the voice input signal conversion device, and then input to the keyboard controller. Can be treated as data input from the keyboard.

Alternatively, a wireless keyboard, a receiver for receiving wireless, and an A / D converter for converting analog data received by the receiver into digital data are provided.
By connecting the D converter to the keyboard controller, data input by the wireless keyboard can be handled as data input by the keyboard.

[0062]

As described above, in the present invention, the format of the data held by the processing means is converted into a specific format and input to the processing means. Even if there are a plurality of types of data different from each other, it is possible to eliminate the distinction of the data format. Also, since data from the processing means is input to the input buffer and the data input to the input buffer is controlled to be input to the processing means via the output buffer, the data input to the processing means by the input means is controlled. Can be handled as data input by input means such as a keyboard different from the input means.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a processing flow of keyboard emulation of a barcode received by a CPU.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a subroutine of a processing flow for performing keyboard emulation of a barcode received by a CPU.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a processing flow for converting into a scan code.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a processing flow for transferring a scan code to a CPU.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Personal computer 12 CPU 14 Interrupt controller 16 Keyboard controller 18 Input buffer 20 Control part 22 Output buffer 28 Barcode reader

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Koji Mizoguchi 1 Kirihara-cho, Fujisawa-shi, Kanagawa Japan IBM Japan, Ltd. Fujisawa office (56) References JP-A-4-105183 (JP, A)

Claims (7)

(57) [Claims] 1. A first buffer for storing first data input in a first format via an output buffer, and a second buffer input in a second format different from the first format. Processing means having a second buffer for storing data; and third data output from the processing means, the data being data obtained by converting data in a second format in the second buffer into the first format. And an input buffer for inputting the data of the first buffer together with the output instruction command of the first buffer; and the first data in the processing means through the output buffer through the output buffer according to the command.
Control means for performing control so as to store data in the buffer of the signal input device. 2. The signal input device according to claim 1, wherein said first data is data represented by a scan code, and said second data is code data represented by a code other than a scan code. 3. The signal input device according to claim 2, wherein said second data is data represented by an ASCII code. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first data is data input from a keyboard, and the second data is code data input from input means other than the keyboard.
Signal input device. 5. A signal input device comprising an input buffer to which data from a processing means is input and an output buffer to which data output to the processing means are input, wherein the first format is provided via the output buffer. A signal input method having a configuration for inputting the first data to a first buffer in the processing means, wherein the second data input in a second format different from the first format is provided. Storing the data in a second buffer in the processing means; converting the second data in the second buffer to the first format; and converting the data to a first format in the step. And the third data output from the processing means, together with a command to output to the first buffer. A signal input method comprising: inputting; and controlling, according to the command, third data in the input buffer to be stored in the first buffer in the processing means via the output buffer. . 6. A signal input device comprising an input buffer to which data from a processing means is inputted and an output buffer to which data outputted to the processing means are inputted, wherein the signal is represented by a scan code via the output buffer. A signal input method in a signal input device having a configuration for inputting the obtained first data to a first buffer in the processing means, wherein the second data represented by an ASCII code is input to a second buffer in the processing means. Storing the second data in the second buffer into a scan code; and converting the second data in the second buffer into a scan code and outputting the scan code from the processing unit. Inputting the data of No. 3 to the input buffer together with an output instruction command to the first buffer; Controlling the third data in the buffer to be stored in the first buffer in the processing means via the output buffer. 7. A signal input device comprising an input buffer to which data from a processing means is input and an output buffer to which data output to the processing means are input. A signal input method in a signal input device having a configuration for inputting the obtained first data to a first buffer in the processing means, wherein the second data is an ASCII code, and includes a start code and an end code. Storing the second data having the following in a second buffer in the processing means: deleting the start code and the end code, and converting the ASCII code into a scan code; and The third data, which is the converted data and output from the processing means, is stored in the first buffer. Inputting the data to the input buffer together with a force instruction command, and controlling the command to store third data in the input buffer in the first buffer in the processing means via the output buffer. And a signal input method.