Bar code scanner and software interface interlock for performing encrypted handshaking and for disabling the scanner or input device in case of handshaking operation failure
View Patent ↗An interlocking architecture for a software interface and a bar code scanner. Upon power-up, a handshaking operation is performed between a scanner ( 1600 ) having a scanner processor ( 2600 ) and a computer processor ( 2612 ) of a computer ( 302 ) based upon the code stored in the NV memory ( 2602 ) of the scanner ( 1600 ) and a unique code associated with the software interface running on the computer ( 302 ). A wedge ( 1608 ) is provided as an interface mechanism for the scanner ( 1600 ) and a keyboard ( 1610 ) to a keyboard port ( 2500 ) of the computer ( 302 ). The handshaking occurs through the wedge ( 1608 ) via a keyboard interface ( 2610 ) to the processor ( 2600 ) such that a successful handshake directs the processor ( 2600 ) to engage a switch ( 2604 ) which enables power to a sensing head ( 2606 ) for read optically encoded information. The software interface operates from a computer memory ( 2614 ) associated with the processor ( 2612 ) whereby an unsuccessful handshake using unique number of the software interface by the processor ( 2612 ) sends a disabling signal though the keyboard circuit ( 2618 ) through the wedge ( 1608 ) to the scanner processor ( 2600 ) to disengage the switch ( 2604 ) to drop power to the sensor head ( 2606 ). The handshaking operation is performed on a regular basis during system power-up to ensure that the original software interface and scanner ( 1600 ) are still in use.
1. A method of controlling an input device to a computing device, the input device associated with a software interface, comprising the steps of:
providing an input device operable to allow a user to input information upon power being applied to the input device, which input device operates in an operating mode to allow the information to be input thereto;
connecting the input device to a computing device which operates the software interface for processing the information received from the input device;
performing an encrypted handshaking operation between the software interface and the input device to allow the input device to continue in the operating mode to read the input information; and
if the handshaking operation fails, the software interface disabling the operability of the input device if the input device is in the operating mode.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of performing is performed in a local mode where the handshaking operation is enabled locally on a periodic basis during operation of the input device.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of performing is performed in a remote mode where the handshaking operation is enabled remotely by an enabling signal on a periodic basis during operation of the input device from a registration server disposed on a network common to the computer.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the computer is automatically logged in to the server using the software interface during operation in the remote mode to receive the enabling signal.
5. The method of claim 3 , further comprising the step of registering in the remote mode such that first-time operation of the software interface requires registering the software interface and the by providing user profile information of the user and both of a unique number for the software interface and a unique number for the input device to the registration server, in response to which the registration server provides the enabling signal for operation of the input device.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein, subsequent to the step of registering, and when operating in the remote mode, the computer is automatically logged in to the registration server to perform a matching operation at the registration server with the unique number of the software interface and a registration database, and transmitting the enabling signal to the computer in response to a successful match.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the input device is a scanner operable to scan input scannable information.
8. An architecture for controlling an input device with a software interface, comprising:
an input device operable to allow a user to input scannable information and having an operating mode for allowing the user to input the information, which operating mode can be disabled;
a software interface operable to run on a computer which interfaces to the input device, said software interface communicating with the input device to interpret the input information wherein the input device is in the operating mode;
wherein an encrypted handshaking operation is performed between said software interface and said input device to allow the input device to continue in the operating mode to read the input information and said software interface operable to disable the operating mode of said input device if the handshaking operation fails.
9. The architecture of claim 8 , wherein in a local mode, the handshaking operation is enabled locally on a periodic basis during operation of said input device.
10. The architecture of claim 8 , wherein in a remote mode, the handshaking operation is enabled remotely by an enabling signal on a periodic basis during operation of said input device from a registration server disposed on a network common to the computer.
11. The architecture of claim 10 , wherein the computer is automatically logged in to the server using the software interface during operation in the remote mode to receive the enabling signal.
12. The architecture of claim 10 , wherein first-time operation of the software interface in the remote mode requires registering the software interface and said scanner by providing user profile information and both of a unique number for said software interface and a unique number for said input device to the registration server, in response to which the registration server provides the enabling signal for operation of said input device.
13. The architecture of claim 12 , wherein the computer is automatically logged in to the registration server when operating in the remote mode to perform a matching operation at the registration server with the unique number of the software interface and a registration database, and transmitting the enabling signal to the computer in response to a successful match.
14. The architecture of claim 8 , wherein said input device comprises a scanner for scanning scannable information.