Modular architecture for a data capture device

Abstract

Described is a system which includes (i) a data capture device generating data signals; (ii) an intermediate signal processing device; and (iii) a host computing device configuring the intermediate signal processing device to a particular configuration as a function of a type of the data capture device. The intermediate signal processes device processes the data signals as a function of the particular configuration and transfers the processed data signals to the host computing device.

1 . A system, comprising: 
 a data capture device generating data signals;    an intermediate signal processing device; and    a host computing device configuring the intermediate signal processing device to a particular configuration as a function of a type of the data capture device,    wherein the intermediate signal processing device processes the data signals as a function of the particular configuration and transfers the processed data signals to the host computing device.    
   
   
       2 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the intermediate signal processing device is coupled to the data capture device and the host device.  
   
   
       3 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the host computing device receives an initial communication indicative of the type of the data capture device.  
   
   
       4 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the intermediate signal processing device controls communications between the host device and the data capture device until a further data capture device is coupled to the intermediate signal processing device.  
   
   
       5 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the data capture device includes at least one of a laser arrangement, an imager, an RFID reader and a bar code scanner.  
   
   
       6 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the intermediate signal processing device is configured as a function of configuration data received from the host computing device, the configuration data including at least one of (i) a type of processor in the host computing device and (ii) a software application included in the host computing device.  
   
   
       7 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the intermediate signal processing device is an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).  
   
   
       8 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the data signals include at least one of analog signals, differentiated analog signals, digitized bar pattern (DBP) signals and grey scale pixel signals.  
   
   
       9 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the processed data signals are transferred to a video port on a processor of the host device.  
   
   
       10 . A method, comprising the steps of: 
 storing a type of a data capture device in an intermediate signal processing device, wherein an output of the data capture device is coupled to an input of the intermediate signal processing device;    polling the intermediate signal processing device to determine the type of the data capture device; and    configuring the intermediate signal processing device to a particular configuration as a function of the type of the data capture device.    
   
   
       11 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the particular configuration controls communications through the intermediate signal processing device until a further data capture device is coupled to the intermediate signal processing device.  
   
   
       12 . The method according to  claim 11 , further comprising the step of: 
 reconfiguring the intermediate signal processing device as a function of a further type of the further data capture device.    
   
   
       13 . The method according to  claim 10 , further comprising the steps of: 
 collecting a data signal using the data capture device;    forwarding the data signal to the intermediate signal processing device;    processing the data signal based on the configuration of the intermediate signal processing device; and    forwarding the processed data signal to the host computing device.    
   
   
       14 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the type of the data capture device is stored in a register of the intermediate signal processing device.  
   
   
       15 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the forwarding step includes the following substep: 
 inputting the processed data signal to a video port on a processor of the host computing device.    
   
   
       16 . A device, comprising: 
 an input arrangement receiving data signals from a data capture device;    a register arrangement storing a type of the data capture device;    an output arrangement coupled to a host computing device;    a processing arrangement being configured to a particular configuration by the host computing device as a function of the type of the data capture device, the processing arrangement processing the data signals as a function of the particular configuration and transmitting the processed data signals to the host computing device via the output arrangement.    
   
   
       17 . The device according to  claim 16 , wherein the output arrangement is communicatively coupled to a video port on a processor of the host computing device.  
   
   
       18 . The device according to  claim 16 , wherein the device is an ASIC.  
   
   
       19 . The device according to  claim 16 , wherein the data capture device includes at least one of a laser, an imager, an RFID reader and a bar code scanner.  
   
   
       20 . The device according to  claim 16 , wherein the processing arrangement is reconfigured by the host computing device when a further data capture device having a further type is coupled to the input arrangement.