Extended Scanbios Interface; Introduction; Scope; Overview - Intermec 6110 Technical Reference

Converting Applications

Extended SCANBIOS Interface

Introduction

The SCANBIOS API was derived from the older PL/N compatible APIs used on
4000 series terminals. Both APIs were originally written to support bar code
scanners. Over time, scanners have changed and the manner in which scanners
operate has changed. New data acquisition devices, such as magnetic stripe
readers, have been developed. The Extended SCANBIOS interface allows
applications to utilize the new devices and operating modes, while maintaining
backward compatibility with legacy RF terminal and other application software.

Scope

These Extended SCANBIOS APIs are intended for controlling generic data
acquisition devices, such as scanners and magnetic stripe readers (MSR); and
provide software developers with tools to implement applications and
environments while interfacing directly with DOS device drivers that support
this API.

Overview

The SCANBIOS API defines a standard operating paradigm where data
acquisition devices are initialized, enabled, status checked, read from and
disabled. The API consists of Interrupt 7Ah functions that when called would
ultimately instruct the device driver or drivers to perform one of the activities.
In simple terms, the SCANBIOS operating procedure follows this sequence:
1. Select and initialize the device(s)
do {
} while (there is a need to acquire data from a device)
5. Select and initialize another device(s).
Notice that once a device is selected and initialized, a program can enable and
disable it as many times as it needs to. Also, with certain restrictions, it is
possible to select and initialize more than one device, but data can only come
from one device at a time. Finally, once a device is enabled, a program can read
from it until the device is explicitly disabled (some drivers take exception to this;
see the release notes for individual drivers).
Some of the steps in the procedure may operate in one of several modes. For
example: data can be acquired in step 3 by first calling a polling function that
D-14 6110 Hand-Held Computer Technical Reference
2. Enable the device(s)
do {
3. Acquire data from the device
} while (as long as you like)
4. Disable the device
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