What is a keyboard wedge?
A keyboard wedge is a device that plugs into your system between the keyboard and the computer. The device essentially decodes the data (barcode or magnetic stripes) and then sends the data to the screen as if you were typing it. If you order a keyboard wedge device we assume that the connections are going to be PS2 unless you specify. Most new computers have the PS2 connections (6 pin). USB scanners are typically keyboard wedge devices (emulated with a driver) unless you specify otherwise.
A keyboard wedge is an interface which allows a non-keyboard device to plug into a computer as though it were sending keyboard data. Since most data-entry software is set up to take data from a keyboard, it is necessary to use a keyboard wedge if you want to plug in a peripheral such as a barcode scanner or magnetic strip reader and have it send information to the program. A keyboard wedge is so called because the physical version “wedges” between the keyboard and the computer. The keyboard is plugged into the wedge, which in turn is plugged into the computer, so that data may be inputted through either the keyboard or the other peripheral. Software versions of the keyboard wedge exist as well. These programs take information that is sent by the external input device, usually plugged in through either a COM or USB port, and send them through the keyboard buffer of the operating system, so that the computer thinks the information has been sent in via keyboard. A keyboard wedge can be us
A keyboard wedge is used when you are trying to get data from some type of measuring device into applications that cannot accept data from a serial or network port. A keyboard wedge is a software program that reads data from a serial port or network or a hardware device that reads data from a serial port or Mitutoyo gage and then passes this data to a PC application in such a manner that the application thinks the data is entered via the keyboard. The more common applications that are used with keyboard wedges are Microsoft Access, Microsoft Excel, Minitab and other database types of applications. Software and hardware keyboard wedges are used extensively in data acquisition applications that include statistical programs, spreadsheets, barcode, LIMS, etc. MicroRidge keyboard wedges can accept input data from any RS-232 serial device, a network connection, or a Mitutoyo gage. The data is then passed to a Windows application in such a manner that the application thinks the data is actual
A keyboard wedge is a system whereby it becomes possible to enter data into a computer in a way not anticipated by the programmer who wrote the application. It is based on the idea that all applications programs allow data to be entered via the keyboard. If the computer can be fooled into accepting ‘dummy’ keyboard data then that data will be processed and handled correctly by the application. Without a wedge system the user has to rely on the application itself or the operating system, neither of which may be appropriate in all cases. Wedge systems are typically used to enter small packets of machine collected data into applications written for keyed data. This data may come from a barcode reader or similar device. The technique is powerful because… • It needs no procedural changes to what is probably an existing application. • It is easy for Users to understand. • It requires no programming changes. • It requires minimal User intervention to setup. • It provides a fallback to norma
A. The keyboard wedge is the least complicated interface to use for race management. As long as you have a computer that has a keyboard connector your ready to go. The term wedge means exactly that. The scanner is “wedged” in between the computer and keyboard. See Fig.1. There is no interface software to buy, no hardware to plug internally to your computer. All of the interfacing is done at a hardware level. What ever you scan is captured by the computer as if you had typed it on the keyboard. For example you are in a word processor, you scan a barcode. The representation of that barcode is typed in your word processor. FIG1 Q. What is USB? A. USB is an acronym for Universal Serial Bus. This has become a very popular interface for serial devices. Click on this link for more information http://www.usb.org/faq/ans1.html#q2 Q. What kind of connector is on the Keyboard Wedge Scanner? A. The scanner has 2 connectors. DIN5 (PC/AT/XT) Male and a DIN5 Female. The corresponding connectors attac
