System for input and output of data with non-standard I/O devices for web applications

Abstract

A system for input and output of data with non-standard I / O devices for web and other applications. In one aspect, non-standard input data is received from the non-standard input device at a client, and the non-standard input data is provided as equivalent standard input data to the standard browser running on the client, so that the standard browser can submit the input data to an application running on a server in communication with the client over a network. In another aspect, a server receives a request from a user, and requested data and instructions are sent to the client, where a standard browser running on the client receives the data and instructions and the data can be sent to be output by a non-standard output device in communication with the client.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]Under 35 USC § 120, this application is a continuation application and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 609,981 filed Jun. 30, 2003, entitled “METHOD FOR INPUT AND OUTPUT OF DATA WITH NON-STANDARD I / O DEVICES FOR WEB APPLICATIONS”, all of which is incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to the input and output of data to computer systems, and more particularly to the input and output of data with non-standard I / O devices for World Wide Web applications and pages.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]World Wide Web applications are commonly used in a variety of tasks that involve the communication of data over the network such as the Internet. In many applications, web applications running on a server or other computer retrieve data from client devices by presenting a form or other type of web page. The data can include information that can be input into the...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]The present invention provides methods and apparatus for input and output of data with non-standard I / O devices for web and other applications. The client's browser need not be modified in any way, allowing input from and output to non-standard devices to be easily and flexibly achieved. Furthermore, the present invention permits efficient communication between the client and server to allow the server to receive non-standard input and command non-standard output with little or no performance degradation.

Problems solved by technology

However, there are no simple and easy ways for a user to enter data that is read from a scanner or MSR input device into a web form provided in a browser program running on the computer.

The user must manually enter the information into the fields of the web form, causing much delay and expense for simple input tasks.

However, since the browser itself must be modified for this application, only a limited number of platforms are able to run the browser and achieve this functionality, and it may not support all the existing standards.

Images