twolf@ncratl.AtlantaGA.NCR.COM (Terry Wolf) (04/09/91)
I have a requirement to attach a second keyboard to a PC. I'm looking for suggestions on what is available on the open market to implement this, and what are some of the trade-offs. First, I will provide some background. Actually, the box is not a PC, but a PC compatible Retail Terminal. The Retail Terminal can be configured with a 80286 12MHz Processor board or a 80386sx 16MHz Processor board, each with their respective PC compatible BIOS. The keyboard connector is an AT type connector (not PS/2). The display is a 9" CGA green screen monitor. There are 3 types of keyboards that the terminal can be configured with, all having PC compatible output. - Big Ticket Keyboard; a combination alphanumeric & 32 key POS keyboard - 58 Key POS; a function key driven keyboard with numeric keypad - 32 Key POS; a function key driven keyboard with numeric keypad For this particular customer, they want the terminal to be configured with a 58 Key POS keyboard and an additional PC keyboard. The PC keyboard, while configured with the terminal, would be located under the checkout counter during normal Point-Of-Sale operation. When the Store Manager decides to do some Backoffice or Administrative functions, the Store Manager will HOT KEY to a different application, and use the PC keyboard to enter alphanumeric data. When finished, the Store Manager will HOT KEY back to the Point-Of-Sale application, with the POS keyboard being active at that time. The target operating environment will be DOS 3.3 with a multi-tasking DOS Shell. The Point-Of-Sale application will expect all of its data to come from the POS keyboard. The Backoffice or Administrative application will expect all of its data to come from the PC (alphanumeric) keyboard. It is preferred that only one keyboard is operational (from the applications perspective) at any one point in time. If there is a way to differentiate which keyboard the input is coming from, then both keyboards could be operational at the same time. The shorter the development time the better, so available hardware/software components are preferred. OS/2 suggestions will be appreciated as well. An additional ASCII (RS232 connect) Terminal is not being considered at this time. Thanks in advance for all suggestions! Please EMAIL responses! -- E&M-Atlanta Third Party Support | NCR Corporation twolf@ncratl.AtlantaGA.NCR.COM | 2651 Satellite Blvd. Terry.Wolf@AtlantaGA.NCR.COM | Duluth, GA 30136