Abstract: An apparatus and a method for interfacing a commercially-available programmable communication interface (PIC) with a magnetic swipe reader or a wand type reader. The invention modifies the raw signals of the magnetic wand and magnetic swipe readers by removing noise and selecting the appropriate reader and track, stretching the clock pulses of the reader, and latching data into a flip-flop until the data is strobed into the PIC.

Abstract: A data collection terminal includes a microprocessor, a memory and a number of devices coupled to a system bus. An interrupt controller processes the device interrupt requests by sending a vector address out on the system bus to enable the microprocessor to branch to a microprogram to process the interrupt request. Apparatus is provided to receive the vector address to generate an interrupt clear signal for those interrupts which are transitory in nature. Typical examples are a document being inserted in a device or a card seated in a device.

Abstract: A data collection terminal includes a microprocessor, a memory and a number of devices coupled to a system bus. Included among the devices is a communication controller. An interrupt controller processes the device interrupt requests by sending out a vector address to the microprocessor. This enables the microprocessor to branch to a subroutine to process the interrupt. Apparatus is provided to enable the communication controller to generate vector addresses when it sends an interrupt request to the interrupt controller.

Abstract: A data processing system employing firmware for executing a self test routine each time the system goes through the power-up cycle. The self test firmware provides for compilation of a system configuration map during each execution so that configuration and status data is made available for accessing by the system operation firmware and application software. This enables external systems to set appropriate interrupt vectors and levels and to arrange their physical I/O and device handlers so that various devices within the local system can be accessed. The routines performed in the self test operation include a CPU test, a RAM test, a real time clock test, a communication controller loop-back test, a ROM signature calculation, a controller I/O test, a system configuration map compilation, and a status display routine.