Abstract: Provided is a keystroke output wedge, implemented in software or firmware, that presents natural language messages to a user. The messages may be in text form on a display or transmitted in audible form to a wireless headset for example. The wedge provides data translation functions for devices used to collect and input data into a computer such as a bar code scanner. It can also provide messages to the user of the data input device relating to the state of associated application programs and computer operating systems. The wedge can be programmed to provide prompts, such as “SCAN PART NUMBER,” or feedback, such as “VALID SCAN.

Abstract: A method and system for the data entry of bar code data into computer programs that are designed to accept bar code data (reader application programs) and for the data entry of bar code data into computer programs that are not designed to accept bar code data (non-reader application programs) is provided. The bar code data is entered as a contiguous stream of characters, rather than one character at a time, so that lengthy bar code data strings will not be corrupted. Additionally, the method and system of the present invention provide for two-way communication between bar code-reading and processing services and a reader application program so that the reader application program may, among other things, reconfigure the bar code-reading reading and processing services.