Want to flow data from an embedded system to Flash... I have an approach that is easy enough - kittens could do it. No joke - KITTENS!

If kittens can play a synthesizer, I'm sure you can find one that could plug a USB cable in. That's about it... and the data will flow from your HID device (embedded system) to Flash.

"A human interface device or HID is a type of computer device that interacts directly with, and most often takes input from, humans and may deliver output to humans. The term 'HID' most commonly refers to the USB-HID specification."
[ Wikipedia ]

Why HID?

"The primary motivations for HID were to enable innovation in PC input devices and simplify the process of installing these devices. Prior to HID, devices usually conformed to very narrowly defined protocols for mice, keyboards and joysticks (for example the standard mouse protocol at the time supported relative X and Y axis data and binary input for up to two buttons). Any innovation in hardware required overloading the use of data in an existing protocol or creation of custom device drivers and evangelization of a new protocol to application developers. By contrast all HID devices deliver self describing packages that may contain an infinite variety of data types and formats. A single HID driver on the PC parses the data and enables dynamic association of data I/O with application functionality. This has enabled rapid innovation and proliferation of new human interface devices."
[ Wikipedia ]

So, back to Flash and embedded systems. The idea that we could piggy-back data from just about anywhere through HID conduits to Flash is pretty awesome. The cost? It's all a one way road; Flash isn't going to be able to send anything back (bi-directional communication). This isn't a HID limitation - it's a product of how Flash is tied into operating system input chains.

Here is a quick demonstration of a mag-stripe reader sending text to a Flex TextInput control.

Where can I get one of these sweet devices? Here's the hot list...

• Magnetic Stripe Readers
• RFID Readers
• Barcode Readers

Next installment: Five Ways to Connect Flash to Embedded Systems: EMBED