U.S. patent application number 09/812076 was filed with the patent office on 2001-11-08 for triggered data collector and data transmitter.
Invention is credited to Bridgelall, Raj, Kahn, Joel.
Application Number | 20010038037 09/812076 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27503539 |
Filed Date | 2001-11-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010038037 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bridgelall, Raj ; et
al. |
November 8, 2001 |
Triggered data collector and data transmitter
Abstract
A plurality of data collectors and/or a transceiver for
transmitting data in a plurality of transmissions are actuated by
independent, manual actuations of a triggering circuit, preferably
comprising a plurality of trigger switches, or a single trigger
switch having a plurality of trigger positions.
Inventors: |
Bridgelall, Raj; (Mount
Sinai, NY) ; Kahn, Joel; (Rockville Centre,
NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Kirschstein, Ottinger
Israel & Schiffmiller, P.C.
489 Fifth Avenue
New York
NY
10017-6105
US
|
Family ID: |
27503539 |
Appl. No.: |
09/812076 |
Filed: |
March 19, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09812076 |
Mar 19, 2001 |
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09711850 |
Nov 13, 2000 |
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09812076 |
Mar 19, 2001 |
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08820048 |
Mar 18, 1997 |
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5744791 |
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08820048 |
Mar 18, 1997 |
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08686157 |
Jul 24, 1996 |
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5801371 |
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08686157 |
Jul 24, 1996 |
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08407577 |
Mar 20, 1995 |
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5600121 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
235/462.14 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06K 17/0022 20130101;
G06K 2207/1011 20130101; G06K 7/10881 20130101; G06K 2207/1013
20130101; G06K 7/10851 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
235/462.14 |
International
Class: |
G06K 007/10 |
Claims
We claim:
1. An arrangement for processing information, comprising: a) a
support; b) a first, actuatable data collector on the support, for
collecting first data; c) a second, actuatable data collector on
the support, for collecting second data; and d) a triggering
circuit for independently, manually actuating the first and second
data collectors to independently collect the first and second data,
respectively.
2. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein the support is a generally
planar card.
3. The arrangement of claim 2, wherein the card is a PCMCIA
card.
4. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein each data collector is one
selected from a group comprised of a bar code symbol reader, a
radio frequency identifying tag reader, a smart card reader, a
magnetic stripe reader, a biometric reader, a charge coupled device
reader and an infrared data reader.
5. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein the triggering circuit
includes a pair of independently operable trigger switches.
6. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein the triggering circuit
includes a single trigger switch having a plurality of trigger
positions, each operative for actuating the respective data
collectors.
7. The arrangement of claim 1, and further comprising a wireless
transceiver on the support, for transmitting at least one of the
data by wireless communication to a host remote from the
support.
8. An arrangement for processing information, comprising: a) a
support; b) an actuatable data collector on the support, for
collecting data; c) an actuatable transceiver on the support, for
transmitting the data by wireless communication to a host remote
from the support; and d) a triggering circuit for independently,
manually actuating the data collector and the transceiver.
9. The arrangement of claim 8, wherein the triggering circuit
includes a pair of independently operable trigger switches.
10. The arrangement of claim 8, wherein the triggering circuit
includes a single trigger switch having a plurality of trigger
positions, each operative for actuating the data collector and the
transceiver, respectively.
11. An arrangement for processing information, comprising: a) a
support; b) a plurality of data collectors on the support, for
collecting a plurality of data; c) an actuatable transceiver on the
support, for transmitting the plurality of data by wireless
communication to a host remote from the support; and d) a
triggering circuit for independently, manually actuating the
transceiver to transmit one of the data during a first actuation of
the triggering circuit, and to transmit another of the data during
a second actuation of the triggering circuit.
12. The arrangement of claim 11, wherein the triggering circuit
includes a pair of independently operable trigger switches.
13. The arrangement of claim 11, wherein the triggering circuit
includes a single trigger switch having a plurality of trigger
positions, each operative for actuating the triggering circuit.
14. A method of processing information, comprising the steps of: a)
collecting first data by operating a first, actuatable data
collector; b) collecting second data by operating a second,
actuatable data collector; and c) independently actuating the data
collectors by manually operating a triggering circuit.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein each collecting step is
performed by performing one of the steps of reading a bar code
symbol, a radio frequency tag, a smart card, a magnetic stripe, a
biometric characteristic of a user, an image, and infrared
data.
16. The method of claim 14, wherein the actuating step is performed
by independently operating a pair of trigger switches.
17. The method of claim 14, wherein the actuating step is performed
by actuating a single trigger switch to a plurality of trigger
positions.
18. The method of claim 14; and further comprising transmitting at
least one of the data by wireless transmission to a host remote
from the collectors.
19. A method of processing information, comprising the steps of: a)
collecting a plurality of data; and b) transmitting the plurality
of data by wireless communication to a host by transmitting one of
the data during a first actuation of a triggering circuit, and by
transmitting another of the data during a second actuation of the
triggering circuit.
Description
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent
Application Ser. No. 09/711,850, filed Nov. 13, 2000, and is also a
continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
08/820,048, filed Mar. 18, 1997, now allowed, which is a division
of U.S. patent application Ser. No 08/686,157, filed Jul. 24, 1996,
which is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/407,577,
filed Mar. 30, 1995, now allowed, and is also related to U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 07/897,835, filed Jun. 12, 1992, and
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/542,517, filed Oct. 13, 1995,
which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
08/294,438, filed Aug. 23, 1994, which is a continuation of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 08/037,143, filed Mar. 25, 1993 (which
is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/715,267, filed
Jun. 14, 1991, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,235,167) and co-pending U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 08/268,589, U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 08/269,170, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/269,171
and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/268,913, filed Jun. 30,
1994, respectively, entitled "Multiple Laser Indicia Reader
Optically Utilizing A Charge Coupled Device (CCD) Detector And
Operating Method Therefor", "Apparatus And Method For Reading
Indicia Using Charge Coupled Device And Scanning Lens Bar
Technology", "Tunnel Scanner With Multiple Scan Units Having
Multiple Light Emitters And Optionally Utilizing A Charge Coupled
Detector Or Sensor Array" and "Method And Apparatus For Reading
Two-Dimensional Bar Code Symbols With An Elongated Laser Line".
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention generally relates to an arrangement for and a
method of collecting data by various modalities, and transmitting
the collected data by wireless transmission to a remote host and,
more particularly, to independently manually triggering a plurality
of the data collecting modalities and/or the data transmitting
function.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Various optical readers and optical scanning systems have
been developed heretofore for reading indicia such as bar code
symbols appearing on a label or on the surface of an article. The
bar code symbol itself is a coded pattern of indicia comprised of a
series of bars of various widths spaced apart from one another to
bound spaces of various widths, the bars and spaces having
different light reflecting characteristics. The readers in scanning
systems electro-optically transform the graphic indicia into
electrical signals, which are decoded into alphanumeric characters
that are intended to be descriptive of the article or some
characteristic thereof. Such characteristics are typically
represented in digital form and utilized as an input to a data
processing system for applications in point-of-sale processing,
inventory control and the like. Scanning systems of this general
type have been disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,251,798;
4,369,361; 4,387,297; 4,409,470; 4,760,248; 4,896,026, all of which
have been assigned to the same assignee as the instant application.
As disclosed in some of the above patents, one embodiment of such a
scanning system resides, inter alia, in a hand held, portable laser
scanning device supported by a user, which is configured to allow
the user to aim the scanning head of the device, and more
particularly, a light beam, at a targeted symbol to be read.
[0006] The light source in a laser scanner bar code reader is
typically a gas laser or semiconductor laser. The use of
semiconductor devices as the light source is especially desirable
because of their small size, low cost and low voltage requirements.
The laser beam is optically modified, typically by an optical
assembly, to form a beam spot of a certain size at the target
distance. It is preferred that the cross section of the beam spot
at the target distance be approximately the same as the minimum
width between regions of different light reflectivity, i.e., the
bars and spaces of the symbol. At least one bar code reader has
been proposed with two light sources to produce two light beams of
different frequency.
[0007] The bar code symbols are formed from bars or elements
typically rectangular in shape with a variety of possible widths.
The specific arrangement of elements defines the character
represented according to a set of rules and definitions specified
by the code or "symbology" used. The relative size of the bars and
spaces is determined by the type of coding used as is the actual
size of the bars and spaces. The number of characters (represented
by the bar code symbol) is referred to as the density of the
symbol. To encode the desired sequence of the characters, a
collection of element arrangements are concatenated together to
form the complete bar code symbol, with each character of the
message being represented by its own corresponding group of
elements. In some symbologies, a unique "start" and "stop"
character is used to indicate when the bar code begins and ends. A
number of different bar code symbologies exist, these symbologies
include UPC/EAN, Code 39, Code 128, Codeabar, and Interleaved 2 of
5, etc.
[0008] In order to increase the amount of data that can be
represented or stored on a given amount of surface area, several
new bar code symbologies have recently been developed. One of these
new code standards, Code 49, introduces a "two dimensional" concept
for stacking rows of characters vertically instead of extending the
bars horizontally. That is, there are several rows of bar and space
patterns, instead of only one row. The structure of Code 49 is
described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,794,239, which is herein incorporated
by reference. Another two-dimensional symbology, known as "PDF417",
is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,304,786.
[0009] Still other symbologies have been developed in which the
symbol is comprised of a matrix array made up of hexagonal, square,
polygonal and/or other geometric shapes. Such symbols are further
described in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,276,315 and 4,794,239.
Such matrix symbols may include Vericode, Datacode, and MAXICODE
(all trademarks of their respective owners).
[0010] In the laser beam scanning systems known in the art, the
laser light beam is directed by a lens or other optical components
along the light path toward a target that includes a bar code
symbol on the surface. The moving-beam scanner operates by
repetitively scanning the light beam in a line or series of lines
across the symbol by means of motion of a scanning component, such
as the light source itself or a mirror disposed in the path of the
light beam. The scanning component may either sweep the beam spot
across the symbol and trace a scan line across the pattern of the
symbol, or scan the field of view of the scanner, or do both.
[0011] Bar code reading systems also include a sensor or
photo-detector which detects light reflected or scattered from the
symbol. The photo-detector or sensor is positioned in the scanner
in an optical path so that it has a field of view which ensures the
capture of a portion of the light which is reflected or scattered
off the symbol. This light is detected and converted into an
electrical signal. Electronic circuitry and software decode the
electrical signal into a digital representation of the data
represented by the symbol that has been scanned. For example, the
analog electrical signal generated by the photo-detector is
converted by a digitizer into a pulse or modulated digitized
signal, with the widths corresponding to the physical widths of the
bars and spaces. Such a digitized signal is then decoded, based on
the specific symbology used by the symbol, into a binary
representation of the data encoded in the symbol, and subsequently
to the alpha-numeric characters so represented.
[0012] The decoding process of known bar code reading system
usually works in the following way. The decoder receives the pulse
width modulated digitized signal from the digitizer, and an
algorithm, implemented in the software, attempts to decode the
scan. If the start and stop characters and the characters between
them in the scan were decoded successfully and completely, the
decoding process terminates and an indicator of a successful read
(such as a green light and/or an audible beep) is provided to the
user. Otherwise, the decoder receives the next scan, performs
another decode attempt on that scan, and so on, until a completely
decoded scan is achieved or no more scans are available.
[0013] Such a signal is then decoded according to the specific
symbology into a binary representation of the data encoded in the
symbol, and to the alpha-numeric characters so represented.
[0014] Moving-beam laser scanners are not the only type of optical
instrument capable of reading bar code symbols. Another type of bar
code reader is one which incorporates detectors based on solid
state imaging arrays or charge coupled device (CCD) technology. In
such prior art readers the sides of the detector are typically
smaller than the symbol to be read because of the image reduction
by the objective lens in front of the array or CCD. The entire
symbol is flooded with light from a light source such as lighting
light emitting diodes (LED) in the scanning device, and each array
cell is sequentially read out to determine the presence of a bar or
a space.
[0015] The working range of CCD bar code scanners is rather limited
as compared to laser based scanners and is especially low for CCD
based scanners with an LED illumination source. Other features of
CCD based bar code scanners are set forth in U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 08/041,281 which is hereby incorporated by
reference, and in U.S. Pat. No. 5,210,398. These references are
illustrative of the earlier technological techniques proposed for
use in CCD type scanners to acquire and read indicia in which
information is arranged in a two dimensional pattern.
[0016] In an attempt to enable the user readily to position the
hand-held reader so as to readily read the symbol, a variety of
techniques of aiming the laser light at the indicia are known. U.S.
Pat. No. 4,835,374 describes an aiming light arrangement to assist
the user in visually locating and aiming the head at each symbol,
the aiming light being a visible non-laser light source. Although
the use of a discrete aiming light arrangement did assist the user
in reliably aiming the head at the symbol for some applications,
another system, disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,117,098, used a
multi-position trigger switch in a hand-held laser scanner. The
head was arranged to be aimed at the symbol to be scanned during a
first operational state in which an aiming pattern was emitted.
Once the user had aligned the head properly with respect to the
location of the symbol, the trigger switch was actuated again to
put the device into a second operational state in which the beam
was scanned across the symbol in the normal scanning or reading
mode, and the symbol decoded. The same laser was used both to
create the aiming pattern and the scanning beam.
[0017] European Patent No. 0355355 describes a combination bar code
reader and EAS tag deactivator, including an embodiment with a
multi-position trigger.
[0018] Another bar code reader with a multi-position trigger switch
(for a rather different purpose) is disclosed in the article by
Grabowski and Wohl, an IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, page 78,
Volume 5, No. 5, October 1962.
[0019] Yet other aiming and scanning arrangements in which changing
from one mode to another is performed in an automatic (i.e.,
non-manual) manner are described in the series of U.S. Pat. Nos.
4,933,538; 5,229,591; and 5,250,791 assigned to the present
assignee.
[0020] Radio frequency (RF) tags or targets bear data that can be
electronically written and rewritten, and that can interrogated or
polled remotely, even through opaque surfaces. The tags have RF
resonators such as quartz crystals or dipoles. An RF reader
activates an RF source and detects the RF response characteristics
of the tag to generate data relating to an object with which the
tag is associated.
[0021] Magnetic stripes bear data that can be electromagnetically
written and rewritten, and that can be read by magnetic stripe
readers or sensors. The stripes are provided on cards, such as
credit, debit or identification cards, each stripe extending along
a longitudinal direction generally parallel to a longitudinal edge
of a respective card.
[0022] In the automatic identification and data capture (AIDC)
industry, certain form factors, i.e., specific space allocations
for devices having known functionalities, have become standards.
One such form factor for a scan engine module known as the "SE
1200" has been adopted by the AIDC industry and is produced by
Symbol Technologies, Inc. of Holtsville, N.Y., the assignee of the
instant application. The SE 1200 module is used in hand-held
scanners for reading bar code symbols and has a parallelepiped
shape measuring 1-1/2 inches in length, 1 inch in width, and 3/4 of
an inch in height.
[0023] However, because this form factor is standardized and,
therefore, the space allocated is limited to a certain, fixed size
and shape, the functionality of the SE 1200 module is limited as
well since additional circuits and functions cannot readily be
added to the existing allocated space and circuitry. Also, the
input and output interfaces of this module are fixed, and any new
functions or circuits must employ the given interfaces.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0024] It is an object of this invention to collect data from a
plurality of collectors, and to independently activate the
collectors.
[0025] It is another object of the invention to transmit data by
wireless communication to a remote host, and to independently
activate the data transmissions.
[0026] It is a further object of the present invention to collect
and transmit data by independent triggering actions.
FEATURES OF THE INVENTION
[0027] In keeping with these objects, and others which will become
apparent hereinafter, one feature of this invention resides,
briefly stated, in an arrangement for, and a method of, processing
information. In one embodiment, a plurality of data collectors is
provided on a support, each data collector being operative for
collecting respective data. A triggering circuit, in accordance
with the invention, is operative for independently, manually
actuating the plurality of data collectors.
[0028] In another embodiment, an actuatable transceiver is provided
on the support, and is operative for transmitting data by wireless
communication to a host remote from the support. In this case, the
triggering circuit is operative for independently, manually
actuating one of the data collectors and the transceiver.
[0029] In still another embodiment, the triggering circuit is
operative for independently, manually actuating the transceiver to
transmit one of the data during a first actuation of the triggering
circuit, and to transmit another of the data during a second
actuation of the triggering circuit.
[0030] The novel features which are considered as characteristic of
the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims.
The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its
method of operation, together with additional objects and
advantages thereof, will best be understood from the following
description of a preferred embodiment, which is described by way of
example only, when read in conjunction with the accompanying
drawing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0031] FIG. 1 is a view of a bar code reader system with dual
trigger switches in a point-of-sale application environment
according to the present invention;
[0032] FIG. 2a is an enlarged top plan view of a bar code reader
with a trackball joystick) and a graphical user interface display
according to the present invention;
[0033] FIG. 2b is a perspective view of the bar code reader of FIG.
2a;
[0034] FIG. 2c is an enlarged top plan view of the display of FIG.
2a;
[0035] FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of the preferred
embodiment of the internal optical and electronic elements of the
present invention;
[0036] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an RF reader circuit and a
magnetic stripe reader circuit together with a bar code symbol
reader circuit in accordance with this invention;
[0037] FIG. 5 is a perspective view, from the front and below, of a
module for supporting the circuits of FIG. 4;
[0038] FIG. 6 is a perspective view, from the rear and below, of
the module of FIG. 5;
[0039] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a data collection terminal
having the module of FIGS. 5-6 therein during a card reading
procedure; and
[0040] FIG. 8 is a part perspective, part schematic, diagrammatic
view of a card slidable in a slot of a housing, the card having a
plurality of data collectors and a transceiver.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0041] The invention, in one embodiment, takes the form of a
portable, hand held optical reader contained within a housing (or
body) 10 of appropriate shape. The exact form of the housing 10 is
not of importance, and may depend upon the particular application.
A conventional gun-shaped housing would be suitable in many cases.
The reader may also be arranged for hands-free use and could be
fixed instead of being portable.
[0042] In one implementation, the invention provides a system for
reading coded symbols with a light source for generating a beam
directed toward a symbol to be read, a detector for receiving
reflected light from the symbol to produce electrical signals
corresponding to data represented by the symbol, a first actuator
manually displaceable from an off position to a first selectable
position for initiating reading of the symbol, and an independently
operable second actuator is manually displaceable from a first
position to a second position to transfer said data represented by
the symbol. As an example, the data may be transferred to a
printer, or to a display for visually displaying the data. The data
may also be transferred to a radio frequency or IF transmitter for
wireless communication of the data to a remote receiver.
[0043] In the point-of-sale system depicted in FIG. 1, merchandise
or articles 85 having a one-dimensional bar code symbol 14 are
arranged on a counter 87 on which the bar code reader 10 is
mounted. The articles 85 are shown placed in a shopping tote 86
which includes an RF identification (ID) tag 88. In one
application, the bar code symbols may identify the merchandise,
while the RF ID tag 88 may identify the shopper or customer. In
another application, the tote 86 may be a shipping container, and
the RF ID tag denotes the destination, routing, or shipping
address. An RF ID tag detector 69 (shown in FIG. 3) may be included
as part of the system. The system may employ both methods of
identification, as will be subsequently described.
[0044] FIG. 1 shows a bar code reader 10 capable of both stationary
and hand-held operation with dual triggers according to the present
invention. The reader housing is depicted in the shape similar to
the gun-shaped housings known in the prior art. The reader 10 may
be picked up by the user for portable use, or mounted in a stand 80
in which the reader can function operating in a fixed mode. In the
fixed mode, it is positioned to read the bar code symbol 14 on a
target within the field of view of the reader, such as a region of
the counter 87. The reader 10 may make electrical contacts to the
stand 80, which in turn may be connected to a cash register 89
and/or host computer 82 which may include elements such as a
display 83 and a printer 84. In the present invention, the handle
position 72 of the housing 10 (i.e., the portion of the housing
which is gripped by the user's hand in normal use) includes two
discrete trigger switches 70 and 71. The upper switch 70, designed
to be activated by the index finger, controls one function or
operation, while the lower switch 71, designed to be activated by
different fingers, controls a different operation, as will be
described below. The switches 70, 71 are independently operable
and, hence, either one can be operated before, after, or
simultaneously with, the other.
[0045] Alternatively, in another embodiment, a single two-position
trigger switch may be used in place of dual trigger switches.
Examples of functions that may be performed by activation of the
first and second positions of a dual or two-position trigger
switches are as follows:
[0046] 1) Position One--aim; Position Two--scan.
[0047] 2) Position One--scan; Position Two--EAS deactivate.
[0048] 3) Position One--scan; Position Two--RF ID.
[0049] 4) Position One--scan; Position Two--transfer data or
operate peripheral (e.g., printer, communication and display)
[0050] Examples of functions that may be performed with a single
trigger with three trigger positions are as follows:
[0051] 1) Position One--aim; Position Two--scan; Position
Three--EAS deactivate.
[0052] 2) Position One--aim; Position Two--scan; Position Three--RF
ID.
[0053] 3) Position One--scan; Position Two--RFID; Position
Three--EAS deactivate.
[0054] As used above, the term "EAS deactivate" refers to an
operation of deactivating an EAS tag on the article. Reference may
be made to U.S. Pat. No. 5,005,125 to describe EAS systems and
tags, and their method of deactivation, and to European Patent No.
0355355. The term "RF ID" refers to reading an RF ID tag, such as
described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,739,328.
[0055] In another embodiment, a single switch may be used to
activate one or more different functions. For example, the manual
depression of a single momentary action switch from a first to a
second position is used to activate a function. This switch need
not, and typically is not, held in the second position to execute
the function. The manual release of the switch does not perform any
function.
[0056] In still another embodiment, the manual depression of a
single switch from a first to a second position is used to activate
a first function, e.g., aiming. Thereupon,
[0057] the manual release of the switch is used to activate a
second function, e.g., scanning.
[0058] The sequence and operations described above are merely
illustrative, and a particular point-of-sale check-out, shipping, a
distribution system or other application may use other sequences or
combinations rather than the ones described above.
[0059] FIG. 2a illustrates the top plan view and FIG. 2b a
perspective view of the reader 10 now shown as incorporating a
display 100 and a trackball, also known as a joystick 101. The
joystick may be moved by the user's thumb to move an arrow-shaped
pointer 102 or indicating cursor on the display screen 100. As best
shown in FIG. 2c, the display 100 may display icons 103 which in a
particular programming environment or graphical user interface may
be used to refer to specific program applications, documents, or
data records that may be accessed by the system. Thus, FIG. 2c
shows an "AIM" icon 103a, a "SCAN" icon 103b, a "DEACTIVATE" icon
103c, and a "DATA TRANSFER" icon 103d. When the pointer 102 is
moved among the phantom line positions shown in FIG. 2c, and is
aligned with the desired icon, the user can select the application
or document represented by the icon by activating a switch by
pressing the joystick 101 to cause it to "click" and thereby
register to the system the selected icon as representing the
particular application, document, or data record desired to be
accessed, executed or displayed. Thus, aiming, scanning, tag
deactivating and data transferring are executed in response to
selecting icons 130a-d, respectively. As examples of the type of
documents which may be displayed, two "windows" representing
distinct programs P1 and P2 are displayed with the "active" or
overlapping one 105 displaying data 106.
[0060] FIGS. 2a and 2b also illustrate a solar cell collector 107
which functions to power the reader and/or charge a battery
contained within the reader housing 10. In applications in which
the stand 80 may be utilized in a location remote from the host
computer 82 or other power source, it is advantageous to provide
separate means for powering the reader. A solar power battery
charger coupled to the solar cell collector 107 achieves this
objective in one embodiment of the present invention.
[0061] As alternatives to the use of solar cells, microwave or heat
energy sources could also be used. In the first variant, a
microwave transmitter is installed in the close vicinity of the
device (e.g., in the cash register around which a cordless scanner
is used). This could be either the transmitter utilized to
communicate with the portable device or one which is specific to
this task. For both cases, its frequency could be either the same
as the one utilized for the communication channel or a different
one. Because of regulatory and safety/health issues, in most
practical situations only low power levels should be generated.
[0062] Alternatively, heat generated in the device could be used,
derived from the inherent inefficiency of its components. For
example if .OMEGA..sub.1 is the device inefficiency (which results
in heat generation), and .OMEGA..sub.2 is the process efficiency of
converting heat to electricity, then a fraction of
.OMEGA..sub.1.times..OMEGA..sub.2 of the battery energy can be used
for its charging.
[0063] Thus, another feature of the present invention is to provide
a system for electro-optically reading indicia having parts of
different light reflectivity, a scanning head with a housing; a DC
voltage-powered light source mounted in the housing for generating
a light beam that may be directed toward an indicium for reflection
therefrom; a sensor for detecting light of variable intensity
reflected off the indicia and for generating a signal indicative of
the indicia; a battery in the housing for supplying DC voltage to
the light source; and a solar cell powered charger for charging the
battery in the housing.
[0064] In one embodiment of the invention, a primary battery is
placed in the device: Primary (non-rechargeable) batteries
generally have energy density larger than that of secondary
batteries (e.g., .congruent.100 Wh/kg for an alkaline cell vs.
.congruent.30 Wh/kg for a standard Ni--Cd cell). However, this
large capacity is substantially reduced at large discharge rates.
Devices that operate in short "bursts" during the session (e.g.,
bar code scanners), do create a high rate of drain on the battery.
In the preferred embodiment, the primary battery provides a
substantially small charge current to the second battery. The
secondary (rechargeable) battery is the power source which directly
powers the device, and is continuously recharged at a low level
("trickle charge") throughout the session, while maintaining the
cordless mode of operation. The secondary battery can be used to
deliver the same overall apparent capacity to the user. In this
particular case, at the end of the session the primary battery is
replaced and the secondary battery is recharged. However, the
overall combination provides for a session which is longer than if
a single battery type were used (assuming the same total battery
weight).
[0065] The following is an illustrative example (specific values
used are approximate only). Assume that a device is powered by a
3.6V battery (a series combination of three 1.2V cells) and a
maximum of 100 g is allocated for the battery. If only a primary
cell is used, then its density is 40 Wh/kg (because of the assumed
high drain rate). This will translate to a capacity of (40
Wh/kg.times.(0.1 kg)/(3.6V)=1.11 Ah. Similarly, if a secondary
battery is used, the resulting capacity is (30 Wh/kg).times.(0.1
kg)/(3.6V)=0.83 Ah. If a combination of 50 g primary and 50 g
secondary are used, (where the primary battery is used to trickle
charge the secondary one, and thus its higher density is achieved),
then the total capacity for this case is (100 Wh/kg).times.(0.05
kg)/(3.6V)+(30 Wh/kg).times.(0.05 kg)/(3.6V)=1.39 Ah+0.42 Ah=1.81
Ah, which is a substantial increase over the previous
alternatives.
[0066] The following is another illustrative example. Assume a
device which normally operates at 3V with a 500 mAh battery in
8-hour shifts ("sessions"). Using the concept of this invention,
the device is redesigned to operate with a 250 mAh battery. The
additional 250 mAh capacity is to be supplied via the trickle
charge. The required charging current is thus (250 mAh)/(8
hours)=30 mA. At 3V operation, this corresponds to 90 mW. Assuming
10% power conversion efficiency of solar cells, about 900 mW of
ambient light is required to impinge upon the solar cell area. In
full sunlight, the intensity is approximately 100 mW/cm.sup.2, and
in this case a total solar cell area of 9 cm.sup.2 will be
required. Indoor operation with normal lighting conditions will
require substantially larger areas.
[0067] Turning to FIG. 3, the housing 10 has a window 12 therein,
which is arranged to be positioned by the user opposite a bar code
symbol or other indicia 14 to be read. Behind the window 12 is an
illumination source, such as a laser 16, with optics 18, an
illuminating LED or laser 20, with optics 22, and collection optics
24. Behind the collection optics 24 is a detector or a
two-dimensional imaging array 26 such as a CCD array which is
arranged to be read out by signal processing circuitry 28. Instead
of being a CCD array, the array 26 could comprise any
two-dimensional solid-state imaging device; it could, for example,
comprise a random-access device. Also provided is a detector 30
coupled to range finder circuitry 32, the purpose of which is to
automatically determine the distance d between the window 12 and
the indicia 14 which is to be read. The range finder may operate by
any desired means, such as by ultrasound or optically. There is
also an ambient illumination detector 34 which senses the ambient
illumination conditions. The solar cells 107, battery recharger
110, primary battery 111, and secondary battery 112 are also
depicted.
[0068] Operation of the device is overseen by a common
microprocessor or controller 36, operated by means of a keypad 38
and a trigger mechanism 40. The trigger mechanism incorporates dual
trigger switches 70, 71, such as shown in FIG. 1, having first
switch contact 42 and second switch contact 44.
[0069] In use, the operator first pulls the first trigger 70 back
to a first position, in which it meets the contact 42. This causes
the controller 36 to actuate the laser 16 to produce a visible
aiming beam 46 which the operator then manually aligns with the
indicia 14. The aiming beam preferably produces a static pattern,
or designation pattern, preferably a point or a line which is
easily visible. Ideally, the optical system 18 incorporates a
cylindrical lens, such as that previously described in copending
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/268,913 noted above in the
Reference to Related Applications, to produce a solid line of light
which can quite easily be aligned with the longitudinal axis of the
bar code symbol.
[0070] Once the operator has properly aligned the reader, the
operator then pulls the second trigger 71 which closes the contact
44. This causes the controller 36 to instruct the range finder 32
to determine the distance d. On the basis of that determination,
and on the basis of information provided by the ambient
illumination detector 34, the controller 36 determines the optimal
focusing, magnification and illumination parameters that will be
required to decode the image. The controller then sends signals to
a focus and magnification control mechanism 48, which adjusts the
imaging optics 24, to an illumination control 50, which adjusts the
illumination provided by the laser 20, and to a further control 52
for adjusting the optics 22, thereby adjusting the area and/or
intensity of the illuminating beam 54 which will subsequently be
produced.
[0071] Once all the parameters have been determined, and the
necessary adjustments made, the controller 36 switches off the
laser 16 and switches on the LED or laser 20 for a predetermined
period, thereby illuminating the indicia 14 with the beam 54. If
the adjustments have correctly been made, the beam will be an
optimized match with the size of the code at the measured distance
d. An estimate of the apparent size of the code, as seen from the
window, can be determined from the known actual size of the code
(where available), which may have been entered in advance by means
of the keyboard 38.
[0072] The indicia 14 is imaged onto the two-dimensional
semiconductor array 26, which is then read out by the signal
processing circuitry 28. The signals are then decoded by a decoder
56. Feedback is provided to the operator by means of a display 58
and/or audio feedback means 60.
[0073] Once the image has been satisfactorily captured, processed
and decoded, the controller may automatically instruct the reader
to switch itself off, or alternatively to move into a low-power
quiescent mode.
[0074] In a first variation of the preferred embodiment shown in
FIG. 3, the rangefinder 32 and the detector 30 may be omitted.
Instead, determination of the distance d may be achieved by
analyzing the reflected light 62 which is returned from the symbol
as it is being illuminated by the target beam 46. For example, the
beam 46 may be pulsed, and temporal measurements may be taken to
determine the distance. Alternatively, the beam 46 may be scanned
across the indicia, in which case the spectral characteristics of
the received signal may provide some indication of the distance.
Yet a further alternative is to calculate phase relationships
within the reflected light.
[0075] A further variation is to replace the lasers 16,20 with a
single laser, and the optics 18,22 with a single set of optics. In
such an arrangement, the same laser operates to produce the aiming
beam (designating pattern) 46 and the imaging illuminating beam 54.
Such an arrangement is, of course, only of assistance where the
laser produces light of a wavelength which can easily be seen by
the operator.
[0076] Instead of the trigger 40 being a dual trigger, or
two-position trigger, it could be a multi-position trigger. The
various trigger positions could undertake a variety of functions;
for example, one trigger position might produce a first static
pattern (designation pattern), with a second position producing a
second pattern, and a third position producing the measurement
illumination. This type of arrangement could be useful where the
device is to be used in a variety of situations, or with a variety
of different bar code symbols, since it would then be possible for
the operator to choose an appropriate designation pattern for the
indicia which is to be measured. Other trigger positions of a
multi-position trigger could provide an on/off function, or other
functions for controlling the information shown on the display 58,
such as deactivation of an EAS tag, reading of an RF ID tag, or
activation of a peripheral device, such as a modem, radio, infrared
transmission unit or other communications device, or a peripheral
device such as a printer. One example would be initiating wireless
communication of the data represented by the symbol through a
communication unit 113 connected to the controller 36. Different
trigger positions could also be provided to alter the measurement
characteristics of the device, for example to provide at least a
certain level of manual control over the focusing and/or
magnification, such as zooming or spot size adjustment. All of
these features will, of course, be controlled by the controller
36.
[0077] Instead of, or in addition to, the trigger 40, the
aforementioned graphical user interface depicted in FIGS. 2a, 2b
and 2c, is useful in performing system functions. Thus, as
described above, the user's thumb is used to move the joystick 101
and position the pointer 102 on a selected icon, thereby
"highlighting or selecting" the function associated with that icon.
Thereupon, either the thumb, is used again to depress the joystick,
or one of the user's other fingers is used to depress one of the
trigger switches 71 or 72, thereby "choosing or executing" the
selected function.
[0078] While the preferred form of the optical reader, already
described, is a portable, hand-held device, various other options
are possible. The embodiment shown in FIG. 3 could, instead,
represent a fixed embodiment which is arranged to be built into a
point-of-sale unit, for example above a conveyor. The automatic
magnification/focus controls enable the device to deal with a
variety of different sized packages, passing along the conveyor,
thereby presenting bar code symbols at a variety of different
distances from the device.
[0079] Referring now to FIG. 4, reference numeral 210 generally
identifies a block diagram of a module according to this invention.
Module 210 includes an RF reader circuit 212 having a wireless data
transceiver 214 for emitting RF energy via a transmitting antenna
216 to interrogate or poll at least one resonant element or
resonator 218 associated with a target 220.
[0080] The resonator 218 may be a quartz crystal or preferably a
dipole. The dipole may be a metal-coated fiber resonant at a
frequency dependent on the fiber length. The dipole may be embedded
in, or affixed to, any target. Preferably, the dipole is carried on
a tag or label that is attached, usually by an adhesive, to an
object.
[0081] The interrogated dipole emits an RF response characteristic
which is detected by a receiving antenna 220. The received RF
signal is conducted to the wireless transceiver 214 and thereupon
is processed in a signal processor 222 which comprises an
amplifier, a bandpass filter, a multiplier for sampling the
received signal at a rate controlled by a counter to produce a
sampled signal, a peak detector for determining the magnitude and
duration of the peaks in the sampled signal, an automatic gain
controller, and a digitizer for converting the analog sampled
signal to a digital signal. The digital signal is then conducted to
a central processor unit (CPU) 224 for processing in accordance
with a stored algorithm. A memory 226 is connected to the CPU for
data storage and retrieval. An output signal from the CPU is
conducted therefrom through an interface, typically a single
eight-pin connector 228.
[0082] Reference numeral 230 generally identifies a magnetic stripe
reader circuit having at least one sensor 232, and preferably a
plurality of sensors, connected to a signal processor and digitizer
circuit 234. A card 240 such as a credit, debit or identification
card of generally rectangular form includes an elongated magnetic
stripe 236 that has information encoded therein.
[0083] The card 240 may have user identification thereon in
human-readable form such as name and address data 238, or a
photograph 242 of the card's owner, or other information relating
to the user, such as insurer data (in the case of a medical or
patient card), motor vehicle data (in the case of a vehicle license
and registration card), financial institution data (in the case of
bank, credit or debit cards), etc. The card 240 may have any or all
of the above data in machine-readable form such as bar code symbols
in either one-or two-dimensional format.
[0084] The card 240 may have an integrated chip embedded therein as
in the case of "smart" cards, or may even have the resonant
elements discussed above in connection with RF readers supported by
the cards. In each case, the card has a longitudinal edge 244
extending in a longitudinal direction generally parallel to the
longitudinal direction along which the stripe 236 extends. This
edge 244 serves as a guide and insures that the stripe 236 is
correctly positioned relative to the sensor 232 as the card is slid
past the sensor as is common with magnetic stripe technology.
[0085] The sensor 232 detects the data encoded in the stripe and
generates an electrical data signal which is then processed and
digitized to obtain a digital signal which is conducted to the CPU
224 for processing in accordance with a stored algorithm. The
output signal from the CPU is fed to the output interface 228.
[0086] As described so far, the RF reader circuit 212 and the
magnetic stripe reader circuit 230 share the common CPU 224 and, in
some cases, can share some of the signal processing and digitizer
components in the signal processors 222 and 234. As shown in FIG.
5, reference numeral 250 generally identifies a common support such
as the aforementioned SE 1200 laser scan engine module on which the
RF reader and magnetic stripe reader circuits 212, 230 are
supported. The support 250 includes a generally planar base 252 and
a printed circuit board 254 mounted in a plane generally parallel
to and elevated relative to the base 252. The support 250 also
includes a standard laser scan engine circuit 264 depicted in FIG.
4, and including a laser diode 266 for emitting a laser beam,
lenses 268 for focusing the laser beam, a scan mirror 270 for
reflecting the beam outwardly of the module, a drive 272 for moving
the scan mirror and sweeping the beam across a bar code symbol 280
for reflection therefrom, a photodiode 274 for detecting the
reflected light, and a collection mirror 276 and collection optics
278 for collecting the reflected light and directing it to the
photodiode, as well as signal processor and digitizer circuitry 282
for processing and digitizing a detected signal generated by the
photodiode. Circuit components 234, 222 and 282 could be a single
signal processor and digitizer circuit with switched inputs for
different signal sources.
[0087] The symbol 280 is machine-readable and is one-or
two-dimensional. The symbol 280 is associated with a target or
object 284 and identifies the object.
[0088] FIG. 6 depicts an opposite side view of the support of FIG.
5, in which the magnetic stripe sensor 232 is depicted. The sensor
232 is recessed into the support so that the maximum form factor
dimensions of the SE 1200 will not be exceeded. The RF reader
circuit 212 is mounted on the printed circuit board 254, or may be
mounted on another printed circuit board mounted on the module.
[0089] FIG. 7 depicts a hand-held data collection terminal 260 in
which the module of FIGS. 5 and 6 is mounted during swiping of the
card 240 past the sensor 232. A card reading slot 262 is formed in
the terminal.
[0090] It will be understood that each of the elements described
above, or any two or more together, also may find a useful
application in other types of constructions differing from the
types described above.
[0091] Thus, as shown in FIG. 8, the system components need not be
mounted on a generally rectangular parallelepiped module as in
FIGS. 5-6, but can be mounted on a plug-in card 300 of the type
generally known as a PCMCIA card that is insertable in the
direction of arrow A into a slot 338 commonly found in a laptop
computer 336.
[0092] The card or support 300 has a first mounting region 302 at
which any data collector and, preferably, a plurality of data
collectors is mounted. By way of example, the data collector can be
a smart card reader 304 for reading a smart card chip, a magnetic
stripe reader 306 of the type 230 described above, a biometric
reader 308 for reading a physical characteristic of a user such as
a fingerprint, a retina, or a voice, a CCD reader 310 of the type
described above, an RF ID reader 312 of the type 212 described
above, an IRDA reader 314 for detecting infrared data, a laser
scanner 318 of the type 264 described above, or any generic data
collector 316 for collecting data for subsequent use.
[0093] The card 300, just like the module 250, can be mounted in
any housing, for example, the hand-held housing 10 of FIG. 1 which,
it will be recalled, has a pair of triggers 71, 72. One trigger can
be used to actuate any one of the aforementioned data collectors,
and the other trigger can be used to actuate any other one of the
aforementioned data collectors. By way of example, activation of
trigger 71 may serve to actuate the laser scanner 318 for reading
the symbol 14, and activation of trigger 72 may serve to actuate
the RF ID reader 312 for reading the RF ID tag 88.
[0094] As before, the triggering of the plurality of data
collectors need not be accomplished by depressing two separate
triggers, but can be achieved by depressing a single trigger 340
having two or more positions such as position 340' in the direction
of arrow B in FIG. 8, or by manipulating a pointer device on a
graphical user interface.
[0095] The card 300 may also have a second mounting region 320
spaced from the first mounting region 302. A wireless transceiver
322 is mounted at the second mounting region 320, and includes a
transmitter 324, a transmitting antenna 326, a receiver 328, a
receiving antenna 330, a voltage controlled oscillator 332 and a
crystal oscillator 334. The transceiver preferably operates at a
radio frequency of 2.4 GHz and employs the IEEE 802.11b
protocol.
[0096] The transceiver 322 can be activated by one of the
triggering actions described above, for transmitting data to and
from a remote host by wireless communication. In an application
where two of the data collectors, e.g., 318 and 312, have collected
data, then the transceiver can be activated by one of the
triggering actions to transmit the data from one of the collectors,
and by another triggering action to transmit the data from the
other of the collectors.
[0097] The data transmitted need not be data that was previously
collected by one of the collectors, but can be data entered, for
example, by a keyboard or data stored by a manufacturer. In one
embodiment, data relating to opening a door, such as a garage door,
can be input by the manufacturer or by the user, and thereupon, one
of the triggering actions can cause the door to be opened, and
another of the triggering actions can cause a garage or home
lighting system to be activated.
[0098] While the invention has been illustrated and described as
embodied in a triggered data collector and data transmitter, it is
not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various
modifications and structural changes may be made without departing
in any way from the spirit of the present invention.
[0099] Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal
the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying
current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications
without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art,
fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or
specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations
should be and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning
and range of equivalents of the following claims.
[0100] What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by
Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims.
* * * * *