U.S. patent application number 11/345113 was filed with the patent office on 2006-06-22 for multi-level hierarchical radio-frequency communication system.
Invention is credited to Alan G. Bunte, Keith K. JR. Cargin, Arvin D. Danielson, George E. Hanson, Steven E. Koenck, Ronald L. Mahany, Phillip Miller, Steven H. Salvay, Guy J. West.
Application Number | 20060131420 11/345113 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32397909 |
Filed Date | 2006-06-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060131420 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Koenck; Steven E. ; et
al. |
June 22, 2006 |
Multi-level hierarchical radio-frequency communication system
Abstract
Portable measuring devices which communicate by low power
transceivers through a communication controller with a printer
device collect weight and size data on articles to be shipped. The
collected weight and size data are combined with origin and
destination data, and labels are printed bearing pertinent shipping
and routing information in machine readable format. The labels are
attached to the articles to be shipped and accompany the articles
to their respective destinations. At transfer points the labels are
read by scanner devices which also communicate by low power
transceiver links with the communication controller. The wireless
linking of the scanner devices promotes human safety by the absence
of cords which could cause entanglement of an operator in
mechanized conveying equipment. The communication controllers at
each stage of the shipping process have the capability of
transferring received and updated status information on the shipped
articles to a central data station.
Inventors: |
Koenck; Steven E.; (Cedar
Rapids, IA) ; Bunte; Alan G.; (Cedar Rapids, IA)
; Cargin; Keith K. JR.; (Cedar Rapids, IA) ;
Hanson; George E.; (Cedar Rapids, IA) ; Mahany;
Ronald L.; (Cedar Rapids, IA) ; Miller; Phillip;
(Cedar Rapids, IA) ; Salvay; Steven H.; (Cedar
Rapids, IA) ; Danielson; Arvin D.; (Solon, IA)
; West; Guy J.; (Cedar Rapids, IA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MCANDREWS HELD & MALLOY, LTD
500 WEST MADISON STREET
SUITE 3400
CHICAGO
IL
60661
US
|
Family ID: |
32397909 |
Appl. No.: |
11/345113 |
Filed: |
January 31, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10809108 |
Mar 25, 2004 |
7004395 |
|
|
11345113 |
Jan 31, 2006 |
|
|
|
09467255 |
Dec 20, 1999 |
6749122 |
|
|
10809108 |
Mar 25, 2004 |
|
|
|
08239267 |
May 6, 1994 |
6006100 |
|
|
09467255 |
Dec 20, 1999 |
|
|
|
07876776 |
Apr 28, 1992 |
|
|
|
08239267 |
May 6, 1994 |
|
|
|
07558895 |
Jul 25, 1990 |
|
|
|
07876776 |
Apr 28, 1992 |
|
|
|
07529353 |
May 25, 1990 |
|
|
|
07558895 |
Jul 25, 1990 |
|
|
|
07854115 |
Mar 18, 1992 |
|
|
|
07876776 |
|
|
|
|
07558895 |
Jul 25, 1990 |
|
|
|
07854115 |
Mar 18, 1992 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
235/472.02 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04M 7/006 20130101;
G06K 17/0029 20130101; H04B 2001/3894 20130101; H04W 52/0216
20130101; G06K 7/10851 20130101; G07C 5/085 20130101; H01Q 1/2258
20130101; G06K 17/0022 20130101; G06K 7/10881 20130101; Y02D 70/142
20180101; G06Q 10/08 20130101; G06Q 50/28 20130101; G06K 7/12
20130101; H04W 28/14 20130101; H04L 1/0003 20130101; H04L 1/1671
20130101; G06K 7/10722 20130101; H04W 88/06 20130101; H04L 1/0025
20130101; H04L 29/06 20130101; Y02D 30/70 20200801; G07C 5/008
20130101; H04W 24/00 20130101; H04L 1/1685 20130101; G06K 7/10702
20130101; G06F 1/163 20130101; H04L 69/329 20130101; G06K 7/10841
20130101; H04L 1/0032 20130101; H04W 88/02 20130101; H04L 67/02
20130101; H04W 84/10 20130101; H04W 84/12 20130101; G06F 1/1632
20130101; H04W 40/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
235/472.02 |
International
Class: |
G06K 7/10 20060101
G06K007/10 |
Claims
1. A multi-level digital data communication system including: at
least one data communication device comprising means, responsive to
instructional codes, for processing digital data messages having
address codes and data codes and for routing said data messages,
means for storing digital data messages coupled to said processing
means, first means for communicating said data messages as first
type radio frequency transmission signals, and second means for
communicating said data messages as second type radio frequency
transmission signals, said first and second radio frequency
communication means being communicatively coupled to said
processing means for selectively transmitting and receiving data
messages to and from each of said first and second radio frequency
communication means; at least one first type data terminal device
comprising first communication means for communicating said data
messages as said first type radio frequency transmission signals,
and means, coupled to said first communication means of said data
terminal device, for transducing data signals of data messages of
communication between said at least one data communication device
and said at least one first type data terminal device; and at least
one data communication interface device comprising second means for
communicating said data messages at said second type radio
frequency transmission signals, and third means for communicating
said data messages to a data station.
2-64. (canceled)
Description
CROSS REFRENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S.
application Ser. No. 07/558,895, filed Jul. 25, 1990, by Koenck et
al. The application Ser. No. 07/558,895 is a continuation-in-part
of U.S. application Ser. No. 07/529,353, filed May 25, 1990.
[0002] The present application is also a continuation-in-part of
U.S. application Ser. No. 07/854,115, filed Mar. 18, 1992, by
Koenck et al., which is a continuation-in-part of the
above-mentioned U.S. application Ser. No. 07/558,895, filed Jul.
25, 1990.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] 1. Field of the Invention
[0004] This invention relates generally to mobile data
communications systems, and more particularly to data collection
and processing systems for generating status records and for
tracking operations of transferring articles, the systems using
portable data terminal devices including hand-held data collection
terminals for collecting, selectively processing and for
communicating collected data to other system elements. Data may
manually be collected via keyboard entry or they may be read in
automatically by scanning indicia of information with a scanner,
for example with a bar code reader. Collected data may become part
of data bases or may be used at the site of acquisition for any of
various operations. Operations may include printing out price tags
of shelf items, printing customer sales receipts, orders,
confirmations, invoices, or bar code labels for marking merchandise
items. Collected data may be retained temporarily in memory of
hand-held data collection terminals for future transmission as a
batch transfer operation to a central data processing station of a
data system. Alternatively, data may be transmitted by RF processes
on a real time basis to the central station for inventory or
billing purposes.
[0005] 2. Discussion of Prior Developments
[0006] The prior art has developed to a state in which radio links
between a central computer as a central data processing station and
a plurality of substations is becoming well established in the art.
Portable, hand held data terminals are coupled via RF (Radio
Frequency) wireless data links to a transceiver and a multiplexing
station and such a central processing station. The hand held data
terminals are used, for example, for restocking merchandise items,
thus, in the larger sense for real time inventory control and
pricing of merchandise items.
[0007] In a currently pending patent application by Miller et al.
entitled "Transaction Control System Including Portable Data
Terminal and Mobile Customer Service Station", U.S. Ser. No.
07/345,146, filed Apr. 28, 1989, and assigned to the assignee of
the present invention, at least one of the hand held data terminals
is replaced by a portable customer service station which may
include multiple components which are selectively addressed by the
central processing station to print customer information at the
portable customer service station, based on data inputs received
from one or more of the hand held data terminals in the disclosed
transaction system.
[0008] Other uses of centrally controlled operations relate to
improvements in the delivery or service route business. In
operations relating to delivery service, a delivery vehicle may
contain a printer module which is mounted within the vehicle and
which either may be powered by the vehicle or it may be battery
powered and, hence, self-contained. The printer module may have
associated therewith a terminal cradle such as is disclosed in a
patent application of Phillip Miller et al., filed on Jan. 31,
1989, Ser. No. 07/305,302, entitled "Vehicle Data System", assigned
to the assignee of the current invention. A hand held data terminal
may be inserted into the cradle. The insertion of the terminal
communicatively couples the terminal to the printer to enable the
terminal to transfer data to the printer. This type of operation
allows the route driver to use the hand held data terminal to
complete a transaction at a customer's premises, enter a record of
the completed transaction into the terminal, and use some of the
entered information of the transaction record in a data transfer to
the printer module to generate a printed invoice or waybill to
present to the customer on the spot for acknowledgement and for the
customer's records. The data terminal in such an operation may be
of a batch type, in which the data terminal retains all
transactional information regarding a plurality of deliveries in
self contained memory, until the delivery route has been completed.
At this time, the collected data may be transferred from the data
terminal via a hard-wired data link to a central processing
station.
[0009] The referred to co-pending application of Phillip Miller et
al. further discloses a vehicle data system which expands the use
of the hand held data unit to address a plurality of data devices
which may be selectively installed and used in a service vehicle.
The system may include at least one hand held data terminal which
may be temporarily removed to gather data from outside of the
vehicle, in a manner similar to that of the delivery route
operation. As a particular example, a forklift truck is disclosed
as a vehicle the operation of which is being advantageously
affected by the vehicle data system. Through the data system an
operator of the forklift vehicle may receive operating instructions
on a real time basis. Each of the plurality of data devices may be
selectively coupled via a vehicle-resident local area network (LAN)
to other data devices as addressed, for example, by a LAN
controller. A portable hand held data terminal may also contain
programming to act as the LAN controller and may be removably
received in a mobile mount adapter of the vehicle LAN.
Alternatively, an RF modem may be coupled to the LAN and contain
the network controller and further couple the LAN data bus with a
stationary host central data processing station. The RF modem would
be able to periodically supply data from the hand held data
terminal and from various other LAN-coupled data terminals or
measurement devices to the host station. Similarly, the host
station may supply data to a data terminal, such as a printer as
needed.
[0010] The above-described system of the Phillip Miller et al.
patent application includes a further enhancement in that any of
the described data terminals, such as a vehicle operation measuring
gauges or the vehicle mounted printer, are selectively coupled to
the LAN only when fully functional, and are otherwise not
recognized as being present as part of the LAN. Though more
flexible than state of the art fixed device installations, the
operational flexibility of such a system is limited by the
configuration of the LAN installed in the vehicle. Data terminal
adapters for a predetermined number of data terminals or
peripherals must be configured to allow the system to serve a
particular need. Even though vehicle LAN systems for the
predetermined number of data devices are known to simplify wiring
of the vehicle, the desired flexibility permitted under the
disclosed vehicle data system would again increase the complexity
of locating data terminal adapters selectively include various data
terminals.
[0011] Improving the functionality of the referred to hand-held
data collection terminals has been and will remain the endeavor of
artisans skilled in the field of data systems using mobile or
portable data collection or processing devices. While progress has
been made in improving efficiency and functionality of hand-held
data collection terminals, further improvements in functionality
and in overall cost at the data collection end appear needed to
advance the usefulness of state of the art data collection and
processing systems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a
portable data system with the ability of being selectively enhanced
without a need for pre-installed wiring to support any such
selective enhancements.
[0013] It is an additional object of the invention to provide for
selective placement of data terminals within a functional
environment of a LAN controller without the need for a plurality of
pre-installed data terminal adapters to receive such data terminals
at any selected location relative to the LAN controller.
[0014] It is a further object of a particular aspect of the
invention to provide versatility to a mobile LAN, such as a
vehicle-resident LAN, to enable data terminals to be selectively
added and repositioned without requirements for changing the wiring
of such mobile LAN.
[0015] It is yet another object of the invention to provide a
portable, hand held data terminal which permits scanning, display
of data, printing, communication to a remote host computer or
central data processing station, and other functions without an
increase in size relating to such a diversity of functions.
[0016] It is still another object of the invention to provide a
means of wirelessly communicating between a portable hand held data
terminal and a plurality of peripheral devices dedicated to such
portable hand held terminal.
[0017] In accordance with the present invention, a mobile
communications system includes a dual RF transceiver communication
device and has a first type RF transceiver means and second type RF
transceiver means. The first type RF transceiver means is operative
to transmit and receive first type RF signals for communicating
with at least one of a plurality of first type data devices. Each
data device includes a first type RF transceiver operative to
transmit and receive the first type RF signals. The second type RF
transceiver means of said communication device is operative to
transmit and receive second type RF signals for communicating with
a remote transceiver. The remote transceiver is operative to
transmit and receive said second type RF signals and is coupled to
a remote data terminal. The remote data terminal may be a central
data processing apparatus, such as a host computer. The remote data
terminal may, in the alternative, interact with the remove
transceiver, and a second, long range remote transceiver to relay
data over yet greater distances to yet a further long range
transceiver. The hierarchical data communications system thus
allows the first type data devices to be communicatively coupled to
the further long range receiver. Advantages are realized in a large
area radio frequency communications net, which is operative with a
great number of relatively low cost devices at an outer working
remitter of the system. In that the low costs of the first type RF
transceiver means in conjunction with avoidance of installation
costs and maintenance of a fixed wiring system tends to provide a
more cost effective and more flexible communication system, cost
savings may be realized at the outer working perimeter of the
communication system. The second type RF transceiver means having a
longer transmission range than the first type RF transceiver means
may comply with more rigid transmission specifications.
[0018] In accordance with a particular aspect of the invention, a
portable dual RF transceiver communication device having
transceivers of the fist and second types of communicatively
coupled by a radio frequency transmission link of a first type to
at least one data terminal device including a transceiver of the
first type, and is communicatively coupled by a radio frequency
transmission link of a second type to a remote, fixed base
station.
[0019] A method according to the invention includes communicating
at a first type radio frequency between at least one mobile data
communication device and at least one modular data terminal device.
Such data messages at a first type radio frequency between are
relayed by such at least one data terminal device to a base station
at a second type radio frequency. The data communication device may
selectively extract predetermined data from received messages and
relay only selected data between said base station and said at
least one modular data terminal device. The data communication
device may further communication with a plurality of modular
terminal data devices and redirect selected data as data messages
among such plurality of modular terminal data devices.
[0020] Typical RF communication links between data communication
devices are supplemented in the disclosed system by local networks
or data systems of low level, low power data transceiver stations
which are used with various data system devices, such as hand-held
data collection terminals and printer terminals to constitute a low
level communication system. The term "low level communication" is
used to denote short range, low power transmissions in specially
dedicated frequency bands as contrasted with the higher level or
relatively high power transmission levels with correspondingly
greater transmission ranges of typical RF communication links, as
may be used by licensed commercial data communication terminals
operating in respectively assigned, commercial frequency bands.
Each low level local network system may be communicatively linked
by a relay device to relay data messages between the low level
local network and the typical RF communication channels of the
hierarchically structured data system. The relay device, referred
to as a data communication device, is a dual transceiver device.
The data communication device uses a low level transceiver to
communicate with the respective "low level data communication"
devices, and a second, high level transceiver to correspondingly
communicate over typical commercial data frequency bands.
[0021] The low level local network system may become coupled to a
typical high level data system or a central data processor (host
computer) in a manner other than by the dual transceiver device.
Data transfer between the low level and high level systems may
occur, for example, in a batch type transfer process. During
periods lacking data transfer activity to the high level
communication system, the local data network system is capable of
operating as an independent data collection and processing system
using low level communications among its local system components.
Coupling data input and data output devices by low power
communication links has been found to be particularly advantageous
for tracking articles in transit, namely various boxes and crates
which are transferred in express type shipping operations involving
pickup and delivery operations.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a multi-level
communication system, showing various components which are
contemplated to interact in a low level, low power communication
network of the communication system;
[0023] FIG. 2 is a simplified schematic diagram of an alternate
embodiment of the invention;
[0024] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of major components of a
communication device including features of the present
invention;
[0025] FIGS. 4 and 5 are simplified representations of uses of the
communication device shown in FIG. 3 and of data terminal devices
embodying features of the present invention;
[0026] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram showing operational steps of a
communication device in accordance with the present invention;
[0027] FIG. 7 is a simplified representation of a data terminal
device including features of the present invention;
[0028] FIG. 8 shows a schematic diagram of a further embodiment of
the present invention;
[0029] FIG. 9 is a simplified representation of details of a
communication device in accordance with the present invention
enabling a data terminal device to be temporarily coupled
thereto;
[0030] FIG. 10 is a schematic representation of another embodiment
of the present invention;
[0031] FIG. 11 is a simplified representation of a data entry
device for illustrating certain features of the invention;
[0032] FIG. 12 is a pictorial representation of a receptacle for
the data entry device shown in FIG. 11.
[0033] FIG. 13 is a schematic representation of another embodiment
of the invention, showing components of the low power communication
system communicatively coupled to operate independently of a relay
device;
[0034] FIG. 14 is a schematic representation showing components
according to the invention linked into a low power communication
system, the components including weight measuring and linear
measuring devices and code scanning devices communicatively
interacting with a data collection terminal and a printer
device;
[0035] FIG. 15 is a somewhat schematic representation of a weight
measuring device and a container disposed to be weighed
thereby;
[0036] FIG. 16 is a somewhat schematic representation of a weight
measuring device and of a linear measuring device, both devices
being linked by a low power communication link to a printer
device;
[0037] FIG. 17 is a schematic block diagram of major elements of
the printer device shown in FIG. 16, and of their relationship to a
control board of the printer device;
[0038] FIG. 18 is a simplified pictorial representation of a low
power data link communicatively coupling a data collection terminal
and a printer device; and
[0039] FIG. 19 is a simplified pictorial representation of a
printer device, a data collection terminal and a scanner device
coupled by a low power communication link.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0040] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a multi-level,
hierarchical mobile data communication system, referred to
generally as a data system 10. The term "mobile" denotes the mode
of operation of the data system 10 in general. Most of the terminal
devices of the data system 10 are portable in the sense of being
internally powered. These devices are adapted to be carried about
by an operator either to be taken to where they are to be used, or
they may be carried about while actually being used. In its
hierarchical structure the data system 10 may be coupled to a
stationary central or host computer 11 ("DATA STATION"). In many
applications, the host computer is a mainframe computer and would
not be "mobile" by itself. While the data system 10 as further
described herein may communicate with a mainframe computer such as
the host computer 11, the host computer 11 need not be part of the
data system 10, as herein further described, for the data system to
function in accordance with the present invention.
[0041] In further reference to FIG. 1, the host computer 11 may be
coupled to communicate via a typical communication cable link or
optical fiber link 12 to a communications interface 15. The term
"communication" is used to apply to the transfer of data messages
of information, operational instructions or combinations of
information and operational instructions. Communication may also
take place via radio frequency transmissions and receptions. When a
data message is described as being transmitted from one device to
another, an established link may be presumed. However, though a
message is generally received by all terminals operating on the
same frequency, selective addressing precludes processing of a
message not addressed to a particular terminal. Therefore, the term
"communication" also includes "selective communication".
[0042] The communications interface 15 includes a communications
multiplexer module 16 and a transceiver 17. The transceiver 17 may
be a frequency modulation ("FM") transceiver, operating on a
frequency band allocated by the Federal Communications Commission
to industrial FM transmissions. Alternatively, a spread spectrum
transceiver may be used. The transceiver 17 is referred herein as
having a high power transmitter and corresponding receiver module.
Typical "ranges" over which such a transceiver can effectively
transmit may be to five thousand feet or even longer. Transmitters
operating on industrial FM transmission bands are subject to strict
regulation by the Federal Communication Commission. Manufacturing
costs and quality assurance procedures for the transceivers are
moderately high to meet or exceed the required transmission
standard. The term "high power" is used as a relative term to
identify and distinguish one type of data transmission operation
with respect to another type of transceiver module of a data
communication device 18.
[0043] The communication device 18 also includes a matching
transceiver 17 which forms a second terminal of a high power
communication or transmission link 19 between respective antennae
20 and 21. The transceivers 17 correspondingly represent the
terminal devices of a high power data transmission system 122
including the communications interface 15 and a shared portion of
the communication device 18. The transceivers 17 consume during
operation a considerable amount of electrical energy. A
self-contained power source may therefore be of sufficient weight
to negatively impact on the portability of the communication device
18. Of course, the communication device 18 may also be
vehicle-mounted and be conveniently powered by resident vehicle
power.
[0044] The antennae 20 and 21 are depicted schematically by typical
triangular antennae symbols representative of the high level
transmission system 122. In a hierarchical arrangement with the
high level transmission system 122, FIG. 1 also shows components of
a low level, low power transmission system. In the hierarchical
data system 10 both high and low power transmission systems are
preferred to be operated interactively as integrated subsystems of
the data system 10. However, as will be shown, even in the absence
of the hierarchical structure of the data system 10, advantages
still exist with the low power or low level transmission system.
The low level transmission system, designated generally by the
numeral 123, is identifiable by devices including a low power
transceiver including a respective antenna in the shape of a stick
with a rounded end. A low level antenna 24 extends from the
communication device 18 and particularly from a low level, low
power transceiver 25 ("TC L") of the communication device 18. Each
of the components of the low power transmission system 123 are
coupled or associated with a respective one of the transceivers 25.
The transceiver 25 communicates with first type radio frequency
transmissions which are low power type transmissions in comparison
to those of the transceiver 17, which are referred to herein as
second type or high power transmissions. Desirably, the respective
communication channels of the transceivers 17 and 25 are isolated
from each other, allowing the low power transceivers 25 to
communicate without interference with the high power communication
of the transceivers 17. Channel isolation may be obtained by
various means including the use of different frequencies or
distinct, non-interfering modulation methods. For example, spread
spectrum transmissions might incorporated utilizing different
spreading codes to minimize channel interference. Such system might
also include frequency hopping techniques to further improve
channel isolation. Accordingly, all of the low power transceivers
25 are compatible and are adapted to communicate among each other,
and all of the transceivers 17 would be compatible with each other
and be adapted to communicate among each other. On the other hand,
there can be no communication between a transceiver 17 and a
transceiver 25.
[0045] In contrast to the transmission range of the high power
transceiver 17, the expected range of the low power transceiver 25
is quite short. A typical low power transmission range may be
expected to lie between ten and fifty feet. The maximum range of
transmission may be no more than a few hundred feet. For the
respective low power transmitting devices, such as the transceiver
25, operational standards are more relaxed. As a result, the
production costs of RF frequency communication systems using low
power transceivers 25 are well below those of comparable systems
using the high power transceivers 17 for maintaining their
communications links. The low power transmission system 123 has,
therefore significant cost advantages over a comparable high power
transmission system 122. Whenever data system components which are
linked by RF transceivers are to be used in an environment wherein
only short distances are expected to separate the linked
components, the low power data transmission system 123 would appear
to be advantageous with respect to the high power data transmission
system 122.
[0046] FIG. 1 schematically emphasizes a connectible power source
26 coupled to the communications device 18. Particularly because of
the anticipated power to operate the high power transceiver 17 over
an extended of a typical working period, a more substantial and
powerful power source such as the source 26 is preferred. The
source 26, for example a rechargeable type NiCad battery, may
include circuitry for alternate power to be supplied and to control
a recharging operation.
[0047] The battery 26 supplies power to all functions, including
both the high and low power transceivers 17 and 25, respectively,
as well as a communication module ("COM"), also identified by the
numeral 28. The communication module 28 of the communication device
18 includes those functions by which the communication device 18
becomes an effective interface between the high power and low power
data transmission systems 122 and 123. The communication module 28
may include data modulation and demodulation circuits, converting
signals between digital data signals and signals for transmission
by either transceiver 17 or 25. The communication module 28 may
further include identification and address circuits for
implementing a protocol for a Local Area Network ("LAN").
[0048] In reference to FIG. 3, there is shown a block diagram of
major functional blocks which may be separately identified in
describing the operation of the communication device 18. In
addition to the high and low power transceivers 17 and 25, and the
communication module 28, the communication device 18 is
microprocessor controlled, and includes a processor circuit or
microprocessor 29 ("MICRO PROCESSOR") of a type having the
capability of addressing two separate radio frequency transceivers,
such as the transceivers 17 and 25.
[0049] Typical state of the art microprocessors have the capability
of processing data messages. The term "processing" as used herein
includes a sequence of operations, typically controlled by an
instructional program. The instructional program may be referred to
as a "protocol." Data messages may contain one or more address
codes, also instructional codes, and data codes. The microprocessor
29 has the capability of reading and interpreting a received data
message. The microprocessor 29 typically responds by identifying an
address or instructional code, storing the address or instructional
code and the received data codes, storing the memory addresses of
stored information, and by acting on instructions to assemble data
messages and send such assembled data messages to an assigned
device. More specific operations relate to controlling the low
power communications in general, and to be available, on command,
to receive from and transmit to the high power communication level.
To avoid interference between local, low power communication and
long range, high power communication, different channels may
typically be assigned to low power and high power transmissions.
However, to avoid interfering data communication transmissions on
the local, low power level, the communication device 18 may
disassemble received data messages and readdress portions thereof
with another address code for retransmission on the local level to
the designated data terminal device. Other portions of a received
data message may be assembled into another data message to be
transmitted to another data terminal device on the local, lower
power level. Collectively the operations are referred to as
"processing." In the specific environment of the communication
device 18 the processing functions may not differ much in number
from those of the host computer 11. However, they are dedicated to
the specific purpose of relaying information between the low power
and the high power data communication levels.
[0050] In the architecture of the communication device 18,
modifications are possible within the scope of the invention. It
may, for example, be desirable to use two separate, concurrently
operating microprocessors 29 in substantially parallel operation,
each to control the operation of a respective one of the
transceivers 17 and 25. The operation of the microprocessor 29
typically includes a random access memory module 30 ("RAM") for
temporarily storing address codes, temporary control codes and data
extracted from received data messages. The storage capacity of the
memory module 30 may vary, depending on the demands made on stored
information and the type of operation desired. If information
received via the low power transceiver 25 is to be uploaded to the
host computer 11 only periodically as a batch transmission, then a
greater storage capacity for the memory module 30 is desirable. If,
however, data are relayed through the communication device 18 on a
real time basis, then a comparatively smaller memory capacity in
the memory module 30 may suffice. It may also be desirable to use
the data processing power and capacity afforded by the
microprocessor 29 and memory 30 to provide data processing within
the communication device 18. Data are routed between the described
functional circuit modules by a typical data bus 31. Also coupled
to the data bus 31, the communication device 18 would further
comprise a read only memory 32 ("ROM"). The memory 32 typically
contains predetermined or fixed information, such as the operating
protocol for receiving and transmitting data messages, extracting
address codes from data messages, extracting data from data
messages, routines for temporarily storing address codes and data,
and various other routines as will become apparent from a
description of the operation of the data system 10.
[0051] In a particular embodiment of the invention as described in
reference to FIG. 1, the read-only memory 32 would include
operating instructions to the microprocessor 29 as protocol for the
operation of a LAN in accordance with the present invention. By
incorporating the referred to LAN control or master protocol in the
memory 32 of the communication device 18, the communication device
18 becomes effectively a LAN controller for a number of data
terminals 33 through 39 as shown in FIG. 1. Typically, a LAN type
operation permits data terminals within the LAN to communicate on
an equal level among each other. Accordingly, all transceivers 25
being part of the same LAN would operate on the same radio
frequency or channel. Thus, typically a transmission by any of the
transceivers 25 may be received by all other transceivers within
the LAN.
[0052] The communication device 18 has a first function as a relay
device by completing a communication pathway between the host
computer 11 and the data terminals 33 through 39. While receiving a
transmitted message originating at the host computer 11 via the
high power data transmission system 122, the communication device
18 processes the incoming signal and begins transmitting the
message to the data terminals 33 through 39 via the low power data
transmission system 123. These transmissions may take place
simultaneously without interfering with each other because of the
channel isolation. Although all data terminals 33 through 39 may
receive a transmission from the communication device 18, only the
data terminal which is specifically addressed within the
transmission will respond to the transmission. Such specific
addressing may originate from the host computer 11 or from the
communication device 18 when relaying a transmission. Similarly,
transmissions originating from the data terminals 33 through 39 are
relayed to the host computer 11.
[0053] Secondly, the communication device 18 may also function as a
communication controlling device using a LAN controlling protocol
to manage the communication within the low power data transmission
system 123. Without this controlling function, communication on the
low power data transmission system 123 might involve, for example,
a carrier-sense-multiple-access (CSMA) type protocol between any
two data terminals 33 through 39 or between any data terminal and
the communication device 18. This may be sufficient during low
channel traffic conditions. However, under heavily loaded
conditions, a controlling function may be more desirable. To
function as a communication controlling device, the communication
device 18 utilizes a LAN controlling protocol to manage the channel
communication. For example, a polling type protocol originating
from the communication device 18 might be used to schedule all
communication occurring within the low power data communication
system. Such a protocol might either permit direct communication
between any two data terminals 33 through 39, or require indirect
communicate between the two through the data communication device
18.
[0054] A third function that the communication device 18 may
perform is one of data processing support to the data terminals 33
through 39. For example, the communication device 18 may retrieve
data from one or more data terminal and perform calculations based
on that data with reference to a database file located at the
communication device 18. The calculated results might then be
transmitted back to the data terminals for further analysis or
display. Other examples described below further describe these
functions in greater detail.
[0055] The data terminals are particularly identified as specific
examples of various data terminal devices which may be coupled to
function as a system as herein further described. In general, a
data terminal is a data transducer. For example, the identified
data terminal devices may be data input devices, data output
devices, both or even a combination of a plurality of such devices.
Whether they are data input or output devices, the data terminal
devices "transduce" data from one form to another. A data output
device would receive data from within the system and display the
data as an output of a different form. In particular, a card reader
33 ("CARD READER"), a scanner 34 ("SCANNER"), a keyboard 35
("KEYBOARD") and scales 36 ("SCALES") would be typical data input
devices, in that data are obtained by such devices from sources
external to the system 10, to be "transduced" or translated by the
devices into digital binary data signals which can be communicated
by electronic transmission within the system.
[0056] The scanner 34 may read various types of indicia, such as
bar codes, characters or text, or capture signatures. Though the
above input devices may primarily direct data into the system,
address codes may nevertheless be received by the input device.
Consequently, whether the primary data stream is in one direction
only or in two directions, the process of transferring data either
to or from a device is referred to herein as data
communication.
[0057] The card reader 33 could in a most common example be a
magnetic stripe reader for reading magnetically encoded
identification data of a bank charge card or credit card and for
translating such data into digital signals. The scanner 34 may be a
typical laser bar code reader or other label reader for identifying
marked codes on merchandise items (not shown), and for also
translating such identified codes into digital binary coded data
signals. Various modules of such laser scanners 34 are known and
are commercially available.
[0058] The keyboard 35 may be an alphanumeric keyboard of standard
size for a computer or typewriter, or it may be an alphanumeric
keyboard of compressed size, as used with respect to portable, hand
held data terminals. The keyboard 35 may, of course, be simply a
numeric keyboard including possibly certain function keys, such as
for arithmetic operations and for generating other instructional
codes.
[0059] The scales 36 are contemplated to be digital electronic
scales. As such the scales record a measured weight as
electronically encoded digital signals. The scales may also provide
a human readable digital output. The recorded weight is further
communicable by digital signal transmission. Scales having weigh
cells for transducing weight into an electronic data signal with a
value equivalent to the magnitude of the sensed weight are
generally known. In accordance herewith, it is contemplated to
incorporate the scales 36 into a flat weight platform, preferably
with a wedging edge that may support one side of an article to be
weighed. The scales would typically weigh only one side or edge of
the article, whereupon the position of the scales would be changed
to the opposite edge of the article to be weighed. The combined
weight measured at both edges is added to yield a rather accurate
estimate of the total weight of the article.
[0060] In distinction over the described data input devices, the
display 37 and the printer 38 are data output devices. The display
37 may be an LCD display, which may comprise an output screen of
several lines for displaying alphanumeric data, it may be an LCD
array of individually addressable pixels for both alphanumeric or
graphic displays, or it may be one of several known luminescent
data display screens including a typical cathode ray tube. For
reasons of portability, an LCD display screen is preferred because
of typically lower power requirements with respect to other display
screens in the operation of such a device.
[0061] The printer 38 may be a thermal printer, such a printer
being one type of printers with comparatively lower power
requirements than mechanical impact printers. As a particular
example, the printer 38 may be a bar code printer which translates
data messages into machine readable codes. The codes may be printed
on adhesive labels which are attached to packages or items which
may be transported or delivered in typical merchandising
operations. In another particular example, the printer 38 comprises
a bar code and alphanumeric printer in combination with a magnetic
stripe recorder, the recorder being in essence a printer of
magnetically identifiable digital signals. The described data
output devices receive data as binary data messages and translate
such messages into either machine readable format or into
alphanumeric display character messages, hence into human-readable
messages.
[0062] In reference to FIG. 1, the described data input and output
devices and the alternate data terminal device 39 ("ALTERNATE") are
uniquely characterized in that each includes one of the lower power
transceivers 25. Each of the data terminal devices 33 through 39
also includes the communication circuit 28 or similar circuitry for
modulating and demodulating data messages. Each of the data
terminal devices 33 through 39 desirably also includes a
microprocessor and stored protocol as well as random access memory,
as shown by the microprocessor 29, the read-only memory 32 and the
memory 30 in FIG. 3, except that only the single transceiver 25 is
present and programmed to be addressed. Each of the data terminal
devices 33 through 39 preferably also includes a self-contained
power source 40, as indicated by the stacked block representation
in FIG. 1.
[0063] Because of a lower power requirement of the transceiver 25
with respect to the transceiver 17, the power requirement for the
transceiver may be small, in comparison to the power requirement of
the corresponding data terminal device. Since the power source 40
is adapted to serve the needs of both the data terminal device and
the lower power transceiver 25, the power source designated 40 may
vary in size and storage capacity, depending on the type of device
to be served, and will be generally smaller than that of device
18.
[0064] In a particular embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9, the data
terminal device 39 comprises a combination of input and output
devices, and in particular a functional keyboard 35 and a
functional display 37. Because of the typically lower power
requirement of both the keyboard 35 and display 37, the major power
consuming device is the transceiver 25. A criterion of the hand
held data terminal device 39 as configured is an optimally minimal
weight. FIG. 9 consequently shows a configuration in which the
communication device 18 is belt-carried and comprises a high
capacity self-contained power source 26. The communication device
18 is configured to include a guide track 41 and contact elements
42. The data terminal device 39 features a complementary guide
track 43 and contact elements 44 complementary to the contact
elements 42. The communication device 18 together with the high
capacity battery or power source 26 has comparatively much greater
weight than the data terminal device 39, as configured as hand held
data terminal. Between uses, the operator may temporarily seat the
data terminal 39 on the guide track 41 of the communication device
18 which forms a holder for the data terminal. While the data
terminal 39 is seated as described, the power source 40, such as a
NiCad battery of smaller capacity than the power source 26, may be
recharged by the power source 26. The self-contained power source
of each such data terminal device 33 through 39 may in some user
configurations advantageously be replaced by alternate external
power supplied from available line sources. This may be
particularly desirable when the data terminal devices 33 through 39
become functional units of a service vehicle, such as a typical
route delivery vehicle or a typical warehouse vehicle, such as a
forklift truck (not shown). While it may be desired to provide such
connectible external power and the respective power wiring, such
wiring is nevertheless more simple than the provision of a vehicle
installed LAN. Power supplied to each of the data terminal devices
is preferably of the same voltage, such that the power connectors
are typical and may all be of the same type. This is different with
respect to data communication wiring which may need to differ
depending on what type of data terminal is to be installed.
[0065] Referring back to FIG. 1, with respect to radio frequency
data communication, the protocol stored in each respective one of
the memories 32 is capable of identifying the respective data
terminal device as to its characteristic function when placed "on
line." Thus, each of the data terminal devices 33 through 39 have
the capability of becoming integrated into the LAN upon becoming
operational. The distinction over a LAN is that the typical hard
wiring and terminal adapters are eliminated.
[0066] An immediate advantage is that products fundamentally
dissimilar in a mechanical sense can be added. As another data
terminal device 39 with a previously not anticipated mechanical
configuration becomes a desirable addition to the previous system,
such device may be added via the low power transceiver 25. The
transceivers 25 become "connectors" for coupling any such
additional devices into the system. The LAN, as described herein
within the scope of this invention could therefore be referred to
as a "virtual" LAN. Though an immediate distinction, the
elimination of the wiring, however, may not be the most significant
advantage of the wireless LAN. Instead, another major advantage is
seen in an increased flexibility to adapt the presence of
functional units or data terminal devices to serve a particular
need with essentially no other effort or cost than that of the
added device. Product innovations can be made in which the new
products need not be bound by physical compatibility constraints.
The referred to flexibility extends to both additions and deletions
of functional units such as the data terminal devices 33 through
39. Any one of the devices may be deleted from or moved within the
data system 10 and assigned to another user location. The described
functional exchange further includes the ability to exchange any
defective data terminal device 33 through 39 for a functional
equivalent. If it is desirable for several of the described LAN
systems to coexist in proximity, different operating channels may
be chosen.
[0067] As shown in FIG. 7 with respect to the data terminal device
39 ("ALTERNATE"), for each LAN it may be desirable to provide each
of the data terminal devices 33 through 39 with a removable
cartridge 45 which may contain the memory 32 with data identifying
the data terminal device with a particular LAN. The cartridge 45
may also contain a dedicated communication circuit or program to
assign or configure a predetermined communication channel to
establish the desired communication link between the respective
device 33 through 39 and the corresponding communication device 18.
Electrical contact elements 46 which may be disposed on the
cartridge will be urged into contact with complementary electrical
elements (not shown) located within the respective data terminal
device.
[0068] The data terminal device 39 may be any of a number of
devices including, or other than, the data terminal devices 33
through 39 already described in detail in reference to FIG. 1. As
an example of a data terminal device 39 other than those already
described, reference is made to a mobile vending system. In a
mobile vending system, such as a delivery vehicle for delivering
pizza or ice cream or any other route delivery operation, the
driver may be likely to handle significant amounts of cash. In such
an operation a truck-mounted cash drawer may be desirable. The
alternate data terminal device 39 may consequently represent a cash
drawer. The alternate data terminal may also be a transducer of
data relating to the operation of the vehicle itself, for example,
providing data records on the number of miles driven or on fuel
consumption. As another example, the alternate data terminal device
39 may be a portable data entry terminal which may be used by
door-to-door vending or polling operations. Data are entered by
such a portable data entry terminal and are immediately transmitted
to the communication device 18. The communication device 18 itself
may be belt-carried by an operator, as shown in FIG. 4, or it may
otherwise be mounted in a vehicle parking in proximity. In the
latter example, the data terminal device 39 may include the already
described circuit functions of a keyboard and a display device. The
device 39 would nevertheless be considered within the LAN as a
single data terminal device. As a data terminal featuring a
keyboard and display, the device does include both data input and
output functions and would be recognized as such by the respective
communication device 18.
[0069] A particular advantage of the data terminal device 39 over
state of the art terminals is that data storage and other functions
may be minimized by removal from the hand-held device to a
self-contained data terminal device of the LAN. Extensive portable
computing power or customer information storage devices may, for
example, be carried in another data terminal device 39 on the belt
of the operator. The data terminal device 39 may use the data
storage capacity and processing power afforded by the communication
device 18, or communicate via the communication device 18 within
the host computer 11. Thus, FIG. 4 showing the communication device
18 carried on the belt of the operator could also show a data
terminal device 39 carried by the operator in a similar manner.
[0070] FIG. 5 shows an alternate embodiment in which a data
terminal device 39 is belt-supported and carried by an operator.
The data terminal device includes a separate, hand held data entry
module 47 which is coupled to the data terminal device 39 by an
electric cord 48. The data entry module 47 depicted in FIG. 5
includes a keyboard 49, a printer 50, a display screen 51 and a
laser scanner 52. The power source 26 for the hand-held elements of
the data entry module 47 is preferably located with the transceiver
25 on the belt of the operator. Other supporting circuitry, to the
extent possible, such as memory modules, and any other elements
which are not needed in the hand held module 47 itself, are also
contained in the device 39 as carried by the operator's belt. An
advantage is a minimal weight without loss of functions with
respect to state of the art data terminals. State of the art
terminals which include such elements as a keyboard and display as
well as a printer and laser scanner traditionally have had
substantial hand-supported weight and size.
[0071] Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown an alternate embodiment
of the data system 10 as described in substance with respect to
FIG. 1. In particular, the communication device 18 shown in FIG. 1
has been modified in that the referred to LAN control protocol has
been removed to result in the communication device designated by
the numeral 55 in FIG. 2. The communication device 55, except for
not having the capability of functioning as a LAN controller,
includes all of the functional elements of the communication device
18, as described in reference to FIG. 3. Thus, in order for the LAN
to function, one of the data terminal devices, identified by the
numeral 56, becomes a LAN controller. The LAN controller 56
includes as a component of the data system 10 the described
functional elements typical of a data terminal device, namely the
transceiver 25, the communication module 28, the microprocessor 29,
the memory 30 and the read-only memory 32, functionally coupled as
in FIG. 3, except for the high power transceiver 17 and its support
functions. The use of the separate LAN controller 56 results in an
advantage which frees the communication device 55 from continuous
contact with other data terminals of a particular LAN, such as
identified generally by "D. TERM. 1" through "D. TERM 5", also
identified by numerals 57 through 61, respectively in FIG. 2. The
LAN controller 56 in accordance with the described hierarchical
operation would exercise the function of polling the addresses of
possible data terminals 57 through 61. In a first alternate
embodiment, the LAN controller may also poll the low power
transceiver 25 of the communication device 55. The LAN controller's
function of polling the LAN device is a deviation from the
preferred hierarchical communication, in that the communication
device 55 is the link or interface to the next higher level
communication. As such the communication device 55 may be preferred
to control its own operation, as described in the following
alternate embodiment.
[0072] A second alternate embodiment of operation places the
communication device 55 on a second level of the data or
communication system 10. Accordingly, the LAN controller polls only
the data terminal devices 57 through 61 in low power radio
frequency communication. The LAN controller receives data messages
in response to such polling operation, and relays the data in
accordance with received addresses of data messages and stores
those of the received data that are to be further communicated
within the data system 10. The communication device 55 in this
latter embodiment also contains a protocol for polling data
terminal devices. Accordingly, the communication device 55
selectively polls or addresses the LAN controller 56. Upon receipt
of a "handshake" signal indicating a message to be transmitted to
the communication device 55, hence to be uploaded within the
hierarchy of the data communication system 10, the LAN controller
transmits to the communication device 55. Thus, in this latter
embodiment, the LAN controller 56 functions as a communication
device as described herein, except that both the active polling
function and the passive function of being polled or addressed with
a message transpires over the same, low power transceiver 25.
[0073] In accordance with a "soft" coupling of the data terminal
devices of the data system 10 in general, a device which is not
functional within the LAN is also not logged on, so that the
absence of any one of the data terminal devices from the LAN does
not generally affect the operation of the remaining data terminal
devices within the LAN. Consequently, it is possible to remove the
communication device 55 temporarily from the LAN identified in FIG.
2 by the numeral 62, without affecting the operation of the LAN 62.
In the latter alternate embodiment the communication device 55 is
further capable of selectively addressing and polling a plurality
of LAN controllers 56. This latter operation permits several
identical combinations of data terminals to be controlled
selectively by the communication device 55 via separate LAN
controllers 56.
[0074] A temporary removal or deactivation of the communication
device 55 also temporarily interrupts communication with the host
computer 11 via the communications interface 15. Such interruption
may be a desired condition for certain system configurations in
which the number of the communication devices 55 which may be
addressed is limited. A single communication device 55 may then
selectively be switched between LANs to upload data to the host
computer 11 from more than one LAN without interruption of the
continuous operation of the LANs.
[0075] A particular mode of operation of a first or low level
communication may be explained in reference to FIG. 1. The mode is
one in which the communication device 18 controls the LAN and
relays data messages to the data terminal devices 33 through 39. In
operation, the communication device 18 communicates with the data
terminals 33 through 39 by, for example, sequentially polling each
available address that may be populated by one of the data
terminals to establish whether data is ready to be submitted by a
respective one of the terminals polled. If the respective data
terminal polled has a data message available, the data is
transmitted from the respective data terminal and received by the
communication device 18. Similarly, when data is to be transmitted
from the communication device 18 to one of the data terminals 33
through 39, a presence "handshake" signal may first be received
from a specifically addressed one of the data terminals. The data
message is then transmitted by the communication device 18. While
the transmitted data message may be received by the respective
transceivers 25 of any and all of the data terminals present, the
message is typically addressed in a manner to be uniquely
identified only by one of the data terminals. The protocol may also
permit simultaneous transmissions to more than one of the data
terminals. For example, it may be desired to send a data message
simultaneously to the printer 38 and to the display 37. The
protocol may be configured to recognize a certain data message from
the keyboard 35 to address a re-transmitted data message to be
received and applied simultaneously by the printer 38 and the
display 37 as a simultaneous data message communication. It may
also be desired to "broadcast" to all of the data terminal devices
within the LAN. An example of such a broadcast that may be
desirable under certain circumstances would be a general "reset"
command communicated simultaneously to all devices with the
LAN.
[0076] The keyboard 35 transmits through its transceiver 25 the
data message to the communication device 18. At the communication
device 18, the protocol identifies the received data message as
having originated at the keyboard 35. Thus, the data message may be
stored in the memory module 30 and may also be re-transmitted to
the display 37. In effect, the keyboard has communicated data to
the display 37. Additionally, data stored in the communication
device 18 may be further processed or transmitted. The described
operation pertaining to communication between the data
communication device 18 and the data terminals 33 through 39 is
referred to as first level communication. The described first level
communication is the low power, short range communication.
[0077] The flow diagram of FIG. 6 illustrates as an example a
polling type mode of communication with both high and low power
data message transmissions and receptions. For an understanding of
the following description of major communication steps, reference
may be made FIG. 1. The described mode of operation of the
communication device 18 does, however, also apply to the
communication device 55. In accordance with the hierarchical data
communication set forth herein, the polling referred to herein
transpires preferably in a "downward" directed mode. As an example,
in a multi-level communication system, the highest level may be a
"third" level. Thus, the third level communication device may poll
on a third level a plurality of second level communication devices.
In turn, the second level communication devices, which may be the
communications interface 15, would poll on a respectively second
level a plurality of first level communication devices, such as the
communication device 18. The communication device 18, in turn,
polls on a first or lowest level of communication the data
terminals 33 through 39. It should be understood that a protocol
according to which a plurality of data terminals are polled is but
one of a number of acceptable protocols according to which data may
be selectively communicated among such data terminals. Other
protocols are also well known and have been used in addressing
selected ones of a plurality of data terminals. Among protocol
types which are known in the art and which may be employed for LAN
communication are, for example, contention type protocols. For
example, a "carrier sense multiple access" ("CSKA") protocol is a
contention protocol which may be used in a LAN. It may be desirable
to substitute a contention type protocol for data terminal device
polling in certain implementations of the invention.
[0078] The flow diagram in FIG. 6 illustrates for example a pattern
of communication on a first or lower level, such as between the
communication device 18 and the data terminal devices 33 through
39, and communication to its next higher level. Beginning at the
top of the flow chart, one of the low level devices is polled. When
data is ready to be transmitted by one of the data terminal
devices, for example the card reader 33, "data ready" is answered
in the affirmative and the communication device 18 receives data
from the reader in form of a first level radio frequency
transmission. The received data message typically including at
least one address code and data codes is stored in the memory
module 30 (see FIG. 3).
[0079] A following step is identified as a protocol check. The
communication device 18 needs to determine what to do with the
received data message or information. The step "interpret address
and protocol" refers to obtaining routine information from an
address code portion in a check against program instructions
referred to as "protocol". For example, if the received data
message is an input from the card reader 33, the information may
need to be transmitted to the host computer 11 for verification.
The following test steps show results dictated by the programmed
protocol in light of the "address" information of the data
message.
[0080] In that the "address" code may denote not only origin but
also destination information, the "address` may be considered
indicative of routing information. Routing instructions are
implemented in reference to the programmed protocol. With respect
to the example, the "transmit" and "upload" queries are answered in
the affirmative, the data message is read from memory and
transmitted on the next higher level, as indicated by the steps
"read address & data" and "transmit H-level data".
[0081] The flow chart depicted in FIG. 6 should be understood to be
a simplification for illustrative purposes of a representative
operational sequence of the communication device 18. A typical
simplification becomes apparent with respect to another example. A
data message is received as described form the keyboard 35. The
protocol may, for example, provide for the received data to be
transmitted on the first or lowest level to the display 37. Also,
the "data" may have represented a query from the keyboard to the
host computer requesting a current price on an item number
transmitted in the data portion of the data message. A query code
in the address determines that the data need to be communicated to
the host computer 11. Thus, the "upload?" question is then answered
in both the negative and the affirmative, such that the data
message may be transmitted under "transmit L-level data" via the
communications interface 15 to the host computer.
[0082] An alternative procedure may assign first level or first
order communication priorities. Accordingly, in the last example,
the receipt by the communication device 18 from the keyboard 35 is
addressed and transmitted without delay to the display 37 to allow
the request to be visually verified before an address instruction
is executed to transmit as an "upload" via the communications
interface 15 to the host computer 11. In general, a protocol giving
first level communication priority is preferred. The data terminal
devices 33 through 39 are typically expected to interact as a local
system through the "virtual LAN". Thus, delays in transmitting data
from the keyboard 35 to the display 37 within the same level may be
undesirable. A delay of reasonable length in receiving a reply from
the host computer 11 may typically be expected. Typically the
communications interface 15, as shown in FIG. 8, would serve a
substantial number of similar communication devices 18, generating
opportunities for short transmission delays to some of the
communication devices 18.
[0083] In reference to the polling operation shown in the flow
diagram of FIG. 6, after having polled one of the data terminal
devices with the result of no data ready, the protocol may cause
the communication device to check whether the communications
interface 15 is ready to download a data message to the respective
communication device 18. If the query is negative, the polling of
the data terminal devices continues. If the check of second level
data waiting ("H-LEV. INTERRUPT?") is answered in the affirmative,
the communication device 18 receives the data message, stores its
address and data portions and continues to process the received
data message in a manner described with respect to the receipt of a
low level or first level data message.
[0084] FIG. 8 illustrates further the hierarchy of the high power,
low power communication and the resulting multiple of operations
possible within the data system 10. In the schematic representation
of the data system 10 in FIG. 8, the high power transceiver 17 of
the communications interface 15 is operated in a multiplex mode in
which the communications interface 15 is capable of addressing a
predetermined number, for example sixteen, of the communication
devices 18. The devices 18 are generally located remote from each
other. Each of the devices 18 is typically an active receiving unit
within a separate LAN. Thus, each of the LANs would contain one or
more low power transceiver 25, each low power transceiver 25
representing a terminal of a communication link to a respective
data terminal device ("ALT"), which may be any of the terminal
devices described or referred to herein.
[0085] The communications interface 15 controls data communication
between any of a plurality of LANs and the respective host computer
11. A communication link 65 between the communications interface 15
and the host computer may be a data conductor such as the data
conductor 12 referred to with respect to FIG. 1, or the link 65 may
be one of a number of links of yet a third level of multiplexing to
the host computer 11. In either case, the communications interface
15 relays data messages based on instructions from the host
computer 11 to the communication devices 18 and their respective
LANs.
[0086] FIG. 10 illustrates a further alternate embodiment of the
data system 10 described with respect to FIGS. 1, 2 and 8. In
particular, FIG. 10 illustrates schematically the substitution of a
data terminal and communication device 70 for the communication
devices 18 or 55 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 8 or FIG. 2,
respectively. The data terminal and communication device 70
combines with the features and functions of the previously
described communication device 18 a display device 37, such an LCD
display device, and a keyboard 35 which may be an alpha-numeric
keyboard and may include in addition keys which double as function
keys in accordance with current practice for data terminals.
[0087] The diagrammatic block representation of a "MICRO PROCESSOR
& MEMORY" circuit 71 would typically include the microprocessor
29, the RAM memory 30, the ROM memory 31 and interconnecting
portions of the data bus 31 as hereinbefore described. The
microprocessor 29 may be modified as already described to include
at least one additional processor circuit, while the memory 30 may
be expanded to support within the device 70 data storage and
processing functions of a computer. The "PWR" battery pack 26 is
desirably coupled to power all functions of the device 70 via data
and power bus 72.
[0088] The device 70 may be portable in the sense of being carried
about by a person while such person may actually be operating the
device 70. Such operation may be active communication with one or
more of the data terminal devices 33 through 39 via the low power
transceiver 25. Alternatively, the person may be communicating via
the high power transceivers 17 with, for example, the host computer
11, or in the absence of communication with the latter, by working
the keyboard to process data locally. The device may also be
considered portable in the sense of being mounted or installed on a
forklift vehicle to communicate with one or more data terminal
devices 33 through 39.
[0089] The device 70, consequently, enhances the operation of the
communication device 18. As the communication device 18, the device
70 supports the described LAN type operations as first, low power
level communications, or by relaying data messages by converting
low power radio frequency communications to high power radio
frequency communications or vice versa. In addition, the device 70
functions as a local data processing station. The data processing
enhancement may be of particular importance when mobile operation
from a vehicle is desired and the device 70 is temporarily out of
communication range even on the high power communication channel of
the transceiver 17.
[0090] The device 70 has the further advantage of allowing resident
data to be manually changed in accordance with changed conditions
which may be encountered on real time basis. For example in
inventory control operations, the device 70 may contain all initial
data relating to merchandise items in a warehouse. As a LAN
controller, the data terminal devices 39 relaying data to the
device 70, while the person operating the device 70 may supervise
an inventory taking operation. Simultaneously with being able to
send instructions to operators of the data terminal devices 39, the
operator of the device 70 may access the data base within the
device 70, compare received data and make decisions regarding
variations or discrepancies deduced from the received data.
Similarly, on a delivery route, the driver of a delivery vehicle
may be able to change an order and provide the recipient of such
order with an updated invoice. The updated information would be
stored in the memory of the circuit 71 for subsequent transfer to
the host computer 11 or other data storage or processing means as
may be desired. Various other applications similar to those
examples already described may be realized with the enhancements of
the data terminal and communication device 70.
[0091] A further enhancement of the data system 10 which
particularly relates to the usefulness of the low power data
terminal device 39 is found in an alternate embodiment of the
device 39. On a selective basis, the device 39 may be provided with
a further communication device 74, in addition or as part of the
transceiver 25, such as is indicated for example in FIG. 10. The
device permits a data entry and scanner device 75 which may
functionally be part of the data terminal device 39 to become
independently mobile with respect thereto. Referring to FIG. 11,
there is shown a simplified representation of a data entry and
scanner device 75. The data entry and scanner device 75 includes
some features similar to those of the data entry module 47.
However, in distinction over the data entry module 47 shown in FIG.
5, the data entry and scanner device 75 includes a data input and
communication circuit module 76 which is communicatively coupled to
the communication device 74 of a selected one of the data terminal
device 39 to support wireless communication therewith. Various
short range wireless communication means are known and commercially
available which may be utilized to communicate data over a very
short range, such as up to ten feet. Data communication may be by
low power radio frequency over a special channel to the data
terminal device 39 which is specially encoded for reception of data
from the circuit module 76. Other modes for communicating data to
the data terminal device 39 may, for example, include an ultrasonic
signal carrier wave. It is understood that the designated data
terminal would be equipped with a compatible carrier wave
transducer or receiver 74 to receive the data communication from
the data entry and scanner device 75. Other sources for short range
communication may become available.
[0092] The data entry and scanner device 75 further includes a
scanner head 77. The scanner head 77 show in FIG. 11 is deemed
representative of any of a number of known types of scanners, such
as wand types, laser types which may be used in accordance
herewith. Preferably, the device 75 may include a keyboard 78, and
a display 79. The keyboard 78 may be an alphanumeric keyboard and
may be identical to the previously referred to keyboard 35. The
display 79 desirably is an LCD display because of the low power
requirements for that type of display. The display 79 typically
might be functional to display numerals or characters in
human-readable format of codes read by the scanner head. An
operator may then verify the data prior to transmitting them to the
respective data terminal device 39.
[0093] In case of an error in the data read by the scanner head 77,
or in case of an inability of the scanner head 77 to recognize the
codes representing the data to be read, an operator of the device
75 may correct, override or enter data into the device and verify
their correctness from the display 79. Because the device 75 is a
self contained unit, the keyboard 78, display 79 and the data entry
and communication module 76 are operated by an on-board power
source, such as a battery 40, which preferably may be rechargeable.
The device is movable and usable within its functional
communication range independently of the respective device 39. The
use may be restricted to arm movement of an operator which the
operator carries the device 39 on a belt, similar to the device 39
shown in FIG. 5, or the independent range of movement with respect
to the corresponding device 39 may extend to a reasonable range of
several feet, such as when the scanner is used away from a forklift
truck and the device 39 is mounted on such truck.
[0094] Between uses the device 75 may be returned to a receptacle
or holster 81 shown in FIG. 11 in phantom lines. The holster 81 may
be mounted in a vehicle or may be carried on a person's belt 22. As
a particular feature, the holster 81 is preferably provided with a
battery pack of generally considerable power carrying capacity such
as a rechargeable battery 26, also labeled "PWR". Terminals of the
battery 26 may be coupled electrically through a base 83 to make
contact through the holster 81 with external contacts 85 of the
device 75. The contacts 85 are in turn coupled electrically to the
rechargeable battery 40 of the device 75. Thus, during periods of
non-use, the power source or battery 40 of the device 75 may be
recharged. Such a provision for recharging the battery 40 permits
the size of the battery 40, its weight and the size and total
weight of the device 75 to remain comparatively small while
extending the time of use of the device 75.
[0095] FIG. 12 shows somewhat simplified an pictorial illustration
of a receptacle or holster 81 for the data entry and scanner device
75. The base 83 of the holster 81 is shown to contain on its
underside 86 a retainer slot 87 as a representative means for
releasably receiving the battery pack 26. A quick exchange of the
battery pack 26 for a fully charged battery pack 26 further extends
the usefulness of the device 75. An upright guide wall 89
cooperates with front guides 90 and 91 to form a seat or socket of
the holster 81 for retaining the deice 75 during non-use. If the
holster 81 is to be worn on a person's belt 22, the belt may be
attached to an outer surface of the upright guide wall 89. A recess
or depression 94 which may extend the entire length of an inner
surface of the upright guide wall 89 would provide protection to
the keys of the keyboard 78 and prevent accidental data entry or
transmission when the device 75 is inserted into the holster. The
described holster is merely given as an example of a receptacle for
the described data entry and scanner device 75, to illustrate a
convenient means for retaining the device 75 and for recharging the
battery 40 during periods of non-use of the device.
[0096] According to another particular embodiment, as described
herein generally with respect to FIG. 13, a LAN communication
procedure advantageously resides in a communication circuit 29 of a
selected data terminal device 130 ("DT 1") of the low power data
terminal devices ("DT 1" through "DT 6"). As described herein
below, the LAN communication procedure preferably resides in a
communication circuit 131, referred herein as "CONTROL BOARD", of a
printer device 132 (see FIGS. 16 and 17). Other coupled data
terminal devices of the system 123, identified as "DT 2" through
"DT 6" are capable of communicating with the data terminal device
30 in the absence of the communication device 18. In the
hierarchical system of FIG. 1, the low power transceiver 25 of the
communication device 18, and, in essence the communication device
18 as such is part of the low power LAN. In the embodiment of FIG.
13 the communication device 18 is non essential and can be removed
without disruption to the operation of the low power system
123.
[0097] In FIG. 13, each of data terminal devices 141 through 145
("DT 2" through "DT 6") include the low power transceiver 25 ("TC
L"), a predetermined communication function 146 ("COM") which
includes an operating protocol for the respective device, and of
course the respective device function itself which may differ for
each of the devices and may combine in each a combination of the
devices as described with respect to FIG. 1. The communication
function is preferred to be a multifunction integrated circuit
which may include programmable constant storage memory locations.
Constants or values stored in the respective memory locations may
be determinative of the operation of the respective device. For
example, the scanner or data terminal device 141 may retain in its
memory stored an address code which prefaces in each data
communication the message of scanned data and determines which
other data terminal receives the transmitted data message. The data
message address code may be switched from one stored code to
another according to a stored program of the communication function
146. A transmitted message of scanned data may be routed as a
result of the switch to the data communication device 18 instead of
to the LAN controller device 130. The LAN controller of the device
130 is contemplated to be housed with a portable or self-contained
printer device. The communication circuit 129 in such case may
include a certain data storage capacity which will permit the
device 30 to receive and retain scanned bar codes. Whenever the
data communication device 18 becomes coupled into the low power
communication system 123 stored data from the printer device 130
are transferred via the relay link of the communication device 18
to the central data processing station 11, for example.
[0098] It is to be understood that within addressing limits of the
protocol and transmission time allocations, each low power
communication system 123 may include more of the data terminal
devices than those shown as representative devices in FIGS. 1, 2,
13 or 14. A particular time share communication program may provide
for 16, 64 or even 256 devices to become coupled to the same low
power communication system 123. In the system 123 each of the
devices may communicate either with the controlling device, such as
the printer device 30, or with any of the other devices, shown as
141 through 145, as an example.
[0099] FIG. 14 depicts schematically specific ones of the generally
described devices that are particularly adapted to track containers
and crates in shipping operations. As a general overview, the
devices depicted in FIG. 14 include data input devices such as the
scales 136 or as the scanner devices 141, 142, and data output and
control devices including the printer 132 and the data collection
terminal 130. According to FIG. 14, the printer device 132 is
equipped with the already described self contained power source
126, a battery module of increased capacity and size. The printer
device 132 includes in addition to the low power transceiver 25 a
high power transceiver 17 for communication within the high level
system 122, also referred to herein as "Wide Area Network" or
"WAN". The communication circuit 131 includes, consequently,
besides data storage for the communication protocol additional
circuit elements for transferring data messages between the low
level communication system 123 and the high level system 122
("WAN"). The data terminal device 130 is preferably a hand-held or
portable data collection terminal 130 as shown and described in
greater detail below in reference to FIG. 18.
[0100] In the schematically depicted system 123 of FIG. 14, the
printer device 132 is shown as being coupled via a low power RF
link 147 to the scanner 141, a second scanner 142, the transceiver
equipped weighing device or scales 136 and a transceiver equipped
linear measuring device 148. The referred-to devices are basic data
collection and recording devices for a highly automated freight
transport system. Weight and linear measurement data on containers
are collected and recorded in electronic binary data format. The
interactions of the data collection terminal 130 with the printer
device 132 and various of the data collection and recording devices
or combinations of the devices coupled to a common low power
transceiver 25 are particularly adapted to track containers in
express shipping operations. At each operating station, such as a
route pickup point, or a transfer point of articles in transit, the
printer device 132 and the data terminal 130 operates in
conjunction with other of the devices to create or update a
shipping record that may be transmitted via the high power link 122
to the host computer 11 (see FIG. 1), or that may be used to
accompany the articles in transit.
[0101] Particular for air freight, reasonably accurate weight and
volume determinations play a significant role. For an air freight
operation to function most efficiently, weight and volume
determinations of shipping containers need to be made quickly and
with reasonable accuracy. Thus, a freight or package pickup driver
may estimate the size and the weight of containers received at one
or more pickup points of a pickup route, however, to most
efficiently and safely transport the freight via airplane to its
destination, the actual weight and size of each container or
package to be shipped by air freight must become known accurately
within negligible tolerance levels. The devices needed for
determining the weight and size of shipping containers to be picked
up would be carried by the route operator to the pickup site at a
customer's location, for example. In a state of the art system, the
route driver may use a typical tape measure to obtain the
dimensions of the shipping containers or packages to be picked up.
The route drive may also either estimate the weight of each of the
boxes when they are large, or simply verify the data provided by
the customer. The weight of rather large shipping containers is,
however, difficult to estimate.
[0102] In reference to FIG. 15, a preferred embodiment of the
scales 136 provides a weighing base or contact plate 151. The
contact plate 151 is a sensor of a weigh cell disposed within the
scales. The contact plate 151 is positioned adjacent a reference
ledge 152. The reference ledge 152 extends above a base plane 153
in which the weighing contact 151, a transducer switch, is mounted.
The transducer switch produces an analog signal corresponding to
the weight or pressure exerted against the external contact plate
51 thereof. The analog signal is electronically calibrated to be
representative of a weight on the contact plate 151. The analog
signal is then converted to a binary digital signal and may be
temporarily store within the scales 136. The digital signal is
further modulated and is transmitted via the transceiver 25. To
weigh a box of any size, the weight can be determined with
reasonable accuracy when first one side and then the other side or
the box are weighed and the two indicated weights are added. FIG.
15 shows the weight scales or weigh cell 136 disposed under a first
edge 154 of a shipping container or box 155 which is shown in
phantom lines. Since the box 155 is lifted along the first edge off
the ground, its weight is supported by a second edge 156 against
the ground and at its first edge 154 by the weighing contact 151.
After weighing the first edge 154, the routed driver or operator
simply removes the scales 136 from the first edge and places the
scales 136 in a similar manner under the second edge 156. Even if
the center of gravity of the box and its contents is packed closer
to the one edge than the other, the two weight measurements when
added provide with reasonable accuracy the actual weight of the box
and its contents. A minor error resulting from the tilt of the box
155 amounts to no more than two percent of the measured weight for
angles of tilt of the box 155 of less than ten degrees.
[0103] FIG. 16 shows the weigh cell or scales 136 disposed under
the second, opposite edge 156 of the box 155. A communication link
158 is schematically indicated as transmitting the measured weight
data in a data transmission message to the printer device 132. In
the preferred example described herein, the printer device 132 is a
hand-portable printer, the printer mechanism being disposed within
a briefcase type housing 159 which also features a carrying handle
160. The housing 159 preferably has first and second housing
cavities 161 and 162. The printer mechanism, shown only
schematically by a printer head 163 adjacent a printed material
164, is disposed entirely within the first housing cavity 161. The
second housing cavity 162 holds removably mounted therein the
hand-held data collection terminal 130 ("HHT"). Reasons and
advantages for removably "parking" the HHT 130 in the second
housing cavity 162 will be best understood from a more detailed
description of the HHT or data collection terminal 130 in reference
to FIG. 18 below. According to the operation of the printer device
132 and the data collection terminal 130, temporarily inserting the
data collection terminal 130 into the second housing cavity 162 of
the printer housing 159 may selectively cause the low power
transceiver 25 of the data collection terminal 130 to become
deactivated. Communication of data between the printer device 132
and the data collection terminal 130 preferably occurs by hard
coupled electrical data connections rather than by the low power RF
communication between the respective transceivers 25 while the data
collection terminal 130 remains in the housing cavity 162.
Typically the data collection terminal 130 includes substantial
memory circuits and microprocessor circuits for data processing.
While the data collection terminal 130 remains coupled to the
printer device 132, the microprocessor circuits may be utilized by
the controlling printer device 132 in processing data received via
the low power RF transmission links.
[0104] By temporarily placing the data collection terminal 130 into
the second housing cavity 162 of the printer device 132 the route
driver or operator has more freedom to collect shipping data of the
articles to be shipped. The operator may need to lift the shipping
containers or boxes 155 to weigh them and measure their dimensions.
With the printer device 132 placed on the floor in the vicinity of
the shipping containers 155, or mounted in the route vehicle
outside the shipping area where the containers 155 are located, the
operator is free to move about to obtain measurements and weights
of the containers 155.
[0105] To obtain weight measurements of a number of shipping
containers 155 at a warehouse location, the operator may simply
weigh each of the containers at first and second opposite edges.
After each set of two weight measurements the scales 136 would be
cleared, the last two readings would be combined and the combined
readings would be stored. The operator may identify the sequence of
the boxes weighed by hand numbering the boxes 155 if a relatively
large number of boxes 155 are to be picked up at a particular
location.
[0106] After weighing each of the boxes 155, the operator may then
proceed through the sequence of the same boxes 155 and obtain their
linear measurements. For example, a selected algorithm may accept
three consecutive measurements as the length, the width and the
height of the box 155 being measured. FIG. 16 shows the linear
measuring device 148 positioned to measure the height of the
depicted box 155. The measuring device 148 may include an
extendable string or tape 167 the extended length of which is
measured and recorded by an electrical transducer, such as by an
internal capstan (not shown). With the string or tape extending the
length of the distance to be measured, the operator simply enters
the measured dimension by pushing a button 168 of the device 148.
The generated linear measurement may be in an analog output form,
or is preferably a digital output generated by increments of
rotation of the internal capstan, for example. An LCD screen 169
may give a visual confirmation of the dimension measured. The entry
of the measured dimension on pushing the button 168 may record the
measured dimension in a memory internally of the measuring device
148. In distinction over other linear measuring devices, the low
power transceiver 25 of the linear measuring device 148 is coupled
to read the stored measured dimension and transmits a data message
corresponding to the value of the measured length to the printer
device 132 via a communication link 170, thereby entering the
measured value into the data system 123 without further action by
the operator. The communication circuit 131 of the printer device
132 preferably contains a microprocessor circuit and associated
memory, or, alternatively, computation logic circuit and memory
circuits to process and store the received measurement data.
Processing and storing the received data includes the sequencing of
the data through programmed routines to automatically compute and
store the total weight and the volume of each of the boxes 155
weighed and measured.
[0107] The order of the above weighing and measuring sequence for
determining both weights and measurements of shipping containers
155 may of course be altered. It may be preferred, for example, to
both weigh and measure one box 155 before proceeding to measure and
weigh the next box 155. The preferred procedure may be programmed
and is then followed. Alternative weighing and measuring procedures
may be programmed and may be selected as preferred by an
operator.
[0108] The block diagram of FIG. 17 depicts a functional
interaction of the communication circuit 131 ("CONTROL BOARD") with
other functional modules of the printer device 132 and the data
collection terminal 130. The low power transceiver function is
identified in each of the devices 130 and 132 by boards 172 and 173
("MLR Board in HHT") and ("MLR Board"), respectively, wherein the
acronym "MLR" denotes the term "micro-link radio" as an equivalent
to the described low power communication link. The data collection
terminal 130 also shows schematically a plurality of external
contacts 174 which connect to comparable contacts within the second
housing cavity 162 of the printer device 132. The corresponding
printer contacts 175 are represented in FIG. 17 by the function
block 175 ("Surface Contacts for HHT"). As indicated by the
respective function block 175, the electrical connection
established by the contacts is for data communication and includes
power terminals which electrically couple the data collection
terminal 130 to the printer device 132.
[0109] The power input to the communication circuit 131 is by a
high capacity battery 126, which in a preferred embodiment may be a
lead acid battery 126 ("Internal Lead Acid Battery"), such as a 12
volt, 2.3 ampere-hour battery. As an alternate external power
source, a cigarette lighter input jack 176 ("Cig. Lighter Input
Power Jack") may be used to couple power from the cigarette lighter
outlet socket of the route vehicle (not shown) to the printer
device 132. The high capacity battery 126 or, alternatively, the
external power from the route vehicle provide power to both the
printer device and its functions and to the hand-held data
collection terminal 132 when the data collection terminal 132 is
inserted into the second housing cavity 162 of the printer housing
159.
[0110] FIG. 14 depicts the printer device 132 as including the high
power transceiver 17. FIG. 17 shows the transceiver 17 to be an
alternative as represented by function boxes 177 and 178 ("Internal
WAN Radio Board") and ("WAN Antenna Jack"), respectively. A jack
179 for an external WAN modem may be preferred when instead of the
described high power RF system 122, communication to a host
computer 11 is to proceed over standard switched telephone
communication lines. As a further modification, provisions for both
types of data transfer via Wide Area Network communications may be
disposed within the printer device 132. A printer control board 180
("Printer Control Board") is shown as controlling both the linear
array print head 163 and a printer drive mechanism 181 including
line feed or print media advance. Print media are labels for bar
code printing, shown at 164 in FIG. 16, to be attached to shipping
containers. Print media may also include customer order
acknowledgment forms and typical shippers in human readable
format.
[0111] The printer device 132 may be advantageously used by a route
driver to "advance" information to a first transfer point of the
shipping route of containers 155 having been loaded onto the route
vehicle. The first transfer point typically is a local warehouse or
"hub" at which to which the route vehicles return at the end of
their respective routes. At the hub, the containers 155 would
typically be unloaded and sorted. The applied bar code labels or
similar machine readable identification allow quick identification
of the containers 155 and correlation of the container with the
shipping data previously transmitted by the driver to the hub.
[0112] FIG. 18 shows the printer device 132 and the data collection
terminal 130 in an alternate embodiment wherein a hand-held bar
code reader or scanner 185 is electrically coupled by a data cable
186 to the hand-held data collection terminal 130. The data
collection terminal 130 is in its overall structure a typical
hand-held data terminal similar to commercially available models,
such as those presently marketed by the assignee of the present
application. Such terminals have an elongate housing 187 and
feature on a front side 188 an LCD screen 189 for displaying
typically alpha-numeric data. A keyboard 190 differs from standard
keyboards by a new positioning of numeric keys 191 directly
adjacent and below the screen 189. Typical keyboard arrangements
provide for the more frequently used numeric keys 191 to be
positioned adjacent a base end 192 of the housing and to position
function keys 193 adjacent the LCD screen 189. The hand-held data
collection terminal features on its rear side 194 of the housing
187 a well accepted recessed hand grip configuration 195 and an
elastic hand strap 196 which is attached adjacent the base end 192
of the housing 187 and near a top end 197 thereof, stretching
spacedly across the recessed hand grip configuration 195.
[0113] Typical placement of numeric keys toward the base end of the
data collection terminal 130 is apparently founded on the frequent
use of the numeric keys. As an operator of the data collection
terminal typically holds the terminal in a manner that the base end
192 points toward the operator, the most used numeric keys would be
located closest to the operator and be as such most accessible. It
has been found that operators of the hand-held data collection
terminal tend to tire more readily however, when the numeric keys
are disposed closest to the base end 192 of the housing, while a
positioning of the numeric keys 191 next to and directly below the
display screen 189 produced a comparatively less tiring use of the
hand-held data collection terminal 130. As a result, the reversal
of the numeric keys 191 and function keys 193 from their typical
arrangement is considered one of the advantageous improvements in
the described hand-held data collection terminal 130. The hand-held
data collection terminal 130 further includes at its top end an end
cap housing 198 wherein the low power transceiver 25, also referred
to as micro link radio transceiver 25, is located. The end cap
housing 198 may include a typical data connector plug (not shown)
for removably coupling the cable 186 of the scanner 185 directly to
the end cap housing 198. An internal continuation of the data cable
186 is routed through the end cap housing and coupled to an
internal data bus of the data collection terminal 130.
[0114] The scanner 185 preferably has a pistol grip type handle 199
and a scanning head 100, having a scanning window across a front
face 101 through which a bar code label 164, shown in phantom
lines, attached to a shipping container 155 may be read. The data
collection terminal 130 typically includes microprocessor circuits
including associated memory circuits for initially processing data
received by bar code scanning. The initially processed data may
then be transmitted by a low power RF link 104 to the printer
device 132. The printer device 132 may either store the received
information for batch transfer to the host computer 11 at a later
time, or may establish in accordance with the above described high
power radio provisions as implemented through the boards 177 and
178 a link to the high power communication system 122, or through
the modem board 179 a telephone link, to communicate the data to
the host computer 11 on a real time basis.
[0115] The second housing cavity 162 forms a receptacle 162 for the
data collection terminal 130. Flanged side walls 105 guide and
temporarily hold the data collection terminal 130 when it is
longitudinally inserted into a receptacle or socket 106 formed by
the side walls 105 in combination with a closed back 107. A base
end 108 of the socket 106 holds a plurality of the spaced surface
contacts 175 which engage correspondingly spaced surface contacts
174 on the base end 192 of the data collection terminal 130 when
the data collection terminal 130 is inserted into the socket 106 of
the printer housing 159. The matching contact elements 174 and 175
couple the data collection terminal 130 to the printer both
electrically and for data communication purposes. Thus, upon
insertion of the data collection terminal 130 into the socket 106 a
signal establishing the direct data link between the printer device
132 and the data collection terminal 130 may be used in the
preferred system to log off the data collection terminal 130 from
the low power communication system 123 and to reroute messages
addressed to the data collection terminal 130, such as from the
scanners 141 or 142 directly to the printer device 132. The printer
device 132 through typical microprocessor circuitry in the control
board 131 may route received scanned data messages from the
scanners 141 or 142 (or more scanners if conveniently coupled into
the low power LAN 123) to the data collection terminal 130 via data
contacts of the coupled contacts 174 and 175, in further reference
to FIGS. 14, 17 as well as 18 and 19.
[0116] Thus as shown in FIG. 16, with the data collection terminal
130 being inserted into the printer device 132 as described, data
communication exists directly between the linear measuring device
148 and the printer device 132. The control board may 131 may cause
the data collected by the linear measure 148 to be displayed on the
screen of the data collection terminal 130. In a similar manner,
the scales 136 communicate directly with the printer 132. The
protocol may provide, however, that the data collection terminal
may be used as an alternate data receiving device even when the
data collection terminal 130 is temporarily disposed within the
socket 106 of the printer device 132.
[0117] The arrangement of the printer device 132, and the data
collection terminal 130 with an attached data scanner as shown in
FIG. 18 may be preferred in a delivery route operation. The printer
device 132 is then preferably disposed in the cab of the delivery
vehicle or truck, and the driver or operator of the data collection
terminal may carry the data collection terminal 130 in a belt
holster (not shown). The operator uses the scanner 185 to verify
the package or container 155 to be delivered by reading the bar
code 164 on the container 155 and by verifying immediately the
information on the screen 189 of the data collection terminal 130.
However, only a few containers 155 may need to be selected and
verified at a single stop along the delivery route, such that
carrying the data collection terminal 130 about for a short time is
not an impediment and improves the process of verifying the
correctness of the delivery. The selection of the container or
containers 155 may further be improved when the operator enters
delivery point information into the data collection terminal and
requests the data terminal to verify the correspondence of the
selected containers 155 with those to be delivered at a certain
stop. When the bar code of a container 155 is read, the data
collection terminal 130 compares the information on the bar code
with the requested address information to verify the correctness.
An audible alarm on the data collection terminal 130 may then
indicate to the operator whether the information on the bar code
corresponds to the desired container 155. The operator may
consequently search for containers under normally insufficient
lighting conditions, as may exist in the back of the delivery
vehicle, without reference to the screen 189. The audible signal
indicates the correctness of the selection. The verified container
information is transferred by the established low power
communication link 104 to the printer and a shipping receipt to be
signed by the receiver of the freight delivery is printed by the
printer device 132 as soon as the selection process is
completed.
[0118] The embodiment of FIG. 18 may, however, not be an optimum
solution when it is desired to scan an comparatively large number
of labels associated with a correspondingly large number of
shipping containers. The cable-attached scanner 185 is
advantageously removed and replaced by a scanner, such as the
scanner 141 or 142, which communicates via the low power LAN system
123. Such may be the case when an aircraft or other vehicle with a
large number of shipped packages and containers arrives at an
intermediate shipping point, and the packages and containers need
to be identified and re-distributed and re-routed to various
destinations within a critically short time span. It may be
desirable at that time to operate with a plurality of scanners, and
providing a system by which the operator sorting out the containers
is least impeded with the weight or size of hand-held data
collection terminals.
[0119] FIG. 19 depicts a respective use of the data collection
terminal 130 in combination with the printer device 132 which may
be preferred at a site at which the containers 155 are sorted and
re-routed, hence transferred. The data collection terminal 130 is
inserted into the socket 106 of the printer device 132. A plurality
of scanner devices, representatively portrayed by the single
hand-held scanner 142, may be logged on to the low power
communication system 123, as schematically indicated by a link 109.
Each of the scanners 142 is individually identified by a designated
address code and becomes interactively linked to communicate data
messages to the printer device. Thus, the control board 131 of the
printer device 132 (which may interact directly with the data
processing circuits of the data collection terminal 130) identifies
the source of each of the scanned data messages as they are
received by the low power transceiver 25 in the printer device 132.
Since the scanner device 142 is a data input device, communicating
data messages of scanned information into the system 123, the need
for an RF receiver in the scanner may not be deemed necessary.
However, within the system 123 as described herein, the transceiver
25 of the scanner device 142 receives codes which may trigger it to
transmit information during designated time slots, thereby
permitting time slot multiplexing of the plurality of scanner
devices 141 and 142 as contemplated herein. It is further desirable
to communicate to each of the scanner operators information as to
the result of each scan based on data stored at the data collection
terminal, within the printer control board 131 or even at the host
computer 11.
[0120] As is known with respect to typical hand scanners of bar
codes, the scanner units may have indicator lamps which indicate
when a scan has successfully identified the information of the
label. An audible as well as a visual indication is given,
typically by color differentiated indicator lights, such as
indicator lights 111 and 112. In operation, each of the scanners
142 reads a bar code. The scanner head 100 reads the bar code data
through the typical window 101. The scanned information is
transmitted via the low power transceiver 25, which may be disposed
conveniently at a lower end of the handle 199. A transmitted data
message of raw data would be received by the corresponding receiver
section of the transceiver 25 at the printer device 132. The
printer device 132 causes the received data message to be
interpreted and then transmits to the respective scanner a data
message acknowledging the receipt of the scan and whether the data
found a match with a desired category containers. The match may be
indicated by an audible signal at the scanner 142 or by a light
signal of a combination of the indicator lights 111 and 112, as an
example. Of interest to the desired sequence of events is the
return of a data message to the scanner indicating to its operator
the result of the scan, the result having been arrived at a point
remote from the scanner device 142 itself.
[0121] An example of an application of the described embodiment
demonstrates certain advantages of the use of a plurality of the
scanners, such as scanners 141 and 142, and the direct coupling of
the data collection terminal 130 to the printer device 132. A
shipment of a great number of packages or containers 155 is,
accordingly, received at a shipping node for redistribution and
further shipment by ten distinct outgoing routes, as an example.
The objective at the node is to correctly direct each of the
received packages 155 to one of the ten outgoing routes.
Accordingly, ten scanners 142 may be linked to the printer device
132. The data terminal 130 or the control board of the printer
device 132 contains all shipping information for each of the
packages that should have arrived by and should be part of the
received shipment. Each one of the ten scanners 142 is assigned to
scan for and select packages for only one designated one of the ten
outgoing routes. Thus, as the packages are sequentially advanced,
such as on a conveyor (not shown) past ten distribution points
corresponding to the ten outgoing routes, each operator scans the
passing packages. When one of the scanned bar code labels of the
passing packages indicates a match with that of the outgoing route,
the operator removes the package from advancing further to the next
station. Because each of the scanners 142 is individually logged
into the low power communication system and can be uniquely
addressed by the function of the control board 131 of the printer
device 132, each of the scanners 142 is capable of functioning in
the described manner to select only those packages that are
destined to be routed via the predetermined outgoing route. The
lack of dangling data or power cords in the vicinity of package
advancing mechanisms, such as moving conveyor belts or conveyor
rolls contribute to the safety of the operators, preventing
accidental entanglement of the operator with the dangling data or
power cords and with the moving conveyor mechanism.
[0122] In the described distribution process, one of the data
collection terminals 130 may accompany each of the shipments, the
shipping data may be transferred at the conclusion of the selection
process to a respective one of the data collection terminals 130 to
accompany the newly assembled shipment to the next distribution
point or delivery route truck for individual distribution. The data
collected may also be transferred either in the referred to batch
process or by real time transmission from the printer device 132 to
the host computer 11 for billing and bookkeeping purposes.
[0123] Summarizing the described improvements and advantageous
procedures, packages or containers 155 may be collected, shipped,
redistributed and delivered in accordance herewith by measuring and
weighing the containers 155 as described with respect to FIG. 16.
Weight and size measurement data is transferred by the described
low power micro link radio of the data communication system 123 to
a printer device 132. The printer device 132 may transfer the
received measurement data to the data collection terminal 130 with
is temporarily inserted into a socket 106 of the printer device
132. The printer device 132 at that time also prints bar code
labels which the route driver or operator attaches to the
respective containers 155. The containers are then picked up by a
route vehicle and the information regarding the accepted containers
155 is transmitted by batch transfer or on a real time basis in
accordance herewith to the central host computer 11. The host
computer may redistribute the shipping information by telephone
communication links to respective redistribution points along the
intended shipping route of each of the containers. In this manner
each of the distribution nodes receives advance information as to
the size, number and weight of packages in incoming shipments and
in outgoing shipments after redistribution.
[0124] Advance notice as to the volume and total weight to be
transported along a certain route permits the allocation of
personnel or equipment to serve the need, should there be a
variance from a certain normal volume or weight. Data collection
terminals 130 may be logged on together with more than one printer
device 132 according to needs at the referred to distribution nodes
to process the incoming shipments as described above.
[0125] Because of the short effective range of the low power data
communication system 123, the low power data system is well suited
for route delivery and pickup operations, since a comparatively
large number of individual operators can simultaneously cover
various adjacent zones of a city or similar adjacent delivery areas
without receiving interference from each others operations. The low
power communication system 123 has been described particularly with
respect to an RF communication system. Such low power systems may
operate for example in a CB band frequency or in frequency bands
allocated to transmission systems for garage door openers. An
example of an operating band may be the 27 MHz band. It is, of
course, within the scope of the invention that low power or short
range signals other than RF transmissions be used. Infra red light
transmission may, for example, be a substitute for low power RF
communications.
[0126] Various other changes and modifications in the structure or
operation of the described embodiment are possible without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth
in the claims.
* * * * *