U.S. patent application number 13/933675 was filed with the patent office on 2013-11-07 for data entry systems.
The applicant listed for this patent is DataQuill Limited. Invention is credited to Francis John Callaghan, Paul Marshall Doran, Gary Douglas Robb.
Application Number | 20130295993 13/933675 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 10743486 |
Filed Date | 2013-11-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130295993 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Callaghan; Francis John ; et
al. |
November 7, 2013 |
Data Entry Systems
Abstract
A data entry system includes a hand held data entry unit having
a reading sensor for sensing commands and/or data, rewritable
storage for storing information relating to selectable items, a
controller (a microprocessor or other processing circuitry) and a
display screen for displaying a user readable representation of the
commands and/or stored information for a selected item, and a
telecommunication interface for the telephonic transmission of
information relating to a selected item or items from the storage
to a remote processing center and for the telephonic information
relating to selectable items from the remote processing center to
the storage. Preferably a telecommunications interface is provided
in the hand held unit for cellular or other wireless telephony
systems. The hand held unit can be configured to combine the data
entry functions with those of audio telephony.
Inventors: |
Callaghan; Francis John;
(St. Helier, GB) ; Doran; Paul Marshall; (St.
Helier, GB) ; Robb; Gary Douglas; (St. Brelades,
GB) |
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Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
DataQuill Limited |
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Family ID: |
10743486 |
Appl. No.: |
13/933675 |
Filed: |
July 2, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13618435 |
Sep 14, 2012 |
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13933675 |
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13036987 |
Feb 28, 2011 |
8290538 |
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13618435 |
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12348051 |
Jan 2, 2009 |
7920898 |
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13036987 |
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11515152 |
Aug 31, 2006 |
7505785 |
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12348051 |
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10869215 |
Jun 15, 2004 |
7139591 |
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11515152 |
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09548565 |
Apr 13, 2000 |
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10869215 |
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08619682 |
May 23, 1996 |
6058304 |
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PCT/GB1994/002101 |
Sep 27, 1994 |
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09548565 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
455/556.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06K 17/0022 20130101;
G06Q 30/0643 20130101; H04B 1/18 20130101; H04M 1/0202 20130101;
G06K 7/10881 20130101; G06K 7/10772 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/556.1 |
International
Class: |
H04M 1/02 20060101
H04M001/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 13, 1993 |
GB |
9321133.2 |
Claims
1. A data entry system comprising: a hand held unit comprising a
reading sensor for sensing commands and/or data and for producing
input signals in response to said sensed commands and/or data;
rewritable storage for information relating to selectable items;
and a controller connected to receive and process said input
signals from said sensor for responding to said commands to control
said hand held unit and/or to said data to select a said item and a
display screen for displaying a user readable representation of
said commands and/or stored information for said selected item, and
a telecommunications interface for telephonic transmission of
information relating to a selected item or items from said storage
to a remote processing centre and for telephone transmission of
information relating to selectable items from said remote
processing center to said storage.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 13/618,435, filed on Sep. 14, 2012, which is a
continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/036,987, filed
on Feb. 28, 2011 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,290,538), which is a
continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/348,051, filed
on Jan. 2, 2009 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,920,898), which is a
continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/515,152, filed
on Aug. 31, 2006 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,505,785), which is a
continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/869,215, filed
on Jun. 15, 2004 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,139,591), which is a
continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/548,565, filed
on Apr. 13, 2000 (now abandoned), which is a continuation of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 08/619,682, filed on May 23, 1996 (now
U.S. Pat. No. 6,058,304), filed as a .sctn.371 national stage
application of international application No. PCT/GB94/02101, filed
on Sep. 27, 1994, which claims priority to GB 9321133.2, filed on
Oct. 13, 1993. All of the foregoing disclosures are hereby
incorporated by reference in their entireties.
[0002] This invention relates to data entry systems, to
applications of such data entry systems and to equipment for use
therewith.
[0003] UK patent GB-B-2,202,664 describes an example of an
application for a data entry system for the automated ordering of
merchandisable items. Merchandisable items are represented in a
printed catalogue or other form of list and are associated with bar
codes. A merchandise ordering unit comprises a bar code reader with
a telephone transmission capability for use in selecting one or
more items from the catalogue and transmitting electronically an
order for the merchandise to a processing centre over the public
telephone network. The orders for the merchandisable items received
in this way are processed in the processing centre. As described,
the hand held data entry terminal comprises a calculator-like
processing unit with a pen-like bar code reader wand electrically
connected to the processing unit via a flexible cable. The
processing unit includes a display for displaying information and a
telephone transmission capability for transmitting captured data
via the telephone network. Although this system works well, it is
rather bulky and can be somewhat inconvenient in use as it requires
two handed operation, one hand for the processing unit and one hand
for the wand. Alternatively, if the processing unit is not carried
all the time, it needs to be located in a position where the
display on the processing unit can be seen and the keys on the
processing unit can be operated. It will be appreciated that
particularly where the processing unit is being carried in the
hand, operation of the keys on it while holding the wand requires
considerable dexterity.
[0004] European patent application EP-A-0,094,571 describes a
self-contained portable data entry terminal positioned within a
portable wand-type enclosure. The wand contains a bar code optical
reader, signal conditioning electronics, a microprocessor, a memory
and a rechargeable battery. The optical reader is operable as a
transmitter/receiver so that readout of data stored in the memory
is possible. An example of the use of the portable data terminal is
described in which captured bar code data can be output from the
memory via the optical reader to an optical receiver and from there
via an audio coupler to a telephone line for transmission to a
remote station. Another example is described where the bar code
data relates to items on a menu in a restaurant. Captured menu
selections can be output from the memory via the optical reader to
an optical receiver and from there via a computer to a printer in a
kitchen. Also described is the programming of the portable data
entry terminal using an optical transmitter to input data via the
optical reader. The wand includes a beeper for indicating the
correct reading of a bar code and the current memory loading. The
wand described in EP-A-0,094,571 is relatively simple in
construction, and although it is readily portable, it does not
provide any confirmation of what has been read.
[0005] A further portable data entry terminal manufactured by
Telxon Corporation is described in an article entitled "Telxon
Corporation, Portable Data Collection and Entry Systems" published
by McGraw-Hill in 1989 and referenced "R51-832-101 SKUIUPC Marking
and Reading Equipment". The article describes various models of
data entry terminals similar to that described in UK patent
GB-8-2,202,664. Data from the terminals can be transmitted to a
remote station via various telecommunication options including
direct connect modems and acoustic couplers. The data entry
terminals have a generally rectangular format, similar to a large
scientific calculator with a rectangular display and an array of
keys. For most models, a separate bar code reader wand is provided
which is connected to the data entry terminal via a flexible cable,
requiring a two-handed operation as described above. One model
PTC-620 has the same basic format as the other terminals, but is
described as being for simple applications and features a snap-on
reversible head for one-handed operation with either the left or
the right hand. However, this terminal is still relatively bulky
and cumbersome and in use it is easy inadvertently to operate one
or more keys in the array of keys.
[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a data
entry system which mitigates the problems of the prior art.
[0007] In accordance with an aspect of the invention, there is
provided a data entry system comprising a hand held data entry
unit, the hand held unit comprising a reading sensor for sensing
commands and/or data and for producing input signals in response to
the sensed commands and/or data, rewritable storage for information
relating to selectable items, a controller connected to receive and
process the input signals from the sensor for responding to the
commands to control the hand held unit and/or to the data to select
the item and a display screen for displaying a user readable
representation of the commands and/or stored information for the
selected item, and a telecommunications interface for telephonic
transmission of information relating to a selected item or items
from the storage to a remote processing centre and for telephonic
transmission of information relating to selectable items from the
remote processing centre to the storage.
[0008] The provision of a hand held unit having an integral sensor,
control, storage, display means with a telecommunications interface
enables the unit to be used in a particularly efficient and
self-contained manner for the capture, processing, storage, display
and transmission of data. The inclusion of the display in the hand
held unit enables the user to verify the data being captured
without taking his or her eyes off the areas in which data capture
is taking place.
[0009] Preferably, the telecommunications interface is integral to
the hand held unit. The provision of a telecommunications interface
in the hand held unit enables captured data to be used for direct
telephonic transmission of the captured data via a telephone
network to a remote processing centre. It also allows for data
and/or commands to be received from the remote data processing
centre.
[0010] Preferably, the hand held unit includes a rechargeable power
source. There can be provided a base unit separate from the hand
held unit, wherein the base unit includes a charger unit and the
base unit and the hand held unit are provided with respective
interconnectable electrical connectors for recharging the
rechargeable power source.
[0011] In some embodiments of the invention, the data entry system
can comprise a base unit separate from the hand held unit, wherein
the base unit and the hand held unit are provided with a wireless
data link which is operable for bidirectional data transfer between
the hand held unit and the base unit, and wherein the base unit
includes a telecommunications interface for telephonic transmission
of information relating to a selected item or items from the
storage to a remote processing centre and for telephonic
transmission of information relating to selectable items from the
remote processing centre to the storage. In this embodiment, the
wireless data link preferably comprises, in the base unit and the
hand held unit, optical transmitters and/or receivers which
cooperate when the hand held unit is in the rest position to
provide a two way optical data link for transferring data from the
hand held unit to the base unit and/or from the base unit to the
hand held unit. In other embodiments it could comprise respective
radio frequency, rather than optical, transmitters and receivers,
or indeed other types of transmitters and receivers.
[0012] In preferred embodiments of the invention, the
telecommunications interface is an interface for connection to a
wireless telephony network. This provides for a particularly
advantageous implementation of the invention, which can then be
used without the need to plug in the data entry system to, for
example, a conventional wired telephone network.
[0013] In a preferred embodiment of the invention the
telecommunications interface is a cellular telephone network
interface. In this embodiment of the invention, particularly where
the telecommunications interface is incorporated in the hand held
unit, the data entry system can be used with the convenience, for
example, of a portable cellular phone. Cellular telephone networks
are now common place and give a very wide area of coverage. This
facilitates the use of a data entry system in accordance with the
invention in, for example, a user's home or workplace.
[0014] Alternatively, the telecommunications interface can be a
satellite telephone network interface, or some other form of
wireless telephone interface, for example a telephone interface for
a telephone network based on highly localised transponder
stations.
[0015] Where the telecommunications interface is intended to
interface with an analogue telephone network, the
telecommunications interface includes a modem.
[0016] By arranging that the reading sensor can be used for the
input of commands for controlling the hand held unit, the number of
user input means (e.g., keys) can be kept to a minimum, reducing
the possibility of inadvertent operation. Preferably, there are
provided one or two manually operable switches for scrolling the
display in a first and/or second direction for selectively
displaying a plurality of data stored in the storage. The scrolling
of the display enables a large number of items to be accessed with
a relatively compact display. In a preferred embodiment of the
invention, the first and/or second switches are the only switches
on the hand held unit. Preferably also, operation of the first
and/or second switches in predetermined operational states of the
hand held unit causes predetermined functions other than scrolling
functions to be performed (e.g., powering-up or powering-down of
the hand held unit). By the provision of only two keys on the hand
held unit, the possibility of accidentally operating an incorrect
key can be reduced, and also the hand held unit can be kept
particularly compact.
[0017] Preferably, the hand held unit comprises a sensor for
reading coded data, the controller being arranged to access the
stored information for selectable items to determine natural
language characters or images corresponding to the coded data for
display. The invention finds particular, but not exclusive
application to the reading of bar codes and/or binary dot codes,
whereby the sensor is a bar code and/or dot code reader. It will be
appreciated that the invention also applies to other forms of
codes.
[0018] The hand held data entry unit may comprise a reading head
including a reading sensor for producing input signals, wherein the
reading sensor traces movements of the reading head and wherein the
controller is responsive to signals from the sensor representative
of the movements for identifying characters traced by the reading
head as captured data. In this manner data entry can be made in an
advantageous manner by tracing out the characters of the data to be
input or characters representing commands for controlling the
operation of the data entry system.
[0019] Preferably, the controller is user programmable to cause the
captured data to be displayed on the display either in a first
orientation suitable for reading displayed data when the hand held
unit is held in a user's right hand, or in a second orientation
suitable for reading displayed data when the hand held unit is held
in a user's left hand. In a preferred embodiment the display has a
substantially rectangular display screen with a longitudinal axis
arranged substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the hand
held unit. For example, for right handed operation, a string of
characters could, for example, be displayed along the display from
an end nearest to the sensor to the end furthest therefrom, whereas
for left handed operation, the same string of characters would be
displayed from the end of the display furthest from the sensor to
the end nearest thereto.
[0020] A data entry system comprising a hand held unit with or
without a base unit as described above, can also include means for
displaying a plurality of selectable items with associated data
sources for user selection of an item by operation of the hand held
unit and a remote processing centre for processing user selections
transmitted from the hand held unit. The controller in the hand
held unit is preferably arranged to respond to appropriate commands
input, for example via the reading sensor, to issue coded
instructions via the telecommunications interface to the data
processing centre and to receive programming data (e.g., relating
to information for selectable items) from the programming centre
for storage in the hand held unit.
[0021] The data entry system may additionally be arranged to
provide the functions of a telephone to permit audio communication.
In particular, if a cellular telephone interface is provided in a
hand held unit, this unit can advantageously combine the functions
of the data entry unit and a cellular telephone.
[0022] Accordingly, the invention also provides a data entry system
additionally comprising means for displaying a plurality of
selectable items with associated data sources for user selection of
an item by operation of the hand held unit and a remote processing
centre for processing user selections transmitted from the hand
held unit. Preferably, the hand held unit is programmable remotely
from the processing centre.
[0023] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the hand held
unit is configured as an elongate unit such that it may be held by
a user in the manner of a pen or quill with the reading sensor
being located in a reading head at or adjacent to one end of the
hand held unit. The configuration of the hand held unit such that
it may be held in the manner of a pen or quill means that the unit
can be held in a familiar and comfortable manner. Also, it
facilitates the provision of user input means (e.g. switches) on
the hand held unit to be located such that inadvertent operation
thereof can easily be avoided.
[0024] Preferably the reading sensor is located in a reading head
which is releasably attached to the hand held unit. This enables
alternative types of reading head to be connected to the hand held
unit and/or for faulty reading heads to be replaced easily.
[0025] The invention also provides a merchandising system
comprising a data entry system of this type wherein the selectable
items are merchandisable items and the remote processing centre
initiates processing of user orders of the selectable
merchandisable items.
[0026] Thus, a data entry system in accordance with the invention,
especially a data entry system comprising a hand held unit
including a telecommunications interface for use with a wireless
telephony system, such as a cellular network telephone system,
provides a particularly advantageous device for use, for example,
for "home shopping". It enables the user to make shopping
selections from a catalogue or from a series of options displayed
on a television screen from the comfort of his or her home without
the need to connect the device to a conventional telephone network.
A hand held unit including a wireless telephone network interface
such as a cellular network interface finds particular application
where the user of the system is travelling from place to place and
may need to perform data entry functions when they are far from a
conventional wired telephone network socket.
[0027] A data entry system or a merchandising system as described
above preferably includes a verification device in the form of a
verification card (e.g., a credit, payment or other validation
card) or like carrier carrying a verification bar code and/or dot
code for verification of a user identity. Operation of the data
entry system subsequent to an initial data capture operation can
then be made dependent on the identification of authorised coded
data.
[0028] The invention also provides a carrier for a plurality of
data and/or command codes (e.g., bar and/or dot codes) for
association with means for displaying a plurality of selectable
items in a data entry system or a merchandising system as defined
above, wherein the carrier carries a plurality of codes, each for a
respective one of a plurality of natural language and/or numeric
characters, and a plurality of commands for controlling the
operation of the data entry or merchandising system, each code
being associated with a visual representation of the corresponding
natural language or numeric character or command and/or of a
graphical representation thereof. This avoids the need for a
complete coded data source to be associated with each selectable
item in, for example, a catalogue, rather a composite code can be
built up by capturing a desired sequence of individual codes. By
including the command characters as well, the need for a lot of
keys on the data entry device can be avoided.
[0029] As an alternative to the use of bar codes, other data
representations could be used. Indeed, if the data entry device is
provided with a reading sensor in the form of a camera or other
scanning sensor rather than a bar code reader, and the data entry
device is provided with character or image recognition logic,
graphical or alphanumeric data representations can be captured
directly. One application of an embodiment of the pen with a camera
head as its sensor could be for fingerprint recognition.
[0030] As an example of a possible mode of operation, a command
character (e.g., a bar code) can be read using the reading head
(e.g., a bar code reading head) and this can be used to load down
remote data from a remote station. This is particularly
advantageous mode of operation where the data entry system can set
up a telephone connection to the remote station automatically, for
example where the data entry device has cellular telephone
capabilities.
[0031] The carrier is preferably in the form of a sheet of
material. The various characters and commands could be arranged in
the manner of a standard typewriter keyboard layout to facilitate
entry of individual codes to make up a desired code sequence (e.g.,
for a specific product code).
[0032] Exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described
hereinafter, by way of example only, with reference to the
accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals are used for
like features and in which:
[0033] FIGS. 1A and 1B are schematic views of a substantially
pen-shaped hand held data entry device.
[0034] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of a base unit for use with
the hand held unit of FIGS. 1A and 1B;
[0035] FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of the functional
elements of a first example of a hand held data entry device as
shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B;
[0036] FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of the functional
elements of a base unit as shown in FIG. 2 for use with the hand
held data entry device of FIGS. 1A, 1B and 3;
[0037] FIG. 5 is an overview of a merchandising system using a data
entry terminal such as is illustrated in the preceding Figures;
[0038] FIG. 6 represents a control card with bar codes for a number
of numeric and control characters;
[0039] FIG. 7 is flow diagram illustrating an example of the
operation of a data entry system as described with reference to
FIGS. 1 to 6;
[0040] FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram of the functional
elements of a second example of a hand held data entry device as
shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B;
[0041] FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of the functional
elements of a further, self-contained, hand held data entry device
which is intended for use without a base unit;
[0042] FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram of the functional
elements of a further, self-contained, hand held data entry device
for use without a base unit and intended, in particular, for use
with a wireless telephone network such as a cellular network;
[0043] FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram illustrating components
in an ASIC forming part of the apparatus of FIG. 10; and
[0044] FIG. 12 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the
inter-relationship of functional elements of FIGS. 10 and 11.
[0045] FIGS. 1A and 1B are schematic views from above and below,
respectively, of one embodiment of hand held data entry unit 10
which is substantially pen-shaped and which will hereinafter, for
reasons of conciseness only, be referred to as the "pen 10". The
pen 10 is intended to be held for essentially one handed operation
between the thumb and forefinger of either the left or right hand
in the manner of a conventional, if rather thicker than usual,
pen.
[0046] The pen 10 has an elongate body 12 with, in the present
example, external dimensions of approximately 120 mm by 40 mm,
although the dimensions may be larger or smaller as desired subject
to technical limitations. A reading head 14, for example a red or
infra-red optical reading head (e.g., a laser diode) suitable for
reading bar codes is located at one end of the pen. Other types of
reading head may be provided. The reading head is
preferably-replaceable for interchanging types of reading head. A
removable battery cover 16 covering a battery compartment is
located at the other end of the pen. As an alternative to a
compartment for removable batteries, a removable and/or fixed
rechargeable battery pack could be provided instead. Also, the
reading head in the present embodiment is arranged to read with a
reading angle of between 0.degree. to 45.degree. to the normal to
the bar code to be read.
[0047] On the upper surface of the pen shown in FIG. 1A a display
screen 20, first and second microswitches 22 and 24, a first
indicator light 26 and a second indicator light 28 are located. The
display screen 20 preferably comprises a conventional
two-dimensional array of pixels which can be selectively activated
in order to provide the display of a wide range of displayable
items. However, in a low cost version of the pen 10, the display
may be configured only to display a predetermined range of
characters and symbols, this reducing the complexity of the display
and the controlling logic and thus reducing the cost as will be
well understood by one skilled in the art.
[0048] Any suitable display technology can be used which enables
the displayed information to be read over a wide enough angular
range such that it can be read by the user when the pen is held at
an angle suitable for reading a bar code. In this way it is not
necessary to change the orientation of the pen in order to read the
display. In view of the low power consumption and advantageous
readability characteristics, a 2 line by 16 character supertwist
LCD display screen is employed in the preferred embodiment giving a
viewing area of approximately 60 mm by 16 mm with a character size
of approximately 3 mm by 5.5 mm. The display is preferably located
towards the end of the pen 10 opposite to the reading head 14 with
its longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal
axis of the pen 10.
[0049] With the pen 10 held between thumb and forefinger with the
user's hand below the pen as viewed in FIG. 1A, and with the pen
held at an angle of, say, 30'' to the normal of a bar code to be
read, (assuming that the normal to the bar code is generally in the
direction of the line of sight of the user), the display screen can
be read without difficulty.
[0050] The switches 22 and 24 are used to control basic operations
of the data entry system and for control of the sequential display
of stored information (scrolling of the display) as will be
explained later. The indicator light 26 is used to report
successful scanning of a bar code. The indicator light 28 is used
when rechargeable batteries (70, FIG. 3) are inserted in the
battery compartment to indicate that the batteries are
charging.
[0051] On the lower surface of the pen 10 shown in FIG. 1B, an
optical transmitter 32 and an optical receiver 34 are provided in a
shallow recess 33. Also, provided on the lower surface are a
locating groove 36 and first and second electrical contacts 30 and
31. The optical transmitter 32 and the optical receiver 34 are used
in combination with an optical receiver 62 and optical transmitter
64, respectively, on a base unit 40 to be described with reference
to FIG. 2, for the transfer of data between the pen 10 and the base
unit 40. The locating groove 36 is used correctly to position the
pen 10 with respect to a corresponding ridge in a cradle 56 on the
base unit 40 when the pen 10 is placed in that cradle 56. The
cradle 56 defines a rest position for the pen 10 on the base unit
40. The first and second contacts 30 and 31 are arranged to
cooperate with corresponding contacts 60 and 61 in the cradle 56 on
the base unit 40 for charging the rechargeable batteries.
[0052] Turning now to FIG. 2, this illustrates a plan view of a
base unit 40 for use with the pen 10 of FIGS. 1A and 1B.
[0053] The base unit includes a generally rectangular housing 42
with a raised portion 44 containing a power supply unit (102, FIG.
4) which receives electrical power via a mains supply cable 45 and
a mains switch 46. The mains switch 46 is located on the right hand
side of the base unit housing 42. Cooling slots 47 for the power
supply unit (102, FIG. 4) are provided in the upper surface of the
raised portion 44. Further slots 48 in the upper surface of the
base unit housing 42 are located over a speaker (110, FIG. 4) for
relaying information to the user of the data entry system. The rear
of the housing 42 is also provided with a socket 52 for a standard
telephone plug for connecting the base unit 40 to a telephone line
50 and a standard serial connector 54 (e.g., an RS232 connector)
for connecting the base unit to, for example, a personal computer
(not shown). A manual switch 53 can be provided for switching
between the telephone line and the serial connector. It will be
appreciated that a parallel connector could be provided instead of,
or in addition to, the serial connector 54. A separate telephone
socket 55 can be provided for the connection of a standard
telephone handset to the base unit.
[0054] Towards the front of the base unit housing 42, a recess is
formed which is configured as a cradle 56 for receiving the pen
10.
[0055] An optical receiver 62 and an optical transmitter 64 are
located in the bottom of the recess for cooperating with the
optical transmitter 32 and optical receiver 34, respectively, when
the pen is located in the cradle 56. The optical receiver 62 and
the optical transmitter 64 are surrounded by a wall 63 which also
forms a shroud between the optical receiver 62 and the optical
transmitter 64. The wall 63 cooperates with the recess 33 in the
pen 10 to prevent external light reaching the optical link, and the
shroud between the optical receiver 62 and the optical transmitter
64 prevents light from the two optical paths between the pen and
the base unit and between the base unit and the pen from
interfering with each other. It will be appreciated that
alternative configurations are possible, for example the wall could
be provided on the pen and the recess on the base unit, although
this could mean that the pen was less comfortable to use.
[0056] First and second base contacts 60 and 61 are also located in
the recess for cooperating with the contacts 30 and 31 on the pen
10 when it is inserted in the cradle 56, thus enabling rechargeable
batteries (70, FIG. 3) in the pen 10 to be recharged. A locating
ridge 58 is formed in the recess for cooperating with the locating
groove 36 in the bottom of the pen 10 to enable to pen to be
positioned correctly in the cradle 56 such that the optical
transmitter/receiver pairs 32/62 and 64/34 and the contact pairs
30/60 and 31/61 are aligned correctly.
[0057] The pen 10 can also be provided with a socket for directly
charging the internal rechargeable batteries using an AC mains
supply or a DC supply. In the first case the pen will include a
transformer, in the second a transformer/rectifier could be
incorporated in, for example, a mains plug.
[0058] On a further raised portion 66, one or two base unit
indicator lights are provided. The first base unit indicator light
67 is for indicating the base unit is receiving mains power and is
turned on. Optionally, the second base unit indicator light 68 can
used to indicate that rechargeable battery (70, FIG. 3) in the pen
is being charged.
[0059] FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of the functional
elements of the pen 10. A processor 74 is preferably formed by a
conventional programmable microprocessor (e.g., an Intel 80C31 12
MHz CMOS microprocessor with two internal clocks, an Intel 80486,
etc.), although a special purpose or specially configured unit
(e.g. an ASIC) could alternatively be used (compare FIG. 10). A
read only memory (ROM) 76 is connected via a bus 84 to the
processor 74 for the storage of control programs and data. The ROM
76 can be implemented by any appropriate technology, for example by
a flash PROM. A random access memory (RAM) 78 (for example a 128K
low power static RAM, or higher capacity RAM, e.g, a 256K, 512K . .
. 5 Mb, etc., RAM) is connected to the processor via the bus 84.
The RAM 78 is used as working storage and for the storage of data
captured using the reading head 14. A display interface 80, which
connects the display 20 to the bus 84, responds to display
instructions from the processor to drive the display in a
conventional manner. An optical interface 86 is connected to the
bus to convert data to be transmitted into signals for driving the
optical transmitter 32, and converts signals from the optical
receiver 34 into data to be passed to the bus 84.
[0060] In the present embodiment, other connections are made
directly to the processor rather than via the bus. Thus, in the
present embodiment, signals relating to data captured by the reader
head 14 are passed directly to the processor 74 to be
processed.
[0061] The manual switch 22 is also connected directly to the
processor. In use this switch serves as a "scroll-down" key. The
second manual switch 24, which in use serves as a "scroll-up" key,
is, however, connected to the processor via a power control module
(PCM) 72. This is because the switch 24 also serves as a "power-up"
key for turning the pen on or powering it up after it has been
powered down. The power control module 72 responds to operation of
the key 24 in a powered down state to connect the battery 70 to the
processor 74. The power control module 72 also controls the
charging of the battery 70 when the contacts 30 and 31 are
connected to the corresponding contacts 60 and 61 in the cradle 56
of the base unit 40. The indicator light 67 (e.g., an LED or NEON)
is connected to the processor 74 and indicates when the base unit
is connected to the mains. The optional indicator light 68 (e.g.,
an LED or NEON) is connected to the power control module 72 to
indicate when the battery 70 is being charged.
[0062] The processor is programmed by means of control programs and
data stored in the ROM 76 and, in use, in the RAM 78, to receive
signals from the reading head 14, to interpret those signals and to
derive data therefrom which are displayed on the display 20 and
stored in the RAM 78 for subsequent transmission via the optical
interface as will be described in more detail below.
[0063] FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of the functional
elements of the base unit 40 of FIG. 2. A power supply module 102
is connected to a mains supply via the switch 46 and the supply
cable 45. The power supply unit 102 is also connected to the
contacts 60 and 61 so that, when the pen 10 is located in the
cradle 56, the battery 70 can be recharged. The power supply unit
102 also supplies power to the other elements of the base unit via
supply lines which are represented schematically (for reasons of
drawing simplicity) by the arrows 104.
[0064] A modem 100 is connected via an optical link 106 to an
optical receiver 62 and an optical transmitter 64. The optical
interface 106 converts signals from the optical receiver 62 to data
to be passed to the modem 100 and converts data from the modem 100
to signals to be transmitted by the optical transmitter 64. A
further interface (e.g. a standard V24/RS232 interface--not shown)
for connection to a personal computer (not shown) could also be
provided. Also a socket for a connection to a standard telephone
handset (not shown) could be provided. The modem 100 can be a
conventional modem generally comprising a master control unit 112,
a data pump 114 and memory 118. The master control unit 112 is
connected to receive data from the optical interface 106 (and/or
from a V24/RS232 interface, if a personal computer is connected).
Data from the data pump 114 are coupled via a line interface 116 to
the telephone line 50. The data pump 116 is also connected via an
audio interface 120 to a speaker 110 for monitoring the
transmission of data via the telephone line 50.
[0065] FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of a data entry network
comprising a plurality of pens/base units 10/40 connected via
respective telephone connections 50 (telephone lines, wireless
telephone channels, etc) to a processing centre 108 where data
transmitted from the individual pens/base units 10/40 are
processed. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the
pens/base units 10/40 are used for the placing of orders for
merchandise and the processing centre 108 processes those orders
and dispatches them to the users.
[0066] FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of an example of a
control card for use with the pen 10. The card shows bar codes for
the numerals 0 to 9 and for a set of commands. The command bar
codes are used for controlling the operation of the pen 10. The
control card can be thought of as a keyboard extension for the pen
10.
[0067] At this point it should be explained that the operation of
reading a bar code is performed by the processor 74 in a
conventional manner. Thus, where the head 14 comprises a red or
infra-red light source and a light sensor, signals representing
changing levels of reflected illuminations are supplied to the
processor 74. Firmware stored in the ROM 76, or in other
embodiments possibly hard-wired in the processor 74, is used then
to decode the changing levels of reflected illumination to generate
a numerical value. On successful reading of a bar code the good
read light 26 is illuminated.
[0068] The processor tests the numerical values to determine
whether the sensed code relates to data or a command. A look up
table containing the numerical values for individual commands (not
shown) is configured in the ROM 76 and/or RAM 78. By accessing this
table, input commands can be identified. The controlling software
is aware of which commands can be executed for the current
processing state. On identifying a currently executable command,
the processor 74 executes that command and causes the display of a
human readable command description for user verification purposes.
The processor causes an error message to be displayed on the
display screen if a non-executable command (e.g., a command has
been input at a wrong time) has been input.
[0069] If the code does not relate to a recognised command, it is
treated as data. The data are then stored in RAM as the result of
reading a bar code and are used to address a description of the
item referenced by the bar code value from a further look-up table.
If a description of the item corresponding to the bar code value is
stored in the ROM 76 and/or the RAM 78 in a suitable data structure
so that the bar code value can be used either directly or
indirectly to address the appropriate description, then the item
description can readily be displayed instead of or as well as the
bar code value for user verification purposes. If the bar code is
not read correctly, then an error message is displayed on the
display screen.
[0070] The item description data can relate, for example, to items
from a merchandising catalogue. In the this case the rewritable
storage capacity of the pen (e.g. the RAM 78) is chosen to be
sufficient to store all the items from one or more merchandising
catalogues. If the data is stored in volatile memory, this data is
downloaded from the remote processing centre via the
telecommunications link on restoring power to the memory in the
pen. Preferably, if volatile memory is used, power is supplied to
the memory even when the pen is "switched off". An integral
rechargeable back-up battery can be provided in addition to the
battery 70 to maintain power to a volatile memory when the battery
70 is being changed. If non-volatile memory is provided, then this
data can be retained during a period when no power is supplied to
the memory. However, through the use of rewritable memory and
control logic enabling the memory to be updated using data
downloaded from the remote processing centre, it is possible to
keep the pen's memory up to date on a full list of merchandisable
items, including product description, availability, price, etc.
Then on reading a bar code relating to an item stored in memory the
display on the pen can indicate a description of the item
corresponding to the code read, its availability and price. If the
code read is not recognised, for example, the pen can be programmed
automatically to call up the remote processing centre to check on
whether an update of the pen's storage is needed when the pen is
replaced in the base unit.
[0071] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of a
possible series of operations using an example of data entry system
such as that described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. It will be
appreciated that other sequences and modes of operation may be
provided in other embodiments of the invention.
[0072] In a first step, S1, the pen 10 is removed from the base
unit 40.
[0073] In step S2, "Up" key switch 24 is operated. The power
control module senses operation of this key switch and powers up
the processor 74, which performs a series of diagnostic checks,
calibrates itself and then displays an initial message (e.g.,
"Ready") on the display 20.
[0074] In step S3 the "Down" and "Up" scroll keys switches 22 and
24 are operated to scroll though a number of initial options
pre-stored within the ROM 76 or the RAM 78 and presented on
successive screens of data items on the display 20.
[0075] In this example of operation, in step S4, when an option
"Left-handed operation" is encountered on the screen, the pen is
scanned over the "Enter" command bar code on the command sheet of
FIG. 6. Whereas for right-handed operation, where text is displayed
in English, the text is displayed in sequence from the end of the
display nearest to the reading head 14 towards the opposite end,
for left-handed operation the text display is inverted with the
text then reading from the end of the display furthest from the
reading head to the end nearest thereto. It can be seen, therefore,
that the text is displayed in an orientation appropriate for the
user. If left-handed operation has already selected and it is
desired to use the pen in a right-handed mode, then "Right-handed
operation" can be selected by scrolling the display using the
"Down" and "Up" key switches 22 and 24 and then scanning the
"Enter" command bar code when the appropriate option is
displayed.
[0076] Other options which could be provided in this manner could,
for example, be the selected of one of a number of operating
languages.
[0077] In step S5, the scroll key switches 22 and 24 are again
operated until the option "Ready" is encountered once more. Then a
series of merchandise selections can be entered by the user by
scanning the bar codes for the desired merchandise selections and
the command bar codes "Enter", "Clear", "Quantity", etc., as
appropriate. As each bar code is scanned successfully, the good
read indicator 26 lights and the data read by the bar code reader
is displayed on the screen. Either the alphanumeric value of the
bar code read is displayed or, if a description of the item
corresponding to the bar code value is stored in the RAM or the
ROM, then this can be displayed instead of or as well as the bar
code value.
[0078] Step S5 can be repeated as often as desired until all the
desired items have been entered, or until the RAM 78 has become
full or nearly full, in which case a "Memory full" error message is
displayed on the display screen 20.
[0079] If desired, the items entered and stored in the RAM 78 could
be checked by selecting a "Check Entries" option with the scroll
key switches 22 and 24. In this case the items entered can then be
checked in sequence using the scroll key switches 22 and 24, and if
necessary corrected by scanning the correct command bar code while
the appropriate item is displayed.
[0080] In the example shown in FIG. 6, however, after entering the
desired items, a phone number is then entered in step S6 by
scanning the command bar code "Phone" followed by the number of the
processing centre 108 to be called. As an alternative to entering
separately the telephone number, this could be pre-stored in
memory, or could alternatively be included in the "Phone" bar
code.
[0081] After this, in step S7 the pen is placed in the cradle on
the base unit and the "Down" key switch 22 is pressed to download
the data from the pen. This causes the data for the telephone
number to be downloaded to the modem 100 via the optical link 106.
The downloading of the telephone number causes the base unit
automatically to call the desired number and, once the normal modem
handshaking is completed, to transfer the data stored in the RAM 78
in the pen 10. Preferably, in addition to the actual data stored,
the processor 74 in the pen 10 automatically adds error correcting
codes to enable the processing centre 108 to verify that successful
transmission has occurred. The processing centre 108 then sends a
message to confirm (or otherwise) whether successful transmission
occurred after checking the error correcting codes. This message is
then displayed on the display 20 of the pen 10.
[0082] It will be appreciated that the steps S1 to S7 illustrated
above merely form one possible method of operation. In an
alternative embodiment of the invention, the scrolling function is
only used for stepping though items which have already been entered
into the pen, whether in the form of selectable items downloaded
from the remote processing centre and/or items selected by means of
the reading head. All other command functions are input by reading
appropriate command codes from a command sheet. For this embodiment
therefore, a command sheet should include commands for left and
right handed operation, or a command for changing handedness. Then,
to change between left and right-handed operation, it is merely
necessary to scan an appropriate command bar code.
[0083] In a final step (not shown in FIG. 7). the pen is turned off
by pressing the "Down" and "Up" scroll key switches simultaneously.
It should be noted that the processor, which is provided with a
date and time clock, is arranged to power-down the pen to conserve
battery power if no bar codes are scanned and no key switches
operated during a predetermined interval (e.g. 30 seconds).
However, as mentioned above, power will be maintained to the RAM 76
if this is a non-volatile memory.
[0084] The software stored in the pen also permits the loading of
data from the processing centre or another remote computer. The
programming is performed using a series of commands preceded by dot
codes. The programming commands are thus known as "dot" commands
and cover operations such as RAM PEEK, RAM POKE, ROM PEEK, DISPLAY,
SENSE, GET INFO, GET FIRST ITEM, GET NEXT ITEM, GET PREVIOUS ITEM,
AMEND ITEM, DELETE ITEM, CLEAR ORDER, CLEAR CATALOGUE, ADD
CATALOGUE ITEM, and AMEND CATALOGUE ITEM. In this way, a
significant amount of catalogue data and/or program software can be
held in the processing centre and be sent to the pens only when
required. Where programs are to be downloaded, rewritable program
storage will be needed in the pen, for example by implementing the
ROM 76 in flash PROM technology.
[0085] The processing centre can also send commands to a hand held
unit to instruct the user to scan in a personal identification
number (PIN) possibly with the scanning of a further verification
number from, for example a verification device in the form of a
verification card (e.g., a credit, payment or other validation
card) or like carrier carrying a verification bar code and/or dot
code for verification of a user identity. Alternatively, the
verification device can be scanned prior to any connection to a
remote processing centre. In this case a connection can then be
made to the remote processing centre for verification of the user
identity. Operation of the data entry system subsequent to an
initial data capture operation can then be made dependent on the
identification of authorised coded data and a PIN number.
[0086] FIG. 8 illustrates another example of a pen 10 in accordance
with the invention. This example is substantially the same as the
pen 10 described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3, apart from the
addition of a touch sensitive screen 90 for the display 20. A touch
screen interface 88 couples the touch sensitive screen to the bus
84 so that data sensed by the touch sensitive screen can be
communicated to the processor 74. Although FIG. 8 shows a touch
sensitive screen 90 (e.g., an overlay) separate from a conventional
display screen, any applicable touch sensitive screen technology
can be used, either though the use of an addition to an existing
conventional display screen, or the use of a display screen with
integral touch sensitivity. One or more touch sensitive areas can
be defined on the touch sensitive screen area, in combination with
the data displayed on the display screen, for the entry of commands
and/or the selection of displayed items. In particular, the
processor 74 can be arranged to display a menu of user selectable
items and to be responsive to a location at which the screen is
touched for input of a user selection of a menu item. The touch
sensitive screen can then thus be used as a dynamic and
reconfigurable user interface. Touch screen entry can be used in
place of or in addition to the entry of commands by scanning the
bar codes on the command bar code card.
[0087] FIG. 9 illustrates another example of a pen 10 in accordance
with the invention. This example includes much in common with the
pen 10 of FIG. 3, except that here a modem 92, a socket 94 for a
standard telephone plug and a speaker 95 for monitoring
transmissions during operation of the modem are provided in place
of the optical interface 86 and optical transmitter and receivers
32 and 34. In this example, therefore, data can be transmitted and
received via a telephone line without the use of the base station,
providing added portability. Preferably, a simplified base station
is provided in the form of a charging unit for rechargeable
batteries in the pen 10. It will be appreciated that the pen 10
could also be provided with the touch screen facility of the pen 10
of FIG. 8.
[0088] Although in the above embodiments, the pens 10 are intended
for manual scanning of bar codes, it will be appreciated that they
could also be used for reading other optically readable codes, such
as binary dot codes, by the provision of appropriate control
software for programming the processor 74. Alternatively, in place
of the sensor head 14 which is intended to be manually scanned, a
self-scanning head could be provided.
[0089] The invention is also applicable to the reading of other
coded data sources such as, for example, magnetic strips, graphical
representations and/or alphanumeric characters, by the provision of
an appropriate reading head and control logic.
[0090] Alternative removable heads could be attached to the tip of
the pen by a screw, bayonet, friction or other appropriate
attachment arrangement.
[0091] For example, the data entry pen could be provided with a
reading head which is responsive to movement of the pen for tracing
out desired codes and or commands. In particular, by the provision
of a rolling ball in a holder in the reading head, of rotation
sensing means in the manner of a personal computer mouse for
tracing movements of the ball and suitable interpretation logic in
software or special purpose hardware, for defining a series of
vectors as the pen is moved over a surface and for performing
pattern recognition on the resulting vector patterns to identify
control and/or alphanumeric characters traced out by the pen head,
it is possible directly to input information into the pen by
"writing" down those characters. By limiting the range of
characters to be recognised (e.g., corresponding to the numerals
and commands shown in FIG. 6) it is possible to use conventional
pattern recognition techniques with relatively limited processing
power and storage requirements. It will be appreciated that
increased processing power and storage can be provided in the pen
described above for the embodiments of FIGS. 1, 3, 8 and 9 by the
use of a more powerful processor and increased memory capacity.
[0092] FIG. 10 illustrates a further embodiment of the invention.
This further embodiment of the invention is similar to the
embodiment of FIG. 9, but this embodiment is intended for use with
a wireless data transmission means, for example radio signals. In
particular, the embodiment of FIG. 10 is intended for use with a
cellular telephone network, although it could be adapted for use
with some other form of wireless telephone system, for example a
satellite based telephone network.
[0093] The embodiment of FIG. 10 is intended to be used
independently of a base unit and to contain all the necessary
functionality for independent operation. In one alternative the
hand held unit is provided with a rechargeable battery pack 70,
which can be removed from the hand held unit for recharging. In
another alternative the hand held unit is provided with a fixed
rechargeable battery pack 70. In the latter alternative, and
optionally in the former alternative, a mains voltage charging
socket and transformer/rectifier can be provided in the hand held
unit or the battery pack for receiving a mains lead for charging
purposes rather than the low voltage connectors 30/31. The low
voltage DC charging connectors 30/31 can be configured in a socket
for receiving an adapter lead, with a transformer/rectifier being
provided, possibly incorporated in a plug, for connection to a
mains socket. It will be appreciated that an adapter for connection
to, for example, a 12 volt DC supply from a car may also be
provided. As a further alternative, contactless recharging (for
example by magnetic induction) could be employed.
[0094] The embodiment of FIG. 10 is implemented using a ASIC,
although a conventional microprocessor and external hardware could
be used. Likewise, it will be appreciated that the embodiments
described with reference to the previous Figures could also be
implemented using a ASIC or other equivalent technology instead of
a microprocessor.
[0095] In the embodiment of FIG. 10, the ASIC (Application Specific
Integrated Circuit) performs the majority of the necessary
processing functions of the device including:
[0096] accepting data from the head 14;
[0097] accepting data from the switches 22 and 24;
[0098] driving the indicator 26;
[0099] processing the data received from the head in the manner
described with respect to the previous embodiments in order to
extract the necessary information;
[0100] controlling the flow of data in and out of the RAM 78;
[0101] controlling the flow of data in and out of the ROM 76;
[0102] interfacing with the power control module 72;
[0103] implementing the modem function for use with an analogue
telephony system and also providing the necessary processing and
control for integration with a digital telephony system and/or a
cellular telephone network;
[0104] controlling the loudspeaker 95 permitting the progress of
calls to be monitored;
[0105] accepting input from a microphone 152 to enable the pen in
combination with the loudspeaker 95 to operate as a hand set for
the purposes of audio telephony;
[0106] controlling the flow of data to an optional printer socket
(not shown) allowing a user to print out information relative to
the code being scanned in a predefined format;
[0107] controlling the output of data via an optical link 153 to a
peripheral device (e.g., a printer) using for example, infra red
light;
[0108] controlling an interface to the display 20, the display
interface functions being performed in the ASIC.
[0109] The optical link 153 could be implemented using the optical
link technology described above for interfacing a hand held unit
with a base station. Indeed, the printer or other peripheral device
could be implement as, or connected to a base station for the hand
held unit.
[0110] FIG. 11 illustrates in more detail the configuration of the
ASIC 150.
[0111] The ASIC comprises the system controller 165 that controls
the operation of the pen and of its associated components. In this
embodiment system controller 165 consists of a microcontroller core
incorporated into the ASIC. In other embodiments it could consist
of some other control means using, for example, one or more finite
state machines.
[0112] If the system controller 165 is a microcontroller core, then
the data that controls its operation is stored in an internal ROM
163 together with the external ROM 76. Alternatively, there could
be no internal ROM 163 and the system controller 165 will then
obtain all the data from the external ROM 76. Alternatively, again,
the internal ROM 163 could be used exclusively without an external
ROM 78. However, this would reduce the flexibility of the device.
The use of the internal ROM 163 is advantageous where a pre-defined
amount of the operations to be performed are fixed for all pen
types, whilst the remainder of the operation is dependent on a
particular model, to take account for example of language
variations, number of switches used to enter data, etc. The RAM 161
in the ASIC can be used by the system controller 165 as a scratch
pad RAM to speed up operations and in order to reserve the maximum
amount of RAM 78 for the storage of the main data. This "main data"
includes data identifying information relating to selectable items
of, for example, a merchandising catalogue, which can be down
loaded by telephonic transmissions from a remote station.
[0113] The microcontroller receives requests via the bus 84 which
is connected to the external bus 84 illustrated in FIG. 10.
However, in an alternative embodiment where the system controller
165 consist of a number of finite state machines, then control
would be by means of the fixed interconnection of the logic in the
fixed state machines.
[0114] RAM 161 could be used as a short term data store leaving the
RAM 78 to store the main data, the data in RAM 78 being retained by
the battery 70. An additional battery (not shown) could be provided
for data retention to prevent the loss of data from the RAM 78 or
the RAM 161 in the event of failure of the battery 70.
[0115] The switch interface 155 responds to the operation of the
switch 22 and ensures that the system controller 165 receives
signals which are devoid of bounce (resulting for example from
multiple operations of the switch due to the spring operation
within the switch).
[0116] The head interface 156 carries out the necessary signal
conditioning as required on receiving signals from the head 14. The
signal conditioning will depend on the exact configuration of the
head and preferably comprises simple buffering of the data read.
Alternatively, it could be implemented to provide at least some of
the bar code conversion operations as will be apparent to one
skilled in the art.
[0117] Selector 159 is controlled by the system controller 165 and
functions in such a manner to allow the microphone 152 and the
speaker 95 to provide standard audio telephony transmission or to
allow the system controller to transfer the data over the telephony
network using, in the present embodiment, conventional cellular
telephone technology.
[0118] Thus the selector 159 enables the data entry device to be
used as a conventional cellular telephone for the transmission of
audio signals. In conventional telephony mode, the selector 159
takes signals from the microphone 152 that have been processed by
the signal processor 158 and directs the output to the line
interface 116. The processing performed by the processor 158 can
comprise, as will be apparent to one skilled in the art,
conventional operations of buffering the microphone to filter out
any frequencies not required and to amplify the signal to a
suitable level. Received audio data is directed to the audio
interface 157 which performs necessary signal conditioning before
passing the signal to the speaker 95.
[0119] In the data transfer mode, the selector takes the output
from the data formatter 160, which has prepared the data to be
transmitted over the cellular telephone network, and directs this
to the line interface 152. The speaker 95 is then used to output
any tones or audio messages indicating errors, correct operation,
etc., again via the audio interface 157.
[0120] Switching between modes can be accomplished using the keys
and/or the scanning sensor of the hand held unit in the manner
described above for the entry of data and/or commands.
[0121] The output formatter 164 prepares the data to be transmitted
to a remote printer via an optical link 153 (not shown). This
transmission could be in any one of a number of forms, for example,
infra red light using technology as described above for interfacing
the pen with a base unit. Alternatively, other remote link
technology, for example a radio link, could be provided.
[0122] FIG. 12 illustrates aspects from FIGS. 10 and 11 to
illustrate in more detail the incorporation of an example of a
cellular telephone system within the data entry unit. The
telecommunications interface 116 comprises a line
interface/duplexer which is connected to an aerial 178. The line
interface/duplexer 116 is connected to a transmitter 170 and to a
receiver/synthesizer 172 implemented in the selector 159. Also
implemented in the selector 159 is selector logic 174 for
connecting the transmitter 170 and the receiver/synthesizer 172 to
the signal processor 158, the audio interface 157, the data
formatter 160 and the control logic 165 within the ASIC 150.
[0123] Although specific embodiments of the invention have been
described hereinabove, it will be appreciated that many
modifications and/or additions are possible within the scope of the
present invention.
[0124] Thus, for example, although in the presently preferred
embodiments described above the hand held unit is configured with
the shape of a pen, it will be appreciated that the hand held unit
could be configured in other shapes as desired in other
applications, for example in the shape of a pistol.
[0125] Although in the examples of the pen and base unit described
with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 and 8 an optical link between the
pen and the base unit is provided, in an alternative embodiment
other wireless data transmission means, for example radio signals,
could be used, in the manner of a portable telephone of the type
with a portable handset and a base unit.
[0126] The data from the memory of the pen (e.g., the complete list
of items which could be ordered from a catalogue) could
conveniently be output in alphanumeric form via a modem to a
facsimile (fax) machine for printing the content of the memory.
[0127] In the preferred embodiments described above, catalogue data
is down-loaded into the pen from a remote processing system by
telephone, over the telecommunications interface. However, as an
alternative to down-loading, for example a complete catalogue, via
the telephone line, other data entry means could be provided for
the bulk of the data, the telephone line then only being used for
updating the stored data. For example the pen and/or the base unit
as appropriate could be provided with a socket or connector or
reader for a memory device (such as a plug-in ROM, a smart card,
etc.).
[0128] Although no speaker is illustrated in the examples of the
pen described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 8, a speaker or other
sound generator could be provided as in the FIGS. 9 and 10
embodiments for giving audio feedback to report on the correct
reading, or otherwise, of a code. Thus, for example, when a code is
correctly read, one beep can be sounded, and when a code is
incorrectly read, two beeps could be sounded. Alternatively,
appropriate synthetic or recorded voice messages could be
output.
[0129] Although in the examples described above the plane of the
display in generally parallel to the axis of the pen, the plane of
the display 20 could be arranged to slope progressively towards the
axis of the pen away from the head end of the pen to reduce the
angle between the normal to the plane of the display and the line
of sight of the user.
[0130] Also, although in the present examples two mechanical key
switches are provided, in other embodiments one key switch only
could be provided. Operating that key switch a predetermined number
of times within a short period could be used to emulate the
provision of two key switches for scrolling and other functions.
More key switches could also be provided in other embodiments. For
example, a numerical keypad could be provided. However, in
preferred embodiments of the invention, the number of keys should
be kept as low as possible for any particular application. As in
the embodiments described above, two key switches are preferred.
The control sheet or data carrier effectively forms a keyboard
extension for the pen.
[0131] Although in the example of a card or other carrier shown in
FIG. 6 a set of bar codes for only numeric and command codes are
indicated, if desired a set of bar codes for the complete alphabet
could be provided. Alternative arrangements of the codes would also
be possible, for example a complete set of codes and corresponding
characters could be arranged in the format of a standard typewriter
keyboard layout. The codes could also be incorporated in the
letters and numerals, for example extending as a strip across the
letters and numerals. For example, a bar code could replace the
cross bar in a capital "A", and similar modifications for the other
letters of the alphabet.
[0132] Also, as mentioned above, in appropriate embodiments of the
invention, codes other than bar codes or dot codes could be used.
For example a symbol blob code could be used, this requiring about
1 Kbyte of storage for decoding purposes. Indeed, in other
embodiments of the invention full character recognition (OCR) could
be employed where the reading sensor is in the form of a camera or
other scanning sensor incorporated in the reading head. With a
camera and appropriate recognition logic, the pen could be used,
for example, for fingerprint recognition, either as an aim in
itself, or for user validation purposes.
[0133] In a merchandising system, where bar codes or other codes
are associated with merchandisable items, this could be achieved
simply by means of a printed catalogue, or some other form of list,
or as a result of codes applied to examples of the products in
question, or as a result of codes displayed, for example, on a TV
screen with images relating to those products. The only requirement
is that the display of the codes are readable by the data entry
system of the present invention.
[0134] Features from the respective embodiments of the invention
described above could also be combined as desired to provide a
configuration appropriate for a particular application.
[0135] Thus, for example, the audio telephony functions described
with reference to the embodiment of FIGS. 10 to 12 could be
incorporated in the hand held or base unit, as appropriate, of the
other embodiments of the invention.
[0136] Although in the specific embodiments described above the
telecommunications interface for the telephonic transmission of
information is only provided in a hand held unit where no base unit
with a telecommunications interface is provided, it will be
appreciated that a hand held unit with a telecommunications
interface could be combined with a base unit also having a
telecommunications interface, either of the same or a different
type.
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