Systems and methods for interfacing object identifier readers to multiple types of applications

• US 20040163051A1
• Filed: 02/06/2004
• Published: 08/19/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Code Corporation (Brady Corporation)
• Original Assignee: The Code Corporation (Brady Corporation)
• Inventors: Hepworth, Paul, Powell, George
• Granted Patent: US 7,070,091 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/530
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9554 by using bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/5055 considering software capabilities, i.e. software resources associated or available to the machine
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/63 Routing a service request depending on the request content or context

Abstract

A computing device for processing object identifier data corresponding to an object identifier is disclosed. The computing device includes a processor and memory in electronic communication with the processor. Instructions are stored in the memory. The instructions are executable to implement a method that involves obtaining the object identifier data. The method also involves obtaining supplemental information about the object identifier. The supplemental information identifies a symbology of the object identifier. The method also involves matching the object identifier data with a first pattern associated with a first rule that comprises first instructions and also with a second rule that comprises second instructions. The method also involves using the symbology of the object identifier to determine which of the first rule and the second rule are applied to the object identifier data.

Claims

1. A computing device for processing object identifier data corresponding to an object identifier, comprising:

a processor;

memory in electronic communication with the processor; and

instructions stored in the memory, the instructions being executable to implement a method comprising;

obtaining the object identifier data;

obtaining supplemental information about the object identifier, wherein the supplemental information identifies a symbology of the object identifier;

matching the object identifier data with a first pattern associated with a first rule that comprises first instructions;

matching the object identifier data with a second pattern associated with a second rule that comprises second instructions; and

using the symbology of the object identifier to determine which of the first rule and the second rule are applied to the object identifier data.

2. The computing device of claim 1, further comprising an object identifier reader, the object identifier reader being a set of hardware and software components integrated into the computing device, and wherein obtaining the object identifier data comprises reading the object identifier.

3. The computing device of claim 1, wherein obtaining the object identifier data comprises receiving the object identifier data from an object identifier reader, and wherein the object identifier reader is a separate device connected to the computing device via a communication interface.

4. The computing device of claim 3, wherein obtaining the supplemental information comprises receiving the supplemental information from the object identifier reader.

5. The computing device of claim 3, wherein obtaining the supplemental information comprises:

determining the communication interface through which the object identifier data is received; and

determining the supplemental information associated with the communication interface.

6. A computing device for processing object identifier data corresponding to an object identifier, comprising:

a processor;

memory in electronic communication with the processor; and

instructions stored in the memory, the instructions being executable to implement a method comprising;

obtaining the object identifier data;

identifying information in the object identifier data;

identifying a first application to receive the information;

identifying a second application to receive the information;

sending the information to the first application in a first format; and

sending the information to the second application in a second format.

7. The computing device of claim 6, wherein obtaining the object identifier data comprises receiving the object identifier data from an object identifier reader, and wherein the object identifier reader is a separate device connected to the computing device via a communication interface.

8. The computing device of claim 6, further comprising an object identifier reader, the object identifier reader being a set of hardware and software components integrated into the computing device, and wherein obtaining the object identifier data comprises reading the object identifier.

9. The computing device of claim 6, wherein the second format is the same as the first format.

10. A computing device for processing object identifier data corresponding to an object identifier, comprising:

a processor;

memory in electronic communication with the processor; and

instructions stored in the memory, the instructions being executable to implement a method comprising;

obtaining the object identifier data;

identifying information in the object identifier data;

identifying an application to receive the information;

sending the information to the application in a first format; and

sending the information to the application in a second format that is different from the first format.

11. The computing device of claim 10, wherein obtaining the object identifier data comprises receiving the object identifier data from an object identifier reader, and wherein the object identifier reader is a separate device connected to the computing device via a communication interface.

12. The computing device of claim 10, further comprising an object identifier reader, the object identifier reader being a set of hardware and software components integrated into the computing device, and wherein obtaining the object identifier data comprises reading the object identifier.

13. A computing device for processing object identifier data corresponding to an object identifier, comprising:

a processor;

memory in electronic communication with the processor; and

instructions stored in the memory, the instructions being executable to implement a method comprising;

obtaining the object identifier data;

identifying object identifier information in the object identifier data;

forming a first element that comprises first element information and a first characteristic, wherein the first element information comprises a first portion of the object identifier information; and

forming a second element that comprises second element information and a second characteristic, wherein the second element information comprises the first portion of the object identifier information.

14. The computing device of claim 13, wherein obtaining the object identifier data comprises receiving the object identifier data from an object identifier reader, and wherein the object identifier reader is a separate device connected to the computing device via a communication interface.

15. The computing device of claim 13, further comprising an object identifier reader, the object identifier reader being a set of hardware and software components integrated into the computing device, and wherein obtaining the object identifier data comprises reading the object identifier.

16. The computing device of claim 13, wherein the first element information further comprises a second portion of the object identifier information.

17. A computing device for processing object identifier data corresponding to an object identifier, comprising:

a processor;

memory in electronic communication with the processor; and

instructions stored in the memory, the instructions being executable to implement a method comprising;

obtaining the object identifier data;

determining whether a command has been received to activate a first rule of a plurality of rules; and

if the command has been received, activating the first rule and applying the first rule to the object identifier data.

18. The computing device of claim 17, wherein obtaining the object identifier data comprises receiving the object identifier data from an object identifier reader, and wherein the object identifier reader is a separate device connected to the computing device via a communication interface.

19. The computing device of claim 17, further comprising an object identifier reader, the object identifier reader being a set of hardware and software components integrated into the computing device, and wherein obtaining the object identifier data comprises reading the object identifier.

20. The computing device of claim 17, wherein the plurality of rules comprise a parent rule and a child rule, and wherein the child rule is only executed if the parent rule matches the object identifier data.

21. A computer-readable medium for storing program data, wherein the program data comprises executable instructions for implementing a method on a computing device, the method comprising:

obtaining object identifier data corresponding to an object identifier;

obtaining supplemental information about the object identifier, wherein the supplemental information identifies a symbology of the object identifier;

matching the object identifier data with a first pattern associated with a first rule that comprises first instructions;

matching the object identifier data with a second pattern associated with a second rule that comprises second instructions; and

using the symbology of the object identifier to determine which of the first rule and the second rule are applied to the object identifier data.

22. The computer-readable medium of claim 21, wherein the computing device comprises an object identifier reader, the object identifier reader being a set of hardware and software components integrated into the computing device, and wherein obtaining the object identifier data comprises reading the object identifier.

23. The computer-readable medium of claim 21, wherein obtaining the object identifier data comprises receiving the object identifier data from an object identifier reader, and wherein the object identifier reader is a separate device connected to the computing device via a communication interface.

24. The computer-readable medium of claim 23, wherein obtaining the supplemental information comprises receiving the supplemental information from the object identifier reader.

25. The computer-readable medium of claim 23, wherein obtaining the supplemental information comprises:

determining the communication interface through which the object identifier data is received; and

determining the supplemental information associated with the communication interface.

26. A computer-readable medium for storing program data, wherein the program data comprises executable instructions for implementing a method on a computing device, the method comprising:

obtaining object identifier data corresponding to an object identifier;

identifying information in the object identifier data;

identifying a first application to receive the information;

identifying a second application to receive the information;

sending the information to the first application in a first format; and

sending the information to the second application in a second format.

27. The computer-readable medium of claim 26, wherein obtaining the object identifier data comprises receiving the object identifier data from an object identifier reader, and wherein the object identifier reader is a separate device connected to the computing device via a communication interface.

28. The computer-readable medium of claim 26, wherein the computing device comprises an object identifier reader, the object identifier reader being a set of hardware and software components integrated into the computing device, and wherein obtaining the object identifier data comprises reading the object identifier.

29. The computer-readable medium of claim 26, wherein the second format is the same as the first format.

30. A computer-readable medium for storing program data, wherein the program data comprises executable instructions for implementing a method on a computing device, the method comprising:

obtaining object identifier data corresponding to an object identifier;

identifying information in the object identifier data;

identifying an application to receive the information;

sending the information to the application in a first format; and

sending the information to the application in a second format that is different from the first format.

31. The computer-readable medium of claim 30, wherein obtaining the object identifier data comprises receiving the object identifier data from an object identifier reader, and wherein the object identifier reader is a separate device connected to the computing device via a communication interface.

32. The computing device of claim 30, wherein the computing device comprises an object identifier reader, the object identifier reader being a set of hardware and software components integrated into the computing device, and wherein obtaining the object identifier data comprises reading the object identifier.

33. A computer-readable medium for storing program data, wherein the program data comprises executable instructions for implementing a method on a computing device, the method comprising:

obtaining object identifier data corresponding to an object identifier;

identifying object identifier information in the object identifier data;

forming a first element that comprises first element information and a first characteristic, wherein the first element information comprises a first portion of the object identifier information; and

forming a second element that comprises second element information and a second characteristic, wherein the second element information comprises the first portion of the object identifier information.

34. The computer-readable medium of claim 33, wherein obtaining the object identifier data comprises receiving the object identifier data from an object identifier reader, and wherein the object identifier reader is a separate device connected to the computing device via a communication interface.

35. The computer-readable medium of claim 33, wherein the computing device comprises an object identifier reader, the object identifier reader being a set of hardware and software components integrated into the computing device, and wherein obtaining the object identifier data comprises reading the object identifier.

36. The computer-readable medium of claim 33, wherein the first element information further comprises a second portion of the object identifier information.

37. A computer-readable medium for storing program data, wherein the program data comprises executable instructions for implementing a method on a computing device, the method comprising:

obtaining object identifier data corresponding to an object identifier;

determining whether a command has been received to activate a first rule of a plurality of rules; and

if the command has been received, activating the first rule and applying the first rule to the object identifier data.

38. The computer-readable medium of claim 37, wherein obtaining the object identifier data comprises receiving the object identifier data from an object identifier reader, and wherein the object identifier reader is a separate device connected to the computing device via a communication interface.

39. The computer-readable medium of claim 37, wherein the computing device comprises an object identifier reader, the object identifier reader being a set of hardware and software components integrated into the computing device, and wherein obtaining the object identifier data comprises reading the object identifier.

40. The computer-readable medium of claim 37, wherein the plurality of rules comprise a parent rule and a child rule, and wherein the child rule is only executed if the parent rule matches the object identifier data.

41. In a computing device, a method for processing object identifier data corresponding to an object identifier, comprising:

obtaining the object identifier data;

obtaining supplemental information about the object identifier, wherein the supplemental information identifies a symbology of the object identifier;

matching the object identifier data with a first pattern associated with a first rule that comprises first instructions;

matching the object identifier data with a second pattern associated with a second rule that comprises second instructions; and

using the symbology of the object identifier to determine which of the first rule and the second rule are applied to the object identifier data.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein the computing device comprises an object identifier reader, the object identifier reader being a set of hardware and software components integrated into the computing device, and wherein obtaining the object identifier data comprises reading the object identifier.

43. The method of claim 41, wherein obtaining the object identifier data comprises receiving the object identifier data from an object identifier reader, and wherein the object identifier reader is a separate device connected to the computing device via a communication interface.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein obtaining the supplemental information comprises receiving the supplemental information from the object identifier reader.

45. The method of claim 43, wherein obtaining the supplemental information comprises:

determining the communication interface through which the object identifier data is received; and

determining the supplemental information associated with the communication interface.

46. In a computing device, a method for processing object identifier data corresponding to an object identifier, comprising:

obtaining the object identifier data;

identifying information in the object identifier data;

identifying a first application to receive the information;

identifying a second application to receive the information;

sending the information to the first application in a first format; and

sending the information to the second application in a second format.

47. The method of claim 46, wherein obtaining the object identifier data comprises receiving the object identifier data from an object identifier reader, and wherein the object identifier reader is a separate device connected to the computing device via a communication interface.

48. The method of claim 46, wherein the computing device comprises an object identifier reader, the object identifier reader being a set of hardware and software components integrated into the computing device, and wherein obtaining the object identifier data comprises reading the object identifier.

49. The method of claim 46, wherein the second format is the same as the first format.

50. In a computing device, a method for processing object identifier data corresponding to an object identifier, comprising:

obtaining the object identifier data;

identifying information in the object identifier data;

identifying an application to receive the information;

sending the information to the application in a first format; and

sending the information to the application in a second format that is different from the first format.

51. The method of claim 50, wherein obtaining the object identifier data comprises receiving the object identifier data from an object identifier reader, and wherein the object identifier reader is a separate device connected to the computing device via a communication interface.

52. The method of claim 50, wherein the computing device comprises an object identifier reader, the object identifier reader being a set of hardware and software components integrated into the computing device, and wherein obtaining the object identifier data comprises reading the object identifier.

53. In a computing device, a method for processing object identifier data corresponding to an object identifier, comprising:

obtaining the object identifier data;

identifying object identifier information in the object identifier data;

forming a first element that comprises first element information and a first characteristic, wherein the first element information comprises a first portion of the object identifier information; and

forming a second element that comprises second element information and a second characteristic, wherein the second element information comprises the first portion of the object identifier information.

54. The method of claim 53, wherein obtaining the object identifier data comprises receiving the object identifier data from an object identifier reader, and wherein the object identifier reader is a separate device connected to the computing device via a communication interface.

55. The method of claim 53, wherein the computing device comprises an object identifier reader, the object identifier reader being a set of hardware and software components integrated into the computing device, and wherein obtaining the object identifier data comprises reading the object identifier.

56. The method of claim 53, wherein the first element information further comprises a second portion of the object identifier information.

57. In a computing device, a method for processing object identifier data corresponding to an object identifier, comprising:

obtaining the object identifier data;

determining whether a command has been received to activate a first rule of a plurality of rules; and

if the command has been received, activating the first rule and applying the first rule to the object identifier data.

58. The method of claim 57, wherein obtaining the object identifier data comprises receiving the object identifier data from an object identifier reader, and wherein the object identifier reader is a separate device connected to the computing device via a communication interface.

59. The method of claim 57, wherein the computing device comprises an object identifier reader, the object identifier reader being a set of hardware and software components integrated into the computing device, and wherein obtaining the object identifier data comprises reading the object identifier.

60. The method of claim 57, wherein the plurality of rules comprise a parent rule and a child rule, and wherein the child rule is only executed if the parent rule matches the object identifier data.