Portable data collection system and method for inventory management utilizing same
First Claim
1. A portable data collection system for associating a barcode identifier with an item comprising:
- a microphone for receiving voice signals identifying said item;
an optical scanner for reading said barcode identifier from a barcode label coupled to said item;
an actuator that concurrently actuates said optical scanner and enables receipt of said voice signals;
a microprocessor, in communication with each of said microphone, said optical scanner, and said actuator, said microprocessor executing a voice recognition program that interprets said voice signals to form a data record corresponding to said item; and
a memory element associated with said microprocessor for storing said data record linked with said barcode identifier.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A portable data collection system (20) includes a wireless microphone (24) for receiving voice signals (40) identifying an item (52), and an enclosure housing an optical scanner (30), an actuator (28), a microprocessor (44), and memory (48). The actuator (28) concurrently actuates the optical scanner (30) and receives the voice signals (40). The optical scanner (30) reads a barcode identifier (56) from a barcode label (54) coupled to the item (52). A microprocessor (44) executes a voice recognition program (60) that interprets the voice signals (40) to form a data record (62) corresponding to the item (52). The data record (62), linked with the barcode identifier (56), forms a database entry (64) stored in an inventory database (66) in memory element (48). The inventory database (66) is utilized in an inventory management process (94) when relocating items from an origination site to a destination site.
27 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A portable data collection system for associating a barcode identifier with an item comprising:
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a microphone for receiving voice signals identifying said item;
an optical scanner for reading said barcode identifier from a barcode label coupled to said item;
an actuator that concurrently actuates said optical scanner and enables receipt of said voice signals;
a microprocessor, in communication with each of said microphone, said optical scanner, and said actuator, said microprocessor executing a voice recognition program that interprets said voice signals to form a data record corresponding to said item; and
a memory element associated with said microprocessor for storing said data record linked with said barcode identifier. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for inventory management of a plurality of items utilizing a portable data collection system comprising:
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generating, in a memory element of said data collection system, a database that includes an inventory of said plurality of items, said generating operation comprising for each of said plurality of items;
reading a barcode identifier from a barcode label coupled to said each item via an optical scanner of said data collection system;
receiving voice signals identifying said each item via a wireless microphone in radio frequency communication with said data collection system;
interpreting said voice signals at said data collection system by executing a voice recognition program to form a data record corresponding to said each item; and
storing said data record linked with said barcode identifier for said each item in said database; and
providing said database to a user for use in said inventory management. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A portable data collection system for associating a barcode identifier with an item for inventory management, said system comprising:
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a wireless headset microphone for receiving voice signals identifying said item and transmitting said voice signals as a radio frequency signal;
an optical scanner for reading said barcode identifier from a barcode label coupled to said item;
an actuator that concurrently actuates said optical scanner and enables receipt of said voice signals;
a receiver for receiving said radio frequency signal;
a microprocessor, in communication with each of said microphone, said optical scanner, said actuator, and said receiver, said microprocessor executing a voice recognition program that interprets said voice signals of said radio frequency signal to form a data record corresponding to said item;
a memory element associated with said microprocessor for storing said data record linked with said barcode identifier; and
a handheld enclosure housing said optical scanner, said microprocessor, and said receiver. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification