Data collection device and network having radio signal responsive mode switching

• US 20070069030A1
• Filed: 03/06/2006
• Published: 03/29/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Adam Meggitt, Brian Dobeck, James Sauerwein, Sven Powilleit, William Havens
• Original Assignee: Adam Meggitt, Brian Dobeck, James Sauerwein, Sven Powilleit, William Havens
• Inventors: Powilleit, Sven, Havens, William, Dobeck, Brian, Meggitt, Adam, Sauerwein, James
• Granted Patent: US 7,712,670 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/462.460
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0004 Hybrid readers
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/083 Shipping

Abstract

A data collection device is configured so that the device receives and processes various radio signals and automatically changes an operating mode of the data collection device in response to the processing of the radio signals or in response to the presence or absence of radio signals without manually inputting any commands with use of a user interface. By configuring the data collection device to automatically change an operating mode in response to sensed radio signals, operating modes are presented to an operator that may be tailored to the preferences of the present operator and/or tailored to the particular requirements of the device at present location of the device. With highly featurized operating modes being automatically and selectively presented to operators under specific circumstances, an operator is relieved of a variety of burdensome and time consuming exercises that are typically associated with learning how to access particular functions of a highly featurized electronic device.

Claims

1. A bar code reading data collection device for operation in a system having a plurality of networks, and a remote server incorporated in one of said networks, said data collection device comprising:

(a) a hand held housing;

(b) an imaging assembly supported by said hand held housing including a solid state image sensor and an imaging lens focusing an image onto an active surface of said solid state image sensor;

(c) a display disposed in said housing;

(d) a user interface including a trigger and at least one of a touch screen or keyboard for entering data into said data collection device and for selecting between modes of operation of said device;

(e) wherein said data collection device is operable in a first bar code reading mode wherein said data collection device captures an electronic image representation, attempts to decode a bar code symbol represented in said electronic image representation and outputs a decoded out message in response to said trigger being actuated, a second, picture taking mode of operation wherein said data collection device outputs an electronic representation without outputting a decoded out message in response to said trigger being actuated and a third data entry mode in which said data collection device displays on said display a series of instructions respecting a manner in which data is to be entered into said device, wherein at least said first and second modes are selectable by a user via input of commands into said user interface;

(f) a first location determination circuit comprising a location detection unit incorporated into said housing, said location detection unit including a radio transceiver configured to receive radio signals from series of satellites, said location detection unit producing location information indicating a location of said device;

(g) a second location determination circuit enabling said data collection device to receive location information without processing of signals from orbiting satellites;

(h) wherein said device is configured to receive from said remote server route reports indicating delivery destinations of said device; and

(i) wherein said device is configured to compare location information from at least one of said first location detection circuit and said second location device circuit to locations of said delivery destinations of said report, and to automatically change a mode of operation of said device to said third mode in response to a determination by said control circuit that said device has arrived at a delivery destination identified in said route report.

2. A bar code reading data collection device for operation in a system having a plurality of networks and a remote server incorporated in one of said networks, said data collection device comprising:

(a) a hand held housing;

(b) an imaging assembly supported by said hand held housing including at least one of (i) a combination of an image sensor and an imaging lens focusing an image onto an active surface of said solid state image sensor; and

(ii) a laser scan engine;

(c) a display disposed in said housing;

(d) a user interface including a actuator mechanism and at least one of a touch screen and keyboard for entering data into said data collection device and for selecting between modes of operation of said device;

(e) a control circuit in communication with said imaging assembly and said user interface, said control circuit being configured to operate in a mode in which said control circuit captures an image and decodes a bar code represented in said captured image in response to said trigger being actuated;

(f) a location determination circuit enabling said data collection device to receive location information respecting a present location of said data collection device;

(g) a plurality of data entry form sets stored in a memory of said bar code reading device, each driving a unique data entry screen sequence of said device;

(h) a route report stored on said memory, said report storing a series of planned destinations of said device

(i) a route report parser for parsing data of said route report;

(j) wherein said device is configured to compare location information from said location detection circuit to said destinations of said route report and to automatically execute one of said form sets when said device determines that said device is presently located at one of said delivery destinations.

3. A computer device comprising:

(a) a display;

(b) a control circuit in communication with said display;

(c) an RFID reader unit disposed in communication with said control circuit, said RFID reader unit having an RF oscillator and receiver circuit and a data decode circuit, wherein said control circuit operates said RF reader unit in a continuous read mode, wherein said RFID reader unit continuously broadcasts a radio signal in an attempt to activate an RFID tag brought into proximity with said computer device;

(d) a browser program, a file system and multiple user operating system incorporated into said computer device, said multiple user operating system supporting a plurality of different present user settings, wherein multiple user supporting operating system configures said computer device so that at least one of files including executable programs that can be accessed, registry settings and browser settings are differentiated on the basis of said present user setting;

(e) wherein said computer device is configured to operate in a mode in which said control circuit monitors data output by said RFID reader unit to confirm that a presently logged in user corresponding to said present user setting remains in a vicinity of said computer device; and

(f) wherein said computer device automatically logs off said presently logged in user if said computer device determines that said presently logged in user has vacated a vicinity of said computer device.

4. A computer device comprising:

(a) a display;

(b) a control circuit in communication with said display;

(c) an RFID reader unit disposed in communication with said control circuit, said RFID reader unit having an RF oscillator and receiver circuit and a data decode circuit, wherein said control circuit operates said RF reader unit in a continuous read mode, wherein said RF ID reader unit continuously broadcasts a radio signal in an attempt to activate an RFID tag brought into proximity with said computer device;

(d) a browser program, a file system and multiple user operating system incorporated into said computer device, said multiple user operating system supporting a plurality of different present user settings, wherein multiple user supporting operating system configures said computer device so that at least one of files including executable programs that can be accessed, registry settings and browser settings are differentiated on the basis of said present user setting;

(e) wherein said computer device is configured to operate in a mode in which said control circuit monitors data output by said RFID reader unit to determine whether a new user has entered a vicinity of said computer device, and automatically sets a present user setting of said computer device to a present user setting corresponding to said new user if said computer device determines that a new user has entered a vicinity of said computer device.

5. The computer device of claim 4, wherein said computer device is configured so that said computer device enters said operating mode in which said control circuit determines whether a new user has entered a vicinity of said data collection device if said computer device determines that there is no presently logged in user of said computer device.

6. The computer device of claim 4, wherein said computer device is in communication with a lookup table correlating users with user classifications and wherein said present user setting of said computer device is a user classification setting.

7. The computer device of claim 4, wherein said control circuit and said RFID reader unit are commonly housed.

8. A system for automatically controlling operation of at least one computer device at a facility, said system comprising:

(a) a first computer device including a display, a control circuit in communication with said display, an RFID reader unit disposed in communication with said control circuit, a browser program, a file system and multiple user operating system incorporated into said computer device, said multiple user operating system supporting a plurality of different present user settings, wherein multiple user supporting operating system configures said computer device so that at least one of files including executable programs that can be accessed, registry settings and browser settings are differentiated on the basis of said present user setting;

wherein said control circuit of said first computer device monitors data generated by said RFID reader unit to read decoded RFID data from RFID tags carried by workers at said facility entering a vicinity of its respective computer device, said first computer device being selected from the group consisting of a laptop personal computer having said display integrated therein, a desk top personal computer, a hand held device having said display integrated therein, and a transaction terminal having said display integrated therein;

(b) a second computer device including a display, a control circuit in communication with said display, an RFID reader unit disposed in communication with said control circuit, a browser program, a file system and multiple user operating system incorporated into said computer device, said multiple user operating system supporting a plurality of different present user settings, wherein multiple user supporting operating system configures said computer device so that at least one of files including executable programs that can be accessed, registry settings and browser settings are differentiated on the basis of said present user setting;

wherein said control circuit of said second computer device monitors data generated by said RFID reader unit to read decoded RFID data from RFID tags carried by workers at said facility entering a vicinity of its respective computer device, said second computer device being selected from the group consisting of a laptop personal computer having said display integrated therein, a desk top personal computer, a hand held device having said display integrated therein, and a transaction terminal having said display integrated therein;

(c) a server spaced apart from said computer devices, and being in communication with each said first and second computer devices;

(d) a lookup table incorporated in said system correlating identifications for individuals working at said facility with user classifications for said individuals working at said facility;

(e) wherein said first computer device is configured to operate in a mode in which said first computer device reads a decoded RFID message to determine an identification of an individual in a vicinity of said first computer device and further determines a user classification corresponding to said identification utilizing said lookup table;

(f) wherein said first computer device is further configured to set said present user setting of said first computer device in a manner that is responsive to said determination of user classification.

9. A bar code decoding data collection device for use in assisting record keeping attendant to a delivery on an article from a supplier location to a destination location and back to said supplier location;

said bar code decoding data collection device comprising;

(a) a hand held housing;

(b) an imaging assembly supported by said hand held housing including at least one of (i) a combination of an image sensor and an imaging lens focusing an image onto an active surface of said solid state image sensor; and

(ii) a laser scan engine;

(c) a display disposed in said housing;

(d) a user interface including a trigger and at least one of a touch screen and keyboard for entering data into said data collection device and for selecting between modes of operation of said device;

(e) a bar code decoding data collection device, said bar code decoding data collection device being configured to operate in a mode in which said bar code decoding data collection device captures an electronic image representation and decodes a bar code represented in said captured image in response to said trigger being actuated;

(f) a location determination circuit outputting location information respecting a present location of said bar code decoding data collection device;

(g) a data entry form stored in said memory which when actuated drives a data entry screen,

(h) a print command module stored in said memory which when actuated causes said bar code reading data collection device to send a command to print a report respecting a delivery;

(i) wherein said bar code decoding data collection device monitors received location information output by said location determination wherein said bar code decoding data collection device at least one of (i) automatically executes said data entry form when said bar code decoding data collection device determines that said bar code decoding data collection device has arrived at said delivery destination, and (ii) automatically actuates said print command module when said bar code decoding data collection device has determined that said bar code decoding data collection device has returned to said supplier location from said delivery destination location.

10. A bar code reading data collection device comprising:

(a) a hand held housing;

(b) an imaging assembly supported by said hand held housing including at least one of (i) a combination of an image sensor and an imaging lens focusing an image onto an active surface of said solid state image sensor; and

(ii) a laser scan engine;

(c) a display disposed in said housing;

(d) a user interface including a trigger and at least one of a touch screen and keyboard for entering data into said data collection device and for selecting between modes of operation of said device;

(e) a control circuit communicatively coupled with said imaging assembly and said user interface, said control circuit being configured to operate in a mode in which said control circuit captures an electronic image representation and decodes a bar code symbol represented in said captured electronic image representation in response to receipt of a bar code reading trigger signal;

(f) a location determination circuit enabling said data collection device to receive location information indicating a present location of said data collection device;

(g) an RFID reader unit disposed on communication with said control circuit, said RFID reader unit having an RF oscillator and receiver circuit and a data decode circuit, wherein said control circuit operates said RF reader unit in a pair of user selectable operating modes, the pair of user-selectable operating modes being a continuous read mode, wherein said RFID reader unit continuously broadcasts a radio signal in an attempt to activate an RFID tag brought into proximity with said housing, and a selective activation mode in which said RFID reader unit is normally idle but is responsive to a trigger signal to drive said RFID reader unit into an active reading state, said RFID reader unit in said active reading state broadcasting a radio signal in an attempt to activate an RFID tag brought into proximity with said housing;

(h) wherein said bar code reading data collection device is configured to operate in an operating mode in which said control circuit, with said RFID unit in said selective activation mode (i) monitors said location information received by said detection circuit; and

(ii) generates a trigger signal to drive said RFID reader unit from an idle state to an active reading state if said location information coincides with predetermined location information.

11. A bar code reading device data collection device for operation in a network having a remote server, said data collection device comprising:

(a) a hand held housing;

(b) an imaging assembly supported by said hand held housing including at least one of (i) a combination of an image sensor and an imaging lens focusing an image onto an active surface of said solid state image sensor; and

(ii) a laser scan engine;

(c) a display disposed in said housing;

(e) a location detecting unit incorporated into said hand held housing receiving signals from a series of orbiting satellites;

(e) a user interface including a trigger and at least one of a touch screen and keyboard for entering data into said data collection device and for selecting between modes of operation of said device;

(f) a control circuit in communication with said imaging assembly and said user interface, said control circuit being configured to operate in a mode in which said control circuit captures an electronic image representation and decodes a bar code symbol represented in said captured electronic image representation in response to said trigger being actuated, wherein said control circuit receives location information respecting a location of said device from at least one of said location detection unit and said network; and

(h) wherein said bar code reading data collection unit is configured to receive from said remote server route reports defining a schedule of delivery destinations for said device.

12. A bar code data collection device for operation in a system including a plurality of networks and a remote server incorporated into one of said networks, for use in assisting record keeping associated with a delivery of an article from a supplier location to a delivery location, said data collection device comprising:

(j) a hand held housing;

(k) an article ID reading unit including at least one of an imaging assembly for capturing images for use in bar code decoding processing, and an RFID reader unit;

(l) a display disposed in said housing;

(m) a user interface including a trigger and at least one of a touch screen and keyboard for entering data into said data collection device and for selecting between modes of operation of said device;

(n) a memory;

(o) a control circuit in communication with said article ID reading unit, wherein said control circuit in response to receipt of a trigger signal activates said article ID unit and receives in response thereto article identification data wherein said bar code reading data collection device is configured so that said control circuit receives location information respecting a present location of said device, and wherein said bar code reading data collection device is configured to operate in a form assisted mode of operation in which said control circuit displays a data entry screen for assisting an operator in entering article identification data into said device; and

(p) wherein said bar code reading data collection unit is configured to receive from said remote server information respecting a delivery destination of said device;

(q) wherein said device is configured so that when operating in said form assisted data entry mode, said control circuit stamps a present location value on article identification data collected by data collection device when operating in said form assisted data collection mode of operation; and

(r) wherein said device is configured to operate in a mode in which said device uploads to said remote server article identification data associated with said present location value so that a location of said device when collecting said article identification data can be extracted.

13. A method for operating a data collection network comprising of a portable data collection device and a remote server, said portable data collection device having an identification unit comprising of at least one of a bar code reading unit and an RFID reader unit, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) sending from said remote server to said portable data collection device route data including a location of a destination of said portable data collection device;

(b) monitoring a present location of said portable data collection device;

(c) comparing a current location of said portable data collection device to said destination location;

(d) generating a trigger signal to actuate said identification unit if said current location of said device matches said destination;

(e) decoding an encoded identification message utilizing said identification unit activated in step (d); and

(f) outputting said decoded message decoded in step (e).

14. A data collection system for implementation in an item delivery system wherein deliveries are made by delivery vehicles which travel along delivery routes that originate at a supplier facility, pass through one or more delivery locations and terminate at said supplier facility, said data collection system comprising:

(a) a network disposed at said supplier facility, said network having an access point and an addressable printer in communication with said access point, said access point wirelessly transmitting a network identifier of said network;

(b) a data collection device carried by said vehicle, said data collection device having an encoded information reading unit and incorporating a radio transceiver capable of communication with said access point;

(c) a confirmation module included in said data collection device processing data to determine whether said data collection device is returning to said supplier facility;

(d) wherein said data collection device is configured to automatically address a print command to said printer to automatically print data collected during execution of said route when receiving said network identifier from said network, provided that an output of said confirmation module indicates that said data collection device is returning to said supplier facility.

15. The data collection system of claim 14, wherein said wirelessly transmitted network identifier of said network is selected from the group consisting of an SSID, a Cell ID and an IP address.

16. The data collection system of claim 14, wherein said data collection device is configured to receive location information indicating a location of said data collection device, and wherein said data collection device, prior to automatically addressing said print command to said printer confirms that said data collection device is traveling in a direction toward said supplier facility utilizing said location information.

17. The data collection system of claim 14, wherein said data collection data receives said location data from an on-board location data detection unit that is in communication with orbiting satellites.

In addition, an object of the invention is to provide

18. The data collection device of claim 14, wherein said data collection device receives said location data from a network.

19. A bar code reading data collection device for operation in a system having a plurality of networks, and a remote server incorporated in one of said networks, said data collection device comprising:

(a) a hand held housing;

(b) an imaging assembly supported by said hand held housing, the imaging assembly including at least one of (i) a combination of a solid state image sensor and an imaging lens focusing an image onto an active surface of said solid state image sensor, and (ii) a laser scan engine;

(c) a display disposed in said housing;

(d) a user interface including a trigger and at least one of a touch screen or keyboard for entering data into said data collection device and for selecting between modes of operation of said device;

(e) a first location determination circuit comprising a location detection unit incorporated into said housing, said location detection unit including a radio transceiver configured to receive radio signals from series of satellites, said location detection unit producing location information indicating a location of said device;

(f) a second location determination circuit enabling said data collection device to receive location information without processing of signals from orbiting satellites;

(g) a plurality of location determining routine modules, wherein each of the location determining routine modules, when active, causes said bar code reading data collection device to output a location value based upon information generated by one or more of said first and second location determination routines, and wherein each of the location determining routines outputs a location value with a different degree of accuracy,

(h) wherein said bar code reading data collection device is configured so that a location determining routine which is active is responsive to a presently sensed location of said bar code reading data collection device.

20. The bar code reading data collection device of claim 19, wherein said bar code reading data collection device, when a first of said location determining routine modules is active, does not process an output from said first location determining circuit, and wherein said bar code reading data collection device, when a second of location determining routines is active, process an output from said first location determination circuit.