Web-enabled system and method for designing and manufacturing laser scanners

• US 6,182,897 B1
• Filed: 06/09/1999
• Issued: 02/06/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Metrologic Instruments Incorporated (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Metrologic Instruments Incorporated (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Inventors: Croot, John, Amundsen, Thomas, Knowles, Carl Harry, Carullo, Thomas, Dickson, Leroy
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, THIEN MINH
• Application Number:
  US09/319,684
• Time in Patent Office: 608 Days
• Field of Search: 235/462.01, 235/472.01, 235/375, 235/380, 235/494
• US Class Current: 235/462.01
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 15/00 Nanotechnology for interacting, sensing or actuating, e.g. quantum dots as markers in protein assays or molecular motors
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/10 Scanning systems
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/106 having diffraction gratings as scanning elements, e.g. holographic scanners holographic optical elements G02B5/32, holography G03H
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 17/0022 arrangements or provisions for transferring data to distant stations, e.g. from a sensing device "transfer between computer elements G06F13/00 "; data-transmission H04L
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 2207/1012 Special detection of object
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 2207/1013 Multi-focal
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 2207/1016 Motor control or optical moving unit control
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 2207/1017 Programmable
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 2207/1018 Source control
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10 by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10564 Light sources
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10584 Source control
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10594 Beam path
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10603 Basic scanning using moving elements
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10663 using hologram
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10673 Parallel lines
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10693 for omnidirectional scanning
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10702 Particularities of propagating elements, e.g. lenses, mirrors G06K7/10831 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10792 Special measures in relation to the object to be scanned
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10801 Multidistance reading
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10811 : Focalisation
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10851 : Circuits for pulse shaping, amplifying, eliminating noise signals, checking the function of the sensing device basic electronic circuitry H03
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10861 : sensing of data fields affixed to objects or articles, e.g. coded labels postal sorting B07C3/14, conveying articles B65G47/48
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10871 : randomly oriented data-fields, code-marks therefore, e.g. concentric circles-code
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10881 : constructional details of hand-held scanners
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10891 : the scanner to be worn on a finger or on a wrist
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/109 : adaptations to make the hand-held scanner useable as a fixed scanner
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/14 : using light without selection of wavelength, e.g. sensing reflected white light G06K7/10831 - G06K7/1097 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 : Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/04 : Manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/002 : Vending machines being part of a centrally controlled network of vending machines
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/0045 : with a code reader for reading of an identifying code of the article to be registered, e.g. barcode reader or radio-frequency identity [RFID] reader
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/0054 : with control of supplementary check-parameters, e.g. weight or number of articles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/30 : Computing systems specially adapted for manufacturing

Abstract

An Internet enabled method and system (1) for designing, and manufacturing laser scanners of modular design and construction (231) using globally based information networks (3), such as the Internet, supporting the World Wide Web (WWW).

Claims

1. An Internet-enabled method for designing and manufacturing laser scanning systems comprising the steps of:

(a) using an Internet-enabled client system to transmit end-user specified laser scanning system specifications to an Internet information server;

(b) transmitting said end-user specified laser scanning system specifications from said Internet information server to a scanner design workstation operably connected to said Internet information server;

(c) using said scanner design workstation to access a relational database management system over an information network, wherein said relational database management system contains a library of design specifications for predesigned modules and subcomponents of one or more previously designed laser scanning systems;

(d) at said scanner design workstation, using said end-user specified laser scanning system specifications and said library of design specifications contained in said relational database management system, in order to create a finalized laser scanner design for a laser scanning system to be constructed;

(e) updating said library of design specifications using said finalized laser scanner design;

(f) manufacturing the modules and subcomponents for said laser scanning system to be constructed;

(g) assembling said manufactured modules and subcomponents to construct one or more production units of said laser scanning system in accordance with said finalized laser scanner design.

2. A method of designing and manufacturing laser scanning systems comprising

(a) entering end-user specified laser scanning system specifications into an information server connected to an information network;

(b) transmitting said end-user specified laser scanning system specifications from said information server to a scanner design workstation over said information server;

(c) using said scanner design workstation to access a relational database management system over an information network, wherein said relational database management system contains a library of design specifications for predesigned modules and subcomponents of one or more previously designed laser scanning systems;

(d) at said scanner design workstation, using said end-user specified laser scanning system specifications and said library of design specifications contained in said relational database management system, in order to create a finalized laser scanner design for a laser scanning system to be constructed;

(e) updating said library of design specifications using said finalized laser scanner design;

(f) manufacturing the modules and subcomponents for said laser scanning system to be constructed;

(g) assembling said manufactured modules and subcomponents to construct one or more production units of said laser scanning system in accordance with said finalized laser scanner design.

3. An Internet-enabled system for designing and purchasing a laser scanning system comprising:

an Internet information server programmed for hosting a Website capable of supporting an interactive procedure capable of receiving end-user laser scanning system specifications for use in the design and manufacture of a laser scanning system;

client computer system, including using a Web browser program, for enabling a prospective customer to transmit said end-user laser scanning system specifications to said Website during said interactive procedure;

a relational database management system connected to said Internet information server over an information network supporting the TCP/IP network protocol, wherein said relational database management system contains a library of design specifications for predesigned modules and subcomponents of one or more previously designed laser scanning systems; and

a scanner design workstation for creating a finalized laser scanner design for a laser scanning system to be constructed, using said end-user specified laser scanning system specifications transmitted to said Internet information server and said library of design specifications contained in said relational database management system;

wherein said finalized laser scanner design for updating said library of design specifications, manufacturing modules and subcomponents for said laser scanning system to be constructed, and assembling said manufactured modules and subcomponents to construct one or more production units of said laser scanning system in accordance with said finalized laser scanner design.

4. The Internet-enabled System of claim 3, which further comprises:

means for assigning a unique customer request number to said end-user laser scanning system specifications;

means for designing said laser scanning system based on said transmitted end-user laser scanning system specifications;

means for computing a price quotation on said final laser scanner design; and

means for transmitting said price quotation to said prospective customer of said final laser scanner design.

5. The Internet-enabled system of claim 3, which further comprises:

an electronic commerce server for supporting secured electronic commerce transactions and enabling said prospective customer to electronically transmit a purchase order relating to said finalized laser scanner design.

6. The Internet-enabled system of claim 5, which further comprises:

means for enabling said customer to track the progress of said ordered laser scanning system during its various stages of manufacture using an order tracking Website maintained by said manufacturer.

7. The Internet-enabled system of claim 3, wherein said end-user laser scanning system specifications are satisfied by said finalized laser scanner design for said laser scanning system design which comprises models of modularized subcomponents and subassemblies.

8. An Internet-enabled method for designing and purchasing a laser scanning system, comprising the steps:

(a) hosting on an programmed Internet information server, a Website capable of supporting an interactive procedure;

(b) using a client computer system having a Web browser program, to enable a prospective customer to transmit end-user laser scanning system specifications of a particular laser scanning system, to said Website during said interactive procedure;

(c) assigning a unique customer request number to said prospective customer transmitting said end-user laser scanning system specifications to said Website;

(d) designing a laser scanning system based on said transmitted end-user laser scanning system specifications; and

(e) computing a price quotation based on a finalized laser scanner design for said laser scanning system.

9. The Internet-enabled method of claim 8, which further comprises:

(f) transmitting said price quotation to said prospective customer of said laser scanning system.

10. The Internet-enabled method of claim 9, which further comprises:

using an electronic commerce server for supporting secured electronic commerce transactions and enabling said prospective customer to electronically transmit a purchase order on said finalized laser scanner design.

11. The Internet-enabled method of claim 10, which further comprises:

enabling said customer to track the progress of said ordered laser scanning system during its various stages of manufacture using said Website.

12. The Internet-enabled method of claim 8, wherein said end-user laser scanning system specifications are satisfied by said finalized laser scanner design comprising models of modularized subcomponents and subassemblies.

13. A method of manufacturing a holographic laser scanning system employing modularized subcomponents and subassemblies comprising the steps:

(a) transmitting end-user specified laser scanning system specifications from an Internet information server to a scanner design workstation operably connected to said Internet information server;

(b) using said scanner design workstation to access a relational database management system over an information network, wherein said relational database management system contains a library of design specifications for predesigned modules and subcomponents of one or more previously designed holographic laser scanning systems;

(c) at said scanner design workstation, using said end-user specified laser scanning system specifications and said library of design specifications contained in said relational database management system, in order to create a finalized laser scanner design for a holographic laser scanning system to be constructed from modules and subcomponents;

(d) updating said library of design specifications using said finalized laser scanner design;

(e) manufacturing the modules and subcomponents for said holographic laser scanning system to be constructed;

(f) assembling said manufactured modules and subcomponents to construct one or more production units of said holographic laser scanning system in accordance with said finalized laser scanner design.

14. An Internet-based information serving system comprising:

an Internet information server hosting a Website including a plurality of HTML forms for enabling an interactive procedure;

said interactive procedure enabling a prospective customer, using a client computer system with a Web browser program, to transmit end-user laser scanning system specifications to said Website; and

said Internet information server assigning a unique customer request number to said prospective customer transmitting said end-user laser scanning system specifications to said Website;

a laser scanner design workstation for designing a laser scanning system based on said transmitted end-user laser scanning system specifications; and

an electronic commerce server for computing a price quotation based on a finalized laser scanner design for said laser scanning system, and transmitting said price quotation to said end-user or prospective customer of said laser scanning system; and

said electronic commerce server allowing said prospective customer to electronically transmit a purchase order on said finalized laser scanner design.

15. The Internet-based information serving system of claim 14, which further comprises:

a database management system operably associated with said laser scanner design workstation and containing a library of design specifications for predesigned modules and subcomponents of one or more previously designed laser scanning systems.

16. The Internet-based information serving system of claim 14, wherein said electronic commerce server supports secured credit-card transactions for the purchasing of one or more laser scanning systems based on said finalized laser scanner design and said price quotation.

17. A method of designing a laser scanning system comprising the steps:

(a) using a client computer system to access a manufacturer'"'"'s Website and providing thereto a specification of the end-user'"'"'s scanning requirements; and

(b) using said specification to generate a model of a designed laser scanning system which satisfies said end-user scanning requirements, said model generation involving the use of a laser scanner design workstation and database management system containing a library of design specifications for predesigned modules and subcomponents of one or more previously designed laser scanning systems.

18. The method of claim 17, which further comprises:

(c) using said generated model to compute a price quotation for a given quantity of said designed laser scanning system, and transmitting said price quotation along with its terms and conditions to the prospective customer.

19. The method of claim 17, which further comprises:

providing said prospective customer with an access code enabling the prospective customer to view a complete 3-D computer-graphic simulation of the designed laser scanning system, generated from said manufacturer'"'"'s Website and viewable by the prospective customer using a conventional browser program.

20. The method of claim 19, which further comprises:

providing said prospective customer with a CD ROM disc whereon is recorded a computer-graphic simulation of said model of said designed laser scanning system.

21. The method of claim 18, which further comprises:

purchasing said designed laser scanning system using an electronic commerce transaction supported by an electronic commerce server.

22. A system for designing a laser scanning system comprising:

an Internet information server for hosting a Website; and

a client computer system for accessing said Website and providing thereto a specification of an end-user'"'"'s scanning requirements;

wherein said Internet information server uses said specification to generate a model of a laser scanning system which satisfies said end-user scanning requirements.

23. The system of claim 22, which further comprises:

a computer system for computing a price quote for a given quantity of said designed laser scanning system, and using said Internet information server to transmit said price quote along with its terms and conditions to the prospective customer.

24. The system of claim 22, wherein said Internet information server providing said prospective customer with an access code enabling the prospective customer to view a complete 3-D computer-graphic simulation of the designed laser scanning system, generated from the Manufacturer'"'"'s Internet site and viewable by the prospective customer using a conventional browser program.

25. The system of claim 22, which further comprises:

means for providing said prospective customer with a CD ROM disc whereon is recorded a computer-graphic simulation of said designed laser scanning system.

26. The system of claim 22, which further comprises:

means for purchasing said designed laser scanning system using an electronic commerce transaction supported by an electronic commerce server.

27. A holographic laser scanner of modular construction comprising:

an optical-bench/housing module including as subcomponents, an optical bench, a housing with an output scanning window;

a holographic scanning-disc/photodetector module including as subcomponents, a holographic laser scanning disc, a scanning motor, one or more photodetector/signal processing boards, and a motor/board mounting assembly;

a plurality of scanning station modules each including, as subcomponents, a laser beam production module, a base plate for mounting said laser beam production module, an output beam folding mirror and an adjustable support bracket; and

a digital signal processing and I/O module including, as subcomponents, a CPU motherboard with one or more CPUs, and an I/O circuitry.

28. The holographic laser scanner of claim 27, wherein said optical-bench housing module has a first set of preformed holes for receiving the ends of support posts associated with said motor/board mounting assembly, and a second set of preformed holes for jointly mounting said base plate and said adjustable support bracket with respect to said optical bench.

29. The holographic laser scanner of claim 27, wherein said housing comprises a wrap around housing portion and a housing cover which is generally matched with said optical bench housing module, and is designed to be used with a variety of wrap-around cases of different heights.

30. The holographic laser scanner of claim 27, wherein said adjustable support bracket allows the tilt angle of said output beam folding mirror to be adjusted over a range of angles so as to achieve a desired laser scanning pattern to be projected through said output scanning window.

31. A system for designing and manufacturing laser scanners of modular construction, comprising:

a first database management system for storing and managing information models relating to the inventory of the modules and subcomponents of modularized laser scanners;

a scanner design computer (SD) workstation for designing laser scanners of modular construction, and producing information models for the modules and subcomponents thereof;

a second database management system for storing and managing said information models for the designs of said modules and subcomponents obtained from said (SD) workstation;

a manufacturing system for manufacturing said laser scanners of modular construction; and

an information server for storing and serving the information models maintained by said first and second database management systems so that said (SD) workstation and said manufacturing system can access such information models as needed.

32. A method of designing and manufacturing laser scanners comprising the steps of:

(a) create a first relational database model for constructed modules and subcomponents of laser scanners available in inventory;

(b) create a second relational database model for modules and subcomponent designs that have been previously created during the design of other laser scanners;

(c) storing said first and second relational database models in an information server;

(d) producing a laser scanner design using inventory and design information stored in the information server;

(e) updating said second relational database model using the information obtained during step (d);

(f) manufacturing modules and subcomponents using the laser scanner design produced during step (d);

(g) updating said inventory; and

(h) constructing a laser scanner according the laser scanner design produced during step (d).