Hardware integration system
DCFirst Claim
1. A system for selectively controlling operation of a means for reading or marking encoded information on an article, the system comprising:
- means for identifying an input provided by the means for reading or marking;
data processing means for processing the input so as to generate a desired output, said means having an information processing request protocol, a machine interaction protocol and system integrity verification protocol;
control means for controlling operation of the means for reading or marking in a manner that is responsive to at least one selected from the group consisting of;
the input and the output; and
means for selectively generating and retrieving historical records related to the performance of the system.
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Abstract
An integrated marking system is described wherein means for marking or encoding information, preferably in the form of a plurality of machines, are linked and controlled in conjunction with means for processing information. Essentially, the means for processing information can be a software program, implemented via a single computer or a computer network. Likewise, the means for linking and controlling the aforementioned machines is possible via the software in conjunction with the same computer or network. Despite the numerous advantages provided by this system, this level of functionality and control was heretofore unseen in the marking industry.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A system for selectively controlling operation of a means for reading or marking encoded information on an article, the system comprising:
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means for identifying an input provided by the means for reading or marking; data processing means for processing the input so as to generate a desired output, said means having an information processing request protocol, a machine interaction protocol and system integrity verification protocol; control means for controlling operation of the means for reading or marking in a manner that is responsive to at least one selected from the group consisting of;
the input and the output; andmeans for selectively generating and retrieving historical records related to the performance of the system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A software system for integrating and controlling the operation of a vision/marking system, said vision or marking system having a plurality of machines for reading or marking encoded information on an article, said software system comprising:
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means for selectively linking all of the machines in the vision/marking system to at least one user interface; means for identifying an input originating from at least one source selected from the group consisting of;
the user interface arid at least one machine in the vision/marking system;data processing means for processing the input so as to generate a desired output;
saidmeans having an information processing request protocol, a machine interaction protocol and system integrity verification protocol; and control means for selectively operating at least a portion of the vision/marking system in a manner that is responsive to at least one selected from the group consisting of;
the input and the output, said control means being operatively implemented by the means for selectively linking the machines. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification