Apparatus and method for gathering and utilizing data

• US 7,117,374 B2
• Filed: 03/23/2001
• Issued: 10/03/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intermec IP Corporation (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Intermec IP Corporation (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Inventors: Hill, Richard A., Pheil, Louis D., Lace, William H., Summers, Egil K., Penn, Richard, Schoemig, Ewald
• Primary Examiner(s): Sheikh, Avaz
• Assistant Examiner(s): Arani, Taghi T.
• Application Number:
  US09/816,608
• Publication Number:
  US 20020078363A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,020 Days
• Field of Search: 713/189, 713/193, 713/202, 380/282, 235/472.02, 235/472.03, 235/476, 340/572.1, 711/163, 711/164
• US Class Current: 713/193
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/002 Specific input/output arrangements not covered by G06F3/01 - G06F3/16 other optical apparatus G02B27/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0004 Hybrid readers
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0008 General problems related to the reading of electronic memory record carriers, independent of its reading method, e.g. power transfer
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10386 the interrogation device being of the portable or hand-handheld type, e.g. incorporated in ubiquitous hand-held devices such as PDA or mobile phone, or in the form of a portable dedicated RFID reader
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1097 Optical sensing of electronic memory record carriers, such as interrogation of RFIDs with an additional optical interface

Abstract

Disclosed is a device and method for obtaining and utilizing data. A handheld device which is capable of optically scanning or receiving RFID signals from an object, storing the data in an internal memory, and then re-transmitting the data is disclosed. The re-transmitted data may trigger access to an internet web site or other database which provides a user with detailed information relating to the scanned object. The device is also usable as a re-configurable electronic key or may be built into electronic devices to allow reconfiguration by scanning a symbol.

Claims

1. A method for transferring data between a mobile data acquisition apparatus and a host computer, comprising the steps of:

connecting a mobile data acquisition apparatus with a docking device connected to a host computer between a host computer keyboard port and a host computer keyboard;

activating said apparatus, whereby said apparatus transmits a signal indicating the presence of said apparatus to said docking device;

said docking device senses said signal from said apparatus and transmits a hot key interrupt sequence to said host computer;

a software running on said host computer, monitoring said host computer keyboard port transmits a status indicator signal to said docking device;

said docking device transmits an acknowledgement signal to said apparatus;

said apparatus transmits an information record, indicating the number of data records stored in a mobile data acquisition apparatus memory;

said apparatus transmits said data records to said docking device which passes said data records to said software application running on said host computer;

said software counts the number of said records;

if the number of said records is equal to said information record said software transmits a successful transfer signal to said docking device which passes said signal to said apparatus

wherein said apparatus and or said docking device send empty records to indicate an end of record transmission.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the mobile machine readable data acquisition apparatus comprises:

a housing,

a power means,

a scanning means for scanning a machine readable symbology,

a digitizer means receiving input from said scanning means and outputting a digital input signal for

a processor means having a machine readable symbology identification and decoding function which is linked to

a memory means for local data storage;

said scanning means, said digitizer means, said processor means, said memory means and said power means arranged and configured within said housing, adapted to be energized by said power means,

said scanning means comprises

an optical sensor/receiver,

a lens to focus optical signals, and

an aperture between said lens and said optical sensor/receiver.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein:

said scanning means comprises an optical sensor/receiver, and a lens to focus optical signals.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein:

said scanning means further comprises an emitter.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the apparatus has download means for downloading decoded machine readable symbols stored in said memory.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein:

said download means is via modulation of emitter.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein:

said download means is via an electro-mechanical connection.

8. The method of claim 5 wherein:

said download means is via an RFID.

9. The method of claim 2 wherein:

said processor means further comprises an encryption function for encrypting machine readable symbol data decoded by said processor.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein:

said encryption function is configurable.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein:

said encryption function is a mathematical algorithm.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein:

said encryption function is a translation table.

13. The method of claim 2 wherein:

said memory is an RFID circuit.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein:

said RFID circuit is operable as a transmitter.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein:

said RFID circuit is operable as a receiver.

16. The method of claim 2 wherein:

said apparatus includes an electronic serial number.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein:

said electronic serial number is located on an RFID circuit, and

said electronic serial number is permanently set at the time of manufacture of said RFID circuit.

18. The method of claim 2 wherein:

said scanning means has a depth of field which enables the scanning of symbologies located within a Compact Disc case through said Compact Disc case.

19. The method of claim 2 wherein:

said aperture is a slit, enabling uni-directional scanning.

20. The method of claim 2 wherein:

said aperture has a cross or star form, enabling bi-directional scanning.

21. The method of claim 2 wherein:

said aperture has a circle, ellipsoid or rectangular form, enabling omni-directional scanning.

22. The method of claim 2 wherein:

said apparatus has a total weight of 20 grams or less.

23. The method of claim 2 wherein:

said apparatus further comprises at least one switch, said switch operable to initiate an apparatus function with a single actuation, without requiring continued actuation of said switch.

24. The method of claim 2, wherein

said apparatus has a volume of 14 cubic centimeters or less.

25. The method of claim 1 wherein an apparatus identification code downloaded.

26. The method of claim 1 wherein upon receipt of said successful transfer signal said apparatus clears said mobile data acquisition apparatus memory.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein said data records are transmitted from said apparatus in encrypted form and said data records are unencrypted by said software running on said host computer.

28. The method of claim 26 wherein an apparatus identification code downloaded.

29. The method of claim 28 wherein an apparatus identification code downloaded.

30. The method of claim 1 wherein said data records are transmitted from said apparatus in encrypted form and said data records are unencrypted by said software running on said host computer.

31. The method of claim 30 wherein an apparatus identification code downloaded.

32. A method for transferring data between a mobile data acquisition apparatus and a host computer, comprising the steps of:

connecting a mobile data acquisition apparatus with a docking device connected to a host computer between a host computer keyboard port and a host computer keyboard;

activating said apparatus, whereby said apparatus transmits a signal indicating the presence of said apparatus to said docking device;

said docking device senses said signal from said apparatus and transmits a hot key interrupt sequence to said host computer;

a software running on said host computer, monitoring said host computer keyboard port transmits a status indicator signal to said docking device;

said docking device transmits an acknowledgement signal to said apparatus;

said apparatus transmits an information record, indicating the number of data records stored in a mobile data acquisition apparatus memory;

said apparatus transmits said data records to said docking device which passes said data records to said software application running on said host computer;

said software counts the number of said records;

if the number of said records is equal to said information record said software transmits a successful transfer signal to said docking device which passes said signal to said apparatus

wherein upon receipt of said successful transfer signal said apparatus clears said mobile data acquisition apparatus memory.

33. The method of claim 32 wherein said data records are transmitted from said apparatus in encrypted form and said data records are unencrypted by said software running on said host computer.

34. The method of claim 33 wherein an apparatus identification code downloaded.

35. The method of claim 32 wherein an apparatus identification code downloaded.

36. A method for transferring data between a mobile data acquisition apparatus and a host computer, comprising the steps of:

connecting a mobile data acquisition apparatus with a docking device connected to a host computer between a host computer keyboard port and a host computer keyboard;

activating said apparatus, whereby said apparatus transmits a signal indicating the presence of said apparatus to said docking device;

said docking device senses said signal from said apparatus and transmits a hot key interrupt sequence to said host computer;

a software running on said host computer, monitoring said host computer keyboard port transmits a status indicator signal to said docking device;

said docking device transmits an acknowledgement signal to said apparatus;

said apparatus transmits an information record, indicating the number of data records stored in a mobile data acquisition apparatus memory;

said apparatus transmits said data records to said docking device which passes said data records to said software application running on said host computer;

said software counts the number of said records;

if the number of said records is equal to said information record said software transmits a successful transfer signal to said docking device which passes said signal to said apparatus

wherein said data records are transmitted from said apparatus in encrypted form, and

said data records are unencrypted by said software running on said host computer.

37. The method of claim 36 wherein an apparatus identification code downloaded.

38. A method for transferring data between a mobile data acquisition apparatus and a host computer, comprising the steps of:

connecting a mobile data acquisition apparatus with a docking device connected to a host computer between a host computer keyboard port and a host computer keyboard;

activating said apparatus, whereby said apparatus transmits a signal indicating the presence of said apparatus to said docking device;

said docking device senses said signal from said apparatus and transmits a hot key interrupt sequence to said host computer;

a software running on said host computer, monitoring said host computer keyboard port transmits a status indicator signal to said docking device;

said docking device transmits an acknowledgement signal to said apparatus;

said apparatus transmits an information record, indicating the number of data records stored in a mobile data acquisition apparatus memory;

said apparatus transmits said data records to said docking device which passes said data records to said software application running on said host computer;

said software counts the number of said records;

if the number of said records is equal to said information record said software transmits a successful transfer signal to said docking device which passes said signal to said apparatus

wherein an apparatus identification code downloaded.

39. A re-configurable electronic key, comprising:

a housing,

a power means,

a scanning means for scanning a machine readable symbology, said scanning means comprising a lens to focus optical signals and an aperture between said lens and a sensor/receiver,

a digitizer means receiving input from said scanning means and outputting a digital input signal for

a processor means having a machine readable symbology decoding function which is linked to

a memory means for local data storage;

an output means, for outputting a stored key sequence,

said scanning means, said digitizer means, said processor means, said memory means and said power means arranged and configured within said housing, adapted to be energized by said power means,

said key configurable by scanning a machine readable symbology

wherein said scanning means is an optical scanner and said output means is an optical emitter.

40. The key of claim 39, further comprising:

an electronic serial number.

41. A method for using an electronic key, comprising the steps of:

associating an access right with a user;

scanning a symbology describing said access right into an electronic key;

said electronic key comprising;

a housing,

a power means,

an optical scanner for scanning a machine readable symbology, said optical scanner comprising a lens to focus optical signals and an aperture between said lens and a sensor/receiver,

a digitizer means receiving input from said optical scanner and outputting a digital input signal for

a processor means having a machine readable symbology decoding function which is linked to

a memory means for local data storage;

an optical emitter, for outputting a stored key sequence,

said optical scanner, said digitizer means, said processor means, said memory means and said power means arranged and configured within said housing, adapted to be energized by said power means,

said key configurable by scanning a machine readable symbology, providing said key to said user;

allowing access to said user upon said users downloading of a memory in said electronic key containing said access right; and

transmitting said symbology from a remote location for said user to scan into said key upon receipt.

42. The method of claim 41 further including the steps of:

associating a serial number with said symbology;

allowing access only if said key contains an electronic serial number matching said serial number.

43. A system for acquiring information, comprising:

a mobile data acquisition apparatus with a scanning means for reading a machine readable symbology and a memory means, said data acquisition device comprising;

a housing,

a power means,

a scanning means for scanning a machine readable symbology,

a digitizer means receiving input from said scanning means and outputting a digital input signal for

a processor means having a machine readable symbology identification and decoding function which is linked to

a memory means for local data storage;

said scanning means, said digitizer means, said processor means, said memory means and said power means arranged and configured within said housing, adapted to be energized by said power means,

said scanning means comprises;

an optical sensor/receiver, a lens to focus optical signals, and an aperture between said lens and said optical sensor/receiver,

a host computer means with a connection to a remote information source;

a communication means for information transfer between said apparatus storage means and said host computer means;

said apparatus arranged and configured to use said scanning means for scanning a machine readable symbology;

said symbology identifying an object for which information is desired; and

said host computer arranged and configured to receive information from said remote information source associated with said symbology wherein

said apparatus further comprises

a housing,

a power means,

a digitizer means receiving input from said scanning means and outputting a digital input signal for

a processor means having a machine readable symbology identification and decoding function which is linked to said memory means;

said scanning means, said digitizer means, said processor means, said memory means and said power means arranged and configured within said housing, adapted to be energized by said power means.

44. The system of claim 43, wherein:

said apparatus and said host computer means are integrated into a cellular telephone.