Wireless signature management system

• US 7,123,143 B2
• Filed: 02/11/2003
• Issued: 10/17/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Topaz Systems Inc
• Original Assignee: Topaz Systems Inc
• Inventors: Zank, Anthony E., Jacques, Thomas M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pope, Daryl C
• Application Number:
  US10/365,575
• Publication Number:
  US 20040156536A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,344 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539.1, 340/539.11, 340/539.13, 340/539.21
• US Class Current: 340/539.21
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 51/36 Other devices for indicating or controlling movements of carriers, e.g. for supervising individual tube sections, for counting carriers, for reporting jams or other operating difficulties
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/30 Writer recognition; Reading and verifying signatures
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1427 with transmitter-receiver for distance detection
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/025 System arrangements wherein the alarm criteria uses absence of reply signal after an elapsed time

Abstract

A portable electronic signature system includes a base unit and a wireless remote unit that incorporates graphic tablet digitizer for signaling to a PC of the base unit signature data of a stylus being moved to produce a handwritten signature. The base unit transmits trigger signals for recognition by the remote unit, which also transmits identification signals to the base unit, respective alarms being activated in both the base and remote units in the event that recognition of the identification signals is interrupted by the remote unit being transported out of range. Also disclosed are a method for using the system, a cannister having a wireless alarm for use in a mechanical transport system, and the cannister in combination with a base unit.

Claims

1. A wireless signature management system comprising:

(a) a base unit comprising a base controller and a wireless base transceiver, the base unit further comprising a base alarm circuit interfaced to the base controller;

(b) a remote unit comprising;

(i) a remote controller;

(ii) a wireless remote transceiver, the respective transceivers being operative for bidirectional communication between the base controller and the remote controller within a predetermined distance;

(iii) a signature tablet for receiving a handwritten signature from a user;

(iv) means for temporarily storing signature data corresponding to the signature in one or both of the remote controller and the signature tablet; and

(v) a remote alarm circuit interfaced to the remote controller;

(c) the base controller being operative for activating the base alarm circuit in response to a defined interruption of communication from the remote unit;

(d) means for communicating the signature data from the remote unit to the base unit; and

(e) the remote controller being operative for activating the remote alarm circuit in response to a defined interruption of communication from the base unit.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the base controller is operative for activating the base transceiver to transmit trigger signals, the trigger signals having a first characteristic in response to identification signals received from the remote transceiver by the base transceiver, and a second characteristic in response to non-receipt of the identification signals from the remote transceiver.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the remote controller is operative for activating the remote transceiver to transmit the identification signals in response to receipt of the trigger signals by the remote transceiver.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein transmission of the trigger signals is periodic.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein the remote controller activates transmission of an identification signal in response to each received trigger signal.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the remote unit has a standby mode wherein the remote transceiver is activated during spaced intervals only for reduced power consumption by the remote unit.

7. The system of claim 6, the remote unit further comprising a storage compartment having an access door for receiving objects to be transported therein, and a sensor for signaling a closed condition of the door, wherein the standby mode is activated in response to closure of the door.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the standby mode is exited in response to opening of the door.

9. The system of claim 6, wherein the standby mode is activated in response to completion of a signature capture by the signature tablet.

10. The system of claim 9, the remote unit further comprising a storage compartment having an access door for receiving objects to be transported therein, and a sensor for signaling a closed condition of the door, wherein the completion of the signature capture is indicated by closure of the door.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the means for communicating the signature comprises means for activating the remote transceiver to transmit the signature to the base transceiver.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the means for activating the remote transceiver to transmit the signature comprises means for activating the base transmitter to transmit a download command, and means in the remote unit for recognizing the download command.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the means for communicating the signature comprises a docking device for coupling to the remote unit, the docking device being electrically connected to the base unit, the remote unit being configured for electrically coupling signature data to the docking device.

14. A method for managing transmission of electronic signatures between a transportable device and a transaction facility, comprising:

(a) providing a base facility in association with the transaction facility, comprising a base computer having a base transceiver interfaced therewith;

(b) providing a remote unit associated with the transportable device, comprising a remote computer having a remote transceiver interfaced therewith;

(c) activating the base transceiver to transmit trigger signals;

(d) activating the remote transceiver to transmit identification signals;

(e) activating the base transceiver for receiving the identification signals;

(f) activating the remote transceiver for receiving the trigger signals;

(g) activating a remote alarm at the remote unit in response to a defined interruption of communication from the base unit;

(h) activating a base alarm at the base unit in response to a defined interruption of communication from the remote unit;

(i) deactivating the remote alarm and the base alarm in response to restoration of communication between the base and remote units;

(j) capturing a handwritten signature as digital signature data at the remote unit; and

(k) transmitting the signature data to the base unit.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising altering the trigger signals depending on receipt of valid identification signals at the base unit, and wherein the defined interruption of communication from the base unit comprises the alteration of the trigger signals.

16. A canister for use in a mechanical transport system, the canister comprising:

(a) a housing defining a compartment for receiving items to be transported;

(b) a controller;

(c) a wireless transceiver for communicating with a base facility, the transceiver being operative for bidirectional communication between the controller and the base facility within a predetermined distance;

(d) an alarm circuit interfaced to the controller; and

(e) the controller being operative for;

(i) activating the alarm circuit in response to a defined interruption of communication from the base unit; and

(ii) deactivating the alarm circuit in response to a defined restoration of the communication from the base unit.

17. The canister of claim 16, wherein the controller is operative for activating the transceiver to transmit identification signals to the base facility when the canister is within the predetermined distance.

18. The canister of claim 17, wherein the controller is operative for activating the transceiver to transmit the identification signals in response to receipt of trigger signals from the base facility by the transceiver.

19. The canister of claim 18, wherein the trigger signals can have a first characteristic when identification signals are being received by the base facility and a second characteristic when the identification signals are not being received by the base facility, the defined interruption of communication comprising, during a predefined period of time:

(a) non-receipt of the trigger signals;

or

(b) receipt of trigger signals having the second characteristic.

20. The canister of claim 18, wherein the controller activates transmission of an identification signal in response to each received trigger signal.

21. The canister of claim 16, wherein the controller has a standby mode wherein the transceiver is activated during spaced intervals only for reduced power consumption.

22. The canister of claim 21, further comprising an access door for the compartment, and a sensor for signaling a closed condition of the door, wherein the standby mode is activated in response to closure of the door.

23. The canister of claim 22, wherein the standby mode is exited in response to opening of the door.

24. In combination, a cannister having a housing defining a compartment for receiving items to be transported in a mechanical transport system, and a wireless alarm comprising:

(a) a base unit comprising a base controller and a wireless base transceiver, the base unit further comprising a base alarm circuit interfaced to the base controller;

(b) a remote unit of the cannister, comprising;

(i) a remote controller;

(ii) a wireless remote transceiver, the respective transceivers being operative for bidirectional communication between the base controller and the remote controller within a predetermined distance; and

(iii) a remote alarm circuit interfaced to the remote controller;

(c) the base controller being operative for activating the base alarm circuit in response to a defined interruption of communication from the remote unit; and

(d) the remote controller being operative for activating the remote alarm circuit in response to a defined interruption of communication from the base unit.

25. The combination of claim 24, wherein the base controller is operative for activating the base transceiver to transmit trigger signals, the trigger signals having a first characteristic in response to identification signals received from the remote transceiver by the base transceiver, and a second characteristic in response to non-receipt of the identification signals from the remote transceiver.

26. The combination of claim 25, wherein the remote controller is operative for activating the remote transceiver to transmit the identification signals in response to receipt of the trigger signals by the remote transceiver.

27. The combination of claim 26, wherein transmission of the trigger signals is periodic.

28. The combination of claim 26, wherein the remote controller activates transmission of an identification signal in response to each received trigger signal.

29. The combination of claim 24, wherein the remote unit has a standby mode wherein the remote transceiver is activated during spaced intervals only for reduced power consumption by the remote unit.

30. The combination of claim 29, the cannister further comprising an access door for the storage compartment, and a sensor for signaling a closed condition of the door, wherein the standby mode is activated in response to closure of the door.

31. The combination of claim 30, wherein the standby mode is exited in response to opening of the door.

32. The combination of claim 24, further comprising means for transmitting transaction data between the cannister and the base unit.

33. The combination of claim 32, wherein the means for transmitting transaction data comprises means for activating the remote transceiver to transmit the data to the base transceiver.

34. The combination of claim 33, wherein the means for activating the remote transceiver to transmit the data comprises means for activating the base transmitter to transmit a download command, and means in the remote unit for recognizing the download command.

35. The combination of claim 24, wherein the means for communicating the transaction data comprises a docking device for coupling to the remote unit, the docking device being electrically connected to the base unit, the remote unit being configured for electrically coupling the data through the docking device.

36. A wireless data management system comprising:

(a) a base unit comprising a base controller and a wireless base transceiver; and

(b) a wireless remote unit comprising a remote controller and a wireless remote transceiver, the base transceiver and the remote transceiver being operative for communication between the base controller and the remote controller;

wherein the remote unit is adapted to capture transaction data from a user while wireless communication between the remote unit and the base unit is established and to prevent capturing transaction data from a user when communication between the remote unit and the base unit is interrupted.

37. The system of claim 36, wherein the remote unit is adapted to transmit transaction data to the base unit as it is generated.

38. The system of claim 36, wherein the remote unit comprises a memory for temporarily storing transaction data.

39. The system of claim 38, wherein the memory is contained in the controller.

40. The system of claim 36, additionally comprising a housing defining a compartment in the remote unit for receiving items to be transported.

41. The system of claim 36, wherein the remote controller activates a remote indicator that the remote unit is ready to receive transaction data.

42. The system of claim 41, wherein the remote indicator comprises a LED.

43. A wireless data management system comprising:

(a) a base unit comprising a base controller and a wireless base transceiver; and

(b) a wireless remote unit comprising a remote controller and a wireless remote transceiver, the base transceiver and the remote transceiver being operative for communication between the base controller and the remote controller;

wherein the remote unit is adapted to capture transaction data from a user while wireless communication between the remote unit and the base unit is established and to prevent capturing transaction data from a user when communication between the remote unit and the base unit is interrupted; and

wherein the remote unit comprises a signature tablet, and wherein the transaction data is signature data.

44. The system of claim 43, wherein the remote controller activates a remote indicator that the signature tablet is ready to receive a signature.

45. The system of claim 44, wherein the remote indicator comprises a LED.