Wireless rugged mobile data capture device with integrated RFID reader

• US 7,504,948 B2
• Filed: 04/26/2006
• Issued: 03/17/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Symbol Technologies, LLC (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc. (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Inventors: Wulff, Thomas E., Chamberlin, Ian, Viscount, Brian, Hotard, Justin, Duron, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass; Jeff
• Assistant Examiner(s): Yacob; Sisay
• Application Number:
  US11/410,964
• Publication Number:
  US 20070252702A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,056 Days
• Field of Search: 340/772.1, 3405721-5728, 340/10.3, 235/383, 235/435, 235/375, 235/385, 700/213, 700/214, 343/720, 343/723, 343764-767, 343/841, 343/866, 343/883, 343/901
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• 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

Abstract

A rugged, mobile, wireless data capture device with an integrated radio frequency identification (“RFID”) reader is described. The wireless data capture device includes a durable, sealed enclosure. A wireless microprocessor is mounted within the enclosure. An RFID reader is coupled to the wireless microprocessor and mounted within the enclosure. The enclosure also supports a mounted communications antenna that is communicatively coupled to the wireless microprocessor, as well as RFID reader antenna communicatively coupled to the RFID reader. A power supply system supplies power to the data capture device. Finally, the durable, sealed enclosure includes mounting means for securing the enclosure to industrial equipment in a manner that mitigates effects of physical shock and vibration.

Claims

1. A rugged, mobile, wireless data capture device, comprising:

a durable, sealed enclosure;

a wireless microprocessor shock mounted within the enclosure;

a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader coupled to the wireless microprocessor and mounted within the enclosure;

an RFID antenna assembly communicatively coupled to the data capture device and mounted on the enclosure;

a communications antenna mounted to the enclosure and communicatively coupled to the wireless microprocessor;

a power supply system that supplies power to the data capture device; and

mounting means for securing the enclosure to industrial equipment in a manner that mitigates effects of physical shock and vibration,

wherein the RFID antenna assembly comprises a patch antenna, a back plate, and a compressible electrically insulating material that mounts the patch antenna to the back plate.

2. The device of claim 1, further including a laser scanner device communicatively coupled to the wireless microprocessor and mounted within the enclosure, the enclosure configured to permit transmission and reception of laser light by the laser scanner device.

3. The device of claim 1, further including an optical imager device communicatively coupled to the wireless microprocessor and mounted within the enclosure, the enclosure configured to permit the transmission and reception of visible light by the optical imager device.

4. The device of claim 1, further including an infra-red data association (IRDA) compatible transceiver coupled to the wireless microprocessor and mounted within the enclosure, the enclosure configured to permit the transmission and reception of infra-red light by the IRDA compatible transceiver.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the wireless microprocessor wirelessly communicates with a remote communications network.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the remote communications network is at least one of a wide area network (WAN), a local area network (LAN), a personal area network (PAN), and a global positioning system (GPS) network.

7. The device of claim 5, wherein the wireless microprocessor further includes a wired transceiver that communicates with a communication network via at least one of a universal system bus (USB), Ethernet, or Firewire.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the wireless microprocessor is coupled to an audio circuit, the audio circuit being coupled to an audio speaker mounted on the durable enclosure.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the power supply system further comprises:

a battery charging circuit;

a rechargeable battery removably coupled to the battery charging circuit;

a connection means to an external power supply; and

a power management system coupled to the power supply system that regulates power distribution to various components of the wireless data capture device.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the connection means comprises charging contacts external to the durable sealed enclosure.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the charging contacts are external electro-mechanical make-or-break contacts.

12. The device of claim 10, wherein the charging contacts are inductive coupling make-or-break contacts.

13. The device of claim 9, wherein the connection means comprises an external cable connector.

14. The device of claim 9, wherein the power management system is communicatively coupled to an external battery charging accessory that monitors the state of charge and adjusts the rate of charge of a spare removable rechargeable battery according to instructions from the power management system.

15. The device of claim 9, wherein the power management system establishes a duty cycle wherein various components of the wireless data capture device are powered on and off based on predetermined time intervals.

16. The device of claim 9, wherein the power management system is coupled to a proximity sensor wherein various data capture device components are powered on and off depending on the proximity of freight or other items having information to be captured.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the proximity sensor uses infrared switch technology.

18. The device of claim 16, wherein the proximity sensor uses optical switch technology.

19. The device of claim 16, wherein the proximity sensor uses sonic switch technology.

20. The device of claim 9, wherein the power management system is coupled to a motion sensor that allows various data capture device components to be powered on or off depending on motion of the wireless data capture device.

21. The device of claim 20, wherein the motion sensor uses an accelerometer.

22. The device of claim 20, wherein the motion sensor uses a strain gauge.

23. The device of claim 20, wherein the motion sensor uses a piezoelectric material.

24. The device of claim 20, wherein the motion sensor uses micro-electronic machine technology (MEMs).

25. The device of claim 20, wherein the motion sensor uses switch technology.

26. The device of claim 1, wherein the wireless data capture device includes a manual trigger for turning wireless data capture device on and off.

27. The device of claim 26, wherein the manual trigger is a wireless mobile device that communicates via a communications network.

28. The device of claim 26, wherein the manual trigger is a wired device that communicates via a communications network.

29. The device of claim 26, wherein the manual trigger is a wired device that communicates via discrete cables.

30. The device of claim 1, wherein the wireless data capture device antennas are mounted flush with an external surface of the durable, sealed enclosure.

31. The device of claim 1, wherein the wireless data capture device antennas are mounted within the durable, sealed enclosure, the enclosure permitting the transmission and reception of the signals.

32. The device of claim 1, wherein the wireless data capture device antennas are mounted proud of the external surface of the durable, sealed enclosure.

33. The device of claim 1, wherein the wireless data capture device includes external antenna ports that support use of external wired antennas.

34. The device of claim 1, wherein the durable sealed enclosure is configured to withstand direct impacts and shock loads due to close proximity of freight being transferred.

35. The device of claim 1, wherein the durable sealed enclosure prevents the penetration of dust and water.

36. The device of claim 1, wherein the durable sealed enclosure is manufactured from die cast metallic, thixomolded metallic, and injection molded plastic.

37. The device of claim 1, wherein the mounting means include external or internal vibration / shock mounts coupled to the durable sealed enclosure and internal electronics.

38. The device of claim 1, wherein the mounting means comprises a mounting plate.

39. The device of claim 1, wherein the mounting means comprises a mounting cradle.

40. The device of claim 1, wherein the mounting means comprises a mounting bracket.

44. The device of claim 1, wherein the mounting means secures the enclosure to a forklift between the forks in the load back rest area.

45. The device of claim 1, wherein the RFID antenna assembly further comprises:

a circuit board supported by the back plate, wherein the circuit board is configured to receive an input radio frequency (RF) signal and outputs a first output RF signal and a second RE output signal;

a first compressible contact member that couples the first output RF signal to a first point of the patch antenna; and

a second compressible contact member that couples the second output RF signal to a second point of the patch antenna.

41. A rugged, mobile, wireless data capture device, comprising:

means for durably enclosing and sealing the device;

means for shock mounting a wireless microprocessor within the enclosure means;

means for coupling a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader to the wireless microprocessor and for mounting the RFID reader within the enclosure means;

means for communicatively coupling an RFID antenna assembly to the data capture device and for mounting the RFID antenna on the enclosure means;

means for mounting a communications antenna to the enclosure means and for communicatively coupling the communications antenna to the wireless microprocessor;

means for supplying power to the data capture device; and

mounting means for securing the enclosure means to industrial equipment in a manner that mitigates effects of physical shock and vibration,

wherein the RFID antenna assembly comprises a patch antenna, a back plate and a compressible electrically insulating material that mounts the patch antenna to the back plate.

42. The device of claim 41, wherein the power supply means further comprise:

means for charging a battery;

means for removably coupling a rechargeable battery to the battery charging circuit;

means for coupling the battery charging means to an external power supply; and

power management means coupled to the power supply system for regulating power distribution to various components of the wireless data capture device.

43. The device of claim 42, further comprising means for communicatively coupling the power management means to an external battery charging accessory for monitoring the state of charge and adjusting the rate of charge of a spare removable rechargeable battery, according to instructions from the power management means.

46. The device of claim 41, wherein the mounting means secures the enclosure to a forklift between the forks in the load back rest area.

47. The device of claim 41, wherein the RFID antenna assembly further comprises:

a circuit board supported by the back plate, wherein the circuit board is configured to receive an input radio frequency (RF) signal and outputs a first output RF signal and a second RF output signal;

a first compressible contact member that couples the first output RF signal to a first point of the patch antenna; and

a second compressible contact member that couples the second output RF signal to a second point of the patch antenna.