Wireless interface and method for enhanced functionality

• US 7,530,498 B2
• Filed: 03/19/2007
• Issued: 05/12/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Microvision, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Microvision, Inc.
• Inventors: Ellerthorpe, Scott A., Millet, Edward M., Wiklof, Christopher A., Gibson, Gregory T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Labaze; Edwyn
• Application Number:
  US11/725,989
• Publication Number:
  US 20070249383A1
• Time in Patent Office: 785 Days
• Field of Search: 235/472.02, 235/472.01, 235/462.46, 235/462.45, 455/411, 455/572, 455/575
• US Class Current: 235/472.02
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0004 Hybrid readers

Abstract

A portable end device, such as a bar code scanner, may be equipped with auxiliary interfaces. The auxiliary interfaces may be easily added to the end device as a replaceable cover, such as a replaceable battery door. A signal path conducts signals to and from the replaceable cover. One auxiliary interface is a Bluetooth radio. Data integrity protocols may be selected to guarantee delivery and guarantee no duplicate deliveries. Host pairing algorithms may provide standard or strong pairing with a host computer. Ergonomic interface features allow a user to control and monitor the operation of the end device and the data link with minimal hardware cost and battery life impact. Host software programs provide data routing, automatic reestablishment of the data link, and other functions. The system is adaptable to a wide array of use environments through the selection of timer parameters in the end device.

Claims

1. A method for establishing a radio connection, comprising:

receiving a first activation signal;

applying power to radio hardware;

entering a first discoverable mode for up to a first period of time;

receiving a page from a first host via a radio connection;

entering an active mode of communication with the first host;

transmitting data to the first host;

after data has been transmitted, negotiating a lower power mode with the first host and entering a sniff mode; and

after a second period of time of not receiving a second activation signal, sending a disconnection message to the first host;

removing power from the radio hardware to enter a sleep mode;

receiving a single deactivation signal from not across the radio connection;

resetting a stored first communication link identifier to a null value; and

entering a second discoverable mode for up to a third period of time.

2. The method for establishing a radio connection of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a page from a second host via a radio connection;

receiving a third communication link identifier from the second host;

storing the third communication link identifier as the first communication link identifier in place of the null value; and

entering an active mode of communication with the second host.

3. The method for establishing a radio connection of claim 1, further comprising:

after not receiving a host page within the third period of time, entering the second discoverable mode, entering an initial state having a null value for the first communication link identifier; and

turning off power to radio hardware and entering an initial state.

4. The method for establishing a radio connection of claim 3, wherein the deactivation signal is a long button press.

5. The method for establishing a radio connection of claim 1, wherein the deactivation signal consists of a single deactivation signal.

6. A wireless data collection device, comprising:

a data collection engine operable to collect data from a portable data carrier and transmit a first signal corresponding to collected data;

an electronic controller coupled to receive the first signal corresponding to the collected data and operable to direct a second signal corresponding to the collected data to a plurality of modules according to a schedule of priorities;

a wireless interface module coupled to receive the second signal at a second priority and operable to transmit a third signal corresponding to the collected data wirelessly;

a memory module coupled to receive the second signal at a third priority and operable to store in digital memory a representation of the second signal corresponding to the collected data; and

a timer coupled to the electronic controller and operable to generate a retry signal;

whereby the electronic controller is responsive to the timer to read the representation of the second signal from the memory module and direct the second signal to the wireless interface module.

7. The wireless data collection device of claim 6, further comprising a wired interface module coupled to receive the second signal at a first priority and operable to transmit a fourth signal corresponding to the collected data across a wired interface.

8. The wireless data collection device of claim 6, further comprising:

a case enclosing the data collection engine, the controller, the wireless interface module, the memory module, and the timer; and

a visible indicator on the case, coupled to the electronic controller, and operable to provide a visible indication to a user corresponding to the status of the wireless interface module.

9. The wireless data collection device of claim 6, wherein the data collection engine is a bar code scan engine.

10. The wireless data collection device of claim 6, wherein the wireless interface module is a radio interface module.

11. The wireless data collection device of claim 10, wherein the radio interface module is a Bluetooth radio module.

12. The wireless data collection device of claim 6, wherein the electronic controller and the timer are integrated.

13. The wireless data collection device of claim 6, wherein the memory module and the electronic controller are integrated.

14. The wireless data collection device of claim 6, wherein the memory module and the wireless interface module are integrated.

15. The wireless data collection device of claim 6, wherein the controller is operable, each time a new first signal is received from the data collection engine, to automatically read the representations of second signals corresponding to accumulated collected data from the memory module and direct the second signals to a module according to the priority schedule.