Machine readable label system with offline capture and processing

• US 20020143643A1
• Filed: 03/31/2001
• Published: 10/03/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Catan, Carolyn Ramsey
• Granted Patent: US 6,676,014 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/26
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions

Abstract

A terminal receives data from a storage device that stores data indicating a topic about which information is sought or with reference to which some transaction is desired. The terminal initiates an exchange with a network server and the terminal by transmitting the data received from the storage device. If an indication is made at the terminal that either a further exchange is not desired or that the terminal cannot presently connect with the server, the data from the storage device is saved in a memory for later use in conducting the further exchange. Various options attending this context include providing for the delivery of information by an alternate channel and other options.

Claims

1. A terminal for displaying information relating to first data stored on a data storage device, comprising:

a controller connected to control a user interface, said controller having a scanner linkable to said data storage device to receive said first data;

a memory connected to be controlled by said controller;

said controller being programmed to transmit said first data to a network device connectable to said controller, receive second data corresponding to said first data from said network device, and output said second data through said user interface responsively to a first event;

said controller being programmed to store said first data in said memory responsively to the absence of said first event;

said controller being programmed to transmit said first data to said network device, receive said second data, and output said second data through said user interface responsively to a second event;

said first event being an indication at said controller that said controller is unable to connect to said network device.

2. A terminal as in claim 1, wherein said first data includes an identifier identifying a product to be purchased and said second data includes information about said product.

3. A terminal as in claim 1, wherein said data storage device is one of a bar-code, a transponder, a memory with contact data transfer capability, a machine readable printed or non-printed symbol.

4. A terminal as in claim 1, wherein said controller is programmed to accept and transmit to said network server a command to transmit said second data in message deliverable through a device other than said terminal.

6. A terminal as in claim 1, wherein said first data includes an identifier identifying a product to be purchased and said second data includes information about said product.

7. A terminal as in claim 1, wherein said data storage device is one of a bar-code, a transponder, a memory with contact data transfer capability, a machine readable printed or non-printed symbol.

8. A terminal as in claim 1, wherein said controller is programmed to accept and transmit to said network server a command to transmit said second data in message deliverable through a device other than said terminal.

5. A terminal for displaying information relating to first data stored on a data storage device, comprising:

a controller connected to control a user interface, said controller having a scanner linkable to said data storage device to receive said first data;

a memory connected to be controlled by said controller;

said controller being programmed to transmit said first data to a network device connnectable to said controller, receive second data corresponding to said first data from said network device, and output said second data through said user interface responsively to a first event;

said controller being programmed to store said first data in said memory responsively to the absence of said first event;

said controller being programmed to transmit said first data to said network device, receive said second data, and output said second data through said user interface responsively to a second event;

said first event being a command received through said user interface.

9. A method of exchanging information with a remote terminal, comprising the steps of:

reading at a local terminal first data from a symbol store attached to an object;

said first data including an address of said remote terminal;

said first data including second data relating to said object;

storing said first data responsively to at least one of an indication stored of a preference that contact with said remote terminal be made at a time other than immediately after said step of reading, said indication being stored on said local terminal, received through a user interface of said local terminal, or received through a network connection from a profile database storing preferences of a user of said local terminal and a failure of an attempt by said local terminal to connect with said remote terminal; and

in response to a further indication received at said local terminal, transmitting said first data to said remote terminal.

10. A method as in claim 9, wherein said local terminal is a wireless terminal and said symbol store is one of a RFID device, an optical symbol, a contact readable memory, and a piece of magnetic media.

11. A method of delivering a message to a terminal, comprising:

receiving at said terminal MRL data stored on a machine-readable label (MRL) device through a MRL reader connectable to said terminal;

accessing from said terminal a resource addressed by at least said MRL data when first data has a first value;

storing at least said MRL data until a condition is met when said first data has a second value;

when said condition is met, accessing from said terminal, or another terminal, said resource addressed by said at least said MRL data.

12. A method as in claim 11, wherein said condition includes an ability of said terminal to connect with a resource base in which said resource is stored.

13. A method as in claim 11, wherein said condition includes a preference setting corresponding to a user.

14. A method as in claim 11, wherein said at least said MRL data is stored in a memory of said terminal.