Automatically-activated hand-supportable laser scanning bar code symbol reading system having data-transmission activation switch
Abstract
Compounds of ** formula **, in which R1 means hydrogen, branched and unbranched C1-C6 alkyl, and a C atom of the alkyl moiety may also carry OR11 or a group R5, in which R11 means hydrogen or C1- alkyl C4, and R2 means hydrogen, chlorine, bromine, iodine, fluorine, CF3, nitro, NHCOR21, NR22R23, OH, O-C1-C4-alkyl, O-C1-C4-alkyl-phenyl, NH2, phenyl, which may be substituted. Phenyl rings also with a maximum of two R24 residues, and R21 and R22 independently mean hydrogen or C1-C4 alkyl and R23 means hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl or phenyl and R24 OH, C1-C6 alkyl, O-C1-C4 alkyl, chlorine, bromine, iodine, fluorine, CF3, nitro , NH2, and x can be 0, 1 and 2 and R3 means -D- (F1) p- (E) q- (F2) rG, where p, qyr cannot be at the same time 0, or -E- (D) u- (F2) s- (G) v, the remainder E may also be substituted with one or two residues A, and R4 means hydrogen, chlorine, fluorine, bromine, iodine, branched and unbranched C1-C6 alkyl, OH, nitro, CF3, CN, NR41R42, NH-CO-R43, O-C1-C4 alkyl, wherein R41 and R42 independently mean hydrogen or C1-C4 alkyl and R43 means hydrogen , C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkyl-phenyl or phenyl, and D means S and O, E means phenyl, imidazole, pyrrole, thiophene, pyridine, pyrimidine, piperazine, pyrazine, furan, thiazole, isoxazole, pyrrolidine, piperidine , trihydroazepine.

Term
Term ended
Projected expiry passed 2 December 2019, 6.8 years ago.
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6 claims: 2 independent, 4 dependent
- 1ES 2 234 327 T3 REIVINDICACIONES 1. Un sistema lector de símbolos de código de barras de muestreo por láser activado automáticamente, que comprende:una carcasa de mano (1002);un mecanismo lector de símbolos de código de barras muestreado por láser (4), dispuesto en dicha carcasa de mano, para leer uno o más símbolos de código de barras sobre un objeto caracterizado porque el mecanismo lector de símbolos de código de barras está dispuesto para leer de forma repetida uno o más símbolos de código de barras sobre el objeto dentro de un periodo de tiempo determinado, y en respuesta a cada nueva lectura satisfactoria de uno de dichos símbolos de código de barras dentro de dicho periodo de tiempo determinado, producir una nueva ristra de datos de carácter de símbolo representativa de dicho símbolo de código de barras leído;caracterizado además el sistema por: un circuito de transmisión de datos (5), dispuesto en dicha carcasa de mano, para transmitir cuando se active, una de dichas ristras de datos de carácter de símbolo seleccionada a un sistema central conectado operativamente con dicho sistema lector de símbolos de código de barras de muestreo por láser activado automáticamente;un interruptor de transmisión de datos activable manualmente (7A), integrado en dicha carcasa de mano, para generar una señal de activación de control de transmisión de datos en respuesta a la actuación de dicho interruptor de transmisión de datos activable manualmente dentro de dicho periodo de tiempo determinado;y un controlador de sistema (8) para activar dicho circuito de transmisión de datos en respuesta a la generación de dicha señal de activación de control de transmisión de datos de forma que se transmite a dicho sistema central una ristra de datos de carácter de símbolo producida actualmente con o inmediatamente siguiente a la activación de dicho interruptor de transmisión de datos activable manualmente.
- 2El sistema lector de símbolos de código de barras de muestreo por láser activado automáticamente de la reivindicación 1, que comprende además un indicador (6), integrado en dicha carcasa de mano, para indicar cada caso de cuándo es leído un símbolo de código de barras por dicho mecanismo lector de símbolo de código de barras de muestreo por láser y se produce por esto una ristra de datos de carácter de símbolo representativa del mismo.
- 3El sistema lector de símbolos de código de barras de muestreo por láser activado automáticamente de la reivindicación 2, que comprende además un modo automático de funcionamiento de mano y un modo automático de funcionamiento apoyado en mostrador;y un medio de selección de modo integrado en dicha carcasa de mano, para generar dicha señal de activación de control de transmisión de datos en respuesta a la colocación de dicha carcasa de mano en un pie de lector o sobre una superficie de mostrador.
- 4Un método para realizar exploración láser activada automáticamente de símbolos de código de barras que comprende los pasos de:leer uno o más símbolos de código de barras sobre un objeto usando un mecanismo de lectura de símbolo de código de barras de muestreo por láser activado automáticamente (4), caracterizado por leer de forma repetida uno o más símbolos de código de barras sobre un objeto en un periodo de tiempo determinado, y en respuesta a cada nueva lectura satisfactoria de uno de dichos símbolos de código de barras dentro de dicho periodo de tiempo determinado, producir una nueva ristra de datos de carácter de símbolo representativa de dicho símbolo de código de barras leído, transmitir cuando se active, una de dichas ristras de datos de carácter de símbolo seleccionada desde un circuito de transmisión de datos (5) a un sistema central, generar una señal de activación de control de transmisión de datos en respuesta a la actuación de un interruptor de transmisión de datos activable manualmente (7A) dentro de dicho periodo de tiempo determinado;y activar dicho circuito de transmisión de datos (5) en respuesta a la generación de dicha señal de activación de control de transmisión de datos de forma que se transmite a dicho sistema central una ristra de datos de carácter de símbolo producida actualmente con o inmediatamente siguiente a la activación de dicho interruptor de transmisión de datos activable manualmente.
- 5El método de la reivindicación 4, comprendiendo además indicar por medio de un indicador cada caso de cuándo es leído un símbolo de código de barras por dicho mecanismo lector de símbolos de código de barras de muestreo por láser y se produce por esto una ristra de datos de carácter de símbolo representativa del mismo.
- 6Un método de acuerdo con la reivindicación 4, donde dicha señal de activación de control se genera en respuesta a la colocación de dicha carcasa de mano en un pie de lector o sobre una superficie de mostrador.
Independent claims6
498 paragraphs in 18 sections, as filed
ES 2 234 327 T3
DESCRIPTION
Automatically activated laser sampling barcode symbol reader system, provided with a data transmission activation switch.
Background of the invention
Technical scope
The present invention relates generally to improvements in automatic laser scanned barcode symbol reading systems, where laser scanning and barcode symbol reading operations are initiated in response to automatic object detection. and / or symbols present on them.
Brief description of the prior art
Bar code symbols have become widely used in many environments such as point-of-sale (POS) terminals in warehouses and retail supermarkets, inventory management documentation tracking, and various data control applications. To cope with the increasing demands of this technological innovation, various types of barcode readers have been developed for sending barcode symbols and producing symbol character data for use as input into automated data processing systems. .
In general, prior art handheld barcode symbol readers employing laser tracking mechanisms can be classified into two main categories.
The first category of laser-based handheld barcode symbol readers includes lightweight handheld laser trackers with manually actuated trigger mechanisms to initiate barcode symbol reading and laser scanning operations. The user places the handheld laser tracker at a specified distance from the object bearing the barcode symbol, activates the tracker to start reading, and then moves the tracker over other objects bearing barcode symbols to be read. Illustrative prior art barcode symbol readers of this first category are disclosed in US Pat. Nos. 4,575,625; 4,845,349; 4,825,057; 4,903,848; 5,107,100; 5,080,456; 5,047,617; 4,387,297; 4,806,742; 5,021,641; 5,468,949; 5,180,904; 5,206,492; 4,593,186; 5,247,162; 4,897,532; 5,250,792; 5,047,617; 4,835,374; 5,017,765; 5,600,121; 5,149,950; and 4,409,470.
The second category of laser-based handheld barcode symbol readers includes lightweight handheld laser trackers with automatically activated (ie triggerless) mechanisms to initiate laser scanning and barcode symbol reading operations. The user places the handheld laser tracker at a specified distance from the object bearing the barcode symbol, the presence of the object is automatically detected using an infrared (IR) light beam or a low power light laser beam and from this the barcode symbol is automatically scanned and decoded (ie read) to produce symbol character data representative of the barcode symbol. Illustrative prior art of this second category of laser-based barcode symbol reader systems is disclosed in US Pat. Nos. 4,639,606; 4,933,538; 5,828,048; 5,828,049; 5,825,012; 5,808,285; 5,796,091; 5,789,730; 5,789,731; 5,777,315; 5,767,501; 5,736,982; 5,742,043; 5,528,024; 5,525,789; D-385,265; 5,484,992; 5,661,292; 5,637,852; 5,468,951; 5,627,359; 5,424,525; 5,616,908; 5,591,953; 5,340,971; 5,340,973; 5,557,093; 5,260,553 and in EP-A0871138, which represents the basis for the preamble of claim 1.
Automatically activated laser tracking barcode symbol readers of the type described in the aforementioned US Open Patents allow the reading of barcode symbols without the limitations and drawbacks of manually activated barcode symbol readers. However, automatically activated barcode symbol readers can sometimes aggressively read barcode symbols that are not intended to be read by the user, such as when attempting to read a particular barcode from a list of barcodes. barcodes printed tightly on a barcode menu or similar structure. This occurs because the scan line within the scan field scans for two or more barcode symbols at the same time, which is likely to occur when the barcode scanner is positioned at a great distance from the object and the laser tracking line due to the tracking geometry of the tracker. Often times, inadvertent barcode reading errors must be corrected on the spot, wasting valuable user time and resources.
Notably, the use of the short-range CCD emulsion mode disclosed by US Patent No. 5,558,024 provides a solution to the problem of inadvertently reading tightly printed barcode symbols on barcode menus. However, even if this short-range CCD emulation mode is employed, it is possible to inadvertently read for the automatically generated laser scan pattern an unwanted barcode from the barcode menu as the operator moves the hand-held reader head into position. on the barcode symbol to be read. This is due to the width of the laser tracking plane that interferes with the object plane carrying the barcode symbol to be read. Although in theory it is possible to operate the IR-based object detector in short-range mode of operation, cost considerations make this practice difficult to achieve.
ES 2 234 327 T3
In order to enjoy the benefits of the short-range CCD emulation mode, the barcode symbol reader must be induced into this mode of operation either by reading a pre-assigned barcode symbol (function-programming) or by operating a switch on the outside of the tracker housing. Then, after reading the bar code symbol from the menu while the device is in short-range CCD emulation mode, the user is required to reconfigure the scanner to long-range operation mode so that it can be used for read barcodes within a large depth of field of the reader. Until actions are taken to reconfigure the barcode symbol reader to its long range mode of operation, the user is forced to read barcode symbols in its CCD emulsion mode which can be inconvenient in many types of applications. tracking, thus reducing worker productivity.
When using the system described above to read barcode symbols on products that have been placed between a set of previously tracked products at a checkout counter, there is a high probability that previously tracked products will be accidentally reread, creating an error. in collection operations. In particular, the structure of this problem is quite similar to the above-described barcode menu reading problem.
US 5 294 782 does not address barcode problems, but does show a second category scanner in combination with a transceiver to allow a credit card verification transaction.
There is a need in the art for an improved barcode symbol reading system and method employing automatically activated laser tracking mechanisms while avoiding the above-described limitations and drawbacks of prior systems and methods.
Preferably, the improved system and method would provide the user with a greater degree of control over the layout of the barcode symbol process, provided that it is automatically initiated to read barcode symbols printed on various types of objects including, but not limited to limited to barcode symbol menus.
Description of the present invention
Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved system and method for reading barcode symbols employing an automatically activated laser tracking mechanism while avoiding the above-described limitations and drawbacks of such devices and techniques. previous.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatically activated laser tracked barcode symbol reading system that provides the user with a greater degree of control over the arrangement of the automatically initiated barcode symbol reading processes to read barcode symbols printed on various types of objects including, but not limited to, barcode symbol menus.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an automatically activated laser tracked barcode symbol reading system and a barcode symbol reading method according to the claims.
An object of the present invention according to at least one preferred embodiment is to provide an automatically activated barcode symbol reading system comprising a barcode symbol reading mechanism contained within a hand-held housing with a control switch data transmission can be activated manually (activation), and wherein the barcode symbol reading mechanism automatically generates a visible laser tracing pattern to repeatedly read one or more barcode symbols from an object during a barcode symbol reading cycle and automatically generate a new one. data string of symbolic characters in response to each barcode symbol read by it.
Another object of the present invention according to at least one preferred embodiment, is to provide this automatically activated barcode symbol reader system where during a barcode symbol reading cycle, the user visually aligns the laser tracing pattern with a particular barcode symbol on an object (e.g. product, document, barcode menu, etc.) so that the barcode symbol is tracked, detected and decoded in a cyclical manner.
Another object of the present invention according to at least one preferred embodiment, is to provide this automatically activated barcode symbol reader system where each time the scanned barcode symbol is successfully read during a barcode symbol reading cycle. bars, a character string of barcode symbols is produced, while actively operating an indicator light on the manual housing, and upon activation of the data transmission control switch during the bar code symbol reading cycle, a data transmission control activation signal is produced, enabling a code symbol character data string to be selected bars and transmitted to the central system automatically.
Another object of the present invention according to at least one preferred embodiment, is to provide this laser tracked automatically activated barcode symbol reader system where the transmission control subsystem thereof allows the transmission of the symbol character data produced to the central system or
ES 2 234 327 T3 associated storage device only when the data transmission control switch provided on the outside of the tracker housing is activated manually by the user during a bar code symbol reading cycle.
Another object of the present invention according to at least one preferred embodiment, is to provide this laser tracked automatically activated barcode symbol reader system where the barcode symbol reading cycle is visually signaled to the user by a status indicator barcode symbol reader provided on the scanner housing.
Another object of the present invention according to at least one preferred embodiment, is to provide this automatically activated barcode symbol reader system where object detection is performed using infrared (IR) signal transmission / reception technology or signaling technology by low power non-visible laser beam, which automatically generates an object detection field that is spatially coincident, or spatially encompasses at least a part of the barcode symbol detection and reading fields during the object detection state of system operation.
Another object of the present invention according to at least one preferred embodiment is to provide this automatically activated barcode symbol reader system, where the visible laser tracking beam is tracked by a one-dimensional, two-dimensional or omnidimensional scanning pattern within the field of barcode detection and barcode reading field of the system.
A further object of the present invention according to at least one preferred embodiment, is to provide this automatically activated barcode symbol reader system, where the handheld barcode symbol reading device can be used as a portable handheld laser tracker in an automatic tour mode of operation with a manually activated data transmission operating state or a stationary laser projection tracker in a mode of operation hands-free with an automatically activated data transmission operating state.
A further object of the present invention according to at least one preferred embodiment, is to provide this automatically activated barcode symbol reader system, where a base unit is provided to support the barcode symbol reading handheld device in its hands-free automatic mode of operation and automatically generating a data transmission control activation signal to enable the automatically activated data transmission state in this operating mode.
A further object of the present invention according to at least one preferred embodiment, is to provide an automatically activated barcode symbol reader handheld device, comprising a control system having (i) several automatically activated states through which the system passes during each barcode symbol reading operation automatically triggered in response to various conditions automatically detected by the device, and also (ii) a manually activated data transmission state initiated by the manual depressing or actuation of a switch, button or similar structure provided on the exterior of the housing in response to the automatic generation of a symbol reading indication signal. barcode produced by the system.
Another object of the present invention according to at least one preferred embodiment is to provide this automatically activated barcode symbol reader system programmed to make use of a novel automatic barcode symbol reading method and where the data transmission automatically generated symbol character is enabled by manual activation of a switch, button or other means made (i) on the outside of the housing of the barcode symbol reader device using mechanical, electrical or electromechanical switch technology or (ii) on the graphical user interface (GUI) or display screen of the barcode symbol reader device using touch screen or similar technology.
A further object of the present invention according to at least one preferred embodiment is to provide a point of sale terminal (POS) incorporating the automatically activated barcode symbol reader system of the present invention.
A further object of the present invention according to at least one preferred embodiment, is to provide an automatically activated manual barcode reader device, with a control system having (i) several automatically activated states that the system can pass through during each automatically controlled barcode symbol reading operation in response to various automatically detected conditions within the device's tracking fields, and also (ii) a manually activated state of data transmission activated by the user by manually pressing or activating a switch, button or other structure provided in the housing in response to the automatic generation by the system of the symbol reading indication signal. barcode.
Another object of the present invention according to at least one preferred embodiment is to provide a novel method for managing automatically generated barcode symbol character data in an automatically activated barcode symbol reader system.
Another object of the present invention according to at least one preferred embodiment, is to provide a reader system
ES 2 234 327 T3 automatically activated barcode symbols, where the user can relay symbol character data associated with a particular barcode symbol to the central system without requiring activation of the laser beam generator or tracking mechanism, thereby increasing system performance as well as worker productivity compared to that achievable using manually activated barcode symbol readers in which the laser generator and scan engine are deactivated after each successful reading of a code symbol of bars.
Another object of the present invention according to at least one preferred embodiment, is to provide a novel method of transmitting automatically generated barcode symbol character data in a handheld unit to a selected information storage and / or processing device located within the handheld unit itself, or to a remote location in the case of a central computer system.
Another object of the present invention according to at least one preferred embodiment is to provide a fully automatic barcode symbol reader system that is compact, easy to use and versatile.
Yet another object of the present invention according to at least one preferred embodiment, is to provide a novel method of reading barcode symbols using the automatically activated barcode symbol reader system of the present invention.
These and other additional objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following and from the claims of the invention.
Brief description of the drawings
For a more complete understanding of the objects of the present invention, the detailed description of the illustrated embodiments of the present invention should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, where:
Fig. 1 is a schematic drawing of the flow chart illustrating the steps involved in performing the barcode symbol reading method of the present invention when employing an automatically activated barcode symbol reader system constructed accordingly ;
Fig. 1A is a schematic representation of the first illustrative embodiment of the automatically activated barcode symbol reading device of the present invention, showing the main component subsystems thereof comprising an IR-based object detection subsystem, a laser-based barcode symbol detection, a data transmission subsystem and a system control subsystem;
Fig. 1B is a schematic representation of the second illustrative embodiment of the automatically activated barcode symbol reading device of the present invention, showing the main component subsystems thereof comprising a laser-based object detection subsystem, a symbol detection subsystem laser-based barcode reader, a barcode symbol reader subsystem, a data transmission subsystem and a system control subsystem;
Fig. 1C is a schematic representation of the third illustrative embodiment of the automatically activated barcode symbol reading device of the present invention, showing the main component subsystems thereof comprising a laser-based barcode symbol detection subsystem , a bar code symbol reader subsystem, a data transmission subsystem and a system control subsystem;
Fig. 2A is a perspective view of the first illustrative embodiment of the automatically activated barcode symbol reader device of the present invention, presented resting on the tracker support foot portion of its paired base unit, for operation automatic hands-free at a POS terminal;
Fig. 2B is an elevation of the automatically activated barcode symbol reading device of Fig. 2A, presented resting on the part of the tracker support foot of its paired base unit, for automatic hands-free operation;
Fig. 2C is a schematic diagram of color coded status indicator light sources provided on the exterior of the housing of the automatically activated barcode symbol reading device of Figs. 2A and 2B, as well as all other automatically activated barcode symbol reading devices of the present invention;
FIG. 2D is a perspective view of the automatically activated barcode symbol reading device of FIG. 1A, displayed in use in the automatic tour mode of operation;
Fig. 2E is a cross-sectional side view taken along the longitudinal extension of the automatically activated barcode symbol reading device of Figs. 2A and 2B, showing the different components contained therein;
2 234 327 T3 Fig. 2F is a cross-sectional plan view of the automatically activated barcode symbol reading device of Figs. 2A and 2B taken along the line 2F-2F of Fig. 2E, showing the different components contained therein;
Fig. 2G is a side view of the automatically activated barcode symbol reading device of Figs. 2A and 2B, illustrating in greater detail the spatial relationship between the IR-based object detection field and the laser-based barcode symbol reading and detection fields of the device presented in Fig. 2A;
Fig. 2H is a plan view of the automatically activated barcode symbol reading device of Figs. 2A and 2B;
Fig. 2I is a perspective view of the second automatically activated barcode symbol reading device of the present invention, where laser-based object detection and barcode symbol field detection and reading are provided for automatically detect objects and read bar code symbols, respectively, while the device is operated in manual and hands-free operating modes;
Fig. 2J is a perspective view of the third automatically activated barcode symbol reading device of the present invention, where barcode field detection and barcode symbol field detection and reading are provided to automatically detect and read barcode symbols while the device is operated in manual and hands-free operating modes;
FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a fourth illustrative embodiment of the automatically activated barcode symbol reading device, displayed mounted on an operator's wrist with its IR-based object detection field and its detection field and laser-based barcode symbol reading extending along the direction the operator's hand is pointing during its automatic hands-free mode of operation;
Fig. 3B is a cross-sectional side view of the automatically activated barcode symbol reading device of Fig. 3A taken along the longitudinal extension thereof, while configured in its reading configuration, showing the various components contained within it;
FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional side view of the automatically activated barcode symbol reading device of FIG. 3A taken along the longitudinal extension thereof, while configured in its non-reading configuration, showing the different components contained within it;
Fig. 3D is a perspective view of a fifth illustrative embodiment of the automatically activated barcode symbol reading device of the present invention, featured mounted on an operator's wrist with its laser-based object detection field and laser-based barcode symbol reading and detection field each extending along the direction the operator's hand is pointing during its automatic hands-free operating mode;
Fig. 3E is a perspective view of a sixth illustrative embodiment of the automatically activated barcode symbol reading device of the present invention, featured mounted on an operator's wrist with its laser-based barcode symbol detection field and laser-based barcode symbol reading field each extending along the direction the hand is pointing operator during its automatic hands-free mode of operation;
Fig. 4A is a perspective view of a seventh illustrative embodiment of the automatic barcode symbol reader device of the present invention, presented supported on its rechargeable base unit, equipped with a connected barcode symbol printing device thereto and with an IR-based object detection field and a laser-based barcode symbol detection and reading field;
Fig. 4B is a cross-sectional view of the seventh illustrative embodiment of the barcode symbol reader device, taken along line 4B-4B of Fig. 4A, showing the device leaning on its base unit during an operation recharging batteries.
FIG. 4C is a plan view of the seventh illustrative embodiment of the barcode symbol reading device of the present invention, displayed by reading a barcode symbol printed on a sheet of paper;
FIG. 4D is a perspective view of the seventh illustrative embodiment of the barcode symbol reader device of the present invention, displayed by reading a barcode symbol printed on a sheet of paper while in close proximity to its unit. even base;
Fig. 4E is a perspective view of an eighth illustrative embodiment of the barcode symbol reading device of the present invention, displayed by reading a barcode symbol printed on a sheet
ES 2 234 327 T3 of paper employing its laser-based object detection field and its laser-based barcode symbol detection and reading fields;
Fig. 4F is a perspective view of a ninth illustrative embodiment of the barcode symbol reading device of the present invention, displayed by reading a barcode symbol printed on a sheet of paper using its detection and reading fields. laser-based barcode symbol;
FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the tenth illustrative embodiment of the finger-mounted barcode symbol reading device of the present invention, displayed by reading a barcode symbol while in the vicinity of its partner base unit. employing its IR-based object detection field and its laser-based barcode symbol reading and detection fields;
FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the eleventh illustrative embodiment of the finger-mounted barcode symbol reading device of the present invention, displayed by reading a barcode symbol while in the vicinity of its partner base unit. employing its laser-based object detection field and its laser-based barcode symbol reading and detection fields;
FIG. 5C is a perspective view of the twelfth illustrative embodiment of the finger-mounted barcode symbol reading device of the present invention, displayed by reading a barcode symbol while in the vicinity of its partner base unit. employing its laser-based barcode detection field and its laser-based barcode symbol reading field;
FIG. 5D is a perspective view of the automatically activated barcode symbol reading device of FIG. 5A, shown being used to read barcode symbols in an inventory application;
Fig. 6A is a perspective view of a thirteenth illustrative embodiment of the automatically activated barcode symbol reading device of the present invention, comprising an integrated WWW browser program for HTTP client support, an LCD touch panel for manual data entry and display visual data, an integrated laser-tracked barcode symbol reader artifact to produce IR-based object detection field and 1-D or 2D barcode symbol reading and detection fields and an established wireless communication link with a Internet Service Provider (ISP) connected to the Internet, for mobile use in different application environments;
Fig. 6B is a perspective view of a fourteenth illustrative embodiment of the automatically activated barcode symbol reader device of the present invention, comprising an integrated WWW browser program for HTTP client support, an LCD touch panel for manual data entry and display visual data, an integrated laser tracked barcode symbol reader artifact to produce a laser-based object detection field and 1 or 2D barcode symbol reading and detection fields and a wireless communication link established with a Internet services (ISP) connected to the Internet, for mobile use in different application environments;
Fig. 6C is a perspective view of a fifteenth illustrative embodiment of the automatically activated barcode symbol reading device of the present invention, comprising an integrated WWW browser program for HTTP client support, an LCD touch panel for manual data entry and display visual data, an integrated laser tracked barcode symbol reader artifact to produce a laser-based object detection field and 1 or 2D barcode symbol reading and detection fields and a wireless communication link established with a Internet services (ISP) connected to the Internet, for mobile use in different application environments;
Fig. 7A is a perspective view of the sixteenth illustrative embodiment of the automatically activatable barcode symbol reader device of the present invention, comprising an integrated laser-tracked barcode symbol reader artifact to produce an IR-based object detection field and a laser-based omnidirectional barcode symbol reader field and an established communication link with its matched base terminal for battery recharging and hands-free operation in various application environments;
Fig. 7B is a perspective view of the seventeenth illustrative embodiment of the automatically activatable barcode symbol reader device of the present invention, comprising an integrated laser tracker artifact to produce a laser-based object detection field and an omnidirectional laser-based laser tracker field and an established communication link with its base terminal adapted for battery recharging and hands-free operation in various application environments;
FIG. 7C is a perspective view of the eighteenth illustrative embodiment of the automatically activatable barcode symbol reader device of the present invention, comprising an integrated laser-tracked barcode symbol reader artifact to produce a detection field. laser-based barcode scanner and laser-based omni-directional barcode symbol reader field and communication link
ES 2 234 327 T3 tions established with its base terminal adapted for battery recharging and hands-free operation in various application environments;
Fig. 8A is a perspective view of the nineteenth illustrative embodiment of the automatically activated barcode symbol reading device of the present invention, comprising an automatically activated laser tracked barcode symbol reading artifact with an object detection field based in IR and a 1-D or 2-D laser-based barcode symbol reading and detection field, presented mounted on the back of an operator's hand and with an external data terminal mounted on the arm thereof;
Fig. 8B is a perspective view of the twentieth illustrative embodiment of the automatically activated barcode symbol reading device of the present invention, comprising an automatically activated laser tracked barcode symbol reading artifact with an object detection field based in laser and a 1-D or 2-D laser-based barcode symbol reading and detection field, presented mounted on the back of an operator's hand and with an external data terminal mounted on the arm thereof;
Fig. 8C is a perspective view of the twenty-first illustrative embodiment of the automatically activated barcode symbol reading device of the present invention, comprising an automatically activated laser tracked barcode symbol reading artifact with a detection and reading field. barcode symbols based on 1-D or 2-D laser, presented mounted on the back of an operator's hand and with an external data terminal mounted on the arm thereof;
FIG. 8D is a perspective view of the automatically activated barcode symbol reading device of FIG. 8A, 8B, or 8C, being used to read barcode symbols in an inventory application;
Fig. 8E1 is a perspective view of the twenty-second illustrative embodiment of the automatically activated barcode symbol reading system of the present invention, comprising an automatically activated laser tracked barcode symbol reading artifact with an object detection field. IR-based, 2-D laser-based barcode detection field and 2-D laser-based barcode reading field, presented mounted on a countertop surface and induced to its automatic hand-held mode of operation;
Fig. 8E2 is a side view of the system of Fig. 8E1 positioned on a countertop surface and engaged in its automatic hands-free mode of operation;
Fig. 8F is a perspective view of the twenty-third illustrative embodiment of the automatically activated barcode symbol reading system of the present invention, comprising an automatically activated laser tracked barcode symbol reading artifact with an object detection field. laser-based, a 2-D laser-based barcode symbol detection field, and a 2-D laser-based barcode symbol reading field, presented resting on a countertop surface and induced to its automatic hand-held mode of operation;
FIG. 8G is a perspective view of the twenty-fourth illustrative embodiment of the automatically activated barcode symbol reading system of the present invention, comprising an automatically activated laser tracked barcode symbol reading artifact with a field of 2-D laser-based tracking, presented resting on a countertop surface and induced in its automatic hand-held mode of operation;
Fig. 9A is a perspective view of a first illustrative embodiment of the automatically activated laser tracked barcode symbol reading artifact of the present invention presented fully assembled, adapted for incorporation into any of the barcode symbol reading devices of the present invention, and prepared to automatically read bar code symbols using its IR-based object detection field and its 1-D laser-based tracking field (ie barcode detection and reading);
FIG. 9B is an exploded perspective view of the automatically activated laser-based barcode symbol reading artifact shown in FIG. 9A;
Fig. 9C is a perspective view of the holograph-based laser tracking module within the laser tracking device;
Fig. 9D is a plan view of the laser tracking module within the laser tracking device of Fig. 9A, showing the operation of the holographic optical elements during beam shaping and the electromagnetically actuated tracking element during tracking operations. To be;
FIG. 9E is a perspective view of a second illustrative embodiment of the automatically activated laser tracking barcode symbol reader artifact of the present invention, displayed fully assembled and adapted for incorporation into any of the symbol reading devices of the present invention. barcode of the present invention, and programmed to automatically read barcode symbols using its field of
ES 2 234 327 T3 laser-based object detection and its tracking field (ie barcode detection and reading) based on 1-D laser;
Fig. 9F is a perspective view of a third illustrative embodiment of the automatically activated laser tracking barcode symbol reading artifact of the present invention, presented fully assembled, adapted for incorporation into any of the barcode symbol reading devices of the present invention, and programmed to automatically read barcode symbols using its 1-D laser-based scanning field (ie barcode detection and reading) without automatic object detection;
FIG. 10A is a perspective view of a fourth illustrative embodiment of the automatically activated laser-tracked barcode symbol reading artifact of the present invention displayed fully assembled, adapted for incorporation into any of the code symbol reading devices. of bars using its field of detection of objects based on IR and its field of tracking (that is to say detection and reading of bar code) based on 2-D laser;
FIG. 10B is a front elevation of the automatically activated laser-tracked barcode symbol reader device of FIG. 10A, showing the geometric characteristics of its light transmission window;
FIG. 10B is a rear elevation of the automatically activated laser-tracked barcode symbol reader artifact of FIG. 10A, showing its signal input / output port;
Fig. 10D is a perspective view of the automatically activated laser-tracked barcode symbol reader artifact of Fig. 10A, shown with the upper cover portion of the miniature housing separated from the lower housing portion thereof, showing the optical arrangement of the laser beam tracking optics of the device;
Fig. 10E is a perspective view of a fifth illustrative embodiment of the automatically activated laser tracking barcode symbol reading artifact of the present invention, displayed fully assembled, adapted for incorporation into any of the barcode symbol reading devices. of the present invention, and programmed to automatically read barcode symbols using its laser-based object detection field and its 2-D laser-based tracking field (ie barcode detection and reading) automatically;
Fig. 10F is a perspective view of a sixth illustrative embodiment of the automatically activated laser tracking barcode symbol reading artifact of the present invention, displayed fully assembled, adapted for incorporation into any of the barcode symbol reading devices of the present invention, and programmed to automatically read barcode symbols using its 2-D laser-based scanning (ie barcode detection and reading) field without automatic object detection;
Fig. 11A is a perspective view of a seventh illustrative embodiment of the automatically activated laser tracking barcode symbol reader artifact of the present invention presented fully assembled and adapted for incorporation into any of the barcode symbol reader devices of the present invention. the present invention, and programmed to automatically read barcode symbols using its IR-based object detection field and 2-D omni-directional laser scanning field (ie, barcode detection and reading) automatically;
Fig. 11B is a perspective view of an eighth illustrative embodiment of the automatically activated laser tracking barcode symbol reading artifact of the present invention presented fully assembled, adapted for incorporation into any of the barcode symbol reading devices of the present invention, and programmed to automatically read bar code symbols using its laser-based object detection field and its omni-directional laser-based tracking (ie, detection and reading) field automatically;
Fig. 11C is a perspective view of a ninth illustrative embodiment of the automatically activated laser tracking barcode symbol reading artifact of the present invention presented fully assembled, adapted for incorporation into any of the barcode symbol reading devices of the present invention, and programmed to automatically read barcode symbols using its tracking field (i.e. detection and reading of barcode) based on omni-directional laser using automatic object detection;
Figs. 12A and 12B are schematic cross-sectional views of the 3-D laser scan volume generated from the laser scan artifacts of Figs. 11A, 11B and 11C, taken parallel to the light transmitting window at approximately 1.0 "and 5.0" from it;
FIG. 13A is a perspective view of a tenth illustrative embodiment of the automatically activated laser tracking barcode symbol reading artifact of the present invention displayed fully assembled, adapted for incorporation into any of the code symbol reading devices. bar code of the present invention, and programmed to read bar code symbols using its detection field
ES 2 234 327 T3 based on IR objects and its scanning field (ie, sensing and reading) 2-D scanning type laser within a 3-D scanning volume automatically;
Fig. 13B is a perspective view of an eleventh illustrative embodiment of the automatically activated laser tracking barcode symbol reader artifact of the present invention displayed fully assembled, adapted for incorporation into any of the barcode symbol reader devices of the present invention. the present invention, and programmed to read barcode symbols using its laser-based object detection field and its scanning field (i.e., sensing and reading) 2-D scan-type laser projected within a 3-D scan volume of automatically;
Fig. 13C is a perspective view of a twelfth illustrative embodiment of the automatically activated laser tracking barcode symbol reader artifact of the present invention displayed fully assembled, adapted for incorporation into any of the barcode symbol reader devices of the present invention, and programmed to read barcode symbols using its tracking field (i.e. detection and reading) based on laser projected into a 3-D scan volume without the use of automatic object detection;
Fig. 14A is a perspective view of a thirteenth illustrative embodiment of the automatically activated laser tracking barcode symbol reader artifact of the present invention displayed fully assembled, adapted for incorporation into any of the barcode symbol reader devices of the present invention. the present invention, and programmed to read barcode symbols using its IR-based object detection field and its tracking field (i.e. detection and reading) 3D omni-directional / multifocal plane laser projected within a well-defined 3-D scan volume automatically;
Fig. 14B is a perspective view of a fourteenth illustrative embodiment of the automatically activated laser tracking barcode symbol reading artifact of the present invention, displayed fully assembled, adapted for incorporation into any of the barcode symbol reading devices of the present invention, and programmed to read barcode symbols using its laser-based object detection field and its tracking field (i.e. detection and reading) 3-D omnidirectional / multifocal planar laser projected within a 3-D scan volume well defined automatically;
Fig. 14C is a perspective view of a fifteenth illustrative embodiment of the automatically activated laser tracking barcode symbol reading artifact of the present invention displayed fully assembled, adapted for incorporation into any of the barcode symbol reading devices. of the present invention, and programmed to read barcode symbols using its tracking field (i.e. detection and reading) 3-D multifocal / omnidirectional planar laser projected into a well-defined 3-D scan volume automatically, without using automatic object detection;
Figs. 15A1 to 15A4, taken together, form a functional system block diagram of the first general operating system design for the automatically activated laser-tracked barcode symbol reader system of the present invention, where automatic object detection is employed. IR based during system operation;
Fig. 15B1 is a schematic diagram of the system override signal detection circuit employed in the Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) chip of the automatically activated barcode symbol reader system of Figs. 15A1 to 15A4;
Fig. 15B2 is a functional logic diagram of the muting detection circuit of the system of the present invention;
Fig. 15C is a functional logic diagram of the oscillator circuit in the ASIC chip in the barcode symbol reader system of Figs. 15A1 to 15A4;
Fig. 15D is a timing diagram of the oscillator circuit of Fig. 15C;
FIG. 15E is a functional block diagram of the IR-based object detection circuit in the barcode symbol reader system of FIGS. 15A1 to 15A4;
Fig. 15F is a functional block diagram of the first control circuit (Ci) of the control subsystem of Figs. 15A1 to 15A4;
Fig. 15G is a functional logic diagram of a clock divider circuit in the first control circuit C<sub>1</sub> of Fig. 15F;
Fig. 15H is a table that establishes the Boolean logic expressions for the enabling signals produced by the first control circuit C<sub>1</sub>;
Fig. 15I is a functional block diagram of the analog-to-digital (A / D) conversion circuit in the chip ASIC of the bar code symbol reader system of Figs. 15A1 to 15A4;
Fig. 15J is a functional block diagram of the bar code symbol detection (presence) circuit in the chip ASIC of the bar code symbol reader system of Figs. 15A1 to 15A4;
FIG. 15K is a functional logic diagram of the clock divider circuit of the barcode symbol detector circuit of FIG. 15J;
Fig. 15L is a schematic representation of the time window and sub-ranges held by the barcode symbol detector circuit shown in Figs. 15A1 to 15A4 during the barcode symbol detection process;
Fig. 15M is a functional logic diagram of the second control circuit (C<sub>2</sub>) of the ASIC chip in the automatic barcode symbol reader system of Figs. 15A1 to 15A4;
Fig. 15N is the Boolean logic table defining the functional relationships between the input and output signals to and from the second control circuit C2 shown in Fig. 15M;
Fig. 15O is a schematic representation of the format of each data packet transmitted from the packet transmission circuit shown in Figs. 15A1 to 15A4;
Fig. 16 is a functional block diagram of the data packet transmission circuit employed in the bar code symbol reader system of Figs. 15A1 to 15A4;
Fig. 17 is a schematic representation illustrating a first communication method that can be used to link a barcode symbol reader to a remote unit, where the barcode symbol reader employs wireless transmission of data packets. one-way to a base unit employing state-dependent acoustic signaling signaling recognition of data packet reception;
Fig. 18 is a schematic representation illustrating a second communication method that can be used to link a barcode symbol reader of this document with a base unit, where the barcode symbol reader employs wireless transmission. from two-way data packets to a base unit using signaling using DPSK modulation techniques;
Fig. 19 is a schematic representation illustrating a third communication method that can be used to link a barcode symbol reader of this document with a base unit, where the barcode symbol reader employs wireless transmission. from two-way data packets to a base unit employing signaling employing spread spectrum signaling techniques;
Figs. 20A1 to 20E, taken together, show a high-level flow diagram of the process control performed by the control subsystem of the barcode symbol reader system of Figs. 15A1 to 15A4;
Fig. 21 is a state diagram illustrating the various states that the automatically activated barcode symbol reading system of Figs. 15A1 to 15A4 may experiment during the course of its scheduled operation;
Figs. 22A1 to 22A4, taken together, form a functional block diagram of the second general system design for the automatically activated laser-tracked barcode symbol reader system of the present invention, where laser-based automatic object detection is employed. low power during system operation;
FIG. 22B is a functional block diagram of the laser-based object detection circuitry of the barcode symbol reader system of FIGS. 22A1 to 22A4;
Fig. 22C is a functional logic diagram of the first control circuit (C<sub>1</sub>) of the control subsystem of Figs. 22A1 to 22A4;
Figs. 23A1 through 23E, taken together, show a high-level flow chart of the control process performed by the control subsystem of the barcode symbol reader system of Figs. 22A1 to 22A4, illustrating various modes of object detection, barcode presence detection, barcode symbol reading, and symbol character data transmission;
Fig. 24 is a state diagram illustrating the different states that the automatically activated barcode symbol reading system of Figs. 22A1 to 22A4 may experiment during the course of its programmed operation;
Figs. 25A and 25B, taken together, form a functional block diagram of the third general design
ES 2 234 327 T3 system for the automatically activated barcode symbol reader system of the present invention, where the detection of the presence of barcode symbols and the reading of barcode symbols during the operation of the jobless object detection system;
FIG. 26 is a schematic representation of the pulse characteristics of the laser beam produced by the automatically activated laser tracking barcode symbol reader system of FIGS. 25A and 25B during their different operating modes;
Figs. 27A through 27C, taken together, show a high-level flow chart of the control process performed by the control subsystem of the barcode symbol reader system of Figs. 25A and 25B, illustrating their different modes of barcode presence detection, barcode symbol reading, and symbol character data transmission;
FIG. 28 is a state diagram illustrating the various states that the automatically activated barcode symbol reading system of FIGS. 25A and 25B may experiment during the course of their scheduled operation;
Figs. 29A1 to 29A4, taken together, form a functional block diagram of the fourth general system design of the automatically activated laser-tracked barcode symbol reader system of the present invention, where the functionalities of the first generalized system design are combined and they combine with the functionalities of the third generalized system design;
Fig. 29B is a logical functional diagram of the first control circuit (C<sub>1</sub>) of the control subsystem of Figs. 29A1 to 29A4;
Fig. 29C is a logic functional diagram of the clock divider circuit of the first control circuit Ci of Fig. 29B;
Fig. 29D is a table establishing the fourth Boolean logic expressions of the enable signals produced by the first control circuit Ci shown in Figs. 29A1 to 29A4;
Figs. 30A1 through 30F2, taken together, show a high-level flow diagram of the control process performed by the control subsystem of the barcode symbol reader system of Figs. 29A1 to 29A4, illustrating various modes of object detection, barcode presence detection, barcode symbol reading, and symbol character data transmission;
Figs. 31A and 31B, taken together, form a state diagram illustrating the various states that the automatically activated barcode symbol reading system of Figs. 29A1 to 29A4 may experiment during the course of its scheduled operation;
Figs. 32A1 through 32E establish a flow chart of an alternative system control process that can be employed in connection with the first generalized system design of Figs. 15A1-15A4;
Figs. 33A1 through 33E establish a flow diagram of an alternative system control process that can be used in conjunction with the second generalized system design of Figs. 22A1 and 22A2;
Figs. 34A through 34C establish a flow chart of an alternative system control process that can be used in conjunction with the third generalized system design of Figs. 25A and 25B;
Figs. 35A through 3F2 establish a flow chart of an alternative system control process that can be used in conjunction with the fourth generalized system design of Figs. 29A1 and 29A2;
FIG. 36A is a perspective view of the crawler kickstand housing of the counter base unit for use with the barcode symbol reading device shown in FIG. 2D;
Fig. 36B is a perspective view of the base plate portion of the counter base unit shown in Fig. 36A;
FIG. 36C is a partially broken away perspective view of the assembled counter base unit shown of FIG. 2D;
Fig. 37 is a functional block diagram of the data packet receiving and processing circuitry and recognition signal generating circuitry made on the printed circuit board in the base unit shown in Fig. 36C;
Fig. 38A is a perspective view of the portable data collection base unit shown in Fig. 3A, which can interface with a central computer system symbol character data collected by a device
ES 2 234 327 T3 automatically activated barcode symbol reader of the present invention as shown, for example, in Figs. 2A, 2I, 2J, 3A, 3D, 3E, 7A, 7B and 7C;
FIG. 38B is a side elevation view of the portable data collection base unit shown in FIG. 38A;
FIG. 38C is a rear elevational view of the portable data collection base unit shown in FIG. 38A;
FIG. 39A is a perspective view of a featured PCMCIA card base unit installed in a PCMCIA slot of a portable desktop computer system, for use in establishing a data transmission link between the desktop computer system and the automatically activated barcode symbol reading device of the present invention;
Figs. 40A to 40D are perspective views of a point of sale system, showing the counter base unit of Fig. 36C resting on a horizontal counter surface and operatively connected to a cash register, with the automatic handheld symbol reader device bar code of Fig. 2A being used in its hand-held mode of operation;
Fig. 41A is a perspective view of a point of sale terminal in accordance with the present invention, showing the counter base unit of Fig. 36C pivotally supported on a horizontal counter surface by means of a pedestal base mounted under an electronic cash register and the automatic handheld barcode symbol reader of Fig. 2A received at the base unit while it is being used in its automatic “hands-free” operating mode;
Figs. 41B and 41C are perspective views of a point of sale terminal in accordance with the present invention, showing the counter base unit of Fig. 36C pivotally supported on a horizontal counter surface by means of a pedestal base and the automatic handheld barcode symbol reader device used in its automatic "handheld" mode of operation; and Figs. 42A through 42C are perspective views of the automatically activated barcode symbol reading system of FIG. 2A being used to read a menu of barcode symbols in accordance with the principles of the present invention.
Detailed Description of Illustrative Embodiments of the Present Invention
With reference to the accompanying drawing figures, the various illustrative embodiments of the automatically activated laser tracking barcode symbol reader system of the present invention will be described in great detail, where similar elements will be indicated using the same reference numerals.
Before detailing the various illustrative embodiments of the present invention, it will be useful first to provide a brief overview of the system and method thereof.
As illustrated in blocks A and B of Fig. 1, the present invention shows an automatically activated barcode symbol reading system 1000 comprising a barcode symbol reading mechanism 1001 contained within a housing of hand 1002 with a manually activated data transmission switch 1003. During symbol reading operations, the barcode symbol reading mechanism 1001 automatically generates a visible laser trace pattern 1004 to repeatedly read one or more barcode symbols 1005 on an object 1005B within a scan cycle of bar code symbol, and automatically generate a new character data string 1006A or 1006B, respectively, in response to each bar code symbol reading in this way. In general, each barcode reading cycle has a certain time span controlled by one or more timers that are periodically monitored during system operation.
During the first step of the barcode symbol reading method of the present invention illustrated in block A of Fig. 1, the user visually aligns the visible laser tracking pattern 1004 with a particular barcode symbol 1005A on an object (e.g., product, barcode menu, etc.) 1005B so that the code symbol is tracked. barcode is detected and decoded cyclically in each barcode symbol reading cycle. Each time the tracked barcode symbol is successfully read during the barcode symbol read cycle, a new string of barcode symbol characters is produced, schematically represented as a circulating arrow structure 1006A, while that an indicator light 1008 on the hand housing 1002 is actively actuated.
As indicated in block B of Fig. 1, upon actuation of the data transmission switch 1003 during the barcode symbol reading cycle, which can generally be achieved by changing the switch state, a data transmission activation control signal is produced internally , thereby enabling a data string of typographic characters produced (currently or below), schematically represented as a directional arrow structure 1006B, is selected and transmitted to central system 1009.
By virtue of the present invention, automatic activated handheld barcode symbol readers13
ES 2 234 327 T3 are now able to accurately read, in an unprecedented way, various types of barcode symbols on barcode menus, consumer products located in crowded POS environments and other objects that require identification automatic and / or access and processing information.
In Figs. 1 to 8D are shown twenty-one different embodiments of the automatically activated barcode symbol reader system of the present invention. These twenty-one different embodiments can be classified into three different types of generalized system designs, each based on the general way in which their underlying laser tracking mechanism is automatically activated and controlled during the process of reading barcode symbols from the machine. present invention. These three different systems are illustrated in Figs. 1A, 1B and 1C. In each of these generalized system designs, the barcode symbol detection and barcode symbol reading operations are performed fully automatically, without the use of a manually activated trigger or similar mechanism, as disclosed. in US Patent Nos. 5,828,048; 5,828,049; 5,825,012; 5,808,285; 5,796,091; 5,789,730; 5,789,731; 5,767,501; 5,736,482; 5,661,292; 5,627,359; 5,424,525; 5,616,908; 5,591,953; 5,557,093; 5,260,553; 5,557,093; 5,528,024; 5,525,798; 5,484,992; 5,468,951; 5,425,525; 5,240,971; 5,340,973; 5,260,553. Before describing in detail each of the illustrative embodiments of the present invention, it will be useful at this juncture to briefly describe each of the three generalized system designs of the present invention.
First Generalized System Design of the Automatically Activated Barcode Symbol Reading Device of the Present Invention
The first generalized system design of the present invention is shown in Fig. 1A. Eight illustrative embodiments of the first generalized system design are represented by the first (2A), fourth (3A), seventh (4A), tenth (5A), sixteenth (7A), nineteenth (8A), and twenty-second (8E1) embodiments shown. in Figs. 2A to 2H, 3A to 3C, 4A to 4D, 5A, 6A, 7A, 8A, and 8E1, respectively. In each illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the handheld, body-wearable or counter-mount barcode symbol reading device (hereinafter referred to as a handheld barcode symbol reading device) includes a reading device. Auto-activated barcode symbol pack included inside the device case. Although hereinafter finger supported, counter-supported, body-wearable handheld housings will be described for the barcode symbol reading device of the present invention, the term "handheld housing" will be considered as used in the following and in the claims of the invention includes all of these housing designs, as well as an infinite series of variations of the form factors thereof. In general, any of the automatically activated laser tracking barcode symbol reading artifacts shown in Figs. 9A to 9D, 10A to 10D, 11A, 13A and 14A can be incorporated within the tracker housing of the barcode symbol reading device. In illustrative embodiments, particular laser tracking artifact designs have been incorporated into the tracker housing of the barcode symbol reading device for illustrative purposes. However, it is understood that other laser tracking artifact designs may be incorporated into the tracker housings of such barcode symbol reading devices.
As indicated in Fig. 1A, the automatically activated barcode symbol reading device of the first general system design 1 comprises several subsystems namely: an IR-based object detection subsystem 2 as shown in the above US Patents Nos. 5,260,553 and 5,808,285; a laser-based barcode symbol detection subsystem 3; a laser-based barcode symbol reader subsystem 4; a data transmission subsystem 5; a status indication subsystem 6; a data transmission activation switch or control device 7A partially or totally integrated in the tracker housing; a mode selector sensor 7B partially or fully integrated into the tracker housing; and a system control subsystem 8 operatively connected to the other subsystems described above. In general the system 1 has several programmed operational states, namely: an object detection state; a barcode symbol detection state; a bar code symbol reading status; and a data transmission state.
Within the context of the system design shown in Fig. 1A, the IR-based object detection subsystem 2 performs the following main functions during the object detection state: (i) automatically and synchronously transmit and receive pulse infrared (IR) signals within an IR-based object detection field 9 defined in relation to the hand-tracker housing (not shown) (ii) automatically detect an object in at least a part of the IR-based object detection field 9 by analyzing the received IR pulse signals; and (iii) in response to this, automatically generating a first control activation signal Ai indicative of this automatic detection of the object within the object detection field. As shown in Fig. 1A, the first control activation signal Ai = 1 is supplied to the system control subsystem 8 for detection, analysis and programmed response.
As shown in Figs. In this regard, the object detection, barcode detection and barcode reading fields 9, 10 and 11, respectively, have been schematically represented only as regards their general geometric limits. The geometric characteristics of these fields have not been shown for clarity purposes. However, conspicuously these characteristics can be ascertained from various related references that have been identified and incorporated herein by reference.
ES 2 234 327 T3
Within the context of the system design shown in Fig. 1A, the laser-based barcode symbol detection subsystem 3 performs the following main functions during the barcode symbol detection state: (i) automatically generate a visible laser tracing pattern of determined features within the barcode detection (symbol) field 10, defined relative to the tracker housing (not shown), to enable tracing of a symbol of barcode of the detected object; (ii) automatically processing the tracking data collected from the barcode symbol detection field 10 and detecting the barcode symbol thereon; and (iii) automatically generate a control activation signal A<sub>2</sub> = 1 indicative of the same in response to the automatic detection of the barcode symbol. As shown in Fig. 1A, the second control drive signal A<sub>2</sub> it is supplied to the system control subsystem 8 for detection, analysis and programmed response.
Within the context of the system design shown in Fig. 1A, the laser-based barcode symbol reader subsystem 4 performs the following functions during the barcode symbol reading state: (i) generate a visible laser trace pattern of determined features within the reading field ( laser-based barcode symbol) 11 defined relative to the tracker housing, to enable tracking of the barcode symbol detected there; (ii) automatically decoding by processing the tracking data collected from the barcode symbol reading field 11 to detect the barcode symbol on the object; (iii) automatically generate a third control activation signal A<sub>3</sub> = 1 indicative of a successful decoding operation and producing decoded typeface data representative of the detected and read barcode symbol. As shown in Fig. 1A, the third control activation signal A<sub>3</sub> it is supplied to the system control subsystem 8 for detection, analysis and programmed response.
Within the context of the system design shown in Fig. 1A, the data transmission subsystem 5 during the data transmission state, automatically transmits data of typographical characters produced to the central system (to which the barcode symbol reading device is connected) or to some other data storage device and / or process, only when the system control subsystem detects the following conditions: (1) generation of the third control activation signal A<sub>3</sub> = 1 in a given period of time, indicative that the barcode symbol has been read; and (ii) generation of data transmission activation control signal A2 = 1 (produced, for example, from a manually activated switch 7A) within a given time frame, indicative that the user wants the data to typographic barcode character produced is transmitted to the central system or proposed device.
Within the context of the system design shown in Fig. 1A, the status selector sensor 7B has two main functions: (i) automatically generate the fourth control activation signal A<sub>4</sub> = 1 provided that the tracker housing is placed on its support pedestal, or placed on a counter or similar surface in those cases where it has been designed to do so, so that the system is automatically induced to its operating mode automatic hands-free; and (ii) to automatically generate the fourth control activation signal A4 = 0 whenever the tracker housing is removed from its support pedestal, or raised from a counter or similar surface in those cases where it has been designed to do so. , so that the system is automatically induced to its automatic manual mode of operation. In the automatic hands-free operation mode the mode selector sensor 7B effectively overrides the data transmission switch 7A. In the automatic manual mode of operation, the transmission switch 7A effectively overrides the mode selector sensor 7B.
Within the context of the system design shown in Fig. 1A, the system control subsystem 8 performs the following main functions: (i) automatically receive control activation signals Ai, A<sub>2</sub>, TO<sub>3</sub> already<sub>4</sub>; automatically generate enable signals E<sub>1</sub>, E<sub>2</sub>, E<sub>3</sub>, E<sub>4</sub>, E<sub>5</sub>, E<sub>6</sub> and E<sub>7</sub>; and (iii) automatically controlling the operation of the other subsystems in accordance with a system control program performed by the system control subsystem 8 during the various modes of operation.
In general, the geometric and optical characteristics of the laser trace patterns generated by the laser-based barcode symbol detection subsystem 3 and the laser-based barcode symbol reader subsystem 4 will depend on each particular embodiment of the device. barcode symbol reader system of the present invention. In most applications, the laser trace patterns generated in the barcode detection and read fields will be substantially congruent, and if not substantially congruent, then prepared so that the barcode symbol reader field 11 spatially overlaps with barcode symbol detection field 10 to improve the tracking efficiency of the system. Likewise, the IR-based object detection field 9 will be arranged in relation to the barcode detection field 10 so that it spatially encompasses the same in the system's tracking operating range, defined by the geometric characteristics of the reader field. barcode 11 of the same.
In general, the detected energy reflected by an object during object detection can be optical radiation or acoustic energy, perceptible or imperceptible by the user, and can be generated by the barcode reading device or by an external environmental source. However, the provision of this energy is preferably achieved by transmitting a wide beam of pulsed infrared (IR) light out of the sampler transmission aperture, as taught herein. In the preferred embodiment, the object detection field 9, from which this reflected energy is collected, is designed to have a pencil-like geometry sparsely divergent from the three-dimensional volumetric space, which is spatially coincident with at least a part of the infrared light beam
ES 2 234 327 T3 transmitted. This feature of the present invention ensures that an object residing within the object detection field 9 will be illuminated by the infrared light beam, and that the infrared light reflected by it will generally be directed towards the transmission aperture of the housing where it will be detected. automatically to indicate the presence of the object within the object detection field 9.
Initially, the control subsystem of the system 8 provides an enable signal Ei = 1 to the IR-based object detection subsystem 2. When an object is presented within the IR-based object detection field 9, the object is automatically detected. by the IR-based object detection subsystem 2. In response to this, the IR-based object detection system automatically generates a control activation signal A<sub>1</sub> = 1. When the activation control signal A is detected<sub>1</sub> = 1 by system control subsystem 8, it automatically activates laser-based barcode symbol detection subsystem 3 by producing an enable signal E<sub>2</sub>. This causes the laser-based barcode symbol detection subsystem 3 to generate a laser sampling pattern of certain characteristics within the laser-based barcode detection field 10. When the laser sampling pattern samples a barcode symbol on the detected object, sample data signals are produced from it, collected, detected, and processed to determine whether a barcode symbol has been scanned. within the barcode symbol detection field 10. If the sampled barcode symbol is detected, then the system control subsystem 8 automatically generates the enable signal E<sub>3</sub> and E<sub>4</sub> to activate the barcode symbol reader subsystem 4. In response to this, the barcode symbol reader subsystem 4 automatically generates a laser sampling pattern in the laser-based barcode reader field 11, samples the detected barcode symbol disposed therein, collects the data sampled from there, decodes the detected barcode symbol, generates symbol character data representative of the decoded barcode symbol and stores the symbol character data in memory. If the detected barcode symbol is read within a certain period of time, and the manual data transmission switch 7A is depressed within a certain time frame set by the control subsystem of the system 8, then the control subsystem of the System 8 automatically activates data transmission subsystem 5. In response to this, the data transmission subsystem 5 automatically transmits the produced / stored symbol character data to the central system (to which the barcode symbol reader is connected), to a data storage buffer ( eg arranged on a portable data collection device connected to the barcode symbol reader) or other data storage / processing device.
By virtue of the new control architecture of the system, the user is allowed to read barcode symbols in a highly intuitive way, where object detection, barcode detection, and barcode symbol reading are performed automatically as the transmission of the decoded barcode symbol character data to the central device is triggered by manual activation of a switching device, button or similar located on the outside of the handheld reader housing. In the preferred embodiment, a visual status indicator is provided on the reader housing to visually indicate that a barcode symbol has been successfully read in a fully automated manner, and that the system is ready to enable data transmission to the reader. central system or similar device. When the visual indicator indicates that a barcode symbol is being read and decoded symbol character data is being generated, the user only needs to press the data transmission enable switch on the reader housing to send the character data. symbols produced next to the central system or similar device. Failure to press the data transmission switch 7A during the allocated time frame in the automatic reading of bar code symbols will result in no transmission of symbol character data to the central system.
The structure and functions of the first general design of the system of Fig. 1A described above are shown in more detail in the embodiment of the system of Figs. 15A1 to 16, and Figs. 20A1 to 21. In this embodiment of the system, the IR-based object detection subsystem 2 is made from various electro-optical and electromechanical components assembled as shown in Figs. 15A1 to 15A4, so as to allow automatic detection of objects within the IR-based object detection field 10 of the system. Similarly, the laser-based barcode symbol detection subsystem 3 is made from various electro-optical and electromechanical components assembled as shown in Figs. 15A1 to 15A4 to allow automatic detection of barcode symbols within the laser-based barcode detection field of the system. Furthermore, the laser-based barcode symbol reader subsystem 4 is made from various electro-optical and electromechanical components assembled in such a way as to allow automatic reading of detected barcode symbols within the field-based barcode reader system laser 11. As will be described in greater detail below, this system embodiment requires a complex control subsystem architecture, but offers a significant improvement in energy savings which can be very important in portable and mobile data acquisition applications.
Second Generalized System Design for the Automatically Activated Barcode Symbol Reading Device of the Present Invention
The second generalized system design of the present invention is shown in Fig. 1B. Eight illustrative embodiments of this second generalized system design are represented by the second, fifth, eighth, eleventh, fourteenth, seventeenth, twenty-third, and twenty-third embodiments shown in Figs. 21, 3D, 4E, 5B, 6B, 7B, 8B, and 8F, respectively. In each of these illustrative embodiments of the present invention, the handheld, body-attachable, or counter-supported barcode symbol reading device includes a
ES 2 234 327 T3 automatically activated barcode symbol reading artifact included within the reader housing. In general, any of the automatically activated barcode symbol reading artifacts shown in Figs. 9E, 10E, 11B, 13B and 14B can be included within the reading housing of the barcode symbol reading device. In illustrative embodiments, particular reader artifact designs have been incorporated into the reader housing of the barcode symbol reader device for illustrative purposes. However, it is understood that other laser scanning artifact designs of these barcode symbol scanning devices may be integrated into the reader housings.
As indicated in Fig. 1B, the automatically activated barcode symbol reading artifact of the second overall system design 15 comprises several subsystems, namely: a laser-based object detection subsystem 16 as shown in FIG. former US Patent No. 4,933,538 to Heiman et al., A laser-based barcode symbol detection subsystem 17; a laser-based barcode symbol reader subsystem 18; a data transmission subsystem 19; a status indication subsystem 20; and a switch or data transmission activation control device 21A integrated with the reader housing totally or partially; a mode selection sensor 21B integrated with the reader housing partially or totally; and a system control subsystem 22 operatively connected to the other subsystems described above. In general, the system 15 has several programmed operating states, namely: an Object Detection State; a Symbol Detection State; a Bar Code Symbol Read Status; and a Data Transmission Status.
In the context of the system design shown in Fig. 1B, the laser-based object detection subsystem 16 performs the following main functions: (i) it automatically generates and samples a low-power pulsed (invisible) laser sampling beam on an object within an object detection field based on laser 23 defined in relation to the handheld reader housing (not shown); (ii) automatically detects an object in at least a part of the laser-based object detection field by analyzing the collected sampling data; and (iii) in response to this, automatic generation of a first control activation signal A<sub>1</sub> indicative of this automatic detection of the object within the object detection field 23. As shown in FIG. 1B, the first control activation signal A1 is provided to the control subsystem of the system 22 for detection, analysis and programmed response.
In the context of the system design shown in Fig. 1B, the laser-based barcode symbol detection subsystem 17 performs the following main functions during the Barcode Symbol Detection State: (i) automatic generation of a laser sampling pattern of determined characteristics within the field laser-based barcode (symbol) detection 24, defined in relation to the reader case, to allow detection of a barcode symbol on the detected object; (ii) automatic processing of the sample data collected from the barcode symbol detection field 24 and detection of the barcode symbol therein; and (iii) automatic generation of a control activation signal A<sub>2</sub> indicative of the same in response to automatic detection of the barcode symbol. As shown in Fig. 1B, the second control drive signal A<sub>2</sub> it is supplied to the system control subsystem 22 for detection, analysis, and programmed response.
In the context of the system design shown in Fig. 1B, the laser-based bar code symbol reader subsystem 18 performs the following functions during the Bar Code Symbol Read State: (i) automatic generation of a visible sampling laser pattern of determined characteristics within the field of laser-based barcode (symbol) reading defined in relation to the reader housing, to allow sampling of the barcode symbol detected therein; (ii) automatically decoding by processing the sample data collected from the barcode symbol reader field 25 to detect the barcode symbol on the detected object; (iii) automatic generation of a third control activation signal A<sub>3</sub> = 1 indicative of a successful decoding operation, and data output of the decoded symbol character representative of the detected and read barcode symbol. As shown in Fig. 1B, the third control activation signal A<sub>3</sub> it is supplied to the system control subsystem 22 for detection, analysis, and programmed response.
As shown in the figures herein, the fields of object detection, barcode detection and barcode reading 23, 24, and 25, respectively, have been schematically represented with only their general geometric limits. For clarity, the geometric characteristics of these fields have not been shown. In particular, however, these characteristics may be established from various references relating thereto which are identified and incorporated herein by reference.
In the context of the system design shown in Fig. 1B, the data transmission subsystem 19 during the Data Transmission State, automatically transmits the symbol character data produced to the central system (to which the barcode symbol reading device is connected) or to some other storage device data and / or process, only when the system control subsystem detects at least the following conditions: (i) generating a third control activation signal A3 = 1 within a specified period of time, indicative that the bar code symbol has been read; and (ii) generating a data transmission control activation signal A<sub>4</sub> = 1 (produced for example by manually activatable switch 21A) within a given time frame, indicative that the user wants the produced barcode symbol character data to be transmitted to the central system or device for which it is intended .
ES 2 234 327 T3
In the context of the system design shown in Fig. 1B, the status selection sensor 21B has two main functions: (i) automatically generate the fourth control activation signal A<sub>4</sub> = 1 provided that the reader casing has been placed on its support base or on a counter or similar surface in those cases in which it has been designed to do so, so that the system is automatically put into its hands-free operating mode automatic; (ii) automatically generate the fourth control activation signal A<sub>4</sub> = 0 provided that the reader casing has been removed from its support base, or lifted from a counter or similar surface in those cases where it has been designed to do so, so that the system is automatically induced into its automatic mode of operation. Handbook. In the hands-free automatic mode of operation, the data transmission switch 21A effectively overrides the mode sensor 21B.
In the context of the system design shown in Fig. 1B, the system control subsystem 22 performs the following main functions: (i) automatically receives the control activation signals A<sub>1</sub>, TO<sub>2</sub>, TO<sub>3</sub> already<sub>4</sub>; (ii) automatic generation of E enable signals<sub>1</sub>, E<sub>2</sub>, E<sub>3</sub>, E<sub>4</sub>, E<sub>5</sub>, E<sub>6</sub> and E<sub>7</sub>; and (iii) automatic control of the operation of the other subsystems according to a system control program carried out by the system control subsystem 22 during the different operating modes of the system.
In general, the geometric and optical characteristics of the laser sampling patterns generated by the laser-based barcode symbol detection subsystem 17 and by the laser-based barcode symbol reader subsystem 18 will depend on each particular embodiment. of the barcode symbol reader system of the present invention. In most applications, the laser sampling patterns generated in the barcode sensing and reading fields will be substantially congruent and if they are not substantially congruent, they will be arranged so that the barcode symbol reading field is Spatially overlaps the barcode symbol detection field to improve the sampling efficiency of the system. In addition, the laser-based object detection field will be arranged in relation to the barcode detection field so that they spatially span the same in the operational sampling range of the system defined by the geometric characteristics of the code reading field. of bars of the same.
Initially, the system control subsystem 22 provides an enable signal E1 = 1 to the laser-based object detection subsystem 16. When an object is presented in the laser-based object detection field 23, the object is automatically detected. by the laser-based object detection subsystem 16. In response to this, the laser-based object detection subsystem 16 automatically generates a control drive signal A1 = 1. When the control activation signal A1 = 1 is detected by the system control subsystem 22, the laser-based barcode symbol detection subsystem automatically activates the laser-based barcode symbol detection subsystem 17 producing the enable signal E2. This causes the laser-based barcode detection subsystem 17 to generate a visible laser sampling pattern of determined characteristics within the laser-based barcode detection field 24. When the laser sampling pattern scans a barcode symbol on the detected object, sample data signals are produced from that object, detected, and processed to determine whether a barcode symbol has been detected in the detection field of barcode symbols 24. If the sampled barcode symbol is detected, then the system control subsystem 22 automatically generates enable signals E<sub>3</sub> and E<sub>4</sub> to activate the barcode symbol reader subsystem 18. In response to this, the barcode symbol reader subsystem 18 automatically generates a visible laser sampling pattern in the laser-based barcode reader field 25, samples the detected barcode symbol disposed therein, collects from there the sampling data, decode the detected barcode symbol, generates symbol character data representative of the decoded barcode symbol and stores the symbol character data in memory. If the detected barcode symbol is read in a given period of time, and the manually activated data transmission switch 21A is depressed, then the system control subsystem 22 automatically activates the data transmission subsystem 19. In response to this, the data transmission subsystem 19 automatically transmits the produced / stored symbol character data to the central system (to which the barcode symbol reader is connected), to a data storage buffer ( prepared for example on a portable data collection device connected to the barcode symbol reader), or to another data storage / processing device.
By virtue of the new system control architecture, the user is allowed to read barcode symbols in a highly intuitive way, where object detection and barcode symbol reading are performed automatically at the same time. that the transmission of the decoded symbol character data to the central device is enabled by manual activation of a switch, button or similar device located on the outside of the handheld reader housing. In the preferred embodiment, a visual indicator is provided on the reader housing to visually indicate that a barcode symbol has been successfully read in a fully automated manner, and that the system is ready for data transmission to the central system or similar device. When the visual indicator indicates that a barcode symbol is being read and decoded symbol character data is being generated, the user only needs to press the data transmission control enable switch 21A on the reader housing to send the data. symbol character data subsequently produced to the central system or similar device.
The structure and functions of the second general design of the system of Fig. 1B described above are shown in more detail in the embodiment of the system of Figs. 22A1 to 24, where a low-power laser-based object detection subsystem is provided for the automatic detection of objects within the object detection field of the
ES 2 234 327 T3 system. Likewise, the laser-based barcode symbol detection subsystem 17 is made from various electro-optical and electromechanical components assembled as shown in Figs. 22A1 to 22A4, so as to allow automatic detection of barcode symbols on detected objects within the laser-based barcode detection field of the system. Furthermore, the laser-based barcode symbol reader subsystem 18 is made from various electro-optical and electromechanical components assembled as shown in Figs. 22A1 to 22A4 so as to allow automatic reading of barcode symbols detected within the laser-based barcode reader field of the system. As will be described in greater detail below, this system embodiment requires a less complex control subsystem architecture, but does not enjoy the energy saving advantages of system designs employing IR-based object detection.
Third Generalized System Design for the Automatically Activated Barcode Symbol Reading Device of the Present Invention
The third generalized system design of the present invention is shown in Fig. 1C. Eight illustrative embodiments of this third generalized system design are represented by the third, sixth, ninth, twelfth, fifteenth, eighteenth, twenty-first, and twenty-fourth embodiments shown in Figs. 2J, 3E, 4F, 5C, 6C, 7C, 8C, and 8G, respectively. In each of these illustrative embodiments of the present invention, the handheld, body-attachable, or counter-supported barcode symbol reading device includes an automatically activated barcode symbol reading artifact included within the reader housing. In general, any of the automatically activated barcode symbol laser reading artifacts shown in Figs. 9F, 10F, 11C, 13C and 14C can be included within the reading housing of the barcode symbol reading device. In illustrative embodiments, particular laser scanning artifact designs have been incorporated into the reading housing of the barcode symbol reading device for illustrative purposes. However, it is understood that other laser scanning artifact designs of these barcode symbol scanning devices may be integrated into the reader housings.
As indicated in Fig. 1C, the automatically activated barcode symbol reading artifact of the third overall system design 30 comprises several subsystems, namely: a laser-based barcode symbol detection subsystem 31; a laser-based barcode symbol reader subsystem 32; a data transmission subsystem 33; a status indication subsystem 34; and a data transmission activation control or switch device 35A fully or partially integrated with the reader housing (not shown); a mode selection sensor 35B partially or fully integrated with the reader housing; and a system control subsystem 36 operatively connected to the other subsystems described above. In general, the system 30 has several programmed operating states, namely: a Bar Code Symbol Detection State; a Bar Code Symbol Read Status; and a Data Transmission Status.
In the context of the system design shown in Fig. 1C, the laser-based barcode symbol detection subsystem 31 performs the following main functions during the Barcode Symbol Detection State: (i) automatic generation of a laser sampling pattern of determined characteristics within a laser-based barcode (symbol) detection field 37, defined relative to the reader housing, to allow sampling of a barcode symbol on the detected object; (ii) automatic processing of the sample data collected from the barcode symbol detection field 37 and detection of the barcode symbol therein; and (iii) automatic generation of a control activation signal A<sub>2</sub> = 1 indicative of the same in response to automatic detection of the barcode symbol. As shown in FIG. 1C, the second control drive signal A2 is supplied to the system control subsystem 36 for detection, analysis, and timed response.
In the context of the system design shown in Fig. 1C, the laser-based barcode symbol reader subsystem 32 performs the following functions during the Barcode Symbol Read State: (i) automatic generation of a visible sampling laser pattern of determined characteristics within a field laser-based barcode (symbol) reading defined relative to the reader housing, to allow sampling of the barcode symbol detected therein; (ii) automatically decode-process the collected sample data from the barcode symbol reader field 38 to detect the barcode symbol on the detected object; (iii) automatic generation of a third control activation signal A<sub>3</sub> = 1 indicative of a successful decoding operation, and data output of the decoded symbol character representative of the detected and read barcode symbol. As shown in Fig. 1C, the third control activation signal A<sub>3</sub> it is supplied to the system control subsystem 36 for detection, analysis, and programmed response.
In the context of the system design shown in Fig. 1C, the data transmission subsystem 33 during the Data Transmission State, automatically transmits the symbol character data produced to the central system (to which the barcode reading device is connected) or to some other data storage device and / or process, only when the system control subsystem 36 detects the following conditions: (i) generating a third control activation signal A3 = 1 within a specified period of time, indicative that the bar code symbol has been read; and (ii) generating a data transmission control activation signal A<sub>4</sub> = 1 (produced for example by manually activatable switch 35A) within a time frame
ES 2 234 327 T3 determined, indicative that the user wants the produced barcode symbol character data to be transmitted to the central system or device for which it is intended.
In the context of the system design shown in Fig. 1C, the status selection sensor 35B has two main functions: (i) automatically generating the fourth control activation signal A<sub>4</sub> = 1 provided that the reader casing has been placed on its support base or on a counter or similar surface in those cases where it has been designed to do so, so that the system is automatically induced into its automatic hands-on mode free; and (ii) automatically generate the fourth control activation signal A4 = 0 whenever the reader housing has been removed from its support base, or lifted from a counter or similar surface in those cases where it has been designed to do so, so that the system is automatically brought into its automatic mode of manual operation. In the hands-free automatic mode of operation, the mode selector sensor 35B effectively overrides the data transmission switch 35A. In the manual automatic mode of operation the data transmission switch 35A effectively overrides the mode selector sensor 35B.
In the context of the system design shown in Fig. 1C, the system control subsystem 36 performs the following main functions: (i) automatically receives the control activation signals A<sub>1</sub>, TO<sub>2</sub>, TO<sub>3</sub> already<sub>4</sub>; (ii) automatic generation of E enable signals<sub>2</sub>, E<sub>3</sub>, E<sub>4</sub>, E<sub>5</sub>, E<sub>6</sub> and E<sub>7</sub>; and (iii) automatic control of the operation of the other subsystems in accordance with a system control program carried out by the system control subsystem 36 during the different operating modes of the system.
In general, the geometric and optical characteristics of the laser sampling patterns generated by the laser-based barcode symbol detection subsystem 31 and by the laser-based barcode symbol reader subsystem 32 will depend on each particular embodiment. of the barcode symbol reader system of the present invention. In most applications, the laser sampling patterns generated in the barcode sensing and reading fields will be substantially congruent and if they are not substantially congruent, they will be arranged so that the barcode symbol reading field is Spatially overlaps the barcode symbol detection field to improve the sampling efficiency of the system.
Initially, the system control subsystem 36 provides an enable signal E2 = 1 to the laser-based barcode detection subsystem 31. This causes the laser-based barcode detection subsystem 31 to generate a sampling pattern. pulsed laser of determined characteristics within the laser-based barcode detection field 37. As shown in Fig. 26, the duration of the pulse of the laser signal is around 50%, while the duration of no pulse is also around 50%. When the laser sampling pattern scans a barcode symbol on the detected object, sample data signals are produced from that object, collected, detected, and processed to determine whether a barcode symbol has been detected in the field of barcode symbol detection 37. If the sampled barcode symbol is detected, then the system control subsystem 36 automatically generates an enable signal E4 = 1 to activate the barcode symbol reader subsystem 32. In response to this, the laser-based barcode symbol reader subsystem 32 automatically generates a visible laser sampling pattern in the laser-based barcode reader field 38, samples the detected barcode symbol disposed therein. , collects the sampling data from there, decodes the detected barcode symbol, generates symbol character data representative of the decoded barcode symbol and stores the symbol character data in memory. If the detected barcode symbol is read in a certain period of time, and the manually activated data transmission switch 35A is depressed within a certain time frame set by the system control subsystem 36, then the control subsystem System 36 automatically activates data transmission subsystem 33. In response to this, the data transmission subsystem automatically transmits the produced / stored symbol character data to the central system (to which the barcode symbol reader is connected), to a data storage buffer (prepared for example on a portable data collection device connected to the barcode symbol reader), or to another data storage / processing device.
By virtue of the new system control architecture, the user is allowed to read barcode symbols in a highly intuitive way, where barcode detection and barcode symbol reading are performed automatically by time that the transmission of the decoded symbol character data to the central device is enabled by manual activation of a switch, button or similar device located on the outside of the handheld reader housing. In the preferred embodiment, a visual indicator is provided on the reader housing to visually indicate that a barcode symbol has been successfully read in a fully automated manner, and that the system is ready for data transmission to the central system or similar device. When the visual indicator indicates that a barcode symbol is being read and decoded symbol character data is being generated, the user only needs to press the data transmission enable switch on the reader housing to send the produced data next to the central system or similar device.
The structure and functions of the third general design of the system of Fig. 1C described above are shown in more detail in the embodiment of the system of Figs. 25A to 28, where there is no provision for automatic object detection in the system, but simply a subsystem for detecting the presence of barcode symbols running continuously for automatic detection of barcodes in the sampling field of the system. .
The laser-based barcode symbol detection subsystem 31 is made from various
ES 2 234 327 T3 electro-optical and electromechanical components assembled as shown in Figs. 25A to 25B, so as to allow automatic detection of barcode symbols on detected objects within the laser-based barcode detection field of the system. Furthermore, the laser-based barcode symbol reader subsystem is made from various electro-optical and electromechanical components assembled as shown in Figs. 25A to 25B so as to allow automatic reading of barcode symbols detected within the laser-based barcode reader field of the system. As will be described in greater detail below, this system design requires an even simpler control subsystem architecture than system designs employing automatic object detection. However, this system design requires a low-power (invisible) laser beam to be continuously or periodically generated in the barcode symbol detection field during system operation, thereby consuming electrical energy that can be significant in applications. portable and mobile sampling systems where battery power is used.
Although each of the three generalized barcode symbol reader systems described above can be connected to its base unit, central computer, data processor, data storage device or similar device by means of coiled cables with a structure of cord type, in many embodiments it is preferred to connect the barcode symbol reader system of the present invention to its base unit, central computer, data processor, data storage device or similar device via a wireless communication link. In general, the wireless communication link can be done in a number of ways, namely: employing the two-way RF link of the type described in US Patent Nos. 4,460,120; 5,321,246 and 5,142,550 or using a single-way transmission link as described in US Patent No. 5,808,285 to Rockstein et al; etc.
First Illustrative Embodiment of the Automatically Activated Bar Code Symbol Reader System of the Present Invention
As shown in Figs. 2A to 2H, the bar code symbol reading system of the first illustrative embodiment 40 comprises an automatically activated bar code symbol reading device 41 operatively associated with a base unit 42 having a reader support foot 43. The barcode symbol reading device 41 is operatively connected to its base 42 by means of a single or two-way electromagnetic link established between the barcode symbol reading device 41 and its partner base unit 42. Upon each successful reading of a barcode symbol by the barcode symbol reading device 41, symbol character data (representative of the barcode symbol read) is generated, and if activated in time, then it produces Symbol character data collected from the same barcode symbol read which is automatically transmitted to the central device. An interoperable connection between the base unit 42 and a central system (eg electronic cash register system, data collection device, etc.) 45 is achieved by flexible multi-wire communications cable 46 extending from the base unit and it is connected directly to said communication input port of the central computer system 45.
In the illustrative embodiment, electrical power is supplied from a low voltage direct current (DC) source (not shown) to the base unit by means of a flexible cable 47. Particularly, this DC power supply can be made in the central computer system 45 or as a separate DC power supply adapter pluggable into a conventional 3-pin electrical outlet. As will be described in more detail below, a power unit 55 to a rechargeable battery is included in the barcode symbol reading device 41 in order to power the electrical and electro-optical components of the device.
As illustrated in Figs. 2A and 2B, the reader support foot 43 is specially adapted to receive and support the portable barcode symbol reader device 41 in a selected position without user support, thereby providing a stable hands-free automatic mode of operation. . In general, the portable barcode symbol reader device 41 includes an ultralight handheld housing 49 with a contoured head 49A and a handle 49B. As will be described in more detail below, head 49A includes electro-optic components that are used to generate and project a visible laser beam through a transmissive light window 50 in housing head 49A, and to repeatedly sample the laser beam projected into its barcode detection scanning field 10 and its barcode reading field 11, both defined as external to the manual housing.
As illustrated in Figs. 2A and 2B, the reader support foot 43 includes a support body comprising a base 51A, a head support structure 51B, a handle support structure 51C, and a finger housing recess 51D. As shown, the base 51A has a longitudinal extension and is adapted to be selectively positioned with respect to a bearing surface, e.g. ex. a countertop surface, a counter surface, etc. An aperture 51A1 is formed in the base 51A to allow a piezoelectric transducer 559 to acknowledge acoustic signals upon successful transmission of data to the base unit. The head support structure 51B is connected to the base 51A, to receive and support the head of the barcode symbol reading device. In order that the user's hand can fully grasp the handle of the handheld barcode symbol reader device, (p. ex. before removing it and removing it from the reader support foot), a finger housing gap 51D is prepared between the support structures of the head and handle 51B and 51C and the base 51A of the support body 51A. In this way, the finger housing hole 51D is laterally accessible so that when the head and handle 49A and 49B are received in and supported by the head support structure 51B and the handle support structure 51C, respectively, the user's fingers can
ES 2 234 327 T3 can easily be inserted into the finger-receiving recess 51D and completely encircle the handle of the handheld device.
As shown in Fig. 2E, the barcode symbol reading device 41 includes a mode selector sensor 800 (eg, an electronic or electrical / mechanical sensor) located at the end of the handheld housing. When the shell is attached to your foot, the mode selector sensor 800 automatically detects the foot (or countertop surface) and generates a data transmission control activation signal A<sub>4</sub> = 1, which overrides the data transmission enable switch 44 on the housing during hands-free mode of operation when the barcode symbol reading device is picked up from the housing, the mode selector sensor outputs A4 = 0, which is overridden by the data transmission enable switch 44 in the manual mode of operation.
As illustrated in FIG. 2E in particular, the head 49A extends continuously in a contoured handle 49B at an obtuse angle that, in the illustrative embodiment, is about 146 degrees. It is understood however, that in other embodiments the obtuse angle may range from about 135 to about 180 degrees. Because this ergonomic housing design is conformed (that is, adjusted to fit) to the human hand, automatic hand reading becomes as easy and effortless as shaking your hand.
As illustrated in Figs. 2A to 2D, the housing head 49A has a light transmitting aperture 50 formed in the top of the front panel 52A, to allow visible laser light to exit and enter the housing as will be described in more detail below. . The underside of front panel 52B is optically opaque, as are other surfaces of the handheld housing.
As best shown in Figs. 2E and 2F, an automatically activated laser sampling barcode symbol reader device 53 is firmly mounted within the hand housing head 49A, while a printed circuit board is mounted inside the hand housing handle 49B. (CI) 54 and a rechargeable battery power unit 55. On the PCB 54 a packet data transmission circuit 56 is seen in the housing 49B and is operatively connected to the barcode symbol reader device 53 contained therein by means of a first flexible bundle of conductors 57. Al packet data transmission circuit 56 and to the barcode symbol reader device 53 electrical power is supplied from a rechargeable battery 55 by means of a second flexible bundle of conductors 58. As shown, a transmitting antenna 59 is operatively connected to the packet data transmission circuit 56 on the IC board 54 and is mounted on the handheld housing 49B for transmission of an RF carrier signal modulated by the data packet to a base unit associated with the automatic barcode symbol reading device. The structure and functions of the different types of automatic barcode symbol reading artifacts that can be incorporated into the device of Fig. 2A are described in more detail hereinafter.
In general, any of the bar code symbol reading artifacts depicted in Figs. 9A through 9D, 10A through 10D, 11a, 13A, and 14A may be incorporated into the handheld housing of the barcode symbol reading device 40 shown in Figs. 2A to 2H, with little or no changes in its form factor. When incorporated into the handheld housing 49 as shown, each of these laser sampling artifacts, indicated by reference numeral 53 in Figs. 2A-2H, will enable the automatic generation of: an IR-based object detection field 9 projected along the longitudinal sampling axis 60 of the device housing in response to the ignition of the device; a laser-based barcode symbol detection field 10, in response to the automatic detection of objects within the IR-based object detection field 9; and a laser-based barcode symbol reader field 11 in response to automatic detection of barcode symbols within the laser-based barcode symbol detection field 10 consistent with the structure and functions depicted in the schematic diagram of Fig. 1A. During system operations, the states of the system are visually indicated by the status indicator light strip 61 mounted on the exterior of the reader housing, as shown in Figs. 2A and 2H. As will be described in more detail below, the laser sampled barcode symbol reading artifact 53 has a similar system architecture schematically illustrated in Figs. 15 to 19. The system control process underlying this generalized system design is illustrated in the flow chart presented in Figs. 20A1 to 20E. The operating states of this generalized system design are described in the state transition diagram of Fig. 21.
Second Illustrative Embodiment of the Automatically Activated Barcode Symbol Reader System of the Present Invention
Shown in Fig. 2I is the second illustrative embodiment of the automatically activated barcode symbol reading system 40 herein comprising an automatically activated handheld barcode symbol reading device 41 and a base unit 42 in communication. with that carried out using a single or double-way data communication link 63. As shown, this automatically activated bar code symbol reading system 40 is similar to the bar code symbol reading system 40 shown in Figs. 2A to 2H, in all but a few respects. In particular, the bar code symbol reading device of Fig. 2I may incorporate in its handheld housing 49 any of the sampling laser artifacts disclosed in Figs. 9E, 10e, 11B, 13B and 14B, with little or no modifications in its form factor. When each of these laser sampling artifacts, indicated by reference numeral 53, is incorporated within hand housing 49 as shown in Fig. 2I, it will enable the generation of: an object detection field based on low power laser 23 in response to ignition of the sampling device
ES 2 234 327 T3 laser; a laser-based barcode symbol detection field 24, generated in response to the automatic detection of objects within the laser-based object detection field 23; and a laser-based barcode symbol reader field 25 generated in response to automatic detection of barcode symbols within the laser-based barcode symbol detection field 24 consistent with the structure and functions depicted in the schematic diagram of Fig. 1B. As will be described in more detail below, each laser sampled barcode symbol reading artifact 53 has the same general system architecture schematically illustrated in Figs. 22A1 to 22C. The system control process underlying this generalized system design is illustrated in the flow chart presented in Figs. 23A1 to 23E. The operating states of this generalized system design are described in the state transition diagram of Fig. 24.
Third Illustrative Embodiment of the Automatically Activated Bar Code Symbol Reader System of the Present Invention
In Fig. 2J is shown the third illustrative embodiment of the automatically activated barcode symbol reading system 40 comprising an automatically activated handheld barcode symbol reading device 41 and a base unit in communication therewith realized using a single or double way data communication link 63. As shown, this automatically activated bar code symbol reading system 40 is similar to the bar code symbol reading system 40 shown in Figs. 2A to 2H, in all but a few respects. In particular, the barcode symbol reading device of Fig. 2J may incorporate any of the sampling laser artifacts disclosed in Figs. 9F, 10F, 11C, 13C and 14C, with little or no modifications in its form factor.
When each of these laser sampling artifacts, indicated by 53 in Fig. 2J, is incorporated within the handheld housing 49, it will enable the generation of: a laser-based barcode detection field 37, in response to turning on the laser sampling artifact, and a laser-based barcode symbol reading field 38 in response to automatic detection of barcode symbols within the laser-based barcode symbol detection field 37, consistent with the structure and functions depicted in the schematic diagram of Fig. 1C. In this illustrative embodiment, there is no form of automatic object detection provided with the barcode symbol reading device 41, because the barcode symbol reading device is presumed not to be used in portable sampling applications, away from your base unit or central system, but rather tied to your central system (eg. cash register / computer) by means of a flexible cable that incorporates data and power lines between the barcode symbol reading device and the central computer. As will be described in more detail below, each laser sampled barcode symbol reading artifact has the same general system architecture schematically illustrated in Figs. 25A to 26. The system control process underlying this generalized system design is illustrated in the flow chart presented in Figs. 27A to 27C. The operating states of this generalized system design are described in the state transition diagram of Fig. 28.
Fourth Illustrative Embodiment of the Automatically Activated Barcode Symbol Reader System of the Present Invention
In Figs. 3A to 3C, the fourth illustrative embodiment of the automatically activated barcode symbol reader system 64 herein is shown, comprising: a wrist automatically activated barcode symbol reader device 65 including a wrist housing having a head 66A with a light transmitting window 67 and a rear portion 66B that is hingedly connected to the head 66A by means of a hinge mechanism 68. As shown, the back of the housing 66B is mountable on the user's wrist by means of a wrist band or strap 69 which may be made of one or more different types of material. In addition, an elastic seal 70 is disposed around the physical interface of the housing head 66A and the rear of the housing 66B in order to seal the interior of the housing from environmental dirt such as dust, moisture, and the like.
As shown in Figs. 3B and 3C, an automatically activated barcode symbol reader device 53 is mounted inside the housing head 66A, while a small IC board 71 and a miniature power supply unit are mounted on the rear of the housing 66B. rechargeable battery pack 72. The data packet transmission circuit used in the bar code symbol reader system 65 is made on the IC board 71, shown in Figs. 3B and 3C. The battery power unit 72 provides electrical power to the PCB 71 by means of a flexible conductor bundle 74 and from the PCB 71 to the barcode symbol reading device 53 by means of a second flexible conductor bundle 75 , as shown.
In general, the barcode symbol reading device 65 can be used in combination with any of the base units of the present invention.
In general, any of the laser-sampled barcode symbol reading artifacts disclosed in Figs. 9A through 9D, 10A through 10D, 11A, 13A and 14A, can be incorporated within the wrist housing 66A of the barcode symbol reader system shown in Figs. 3A to 3C, with little or no modifications to its form factor.
When each of these laser sampling artifacts, indicated by reference numeral 53 in Figs.
ES 2 234 327 T3
3A through 3C, incorporated within the wrist shell 66A as shown, will enable the generation of: an IR-based object detection field 9 in response to the laser sampling device being turned on; a laser-based barcode symbol detection field 10, in response to an automatic detection of objects within the IR-based object detection field 9; and a laser-based barcode symbol reader field 11 in response to automatic detection of barcode symbols within the laser-based barcode symbol detection field 10, consistent with the structure and functions depicted in the schematic diagram of Fig. 1A. As will be described in more detail below, each laser sampled barcode symbol reading artifact has the same general system architecture schematically illustrated in Figs. 15A1 through 16. The system control process underlying this generalized system design is illustrated in the flow chart presented in Figs. 20A1 to 20E. The operating states of this generalized system design are described in the state transition diagram of Fig. 21.
Fifth Illustrative Embodiment of the Automatically Activated Bar Code Symbol Reader System of the Present Invention
In Fig. 3D, the fifth illustrative embodiment of the automatically activated barcode symbol reader system 64 herein is shown, comprising: a wrist-activated barcode symbol reader device 65 and a portable base unit 77 and 79 in communication with that carried out using a single-way (or double-way) data communication link as the application may require. As shown, this automatically activated bar code symbol reading system 64 is similar to the bar code symbol reading system 64 shown in Figs. 3A to 3C, in all but some respects. In particular, any of the laser sampling artifacts disclosed in Figs. 9E, 10E, 11B, 13B, and 14B, can be incorporated within the hand-operated housing of the barcode symbol reading system shown in Fig. 3D, with little or no modifications to its form factor.
Sixth Illustrative Embodiment of the Automatically Activated Barcode Symbol Reader System of the Present Invention
In FIG. 3E, the sixth illustrative embodiment of the automatically activated barcode symbol reader system 64 is shown comprising a wrist-activated barcode symbol reader device 65 and a base unit 77 and 79 in communication with that carried out using a single-way (or two-way) data communication link as the application may require. As shown, this automatically activated bar code symbol reading system 64 is similar to the bar code symbol reading system 64 shown in Figs. 3A to 3C, in all but some respects. Any of the laser sampling artifacts disclosed in Figs. 9F, 10F, 11C, 13C and 14C, can be incorporated within the handheld housing 66A of the barcode symbol reading device shown in Fig. 3E, with little or no modifications to its form factor.
In this illustrative embodiment, there is no form of automatic object detection provided with the barcode symbol reading device 65, because the barcode symbol reading device is presumed not to be used in portable sampling applications, away from your base unit or central system (eg. cash register / computer), but rather is linked to your central system by means of a flexible cable that incorporates data and power lines between the barcode symbol reading device and the central computer.
Seventh Illustrative Embodiment of the Automatically Activated Bar Code Symbol Reader System of the Present Invention
In Figs. 4A to 4D, the seventh illustrative embodiment of the barcode symbol reader system 80 comprises: a handheld / countertop laser sampling barcode symbol reader device 81 with a compact handheld housing 82 with a flat surface support 82A designed to slide freely over a barcode symbol 83 printed on a sheet of paper arranged on a counter or similar surface; and a base unit 84 in communication therewith realized using a single or double-way data communication link; a barcode printing device 85 functionally connected to the base unit 84. As shown, the system 80 interfaces with a central computer system (eg, a desktop computer) 86 via a communication cable series 87 data known in the art.
As shown in Figs. 4A and 4B, an electrical power signal is supplied to the base unit 84 by means of a power cable 88, and is supplied to a main transformer 89 by means of an IC board 90 and conductors 91. The function of the main transformer (inductive coil) 89 is to inductively transfer electrical power to a rechargeable battery 92 contained within the compact housing of the barcode reader device 81 when the base thereof is placed within the similar gap 93 formed in the top of the base unit case.
As shown in FIG. 4B, the compact housing 82 of the barcode symbol reading device 81 has a wedge-like geometry when viewed from the side and an oval-type geometry when viewed from the top. As shown in Figs. 4A to 4D, a large "inspection opening" 94 is formed eccentrically located in the entire housing of the device. As best illustrated in Fig. 4D, the function of the inspection aperture is to allow the user to scan a barcode symbol 83 within the inspection aperture while24
ES 2 234 327 T3 after the bar code symbol is being viewed in the user's line of sight as shown in Fig. 4D. As shown in FIG. 4B, the barcode symbol reading device 81 is positioned at an angle of about 45 to 60 degrees from the flat base 82A of the housing. An IC board 95 supporting a data packet transmission circuit and the like is positioned below the appliance 53 and above the rechargeable battery 92. If the user manually operates the data transmission enable switch 99 provided on the outside of the housing 82, then the subsequently produced symbol character data (of the same barcode symbol) is transmitted to the central system 86 (eg. eg via base unit 84). A set of status indication lights 100, as illustrated in FIG. 2C, is provided on top of the reader housing 82 for viewing by the user of the device.
In general, any of the laser sampling artifacts disclosed in Figs. 9A through 9D, 10A through 10D, 11A, 13A, and 14A, may be incorporated within the counter-supported housing 82 of the barcode symbol reader system 80 shown in Figs. 4A to 4D, with little or no modifications to its form factor.
Eighth Illustrative Embodiment of the Automatically Activated Barcode Symbol Reader System of the Present Invention
Shown in FIG. 4E is the eighth illustrative embodiment of the automatically activated barcode symbol reader system 80 herein comprising a handheld / counter-supported barcode symbol reader device 81 and a portable unit of base 84 in communication with the one carried out using a single or double-way data communication link as required by the application. As shown, this automatically activated bar code symbol reading system 80 is similar to the bar code symbol reading system 80 shown in Figs. 4A to 4D, in all but some respects. The barcode symbol reading device 81 of Fig. 4E may incorporate any of the laser sampler artifacts disclosed in Figs. 9E, 10E, 11B, 13B and 14B, inside its handheld housing 82, with little or no modifications to its form factor.
Ninth Illustrative Embodiment of the Automatically Activated Barcode Symbol Reader System of the Present Invention
Shown in Fig. 4F is the ninth illustrative embodiment of the auto-activated barcode symbol reader system 80 herein comprising a handheld / counter-supported automatically activatable barcode symbol reader device 81 and a unit of base 84 in communication with that carried out using a single-way or double-way data communication link. As shown, this automatically activated bar code symbol reading system 80 is similar to the bar code symbol reading system 80 shown in Figs. 3A to 3D, in all but some ways. In addition, the barcode symbol reader device of Fig. 4F may incorporate any of the laser sampler artifacts disclosed in Figs. 9F, 10F, 11C, 13C and 14C, within its handheld housing 82, with little or no modifications to its form factor.
Tenth Illustrative Embodiment of the Automatically Activated Barcode Symbol Reader System of the Present Invention
In FIG. 5A, the tenth illustrative embodiment of the barcode symbol reader system 105 herein comprising: a finger supported laser sampling barcode symbol reader device 106 having a finger supported miniature housing 107 with a detachable type finger mounting structure 108, 109, disclosed in US Patent No. 5,610,386, to support the housing 107 on the finger of its user and arranged in data communication with the finger-supported barcode reading device 106 using a one-way data communication link of the type described in the Patent US No. 5,808,285, and arranged in data communication with the stationary base unit 111 using a two-way serial communications link. The terminal-computer mounted on the arm 110 includes a touch-type display screen 112 for data entry operations by means of a pointer (eg, a needle), and an acoustic signal generator 113 for producing an acoustic recognition signal S<sub>TO</sub>ck for the user to hear. The computer terminal mounted on the arm 110 includes a transceiver 114 for establishing a two-way digital communication with an RF receiver 115 disposed on the stationary base unit 111. The stationary base unit 111 includes a cable for data communications or other communication means to establish communication with the central computer system 116. In this embodiment, when symbol character data is automatically generated, the bar code symbol reading status indicator is operated.
If the user manually activates any of the data transmission enable switches 120 on the housing 107, then the next produced symbol character data (of the same barcode symbol) is transmitted to the computer terminal mounted on the arm 110. When the symbol character data transmitted by the computer terminal mounted on the arm 110 is received and relayed to the stationary base unit 111, an acoustic acknowledgment signal S is emitted.<sub>Ack</sub> to the environment for the user to hear. As shown, the barcode symbol reader device 106 includes a set of status indicators 121 to optically signal the various states to the user.
In general, any of the laser sampling artifacts disclosed in Figs. 9A to 9D, 10A to 10D, 11A, 13A
ES 2 234 327 T3 and 14A, can be incorporated into the supported housing on the finger 107 of the barcode symbol reader system shown in Fig. 5A, with little or no modifications to the form factor thereof.
Eleventh Illustrative Embodiment of the Automatically Activated Barcode Symbol Reader System of the Present Invention
In Fig. 5B, the eleventh illustrative embodiment of the automatically activated barcode symbol reader system 105 herein is shown comprising: a finger supported laser sampling barcode symbol reader device 106 having a finger supported miniature housing 107 with a finger mounting structure 108, 109, specially adapted to support the housing 107 on the finger of its user; an arm mounted terminal / base unit 110 adapted to rest on the arm of its user and arranged in data communication with the finger supported barcode reading device 106 using a one way data communication link of the type described in US Patent Nos. 4,460,120 and 5,321,246, and arranged in data communication with the stationary base unit 111 using a two-way serial communications link.
As shown, this automatically activated bar code symbol reading system 105 is similar to the bar code symbol reading system 105 shown in FIG. 5A in all but a few respects. The bar code symbol reading device of Fig. 5B may incorporate within its hand-restable housing 107 any of the laser sampling devices disclosed in Figs. 9E, 10E, 11B, 13B and 14B without any or minor modifications of the form factor thereof.
Twelfth Illustrative Embodiment of the Automatically Activated Barcode Symbol Reader System of the Present Invention
In Fig. 5C, the twelfth illustrative embodiment of the automatically activated barcode symbol reader system 105 herein is shown comprising a finger supported automatically activated barcode symbol reader device 106 and a base unit 110 in communication. with that made using a one-way data communication link of the type as shown in US Patent No. 4,808,285 and a stationary base unit 111 in communication with base unit 110 via a two-way RF communication link described in US Patent Nos. 4,460,120 and 5,321,246. As shown, this automatically activated bar code symbol reading system 105 is similar to the bar code symbol reading system 105 shown in FIG. 5A in all but a few respects.
The bar code symbol reading device of FIG. 5C may incorporate within its hand-supported housing 107 any of the laser sampling devices disclosed in FIGS. 9F, 10F, 11C, 13C and 14C without any or minor modifications of the form factor thereof. In Fig. 5C, the laser sampling device 53 has the general shape facto shown in Figs. 9F and 10F so that it can be installed directly inside the head of the barcode symbol reader device 106 without requiring modification thereof.
FIG. 5D shows a user 127 carrying the finger-supported automatically activated barcode symbol reader device 106 (106,106) of FIGS. 5A, 5H or 5C. As shown, the computer terminal supported on the arm 110 is supported on the user's arm and is arranged in one-way communication with the finger-supported barcode symbol reading device and also in single or double-way communication with the stationary base unit 111 described above. As shown, the user may optionally wear a head-mounted LCD panel 124 operatively connected to the computer terminal supported on the arm 110 to present information and graphics displayed on the LCD panel 112 of the computer terminal 110 in a mirror form. Likewise, the user can employ a microphone 125, supported by a head set 126, to input information to the computer terminal 110 using continuous or discrete voice recognition programs (eg. ex. by Dragon Systems, Inc. of Newton, Massachusetts) that run on your computer platform in real time.
Thirteenth Illustrative Embodiment of the Automatically Activated Barcode Symbol Reader System of the Present Invention
In Fig. 6A the thirteenth illustrative embodiment of the barcode symbol reader system 130 herein is shown, in the form of a handheld integrated barcode symbol reading terminal (Integrated Reading Terminal) 131 which makes actually one or more of the Internet access methods described in US Patent Nos. 6,076,733, 5,922,752 and 5,905,248. As shown in Fig. 6A, the Integrated Reading Terminal 131 is connected to an ISP 132 via a radio base station 133 and wireless links 134 and 135. The Handheld Reading Internet Terminal 131 has a GUI-based browser program, a display panel 136, a touch screen type keyboard 137 and a programmed automatic laser sampling barcode symbol reader artifact 53. The function of the barcode symbol reading artifact 53 is to read 1-D or 2-D barcode symbols 138 that are encoded with information of a specific data type. This information can represent (i) the URL of a Web page to be accessed by the Internet Reading Terminal; (ii) the identity of a product or object; or (iii) any information that serves to identify an object, specify a process, or specify the location of an object, on a network or in an information system.
ES 2 234 327 T3
In the illustrative embodiment, the Internet Read Terminal 131 is made as a portable computer, type Newton Model 130 Messagepad from Apple Computer, Inc. of Cupertino, California; the Palm III / Pilot portable data terminal from 3Com, Inc .; or similar device. In the illustrative embodiment, the Newton Model 130 Messagepad 131 is provided with NetHopper ™ branded Internet Access Software (2.0) from AllPen Software, Inc. which supports the TCP / IP network protocol in the Newton MessagePad operating system. The Newton MessagePad 131 is also equipped with a Motorola 138 PCMCIA-based modem card that has an RF transceiver to establish a wireless digital communication link either (i) with a cellular base station or (ii) with one or more satellite-based stations. connected to the Internet 139 via an ISP 132 in a manner well known in the global information network art. Although it is understood that in some cases it may be desirable to connect a pointing device or pen to the serial port of the Newton MessagePad to provide the ability to read bar code symbols, It is preferred that the automatic barcode symbol reader artifact 53 interface with the serial communication port of the Newton MessagePad to perform the Internet-Based Transaction Enabling System of the illustrative embodiment herein.
As shown in Fig. 6A, the complete Newton MessagePad, barcode symbol reader device 53 (or other reading device) and auxiliary battery power are ruggedized and fully housed within a rugged rubber lined housing. of bumps 141, in order to provide a unitary handheld device. Once the object (eg. an operation card) 142 is detected by the object detection field 9, a laser beam is automatically projected into the barcode symbol detection field 10 and sweeps the barcode symbol 138 present there, and after detection, the laser beam automatically scans the barcode symbol reading field 11 in order to collect scanned data from there, and decoding the same and producing symbol character data representative of the read bar code symbol. Thereafter, the Internet Read Terminal 131 automatically produces a read bar code symbol indication signal (eg, in the form of a graphic icon or message 144 on the LCD panel 136) for the user to perceive. If the user also acts manually in time the data activation switch 145 provided on the side of the rubber casing 141, or simulated on the display surface of the LCD panel 136 in the form of a graphic icon 145, the Internet Reading Terminal 131 automatically transmits the symbol character data produced subsequently for the same barcode symbol to the targeted central system (eg. located by an IP address on the Internet 139), or to an internal data storage memory located in the Internet Reading Terminal, or to another storage device in communication with the terminal 131.
As shown in Fig. 6A, the bar code symbol reading artifacts shown in Figs. 9A to 9D, 10A to 10D, can be installed within the head of the barcode symbol reader device 130 without requiring any modification thereof.
Fourteenth Illustrative Embodiment of the Automatically Activated Barcode Symbol Reader System of the Present Invention
In Fig. 6B is the fourteenth illustrative embodiment of the automatically activated barcode symbol reader system 130 herein, comprising: a hand-supported laser sampling barcode symbol reader device 140 adapted to be supported by a user's hand ; and a base station 133 in data communication with the handheld barcode symbol reader device 140 using a two-way data communication link 134 of the type described in US Patent Nos. 4,460,120 and 5,321,246 and in communication with the Internet Information Server supported by ISP 132 using two-way data communication link 135. As shown, this automatically activated bar code symbol reading system 130 is similar to the bar code symbol reading system 130 shown in FIG. 6A in all but a few respects. The bar code symbol reading device of Fig. 6B may incorporate within its handheld housing 141 any of the laser sampler artifacts disclosed in Figs. 9E, 10E, 11B, 13B and 14B without any or minor modifications of the form factor thereof.
Fifteenth Illustrative Embodiment of the Automatically Activated Barcode Symbol Reader System of the Present Invention
In Fig. 6C is shown the fifteenth illustrative embodiment of the automatically activated barcode symbol reader system 130 herein, comprising: a handheld laser sampling barcode symbol reader device 140 adapted to rest on a user's hand; and a base station 133 in data communication with the handheld barcode symbol reader device 140 using a two-way data communication link 134 of the type described in US Patent Nos. 4,460,120 and 5,321,246 and in communication with the Internet Information Server supported by ISP 132 using two-way data communication link 135. As shown, this automatically activated bar code symbol reading system is similar to the bar code symbol reading system 130 shown in FIG. 6A in all but a few respects. The bar code symbol reading device of Fig. 6C may incorporate within its handheld housing any of the laser sampler artifacts disclosed in Figs. 11C, 13C and 14C without any or minor modifications of the form factor of the same.
ES 2 234 327 T3
Sixteenth Illustrative Embodiment of the Automatically Activated Barcode Symbol Reader System of the Present Invention
In Fig. 7A shows the sixteenth illustrative embodiment of the barcode symbol reader system 150 herein, comprising: an automatically activated portable barcode symbol reading device 151 operatively associated with a base unit 152 having a reader foot 153 hingeably connected thereto, to releasably support the barcode symbol reading device automatic bars 151 in any of several positions on top of a counter surface at a Point of Sale (PV) station. In the preferred embodiment, the barcode symbol reading device 151 is operatively connected to its base unit 152 by a one-way electromagnetic link 154 between the barcode symbol reading device 151 and its partner base unit 152. Upon successful reading of each barcode symbol by the barcode symbol reading device and the activation of the data transmission enable switch 155 in turn, the subsequently produced symbol character data (of the same barcode symbol). barcode) are transmitted to the base unit and from there to the central system (eg. electronic cash register system, data collection device, etc.) 156 by means of a flexible multi-wire communications cable 157 that extends from the base unit 152 and connects directly to the data input communications port of the computer system central 156.
In the illustrative embodiment, electrical power is supplied to the base unit from a low voltage direct current (DC) power source (not shown) via a flexible power cord 159. In particular, this DC power source is it can be realized in the central computer system 156 or as a separate power adapter pluggable into a conventional 3-pin electrical outlet. In other embodiments of the present invention, cables 157 and 158 may be integrated to provide a single multi-stranded flexible cable for transmission of power to the base unit and data to the central system. As will be described in greater detail below, primarily within the handle of the barcode symbol reading device 151 a rechargeable battery power unit 160 is contained in order to power the electrical and electro-optical components of the device.
As illustrated in Fig. 7A, the reader support foot 153 is specially adapted to receive and support the portable barcode symbol reader device 151 without user support, thus providing an automatic hands-free mode of operation. . In general, the portable barcode symbol reading device 151 includes an ultralight handheld housing 161 having a head portion 161A and a contoured handle portion 161B. As will be described in greater detail below, the head portion 161A includes a laser sampled barcode symbol reading artifact 53 capable of producing a highly collimated scan pattern 162 through the light transmission window. 168 for the purpose of scanning barcode symbols on objects within a closely delimited scan volume (i.e. 3-D scan field) 164, while preventing inadvertent reading of barcode symbols on off-site objects at point-of-sale (PV) stations.
Preferably, the foot portion 153 of the base unit 152 is pivotally supported relative to the base portion 162 by means of hinge pins mounted in the base portion. In order to releasably hold the foot portion of the base unit in relation to the base portion thereof in any of the various reading positions provided, a releasable foot lock mechanism is provided in the base portion. . Preferably, a pivot is used to hingeably connect the joined upper and lower sections 166 and 167 for easy rotation of the base unit relative to the bearing surface.
As illustrated in Fig. 7A, the head portion 161A of the hand shell has a light transmitting window 168 mounted over the entire light transmitting aperture 163. A rubber bumper 169 protects the edge of the casing when dropped or released.
As shown in Fig. 7A, a set of color-coded status indicator lights 170 is mounted on the head portion of the device housing 161A, to visually present the particular state the system is in at an instant of time. . In particular, the color coding scheme shown in Fig. 2C can be used.
In general, any of the laser sampling artifacts disclosed in Figs. 9A through 9D, 10A through 10D, 11A, 13A, and 14A may be incorporated into the handheld housing of the barcode symbol reader system shown in FIG. 7A, with little or no form factor modifications thereof.
Seventeenth Illustrative Embodiment of the Automatically Activated Bar Code Symbol Reader System of the Present Invention
In Fig. 7B is shown the seventeenth illustrative embodiment of the automatically activated barcode symbol reader system 150 herein, comprising: a laser sampling handheld barcode symbol reader device 151 adapted to rest on the user's hand; and a base station 152 in data communication with the handheld barcode symbol reader device 151 employing a one-way data communication link 154 of the type described in US Patent No. 5,808,285 or a dual communication link. route of the type described in US Patent Nos. 4,460,120 and 5,321,246 incorporated herein as
ES 2 234 327 T3 reference. As shown, this automatically activated bar code symbol reading system 150 is similar to the bar code symbol reading system 150 shown in FIG. 7A, in all but some respects.
Any of the laser sampling artifacts disclosed in Figs. 11B, 13B and 14B can be installed directly on the head of the bar code symbol reading device shown in Fig. 7B, without requiring any modification of the form factor thereof.
Eighteenth Illustrative Embodiment of the Automatically Activated Bar Code Symbol Reader System of the Present Invention
In Fig. 7C is shown the eighteenth illustrative embodiment of the automatically activated barcode symbol reader system 150 herein, comprising: a laser sampling handheld barcode symbol reader device 151 adapted to rest on the user's hand; and a base station 152 in data communication with the handheld barcode reader device 151 employing a one-way data communication link 154 of the type described in US Patent No. 5,808,285 or a two-way communication link of the type described in US Patent Nos. 4,460,120 and 5,321,246. As shown, this automatically activated bar code symbol reading system 150 is similar to the bar code symbol reading system 150 shown in FIG. 7A, in all but some respects. In particular, any of the laser sampling artifacts disclosed in Figs. 11C, 13C and 14C can be incorporated into the handheld housing 161A of the barcode symbol reading device of Fig. 7C, with little or no form factor modifications to it.
Nineteenth Illustrative Embodiment of the Automatically Activated Barcode Symbol Reader System of the Present Invention
In Fig. 8A the nineteenth illustrative embodiment of the barcode symbol reader system 180 herein is made in the form of a body-wearable Internet-based Transaction Enabling System, comprising: a barcode symbol reader unit bars 181 designed to be worn on the back of the operator's hand; and a remote unit 182 (eg. performed as a body-wearable RF-based Internet access terminal) designed to be worn on the operator's forearm or leg by clamping there using, for example, flexible straps 182A or similar clamping technology.
In the illustrative embodiment, the hand-mounted barcode reader unit 181 comprises: a light transmission window 181A for light input and output used to scan barcode symbols 183; a glove 184 without finger covers, worn by the operator to releasably mount the barcode reading unit 181 on the back of his hand; a laser sampled barcode symbol reading artifact 53, as described above; a set of status indicator lights 185A provided on the exterior of the housing to visually present to the operator the status of the system during system operation, and a thumb-activable data transmission activation switch 185B an activation control signal data transmission (A<sub>4</sub> = 1) in response to a bar code symbol status indication read from status indicator lights 185A.
In the illustrative embodiment, remote unit 182 comprises: a touch screen type panel 186; a speaker 187; a RISC 188-based computer system or platform to support various computing functions including, for example, TCP / IP, HTTP, and other Internet protocols (eg, E-mail, FTP, etc.) related to the use of an Internet browser or communicator program (eg. Netscape Navigator or Communicator programs, or MicroSoft Explorer) provided by the remote unit; a telecommunications modem 189 that interfaces with the microcomputer system 188; an RF transceiver 190 (employing eg DPSK or spread spectrum modulation techniques) also interfaced with the telecommunications modem to support a two-way communications protocol (eg. PPP) known in the art, between the microcomputer system and the remote transceiver 191 (described above) that interfaces with an ISP 192 connected to the Internet or another digital data communications network; a set of status indicator lights 185A on the barcode symbol reading device; a rechargeable battery power supply 193 in the remote housing to provide electrical power to the remote's components as well as to the barcode symbol reader 181; and a flexible cable 194 to support communication between the barcode symbol reader 181 and the microcomputer platform 188 and transfer electrical power from the power source to the barcode symbol reader.
Preferably, the remote unit 182 is worn on the operator's forearm so that the touch-type panel 186 integrated with it can be easily seen during use of the body-wearable system of the present invention. Thus, when a barcode symbol 183 is automatically read by the hand-mounted (or finger-mounted) barcode symbol reader 181, the barcode symbol character data, representative of the barcode symbol Read bars are automatically produced and the bar code symbol reading status indicator is actuated. If the operator manually activates the thumb-operable data transmission switch 185B in time, then the subsequently produced symbol character data (produced from the same bar code symbol) is transmitted to the remote unit 182 (eg. eg a central device). If so, and the barcode is a URL encoded barcode symbol, then the transaction enablement web page associated with the sampled barcode is automatically accessed by remote unit 182 and
ES 2 234 327 T3 displayed on LCD panel 186 for display and interaction with the operator.
In some applications, it may be desirable as shown in Fig. 8D, to provide a lightweight head assembly 196 that supports a miniature LCD display screen 197, a microphone 198, and headphones 200. In addition, as shown, the remote unit 182 is provided with audio and video input / output ports 201 to feed an audio input to the microcomputer platform (on the remote unit) 182 and audio and video output from there using a flexible communications cable 202 for powering the components of the head assembly worn by the operator during field use of the system. The function of the head-supported microphone 198 would be to provide speech input to the microcomputer system for processing by a speech recognition subsystem implemented there using commercially available speech recognition software (eg, from Dragon Systems, Inc. Newton Massachusetts). The function of the head-mounted video panel 197 would be to provide a convenient way of presenting HTML encoded pages accessed on the Internet in response to the reading of URL encoded barcode symbols by the barcode symbol reader 181. The function of the Headphones 200 would be to supply encoded audio information into HTML encoded information pages accessed on the Internet using barcode symbol reader 181. These auxiliary devices 197, 198 and 200, which interface with the remote arm supported unit 182 (enables internet access), will provide the operator with additional freedom to perform operations in diverse environments.
In general, any of the laser sampling artifacts disclosed in Figs. 9A through 9D, 10A through 10D, 11A, 13A, and 14A may be incorporated into the handheld housing of the barcode symbol reading device 181 shown in Fig. 8A, with little or no form factor modifications thereof. .
Twentieth Illustrative Embodiment of the Automatically Activated Bar Code Symbol Reader System of the Present Invention
In Fig. 8B, the twentieth illustrative embodiment of the barcode symbol reader system 180 herein is made in the form of a body-wearable Internet-based Transaction Enabling System, comprising: a barcode symbol reader unit bars 181 designed to be worn on the back of the hand; and a remote unit 182 (eg. performed as a body-wearable RF-based internet access terminal) designed to be worn on the operator's forearm or leg as described above. As shown in FIG. 8B, this automatically activated barcode symbol reader system 180 is similar to the barcode symbol reader system 180 shown in FIG. 8A, in all but some respects. In particular, any of the bar code symbol reading artifacts disclosed in Figs. 9E, 10E, 11B, 13B, and 14B can be incorporated into the handheld housing of device 181, with little or no form factor modifications to the device.
Twenty-first illustrative embodiment of the automatically activated barcode symbol reader system of the present invention
In Fig. 8C, the twenty-first embodiment of the barcode symbol reader system 180 of the present document is realized in the form of a body-wearable Internet-based Transaction Enabling System, comprising: a barcode symbol reader unit bars 181 designed to be worn on the back of the hand; and a remote unit 182 (eg. performed as a body-wearable RF-based Internet access terminal) designed to be worn on the operator's forearm or leg as described above. As shown, this automatically activated bar code symbol reading system 180 is similar to the bar code symbol reading system 180 shown in FIG. 8A, in all but a few respects. Any of the laser sampler artifacts disclosed in Figs. 9F, 10F, 11C, 13C, and 14C can be incorporated into the handheld housing of the device with little or no form factor modifications to the device.
FIG. 8D shows an operator wearing the automatically activated handheld barcode symbol reading device 181 (181, 181) of any of FIGS. 8A, 8B, or 8C. As shown, the arm-mounted computer terminal 182 is supported by the operator's arm and is arranged in one-way communication with the handheld barcode symbol reading device 181 and also in two-way communication with the unit. base station 191 described above. As shown, the operator may optionally carry the head-mounted LCD panel 197 operatively connected to the arm-mounted computer terminal 182 for displaying information and graphics presented on the mirror-like LCD panel thereof. In addition, the user can use the microphone198 to input information to the computer terminal 182 by means of continuous or discrete speech recognition programs (e.g., from Dragon Systems Inc. Newton, Massachusetts) running on computer terminal 182 in real time.
Twenty-second illustrative embodiment of the automatically activated barcode symbol reader system of the present invention
In Figs. 8E1 and 8E2 shows the twenty-second illustrative embodiment of the barcode symbol reader system 700 herein, comprising: a portable automatically activated barcode symbol reading device 701 with a 702 handheld housing provided with an integrated base 702A that enables the detection and reading fields of laser-based barcode symbols 10 and 11 projected from the housing 702 are held in any of several positions above the counter surface at a station
ES 2 234 327 T3
PV during hands-free automatic mode of operation, shown in Fig. 8E2.
In the illustrative embodiment, the barcode symbol reading device 701 is operatively connected to a central system 703 (eg, electronic cash register system, data collection device, etc.) via a flexible multi-wire communications cable. 704 that extends from the integrated base portion 702A of the housing and plugs directly into the data input communications port of the central computer system 703. In the illustrative embodiment, electrical power is supplied to device 701 from a low voltage direct current (DC) power source (not shown) via flexible power cord 706. In particular, this DC power source may be realized in the 703 central computer system or as a separate DC power source pluggable into a conventional 3-terminal electrical outlet. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, cables 704 and 706 can be integrated to provide a single multi-stranded flexible cable for transmission of power to the device and data to the central system. In another embodiment of the present invention, the data communications cable may be replaced 704 by a wireless packet data transmission link, as described in detail above. In addition, the power cord 706 and associated components can be replaced by providing a rechargeable battery in the handheld housing 702, and optionally, a base unit can be provided to receive a portion of the housing sufficient to allow operations to take place. battery recharging safely and conveniently.
As illustrated in FIG. 8E1, the head portion 707 supports and encloses the laser-sampled barcode symbol reader artifact 53 capable of producing a highly collimated scan pattern (not shown) through the scanning window. light transmission 710. The function of this scan pattern is to scan 716 barcode symbols on 717 objects within a closely delimited scan volume (i.e. 3-D scan field) 709, while preventing inadvertent reading of code symbols. of bars on objects located outside of it in PV stations. Consequently, by minimizing the amount of counter space that must be cleared (i.e. free) of barcode elements at PV stations, the 701 omnidirectional barcode symbol reader provides greater availability to the counter retailer to present. merchandise and the like, even without sacrificing the increased billing performance and worker productivity associated with the use of barcode symbol readers in PV stations.
As illustrated in Fig. 8E1, the head portion 707 of the hand shell has a light transmission window 710 mounted over the entire light transmission opening 708. A rubber bumper 711 retains the light transmission window. 710 light transmission and protects the circular edge of the housing when it is accidentally dropped or released.
As shown, on the opposite sides of the housing under the flat surfaces 702C and 702D are integrated manually actuable data switch switches 712A and 712B in order to allow the user of the device to generate a data transmission control activation signal. (A4 = 1) whenever one of these data transmission switches 712A and 712B is depressed during system operation. Furthermore, as shown in Figs. 8E1 and 8E2, the base portion 702A of the housing of the device 702 has an integrated mode selection sensor 713 (e.g. an IR-based electronic switch or a mechanical switch) to detect that the housing 702 has been placed over a counter or similar surface 714 and therefore that the system must be automatically induced to its hands-free mode of operation by setting the control activation signal A4 equal to A4 = 1. When the hand housing is placed on a counter surface 714, the mode selection sensor 713 automatically detects the presence of the counter surface 714 and generates the control activation signal A4 = 1 in order to enable automatic transmission. data in hands-free operation mode. When the hand shell 702 is lifted from the counter surface 714, the mode selection sensor 713 automatically detects the absence of the counter surface 714 and generates a control activation signal A4 = 0 in order to enable transmission. manually activated data logger in manual operation mode. As shown in Fig. 8E1, a set of color-coded status indicator lights 715 is mounted on the head portion of the housing 702 to visually show the particular status of the system at any instant in time.
In general, any of the laser scanning devices depicted in Figs. 11A, 13A and 14A can be incorporated into the handheld housing of the barcode symbol reader system shown in Fig. 8E1, with little or no form factor modifications. When incorporated into the handheld housing 702 as shown, each of these laser sampling artifacts, indicated by reference numeral 53 shown in Fig. 8E1, will enable the automatic generation of: an IR-based object detection field 9 in response to the ignition of the laser sampler device; containing a laser-based barcode symbol detection field 10, an omnidirectional laser scanning pattern generated in response to automatic detection of objects within the IR-based object detection field 9; and a laser-based barcode symbol reader field 11 containing an omnidirectional laser tracking pattern, generated in response to automatic detection of barcode symbols within the laser-based barcode symbol detection field 10 consistent with the structure and functions depicted in the schematic diagram of Fig. 1A.
As will be described in more detail below, each of these laser-sampled barcode symbol reading artifacts has the same general architecture of a similar system illustrated schematically in Figs. 15A1 through 16. The system control process underlying this generalized system design is illustrated in
ES 2 234 327 T3 flow diagram presented in Figs. 20A1 to 20E. The operating states of this generalized system design are described in the state transition diagram of Fig. 21.
Twenty-third illustrative embodiment of the automatically activated barcode symbol reader system of the present invention
Shown in Fig. 8F is the twenty-third illustrative embodiment of the automatically activated barcode symbol reader system 700 'herein, comprising: a laser-sampled handheld barcode symbol reader device 701 adapted to be supported in the hand of a user in the automatic hand-held mode of operation, and resting on a counter surface or the like in its automatic hands-free mode of operation. As shown, this automatically activated bar code symbol reading system 700 'is similar to the bar code symbol reading system 700 in Figs. 8E1 and 8E2 in all but some aspects. Any of the laser scanning devices depicted in Figs. 11B, 13B and 14B can be installed directly on the head portion of the barcode symbol reading system shown in Fig. 8F, without requiring any modification thereof.
When incorporated into the handheld housing 702 as shown, each of these laser sampling artifacts, indicated by reference numeral 53 in Fig. 8F, will enable the automatic generation of: a low-power laser-based object detection field 23 in response to the ignition of the laser sampler device; a laser-based barcode symbol detection field 24, containing an omnidirectional (visible) laser scanning pattern generated in response to automatic object detection within the laser-based object detection field 23; and a laser-based barcode symbol reader field 25 containing an omnidirectional visible laser scanning pattern, generated in response to automatic detection of barcode symbols within the laser-based barcode symbol detection field. 24, consistent with the structure and functions depicted in the schematic diagram of Fig. 1B.
As will be described in more detail below, each laser sampled barcode symbol reading artifact has the same general architecture of a similar system illustrated schematically in Figs. 22A1 to 22C. The system control process underlying this generalized system design is illustrated in the flow chart presented in Figs. 23A1 to 23E. The operating states of this generalized system design are described in the state transition diagram of Fig. 24.
Twenty-fourth illustrative embodiment of the automatically activated barcode symbol reader system of the present invention
Shown in Fig. 8G is the twenty-fourth illustrative embodiment of the automatically activated barcode symbol reader system 700 herein, comprising: a laser-sampled handheld barcode symbol reader device 701 adapted to be supported in the hand of a user in the automatic hand-held mode of operation, and resting on a counter surface or the like in its automatic hands-free mode of operation. As shown, this automatically activated bar code symbol reading system 700 is similar to the bar code symbol reading system 700 shown in Figs. 8E1 and 8E2 in all but some aspects. In particular, any of the laser scanning devices depicted in Figs. 11C, 13C and 14C can be incorporated into the handheld housing 702 of the barcode symbol reader system of Fig. 8G, with little or no form factor modifications. When incorporated into handheld housing 702 as shown in Fig. 8G, each of these laser sampling artifacts (indicated by reference numeral 53 "in Fig. 8G) will enable the automatic generation of: a laser-based barcode symbol detection field 37, containing an omnidirectional visible laser scan pattern generated in response to the ignition of the laser sampling device; and a laser-based barcode symbol reader field 38 containing an omnidirectional visible laser scanning pattern, generated in response to automatic detection of barcode symbols within the laser-based barcode symbol detection field. 37, consistent with the structures and functions depicted in the schematic diagram of Fig. 1C.
In this illustrative embodiment, no form of automatic object detection is provided with the barcode symbol reading device 700, because it is presumed that the barcode symbol reading device is not to be used in separate, portable scanning applications. from your base unit or central system (eg. cash register / computer), but rather it will be linked to your central system by means of a flexible cable that carries data and power lines between the barcode symbol reading device and the central computer.
As will be described in more detail below, each laser sampled barcode symbol reading artifact has the same general architecture of a similar system illustrated schematically in Figs. 22A1 to 22C. The system control process underlying this generalized system design is illustrated in the flow chart presented in Figs. 23A1 to 23E. The operating states of this generalized system design are described in the state transition diagram of Fig. 24. As will be described in more detail below, each of these barcode symbol reading artifacts sampled by laser shown in Figs. 11C, 13C and 14C have the same general system architecture schematically illustrated in Figs. 25A to 26. The system control process underlying this generalized system design is illustrated in the flow chart
ES 2 234 327 T3 presented in Figs. 27A to 27C. The operating states of this generalized system design are described in the state transition diagram of Fig. 28.
Having previously described the illustrative embodiments of the barcode symbol reader system of the present invention in great detail, It is appropriate at this juncture now to describe in greater detail each of the fifteen illustrative embodiments of the automatically activated laser sampling artifacts of the illustrative embodiments herein that may be incorporated into the above-described embodiments of the code symbol reader systems. bars of the present invention.
Laser sampler artifact activated automatically to produce an IR-based object detection field, a one-dimensional laser-based barcode symbol detection field, and a one-dimensional laser-based barcode symbol reader field
As shown in Figs. 9A to 9D, the first illustrative embodiment of the automatically activated barcode symbol reading artifact 200 herein comprises: a miniature artifact housing 201 made as a small sugar dice employing technology already available allowing it, having a lower housing (ie, base) 202A and upper housing (ie, cover) 202B; an HOE 203-based laser scanning module for producing and sampling a laser beam across a scanning field (ie, barcode symbol detection field and barcode symbol reading field); an IC board 204 to support the electronic circuits used to make the subsystems and subcomponents thereof shown in Figs. 15A1 to 15A4, including a photodetector 226 coupled to analog and digital signal processing circuits and an infrared transmitter 206A and an infrared receiver 206B coupled to the object detection subsystem made on the PCB as taught in US Pat. No. 5,808,285, and a scanning window 227 covering the transmission aperture 228 of the artifact housing, and providing the optical functions taught in US Patent No. 5,789,731. In particular, the bar code symbol reader artifact of Fig. 9A realizes the system architecture shown in Figs. 15A1 to 16, performs the process control illustrated in Figs. 20A1 to 20E and described by the state transition diagram of Fig. 21.
Furthermore, the output produced by this barcode symbol reading device is an RF carrier signal modulated by a serial data stream in response to (i) the automatic reading of a barcode symbol by the device 200 and (ii) manual actuation of the data transmission switch mounted on the outside of the reader housing.
As shown in Figs. 9A and 9B, the light transmitting aperture 228 is formed in the bottom side of the appliance housing 202A to allow the laser beam produced therein to exit the housing. In the frontolateral of the lower part of the housing 202A there is formed another opening 212 coincident with the photodetector 205, to allow the return of the laser light to be detected by the photodetector 226. In the illustrative embodiment, light transmitting aperture 228 allows IR light to exit and enter the bottom of housing 202A as shown. To allow a flexible bundle of conductors to interconnect with the circuitry of the PCB 204 via a conventional connector 210, an input / output opening (not shown) is formed in the rear side panel of the bottom of the housing. 202A. With IC boards 204 installed inside the lower case 202A, the upper case 202B snaps into the lower case 202A and is fastened there using a set of screws (not shown). Additional details regarding the optical design and constructional details of the preferred embodiment of the barcode reader device 200 will be described in the following.
As shown in Fig. 9C, the integrated holographic scanning device 203 comprises a set of sub-components, namely: a module housing 204 made of lightweight plastic that serves as an optical bench for the optical components of similar laser beam production and scanning systems: a VLD 205 mounted on a VLD 206 heat absorbing board through aperture 207 which produces a visible laser beam with elliptical, eccentric, divergent and astigmatic beam characteristics in response to a voltage source applied to terminals 205A via a circuit flexible or other conductive structures well known in the art; a mounting bracket 208 having an opening 208A to receive a part of the VLD case 205 and a flat surface 208B to which the associated heat absorbing plate 206 is attached and with side projections 208D and 208E to be slidably received within separate recesses 209A and 209B formed in the rear of the module housing 204; a collimating lens (L1) 210 to focus the laser beam produced by the VLD; a fixed spatial frequency HOE (H1) 211, securely mounted within a first mounting slot 212 formed in the module housing 204, to modify the beam characteristics of the laser beam exiting the collimating lens (L1) 210 ; a fixed spatial frequency HOE (H2) 213, securely mounted within a second mounting slot 214 formed in the module housing 204, to modify the beam characteristics of the laser beam produced from HOE (H1) to produce the output laser beam; a radiation absorbing wall surface 215 formed in the module housing 204 aligned with the zero order diffraction beam of HOE H1 and absorbing the zero order diffraction beam produced by HOE H1; electromagnetic (ie coil) 216 mounted in gap 217 in module housing 204, to produce a magnetic force field in response to an electrical current supplied to the input terminals thereof; scanning element 218 that supports the light deflector element (eg. mirror, hologram, refractive element, etc.) on the front surface of its free end and a permanent magnetic element 220 on the back surface of its free end; mounting plates 221A and 221B for holding the base portion of the scanner element 218 and mounting the same within the recess 222 formed within the housing of the module 204; and a housing cover plate 223 for attachment to the upper surface 224 of the module housing
ES 2 234 327 T3
204, and which secures the components of the laser beam producing and scanning mechanism within while forming a scanning window 225 through which a laser beam sampled in a scanning field (eg detection field) can be projected outward. code symbol or barcode symbol reading field) to scan.
Laser sampler artifact activated automatically to produce a laser-based object detection field, a laser-based one-dimensional barcode detection field, and a laser-based one-dimensional barcode reader field
In Fig. 9E, the second illustrative embodiment of the automatically activated barcode symbol reading artifact 200 herein comprises: a miniature artifact housing 201 made as a small sugar dice employing technology already available allowing it, having a bottom housing (ie base) 202A and a housing top (ie cover) 202B; a laser scanning module based on HOE 203 for producing and sampling a laser beam across a scanning field; an IC board 204 (similar to that shown in Fig. 9B) to support the electronic circuits used to make the subsystems shown in Figs. 22A1 to 22C, including a photodetector 226 coupled to analog and digital signal processing circuits made on an IC board 204 as taught in US Patent No. 5,808,285; and a scanning window 227 covering the transmission aperture 228 of the appliance housing, and providing the optical functions taught in US Patent No. 5,789,731. In all but a few respects, the bar code symbol reading artifact 200 is similar to the bar code symbol reading artifact 200 of Fig. 9A, except that the artifact 200 shown in Fig. 9E generates a laser-based object detection field (23), instead of an IR-based object detection field 9.
In particular, the bar code symbol reader artifact of Fig. 9E realizes the system architecture shown in Figs. 22A1 to 23E, and performs the control process illustrated in Figs. 23A1 to 23E, and is limited by the state transition diagram of Fig. 24. As will be described in greater detail below, the laser-based object detection field 23 can be generated by actuating a conventional VLD to produce a pulsing, low-power, invisible (or unnoticeable) laser beam during the operation mode of object detection as taught in US Patent No. 4,933,538. In this mode of operation, the same photodetector 226 used to detect reflected laser light during the laser-based barcode symbol reading and detection modes of operation, can be used to detect invisible returning laser light during the mode. object detection operation. In this illustrative embodiment, the invisible pulsing laser signal reflected from an object present in the laser-based object detection field 23, and detected by the photodetector 226, is processed to detect the presence of the object located there and automatically generate a signal from control activation A1 = 1, indicative of this automatic object detection. In all other respects, the barcode symbol reading artifact of Fig. 9E is substantially similar to the bar code symbol reading artifact of Fig. 9A.
Automatically activated laser sampler artifact to produce one-dimensional laser-based barcode detection field and one-dimensional field laser-based barcode reader without object detection
In Fig. 9F, the third illustrative embodiment of the automatically activated laser sampler artifact 200 is shown comprising: a miniature artifact shell 201 made as a small sugar dice employing already available technology that allows it, having a shell bottom (i.e. , base) 202A and a housing top (ie cover) 202B; a laser scanning module based on HOE 203 for producing and sampling a laser beam across a scanning field; an IC board 204 (similar to that shown in Fig. 9b) to support the electronic circuits used to make the subsystems shown in Figs. 25A to 26, including a photodetector 226 coupled to analog and digital signal processing circuits made on IC board 204 as taught in US Patent No. 5,808,285; and a scanning window 227 covering the transmission aperture 228 of the appliance housing, and providing the optical functions taught in US Patent No. 5,789,731 incorporated herein by reference.
In particular, the bar code symbol reader artifact of Fig. 9F realizes the system architecture shown in Figs. 25A to 26, and performs the control process illustrated in Figs. 27A to 27C, and is limited by the state transition diagram of Fig. 28. In all but a few respects, the bar code symbol reading artifact 200 of Fig. 9F is similar to the bar code symbol reading artifacts of Fig. bar code symbols of Figs. 9A and 9E, except that the bar code symbol reading artifact of Fig. 9F does not generate any kind of object detection field.
Laser sampler artifact activated automatically to produce an IR-based object detection field, a two-dimensional laser-based barcode detection field, and a two-dimensional laser-based barcode detector field
In Figs. 10A to 10D is shown, the fourth illustrated embodiment of the automatically activated laser scanning device 230 herein comprising: a miniature device housing 231 made as a small sugar dice employing technology already available that allows it, having a lower part housing (ie base) 231A and a housing top (ie cover) 231B; an xy laser scanning module based
ES 2 234 327 T3 in HOE 232 displayed on the inner surface of the casing cover portion 231B, to produce and sample a laser beam by a scanning field; an IC board 233 to support the electronic circuits used to make the subsystems and subcomponents thereof shown in Figs. 15A1-16, including a photodetector
2. 3. 4 coupled to analog and digital signal processing circuits on PCB 233, and an infrared transmitter
235 and an infrared receiver 236 coupled to the IR-based object detection circuit of the artifact made on the IC board 233, as taught in US Patent No. 5,808,285, and a scanning window 237 to cover the transmission aperture 238 of the housing of the artifact, and providing the optical functions taught in US Patent No. 5,789,731 which is incorporated herein by reference. In particular, the bar code symbol reader artifact of Fig. 10A implements the system architecture shown in Figs. 15A1 to 16, and performs the control process illustrated in Figs. 20A1 to 20E and delimited by the state transition diagram of Fig. 21.
As shown in FIG. 10D, the lower surface of the upper housing portion 213B functions as an optical bench (ie, platform) on which most of the optical and electro-optical components of the xy laser scanning mechanism are strategically mounted. As shown in Fig. 10D, the lower housing part 231A supports an IC board 233 on which the circuits of Figs. 15A1 to 15A4 employing surface mount components and similar technology known in the art. Optionally the transmission subsystem can be mounted on the PCB 233 while the transmission antenna 240, connected to the PCB 233, is mounted on the outside of the appliance housing. In particular, the output produced by this barcode symbol reading device is an RF carrier signal modulated by a serial data stream in response to the occurrence of the following two events: (i) the automatic reading of a bar code symbol by the artifact 230 and (ii) the manual actuation of the data transmission switch mounted on the outside of the reader housing within a defined time window maintained and monitored by the control process in the artifact.
As illustrated in Figs. 10A and 10D, the output laser beam 251 is scanned in the x and y directions of its 2D laser scanning field which functions as the barcode symbol detection field during the barcode symbol detection operating mode and as barcode symbol reader field during the barcode symbol reading operating mode.
Automatically activated laser sampling device to produce a laser-based object detection field, a laser-based two-dimensional barcode detection field, and a laser-based two-dimensional barcode detector field
In FIG. 10E, the fifth illustrative embodiment of the automatically activated laser sampling artifact 230 herein is shown. In almost all but a few respects, the bar code symbol reading artifact of Fig. 10E is substantially similar to the bar code symbol reading artifact of Fig. 10A, except that the artifact of Fig. 10E produces a laser-based detection field similar, in principle, to that produced by the artifact of Fig. 9E. In particular, the bar code symbol reader artifact of Fig. 10E realizes the system architecture shown in Figs. 22A1 to 22C, and performs the control process illustrated in Figs. 23A1 to 23E, and is limited by the state transition diagram of Fig. 24. Advantageously, the use of a raster-type (2-D) laser scan pattern during these modes of operation allows more dynamic barcode symbol detection and reading than Posnet and PDF barcode symbols.
Automatically activated laser sampler artifact to produce two-dimensional laser-based barcode detection field and two-dimensional field laser-based barcode detector without object detection field
In FIG. 10F, the sixth illustrative embodiment of the automatically activated laser sampler artifact 230 herein is shown. In almost all but a few respects, the bar code symbol reading artifact of Fig. 10F is substantially similar to the bar code symbol reading artifact of Fig. 10A, except that the artifact of Fig. 10F does not produces no object detection field class. In contrast, the artifact shown in Fig. 10F is based on the use of automatic laser-based barcode symbol detection in which a visible laser beam is operated in pulsed mode of operation (eg maintaining a duty cycle of approximately 50%). In particular, the bar code symbol reading artifact of Fig. 10F realizes the system architecture shown in Fig. 25, and performs the control process illustrated in Figs. 27A1 to 27C, and is limited by the state transition diagram of Fig. 28.
Automatically activated laser sampler artifact to produce an IR-based object detection field, an omnidimensional laser-based barcode detection field, and an omnidimensional laser-based barcode detector field
In Fig. 11A, a seventh automatically activated laser sampler device 260 of the present document is shown, comprising: an ultra-compact device housing 261 having a lower housing part (i.e., base) 261A and an upper housing part (i.e. say, cover) 261B; a polygon 262-based laser sampling module or mechanism, as described in US Patent No. 5,796,091 having an optical bench with optical and electro-optical components mounted thereon, to produce and scan a laser beam through an omnidirectional scanning field; an IC board 263 to support electronic circuits used to make the subsystems shown in Figs. 15A1 and 16, including an IR transmitter and receiver 264 and 265 coupled to an object detection circuit realized on the PCB 263, and a photodetector 266 coupled to process circuits
ES 2 234 327 T3 of analog and digital signal made on an IC board 263, as taught by US Patent No. 5,976,091; and a scanning window 267 covering the transmission aperture of the appliance housing, and providing the optical functions taught in US Patent No. 5,789,731.
In particular, the bar code symbol reader artifact of Fig. 11A realizes the system architecture shown in Figs. 15A1 to 16, and performs the control process illustrated in Figs. 20A1 to 20E, and is limited by the state transition diagram of Fig. 21. During barcode symbol detection mode, the artifact automatically generates an omnidirectional laser scan pattern within its 10 barcode symbol detection field, to collect scanned data for use in scanning process operations. barcode symbols. In addition, during the barcode symbol reading mode, the artifact automatically generates an omnidirectional laser scan pattern within its barcode symbol reading field 11, to collect scanned data for use in processing operations. barcode symbol detection.
In Figs. 12A and 12B show cross-sectional views of the projected omnidirectional laser scan pattern in fields 10 and 11. Additional details regarding the laser scan pattern are disclosed in US Patent No. 5,796,091.
Laser sampler artifact activated automatically to produce a laser-based object detection field, an omnidimensional laser-based barcode detection field, and an omnidimensional laser-based barcode detector field
In FIG. 11B, the eighth illustrative embodiment of the automatically activated laser sampling device 260 herein is shown, comprising: an ultra-compact device housing 261 having a lower housing portion (i.e., base) 261B and an upper housing portion housing (ie, cover) 261A; a 262 polygon based laser sampler module, as described in US Patent No. 5,796,091 having an optical bench with optical and electro-optical components mounted thereon, to produce and scan a laser beam through an omnidirectional scanning field; an IC board 263 to support electronic circuits used to make the subsystems shown in Figs. 22A1-22C, including a photodetector 266 coupled to analog and digital signal processing circuits made on an IC board 263, as taught by US Patent No. 5,976,091; and a scanning window 267 covering the transmission aperture of the artifact housing, and providing the spectral filtering functions taught in US Patent No. 5,789,731.
In particular, the bar code symbol reader artifact of Fig. 11B realizes the system architecture shown in Figs. 22A1-22C, and performs the control process illustrated in Figs. 23A1 to 23E, and is generally governed by the state transition diagram of Fig. 24. In almost all but a few respects, the artifact of Fig. 11B is similar to the artifact of Fig. 11A, except that the laser-based object detection field 23 is automatically generated by the artifact in Fig. 11B during its object detection mode of operation. The same techniques described in connection with the artifact of Fig. 9E can be employed to generate the laser-based object detection field 23 produced by the laser sampler artifact of Fig. 11B.
Laser sampler artifact automatically triggered an omnidimensional laser-based barcode detection field and an omnidimensional laser-based barcode detector field without an object detection field
In FIG. 11C, the ninth illustrative embodiment of the automatically activated laser sampling device 260 herein is shown, comprising: an ultra-compact device housing 261 having a lower housing portion (i.e., base) 261A and an upper housing portion housing (ie, cover) 261B; a 262 polygon based laser sampler module, as described in US Patent No. 5,796,091, incorporated herein by reference, having an optical bench with optical and electro-optical components mounted thereon for producing and scanning a laser beam through an omnidirectional scanning field; an IC board 263 to support electronic circuits used to make the subsystems shown in Figs. 25A-26, including a photodetector 266 coupled to an analog and digital signal processing circuit made on an IC board 263, as taught by US Patent No. 5,976,091; and a scanning window 267 covering the transmission aperture of the artifact housing, and providing the spectral filtering functions taught in US Patent No. 5,789,731.
In particular, the bar code symbol reader artifact of Fig. 11C realizes the system architecture shown in Figs. 25A-26, performs the control process illustrated in Figs. 27A to 27C, and is generally governed by the state transition diagram of Fig. 28. In almost all but a few respects, the artifact of Fig. 11C is similar to the artifact of Fig. 11B, except that the artifact in Fig. 11C does not generate any form of object detection field during its system operation.
ES 2 234 327 T3
Laser sampler artifact activated automatically to produce an IR-based object detection field, a scanning-type laser-based barcode detection field, and a scanning-type laser-based barcode detection field
In Fig. 13A, the tenth illustrative embodiment of the automatically activated laser sampling device 270 herein is shown, comprising: an ultra-compact device housing 271 having a light transmitting aperture to allow light to exit and enter the interior of the Case; a holographic scanner module 272 having an optical bench with optical and electro-optical components mounted thereon, for producing and scanning a laser beam focused by an omnidirectional scanning field; an IC board 273 to support electronic circuits used to make the subsystems shown in Figs. 15A1-16, including an IR transmitter and receiver 274 and 275 coupled to a barcode symbol detection circuit realized on the PCB 273, and a photodetector 276 coupled to analog and digital signal processing circuits made in an IC board 273, as taught by US Patent No. 5,976,091; and a scanning window 277 for covering the transmission aperture of the artifact housing, and providing the spectral filtering functions taught in US Patent No. 5,789,731. In particular, the bar code symbol reader artifact of Fig. 13A realizes the system architecture shown in Figs. 15A1-16, and performs the control process illustrated in Figs. 20A1 to 20E, and is limited by the state transition diagram of Fig. 21.
Each scan facet on scan disk 278 also functions to collect reflected laser light onto a small parabolic mirror 281 that has a focal point on top of the parabolic disk near the motor, on which a photodetector 276 is located. The intensity signals produced by the photodetector 276 they are provided to the microprocessor for decoding-processing in a conventional way. Infrared light-based object detection transceivers 274, 275, mounted adjacent to the scanning window produce the object detection field 9 that spatially overlaps the scanning volume (i.e., detection fields and reading of scanning codes). bars) in its scanning operating range, as shown. In this particular illustrative embodiment, the laser scanning device of Fig. 13A includes the following functionalities: the spatially overlapping laser scanning and object detection fields taught in US Patent No. 5,468,951; the long-range / short-range modes of programmable scan operation taught in US Patent No. 5,340,971; the energy saving system control architecture taught in US Patent No. 5,424,525; and the RF signal transmission functionalities and acoustic recognition signaling taught in US Patent No. 5,808,285, each of which is commonly owned by Metrologic Instruments, Inc. of Blackwood, New Jersey.
Automatically activated laser sampler artifact to produce a laser-based object detection field, a scan-type laser-based barcode detection field, and a scan-type laser-based barcode detector field
Shown in Fig. 13B is the eleventh illustrative embodiment of the automatically activated laser sampler device 270 herein, comprising: an ultra-compact device housing 271 having a light transmitting aperture to allow light to exit and enter the inside of the housing; a 272 holographic laser scanner module as described in US Application No. 09 / 071,512 having an optical bench with optical and electro-optical components mounted thereon, to produce and scan a laser beam through an omnidirectional scanning field; an IC board 273 to support electronic circuits used to make the subsystems shown in Figs. 22A1-22C, including a photodetector 276 coupled to analog and digital signal processing circuits made on an IC board 273, as taught by US Patent No. 5,789,730; and a scanning window 277 for covering the transmission aperture of the artifact housing, and providing the spectral filtering functions taught in US Patent No. 5,789,731 incorporated herein by reference. In particular, the bar code symbol reader artifact of Fig. 13B includes the system architecture shown in Figs. 22A1-22C, and performs the control process illustrated in Figs. 23A1 to 23E, and is generally limited by the state transition diagram shown in Fig. 24. In almost all but a few respects, the artifact of Fig. 13B is similar to the artifact of Fig. 13A, except that the laser-based object detection field 23 is automatically generated by the artifact in Fig. 13B during its object detection mode of operation. Substantially the same techniques described in connection with the artifact of Fig. 9E can be used to generate the laser-based object detection field 23 produced by the laser sampler artifact of Fig. 13B.
Laser sampler artifact activated automatically to produce a scanning-type laser-based barcode detection field and a scanning-type laser-based barcode detection field without object detection field
In FIG. 13C, the twelfth illustrative embodiment of the automatically activated laser sampling device 270 is shown comprising: an ultra-compact device housing 271 having a light transmitting aperture to allow light to exit and enter the interior of the device. Case; a 272 holographic laser scanner module as described in US Application No. 09 / 071,512 having an optical bench with optical and electro-optical components mounted thereon, to produce and scan a laser beam through an omnidirectional scanning field; an IC board 273 to support electronic circuits used to make the subsystems shown in Figs. 25A-26, including a photodetector 276 coupled to analog and digital signal processing circuits made on an IC board 273, as taught by US Patent No. 5,796,091; and a scanning window 277 for covering the transmission aperture of the appliance housing, and providing the optical functions taught in US Patent No. 5,789,731. In particular, the bar code symbol reader artifact of Fig. 13C includes the architecture of
ES 2 234 327 T3 system shown in Figs. 22A1-22C, and performs the control process illustrated in Figs. 25A to 26, and performs the control process illustrated in Figs. 27A to 27C and is generally governed by the state transition diagram shown in Fig. 28. In almost all but a few respects, the artifact of Fig. 13C is similar to the artifact of Fig. 13B, except that the laser reading device of Fig. 13C does not generate any form of object detection field during its system operation.
Laser sampler artifact activated automatically to produce an IR-based object detection field, a laser-based barcode detection 3d omni-directional field, and a laser-based barcode detector 3d omni-directional field
In Fig. 14A, the thirteenth illustrative embodiment of the automatically activated laser sampling device 290 herein is shown, comprising: an ultra-compact device housing 291 having a light transmitting opening to allow light to exit and enter the interior of the device. Case; a holographic scanner module 292 having an optical bench with optical and electro-optical components mounted thereon, for producing and scanning a laser beam through an omnidirectional scanning field (ie, barcode reader and / or detector); an IC board 293 to support electronic circuits used to make the subsystems shown in Figs. 15A1-16, including an IR transmitter and receiver 294 and 295 coupled to a barcode detector circuit realized on IC board 299, and a photodetector 296 coupled to analog and digital signal processing circuits realized on an IC board 293, as taught by US Patent No. 5,796,091; and a scanning window 297 for covering the transmission aperture of the artifact housing, and providing the spectral filtering functions taught in US Patent No. 5,789,731. In particular, the bar code symbol reader artifact of Fig. 14A includes the system architecture shown in Figs. 15A1-16, and performs the control process illustrated in Figs. 20A1 to 20E, and limited by the state transition diagram shown in Fig. 21.
Automatically activated laser sampler artifact to produce an omni-directional 3D laser-based object detection field, a 3D omni-directional laser-based barcode detection field, and a 3D omni-directional laser-based barcode detector field
Shown in Fig. 14B is the eleventh illustrative embodiment of the automatically activated laser sampler device 290 herein, comprising: an ultra-compact device housing 291 having a light transmitting aperture to allow light to exit and enter the inside of the housing; a 292 holographic laser scanner module as described in US Patent Application No. 09 / 071,512 incorporated herein by reference, having an optical bench with optical and electro-optical components mounted thereon, for producing and scanning a laser beam through an omnidirectional scanning field; an IC board 293 to support electronic circuits used to make the subsystems shown in Figs. 22A1-22C, including a photodetector 299 coupled to analog and digital signal processing circuits made on an IC board 293, as taught by US Patent No. 5,796,091; and a scanning window 297 for covering the transmission aperture of the artifact housing, and providing the spectral filtering functions taught in US Patent No. 5,789,731. In particular, the bar code symbol reader artifact of Fig. 14B includes the system architecture shown in Figs. 22A1-22C, performs the control process illustrated in Figs. 23A1 to 23E, and is generally governed by the state transition diagram shown in Fig. 24 .. In almost all but a few respects, the artifact of Fig. 14B is similar to the artifact of Fig. 14A except that the laser-based object detection field 23 is automatically generated from the artifact of Fig. 14B during its object detection mode of operation. The same techniques described in relation to the artifact of Fig. 9E can be used to generate the laser-based object detection field 23 produced by the laser sampler artifact of FIG. 14B.
Laser sampler artifact activated automatically to produce an omni-directional 3D laser-based barcode detection field and an omni-directional 3D laser-based barcode detector field without object detection field
In FIG. 14C, the fifteenth illustrative embodiment of the automatically activated laser sampler device 290 is shown, comprising: an ultra-compact device housing 291 having a light transmitting aperture to allow light to exit and enter the interior of the device. the casing; a 292 holographic laser scanner module as described in US Patent Application No. 09 / 071,512 incorporated herein by reference, having an optical bench with optical and electro-optical components mounted thereon, for producing and scanning a laser beam through an omnidirectional scanning field; an IC board 293 to support electronic circuits used to make the subsystems shown in Figs. 25A-26, including a photodetector 299 coupled to analog and digital signal processing circuits made on IC board 293, as taught by US Pat. No. 5,796,091; and a scanning window 297 for covering the transmission aperture of the artifact housing, and providing the spectral filtering functions taught in US Patent No. 5,789,931 incorporated herein by reference. In particular, the bar code symbol reading artifact of Fig. 14C includes the system architecture shown in Figs. 25A-26, and performs the control process illustrated in Figs. 27A to 27C, and is governed generally by the state transition diagram shown in Fig. 28. In almost all but a few respects, the artifact of Fig. 14C is similar to the artifact of Fig. 14B, except that the laser scanning device of Fig. 14C does not generate any form of object detection field during its system operation.
ES 2 234 327 T3
Auto-activated laser sampling system of barcode symbols comprising an IR-based object detection subsystem, a laser-based barcode symbol detection subsystem, a laser-based barcode symbol reader subsystem, and a manually activated symbol character data transmission subsystem
With reference to Figs. 15A1 to 16 and 20A1 to 21, the first generalized system design will now be described in greater detail. In particular, the structure and functions of the first generalized system design are provided within each of the illustrative embodiments of the present invention described above related to automatically activated barcode symbol reading systems comprising an object detection subsystem based in IR, a laser-based barcode symbol presence detection subsystem, a laser-based barcode symbol reader subsystem and a data transmission drive subsystem, as illustrated in FIG. 1A.
As shown in Figs. 15A1 to 15A4, the automatically activated barcode symbol reader system 300 comprises several cooperative components, namely: a system override signal detection circuit 301 for detecting the production of a system override signal and producing in the presence of the same a control activation signal A<sub>0</sub> = 1; a primary oscillator circuit 301A for producing a primary clock signal CLK for use by the system override signal detection circuit 301 and the object detection circuit 307; a first timing RC network 302 for adjusting the oscillation frequency of the primary oscillator circuit; media (p. eg, Hall effect sensor) 335 to produce a system override signal; a data transmission switch 303 manually actuable to generate a control enable signal A<sub>4</sub> = 1 in response to switch activation; first control means 304, realized as a first control circuit C \, to perform localized system control functions; a second timing network RC 305 for setting a timer Ti in control circuit C<sub>1</sub>; means (eg, object sensing circuit 307) for producing a first control drive signal A<sub>1</sub> = 1 after detection of an object bearing a barcode in at least a part of the object detection field 9; a laser beam scanning mechanism 308 for producing and scanning a visible laser beam by the barcode symbol on the detected object; a photoreceptor circuit 309 for detecting laser light reflected from the scanned barcode symbol and producing an electrical signal Di indicative of the detected intensity; an analog / digital (A / D) conversion circuit 310 to convert the analog signal from scanned data D<sub>1</sub> into a corresponding digital scan data signal D<sub>2</sub> in order to automatically detect the digital data pattern of a barcode symbol on the detected object and produce a control trigger signal A<sub>2</sub> = 1; a third timing network RC 312 for setting a timer T<sub>BC</sub>d in the barcode symbol detecting circuit 311; a second control means 313, realized as a second control circuit C2, to perform local system control operations in response to the detection of a bar code symbol; a third control means 314, realized as a third control module C<sub>3</sub>; some timers T<sub>2</sub>, T<sub>3</sub>, T<sub>4</sub> and T<sub>5</sub> identified by reference numbers 315, 316, 317 and 318, respectively; a symbol decoder module 319 for processing the scanned data digital signal D<sub>2</sub> to determine the data represented by the detected barcode symbol, generate symbol character data representative thereof, and produce a control activation signal A3 for use by the third control module C3; a data packet synthesis module 320 for synthesizing a group of formatted data packets for transmission to its companion base 440; and a packet data transmission circuit 321 for transmitting the group of data packets synthesized by the packet data synthesis module 319; an object detection status indicator (e.g. led) 451, a barcode symbol detection status indicator 452 triggered by enable signal E2 and control enable signal A<sub>2</sub> = 1, a barcode symbol reading status indicator (e.g. an LED) 453 activated by enable signal E<sub>8</sub> = 1; and a data transmission status indicator 454 (eg, an LED) activated by signal E<sub>9</sub> = 1.
As will be described in greater detail below, the second control circuit C<sub>2</sub> is capable of "overriding" (ie inhibiting and / or enabling) the first control circuit Ci, while the third control circuit C3 is capable of overriding the first and second control circuits C<sub>1</sub> and C<sub>2</sub>, respectively. As shown in Figs. 15A1 15A4, such control override functions are performed by generating control override signals (i.e., C<sub>2</sub> / C<sub>1</sub>, C<sub>3</sub> / C<sub>2</sub> and C<sub>3</sub> / C<sub>1</sub>) transmitted between the respective control structures during the operation of the system. Due to the unique architecture of its control subsystem, its automatically activated barcode symbol reading device is capable of versatile operation and ultra-low power operation. The structure, function, and advantages of this control subsystem architecture will become apparent in the following.
As shown in Figs. 15A1-15A4, electrical power is supplied to the components of the barcode reader device by a power supply battery unit 320 contained within the housing of the device. As shown in the schematic diagram of Fig. 15B1, the battery power supply unit 320 contained within the housing of the code symbol reading device provides electrical power to the internal components in accordance with a programmed intelligent mode of operation. In the illustrative embodiment, the battery power supply unit 320 comprises an electrical power distribution circuit 325, replaceable or rechargeable batteries 326, and an automatic power control circuit 330. In the illustrative embodiment, employing rechargeable batteries, the power supply circuit 320 further includes a secondary inductive coil 327B, a bridge rectifier 328, and a voltage regulator circuit 329. Preferably, all of these components are contained within the handheld housing of the device and together configured as shown in Fig. 15B1.
ES 2 234 327 T3
As illustrated in FIG. 15B1, the function of the secondary inductive coil 327 is to establish an electromagnetic coupling with the primary inductive coil contained, for example, in the base unit 440 associated with the barcode reading device. In those embodiments of the barcode symbol reader system that have a base unit 440 with an integrated recharging unit, the rechargeable batteries 326 are automatically recharged as long as the barcode symbol reader device rests on the recharging portion of the battery. base unit. More specifically, when arranged in this configuration, electrical energy is inductively transferred from primary inductive coil 327A in base unit 440 to secondary inductive coil 327B in the barcode symbol reader device, as shown in Figs. . 15A1 - 15A4. The inductively coupled AC power signal is then rectified by bridge rectifier 320 and finally filtered by voltage regulator circuit 329 to provide a regulated DC power supply signal to recharge rechargeable battery 326.
As shown in Fig. 15B1, the automatic power control circuit 330 is connected in series between the rechargeable battery 326 and the power distribution circuit 325. The function of the automatic power control circuit 330 is to automatically control (i.e. manage) the availability of battery power for electrically active components within the barcode symbol reading device when the device is operated in its operating mode. handheld (i.e. removed from the reader stand) under a defined set of operating conditions. In particular, although the power distribution circuit 325 distributes electrical power throughout the barcode symbol reading device via a power distribution bus, the automatic power control circuit 330 globally enables electrical power consumption (ie that is, the product of the voltage times the direct current) by the system components only when the automatic power control circuit 330 is activated.
As shown in Fig. 15B1, the automatic power control circuit 330 comprises several sub-components, namely: a DC to DC voltage converter 330A; a power toggle switch 330B; and a resettable timer circuit 330C. The function of the 330A DC to DC voltage converter is to convert the voltage of the 326 battery power source to +5 Volts, while the function of the 330B power toggle switch is to selectively switch electrical power from the 330A DC to DC converter to the input port of the power distribution circuit 325. The function of the resettable timer circuit 330C is to control the power switch circuit so that battery power is supplied to the power distribution circuit 325 in an energy-conserving manner without compromising the operation of the barcode symbol reading system at its sites. different modes of operation.
In general, there are numerous ways in which to implement the power reset switch 330D employed in the power supply unit 320 shown in Figs. 15A1 to 15B1. However, in practice the special manner in which this component is made will depend on the particular embodiment of the barcode symbol reading system, as well as its particular application. For example, consider the bar code symbol reading system illustrated in Fig. 2A. In this particular embodiment of the present invention, it would be advantageous to make the power reset switch 330D as a spring-actuated switch provided on one of the supporting surfaces of the hand housing thereof. In this arrangement, the power reset switch 330D would generate a power initiation signal when the hand shell was lifted from its foot, or from a counter surface, on which it was resting while it was off / in standby mode of operation. saving.
As shown in FIG. 15C, a primary clock oscillator circuit 301A provides a periodic pulsed signal CLK1 to the system override signal detection circuit 301 and object detection circuit 307. In the illustrative embodiment, the oscillator circuit Primary 301A is designed to operate at low frequency (eg, about 1 KHz) and at very low duty cycle (eg, about 1%). The "on" time for the system override signal producing device 335 and the IR object sensing circuit 306 is proportional to the duty cycle of the primary oscillator circuit 301A. This feature allows minimal operating current when the barcode symbol reading device is in its object detection mode and also when the system override signal producing device 335 is activated (i.e. produces an override signal). of system D<sub>0</sub> = 1).
In accordance with the present invention, the purpose of the object detector circuit 307 is to produce a first control activation signal Ai = 1 after determining that an object (eg, product, document, etc.) is present within the field. detection device 9 of the barcode symbol reading device and hence at least a part of the barcode field 10. Automatic object detection is employed in the illustrative embodiment. However, it is understood that "passive" techniques can be employed with acceptable results. As shown in Fig. 15, the object sensing circuit 307 comprises two main sub-components, namely an object sensing circuit 306 and an object sensing circuit 307, both of which are locally controlled by the control circuit C<sub>1</sub>. In the illustrative embodiment, the object sensing circuit 306 comprises an IR LED 206a driven by a transmitter driver circuit 349 and an IR phototransistor (or photodiode) 206B driven by an IR receive driver circuit 358. These components are arranged and mounted on the IC board so as to provide an object detection field 9 which spatially encompasses the laser scan plane, as described above. As shown in Figs. 15A1-15A4, object detection circuit 307 produces an IR DR enable signal that is supplied to transmitter driver circuit 349. The signal produced by IR phototransistor 206B, identified as IR REC, is supplied as an input signal to the control circuit. object detection 307 for signal processing so that it will be described below in detail. In the illustrative embodiment, the IR LED generates a signal of 900
ES 2 234 327 T3 nanometers pulsing at the speed of the primary oscillator circuit 301A (e.g., 1 kHz) when the object detector circuit 307 is enabled by the enable signal E<sub>0</sub> produced by the first control circuit C<sub>1</sub>. Preferably, the duty cycle of the primary oscillator circuit 301A is less than 1% in order to keep the average current draw very low.
Alternatively, the barcode reader device of the present invention can be easily adapted to detect reflected ultrasonic energy from an object present in the object detection field 9. In this alternative embodiment, the object sensor circuit 306 is produced as a transmitting mechanism. / ultrasonic energy receiver. In the housing of the barcode reader artifact, an ultrasonic energy signal is generated and transmitted forward to the object detection field 9. Then the ultrasonic energy reflected from an object within the object detection field 9 is detected next to the transmission window employing an ultrasonic energy detector (integrated with the housing) producing an analog electrical signal (i.e. UE REC) indicative of the detected intensity of received ultrasonic energy. Preferably, a focusing element is arranged in front of the energy detector in order to effectively maximize the collection of ultrasonic energy reflected from objects in the object detection field. In such cases the focusing element essentially determines the geometric characteristics of the device's object detection field. Consequently, the energy focusing (i.e., pickup) characteristics of the focusing element will be selected to provide an object detection field that spatially encompasses at least a portion of the barcode based symbol reading and detection fields. in laser. The electrical signal produced by the ultrasonic energy-based object sensing circuit is supplied to the object sensing circuit 307 for processing in the manner described above.
Referring to Fig. 15F, the first control logic block C will be described in greater detail.<sub>1</sub>. In general, the first function of the logic control block C1 is to provide a first level of system control. This control circuit activates the object detection circuit 307 generating an enabling signal E<sub>0</sub> = 1, it activates the laser beam scanner circuit 308, the photoreceptor circuit 309 and the A / D conversion circuit 310 generating an enable signal E<sub>1</sub> = 1; also activates the barcode symbol detector circuit 311 by generating the enabling signal E2 = 1. In addition, the first control circuit C1 provides control lines and signals in order to control these functions and provides an override function. system for low power sleep mode in the barcode symbol reader device. In the illustrative embodiment, the specific operation of the first control circuit C1 is dependent on the state of various sets of input signals (i.e., control activation signal A<sub>0</sub> already<sub>1</sub>, and cancel signals C<sub>2</sub>/ C<sub>1</sub>, C<sub>3</sub>/ C <sub>1-1</sub> and C<sub>3</sub>/ C<sub>1-2</sub>) and an internally generated digital timing signal B1. In Figs. 15F and 15G a preferred logic implementation of the first control circuit C is presented<sub>1</sub>. The functional dependencies between digital signals in this circuit are represented by the Boolean logical expressions presented in the table of Fig. 15H and therefore are sufficient to uniquely characterize the operation of the first control circuit C<sub>1</sub>.
As illustrated in Figs. 15A1-15A4, laser scanning circuit 308 comprises a light source 377 which generally can be any suitable intense light source selected to maximize reflectivity from the object bearing a bar code symbol. In the preferred embodiment, light source 377 comprises a solid state visible laser diode (VLD) that is activated by a conventional driver circuit 378. In the illustrative embodiment, the wavelength of visible laser light produced by the laser diode is preferably about 670 nanometers. In order to repeatedly scan the laser beam produced in the scanning field (with a given spatial extent in front of the light transmission window), any number of laser beam scanning mechanisms can be employed as shown in Figs. 9C, 10D, 11A, 13A and 14A. In Figs. 15A1-15A4, the scanner drive aerial unit is schematically represented by reference numeral 381. Since the scanner mechanism can be realized in a variety of ways, as illustrated above, a scanner motor 380 is used to represent this. structure in the system. In particular, this scanning engine 380 does not need to be electromechanical in nature, but can be based on the use of electro-optical beam scanning / conduction principles, employing, for example, Cholesteric Liquid Crystal (CLC) Laser Beam Conduction Systems described in US Patent No. 5,459,591. Therefore, the term "scanning engine" as used herein is understood as any means of moving, driving, oscillating or directing the path of a laser beam through space during the operation of the system in order to obtain information related to a barcode object and / or symbol.
As shown in the generalized system diagram of Figs. 15A1-15A4, laser diode 377 and scanner motor 380 are enabled by enable signal E1 supplied as input to driver circuits 378 and 381. When enabling signal E<sub>1</sub> is a “high” logic level (that is, E<sub>1</sub> = 1), a laser beam is generated and projected through the light transmitting window and repeatedly scanned by the barcode symbol detection field thus produces a scanned optical data signal of the object (and scan code). bars) resident within the barcode symbol detection field 10. When the laser diode and scanner engine enabling signal E1 is a logic "low" (ie, E1 = 0), there is no laser beam produced, projected, or scanned by the barcode symbol detection field 10.
When a barcode symbol is present on the detected object at the time of scanning, the user aligns the visible laser beam on the barcode symbol and the incident laser light on the barcode will be scattered / reflected (typically according to Lambert's law). This scattering / reflection process produces a laser light return signal of varying intensity that represents a spatial variation of the characteristics.
ES 2 234 327 T3 light reflectivity of the bar and gap pattern comprising the scanned bar code symbol. The photoreceptor circuit 309 detects at least a portion of the reflected laser light of varying intensity and produces an analog scanned data signal Di indicative of the detected light intensity.
In response to reflected laser light focused on photoreceptor 385, the photoreceptor produces an analog electrical signal that is proportional to the intensity of the detected laser light. This analog signal is then amplified by preamplifier 387 to produce an analog scanned data signal D<sub>1</sub>. In short, laser scanning circuit 308 and photoreceptor circuit 309 cooperate to generate analog signals of scanning field D1 scan data (i.e., barcode scanning and reading fields), at time intervals specified by scanning circuitry. first and second control C1 and C2 during normal modes of operation and by a third control module C3 during "control override" modes of operation.
As illustrated in FIG. 15I, the analog scan data signal D1 is supplied as input to the A / D conversion circuit 310. As well known in the art, the A / D conversion circuit processes the analog scan data signal D1 to provide a digital scan data signal D2 that has a waveform that resembles a pulse width modulated signal, where the "1" logic signal levels represent spaces of the scanned barcode symbol and the "0" logic signal levels represent bars of the scanned barcode symbol. The A / D conversion circuit 310 can be realized using any conventional A / D conversion technique well known in the art. The digitized scan data signal D2 is then supplied as input to the barcode symbol detection circuit 311 and to the symbol decoder module 319 for use in performing special functions necessary during the code symbol reading process. bars of the present invention.
In Fig. 15J, the bar code symbol detection circuit 311 of the illustrative embodiment is shown in greater detail. The primary purpose of the barcode symbol detection circuit 311 is to determine whether a barcode is present or absent in the barcode symbol detection field 10, at time intervals specified by the first control circuit C1 during normal modes of operation, and by the third control module C3 during control override modes of operation. In the illustrative embodiment, the barcode symbol detector circuit 311 indirectly detects the presence of a barcode in the barcode symbol detection field 10 by detecting its barcode symbol "envelope." In the illustrative embodiment, a barcode symbol envelope is assumed to be present in barcode symbol detection field 10 upon detecting a corresponding digital pulse sequence in digital signal D<sub>2</sub> which A / D conversion circuit 310 produces when the photoreceptor circuit 309 detects laser light reflected from a barcode symbol in the barcode symbol detection field 10. This digital pulse sequence detection process is carried out by counting the number of digital pulse transitions (i.e. pulse trailing edges) that occur on the scanned data digital signal D2 within a specified timed period of time T1 by the barcode symbol detector circuit. According to the laws of physics that govern the laser scanning mechanism used in the implementation of the system, the number of digital pulses (pulse width modulated) detectable in a photodetector 385 during the time period T1 is a function of the distance of the barcode to light transmission window 311 at the time of scanning. Thus, a barcode scanned 6 inches from the light transmission window will produce a greater number of digital pulses (i.e., digital count) at the 385 photoreceptor over the time period T<sub>1 </sub>that would be done by the same barcode symbol scanned 3 inches from the light transmission window.
When an object is detected in the object detection field 9, a first control circuit C1 produces a first enabling signal E2 = 1 to enable the digital pulse transitions counter 390 for a duration time T<sub>1</sub>. As shown, the scanned data digital signal D<sub>2</sub> (representing the bars and spaces of the scanned barcode) drives the clock input of the first flip-flop 392, as well as the CLK input of flip-flop 398 in the digital timer circuit T<sub>CB</sub>d 391. The output of each CNT RESET count reset pulse from the digital timer circuit 391 automatically clears the digital pulse transition counter circuit 390, resetting it again to count the number of pulse transitions present in the incoming digital signal from explored data D<sub>2</sub> in a new time subinterval T<sub>CBd</sub>. The output Q corresponding to the transitions every eight pulses counted during the time period T<sub>CBd</sub> provides the control activation signal A2. When the presence of a barcode is detected in the barcode symbol detection field 10, the second control trigger signal A is generated.<sub>2</sub>, the third control circuit C is activated<sub>3</sub> and the second control circuit C2 is overridden by the third control circuit C3 by means of transmission of control override signals (i.e., inhibit signals C<sub>3</sub> / C<sub>2</sub> and C rating<sub>3</sub> / C<sub>1</sub>) from the third control circuit C3.
After entering the barcode symbol reading state, the third control module C3 provides control override signals C<sub>3</sub> / C<sub>1-2</sub> to the first control circuit C<sub>1</sub>. In response to the control signal C<sub>3</sub> / C1-2, the first control circuit C1 produces the enable signal E1 = 1 which enables the laser scanning circuit 308, the photoreceptor circuit 309 and the A / D conversion circuit 310. In response to the control signal C<sub>3 </sub>/ C<sub>2</sub>, the first control circuit C<sub>1</sub> produces the enable signal E<sub>2</sub> = 0 which disables the barcode symbol detector circuit 311. After this, the third control module C<sub>3</sub> produces the enable signal E<sub>4 </sub>= 1 to enable symbol decoder module 319. In response to the production of these signals, symbol decoder module 319 processes for decoding, scan line by scan line, the stream of digitized scan data contained in signal D<sub>2</sub> in an attempt to decode the barcode symbol
ES 2 234 327 T3 detected within the second determined time period T2 set and monitored by the third control module C<sub>3</sub>. If the symbol decoder module 319 successfully decodes the detected barcode symbol within the time period T<sub>2</sub>, then D symbol character data is produced<sub>3</sub> (representative of the decoded barcode symbol and typically in ASCII code format). The symbol decoder module 319 then produces and supplies the third control enable signal A<sub>3</sub> to the third control module C<sub>3</sub>.
If a data transmission control enable signal A4 = 1 has occurred by the manually actuable switch 303 within a specified duration of time (i.e. time period) set by a timer within the third control module C3, then the third control module, C3 automatically causes a state transition from the bar code symbol reading state to the data transmission state (packet). In response to this, three different events are scheduled to occur. First, the third control module C<sub>3</sub> automatically produces and supplies an enable signal E<sub>5</sub> to the data packet synthesis module 320. Second, the symbol decoder module 319 stores the symbol character data D<sub>3</sub> in a buffer associated with the data packet synthesis module 320. Third, the third control module C<sub>3</sub> produces and supplies an enable signal E<sub>7</sub> to the packet data transmission circuit 321. These enabling events activate the data transmission subsystem (packet) shown in Figs. 15A1 to 15A4. Upon activation of the packet data transmission subsystem, the next produced symbol character data string is transmitted to base unit 440 and from there to central computer 441.
Alternatively, upon generation of control trigger signals A3 = 1 and A4 = 1 within the time period set by the third control circuit C3, a different set of events can be scheduled to occur. For example, the third control module can produce and provide an enable signal E<sub>6</sub> to the data storage module and thereafter produce and provide an enable signal E<sub>7</sub> to the data transmission circuit 321. These enabling events activate the data transmission subsystem (packet) of the system shown in Fig. 15. Upon activation of the data transmission subsystem, the symbol character data string produced next it is transmitted to base unit 440 and from there to central computer 441.
In the illustrated embodiment, the data decoder module 319, the data packet synthesis module 320, and the timers T<sub>2</sub>, T<sub>3</sub>, T<sub>4</sub> and T<sub>5</sub> they are each carried out using a programmed microprocessor and accessible memory 334. Likewise the third control module C3 and the control functions it performs to blocks I to GG in Figs. 20A1 to 20E, for example, are performed as a program implementation employing techniques well known in the art.
The function of the data packet synthesis module 320 is to use the produced symbol character data to synthesize a group of data packets for subsequent transmission to its complementary base unit 440 by means of a data packet transmission circuit 321. . The construction of the packet data transmission circuit 321 will vary from embodiment to embodiment, depending on the type of data transmission protocol that is employed in the particular embodiment of the barcode symbol reader system.
In case the system employs a single-path RF data communications protocol, using state-dependent acoustic recognition signal feedback as shown in Fig. 17 and described in US Patent No. 5,808,285, each packet of Synthesized data is formatted as shown in Fig. 15O.
In general, each base unit of the single-track RF embodiment performs various functions. First, the base unit receives the modulated carrier signal transmitted from the handheld barcode symbol reading device within the data reception range of the base unit. Second, the base unit demodulates the received carrier signal to recover the data packet modulated thereon during the transmission of the signal. Third, the base unit analyzes each of the recovered data packets to determine whether the received carrier signal was transmitted from a handheld barcode symbol reading device assigned to the receiving base unit. Fourth, the base unit retrieves the symbol character data from at least one data packet in a transmitted group of data packets, to ensure the reliability of the recovered symbol character data. Fifth, the base unit generates an acoustic acknowledgment signal S<sub>ACK</sub> that can be audibly perceived by the operator of the transmitting barcode symbol reader whenever they are within the data receiving range of the base unit. Finally, the base unit transmits the received symbol character data to a central computer or similar device. Each of these functions will be described in greater detail during the detailed description of the Main System Control Routine presented in Figs. 20A1 to 20E.
In particular, it may be desirable in some work environments to produce acoustic recognition signals in the form of a unique sequence of notes, assigned to a barcode symbol reading device and its "paired" base unit. The pitch or note sequence assigned to each paired base unit and barcode symbol reader device can be stored in a memory (eg. EPrOm) developed in the base unit, and can be programmed at the time of mounting the system and modified as required. Preferably, each tone and each sequence of notes is selected so that it can be easily distinguished and recognized by the intended operator alone.
Also shown in Fig. 17 is the case where the barcode symbol reading device reads a second barcode symbol and then transmits a second (N = 2) group of data packets. However due to interference, only the third data packet in the second transmitted group of data packets is received.
ES 2 234 327 T3 in the respective base unit. Despite these group transmission errors (eg, due to channel corruption or non-radio transmissive obstructions), the base unit as shown is nonetheless capable of recovering the transmitted symbol character data. After receiving the third data packet, retrieving the packed symbol character data and transmitting it to the central computer system, the barcode symbol reading device generates an acoustic recognition signal with a tone or sequence of notes that it can hear. the operator and recognizes as an indication that the reception of the data packet was successful.
In the above-described data packet transmission scheme, data packet interference is minimized by the random presence of interference-free time slots, during which a transmitted data packet can be received at its respective base unit. without interference from neighboring packets. However, the transmission scheme employs additional measures to further reduce the probability of data packet interference. Such measures are described in great detail in US Patent No. 5,808,285.
In Fig. 18 a technical alternative to establish data communication between the automatically activated barcode symbol reading device and its partner base unit is shown by means of a two-way RF-based data communication protocol employing techniques of digital frequency shift keying (DGCK), as described in US Patent Nos. 4,460,120 and 5,3221,246.
In Fig. 19 a technical alternative to establish data communication between the automatically activated barcode symbol reading device and its partner base unit is shown by means of two-way spread spectrum signaling techniques as described in the Patents US Nos. 5,418,812; 5,029,182; 5,280,498; 5,142,550; 5,528,621 and 5,479,441.
Having described the detailed structure and internal functions of the barcode symbol reading device of the first generalized system design, the operation of the control system thereof is described in the system block diagram shown in Figs. 15A1 to 15A4 and control blocks A to GG shown in Figs. 20A1 to 20E.
As illustrated in Fig. 21, the barcode symbol reading device of the present invention has four basic operating states, namely: object detection, barcode presence detection, barcode symbol reading. bars and symbol character data storage / transmission. The nature of each of these states has been described in great detail above.
Transitions between the various states are indicated by directional arrows. Next to each set of direction arrows are transition conditions expressed in terms of control trigger signals (eg A<sub>1</sub>, TO<sub>2</sub>, TO<sub>3</sub> already<sub>4</sub>) and where applicable, status time intervals (eg T<sub>1</sub>, T<sub>2</sub>, T<sub>3</sub>, T<sub>4</sub>, and T<sub>5</sub>). Conveniently the state diagram of Fig. 21 most simply expresses the four basic operations that occur during the flow of control within the control program of the system of Figs. 20A1 to 20E. Significantly the control activation signals A<sub>1</sub>, TO<sub>2</sub>, TO<sub>3</sub> already<sub>4</sub> shown in Fig. 21 indicate which events within the object detection field 9, the barcode detection field 10 and / or the barcode reading fields 11 may function to affect the transition of states within of the allotted time window (s), where prescribed.
System for automatically activated laser sampling of barcode symbols comprising a laser-based object detection subsystem, a laser-based barcode symbol presence detection subsystem, a barcode-based symbol reader subsystem laser, and a manually activated symbol character data transmission subsystem
In Figs. 22A through 24 shows an automatically activated laser sampling barcode symbol reader system 460 with a laser-based automatic object detection subsystem 307. In general, this system design may employ any of the laser reading artifacts shown in Figs. 9E, 10E, 11B, 13B and 14B. In general the system 460 shown in Figs. 22A1-22A4 is in many ways similar to the system 300 shown in Figs. 15A1-15A4, but there are differences, as shown in Figs. 22A1 - 22C. For example, the system of Figs. 22A1-22A4 does not include an IR-based object sensing circuit 306 or an IR-based object sensing circuit 307 shown in Figs. 15A1-15A4, but instead includes a 308 laser-based scanning mechanism for both object detection and barcode scanning, a 307 laser-based object detection circuit as shown in Fig. 22B and a first modified control circuit (C<sub>1</sub>) 304 shown in Fig. 22C which enables the VLD to activate the VLD in its low power invisible emission mode.
The function of the first control circuit C1 (304) is to provide suitable activation / enable signals to the VLD in order to produce, in the object detection mode, a low-power laser beam having a special duty cycle, such as is described in US Patent No. 4,933,538. During the barcode symbol detection and reading modes of operation, the first control circuit provides suitable activation / enable signals to the VLD so that the VLD generates a high-power laser beam to scan in the symbol detection fields. barcode and barcode symbol reading system. The first C1 control circuit (304) shown in Fig. 22C is similar to the first control circuit C1 (304) shown in Fig. 15F except that the circuit 304 includes a NAND gate 456, which has a first input terminal.
ES 2 234 327 T3 which is connected to the output of an oscillator (CLK2). As shown, the output terminal of the AND gate 456 terminal produces an enable signal pulse E<sub>1L</sub> to activate the VLD during object detection mode. The output of the NOR 365 gate produces the enable signals E<sub>1m</sub> and E<sub>1 p</sub> to enable the system scan engine and the system's photoreceptor circuitry, respectively. By generating several different enable signals, the laser scanning mechanism 308 and the photoreceptor mechanism 309 can be operated in either of two possible warps, namely as a laser-based object scanner or as a barcode-based scanner. laser for detection and reading of barcode symbols.
The function of the laser-based object detector circuit 307 shown in Fig. 22B, is to process (i.e., correlate) the low-power pulsed laser signal D1 (returned to the unit), synchronously with the low-power pulsed laser signal. (transmitted from the unit), and generate a control trigger signal A1 = 1 when the circuit detects an object based on a real-time analysis of the returned laser pulsed signals. In all other respects, the system of Figs. 22A1-22A4 is similar in structure and function to the system of Figs. 15A1 15A4.
Having described the detailed structure and internal functions of the automatic barcode symbol reader device of the present invention, the operation of the control system thereof is described in the system block diagram shown in Figs. 22A1 to 22A4 and in control blocks A to GG in Figs. 23A1 to 23E. In particular, in the process of controlling the system shown in blocks A through GG, it has been assumed that the system employs a single-way RF communications link between the barcode symbol reading device and its associated base unit, as It is shown in Fig. 17. It is understood that alternative data communication links based on similar single-way or dual-way RF principles can be employed with excellent results.
As illustrated in Fig. 24, the handheld automatic barcode reader device of the present invention has four basic operating states, namely: object detection, barcode symbol presence detection, reading of Bar code symbol and symbol character data storage / transmission. The nature of each of these states has been described in great detail above.
Transitions between the various states are indicated by directional arrows. Next to each set of direction arrows are transition conditions expressed in terms of control trigger signals (eg A<sub>1</sub>, TO<sub>2</sub>, TO<sub>3</sub> already<sub>4</sub>) and where applicable, status time intervals (eg T<sub>1</sub>, T<sub>2</sub>, T<sub>3</sub>, T<sub>4</sub>, and T<sub>5</sub>). Conveniently the state diagram of Fig. 24 most simply expresses the four basic operations that occur during the flow of control within the control program of the system of Figs. 23A1 to 23E. Significantly the control activation signals A1, A2, A3 and A4 in Fig. 24 indicate which events within the object detection and / or barcode detection / reading fields may function to affect the transition of states within the allotted time window (s), where prescribed .
Auto-activated laser barcode symbol sampling system having a pulsed laser-based barcode symbol presence detection subsystem, a laser-based barcode symbol reader subsystem, and a manually activated subsystem of symbol character data transmission
In Figs. 25A through 28, an automatic barcode symbol reader system 480 comprises various system components, namely: hand-held, otherwise body-wearable housing 481 to compactly contain components within the system; a laser scanning mechanism 482, a photoreceptor circuit 483, an analog / digital (A / D) converter circuit 484, a barcode presence detector module 485; symbol decoded character data storage unit 488, data transmission circuit 489 module 486; 487 data format conversion module; a barcode symbol detection status indicator 491, a barcode reading status indicator 492; a data transmission status indicator 493, kickstand detection means (eg. eg Hall effect sensor) 494; and a manually operable data transmission switch 495 to activate the data transmission mode of the system. As illustrated, these components are operatively associated with a programmable system controller 496 that is programmed to perform the system control process in accordance with the present invention.
In the illustrated embodiment, the system controller 496, the barcode presence detection module 485, the symbol decoder module 486, and the data format conversion module 487 are implemented using a single programmable device, such as a microprocessor. , which has an accessible program and an external buffer and timing circuitry. However, it is understood that any of these elements can be made using discrete loose components as will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art.
The automatic handheld barcode reader system 480 also includes power reception lines 497 that lead to conventional power distribution circuitry (not shown) to provide the required power to each of the system components, at the time. and for the time prescribed by the system controller 496. As illustrated, receiving power lines 497 go along with data communication lines 498 and are physically associated with a multi-terminal connector plug 499 at the end of the reader flex cable 500. An on / off power switch or functionally equivalent device (not shown) can be provided external to the handheld housing to allow the device to be selectively energized and de-energized. In the realization
Illustrative ES 2 234 327 T3, the power delivered through the reader flex cable 500 to the barcode symbol reader device is continuously supplied to the system controller 446 so as to allow its operation continuously, while at All other components of the system are supplied with partial voltages and the like. Thus, each system component must be activated (ie, enabled) by the system controller according to its scheduled system control routine which is described in detail below.
As illustrated in Figs. 25A and 25B, the laser scanning mechanism 482 comprises a light source 501 which, in general, can be any source of intense light suitably selected to maximize reflectivity from the surface of the object bearing the bar code symbol. In the illustrative embodiment, light source 501 comprises a solid state visible laser diode (VLD) that is driven by a conventional laser diode driver circuit 502. The wavelength of visible laser light produced by the laser diode is preferably around 670 nanometers. In order to scan repetitively, the laser beam produced in the fields of detection and reading of bar code symbols (37 and 38), each of these fields has a determined spatial extension in front of the housing of the device or reader , as shown in the figures of this document. By an electrically driven scan motor 504 by a drive circuit 505, a plane scanning mirror, a fin-type scanning element, or another scanning element 503 is moved. Although a fin-type scanning element is described, it is understood that they may use other types of scanning mechanism, known in the art or to be developed in the future, to implement this generalized embodiment of the present invention. Thus one of a plurality of conventional laser scanning mechanisms can alternatively be used with excellent results.
To selectively drive laser light source 501 and scan engine 504, system controller 496 provides a scan enable signal from laser diode E<sub>L</sub>, and a scan engine enable signal E<sub>m</sub>, as input to actuator circuits 502 and 505, respectively. When the enabling signal E<sub>L</sub> is a “high” logic level (that is, E<sub>L</sub> = 1), a laser beam is generated from the VLD 504 and projected through the light transmitting window of the reader housing 481 and when E<sub>M</sub> at a high logic level the laser beam is repeatedly scanned by the barcode symbol detection and reading fields 37 and 38, respectively, depending on the mode of operation of the system.
When a barcode symbol on an object is within the barcode symbol detection field 37 at the time of scanning, the incident laser light on the barcode will be scattered and reflected. This scattering / reflection process produces a laser light return signal of varying intensity that represents a spatial variation of the light reflectivity characteristic of the spaced pattern of bars that make up the barcode symbol. Photodetector circuit 483 detects at least a portion of the reflected laser light of varying intensity. Upon detection of this reflected laser light, photoreceptor circuit 483 produces an analog scanned data signal Di indicative of the detected light intensity.
In the illustrative embodiment, the photoreceptor circuit 483 generally comprises laser light collection optics 507, which focuses the reflected laser light for subsequent detection by means of a photodetector 508 that has a frequency-selective filter 509 that only transmits radiation mounted in front of its sensor. wavelength optics down to a small band above 670 nanometers. The photoreceptor 508 in turn produces an analog signal which is then amplified by the preamplifier 510 to produce an analog scanned data signal D<sub>1</sub>. In combination with the laser scan mechanism 482 a photoreceptor 483 cooperates to generate analog signals of scan data Di from the scan field during the time intervals specified by the system controller 496. As will be illustrated below, these Scanned data signals are used by barcode detection module 485 and symbol decoding module 486 to perform special functions. As illustrated in Figs. 25A and 25B, the analog scan data signal Di is supplied as input to the A / D conversion circuit 484. As is well known in the art, the A / D conversion circuit 484 processes the analog scanned data signal Di to provide a digital scanned data signal D2 that resembles in shape a pulse width modulated signal, where the levels Logical 1 signal levels represent spaces of the scanned barcode and logical 0 signal levels represent bars of the scanned barcode. The A / D conversion circuit 484 can be implemented by any conventional A / D circuit well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. The digitized scan data signal D2 is then supplied as input to the barcode symbol detection module 485 and to the symbol decoder module 486.
The purpose and function of the barcode symbol detection module 485 is to determine whether a barcode is present or absent from the barcode detection field 37 at particular intervals specified by the system controller 496. When detected a barcode in the barcode detection field 37, the barcode detection module 485 generates a second control activation signal A<sub>2</sub> (i.e. A<sub>1</sub>) which is supplied as input to the system controller, as shown in Figs. 25A and 25B. Preferably, the barcode symbol detection module 485 is implemented as a microcode program carried out by the above-described microcomputer and associated program and buffer. The function of the barcode detector module 485 is not to perform a decoding process but rather to quickly determine whether the received scanned data signals represent a resident barcode symbol within the barcode detection field 37.
Returning to Figs. 25A and 25B, the function of the 486 symbol decoder module is to process,
ES 2 234 327 T3 scan to scan line, the digitized scan data stream D2 in an attempt to decode the valid barcode symbol within a specified time period enabled by the system controller. In general, when the symbol decoder module 486 successfully decodes a bar code symbol within the determined time period, D3 symbol character data (typically in ASCII code format) is produced corresponding to the decoded bar code symbol. The symbol decoder module then produces and supplies a third control enable signal A3 = 1 to the system controller in order to perform its system control functions. When the data enable switch 495 is manually activated during a barcode symbol read cycle, in response to the generation of the enable signal A<sub>3</sub> = 1 and all other conditions are satisfied (that is, A<sub>4</sub> = 1, T<sub>2</sub> <0.5 seconds and the symbol character data is different from the data items in the Decoded Symbol Data Buffer), then the system controller 496 automatically generates the data transmission enable signal E<sub>DT</sub> = 1.
As will be illustrated in greater detail below, the system controller provides enable signals E<sub>FC</sub>, E<sub>ds</sub>, E<sub>dt</sub>, E<sub>dm</sub>, E<sub>Ad</sub>, E<sub>P.S</sub>, E<sub>l</sub> and E<sub>m</sub> to data format conversion module 487, to data storage unit 488, to data transmission circuit 489, to barcode detector module 485, to A / D conversion circuit 484, to photoreceptor circuit 483, to the VLD actuator circuit 502 and the scan motor actuator circuit 505, respectively, at particular stages of its control program. As illustrated in Figs. 25A and 25B, symbol decoder module 486 supplies D symbol character data<sub>3</sub> to the 487 data format module to convert D<sub>3</sub> in two different formatted types of symbol character data, namely D<sub>4</sub> and D<sub>5</sub>. Symbol character data converted from D format<sub>5</sub> are of data packet format specially adapted for efficient storage in data storage unit 488. The converted D-format symbol character data<sub>5</sub> they are specially adapted for data transmission to the central computer system 52 (eg, an electronic cash register). When the symbol character data D4 is to be converted to the format of the user's choice (based on a selected optional mode), the system controller 496 provides an enable signal E<sub>DS</sub> to data storage unit 488, as shown in Figs. 25A and 25B. Symbol character data converted from D format<sub>5</sub> they are transmitted to central device 512 only when data transmission control switch 495 has been activated during a bar code symbol read cycle and all preconditions for data transmission within the system have been satisfied. The data transmission circuit 512 then transmits the converted D-format symbol character data.<sub>5</sub> to the central computer system 512 over the data transmission lines 498 of the scanner connector pigtail 500.
Having described the detailed structure and internal functions of the barcode symbol reading device of the third generalized system embodiment, the operation of its system controller is described in the system block diagram shown in Figs. 25A and 25B, in the characteristic intensity as a function of time shown in Fig. 26 and in blocks A to S shown in Figs. 27A to 27C.
By virtue of the process control of the present invention and the structure of timers T<sub>1</sub> and T<sub>LASER off</sub>, the VLD produces a visible laser beam from the VLD 50 comprising a plane of pulsed laser light that fluctuates or oscillates at a fluctuation sensitivity rate R<sub>fluctuates</sub> equal to 1 / T<sub>fluctuates</sub> where T<sub>fluctuates</sub> equals T<sub>1</sub> + T<sub>LASER off</sub>. During barcode symbol reading and sensing states, the fluctuating nature of the laser scanning beam significantly improves the user's visual perceptibility thereof as the detected object is scanned while the user visually attempts to register (i.e. align) the beam laser with the bars and spaces of the barcode symbol on the object. The improvement in the visual perceptibility of the fluctuating laser scanning beam is manifested in the fact that the fluctuating laser scanning beam is more visually noticeable than the like laser beam of constant brightness or intensity. This psychophysiological phenomenon to the low frequency pulsating nature of the scanning laser beam. Although it is known in ophthalmic art that the human visual system is more sensitive to oscillation of light below 16 Hz than to light of constant luminosity (i.e. intensity), no one in the art of scanning code symbols The bar code has never recognized or appreciated that this principle could be used to solve the visual perceptibility problem that occurs in automatic handheld barcode symbol readers.
The automatically activated barcode symbol reader system of the present invention solves the problem of perceptibility of the laser scanning beam very effectively by applying the principle of psychophysiological sensitivity to oscillation to the construction of the barcode symbol reader. automatic laser.
Having described the operation of the third generalized system control process of the present invention, it will be useful at this juncture to describe the various conditions that produce state transitions during its operation. In this regard, reference is made to Fig. 28 which provides a state transition diagram for the illustrative embodiment.
As illustrated in Fig. 28, the handheld automatic barcode symbol reading device of the present invention has three basic operating states, namely: barcode symbol presence detection, code symbol reading bar and symbol character data transmission / storage. The nature of each of these states has been described in great detail above. These three states are schematically illustrated as A, B, and C, respectively, in the state transition diagram of Fig. 28.
As shown in Fig. 28, the transitions between the various states are indicated by directional arrows.
ES 2 234 327 T3
Next to each set of direction arrows are transition conditions expressed in terms of control trigger signals (eg A<sub>1</sub>, TO<sub>2</sub>, TO<sub>3</sub> already<sub>4</sub>) and where applicable, status time intervals (eg T<sub>laser off</sub>, T<sub>1 </sub>and T<sub>2</sub>). Conveniently the state diagram of Fig. 28 most simply expresses the four basic operations that occur during the flow of control within the control program of the system of Figs. 27A to 27C. Significantly the control activation signals A<sub>1</sub>, TO<sub>2</sub>, TO<sub>3</sub> already<sub>4</sub> shown in Fig. 28 indicate which events within the barcode symbol reading and detection fields may function to affect the transition of states within the assigned time window (s), where prescribed.
Hybrid type barcode symbol auto-activated laser sampling system having a pulsed laser-based barcode symbol presence detection subsystem, a laser-based barcode symbol reader subsystem, and a manually activated data transmission symbol character
With reference to Figs. 29A1 to 31B, a fourth generalized system design will now be described in great detail. In particular, the structure and functions of the fourth generalized system design can be realized in an automatically activated barcode symbol reading system having an IR-based or laser-based object detecting subsystem, a laser-based symbol detecting subsystem. laser-based barcode, a laser-based barcode symbol reader subsystem, and a manually activated data transmission subsystem, as shown, for example, in Figs. 1A and 1B.
In general, the main difference between the barcode symbol reader system 300 'shown in FIG. 29A1 and the barcode reader system 300 shown in FIG. 15 is that the system 300' includes modifications to certain components. in order to enter "Extended Time Operating States" that provide the user with an extended period of time (eg. twenty seconds) within which (i) read (detect and decode) a bar code symbol on the detected object and (ii) manually enable the transmission of the symbol character data to the associated central computer system. The system enters these Extended Time Operating States as long as a detected object remains within the system's object detection field when a timer, set to run, "expires" in the system control process. Examples of when a timer can "time out" in the system control process include, for example: when the system fails to read (ie, detect and decode) a barcode symbol on the detected object within the prescribed time periods established by the control subsystem; and / or when the user fails to manually enable the transmission of the produced symbol character data (representative of a scanned barcode symbol) to the central system, upon manual activation of the data transmission switch 303 within the window assigned time established by the control subsystem.
When the system enters the Extended Time Object Detection State, the laser beam is pulsed (ie, flickers) at the rate of frequency fluctuation during both barcode detection and reading modes of operation. In addition, additional control structures are called (i.e. blocks LL to XX in Figs. 30F1 and 30F2) within the Main System Control Routine (ie System Control Process) to ensure that the system operates within its Extended Time Operating States under the conditions described above. As will become apparent in the following, the fourth generalized system design as well as the fifth generalized system design (i.e., based on a modification of the second generalized system design) offer many important advantages to the user while reading coded objects. in bars of various kinds. For example, when a user puts a bar-coded object within the IR-based object detection field of the system and automatically detects the object, but the system does not read (i.e. detect and decode) the barcode symbol on it. this and / or the user fails to transmit the produced symbol character data to the central system by manually activating the data transmission switch 303, the system automatically enters the Extended Time Runtime States and an additional period of time (e.g. 20 seconds) is provided to allow the system to automatically read the barcode symbol on the detected object and the user to activate manually the data transmission subsystem so that the produced symbol character data is transmitted to the central system or device.
As shown in Figs. 29A1 to 29A4, system 300 'is substantially similar to system 300 shown in Figs. 15A1 -15A4, except in the following aspects.
For example, as shown in Figs. 29A1 - 29A4, an additional oscillator 301B is provided for use by the modified first control circuit C1 304 'to generate a pulsed laser diode enable signal E<sub>il</sub>. As shown in Figs. 29A1 - 29A4, the first control circuit C<sub>1</sub> generates four separate enable / disable signals, namely: E<sub>IL</sub> to enable and disable VLD 377 in photoreceptor circuit 308; AND<sub>IAD </sub>to enable and disable the A / D conversion circuit 310; AND<sub>IM</sub> to enable and disable scan engine 379; and E<sub>IPD</sub> to enable and disable photodetector 385.
As shown in Fig. 29B, the first control circuit C1 304 'employed in system 300' in Figs. 29A1-29A4 is similar to the first control circuit 304 employed in the system 300 of Figs. 15A1-15A4, except that the first control circuit 304 'includes an AND gate 366A. As shown, the first input to AND gate 366A is connected to the output of NOR gate 365. The second input to AND gate 377A is connected to the clock signal output of oscillator 301B that generates clock signal CLK2 with binary signal levels indicated by B2, periodically alternating during each barcode cycle. As shown,
ES 2 234 327 T3 the output of the NOR 365 gate provides the enable / disable signals E<sub>IAD</sub>, E<sub>IM</sub> and E<sub>IPD</sub>, while the output of AND gate 366A provides the enable / disable signal E<sub>IL</sub>. The Boolean expressions presented in the table of Fig. 29D specify how the enable / disable signals EIAD, EIM, EIPD and EIL are generated by the first control circuit C1 shown in Fig. 29.
Having described the detailed structure and internal functions of the automatic barcode symbol reading device of the fourth generalized system design, the operation of the control system thereof is described in the system block diagram shown in Figs. 29A1 to 29A4 and control blocks A to XX in Figs. 30A1 to 30F2.
As illustrated in Figs. 31A and 31B, the handheld automatic barcode reader device of the present invention, has four basic operating states, namely: object detection, barcode symbol presence detection, barcode symbol reading and transmission / storage of symbol character data. However, in contrast to the system shown in Figs. 15A1-15A4, the system shown in Figs. 29A1 - 29A4 also includes three Extended Time Operating States, namely: an Extended Time Object Detection State; an Extended Time Barcode Symbol Detection Status and an Extended Time Barcode Symbol Read Status. The nature of these states has been described in great detail above.
Transitions between the various states are indicated by directional arrows. Next to each set of direction arrows are transition conditions expressed in terms of control trigger signals (eg A<sub>1</sub>, TO<sub>2</sub>, TO<sub>3</sub> already<sub>4</sub>) and where applicable, status time intervals (eg T<sub>1</sub>, T<sub>2</sub>, T<sub>3</sub> T<sub>4</sub> and T<sub>5</sub>). Conveniently the state diagram of Figs. 31A and 31B most simply expresses the four basic operations that occur during the flow of control within the control program of the system of Figs. 30A1 to 30F2. Significantly the control activation signals A<sub>1</sub>, TO<sub>2</sub>, TO<sub>3</sub> already<sub>4</sub> shown in Fig. 21 indicate which events within the object detection field, barcode detection field and / or barcode symbol reading fields may function to affect the transition of states within the (s ) assigned time window (s), where prescribed.
Automatic barcode symbol reading devices including modifications to the generalized first, second, third and fourth system designs of the present invention
Having described the operation of the barcode symbol reading systems of the first, second, third, and fourth generalized embodiments of the present invention, it is noted at this juncture that these generalized embodiments can be further modified to provide four design embodiments. generalized system of additional systems of the present invention, as shown in Figs. 32A1 to 35F2. In each of these alternative generalized embodiments of the present invention, it is desired that the user be able to physically depress (i.e., actuate manually) the data transmission enable switch in order to suppress transmission of data to the system or central device, performed however, and after the target barcode within a cluttered menu is repeatedly scanned, detected and read, then releasing the switch in order to allow the automatic barcode symbol reader to transmit the produced symbol character data to the central system or device. In these alternative embodiments of the present invention, represented schematically in Figs. 32A1 to 32F2, releasing the data transmission enable switch enables the data transmission mode of operation, in contrast to pressing the data transmission switch to enable the data transmission mode as in the case of the embodiments. previously described of the present invention. These four generalized system designs will be described in great detail below.
The first generalized system design shown in Figs. 15A1-15A4 can be easily modified to provide a fifth generalized system design by replacing the system control process shown in Figs. 20A1 to 20E, with the system control process shown in Figs. 32A1 to 32E. The only difference between these two system control processes is that in block Q in Fig. 32B, the conditions for the YES and NO responses are reversed from those shown in the Q block of Fig. 20B, and there is no time constraint imposed on the control drive signal A4.
The second generalized system design shown in Figs. 22A1-22A2 can be easily modified to provide a sixth generalized system design by replacing the system control process shown in Figs. 23A1 to 23E, with the system control process shown in Figs. 33A1 to 33E. The only difference between these two system control processes is that in block Q in Fig. 33B, the conditions for the YES and NO responses are reversed from those shown in the Q block of FIG. 23B, and there is no time constraint imposed on the control drive signal A4.
The third generalized system design shown in Figs. 25A-25B can be easily modified to provide a seventh generalized system design by replacing the system control process shown in Figs. 27A to 27C, with the system control process shown in Figs. 34A to 34C. The only difference between these two system control processes is that in block K in Fig. 34B1, the conditions for the YES and NO responses are reversed from those shown in block K of Fig. 27B1, and there is no time restriction to the control activation signal A<sub>4</sub>.
ES 2 234 327 T3
The fourth generalized system design shown in Figs. 29A1-29A2 can be easily modified by replacing the system control process shown in Figs. 30A1 to 30F2, with the system control process shown in Figs. 35A to 35F2. The only difference between these two system control processes is that in the Q blocks in Fig. 35B and RR block in Fig. 35F1, the conditions for the YES and NO responses are reversed from those shown in the Q and RR blocks of Figs. 30B and 30F1, respectively.
The pervasive system design architectures described above provide an important advantage in applications where it is desired that the user can manually suppress the transmission of data to the central device until the desired barcode (wherever it is located) has been automatically detected and read and only after the release of the data transmission activation switch that can be activated manually in the automatic barcode symbol reader device. This control process of the present invention provides the user with a different level of control over the process of transmitting data to the central system. In all other respects the functionalities of the first, second, third and fourth system design architectures remain substantially the same in the four alternative generalized system designs.
RF receiver base unit for use with barcode symbol reading devices of the present invention
Referring now to Figs. 36A to 36C, the RF signal receiving base unit for use with the first illustrative embodiment of the barcode symbol reader system shown in FIG. 2A will be described. As shown, the base unit 42 is made in the form of a reader foot comprising a support body 43 releasably connected to a base bracket / mounting plate 550 by means of a quick-fit fixing mechanism. In the illustrative embodiment, the support body 43 is formed by an injection molded core in which a support structure of the handle portion is realized by a first support recess 51C; while the head support structure is made by means of a second support gap 51B. As shown in Fig. 36A, the first bearing gap is arranged above the base portion 51A and inclined a first acute angle B<sub>1</sub> with respect to it, while the second bearing gap 51B is arranged above the base part 51A and inclined at a second acute angle B2 with respect to it.
In order to ensure that the barcode reading device is securely but releasably supported within the support recesses 51B and 51C and is not easily collapsible from the scanner support foot during hands-free mode of operation, a few First and second magnetic elements 551A and 551B are permanently mounted on the underside of flat process bearing surfaces 51B and 51C, as illustrated in FIG. 36C. With this arrangement, a constant intensity magnetic flux emanates from the support gaps 51B and 51C. As a result, when the handle and head portions of the barcode reader device are placed in the bearing recesses, a ferrous element 552A in the handle portion 49B is magnetically attracted towards the magnetic element 551B, while a ferrous element 552A at head portion 49A it is magnetically attracted to magnetic element 551A. The magnetic force of attraction between these elements is selected such that a desired degree of force is needed to lift the automatic barcode reader device from the scanner support foot, while allowing for accidental displacement of the support foot device. while in hands-free operation.
As illustrated in Figs. 36B and 36C, a base mounting plate 550 is formed as a thin planar structure with perimeter dimensions substantially identical to the perimeter dimensions of the base portion of the support body 43. At the front and rear of the base plate 550 a pair of projections 553 and 554 extend perpendicularly, as shown. These projections have horizontal ridges that are adapted to snap into horizontal grooves formed on the inner surfaces of the front and rear walls 555 and 556, as shown in Figs. 36A to 36C.
In order to perform the functions of reception, processing, retransmission and recognition of data packets of the base unit 42 described above, in the interior volume contained between the interior surface of the support foot part and the upper surface of the plate The base is hidden a printed circuit board 558 filled with electronic circuitry. In the illustrated embodiment, IC board 558 contains electronic circuitry to perform each of the functions represented by the system block diagram of Fig. 37. As shown in Fig. 36A, communication and power flex cables 46 and 47 are directed through the opening 559 formed in the lower part of the rear wall of the support body and connect to the circuitry of the IC board 558.
The system architecture of base unit 42 is schematically depicted in Fig. 37. As shown, the base unit comprises several hardware and software components, namely: a power circuit 560; a receiving antenna element 561; an RF carrier signal receiving circuit 562; a base unit identification number storage unit 563; a data packet storage buffer 564; a base unit system controller 565; a data packet frame checker module 566; 567 identification number transmitter module; a data packet number identification module 568; a symbol character data extraction module 569; a data format conversion module 570; a serial data transmission circuit 571; and a recognition acoustic signal generator circuit 572. In the illustrative embodiment, a programmed microprocessor and associated memory (i.e., ROM and RAM), indicated by reference numeral 573, are employed to realize the base unit system controller 565 and each of the process modules of above-described data 564 to 570. The details of this program implementation are known to those of skill in the art to which the present invention pertains.
ES 2 234 327 T3
In the illustrative embodiment, it is necessary to provide a means within the base unit housing to recharge the batteries contained within the handheld housing of the portable barcode symbol reading device 41. Typically, DC electrical power will be available from the central computer system 45, to which the base unit is operatively connected via flexible cables 45 and 46. An electrical arrangement for performing this function is shown in Fig. 37. As shown, a power circuit 560 in the base unit of the present invention comprises a conventional current chopper circuit 571, a high-pass electrical filter 572 in parallel therewith, and a primary inductive coil 573 in parallel with the high-pass electrical filter. . The low voltage DC electrical power supplied by the central computer system via power cable 574 is supplied to the direct current (DC) chopper circuit 571, which is built on the Ci 558 board employing high speed current switching circuit. . The function of the current chopper circuit 571 is to convert the DC input voltage to the circuit into a high frequency (time varying) triangular waveform, composed of various harmonic signal components. The function of the electrical high pass filter is to remove the lower frequency signal components and pass only the higher frequency signal components to the inductive coil 573. As such, the high frequency electrical currents that are allowed to flow through inductive coil 573 induce a high voltage across it and produce a time varying magnetic flux (ie lines of force). According to well known principles of electrical energy transfer, the magnetic flux produced transfers electrical energy from the base unit to the rechargeable battery outside the barcode symbol reading device, provided that the primary and secondary inductive coils outside the unit base are electromagnetically coupled by magnetic flux. In order to maximize energy transfer between the base unit and its partner device during battery recharging operations, high permeability materials and well-known magnetic circuit design principles can be used to increase the amount of magnetic flux that couples to the primary and secondary inductive coils of the battery recharging circuit.
Additional details regarding the structure, function and operation of the base unit of Figs. 36A-36C can be found in US Patent No. 5,808,285.
Portable base unit for use with the automatically activated barcode symbol reader device of the present invention
The second illustrative embodiment of base unit 580 is shown in Figs. 3A to 3E, in particular will now be described in greater detail with reference to Figs. 38A to 38C. In general, the base unit of the second illustrative embodiment 580 is similar to the base unit of the first illustrative embodiment 42 described above, except for the following differences described below that reflect the additional functionality provided by the data collection aspect of the portable base unit.
As illustrated in Figs. 38A to 38C, the data collection base unit 580 comprises a handheld housing 581 that houses the operating elements of the device to be described below. Housing 581 has a top panel, a bottom panel, and front and back panels and two opposite side panels, as shown. A 4x4 membrane keyboard 582 is mounted on the lower parts of the upper panel for manual input of alphanumeric data including, for example, data related to bar code symbols. In particular a separate switch is provided to turn the device on and off. A 1x16 character LCD type display 583 is mounted above the keyboard to display data including (i) data being manually entered by the keyboard 582, (ii) operator messages, and (iii) input verification messages. data that will be described in more detail below.
Through the front panel, adjacent to the character display 582, a data output communications port 584 is provided. In the illustrative embodiment, the data output communications port 584 includes a 9-pin male connector 585, to which one end of the communications cable 586 connects, while the other end of the same connects to the data input port. of a central computer system, such as a cash register / point of sale (PV) computer 45. As will be described in greater detail below, the data output communications port 584 is specially adapted to transmit collected symbol character data stored in the base unit 580, over the communications cable 586 and through the communications port. data entry system of the central computer system 45.
As shown in Fig. 38A, a pair of D-rings are rotatably mounted on the rear end of the housing to conveniently support the data collection base unit on the operator's body while for example taking inventory. In this way, a lanyard, shoulder strap or waist strap can be attached to the D-rings. With this housing support arrangement, the user can simply take the handheld data collection base unit in their hand and manually enter data via the keyboard using their thumb, while viewing the character display screen.
Although not visually shown in Figs. 38A, 38B or 38C, the data collection base unit includes one energy storage unit per battery realized in the illustrative embodiment as four 1.5 volt AA type batteries. These batteries are contained within a battery holder attached to a hinged panel formed on the bottom panel of the housing. Access to the battery compartment is achieved by simply opening the hinged panel which can be snapped shut after battery replacement.
ES 2 234 327 T3
The system architecture of the data collection base unit 580 and the operation thereof are described in great detail in US Patent No. 5,808,285.
PCMCIA base unit embedded for use with an automatically activated barcode symbol reading device of the present invention
An alternative base unit 600 is shown in Fig. 39 for use in combination with the automatically activated barcode symbol reading devices shown in Figs. 2A to 2J, Figs. 7A to 7C and with other barcode symbol reading devices constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.
As shown in Fig. 39, the base unit 600 is realized as a PCMCIA 78 card base unit, which includes a 642 IC card that as a single device is inserted into a PCMCIA 603 port (TYPO II or III) of a system. laptop or desktop computer 77. In general, the system architecture of base unit 600 is similar to that of base unit 42 of the first illustrative embodiment described above, except that it does not function as a scanner foot, nor does it recharge the batteries within the barcode finder device. Base unit 42 comprises various hardware and software components that are described in great detail in US Patent No. 5,808,285.
Illustrative methods of performing the manual and hands-free modes of operation in the barcode symbol reader system of the present invention
At this time, it is appropriate to illustrate the automatic hands-free and manual operation modes of the system when used in various installation setups. For purposes of illustration only, the system of the first, second, and third illustrative embodiments shown in Figs. 2A through 2J, respectively, will be used to illustrate these mounting illustrations.
In Figs. 40A to 40D a point of sale (PV) station 45 is shown, comprising comprising an electronic cash register 61J operatively connected to the bar code reader system of the first illustrative embodiment by means of a flexible communications cable 46. Low voltage DC power is supplied to the base unit by means of a flexible power cord 47. In this particular installation setup, the base unit 42 is supported by a horizontal counter surface. If necessary or desirable in these mounting installations, the base unit base plate 42 can be made heavier by attaching one or more dense mass elements to the top surface of the base plate.
With the automatically activated barcode reader device 41 resting on the reader foot part 42, as shown in Fig. 42A, the system is automatically induced into the automatic hands-free mode of operation with its status of data transmission activated manually. In order to induce the system into its manual mode of operation, the user simply wraps his fingers around the handle portion of the handheld device and then lifts the device off the reader kickstand, as shown in Fig. 40B. After lifting the device from your foot, the mode selection circuit 650 (which includes eg. a Hall effect magnetic flux sensor mounted on the handle of the barcode reader device) detects the absence of magnetic flux produced by a permanent magnet mounted on the kickstand 43 and immediately generates the hand control activation signal ( ie A4 = 0) so that the system is induced into its manual mode of operation with its data transmission state manually activated.
With the barcode reading device held in the user's hand, and a bar-coded object 65 is moved in the object detection field 9 651 of the device shown in Fig. 40C, where the object is automatically detected, and the barcode symbol on it is automatically detected and read as the visible laser beam is repeatedly scanned by the barcode detection and reading fields. After each instance where the 651 barcode has been successfully read (i.e. detected and decoded) symbol character data is automatically produced and the barcode symbol read indicator is activated, the user can manually activate the data transmission switch 44 on the outside of the reader housing, in order to cause the data packets containing the automatically generated symbol character data to be automatically transmitted and processed in the base unit 42, as described above. In response to each successful data transmission to the base unit, an acoustic signal of a certain highly audible acknowledgment tone is produced S<sub>TO</sub>ck from there to the user related to this event. From this, the barcode reader device can be used to read other barcode symbols, or be placed back on the foot of the reader, as shown in Fig. 40D, where it is again induced automatically into its hands-free operating mode (ie A4 = 1).
In Figs. 41A to 41C a PV station is shown comprising the automatic barcode reader system of Figs. 2A to 2J, operatively connected to an electronic cash register 45 via flexible power and communication cables 46 and 47. In this particular installation setup, the base unit 42 and its associated reader foot are pivotally supported on a horizontal counter surface by means of an articulated joint assembly 653 attached to a pedestal base 654 mounted under the cash register. electronics, as shown. When installed as illustrated, the reader foot 43 can be adjustably positioned and locked in virtually any orientation in three-dimensional space, due to the three major degrees of freedom provided by the hinge joint assembly.
ES 2 234 327 T3
With the barcode reader device positioned on the reader support portion on the base unit 42 as shown in Fig. 41A, the system is automatically induced into its hands-free mode of operation by means of the hand-held selection circuit. 650 mode, using a magnetic flux sensing technique similar to that described in US Patent No. 5,340,971. In this operating state, the data transmission control activation signal A is continuously generated and fed to the system.<sub>4</sub> = 1. By simply moving an object 651 within the object detection field 9, the barcode symbol 652 is repeatedly scanned by the visible laser beam scanned by the barcode detection and reading fields during the states of barcode symbol detection and reading, respectively. To induce the automatic barcode reader system into its manual mode of operation, the user simply grasps the barcode reader device 41 and lifts it from the reader support foot 43, as illustrated in FIG. 41B, by which the control enable signal A4 is set to zero (ie, A4 = 0), enabling manual data transmission control trigger. Then by placing an object 651 in the object detection field as shown in Fig. 41C, the device automatically detects and reads the barcode symbol 652 thereon, and generates barcode symbol character data representative of the barcode symbol that has been read. If the user presses the data transmission switch of the device, then the device automatically transmits the decoded symbol character data to the central system 45. From here, the barcode symbol reader device can be placed back on the reader support foot 43, similar to that shown in Fig. 41B, automatically inducing the system into its hands-on mode of operation. free (1B A<sub>4</sub> = 1). Although the hands-free and manual operating states have been illustrated with reference to the first illustrative embodiment of the barcode symbol reading device of the present invention shown in Figs. 2A to 2H, it is understood that the other illustrative embodiments of the present invention described herein are provided with these modes of operation, which can be performed in the same or similar manner.
Turning now to Figs. 42A to 42C, a novel method in accordance with the present invention for reading barcode symbols printed on barcode symbol menus will be described. In general, the first step of the method includes moving an automatically activated barcode symbol reading device of the present invention adjacent to a menu of barcode symbols 660, as shown in FIG. 42A. In Fig. 42A, the visible scanning laser beam is shown scanned by two barcode symbols (652A and 652B) for illustrative purposes. In this configuration, the barcode symbol reader system automatically generates a new barcode symbol character data string each time a barcode symbol is read during the barcode symbol read cycle. . In the present illustration, it is assumed that both scanned barcode symbols 652A and 652B are read alternately and thus strings (i.e., items) of symbol character data (barcode) representative of the symbols are automatically generated. themselves in a cyclical fashion as shown in Fig. 42A. At this stage of the method, the strings of symbol character data are generated repeatedly and the "barcode symbol reading status" indicator is set repeatedly in correspondence with the generated symbol character data, but none of these symbol character data elements is processed to the central system 45 during this phase of the bar code symbol read cycle.
In Fig. 42B the user is shown moving the barcode symbol reader closest to a barcode symbol that is intended to be read. At this stage of the method, strings of symbol character data (associated with the particular barcode symbol) are repeatedly generated and the "barcode symbol read status" indicator is repeatedly set in correspondence with the data. symbol character numbers generated, but none of these symbol character data items are processed to the central system 45 during this phase of the barcode symbol read cycle.
In FIG. 42C the user is shown depressing the data transmission switch 44 on the automatically activated bar code symbol reading device 41 momentarily after the read bar code symbol indicator is observed to be activated. In response to manual activation of the data transmission switch 44, a string of subsequently produced symbol character data (associated with the particular barcode symbol) is automatically selected within the barcode symbol reading device and is automatically selected. transmits to the central system to which it is connected. At substantially the same time, the "data transmission status" indicator on the device is momentarily activated for the user to view as a form of visual feedback. To retransmit a previously transmitted string of symbol character data collected from the bar code symbol menu, the user only needs to press the data transmission switch 44 once again while the particular bar code symbol remains aligned with the Visible explorer beam. This retransmission of the symbol character string is performed after each press of the data transmission switch 44. In particular, during each retransmission of symbol character data, there is no need to rediscover the object that is the basis of the barcode symbol, or to momentarily remove the barcode symbol before rereading it and retransmitting its data. symbol character to the central system.
Having described the illustrative embodiments of the present invention, several modifications come to mind.
For example, in illustrative embodiments of the present invention, special types of bar code symbol reading artifacts described herein have been suggested for incorporation into various types of systems distinguished primarily by their form factors. However, it is understood that, with or without a mode function, any barcode symbol reading artifact described herein can be incorporated into any barcode symbol reading system, regardless of its form factor in relation to the factor of artifact shape. Although several laser sampling barcode symbol reading mechanisms described herein have been shown
ES 2 234 327 T3 or made in the form of an artifact, with a separate housing or module, it is understood that each of these mechanisms does not need to have a separate housing or modular structure, but can be directly integrated into the structure of the handheld housing of the device. barcode symbol reader.
In alternative embodiments of the present invention, the portable automatic barcode symbol reading device may not include within its housing electronic circuitry to perform control, decoding, and other data processing functions. Rather, this electronic circuitry may be contained within a remote unit operatively associated with the handheld device via a flexible scanner cable. In these embodiments, the handheld device will function as an automatic handheld laser scanner, rather than a barcode symbol reader.
Although the indicator lights provided in the barcode symbol reading devices of the present invention have been linked or correlated with particular operating states in each device, it is understood that in alternative embodiments herein these indicator lights can be configured to indicate different types of information to the user with the purpose of, for example, facilitating operation, Easy maintenance and similar in various user environment.
Although illustrative embodiments of the present invention have been described in connection with various types of barcode symbol reading applications including 1-D and 2-D barcode structures, it is understood that the present invention can be used in connection with any machine readable indicators or graphic structures including but not limited to barcode symbol structures. In the following, the term "code symbol" will be considered to include these information-bearing structures.
It is understood that the scanning modules, artifacts, and barcode symbol reader systems of the illustrative embodiments can be modified in a variety of ways that will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art to take advantage of the new teachings described herein. The present invention is defined by the invention claims appended hereto.
Contents18
131 sheets
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1,118 members in 18 offices
Priority claims10
| Document | Office | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19980204176 | United States of America | – | |
| 20417698 | United States of America | A | |
| 20417698 | United States of America | A | |
| 19990452976 | United States of America | – | |
| 45297699 | United States of America | A | |
| 45297699 | United States of America | A | |
| 204176 | – | – | – |
| 452976 | – | – | – |
| US19980204176 | – | – | – |
| US19990452976 | – | – | – |
Members1,118
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| WO9306565A1 | World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) | A1 | |
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| CA2128217A1 | Canada | A1 | |
| WO9314472A1 | World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) | A1 | |
| AU3585993A | Australia | A | |
| EP0557508A1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A1 | |
| US5260553A | United States of America | A | |
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| US5340971A | United States of America | A | |
| US5340973A | United States of America | A | |
| EP0621971A1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A1 | |
| EP0557508A4 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A4 | |
| US5424525A | United States of America | A | |
| US5468951A | United States of America | A | |
| US5484992A | United States of America | A | |
| CA2132899A1 | Canada | A1 | |
| EP0715273A2 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A2 | |
| US5525789A | United States of America | A | |
| US5528024A | United States of America | A | |
| EP0715273A3 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A3 | |
| US5557093A | United States of America | A | |
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| US5591953A | United States of America | A | |
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| EP0954826A1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A1 |
Numbers
- Publication
- 2234327
- Publication, DOCDB
- 2234327
- Publication, EPODOC
- ES2234327T
- Application
- 99962976
- Application, DOCDB
- 99962976
- Application, EPODOC
- ES19990962976T
Titles2
- Spanish
- SISTEMA LECTOR DE SIMBOLOS DE CODIGO DE BARRAS DE MUESTREO POR LASER ACTIVADO AUTOMATICAMENTE, PROPORCIONADO DE UN INTERRUPTOR DE ACTIVACION DE TRANSMISION DE DATOS.
- English
- SYSTEM OF SYMBOLS OF CODE OF SAMPLING BARS BY AUTOMATICALLY ACTIVATED LASER, PROVIDED OF A SWITCH OF ACTIVATION OF TRANSMISSION OF DATA.
Classification
- CPC, 21
- B82Y15/00
- G06K7/10
- G06K7/10544
- G06K7/10564
- G06K7/10584
- G06K7/10594
- G06K7/10603
- G06K7/10663
- G06K7/10673
- G06K7/10693
- G06K7/10702
- G06K7/10792
- G06K7/10801
- G06K7/10811
- G06K7/10851
- G06K7/10861
- G06K7/10871
- G06K7/10881
- G06K7/10891
- G06K7/14
- G06K2207/1012
- IPC, 2
- G06K7 10
- G06K7 14