In-field monitoring and management of data capture systems
AssigneeSymbol Technologies, Inc.
InventorsRobert Pang, Thomas Bianculli, Edward Barkan, Robert Sanders, Wynn Aker
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Management data is uploaded and downloaded in the field to data capture systems, such as electro-optical readers, RFID readers, and imagers, either before, after, or during data capture in a manner transparent to the system without disturbing the data capture.
Claims18
An arrangement for in-field managing at least one data capture system operative for capturing transaction data, comprising:
- a) a transaction terminal operatively connected to the at least one data capture system that is movable relative to the terminal, the terminal being operative for processing the transaction data;
- and
- b) means for transmitting operational data from the at least one data capture system to the terminal without disturbing the processing of the transaction data.
The arrangement of claim 17, wherein the transaction terminal is a workstation, and wherein the at least one data capture system is an electro-optical reader for reading indicia.
The arrangement of claim 17, wherein the at least one data capture system is a handheld device movable relative to the terminal.
The arrangement of claim 17, wherein the at least one data capture system is a radio frequency identification (RFID) device.
The arrangement of claim 17, and a host operatively connected over a network to the transaction terminal, and wherein the transmitting means is operative for uploading the management data to the at least one data capture system via the terminal.
The arrangement of claim 17, and a host operatively connected over a network to the transaction terminal, the terminal running a middleware program operative to parse the management data and the transaction data, and to transmit the management data over the network in a manner transparent to a user of the at least one data capture system.
The arrangement of claim 17, and a host operatively connected over a network to the transaction terminal, and a data switch physically connected between the at least one data capture system and the transaction terminal and operative for parsing the management data and the transaction data, and for transmitting the management data over the network in a manner transparent to a user of the at least one data capture system.
A method of in-field managing at least one data capture system operative for capturing transaction data, comprising the steps of:
- a) operatively connecting a transaction terminal to the at least one data capture system that is movable relative to the terminal, the transaction terminal being operative for processing the transaction data;
- and
- b) transmitting operational data from the at least one data capture system to the terminal without disturbing the processing of the transaction data.
The method of claim 18, wherein the transmitting of the management data is performed by software.
The method of claim 18, wherein the transmitting of the management data is performed by hardware.
An arrangement for in-field managing at least one data capture system operative for capturing transaction data, comprising:
- a) a transaction terminal operatively connected to the at least one data capture system and operative for processing the transaction data;
- and
- b) means for transmitting management data to and from the at least one data capture system during capture of the transaction data.
A method of in-field managing at least one data capture system, comprising the steps of:
- a) operatively connecting a transaction terminal to the at least one data capture system, the transaction terminal being operative for processing transaction data captured by the at least one data capture system;
- and
- b) transmitting management data to and from the at least one data capture system during capture of the transaction data.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.