Data collection for barcode-reading devices
AssigneeThe Code Corporation
InventorsJuihsiang Ray Shih, Ming Lei, Ryan Wayne Hoobler
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Data can be collected from a plurality of barcode-reading devices associated with an enterprise. The collected data can be distinct from the decoded data that is generated by the barcode-reading devices when barcodes are read. For example, the collected data can include device data describing one or more characteristics of the barcode-reading device. Other types of data (e.g., camera data, license data, decoding metadata) can also be collected. The collected data can be sent to a remote server for processing and analysis. The remote server can provide feedback to the enterprise based on the results of analyzing the collected data.
Claims20
A system comprising:
- a plurality of barcode-reading devices, each barcode-reading device comprising a camera that is configured to capture barcode images and a decoder that is configured to decode the barcode images and generate decoded data;
- at least one processor;
- data collection instructions executable by the at least one processor to collect data, the collected data being distinct from the decoded data;
- data reporting instructions executable by the at least one processor to send the collected data to a remote server, wherein the remote server comprises a remote server processor;
- data analysis instructions executable by the remote server processor to analyze the collected data and generate data analysis results;
- and
- feedback instructions executable by the remote server processor to provide feedback information to an enterprise associated with the plurality of barcode-reading devices based at least in part on the data analysis results.
A barcode-reading device comprising:
- a camera configured to capture barcode images;
- a processor and memory communicatively coupled to the processor;
- a decoder that is stored in the memory and executable by the processor to decode the barcode images and generate decoded data;
- a license key stored in the memory, the license key being configured to enable at least one feature of the decoder;
- a data collection policy within the license key, wherein the data collection policy indicates whether data collection is activated or deactivated;
- and
- instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to collect data and send the collected data to a remote server when the data collection policy indicates that data collection is activated.
A method for generating a license key count for an enterprise, the license key count indicating how many barcode-reading devices within an enterprise have used a license key for a barcode decoder during a desired time period, the method being performed by a remote server, the method comprising:
- receiving collected data from the barcode-reading devices;
- filtering the collected data based on an enterprise identifier (ID) to exclude any data that does not correspond to the enterprise;
- filtering the collected data based on a desired time period to exclude any data that does not correspond to the desired time period;
- generating the license key count by determining how many unique device fingerprints remain in the filtered data;
- and
- reporting the license key count to the enterprise.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.