Optical scanner adapted for interfacing to a data communications network
AssigneeMetrologic Instruments, Inc.
InventorsGeorge Kolis, John Furlong
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An enhanced scanner is equipped with a novel interfacing mechanism for communicating directly with a data communications network. This eliminates the requirement of using intelligent network interface devices to access data generated by any of a plurality of bar code scanners coupled to a communications network. This novel interfacing mechanism may include a program stored on a memory device within the scanner and executed by a scanner processing mechanism. The scanner processing mechanism is adapted to perform two functions—bar code scanning and network communications—thereby reducing the cost and complexity of a communications network that includes one or more bar code scanners coupled to a host device through the network.
Claims25
An optical scanner for use with a data communications network adapted to gather data from any of a plurality of bar code scanners, wherein the network includes a network controller for controlling uploading of data from any of the plurality of bar code scanners coupled to the data communications network;
- the network controller including (i) a first processing mechanism, (ii) a plurality of network interface ports, each port being coupled to the network controller, and (iii) at least one of the network interface ports not including a processing mechanism;
- each network interface port adapted for connection to a bar code scanner;
- the optical scanner comprising:
- a processing mechanism;
- and
- a memory device coupled to the processing mechanism;
- wherein a network communications program is stored on the memory device, and the processing mechanism is adapted to execute the network communications program;
- the network communications program including instructions for controlling at least one of the plurality of network interface ports.
A data communications network adapted for use with any of a plurality of optical scanners each comprising:
- (i) a processing mechanism, and (ii) a memory device coupled to the processing mechanism, wherein a network communications program is stored on the memory device, and the processing mechanism is adapted to execute the network communications program;
- the network communications program including instructions for controlling at least one network interface port of the data communications network;
- the data communications network comprising a network controller for controlling uploading of data from any of the plurality of optical scanners coupled to the data communications network;
- the network controller including (i) a first processing mechanism, (ii) a plurality of network interface ports, each port being coupled to the network controller, and (iii) at least one of the network interface ports not including a processing mechanism;
- each network interface port adapted for connection to an optical scanner.
An optical scanning system comprising:
- (a) a data communications network, and
- (b) a plurality of bar code scanners;
- wherein the data communications network includes a network controller for controlling uploading of data from any of the plurality of bar code scanners coupled to the data communications network;
- the network controller including (i) a first processing mechanism, (ii) a plurality of network interface ports, each port being coupled to the network controller, and (iii) at least one of the network interface ports not including a processing mechanism;
- each network interface port adapted for connection to a bar code scanner;
- and
- wherein the optical scanner includes:
- a processing mechanism;
- and
- a memory device coupled to the processing mechanism, such that a network communications program is stored on the memory device, and the processing mechanism is adapted to execute the network communications program;
- the network communications program including instructions for controlling at least one of the plurality of network interface ports.
A method of gathering data from any of a plurality of optical scanners coupled to a data communications network, at least one of the plurality of optical scanners having a scanner processing mechanism, the data communications network having a network processing mechanism, the method including the steps of:
- (a) the network processing mechanism issuing an interrogation to at least one of the scanner processing mechanisms,
- (b) at least one of the scanner processing mechanisms responding to the interrogation by downloading data to the data communications network;
- wherein at least one of the interrogation and the data are not suitable for transmission over a communications network, and the method further includes the step of converting at least one of the interrogation and the data into a form suitable for transmission over a communications network.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.