# US 9,000,885 B2 · Portable interface device for controlling a machine > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,000,885 B2 - Document ID: US9000885B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/561,906 - Filed: 2012-07-30 - Published: 2014-01-30 - Granted: 2015-04-07 - Earliest claimed: 2012-07-30 - Assignees: Hewlett-Packard Indigo B.V. - Applicants: Asaf Amran - Inventors: Asaf Amran - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9000885B2 ## CPC - G05B 19/409: characterised by using manual data input [MDI] or by using control panel, e.g. controlling functions with the panel; characterised by control panel details or by setting parameters (G05B19/408, G05B19/4093 take precedence) - G05B 2219/36159: Detachable or portable programming unit, display, pc, pda - G05B 2219/36371: Barcode reader - G05B: CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS (systems for controlling or regulating non-electric variables G05D; systems for regulating electric or magnetic variables G05F; control devices or systems insofar as characterised by mechanical features only G05G) ## Abstract Portable interface devices for controlling machines at control locations. One example device is arranged, in response to a positive verification that it is at a control location, to enable a user to control the machine by means of the device. Another example device is arranged to display information comprising control-location-specific information, based on which of at least two control locations was identified. Another example device is arranged to enable machine control for a limited period of time after a positive detection that it is located at a control location. Another example device includes a barcode reader. The device enables a user to control the machine in response to a positive verification that the barcode read is associated with the at least one control location. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A portable interface device for controlling a machine at at least two control locations, wherein the portable interface device is arranged to control the machine at either of the at least two control locations, wherein the portable interface device is arranged to detect whether the portable interface device is located at the at least two control locations, wherein the portable interface device is arranged to identify at which of the at least two control locations the portable interface device is located, wherein the portable interface device is arranged to enable the machine to be controlled via the portable interface device for a limited period of time after a positive detection, wherein the limited period of time depends on which of the at least two control locations was identified, wherein the portable interface device is arranged to verify that the portable interface device is located at the either of the at least two control locations, wherein the portable interface device is arranged, in response to a positive verification, to enable a user to control the machine via the portable interface device, thereby providing a facility for the user to control the machine via the portable interface device, and wherein the portable interface device is arranged, in response to a negative verification, to disable the facility for the user to control the machine, but to enable information about the machine to be displayed. ### Claim 2 A portable interface device for controlling a machine at either of at least two control locations, wherein the portable interface device is arranged to detect whether the portable interface device is located at the at least two control locations, wherein the portable interface device is arranged to identify at which of the at least two control locations the portable interface device is located, wherein the portable interface device is arranged to enable the machine to be controlled via the portable interface device for a limited period of time after a positive detection; wherein the limited period of time depends on which of the at least two control locations was identified, wherein the portable interface device is arranged to display information comprising control-location-specific information, based on which of the at least two control locations was identified, wherein the portable interface device is arranged to verify that the portable interface device is located at either of the at least two control locations, wherein the portable interface device is arranged, in response to a positive verification, to enable a user to control the machine via the portable interface device, thereby providing a facility for the user to control the machine via the portable interface device, and wherein the portable interface device is arranged, in response to a negative verification, to disable the facility for the user to control the machine, but to enable information about the machine to be displayed. ### Claim 3 A portable interface device for controlling a machine at at least two control locations, wherein the portable interface device is arranged to control the machine at either of the at least two control locations, wherein the portable interface device is arranged to detect whether the portable interface device is located at the at least two control locations, wherein the portable interface device is arranged to identify at which of the at least two control locations the portable interface device is located, wherein the portable interface device is arranged to enable the machine to be controlled via the portable interface device for a limited period of time after a positive detection; wherein the limited period of time depends on which of the at least two control locations was identified, and wherein the portable interface device is arranged, in response to a negative detection, to disable the machine to be controlled via the portable interface device, but to enable information about the machine to be displayed. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) A portable interface device according to claim 3, wherein the portable interface device is arranged to display information comprising control-location-specific information, based on which of the at least two control locations was identified. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) A portable interface device according to claim 3, wherein the portable interface device is arranged to further verify that the portable interface device is located at the at least two control locations, wherein the portable interface device is arranged, in response to a positive verification, to enable a user to control the machine via the portable interface device, and wherein the portable interface device is arranged, in response to a negative verification, to disable the facility for the user to control the machine, but to enable information about the machine to be displayed. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) A portable interface device according to claim 3, wherein the portable interface device is arranged to further verify that the portable interface device is located at the at least two control locations, wherein the portable interface device is arranged, in response to a positive verification, to enable a user to control the machine via the portable interface device, wherein the portable interface device is arranged, in response to a negative verification, to disable the facility for the user to control the machine, but to enable information about the machine to be displayed, and wherein the portable interface device is arranged to display information comprising control-location-specific information, based on which of the at least two control locations was identified. ### Claim 7 A portable interface device for controlling a machine at at least two control locations equipped with a unique identification, wherein the portable interface device comprises a barcode reader, wherein the portable interface device is arranged to control the machine at either of the at least two control locations, wherein the portable interface device is arranged to detect whether the portable interface device is located at the at least two control locations, wherein the portable interface device is arranged to identify at which of the at least two control locations the portable interface device is located, wherein the portable interface device is arranged to enable the machine to be controlled via the portable interface device for a limited period of time after a positive detection; and wherein the limited period of time depends on which of the at least two control locations was identified, and wherein the portable interface device is arranged to verify that the barcode reader is associated with either of the at least two control locations, wherein the portable interface device is arranged to enable a facility for a user to control the machine via the portable interface device, in response to a positive verification, and wherein the portable interface device, in response to a negative verification, is arranged to disable the facility for the user to control machine but to enable information about the machine to be displayed. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) A portable interface device according to claim 7, wherein different control locations are associated with a set of control operations comprising control-location-specific control operations, wherein the portable interface device is arranged to identify a specific one of the at least two control locations via the unique identification barcode, and wherein the portable interface device is arranged to enable the set of control operations with control operations that are specific for the identified control location. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) A portable interface device according to claim 7, wherein the portable interface device is arranged to display information comprising control-location-specific information, based on which of the at least two control locations was identified.