Registers – Systems controlled by data bearing records – Mechanized store
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-04
2001-02-20
Pitts, Harold I. (Department: 2876)
Registers
Systems controlled by data bearing records
Mechanized store
C235S472010
Reexamination Certificate
active
06189788
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally data collection apparatus including portable data terminal collection units, as, for example, hand-held data entry terminals. More particularly, the invention relates to portable data collection apparatus having printing capability.
Background
Portable data entry terminals also referred to as data collection terminals have seen ever increasing market applications in various industrial and commercial fields. Combined data collecting and data processing operations in conjunction with on-site printing operations have a potential for efficiency increases and cost reductions in the management of various types of route operations. In route operations the driver carries the data collection terminal to the customers' premises and enters data relating to the customers' purchases. The entered data may then be used to prepare invoices. Upon return to the vehicle, the driver returns the data collection terminal to a case housing a printer. The case includes electrical and communication connections to couple the data collection terminal to the printer. Data from the data collection terminal are then used to prepare the customers' invoices as immediate records of orders taken or of delivered purchases. At the end of a route, the data collection terminals are removed from the case in the vehicle and are coupled by wired arrangements to a central data processing station, also referred to as a central or host computer. Frequent removals and replacements of the data collection terminals to effect data transfer and printing may bring about some wear and tear on the data collection terminals and also on respective connecting interfaces.
Other fields of use for portable data collection terminals with potential for increases in efficiency relate to store and warehouse operations including activities such as inventory controls, merchandise restocking operations, customer service operations and real time pricing and sales record keeping. In warehouse and retail store operations, the data collection terminals are provided with radio frequency (RF) transceivers to communicate during use with a corresponding transceiver of a central host computer. In this manner data may be transferred on real time basis to the central computer. The data collection terminals may optionally also be equipped with bar code scanning devices as means for collecting bar code data from merchandise. Further options include bar code label printers which may be coupled to the data collection terminal directly or by means of cables. Inherently the combination of various functions increases the bulkiness of the apparatus which in turn affect the ease of working with the apparatus in a convenient manner.
The use of portable or hand-held data collection apparatus is seen as becoming more widespread as the apparatus becomes more practically suited to particular operations. With respect to retail stores and their merchandising operations improved data collection apparatus featuring compactness and improved handling and operational characteristics are desirable.
In retail store operations numerous tasks may be simplified by data collection terminals. Such tasks include among many others stocking merchandise items, price-marking stocked items, and marking shelves with item identifications to determine restocking requirements when empty shelves leave open questions on what items are in need of restocking. Handling the portable data collection terminals becomes at times cumbersome, when at the same time merchandise items and pricing and location information sheets may need to be handled.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the invention, data collection apparatus comprises a carrying case including a combination of a printer module and a docking module arranged adjacent one another. The printer module and the docking module are rigidly attached to each other and a handle is attached to the combination for portability. The docking module receives a data collection terminal and communicatively and operatively couples the data collection terminal to the printer module for operating the printer module and the data collection terminal. The data collection terminal may be coupled to and operatively include a bar code scanner. The docking module preferably comprises cut-out end caps, such that the data collection terminal may be inserted in the docking module without need to operatively disconnect the bar code scanner from the data collection terminal while the data collection terminal is disposed within the docking module.
Thus, according to the invention, a portable, printing data collection apparatus comprises a portable data collection terminal and the combination of a printer module and a docking module for the portable data collection terminal. The portable data collection terminal includes a display and a keyboard and may include provisions for scanning data such as bar codes. The portable data collection terminal may also include communication means for transferring data to a data processing device. The docking module is preferably disposed adjacent and mounted to the printer module and includes electrical connections for data communication between a printer unit of the printer module and a portable data collection terminal docked in the docking module.
According to a particular aspect of the invention the printer module of the portable, printing data collection apparatus is an elongate substantially rectangular unit and the docking module is disposed adjacent one elongate side of the printer module. A handle is attached to the opposite elongate side of the printer module. The handle comprises means for releasably retaining data collection means such as a bar code scanner. As an alternate embodiment bar code retention means may be separately mounted to an outer side wall of the docking unit opposite to the handle attached to the printer module of the data collection apparatus.
According to another aspect of the invention, a data collection apparatus support includes a rectangular support frame for receiving the data collection apparatus. The support frame is supported by and part of a support structure having a bar grip stop at an underside of a first end of the support structure and a base support at an underside of a second end of the support structure. As a particular embodiment, the support structure is a plastic support tray having a rectangular main cavity, the support frame being an integrally molded rim about an upper opening of the main cavity, such that the data collection apparatus is cradled above the main cavity.
An advantage over prior art apparatus relates to improvements in the ability by a person to handle data collection apparatus as an assemblage forming a single unit including means for porting the apparatus as an assemblage forming a single unit between points of usage on the floor of a merchandise store.
Various other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent when the detailed description below is read in reference to the appended drawings.
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Davis Patrick H.
Hanson George E.
Jaeger Robert B.
Salvay Steven H.
Schultz Darald R.
Intermec IP Corp.
Pitts Harold I.
Simmons Perrine Albright & Ellwood, P.L.C.
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