Data processing: speech signal processing – linguistics – language – Speech signal processing – Application
Reexamination Certificate
1998-05-27
2001-03-06
Knepper, David D. (Department: 2748)
Data processing: speech signal processing, linguistics, language
Speech signal processing
Application
C704S270000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06199044
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates generally to input devices such as devices for reading bar code and other machine-readable symbols.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Data is often input to computers or processors using optical input systems. One rapid method of inputting data into a processor employs bar code symbologies, where data is encoded in varying widths, bars, and spaces. An optical input system such as an LED pen or laser scanner provides information to the processor of a bar code reader, where the information represents the widths of the bars and spaces.
The processor in turn decodes these widths into appropriate data characters. To improve information density, linear bar code symbologies are being replaced by two-dimensional bar code symbologies. Two-dimensional symbologies, as opposed to traditional bar code symbologies, encode data in two directions. While two-dimensional symbologies, such as PDF417, can be read and decoded using a laser scanner, most two-dimensional symbologies require a two-dimensional image to be captured, digitized and analyzed. For example, a two-dimensional charge-coupled device (CCD) produces a series of electrical signals that represent an image, much like a digital photograph. A processor then stores and analyzes the digital image to locate and decode a two-dimensional symbol located within the image.
Laser scanners in point-of-sale terminals are specifically designed to rapidly decode linear bar code symbols (particularly UPC symbols) on products. Such laser scanner point-of-sale terminals can read only bar code symbols, and typically only bar code symbols selected from a preprogrammed symbology. Readers for two-dimensional symbologies are more complex, because they must identify at least one type of two-dimensional symbology within a field of background noise (e.g. text). While two-dimensional readers can decode a larger number of machine-readable symbologies, such two-dimensional readers are restricted to inputting and decoding machine-readable symbologies.
An operator of a reader or a cashier at a point-of-sale terminal must manually input any additional information into a reader or cash register by either receiving verbal information from a customer or reading data from a document (e.g., coupon), and then manually inputting the data. Other input devices are necessary to input additional data, such as card readers for reading magnetic stripes on credit cards.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The inventors have discovered that many data input functions can be combined within a single universal input device to thereby realize numerous benefits. For example, a universal point-of-sale device can include a two-dimensional imager for inputting not only machine-readable symbol data, but also alphanumeric text, images, etc. As a result, the two-dimensional imager can input data to a processor from various documents, such as lottery tickets, drivers' licenses, personal checks, certain predetermined forms, envelopes, etc. Likewise, data input via card readers, such as magnetic stripe card and smart card readers, can be input via a card reader module into the processor. Furthermore, an audio input unit can receive voice instructions, which are digitized, converted and input to the processor. A wireless data receiver can receive electronic signals wirelessly, such as data from remotely readable tags.
The universal input device thereby receives data from a variety of input sources. Redundant circuitry, such as redundant processors, are eliminated by consolidating various input devices into the single universal input device. Software operating in the universal input device may receive voice instructions to identify a particular object or document being imaged. The universal input device can then more rapidly and efficiently decode or otherwise analyze such object based on the prior knowledge of the type of object.
In a broad sense, one embodiment of the invention is directed to an apparatus having a processor, at least two data input modules, and a memory. The data input modules are coupled to the processor and receive image and audio, wireless or externally stored data. The memory is coupled to the processor and stores the received data, including an image of an object.
Another embodiment of the invention includes a method of processing data having the steps: (a) providing a stored image of an object having at least two different images of machine-readable data, wherein one of the two different images is an image of a machine-readable symbol on the object or a single image not of a symbology; (b) decoding the image of the machine-readable symbol, if present; (c) receiving a voice command; and (d) analyzing a portion of the stored image for the other of the two different images of machine-readable data based on the received voice command.
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Ackley H. Sprague
Maltsev Pavel A.
Ohanian Michael
Intermec IP Corp.
Knepper David D.
Perkins Coie LLP
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