Method and system for collecting and processing bar code data

Claim 1

A method for setting up a bar code network from a central location according to the requirements of a user for use with a host computer operable through a host computer terminal having at least one host screen with host data fields at predetermined row and column locations having at least one database, the bar code network including a plurality of data collection terminals, a plurality of workstations and a controller for transmitting and receiving bar code data made up of bar code transactions containing a plurality of bar code data fields to and from the terminals over a communications line, the method comprising the steps of: selecting at least one database; configuring the terminals; testing the terminals; each of the steps of selecting, configuring and testing is performed from the central location; selecting any one of said workstations as the central location; wherein said configuring step includes emulating said host computer terminal by associating individual bar code data fields contained in said bar code transactions with the row and column locations of host data fields on said host screen to thereby configure said bar code network to supply bar code transactions to said host computer as if entered through said host computer terminal; wherein said testing step includes the steps of choosing a number of terminals in the network to be tested, selecting a duration of a test to be conducted and reporting test results based upon the test; and wherein said database selecting step includes the steps of identifying a storage location for the collected bar code data, and identifying a storage location for validation data and processing programs.

Claim 2

A method for setting up a bar code network from a central location according to the requirements of a user for use with a host computer operable through a host computer terminal having at least one host screen with host data fields at predetermined row and column locations having at least one database, the bar code network including a plurality of data collection terminals, a plurality of workstations and a controller for transmitting and receiving bar code data made up of bar code transactions containing a plurality of bar code data fields to and from the terminals over a communications line, the method comprising the steps of: selecting at least one database; configuring the terminals; testing the terminals; each of the steps of selecting, configuring and testing is performed from the central location; selecting any one of said workstations as the central location; wherein said configuring step includes emulating said host computer terminal by associating individual bar code data fields contained in said bar code transactions with the row and column locations of host data fields on said host screen to thereby configure said bar code network to supply bar code transactions to said host computer as if entered through said host computer terminal; wherein said testing step includes the steps of choosing a number of terminals in the network to be tested, selecting a duration of a test to be conducted and reporting test results based upon the test; and wherein said database selecting step includes the steps of identifying a storage location for the collected bar code data, and identifying a storage location for validation data and processing programs.

Claim 6

A system for setting up a bar code network from a central location according to the requirements of a user in combination with a host computer operable through a host computer terminal having at least one host screen with host data fields at predetermined row and column locations having at least one database, the bar code network including a plurality of data collection terminals, a plurality of workstations and a controller for transmitting and receiving bar code data made up of bar code transactions containing a plurality of bar code data fields to and from the terminals over a communications line, the system comprising: means for selecting at least one database; means for configuring the terminals; means for testing the terminals; each of the means for selecting, configuring and testing are controlled from the central location; wherein any of said workstations is usable as the central location; means for designating any one of said workstations as the central location; wherein said configuring step includes emulating said host computer terminal by associating individual bar code data fields contained in said bar code transactions with the row and column locations of host data fields on said host screen to thereby configure said bar code network to supply bar code transactions to said host computer as if entered through said host computer terminal; wherein said means of selecting a database determines a storage location for incoming transactions, selects a processing unit for processing bar code data and communicates said terminals with validation data and processing programs; wherein said testing means comprises means for selecting the terminals to be tested, means for selecting a duration test to be conducted and means for reporting test results; and wherein said testing means tests the communication lines of the terminals selected for testing.

Claim 7

A system for setting up a bar code network from a central location according to the requirements of a user in combination with a host computer operable through a host computer terminal having at least one host screen with host data fields at predetermined row and column locations having at least one database, the bar code network including a plurality of data collection terminals, a plurality of workstations and a controller for transmitting and receiving bar code data made up of bar code transactions containing a plurality of bar code data fields to and from the terminals over a communications line, the system comprising: means for selecting at least one database; means for configuring the terminals; means for testing the terminals; each of the means for selecting, configuring and testing are controlled from the central location; wherein any of said workstations is usable as the central location; means for designating any one of said workstations as the central location; wherein said configuring step includes emulating said host computer terminal by associating individual bar code data fields contained in said bar code transactions with the row and column locations of host data fields on said host screen to thereby configure said bar code network to supply bar code transactions to said host computer as if entered through said host computer terminal; wherein said means of selecting a database determines a storage location for incoming transactions, selects a processing unit for processing bar code data and communicates said terminals with validation data and processing programs; wherein said testing means comprises means for selecting the terminals to be tested, means for selecting a duration test to be conducted and means for reporting test results; and wherein said testing means tests the communication lines of the terminals selected for testing.