US6119941A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automated help instructions for automatically or adaptively configuring a hand-held device, such as a bar code reader or hand-held personal computer
Assignee: Tumbleweed Holdings LLC
•
Filing: 1998-05-04
•
Granted: 2000-09-19
•
Expires: 2018-05-04
Abstract
Abstract The invention provides a method and system for guiding a hand-held device operator through the process of enabling input and output devices on the hand-held device. In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, a hand-held device includes a bar code reader which images or scans a bar code label. The hand-held device then searches its enabled bar code symbologies for a bar code symbology which interprets the scanned bar code label. If the device cannot interpret the scanned bar code label according to its presently enabled bar code symbologies, the device then examines its non-enabled bar code symbologies. If the scanned bar code label can be interpreted according to a non-enabled bar code symbology, then the device queries the operator to determine if the bar code symbology should be enabled. If the operator requests enablement of the bar code symbology, then the device changes the bar code symbology to an enabled status and interprets the scanned bar code label according to the newly enabled bar code symbology. Otherwise, the device generates an error message and sends it to the operator. Other embodiments of the invention permit the enablement of input devices such as touch-sensitive screens, keyboards, and operator-selectable input buttons.
Inventors
- 👤 James T. Katsandres
- 👤 Chau Minh Ho
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 11:37
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/10; G06K7/10544; G06K7/10821; G06K7/10851
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 62
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
A method for guiding a device operator through the process of enabling a bar code symbology on a hand-held device having a bar code reader, the hand-held device having a plurality of bar code symbologies, the method comprising: reading a bar code label; automatically identifying a bar code symbology in which the bar code label has been expressed by, for each of the plurality of bar code symbologies that have an enabled status, determining if the bar code label has been expressed in that bar code symbology; and for each of at least one bar code symbology that has a non-enabled status, determining if the bar code label has been expressed in that bar code symbology; and if the identified bar code symbology has a non-enabled status, then providing the device operator a query asking whether the identified bar code symbology should have an enabled status in the hand-held device; and receiving a reply to the query from the device operator.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
161 words
A method for guiding a device operator through the process of enabling a bar code symbology on a hand-held device having a bar code reader, the hand-held device having a plurality of bar code symbologies, the method comprising: reading a bar code label; automatically identifying a bar code symbology in which the bar code label has been expressed by, for each of the plurality of bar code symbologies that have an enabled status, determining if the bar code label has been expressed in that bar code symbology; and for each of at least one bar code symbology that has a non-enabled status, determining if the bar code label has been expressed in that bar code symbology; and if the identified bar code symbology has a non-enabled status, then providing the device operator a query asking whether the identified bar code symbology should have an enabled status in the hand-held device; and receiving a reply to the query from the device operator.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method recited in claim 1, further comprising setting the identified bar code symbology to an enabled status in the hand-held device if the reply from the device operator is affirmative.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method recited in claim 1, further comprising generating an error message if the reply from the device operator is negative.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method recited in claim 1, further comprising determining an alphanumeric representation of the bar code label according to the identified bar code symbology after setting the identified bar code symbology to an enabled status.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method recited in claim 1 wherein the step of identifying the bar code symbology in which the bar code label has been expressed includes examining bar code symbologies stored externally from the hand-held device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method recited in claim 1, further comprising copying an externally stored bar code symbology to the hand-held device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method recited in claim 1 wherein the step of identifying the bar code symbology in which the bar code label has been expressed includes examining bar code symbologies stored in a file server.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method recited in claim 1 wherein the step of identifying the bar code symbology in which the bar code label has been expressed includes examining bar code symbologies stored in a web site accessible through a telecommunications network.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method recited in claim 1, wherein if the identified bar code symbology is not located on the hand-held device, then providing the device operator a query asking whether the identified bar code symbology should be retrieved from an external location.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the determining if the bar code label has been expressed in a bar code symbology having a non-enabled status is performed only if it is determined that the bar code label has not been expressed in a bar code symbology having an enabled status.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
199 words
A system for aiding a device operator through the process of enabling a non-enabled automatic data collection data type on a hand-held device having an automatic data collection reader, comprising: an automatic data collection data type processor which receives imaged or scanned automatic data collection data from the automatic data collection data reader and determines whether the imaged or scanned automatic data collection data can be characterized according to an enabled automatic data collection data type on the hand-held device, wherein the automatic data collection data type processor generates an indication signal if the imaged or scanned automatic data collection data cannot be characterized; and an enablement processor which receives the indication signal from the automatic data collection data type processor and determines if the imaged or scanned automatic data collection data could be characterized according to a non-enabled automatic data collection data type on the hand-held device, wherein if the enablement processor determines that a non-enabled automatic data collection data type characterizes the imaged or scanned automatic data collection data, then the enablement processor sends a query to the device operator to determine if the non-enabled automatic data collection data type should be enabled on the hand-held device.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
199 words
A system for aiding a device operator through the process of enabling a non-enabled automatic data collection data type on a hand-held device having an automatic data collection reader, comprising: an automatic data collection data type processor which receives imaged or scanned automatic data collection data from the automatic data collection data reader and determines whether the imaged or scanned automatic data collection data can be characterized according to an enabled automatic data collection data type on the hand-held device, wherein the automatic data collection data type processor generates an indication signal if the imaged or scanned automatic data collection data cannot be characterized; and an enablement processor which receives the indication signal from the automatic data collection data type processor and determines if the imaged or scanned automatic data collection data could be characterized according to a non-enabled automatic data collection data type on the hand-held device, wherein if the enablement processor determines that a non-enabled automatic data collection data type characterizes the imaged or scanned automatic data collection data, then the enablement processor sends a query to the device operator to determine if the non-enabled automatic data collection data type should be enabled on the hand-held device.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system recited in claim 11 wherein the enablement processor enables the non-enabled automatic data collection data type if the device operator sends an affirmative response to the query.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system recited in claim 11, further comprising a user interface which receives the query from the enablement processor and presents the query to the device operator.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system recited in claim 11 wherein a user interface receives the indication signal from the automatic data collection data type processor and presents an error message to the device operator.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
56 words
The system recited in claim 11 wherein the hand-held device contains more than one non-enabled automatic data collection data type and the enablement processor examines all the non-enabled automatic data collection data types to determine if one or more of the non-enabled automatic data collection data types characterizes the imaged or scanned automatic data collection data.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
79 words
The system recited in claim 11 wherein if more than one non-enabled automatic data collection data types characterize the imaged or scanned automatic data collection data, then the enablement processor provides the device operator with a list containing the more than one non-enabled automatic data collection data types and queries the device operator to determine if one automatic data collection data type of the more than one automatic data collection data types should be enabled on the hand-held device.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
55 words
The system recited in claim 11 wherein if the enablement processor cannot characterize the imaged or scanned automatic data collection data according to a non-enabled automatic data collection data type, then the enablement processor sends a query to the device operator to determine whether an externally located automatic data collection data type should be examined.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system recited in claim 11 wherein the device operator may disable the enablement processor.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system recited in claim 11 wherein the enablement processor includes a timer which allows the device operator to limit a time period for enablement of the non-enabled automatic data collection data type.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system recited in claim 11 wherein the hand-held device has another automatic data collection data reader and the automatic data collection data type processor may process automatic data collection data from both the automatic data collection data reader and the another automatic data collection data reader.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
104 words
A method for guiding a device operator through the process of enabling an automatic data collection data type on a device for reading automatic data collection data, comprising: receiving data from the device for reading automatic data collection data and identifying an automatic data collection data type from which the automatic data collection data was encoded; detecting that the automatic data collection data type has not been enabled on the reader and generating a query to the device operator asking if the automatic data collection data type should be enabled on the reader; and receiving a reply to the query from the device operator.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
104 words
A method for guiding a device operator through the process of enabling an automatic data collection data type on a device for reading automatic data collection data, comprising: receiving data from the device for reading automatic data collection data and identifying an automatic data collection data type from which the automatic data collection data was encoded; detecting that the automatic data collection data type has not been enabled on the reader and generating a query to the device operator asking if the automatic data collection data type should be enabled on the reader; and receiving a reply to the query from the device operator.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method recited in claim 21 wherein the automatic data collection data is a remotely readable tag.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method recited in claim 21 wherein if the reply from the device operator is affirmative, enabling the automatic data collection data type on the device.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
68 words
The method recited in claim 21 wherein the step of identifying an automatic data collection data type which characterizes the automatic data collection data comprises examining enabled automatic data collection data types on the hand-held device, and if the automatic data collection data cannot be identified according to an enabled automatic data collection data type, then examining the non-enabled automatic data collection data types on the hand-held device.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method recited in claim 21 wherein if the automatic data collection data cannot be identified according to a non-enabled automatic data collection data type, then querying the device operator as to whether automatic data collection data types stored externally to the hand-held device should be examined.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method recited in claim 21 wherein if the automatic data collection data can be identified according to an automatic data collection data type stored externally, then querying the device operator as to whether the automatic data collection data type should be stored in the hand-held device.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method recited in claim 21 wherein if the automatic data collection data cannot be identified according to a non-enabled automatic data collection data type, then querying the device operator as to whether automatic data collection data types stored in a local area network external to the hand-held device should be examined.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method recited in claim 21 wherein if the automatic data collection data type cannot be identified according to a non-enabled automatic data collection data type, then querying the device operator as to whether automatic data collection data types available through a telecommunications network external to the hand-held device should be examined.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
91 words
A method for aiding a device operator in the enablement of a non-enabled parameter on a hand-held device, comprising: detecting an attempt to access the non-enabled parameter by the device operator; generating an error message and sending the error message to the device operator, wherein the error messages states that the non-enabled parameter has not been enabled so the attempt to access the non-enabled parameter cannot be processed by the hand-held device; querying the device operator whether the non-enabled parameter should be enabled; and receiving a reply from the device operator.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
91 words
A method for aiding a device operator in the enablement of a non-enabled parameter on a hand-held device, comprising: detecting an attempt to access the non-enabled parameter by the device operator; generating an error message and sending the error message to the device operator, wherein the error messages states that the non-enabled parameter has not been enabled so the attempt to access the non-enabled parameter cannot be processed by the hand-held device; querying the device operator whether the non-enabled parameter should be enabled; and receiving a reply from the device operator.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method recited in claim 29 wherein if the reply from the device operator is affirmative then enabling the non-enabled parameter.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method recited in claim 29 wherein the non-enabled parameter represents a touch-sensitive screen.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method recited in claim 29 wherein the non-enabled parameter represents a key from a keyboard.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method recited in claim 29 wherein the non-enabled parameter represents a combination of keys on a keyboard.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method recited in claim 29 wherein the non-enabled parameter represents an operator-selectable input button.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method recited in claim 29 wherein the non-enabled parameter represents a bar code reader.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method recited in claim 29, further comprising processing the attempt to access the parameter after enabling the non-enabled parameter.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method recited in claim 29, further comprising enabling a non-enabled parameter other than the non-enabled parameter for which an access attempt was detected.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method recited in claim 29, further including presenting the device operator with a list of non-enabled parameter on the hand-held device.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
122 words
A system for aiding a device operator in the enablement of a non-enabled device on a hand-held device, comprising: a device processor for receiving an access request for the non-enabled device by the device operator; a data processor which receives the access request from the device processor and verifies that the non-enabled device has a non-enabled status, wherein the data processor generates and sends an error message to the device operator which states that the access request is for a non-enabled device; and a device enablement processor which sends a query to the device operator asking whether the non-enabled device should have an enabled status, wherein the device enablement processor receives a reply from the device operator in response to the query.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
122 words
A system for aiding a device operator in the enablement of a non-enabled device on a hand-held device, comprising: a device processor for receiving an access request for the non-enabled device by the device operator; a data processor which receives the access request from the device processor and verifies that the non-enabled device has a non-enabled status, wherein the data processor generates and sends an error message to the device operator which states that the access request is for a non-enabled device; and a device enablement processor which sends a query to the device operator asking whether the non-enabled device should have an enabled status, wherein the device enablement processor receives a reply from the device operator in response to the query.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system recited in claim 39 wherein if the reply is affirmative, the device enablement processor enables the non-enabled device.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system recited in claim 39 wherein the non-enabled device is a touch-sensitive screen.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system recited in claim 39 wherein the non-enabled device is a key from a keyboard.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system recited in claim 39 wherein the non-enabled device is a combination of keys on a keyboard.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system recited in claim 39 wherein the non-enabled device is an operator-selectable input button.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system recited in claim 39 wherein the non-enabled device is a bar code reader.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system recited in claim 39 wherein the device enablement processor, after enabling the non-enabled device, signals the data processor to process the access request for the device.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system recited in claim 39 wherein the device enablement processor permits the enablement of non-enabled devices other than the non-enabled device for which an access request has been received.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system recited in claim 39 wherein the device enablement processor presents the device operator with a list of non-enabled devices on the hand-held device.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system recited in claim 39 wherein the device operator may disable the device enablement processor.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system recited in claim 39 wherein the device enablement processor includes a timer which allows the device operator to limit a time period for enablement of the non-enabled device.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system recited in claim 39 wherein the hand-held device has another non-enabled device and the device processor may receive access requests from the non-enabled device and the another non-enabled device.
Claim 57
Independent Claim
73 words
A method for aiding a device operator in the enablement of a pre-existing non-enabled functionality on a hand-held device, comprising: monitoring hand-held device input and output activities to detect attempt to access the pre-existing non-enabled functionality by the device operator; generating and sending an error message to the device operator; querying the device operator whether the pre-existing non-enabled functionality should be enabled; and receiving a reply to the query from the device operator.
Claim 58
Independent Claim
73 words
A method for aiding a device operator in the enablement of a pre-existing non-enabled functionality on a hand-held device, comprising: monitoring hand-held device input and output activities to detect attempt to access the pre-existing non-enabled functionality by the device operator; generating and sending an error message to the device operator; querying the device operator whether the pre-existing non-enabled functionality should be enabled; and receiving a reply to the query from the device operator.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method recited in claim 52 wherein the error message states that the pre-existing non-enabled functionality has not been enabled so the attempt to access the pre-existing non-enabled functionality cannot be processed.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method recited in claim 52, further comprising comparing the attempt to access the pre-existing non-enabled functionality by the device operator with other pre-existing non-enabled functionality to determine similar pre-existing non-enabled functionality, wherein the error message includes a list of the similar pre-existing non-enabled functionality.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method recited in claim 52 wherein if the reply from the device operator is affirmative then enabling the pre-existing non-enabled functionality.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method recited in claim 52 wherein the pre-existing non-enabled functionality includes a connection to a remote server.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4992940A
Cited
US5414252A
Cited
US5294782A
Cited
US5756981A
Cited
US5329104A
Cited
US5326961A
Cited
US5536930A
Cited
US5481098A
Cited
US5929418A
Cited
US5468946A
Cited
US5914476A
Cited
US6032128A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-09-19 | 2004-03-20 | 2004-09-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-09-19 | 2008-03-20 | 2008-09-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-09-19 | 2012-03-20 | 2012-09-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |