Abstract:
Techniques for remote control of item transports used in financial document processing are described. An operator uses a handheld control unit to establish a communication session with a transport. The transport sends status and error messages to the control unit, and the operator uses the control unit to issue commands to the transport. The transport is able to notify the operator of exceptions and other conditions, and the operator is able to exercise full control over the transport, without a need for the operator to go to a central console in order to obtain information and issue commands.

Description:
[0001]    The related applications entitled “Methods and Apparatus for Wireless Operator Notification in Document Processing Systems” and “Methods and Apparatus for Wireless Display Units for Document Trays in Financial Document Processing”, filed on even date herewith and assigned to the assignee of the present invention, address related subject matter and are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.  
         FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to improvements to financial document transport and processing systems and methods. More particularly, the invention relates to a document processing system employing a preferably handheld wireless remote unit which can be used by an operator to receive messages from and transmit commands to components of the processing system.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    An item transport, used in financial document processing systems to receive, process and sort documents, typically comprises an input section in which a batch of documents is placed for processing, a transport path for transporting the documents through various processing steps, a sorting area where the documents are sorted into different pockets after processing, and display and input sections where an operator is able to read displayed messages and enter information and commands. An operator is frequently called on to perform tasks at different areas of the transport. A typical item transport is quite large and requires an operator to walk a moderate distance to get from one side or end of the machine to the other. For example, an operator may be working at the sorting area of the transport when a problem occurs, causing the transport to interrupt processing and display an error message. The operator must then typically walk to the display area, read the error message and then proceed back to the sorting area or to another identified area in order to correct the problem. An operator is similarly required to walk to the display area to read informational messages and if, as is usual, a keyboard or other input device is placed at the display area, the operator must also walk to the display area in order to enter commands into the item transport. The need for the operator to walk back and forth along the transport to receive messages at a display area, go to another area of the transport to perform tasks related to the messages and return to the display area to receive further messages or enter commands interferes with operator efficiency.  
           [0004]    There exists, therefore, a need for a way for an operator of a document processing system to receive messages and enter commands without a need to move to a special display area of the system in order to receive the messages and enter the commands.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    The present invention recognizes that it would be advantageous to allow an operator to be able to receive messages and enter commands wherever he or she happened to be with respect to the transport, using approaches which do not interfere with the operator&#39;s freedom of movement. The present invention further recognizes the advantages of allowing the operator to remotely receive messages having the same content and detail as would be received at the display area of the transport and to remotely transmit operator commands providing the same control as would be possible by using the keyboard or other operator input device which are part of the transport controller. The operator is thus able to exercise as much control over the transport operations as would be possible if he or she were standing at the display and control area, but may exercise this control from any area in which he or she needs to be to perform other functions, such as removing documents from pockets, clearing jams and the like.  
           [0006]    To this end, a document processing system according to the present invention preferably comprises an item transport controlled by a transport controller which may suitably be a personal computer (PC). The transport controller communicates with a user interface for displaying operator messages and receiving operator inputs. The user interface preferably comprises a keyboard for accepting operator inputs and a monitor for displaying messages. Multiple transports may operate in the same vicinity, with each transport typically being attended by a single operator. Each transport controller communicates with a transmitter interface for sending messages to and receiving commands from a wireless control unit which may be carried by its operator. Each transport may have its own transmitter interface. Alternatively, a plurality of transports may share a single transmitter interface, through a connection such as a local area network. Each transport has its own unique identifier which is used by the transport controller to identify the transport to one or more control units. The use of an identifier by each transport controller allows control units to operate using a single frequency and within radio range of one another, without having the operation of one control unit interfere with the operation of the other control units.  
           [0007]    Each of the control units preferably includes sufficient memory and a sophisticated user interface to allow for the display of detailed messages and the construction and sending of detailed commands. The messages displayed by each control unit are preferably similar or identical to the messages which can be displayed at the monitor belonging to the corresponding transport. The commands which can be sent using the control units are preferably similar or identical to the commands which can be sent using the keyboard belonging to the corresponding transport.  
           [0008]    During operation, a transport typically displays messages to provide information on transport operation and to notify the operator when a problem occurs requiring operator intervention. The transport controller preferably displays each message using a local monitor and accepts commands entered using a local keyboard. The transport controller does not communicate with a wireless control unit at all times, but instead an operator can establish and break communication between a transport and a control unit as needed. When no control unit is communicating with the transport controller, the transport controller uses the transmitter interface to broadcast a message advising of the availability of the transport. The message includes the identifier of the transport and causes all disengaged control units within range to display a notice that the transport is available. A plurality of transports may each broadcast a notice of availability. When this occurs, all disengaged control units display a list of all available transports. In addition, any transport which is engaged in a session with a control unit but which is available to conduct an additional session with a different control unit also broadcasts a notice of availability. For example, it may be desirable to allow a new operator coming on duty to establish a session with a transport which is already engaged in a session with a current operator whom the new operator will be relieving. By broadcasting the notice of availability, the engaged transport signals its availability to engage in an additional session, and allows the new operator to engage in a session. The transport can thus establish the new session without ever being disengaged from at least one control unit, avoiding a need to shut down a transport to change operators or the risk of uncontrolled operation if the transport is not shut down.  
           [0009]    When an operator wishes to communicate with a transport, he or she selects the desired transport from a displayed list and logs in to the transport, providing an operator identification or other authenticating information. The transport controller then creates a session identifier and the transport controller and the control unit both use the session identifier to identify their communications. Once a session has been established, the transport controller transmits the status message which was most recently displayed using the local monitor to the control unit for display by the control unit. In this way, the control unit furnishes the operator with the same information concerning the current status of the transport as is available from the local monitor. Subsequently, each message which is displayed using the local monitor is also displayed using the control unit, modified as needed to be compatible with the control unit hardware. Commands can be entered using the keyboard or other local input device, or using the control unit. When an operator wishes to disengage the control unit, he or she enters a command to terminate the session. The transport controller then closes the session and broadcasts an availability message to allow for subsequent connection by a control unit, if the transport is not already broadcasting an availability message or engaged in a session.  
           [0010]    A more complete understanding of the present invention, as well as further features and advantages of the invention, will be apparent from the following Detailed Description and the accompanying drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]    [0011]FIG. 1 illustrates a document processing system according to the present invention;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 2 illustrates functional details of a document processing system according to the present invention;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 3 illustrates a document processing system including multiple item transports according to the present invention;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 4 illustrates functional details of a transport controller according to the present invention;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 5 illustrates a portable control unit according to the present invention;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 6 illustrates additional details of a portable control unit according to the present invention; and  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 7 illustrates a process of transport control according to the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0018]    [0018]FIG. 1 illustrates a document processing system  100  according to the present invention. The system  100  includes an item processing transport  102  for processing and sorting documents. The transport  102  includes a hopper  104 , a transport path  106  and sorting pocket modules  107 A and  107 B. The sorting pocket module  107 A includes sorting pockets  108 A- 108 D and the sorting pocket module  107 B includes sorting pockets  108 D- 108 H. The sorting pocket modules  107 A and  107 B are physically distinct units of machinery, each containing four pockets, but in document processing operations the pockets  108 A- 108 H are grouped according to the needs of the processing operation being performed. For example, a particular operation may use the pockets  108 A- 108 D as a set of pockets for grouping of documents, while another operation at a later stage of processing may use the set of pockets  108 A- 108 B, while still another operation uses the pockets  108 A- 108 H. It will be recognized that the number of sorting pocket modules which may be used is not limited to the two represented by the modules  107 A and  107 B. Instead, the transport  102  may include as many sorting pocket modules as are needed. Many item transports have 12 or more sorting pocket modules, each module having four pockets, for a total of 48 or more pockets. In such a case, the number of sorting pocket modules add substantially to the length of the transport  102 , increasing the time required for an operator to walk between distant areas of the transport  102 .  
         [0019]    The transport  102  is controlled by a transport controller  110  which may suitably be a personal computer (PC) which controls the operation of the transport  102  and which receives inputs from an operator through a keyboard  112  and displays operator messages through a monitor  114 . The transport  102  also includes a transmitter interface  116  communicating with the transport controller  110 , receiving operator messages from the transport controller  110  and transmitting the messages through an antenna  117  to an operator control unit  118  carried by an operator. The transmitter interface  116  preferably communicates with the operator control unit  118  using omnidirectional radio frequency (RF) communication. The operator control unit  118  may be one of a number of similar control units, and the transport  102  may be one of a number of similar transports, all operating in relatively close physical proximity, for example in a single large room. The transport controller  110  establishes communication with the control unit  118  by first broadcasting an availability message, causing the control unit  118  to display a message giving notice that the control unit  102  is available. Other available transports, that is, transports not engaged in communication with a control unit, or which are engaged in communication with a control unit but are available to communicate in additional sessions with different control units, will broadcast a similar message, each message including a unique identifier, so that an available control unit will receive a message listing all the transports which are available and allowing the operator to choose a desired transport.  
         [0020]    When the operator uses the control unit  118  to select the transport  102 , the operator logs in to the transport  102  by providing appropriate authenticating information. The transport controller  110  then opens a session and sends a session identifier to the control unit  118 . The control unit  118  and the transport controller  110  use the session identifier to identify their subsequent communications. Upon opening a session, the transport controller  110  transmits the last displayed message to the control unit  118 . As operation of the transport  102  proceeds, the transport controller  110  then displays appropriate messages using the monitor  114 . The transmitter interface  116  is used to transmit equivalent messages to the control unit  118 . Each message transmitted to the control unit  118  is appropriately formatted for display using the hardware of the control unit  118 , and therefore may be different in format or appearance from equivalent messages displayed using the monitor  114 .  
         [0021]    Frequently, exceptions and problems, such as document jams, occur in the area of the pockets such as the pockets  108 A- 108 H, and transmitting messages to the operator control unit  118  saves the operator from walking to the monitor to receive an error message and then returning to the area of the pockets  108 A- 108 H to deal with the problem. In addition, the transport controller  110  may issue status reports and other information which are useful for the operator, but which reflect conditions that do not cause shutdown of the transport. Transmitting status reports to the operator control unit  118  relieves the operator of the need to walk to the monitor to receive the reports, and makes it more likely that the operator will see the reports, because there will be no need for the operator to interrupt his or her work in order to walk to the monitor to receive a report which may be useful but which is not so critical as to cause shutdown of the transport.  
         [0022]    During a session, the operator also advantageously uses the control unit  118  to transmit commands to the transport controller  110 . For example, the operator may use the control unit  118  to issue a command to restart the transport after an exception has been cleared. The operator may also use the control unit  118  to issue commands and provide other inputs at any time such commands or input could be provided using the keyboard  112 . For example, the operator may use the control unit  118  to instruct the transport controller  110  to suspend or shut down operation of the transport. The operator&#39;s productivity is enhanced because the use of the control unit  118  saves the operator from walking to the display area to issue commands.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 2 is a detailed functional view of a document processing system  200  according to the present invention. The document processing system  200  includes an item processing transport  202  including a document hopper  204 , document feeder  205 , transport path  206  and sorting pockets  208 A-H. The sorting pockets  208 A- 208 H are shown here by way of example, and are discussed here as part of a single operational group, but it will be recognized that the transport  202  may include more or fewer pockets and that operational groupings of pockets will be determined by the needs of the processing operation being undertaken.  
         [0024]    The transport  202  also includes an operator interface  210  including a keyboard  212  and monitor  214 . The operator interface  210  may be used for entering data to be entered on a document, such as the amount of the document, and is also used to receive information about the status of the transport  202  and to enter commands directing operation of the transport  202 . The transport  202  also includes a reading module  216 , an image capture module  218 , an encoding module  220  and an endorsing module  222 . While the reading module  216 , image capture module  218 , encoding module  220  and endorsing module  222  are shown here by way of example, it is also possible for a transport such as the transport  202  to include additional modules, for example an ultraviolet snippet module for use in detecting security features appearing in ultraviolet ink, an endorsement capture module, a microverifier module, a microfilmer module, or any of a number of additional optional modules.  
         [0025]    Operation of the transport  202  is controlled by a transport controller  224  which displays operator messages using the monitor  214  and receives operator inputs from the keyboard  212 . The transport controller  224  also directs the operation of the document feeder  205 , transport path  206 , sorting pocket modules  208 A-H and the modules  216 ,  218 ,  220  and  222 . It also receives and processes data generated through the processing of documents. The transport controller  224  also communicates with a transmitter interface  226  in order to convey operator messages to an operator control unit  228  which receives operator messages transmitted via an antenna  230  connected to the transmitter interface  226 . The transmitter interface  226  also receives operator messages and commands transmitted by an operator using the operator control unit  228 . During most of its operating time, an item processing transport such as the transport  202  requires only a single operator, so that the transport controller  224  usually communicates with only one operator control unit  228 , typically by establishing a communication session between the transport controller  224  and the control unit  228  and identifying the session in communications between the transport controller  224  and the control unit  228 . In cases in which the transport  202  communicates with more than one operator control unit at a time, communications with each operator control unit are identified with a session identifier. By identifying messages as belonging to a session, it is possible for the transport  202  to operate within radio range of other similar transports, each communicating in its own session with an operator display unit, without misrouting of messages or other interference.  
         [0026]    Many transports such as the transport  202  require little or no data entry via the keyboard  212 . Instead, the necessary data is obtained from each document through image analysis. In such a case, the primary function of the operator is to correct problems in the operation of the transport. Because the transport  202  moves and sorts paper documents, the documents are subject to jams, misroutings and other problems which may cause the transport  202  to shut down until they can be corrected. Most problems occur in the vicinity of the sorting pockets  208 A-H and an operator can be most productive by spending the bulk of his or her time in that area, walking to an appropriate one of the sorting pockets  208 A-H when needed and correcting problems affecting that module. When the transport  202  experiences a problem, the affected module sends a message to the transport controller  224 , which suspends operation of the transport  102 , displays a message on the monitor  214  and uses the transmitter interface  226  to send an operator message to the operator control unit  228 . The message displayed on the operator control unit  228  is preferably similar or identical to the message displayed on the monitor  214 , and allows the operator the same options as are presented by the message displayed on the monitor  214 . The operator proceeds to the indicated area of the transport  202  and corrects the problem. The operator then enters a command to the transport using the operator control unit  228 . Depending on the design of the operator control unit  228 , this may be done by pressing a real button or a button display on the control unit  228 . If a command is to be entered by pressing a button display, the operator control unit  228  presents the message to the operator and displays images of one or more buttons on a touch sensitive screen. When the operator presses an appropriate location on the screen, the pressing of the location is interpreted as a button press similar to pressing of a button or key on the keyboard  212 , or clicking a button image on the monitor  214 . The operator control unit  228  then transmits a command to the transport controller  224  to execute the command represented by the button image. Alternatively, the operator control unit  228  may be adapted to receive text commands entered by an operator using a keyboard display or a handwriting recognition mechanism. Text commands sent using the operator control unit  228  are treated in a similar fashion to text commands entered through the keyboard  212 . As an alternative to entering a command using the operator display unit  228 , the operator may also alternatively press a pocket button or press an “Enter” key or another predetermined key on the keyboard  212  in order to resume operation.  
         [0027]    The document processing system  200  provides significant savings of time and effort over prior art systems, which require the operator to walk to a display in order to read a message describing a transport condition or problem and then walk back to the pocket area if, as is likely, the message describes a problem affecting one of the pockets. The operator control unit  228  may suitably provide the same information as would be received from the monitor  214  and allow entry of the same commands as would be entered using the keyboard  212 . Allowing the operator such complete information and control without a need to walk back and forth between the information display and the area where the problem exists can significantly increase the productivity of the operator.  
         [0028]    If desired, a plurality of transports may share a single transmitter interface. FIG. 3 illustrates a document processing system  300  including transports  302 A- 302 C, controlled by transport controllers  304 A- 304 C, respectively. Each of the transport controllers  304 A- 304 C is connected to a transmitter server  306  by a local area network  308 . It will be recognized that the transmitter server  306  need not be exclusively dedicated to transmitting, but may be a multifunction server. The transmitter server  306  is in turn connected to a transmitter interface  310  and controls the operation of the transmitter interface  310  in response to commands from the transport controllers  304 A- 304 C. The server  306  also transfers data from the transmitter interface  310  to the transport controllers  304 A- 304 C. Each of the transports  302 A- 302 C may suitably establish a session with the operator control units  312 A- 312 C. Each of the transport controllers  304 A- 304 C sends messages to the transmitter server  306 . If a message is an availability message, it includes an identifier for the transport, and if the message is part of a communication session with a control unit, it includes an appropriate session identifier. The transmitter server  306  formats each message for transmission and broadcasts it using the transmitter interface  310 . Each of the control units  312 A- 312 C displays availability messages, if disengaged, or, if engaged in a session, responds to messages including the appropriate session identifier.  
         [0029]    When an exception occurs, for example affecting the transport  302 A, while the transport is engaged in a session with the control unit  312 A, the transport controller  304 A prepares an operator message including the session identifier being used by the transport controller  304 A and the control unit  312 A. The transport controller  304 A then passes the message to the transmitter server  306 , which sends the message using the transmitter interface  308  and antenna  309 . Because the message is identified as belonging to the session going on between transport controller  304 A and the operator control unit  312 A, the operator control units  312 B and  312 C will not be affected. A plurality of transports such as the transports  302 A- 302 C are able to operate within radio range of one another and are able to share a transmitter interface, each transport being able to communicate in a session with an operator control unit without interfering with the operation of operator control units in sessions with the other transports.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 4 provides a functional illustration of a transport controller which may be employed as the transport controller  224 . The transport controller  224  includes a microcontroller  402  connected to a transport interface  404  and a processor  406 , and an operator interface  408  connected to the processor  406 . The operator interface  408  provides communication with a keyboard and monitor, such as the keyboard  212  and monitor  214  of FIG. 2, as well as a mouse or other suitable user interface devices as desired. The operator interface  408  also provides communication with operator control units such as the control unit  228 , using the transmitter server  226 . The transport controller further includes memory  410  and storage  412 . A local message database  413  preferably resides on the storage  412 . The local message database  413  may suitably include a set of all possible operator messages which may be produced by the transport. Alternatively, the local message database  413  may include elements from which messages may be constructed. For example, the local message database  413  may include a set of message templates, with one message template associated with each condition or event which may be described in a message, along with data to be inserted in appropriate locations in the required message template in order to describe the condition and the transport element affected by the condition. With this implementation of the database  413 , an operator message can be constructed for a particular condition affecting a particular transport element by retrieving the message template and the transport element description and constructing a message describing the error and the affected transport element. For example, the database  413  may include templates such as “paper jam in______ near______ ”, “pocket______ is full,” “encoding ink low”, and the like. The data stored for insertion in the templates may include, “transport path”, “image capture module”, “36” (for pocket  36 ), “in encoding module”, and the like. Thus, an operator message may be constructed by retrieving the appropriate template and data in order to form the message “Paper jam in transport path near image capture module,” or “Pocket 36 is full”, for example.  
         [0031]    The local message database  413  preferably includes data to allow for the construction of all possible messages, including status reports, error messages, advisory information or any other information which may need to be provided by the transport during operation. In addition, the transport controller  224  includes a remote message database  414  containing data to be used to construct messages for transmission to an operator control unit such as the unit  228 . The remote message database  414  includes data similar to that contained in the local message database, with format alterations to adapt the messages to the display capabilities of the control unit  228 . For example, the remote message database  414  may include a message corresponding to each message in the local message database  413 . Alternatively, if the local message database  413  includes message templates and data, the remote message database  414  preferably includes corresponding message templates and data.  
         [0032]    The processor  406  implements various functions used to control the transport operation and operator communication. The functions include a flow control function  415  for control of information and commands used by the transport controller, and an item data and memory image function  416  for reading and processing encoded item information as well as for capturing and storing item images An item control function  418  is also implemented for directing transport of the items to be processed. When a function such as the item data and memory image function or the transport function needs to send an operator message, the affected function notifies the operator interface function  408 . The operator interface function  408  retrieves the required data from the local message database  413  and constructs an appropriate operator message based on the information received from the affected function. The operator interface function  408  displays the error message locally. The operator interface function  408  then retrieves corresponding data from the remote message database  414  and constructs a message to be displayed remotely using an operator control unit. The operator interface function  408  then provides the message to a transmitter control function  422 , which adds the session identification of a control unit such as the unit  228  engaged in a communication session with the transport controller  224 , and formats the message and address into a message transmission to be broadcast to the operator control units. The transmitter control function  422  then sends the message transmission to a transmitter interface such as the transmitter interface  226 .  
         [0033]    If the condition requiring sending of a message is an exception or other such condition requiring suspension of transport operation, the affected function notifies the flow control function  415  before notifying the operator interface function  408 . The flow control function directs the item control function to suspend processing of items, while the operator interface function  406  prepares and directs transmission of the message.  
         [0034]    When the transport controller  224  receives an operator command, either from the transmitter  226  for commands received from an operator control unit, or from a local keyboard such as the keyboard  212 , the operator interface function  408  processes the command and relays it to the appropriate function, for example, the flow control function  415  for a command to restart the transport after suspension of operation.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of an operator control unit  500  according to the present invention. The control unit  500  includes an LCD display screen  502  which is preferably a touch sensitive screen, shown here as displaying an operator interface  504 . The operator interface is shown here as comprising a message display area  506  and a command interface area  508 . The message display area  506  is shown here as displaying the message “Pocket 36 is full” and the command interface area  508  is shown here as including a text entry area  510  and a keyboard display  512 . The text entry area  510  and the keyboard display  512  allow the operator to type in a desired command and to see the command as it is typed. The control unit  500  also includes an infrared port  514 , as well as an external port  516 , for transferring programs and data between the control unit  500  and an external computer  518 . The control unit  500  and the external computer  518  are not shown to scale in FIG. 5, but the control unit  500  is shown larger in order to provide a clearer illustration. The external computer  518  may be a standalone computer not used in the operation of a transport, but simply used to transfer programs and data to be used by the control unit  500  or to receive data transferred from the control unit  500 . A transport controller such as the transport controller  224  may be used as the external computer, but in this case, data transfer between the external computer and the control unit  500  is preferably conducted while the transport is not operating, so that the transfer of data to and from the control unit  500  will not interfere with operation of the transport.  
         [0036]    The control unit  500  can be used to establish a communication session with a transport and then to control all aspects of transport operation during the session, including, for example, displaying all error messages and status messages generated by the transport, restarting operation of the transport in response to an operator command after the operator has cleared an error condition, or shutdown of the transport. For illustrative purposes, the exemplary control unit  500  is shown here as displaying an error message typical of the sort of message generated after a transport has suspended operation.  
         [0037]    Once the control unit  500  receives the message illustrated here, the operator may clear pocket  36  on the transport and then press the “Enter” key display  520  on the keyboard display  512  in order to direct the transport to resume operation. In the particular instance shown, the transport controller  224  is programmed to restart the transport after an error condition is cleared and the “Enter” key is pressed on either the keyboard  212  or the control unit  500 , so there is no need for the operator to type a specific command. This design simplifies operation of the transport by allowing the operator to restart the transport with a single keypress upon clearing an error condition. However, the operator can use the control unit  500  to issue other commands as needed by typing in the command and pressing the “Enter” key  520 . For example, the operator can suspend operation of the transport, even when no error condition exists, by typing “Pause” and pressing the “Enter” key  520 . Any message which can be displayed on the monitor  214  is preferably simultaneously displayed on the message area  506  and any command which can be entered using the keyboard  212  may also be entered using the command interface  508 .  
         [0038]    Although a keyboard display  512  is shown here by way of example, alternative displays may be presented in the command interface  508 . For example, the command interface  508  may display a set of pushbutton images which may be pressed in order to transmit commands to the transport.  
         [0039]    Although an exemplary operator message area  506  and command interface  508  are illustrated here, it will be recognized that it is not necessary for the operator interface  504  to display an operator message area such as the area  506  and a command interface such as the command interface  508  at the same time. Sequential screens which may include operator message areas or command interface areas may be displayed upon command from the transport or in response to a selection by the operator. Other types of displays providing operator information and requesting responses from the operator may also be displayed as required by the context of the transport operation.  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 6 illustrates additional details of the operator control unit  500  according to the present invention. The control unit  500  includes a control unit processor  602 , which may suitably be implemented as a standard CPU chip similar to those used in handheld or pocket computers, and a communications interface  604  for communicating with a transmitter interface such as the transmitter interface  226 . The communications interface  604  includes a transmitter  606 , receiver  608  and antenna  610 . The communications interface  604  may suitably be built into and enclosed entirely within the control unit  500 . Also illustrated here is the infrared port  514 , which allows communication with an external computer such as the external computer  518 . The infrared port  514  can be used to allow transferring of programs and data to the operator control unit  500  and to allow for transfer of data from the operator control unit  500  to the external computer. The control unit  500  also includes the external connection port  516 , to allow an alternative method of connection between the external computer  518  and the control unit  500 , also to allow for transfer of programs and data between the external computer and the control unit  500 .  
         [0041]    The control unit  500  includes various other electronic components, including a battery  616 , and the LCD display screen  502 . The display unit  500  further includes read-only memory  618  for permanent storage of instructions and other data, flash memory  620  for long term storage of programs, command lists, action logs and other similar data, and RAM  622  for short term storage of data used in the operation of the control unit  500 .  
         [0042]    An operating system  624  is stored in the flash memory  620 . The operating system  624  manages storage of data and programs, and execution of programs by the control unit  500 . The operating system  624  also manages transfer of programs and data to and from an external computer. When the control unit  500  is turned on, the operating system  624  monitors the infrared port  514  and the external port  516 . When the external computer signals that a data transfer is to be made, it sends an appropriate signal to the control unit  500 , causing the operating system  624  to initiate a data transfer. In coordination with the operating system  624 , the external computer transfers programming or data to the control unit  500  or from the control unit  500 , depending on operator instructions. The external computer may transfer updated communication programming to the control unit  500 , or may transfer data such as an operating log. Similarly, the external computer may initiate a transfer of an updated operating log from the control unit  500  to the external computer using the infrared port  514  or the external port  516 .  
         [0043]    The control unit  500  also includes an interface control program  626  and a communication manager  628 . The control program  626  formats and displays messages received from the transmitter interface  226 , and also converts operator inputs into appropriate messages. The interface control program  626  transfers received messages from the communication manager  628  and transfers command messages to the communication manager  628 . The communication manager  628  manages transmission of messages to and from the transmitter interface  226  using the communications interface  604 .  
         [0044]    When the control unit  500  is turned on, it receives a message from all available transports within range. The communication manager  628  receives an availability message from each available transport and passes the messages to the interface control program  626 . The control program  626  displays a message notifying the operator of transport availability, the message including a list of all available transports in order to allow the operator to select the desired transport.  
         [0045]    When the operator selects a transport, the control program  626  and the communication manager  628  interact to convey the selection to the appropriate transport and to manage messages between the operator and the transport as the operator furnishes identifying information to the transport and a session is established. Once a session is established, the selected transport transmits a message describing its current status. The control unit  500  receives the message using the communication manager  628  and displays the message to the operator using the interface control program  626 .  
         [0046]    During a session, the transport controller  224  sends each operator message both to the monitor  214  and the operator control unit  500 . Details of the preparation and sending of messages are described above in connection with FIG. 4.  
         [0047]    When the control unit  500  receives an operator message from the transmitter interface  226 , the processor  602 , under the control of the interface control program  626 , displays the message using the LCD display  602 . The processor  602  may also direct generation of an audible signal by an alerter  630 . Preferably, a similar or identical message is also displayed using the monitor  214 . The operator takes appropriate steps to respond to the message, such as clearing an error condition reported in the message, and then enters an appropriate command using the operator display unit  500 . The operator display unit  500  sends the command to the transmitter interface  226 , which passes the command to the transport controller  224 . The transport controller  224  then directs the operation of the transport in response to the command. The operator may alternatively enter a command using the keyboard  212 , in which case the command is received directly by the transport controller  224 . When the operator issues a command using the keyboard  212 , any responses displayed on the monitor  214  are also passed to the control unit  400  for display.  
         [0048]    The operator may also use the control unit  500  to send a command to the transport whether or not an operator message has been received. For example, the operator may use the control unit  500  to issue a command for the transport to suspend operation. In such a case, the operator simply invokes an appropriate command interface, such as the command interface  508  illustrated in FIG. 5, and types a “Pause” command using the keyboard display  512 . The control unit  500  then transmits the command using the communications interface  504 . The command is received by the transmitter interface  226  and passed along to the transport controller  224 . The transport controller  224  stops the operation of the transport and waits for a subsequent command to restart transport operation.  
         [0049]    [0049]FIG. 7 illustrates a process  700  for control of a single item transport or a group of item transports according to the present invention. At step  702 , operating data is transferred to each of a plurality of operator control units. The operator control units may suitably be similar to the control unit  500  of FIGS. 5 and 6. The operating data may include programs, operation logs, transport identifiers and other appropriate data. At step  704 , operation of each of a plurality of item transports is initiated. The item transports may suitably be similar to the transport  202  of FIG. 2 or the transports  302 A- 302 C of FIG. 3. The transports may suitably be operative to transmit and receive wireless messages, using either a transmitter interface dedicated to each transport or a shared transmitter interface controlled by a server, the server being suitably connected to the transports using a local area network. At step  706 , each of the item transports broadcasts its availability. At step  708 , each of the operator control units receives the broadcasts and displays a message listing the available transports. At step  710 , in response to selection of a transport by an operator using an operator control unit, the operator control unit sends a session initiation request to the selected transport. At step  712 , the transport and the operator control unit exchange authenticating data and establish a session, creating a session identifier to be used in messages transferred between the transport and the operator control unit during the session. The transport may stop broadcasting an availability message when it establishes a session with the operator control unit. Alternatively, the transport may broadcast an availability message while engaged in a session with a control unit if it is or becomes desirable for the transport to be available to engage in an additional session with a different control unit. At step  714 , the transport sends a message to the control unit describing the current status of the transport. At step  716 , the transport performs item processing operations, sending status messages as appropriate to a local monitor and to an operator control unit. Each status message is preferably created by first retrieving data from a message database associating each status condition with a specific status message and then adding the session identifier to the message and formatting the message for transmission.  
         [0050]    At step  718 , the operator control unit receives operator commands and transmits the commands to the item transport. At step  720 , the item transport executes the operator commands and sends appropriate status messages to the operator control unit and the local monitor. At step  722 , in response to a command by the operator to terminate the session, the control unit transmits a session termination request to the transport, the transport terminates the session. If the transport is not already engaged in a session with another transport or broadcasting an availability message, the transport resumes broadcasting an availability message. The operator control unit receives the availability broadcasts from all transports and displays available transports. Upon a command by an operator using the control unit to initiate a session, the process then returns to step  710 .  
         [0051]    While the present invention is disclosed in the context of a presently preferred embodiment, it will be recognized that a wide variety of implementations may be employed by persons of ordinary skill in the art consistent with the above discussion and the claims which follow below.