Abstract:
A scanning system and method are disclosed which may include a bar code scanner module incorporated within a housing; and a wireless network transceiver coupled to the bar code scanner module and operable to communicate with at least one other communication device, the bar code scanner and the transceiver forming a scanning device. The transceiver may communicate employing Zigbee network protocol.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This application relates in general to scanning devices and in particular to a portable scanning apparatus able to communicate with other devices. 
     Portable bar code scanners are known in the art. The scanners are generally stand-alone devices that may include computer circuitry and data storage sufficient for operating the scanner and for storing scan data obtained by the scanner. Once a scan operation is complete, the obtained scan data may be uploaded to a central computer, where it may be used for inventory management and the like. There is generally a significant delay between the time at which data is gathered by the scanner and time at which a decision may be made based on the obtained scan data. In certain cases, this delay may impose a burden on the utility of the acquired scan data. 
     Some scanners have been provided with the ability to communicate through networks. However, the communication capabilities provided for scanners to date are not well suited to the operational requirements of scanner systems. 
     Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an improved system and method for responding to information obtained by scanners. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to one aspect, the invention is directed to a scanning system and method that may include a bar code scanner module incorporated within a housing; and a wireless network transceiver coupled to the bar code scanner module and operable to communicate with at least one other communication device, the bar code scanner and the transceiver forming a scanning device. The transceiver may communicate by employing the Zigbee network stack. 
     Other aspects, features, advantages, etc. will become apparent to one skilled in the art when the description of the preferred embodiments of the invention herein is taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For the purposes of illustrating the various aspects of the invention, there are shown in the drawings forms that are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. 
         FIG. 1  is a plan view of a scanner having a transceiver and in communication with a communication network in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a scanner module in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a plan view of the scanner module of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram of a communication network for enabling real-time communication among various devices in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 5  is a block diagram of a computer system useable in conjunction with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     In the following description, for purposes of explanation, specific numbers, materials and configurations are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. It will be apparent, however, to one having ordinary skill in the art that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known features may be omitted or simplified so as not to obscure the present invention. Furthermore, reference in the specification to phrases such as “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of phrases such as “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places in the specification do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiment. 
       FIG. 1  is a plan view of a scanning system  50  that may include one or more scanning systems  10  and a communication network  400  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Scanning apparatus (scanning device)  10  may include transceiver  100  (which preferably communicates wirelessly), scanner module  200 , and/or battery  300 , which is preferably rechargeable. Scanning apparatus  10  may periodically be connected to computing system  500  to upload and/or download data, and/or to charge battery  300 . Computing system  500  is discussed in greater detail in connection with  FIG. 5 . Scanning apparatus  10  may communicate with one or more communication nodes (such as other scanning devices, personal computers, or other communication-enabled devices) over network  400 , using transceiver  100 . Transceiver  100  may include bi-directional antenna  110 . 
     Scanner module  200  may include computer processor  220  which may in turn include computer memory  222 . Memory  222  may store scan data obtained by scanner module  200 , operational data for controlling the operation of scanner module  200 , and/or data for other purposes. Scanner module  200  is preferably coupled to, and in communication with, transceiver  110 . Thus, transceiver  100  may serve as a communication gateway both for both “outbound” data obtained by scanner module  200  and destined for a receiving device elsewhere on network  400 , and/or for “inbound” data coming from network  400  and destined for scanning apparatus  10 , and which may be stored in memory  222 . 
     The communication conducted by scanning apparatus  10  and by the other communicating devices on network  400  may employ the Zigbee network stack. However, the present invention is not limited to the use of this standard. 
     Battery  300  may be, but need not be, rechargeable. Disposable batteries may be employed instead. Battery  300  may be configured so as to be removable from scanning apparatus  10  for recharging purposes, and/or to enable a substitute battery to be installed within scanning apparatus  10 . However, alternatively, scanning apparatus  10  could be configured so that a rechargeable battery  300  is permanently affixed within scanning apparatus  10 . 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of scanner module  200  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Scanner module  200  may include laser diode  202 , focusing lens  204 , bending mirror  206 , laser beam  208 , motor  208 , motor  210 , printed circuit board  212 , polygon mirror  214 , and/or detector  216 . Moreover, scanner module  200  may be powered either by battery  300  ( FIG. 1 ), by a power source in a docking station such as computing system  500 , or by a combination of the foregoing.  FIG. 3  is a plan view of scanner module  200  of  FIG. 2 . Suitable connections may be implemented (not shown) to convey signal data from detector  216  to electronic circuitry on scanner module  200  (or on a device in communication with scanner module  200 ) to receive, process, and store scan data from detector  216 , as is known in the art. 
     The scanner module shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3  is exemplary. The present invention is not limited to the specific implementation of scanner module shown therein. Any one of several possible configurations of a modern scanner could be used in conjunction with a memory stick in embodiments of the present invention. 
     When not connected to a host device, scanning apparatus  10  preferably runs on power from battery  300  which may be rechargeable and/or removable from scanning apparatus  10 . In this mode of operation, a human operator may initiate operation of scanner module  200  by pressing button  120  ( FIG. 1 ). Scanner module  200  may then scan a bar code, or other image, and receive scan data from the image. The scan data may then be digitized and stored in memory  222  and/or transmitted to a destination device in communication with network  400 . 
     Computational power sufficient to operate scanner module  200  and to coordinate the transfer of data to memory  222  and/over over network  400  may be incorporated within processor  220  within scanning apparatus  10 . Processor  220  may be incorporated within scanner module  200 . Alternatively, some data processing capability may be incorporated within processors within both transceiver  100  and scanner module  200 . Scanning apparatus  10  may continue operating in this mode until battery  300  needs recharging or replacement. Scanning apparatus  10  may be connected to a host device such as computing system  500  or other docking station. 
     Scanning apparatus  10  may be configured to self-install upon being connected to a host system such as computing system  500 . At least one conductive path between computing system  500  and scanning apparatus  10  may be used to charge battery  300 . Separately, scanning apparatus  10  may upload stored scan data from scanning module  200  to a memory device within computing system  500 . Scanning apparatus  10  may also download data from a host device, which data could include ordinary payload data for storage in memory  222  which is not relevant to scanner module  200 . Scanning apparatus  10  could also download data that includes operational data for the operation of scanner module  200 . 
       FIG. 4  is a block diagram of communication network  400  which may enable real-time communication among various scanners in a network, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     Network  400  may include a one or more scanning systems  10 - a ,  10 - c ,  10 - d ,  10 - d ,  10 - e  and one or more cameras  10 - b , and/or a personal computer (PC)  410  which may serve as a coordinator device for the Zigbee network layer of communication network  400 . Network  400  could also include devices other than scanning systems, cameras, or personal computers. Though  FIG. 4  presents one possible configuration of network  400 , many other network configurations are possible. For instance, star networks, tree networks, and/or mesh networks may be employed. 
     In one embodiment, any device forming part of network  400  may transmit a message to any other device on network  400 . Thus, for instance, scanning apparatus  10 - a  could scan a bar code or other image and transmit the data over network  400  to PC  410 . PC  410  could then instruct a designated one of scanners  10 - c ,  10 - d , or  10 - e  to perform a function in response to the scan data obtained by scanning apparatus  10 - a . The function concerned could include one or more of: (a) performing another scan operation; (b) checking computer memory internal to the designated scanner to compare to data obtained by scanner  10 - a ; and/or (c) transmit selected data from the designated scanner to PC  410 . However, the present invention is not limited to performing the above-listed functions in response to an analysis of scan data. 
     Preferably, when using a mesh topology, communication network  400  may enable any device on network  400  to communicate with any other device on network  400 . This situation may enable an enormous improvement in operational flexibility, responsiveness of, and the effectiveness of scanning system  50 . Effectively, data from any scanning apparatus  10  within network  400  may be made available, when suitable, to all of network  400 . Thus, scanning system  50  need not wait for data from a particular scanning apparatus to be completely gathered and then uploaded to host computer to respond to data indicative of an urgent condition that would benefit from a rapid response. Moreover, PC  410  (or other data processing and data storage device) can be configured to have scan data that is continuously updated so that PC  410  has the most current data available anywhere within network  400 . 
     Zigbee Network Operation 
     In the following, we discuss features and operational benefits of a system according to the present invention specific to using the Zigbee network stack. In one embodiment, the present invention may employ the Zigbee RF4CE standard. ZigBee is a standardized network stack—like Bluetooth—that is designed for devices that have low power use and that enable secure transmission of data, but which don&#39;t require high bandwidth. Zigbee can be used to form PANs (Personal Area Networks) with topologies that are either point-to-point (1 to 1), star (1 to many), or mesh (many to many) in design. Zigbee may use the PHY and MAC layers of the IEEE 802.15.4 standard, and may build the remainder of the OSI network stack layers on top of that. 
     In an embodiment, a bar code scanner may implement the full ZigBee network stack. Such an implementation may have many implications regarding the application of such a scanner such as using a mesh topology, in which case all bar code scanners within a network could share information. For example, all scanners within a network could synchronize their particular configuration or settings (enabled bar code symbols, prefix/suffix, real-time clock, etc.). Moreover, if the bar code scanners are able to store scanned data, the respective scanners, after scanning a given bar code, could check to see whether another bar code scanner in the network has already scanned the given bar code, and if so, decline to save the same bar code again. 
     Second, Similarly, the bar code checking process described above could be achieved using a personal computer (PC) where the PC is ZigBee-enabled, and where the PC operates on the Personal Area Network (PAN), and transmits settings to all of the scanners in the PAN, or confirms whether a barcode has previously been scanned. 
     Third, a bar code scanner could be triggered remotely by another ZigBee-enabled device in the Personal Area Network. For example, we consider a conveyor belt carrying items that need scanning in the vicinity of a scanner. 
     Fourth, in this situation, the received signal strength indication (RSSI) of the item needing scanning could be measured at already known fixed points. The strength of the RSSI as measured the pre-determined locations may be used to resolve the location of the scanner issuing the RSSI signal with reasonable accuracy. Once the location of the item at issue is determined, a network-connected device, such as, for instance PC  410  could identify the scanner closest to the item at issue, and instruct that scanner to prepare for a scan operation. Alternatively, a scanner in network  400  could scan an item and report the scan data, and some form of scanner identification (ID) back to PC  410 . PC  410  preferably maintains a mapping of scanner device IDs to specific physical locations. Thus, upon receiving scan data indicative of the item at issue from the scanner, PC  410  may consult the mapping of scanner IDs to locations, and determine the location of the scanned item. 
     Fifth, upon receiving scan data for an item that has been flagged for one reason or another, a scanning apparatus  10  (or PC  410 , or other device in network  400 ) could trigger a ZigBee-enabled camera to take a photograph of the flagged item. Other functions could be performed in response to a flagged item being scanned, or other driving event, that may include, but are not limited to: (a) sounding an alarm (such as for an item that is flagged as stolen or which is considered dangerous; and/or (b) notifying PC  410  of an error condition where a given bar code value has been recorded two or more times in incompatible locations. 
       FIG. 5  is a block diagram of a computing system  500  adaptable for use with one or more embodiments of the present invention. For instance, computing system  500  may serve as a host computer to which scanning apparatus  10  may be coupled. Moreover, a computing system incorporating one or more of the components (depicted with individual blocks in  FIG. 5 ) may be incorporated within scanner module  200  to store operational data for controlling the scanning operation (i.e. to control motor speeds, do initial processing on scan data, etc.), to store scan data received at detector  216 , to control data transfer between scanner module  200  and communication network  400 , and/or other functions useful for the operation of scanning apparatus  10 . 
     In computing system  500 , central processing unit (CPU)  502  may be coupled to bus  504 . In addition, bus  504  may be coupled to random access memory (RAM)  506 , read only memory (ROM)  508 , input/output (I/O) adapter  510 , communications adapter  522 , user interface adapter  506 , and display adapter  518 . 
     In an embodiment, RAM  506  and/or ROM  508  may hold user data, system data, and/or programs. I/O adapter  510  may connect storage devices, such as hard drive  512 , a CD-ROM (not shown), or other mass storage device to computing system  500 . Communications adapter  522  may couple computing system  500  to a local, wide-area, or global network  524 . User interface adapter  516  may couple user input devices, such as keyboard  526 , scanner  528  and/or pointing device  514 , to computing system  500 . Moreover, display adapter  518  may be driven by CPU  502  to control the display on display device  520 . CPU  502  may be any general purpose CPU. 
     It is noted that the methods and apparatus described thus far and/or described later in this document may be achieved utilizing any of the known technologies, such as standard digital circuitry, analog circuitry, any of the known processors that are operable to execute software and/or firmware programs, programmable digital devices or systems, programmable array logic devices, or any combination of the above. One or more embodiments of the invention may also be embodied in a software program for storage in a suitable storage medium and execution by a processing unit. 
     Although the invention herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.