Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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BAR CODE DATAPORM SCANNING AND LABELING
APPARATUS AND METHOD
Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a bar code dataform
scanning and labeling method and apparatus and, more
particularly, a method and apparatus capable of scanning
a bar code dataform, modifying encoded bar code dataform
data and printing a bar code dataform label incorporating
the modified data.
Background Art
The application and use of bar codes and matrix
codes are well known and growing. Bar codes and matrix
codes are forms of "dataforms," which for present
purposes are defined to include all arrangements whereby
data is fixed in some form of machine readable copy.
Thus, dataforms include one and two dimensional bar
codes, matrix codes and graphic codes, as well as words
and numbers and other symbols, which may be printed or
etched on paper, plastic cards and metallic and other
items. Dataforms may be printed in invisible ink,
magnetically recorded via magnetic strips or magnetic ink
fonts, electromagnetically recorded via RF tags,
engraved, stamped, tattooed (on skin), formed by ion
doping (for semiconductor wafers) or biochemical binding,
etc.
In the utilization of dataforms, data originally
encoded is recovered for further use in a variety of
ways. For example, a printed bar code may be optically
scanned to derive reflectance values which are digitized,
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stored in buffer memory and subsequently decoded to
recover the data encoded in the bar code. Regardless of
the particular type of dataform, an image is typically
acquired and stored as pixel values for further
processing. An image of a bar code or matrix code
existing in a graphic image can be acquired by use of a
scanner, a laser scanner or other suitable device which
is capable of distinguishing between different reflective
values of light reflected from a dataform. Thus, for
example, a bar code typically comprises black or dark
colored bar type elements printed on a white or light
colored background area, with white or light colored
spaces between the elements of the bar code. The spaces
are typically the same color as the background area, but
may be of a different light color in this example. In
other examples the elements of a bar code or matrix code
are white or light colored and are defined by black or
darker colored spaces and background area.
In other applications, such as laser engraving on
silicon wafers, illumination may result in a dark and
light pattern or relationship in one orientation and an
opposite light and dark relationship in a different
orientation. In addition to pixel values representing
reflective values of light ("light" being defined as
encompassing the entire electromagnetic spectrum for
present purposes), in other arrangements, pixel values
representative of reflective values may be based upon
reflection of sound waves or other mediums from a
dataform of an appropriate configuration. In any
arrangement in which a dataform is arranged to be read on
the basis of reflective values, such reflective values
may typically be stored as pixel values in an image
buffer memory or other storage medium in bit map or other form which,
representative of pixel values for an image,
may utilize any appropriate data storage format.
The use of bar code dataforms for product
identification purposes has achieved widespread
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acceptance. Typically, the manufacturer of a product
generates a bar code dataform which represents a unique
product identification key. The bar code dataform is
= used in conjunction with a computer accessible database.
The identification key is associated with or, using
= computer terminology, points to a record address in a
data file stored on a database secondary storage device.
A product address consists of specific data values
for data items or fields comprising the file. For
example, data items in a simple pricing file may include
a product stock keeping unit number, a product descriptor
and a price per unit.
A typical one dimensional (1D) bar code dataform
consists of a single row of varying width parallel dark
bars separated by varying width spaces. Start and stop
patterns are provided at the beginning and end of the bar
code dataform to indicate the boundaries of the actual
coding area. The width of the bars and spaces in the
coding area represent numbers. A unique product
identification key is assigned for each product and
converted or encoded into a unique bar code dataform
according to the selected bar coding logic.
In use, the bar code dataform is scanned to identify
a product and retrieve information relating to the
product. The scanned image is converted or decoded into
its numerical representation, i.e., the product
identification key. The product identification key is
not itself a record address for a file but rather is
converted into a record address by a mathematical
algorithm. This is necessary because there may be a
plurality of files associated with a product. For
example there may be a pricing file, an inventory file
and a purchasing file each requiring a different
algorithm to convert a product's identification key to a
corresponding record address for the product in that
file.
Typically, a merchandiser, i.e., a wholesaler,
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distributor or retailer, will use the identification key
as part of a pricing and inventory control system. For
example, at the retail level, a retailer utilizing a
computerized point of sales network for pricing and
inventory will have at least two files accessible to the
central computer controlling the network; a pricing file =
and an inventory file. The pricing file correlates a
product's stock keeping unit identification number with
the current price of the item, while the inventory file
indicates the number of product units on hand. In this
scenario, two mathematical algorithms are used to convert
the product's bar code identification number into
corresponding record addresses in the pricing file and
the inventory file, respectively.
At the retail level, a point of sales terminal
includes a bar code dataform reader which scans and
decodes the product's bar code dataform and communicates
the decoded identification key to a computer along with a
signal indicative of a purchase. The computer employs
the appropriate mathematical algorithms to access the
pricing and inventory files. The current price, stock
keeping unit number and product descriptor for the
product being purchased is retrieved from the pricing
file and communicated to the point of sale terminal. The
price of the product is displayed at the point of sale
terminal and an appropriate purchase receipt is generated
for the customer. Additionally, the computer decrements
the inventory file to reflect removal of the product from
inventory.
Unfortunately, while the manufacturer's bar code
dataform is valuable to merchandisers, its utility is
limited because the original bar code dataform does not
reflect transactional information relating to sales of
the product as the product moves through the various
level in its distribution channel (e.g., manufacturing or
importation level, assembly level, wholesale level,
distribution level, repackaging level, retail level,
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etc.)
A merchandiser will find it valuable to have a bar
code dataform which provides more than just a product
identification key. For example, a retailer may wish to
5 incorporate information relating to where and when the
product was purchased, at what price, where is it being
stored, to which store will it be shipped. If the
retailer has modified the product or added an option, for
example, a car dealer rustproofs a new car received from
the manufacturer, the retailer may want to modify the
manufacturer's bar code dataform to reflect the value
added. Upon sale of the product, the retailer may wish
to modify the manufacturer's bar code dataform to
incorporate sales transaction information, e.g., who
bought the product; on what date was the product
purchased; at what price; under what invoice number; is
there a discount or promotional program associated with
the product; and where is the product to be delivered?
The addition of new information will often
necessitate the use of a different bar code dataform
format than the one selected by the manufacturer. Most
manufacturer's use a 1D bar code dataform such as the UPC
bar code which has a very limited data capacity. A
stacked or two dimensional (2D) bar code dataform may be
utilized by a merchandiser to increase data capacity.
A 2D bar code dataform permits a greater amount of
encoded data to be stored in a given bar code coding
area. Instead of having a coding area occupied by a
single row of bar code, as in a 1D bar code dataform, a
2D bar code dataform divides the total coding area into a
plurality of parallel rows, each row representing an
independent coding area permitting multiple rows of bar
code. Additionally, more sophisticated coding strategies
have been developed which permit a greater density of
data as compared to the original varying width format of
the UPC bar code.
A 2D bar code dataform is disclosed in U.S.
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Patent 5,481,103, issued January 2, 1996 to Wang and
entitled "Packet Bar Code Encoding and Decoding".
The following example illustrates the desirability
of providing a distributor of books with an apparatus
which would have the capability of scanning the original
bar code dataform on a product, adding additional data to
the scanned data and generating a modified bar code
dataform label to be affixed to the product, the modified
bar code dataform incorporating the additional data.
Distributors of many products with a limited market
life cycle, such as books, are contractually obligated to
buy back unsold merchandise from retailers after a
certain period of time. The retailer will often receive
several shipments of the same book from a distributor
over the course of the book's market life, paying a
different price each time.
The books include a bar code dataform, typically a
UPC bar code, imprinted on the back cover by the
publisher, but the price that the retailer pays the
distributor is, of course, not reflected in the
publisher's bar code dataform. When the time comes for
the distributor to buy back the retailer's unsold books,
the retailer returns the books and alleges that the
unsold books are the ones that were purchased at the
highest price during the book's market life so that he or
she can receive the largest possible refund from the
distributor.
With prior art systems, the distributor had no means
of distinguishing among the returned books to ascertain
the retailer's true purchase price and, therefore, was
forced to repurchase the unsold books at the highest
price paid by the retailer. If the distributor affixed a
second bar code dataform label to the books shipped to
the retailer which incorporated sales transaction
information including the price paid by the retailer, the
distributor would be able to scan the second bar code
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dataform label on the returned books and determine the
price paid by the retailer for each of the returned books.
If the second bar code dataform label also included the
date the book was shipped to the retailer, scanning the
returned book's second bar code dataform label would
provide information to the distributor regarding how long
the retailer has held the book in inventory and whether
the retailer is properly "rotating" his or her stock using
a first in, first out method of inventory control.
Disclosure of the Invention
An object of the present invention is to provide a
novel and unique method of scanning and decoding a bar
code dataform and producing a modified bar code dataform
incorporating additional data. It is a further object of
the present invention is to provide a method of scanning
and decoding a bar code dataform, modifying the decoded
bar code dataform data and producing a modified bar code
incorporating the modified bar code dataform data. Yet
another object of this invention is to provide a novel and
unique bar code dataform scanning and labeling apparatus.
Certain exemplary embodiments may provide a method of
providing a modified bar code dataform for a product
having a bar code dataform associated with it, the steps
of the method comprising: a) scanning the product's bar
code dataform; b) selecting data to comprise the modified
bar code, the selected data including scanned data
developed by the scanning step and additional data; and c)
utilizing the selected data to produce the modified bar
code dataform.
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Preferably, the method includes the additional steps
of: providing a visual representation of the selected data
comprising the modified bar code dataform prior to
producing the modified bar code dataform; printing the
modified bar code dataform on a label attachable to the
product; and modifying the selected data and using the'
modified data to produce the modified bar code dataform.
More preferably, at least a portion of the additional data
is retrieved from a database. Even more preferably, the
additional data includes data related to a sales
transaction involving the product and the dales
transaction data includes a sale price of the product in
the sales transaction. The step of scanning the product's
bar code dataform may preferably include the substeps of
decoding the scanned bar code to produce machine readable
scanned data and displaying a visual representation of the
scanned bar code data. Still more preferably, the database
includes data related to a sales transaction involving the
product and the sales transaction data is input into the
database at a selected one of a time prior to and a time
subsequent to the scanning step. The step of modifying the
selected data preferably includes using a mathematical
formula to modify at least a portion of the selected data.
Certain other exemplary embodiments may provide a bar
code scanning and label apparatus for generating a
modified bar code dataform incorporating selected data,
the selected data including decoded data from a bar code
scanned and decoded by the apparatus and additional data,
the apparatus comprising: a) a microprocessor including
data selection circuitry adapted to retrieve the selected
data and to assemble the retrieved selected data into a
format suitable for encoding by encoding/decoding
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circuitry into the modified bar code; b) a scan engine
electrically coupled to the microprocessor and, upon
actuation, adapted to scan the bar code; c) the
encoding/decoding circuitry electrically coupled to the
microprocessor and including: i) decoding circuitry for
decoding the scanned bar code into machine readable data
representing the scanned bar code; and ii) encoding
circuitry for generating the modified bar code dataform by
encoding the retrieved selected data; d) interface means
coupled to the microprocessor for actuating the scan
engine and for specifying the selected data; e)
communication means electrically coupled to the
microprocessor for transmitting data to and receiving data
from a remote device; f) data storage means electrically
coupled to the microprocessor for storing the decoded data
from the scanned bar code and data received from the
remote device.
Preferably, the apparatus includes printing means for
printing the modified bar code on a label. More
preferably, the apparatus includes structure coupled to a
housing for supporting a roll of pressure sensitive labels
releasably adhered to a carrier web. Even more preferably,
the modified bar code is a 2D bar code dataform. At least
a portion of the additional data is preferably stored in
or accessible through the remote device and the
communication means includes a transceiver for
transmitting data to and from the remote device via RF
data signals. In addition, the apparatus preferably
includes a display means for displaying human recognizable
data representing the decoded data from the scanned bar
code dataform and the retrieved selected data. The
interface means preferably comprises a keypad or
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application program and circuitry for confirming the
displayed selected data prior to generation of the
modified bar code dataform. The scanning means is
preferably adapted to scan a 1D and a 2D bar code
dataform. Still more preferably, the microprocessor data
selection circuitry retrieves selected data which is
stored in the data storage means and utilizes the data
communication circuitry to retrieve selected data stored
in or accessible through the remote device. The
microprocessor preferably includes processing means
responsive to commands input through the interface means
for modifying retrieved selected data and the modified
selected data is incorporated into the modified bar code
dataform.
Still certain other exemplary embodiments may provide
a method of generating a second bar code dataform for a
product, the steps of the method comprising: a) scanning a
first bar code dataform associated with the product; b)
decoding the first bar code dataform; c) storing decoded
data in a memory; d) selecting data to be included in the
second bar code dataform including at least a portion of
the decoded data stored in the memory and additional data;
e) retrieving the selected decoded data from the memory;
f) obtaining the selected additional data; and g)
generating the second bar code dataform based on the
selected data.
Still certain other exemplary embodiments may provide
a method of generating a modified bar code dataform label
for a product using a scanning and labeling device, the
modified bar code dataform label incorporating scanned
data from a bar code dataform associated with the product
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and data relating to a sales transaction involving the
product, the steps of the method comprising: a) scanning
the product's bar code dataform label; b) decoding the
scanned bar code dataform to generated decoded scanned
data and storing at least a portion of the scanned data in
a memory of the scanning and labeling device; c) selecting
data for the modified bar code including at least some of
the decoded scanned data and the sales transaction data;
d) inputting sales transaction data specified in the
selected data into the memory; e) retrieving the selected
data from the memory; and f) generating the modified bar
code dataform based on the retrieved data.
Still certain other exemplary embodiments may provide
a method of providing a modified bar code dataform for an
item having a first bar code dataform associated with it,
the steps of the method comprising: a) scanning the first
bar code dataform of the item to generated decoded data; b)
selecting data to comprise the modified bar code dataform,
the selected data including at least a portion of the
decoded data developed by the scanning step and additional
data; and c) utilizing the selected data to produce the
modified bar code dataform.
Still certain other exemplary embodiments may provide
a method of generating a second bar code dataform for a
product, the steps of the method comprising: a) scanning a
first bar code dataform associated with the product; b)
decoding the first bar code dataform; c) storing decoded
data in a memory; d) selecting data to be included in the
second bar code dataform including, at least, a portion of
decoded data stored in the memory and additional data; e)
retrieving the selected decoded data from the memory; f)
obtaining the selected additional data; and g) generating
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the second bar code dataform based on the selected data.
Still certain other exemplary embodiments may provide
a method of generating a modified bar code dataform label
for a product using a scanning and labeling system, the
modified bar code dataform label incorporating scanned
data from a bar code datatorm label associated with the
product and data relating to the sales price of the
product, the steps of the method comprising: a) scanning
the product's bar code dataform label; b) decoding the
scanned bar code dataform label and storing at least a
portion of the scanned data in a memory of the scanning
and labeling system; c) selecting data for the modified
bar code dataform label including at least some of the
decoded scanned data and the sales price data; d)
retrieving the selected data from the memory; and e)
generating the modified bar code dataform label based on
the retrieved data.
The objects, features and advantages of the invention
will become better understood from a detailed description
of the preferred embodiment which is described in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a portable
scanning and labeling apparatus embodying the present
invention, a remote central computer and database;
Figure 2 is a block diagram of a method of producing a
modified bar code dataform label including decoded data
from a first bar code dataform and data received from the
remote device;
Figure 3 is a schematic representation of a portion of
a hand-held scanning and labeling apparatus of Figure 1;
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Figure 4 is a schematic representation of an alternate
embodiment of the apparatus of Figure 3 wired to a point
of sales terminal and including a printer wired to the
point of sales terminal;
Figure 5 is a schematic representation of an alternate
embodiment of the apparatus of Figure 3 wired to a point
of sales terminal having an integral printer;
Figure 6 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary
use of a modified bar code dataform for a
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purchased product in a retail environment; and
Figure 6A is a block diagram illustrating an
exemplary use of the modified bar code dataform of Figure
6 wherein a customer returns the purchased product.
5
Detailed Description
Figure 1 illustrates the preferred embodiment of a
bar coding scanning and labeling device 10 of the present
invention. The scanning and labeling device 10 is
10 adapted to scan an original bar code dataform 12 affixed
to a product 14 and print a modified bar code dataform 16
on a label 17. The label 17 preferably includes an
adhesive backing for affixing the label to the product
14. The modified bar code dataform 16 incorporates
additional data such as data retrieved from a database 18
accessed through a remote device 20 as well as scanned
data from the original bar code dataform 12.
A microprocessor 21 (Figure 3) is enclosed in a
housing 22. A user interfaces with the microprocessor 21
through a keypad 24, a trigger switch 26 and a visual
display 28. Microprocessor execution is controlled by
programs coded in read only memory (ROM) 29. The
microprocessor 21, responding to commands entered by a
user of the scanning and labeling device 10, controls
various operations of the device including; a) scanning
of the original bar code dataform 12; b) decoding of the
original bar code dataform; c) displaying the decoded
data (optional); d) retrieving and assembling the data
selected by the user; d) displaying the selected data
(optional); e) processing/modifying selected data; f)
encoding the selected data (as modified) to generate the
modified bar code dataform 16; and g) printing the
modified bar code dataform on the label 17.
The keypad 24 and the trigger switch 26 are used to
actuate the scanning and labeling device 10 to scan the
original bar code dataform label 12 and to print the
modified bar code dataform 16 on the label 17.
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Additionally, the keypad 24 permits input of data and
entry of user instructions via appropriate keystrokes.
Such user instructions include: a) selecting data fields
to be included in the modified bar code dataform 16 for
the product 14, normally the selected data fields will
require retrieval of data including scanned data from the
original bar code dataform 12 and additional data; b)
optionally processing/modifying retrieved data
corresponding to the selected data fields; and c)
confirming the data item values to be included in the
modified bar code dataform.
The scanning and labeling device 10 includes a scan
engine 30 for scanning the original bar code dataform 12
and communications circuitry 31 (Figure 3) including a
transceiver coupled to an externally mounted antenna 32.
The database 18 will be part of the user's point of sale
network and will include purchasing and sales files as
well as inventory and product information files.
The database 18 is accessed through the remote
device 20, typically a computer, which also includes a
transceiver for communications via radio frequency (RF)
signals with devices such as the scanning and labeling
device 10 as well as other remote devices.
Although not shown in Figure 1, it should also be
appreciated that the additional data incorporated in the
modified bar code dataform label 16 may be stored at
locations other than the remote database 18. For
example, the additional data may have been previously
stored in the device's internal random access memory
(RAM) 36 or stored on a PCMCIA card (not shown) inserted
into a socket or connector (not shown) on the scanning
and labeling device 10.
Additionally, although it is contemplated that the
product 14 includes a bar code dataform, the scanning and
labeling device 10 can still be utilized to generate a
"modified" bar code dataform. Assuming the product 14
does not have a bar code dataform but instead includes a
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pricing label which sets forth the product stock keeping
unit number, the product price, the department the
product is sold in, etc. In this situation, the user of
the scanning and labeling device 10 will utilize the
keypad 24 to manually input some or all of the human
readable data from the pricing label. This manually
input data may be supplemented with additional retrieved
data from the remote database 18, the device's RAM memory
36 or a PCMCIA card to generate the "modified" bar code
dataform 16.
Moreover, it should also be noted that the modified
bar code dataform 16 may be generated without
incorporating additional retrieved data. The selected
data may be modified by the user through data
manipulation commands input through the keypad 24. For
example, some or all of the selected data may be modified
through the use of a mathematical algorithm or formula or
the application of Boolean logic operations to binary
data. Of course, a bar code dataform which is identical
to the original bar code dataform 12 except that one or
more of the data items in the original bar code have been
deleted would properly be defined as a modified bar code
dataform as contemplated by the present invention. A
modified bar code would also properly be defined by a bar
code which contains data identical to the original bar
code data but the bar code format is different, e.g., the
modified bar code dataform is represented in a 2D format
while the original bar code dataform is in UPC format.
The modified bar code dataform may contain data
representative of the original format.
In an assembly line embodiment of this invention the
modified bar code dataform may track the product down the
line. The additional data incorporated into a modified
bar code dataform may include data representative of a
processing step performed on a product. For example, a
car tracking dataform may be updated when rust proofing
is added to the car, or quality control testing data iay
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be added when the product is quality control tested.
Additionally, it is within the scope of this
invention to have the scanning and labeling apparatus 10
generate a label 17 which includes human readable
characters (not shown in Figure 1, but shown
schematically at 350' on a label 345' in Figure 5) in
addition to the modified bar code dataform. In a retail
setting, the printed "label" may, in fact, be a customer
sales receipt which includes the modified bar code along
with human readable data or characters setting forth a
product identification number, a product descriptor, a
sales price of the product, a date of sale, store
identification number, etc. At a wholesale level, a
wholesaler may find it advantageous to generate an
adhesive backed modified bar code label for application
to a product wherein the label additionally includes
human readable characters such as the product's stock
keeping unit number, date placed into inventory, etc.
The microprocessor 21 is programmed to properly
respond to user commands and/or data input in the form of
keystrokes on the keypad 24. The user may use the keypad
to input data manually, to select data to be incorporated
in the modified bar code dataform, to manipulate the
selected data, and to confirm the selected data for
incorporation into the modified bar code dataform 16.
Additionally, data retrieval circuitry embodied in
the microprocessor 21 retrieves data from the scanning
and labeling device's RAM memory 36, from a PCMCIA card
connected to the device 10, or, in conjunction with the
communications circuitry 31, from the remote database 18.
Further, the microprocessor 21 data retrieval circuitry
assembles the data, including manipulated data,
corresponding to the selected data fields in a format
suitable for encoding by the encoding/decoding circuitry
34. Application software (not shown) resident in ROM
memory 29 is provided to permit the user to choose,
through keypad keystrokes, the desired bar code format of
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the modified bar code dataform 16, e.g., UPC, Code 39,
Codabar, Code 49, Code 16K, etc.
The keypad 24 is used to select the data fields to
be incorporated in the modified bar code dataform 16 for
the product 14. Alternately, application software (not
shown) may be used to select the data fields to be =
incorporated in the modified bar dataform 16. The
microprocessor data retrieval circuitry retrieves data
corresponding to the selected data fields. For ease of
discussion, data retrieved by the microprocessor 21
corresponding to the selected data fields will be denoted
as "selected data." At least a portion of the decoded
data from the original bar code dataform 12 is among the
selected data. Normally, additional data not included in
the original bar code dataform 12 is also selected. When
the selected data is retrieved by the microprocessor 21,
the data and corresponding data fields are optionally
displayed on the visual display 28. Displaying the data
and data fields on the visual display 28 permits the user
to confirm the'selected data or, if desired, to modify
some or all of the data and/or delete certain selected
data items to prevent their incorporation in the modified
bar code dataform 16.
Figure 2 illustrates, in block diagram form, a
method 100 of the present invention. The method 100
includes the steps of actuating the scanning and labeling
device 10 to scan the original bar code dataform 12
(shown at 102). The scanned bar code dataform 12 may be
a 1D or 2D bar code dataform. At 104, encoding/decoding
circuitry 34 (Figure 3) disposed in the scanning and
labeling device 10 decodes the scanned bar code dataform
12 into machine readable data for storage. The
encoding/decoding circuitry 34 preferably also converts
the bar code into human readable alphanumeric
representations (for example, using the ASCII character
set) which are displayed on the visual display 28.
The decoded data is stored in the device's RAM
__ ~
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memory 36 (shown at 106). Typically, a portion of the
decoded original bar code data will be transmitted to the
remote device 20 for updating or confirming data relating
to the product 14 (shown at 108). Based on data fields
5 selected by the user, data corresponding to the selected
data fields is retrieved (shown at 110).
If the data for a selected data field is stored in
the scanning and labeling device's RAM memory 36 or in a
PCMCIA card connected to the device 10, the
10 microprocessor 21 directly retrieves the data (shown at
112) and stores it in data registers in the
microprocessor. If the data for a selected data field is
stored in the remote database 18, the microprocessor
utilizes the communications circuitry 31 to access the
15 selected data through the remote device 20 (shown at 114,
116).
The microprocessor 21 formulates a query for the
required data which is transmitted by the communications
circuitry 31 to the remote device 20. In response to the
query, the remote device 20 accesses the database 18 and
retrieves the required data. As shown at 116, the
communications circuitry 31 receives RF signals including
the required data for the specified data fields from the
remote device 18 and loads the data into data registers
in the microprocessor 21.
As is shofan at 118, the microprocessor 21 assembles
the selected data into a form suitable for encoding by
the encoding/decoding circuitry 34 and optionally
displays the selected data. The microprocessor 21 checks
the assembled data to insure that the data to be
incorporated into the modified bar code dataform 16 is
able to be fit into the bar code coding area.
If desired, the user may modify the selected data
through processing commands input through the keypad 24
(shown at 119). The processing may include
mathematically manipulating the selected data to generate
new data values, which, in turn, may be incorporated into
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the modified bar code dataform 16 either in lieu or in
addition to the original selected data. As an example,
assume that the user of the scanning and labeling device
knows that data in a specific data field, e.g.,
5 product price, retrieved from the remote database 18
needs to be changed because of a recently instituted
promotional campaign offering a 10% discount on the
product 14.
The microprocessor 21 includes an arithmetic logic
10 unit programmed to execute such discounted price
calculations. The non-discounted price is retrieved from
the database 18 and displayed in human readable form on
the visual display 28. By inputting a short series of
keystrokes on the keypad 24, the user inputs the discount
percentage and commands the microprocessor to calculate a
modified price for the product 14. The modified price is
displayed, in human readable form, on the visual display
28 and, upon confirmation by the user, is selected for
inclusion in the modified bar code dataform 16 in lieu of
the non-discounted price.
After processing is complete, the visual display 28
provides the user with an updated human readable
representation of the data to be incorporated in the
modified bar code dataform 16. If the data to be
displayed exceeds the character capacity of the display
20, a sequential paging prompt is provided on the keypad
24 to permit the user to page through all of the selected
data. The user confirms the displayed data items with an
appropriate keystroke command (shown at 120).
Upon receiving confirmation, the microprocessor 21
transfers the machine language data representation of the
selected data to the encoding/decoding circuitry 34. The
encoding/decoding circuitry 34 generates the modified bar
code dataform 16 (shown at 121) in conformity with the
bar code format selected by the user. The modified bar
code dataform 16 preferably uses a 2D format to permit
greater data capacity in a given coding area.
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As shown at 122, the user uses the keypad 24 to
actuate a printer assembly including a thermal print head
36 (Figure 3) to print the modified bar code dataform 16
on the label 17.
For example, assuming the user is a retailer, the
user may request additional data concerning the product
such as date of purchase of the product from the
product's distributor, purchase price and/or
identification of distributor/manufacturer the product
was purchased from. Other examples of data that a
retailer may find advantageous to incorporate in a
modified bar code dataform would include identification
of the warehouse where the product will be stored, the
identification of the store where the product will be
offered for sale. If the product has been purchased by a
customer, the retailer may request data for data items
related to the sales transaction such as sales date,
selling price, customer identification number, a
designation of whether the item is returnable by the
purchaser for refund or credit or was sold as a close out
item, length of warranty period and value added
options/modifications added by the retailer.
If the retailer sells a product on a lay-away plan
or on an extended payment basis, the modified bar code
dataform may include the down payment, account balance
and payment history. When future payments are made, the
retailer can read the modified bar code dataform, and
generate a new modified bar code dataform incorporating
the new payment information.
Figure 3 is a schematic representation of a
preferred embodiment of the bar code scanning and
labeling device 10. The scanning and labeling device
housing 22 defines an interior region for electronics and
mechanical components of the device 10. The housing 22
includes apertures for the scan engine 30, the visual
display 28, the antenna 32 and the keypad 24. The
trigger switch 26 extends through an aperture in a handle
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portion 44 of the housing 22. The housing 22 is
preferably comprised of a high impact, heat resistant,
electrically nonconductive thermoplastic material.
The microprocessor 21, the cotununications circuitry
31, the ROM and RAM memories 29, 36 and the
encoding/decoding circuitry 34 are comprised of
integrated circuit chips suitably mounted on a
motherboard 46. The communications circuitry is
similarly mounted to a second motherboard 48 which is
electrically coupled to the motherboard 46 via a data and
address bus 49. The motherboards 46, 48 are
appropriately secured to interior walls of the housing
22.
Any scan engine of conventional design will function
appropriately in the device 10. Preferably, the scan
engine 30 includes a laser (not shown) for producing a
narrow beam of light and a scanner (not shown) for moving
the beam of light across a target field. The scanner
comprises an oscillating mirror from which the beam is
reflected. Alternately, the laser can be oscillated to
sweep the beam across the bar code dataform 12. The scan
engine will also contain a photo detector (not shown)
that collects reflected light from at least part of the
scanned label 12. The bars and spaces comprising the bar
code have differing light reflectivity. When the laser
beam is scanned across the bar code, the signal from the
photodetector will vary with the varying light
reflectivity. The scan engine 30 utilizes known
positions of the laser beam and known beam sweep speeds
to geographically locate light and dark spots to produce
a signal representative of an image of the bar code
dataform 12. The reader could also be an image sensor
array reader, such as the one described in U.S. Patent
5,521,366 issued May 28, 1996 to Wang and entitled
"Dataform Readers Having Controlled and Overlapped
Exposure Integration Periods".
The scanning and labeling device communications
circuitry 31 includes a spread spectrum radio module for
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real time communication with remote devices including the
remote device 20.
A label supply roll 46 is rotatably supported on an
= axle 48. The axle 48 extends between opposite walls of
the housing 22. The roll 84 is comprised of a composite
web 50 and a plurality of spaced apart labels adhering to
the web (only the modified bar code dataform label 16 is
shown peeled from the web). A full roll is shown in
solid.while a depleted roll is shown in phantom line.
The labels are releasably secured to the web 50 by a
pressure sensitive adhesive. A layer of silicone is
coated on the upper surface of the web 50 facing of the
labels so that the labels are sheared or peeled from the
web as the web advances in a curvilinear path around a
small diameter peel roller 54.
The modified bar code dataform label 16 is
illustrated in a peeled position with respect to the web
50. In response to actuation of the trigger switch 26,
an electric drive motor 56 drives a shaft 58 having a
bevel gear 60 affixed to one end of the shaft. The bevel
gear 60 coacts with a drive gear (not shown) coupled to a
drive.roller 62 to rotate the drive roller. The drive
roller 62 cooperates with an idler roller 64 to advance
the web 50 past the thermal printhead 38. The printhead
34 prints the modified bar code dataform on the leading
label as the label passes under the printhead. A guide
roller 66 and a platen 68 properly position the web 50
under the printhead 34.
An applicator roller 70 extending through a label
exit opening 72 supports the peeled off label 17 in a
position for application to the product 14. The web 50
exits the housing 22 through a web exit opening 74.
Figure 4 illustrates an alternate configuration for
producing a modified bar code label 160. In this
configuration, a scanning device 100 is used to scan a
bar code dataform 120 of a product 140. The scanning
device 100 includes a keypad 260, an actuation trigger
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260, a visual display 280 and a scan engine 300. The
visual display 280 is optional. The scanning device 100
does not include a printing assembly in this embodiment.
Rather, the modified bar code dataform 160 is printed at
5 a printer 320. The scanning device 100 and the printer
320 are hard wired to a point of sale terminal/cash
register 340. Also shown wired to the point of sale
terminal/cash register 340 is a remote device 200. The
remote device 200 may be a mainframe computer, a
10 minicomputer or a microcomputer and is connected to and
accesses a database 180.
The product 140 is selected for purchase. The
scanning device 100 is used to scan the bar code dataform
120. Decoding/encoding circuitry (.not shown) in the
15 scanning device 120 decodes the scanned label into
machine readable data. A microprocessor, which may be
disposed either in the point of sale terminal 340 or in
the scanning device 100, causes the decoded data to be
transmitted to RAM memory (not shown). The RAM memory
20 may be located in either the point of sale terminal 340
or the scanning device 100. An ASCII representation (or
another human readable conversion scheme) of the decoded
data is displayed on a visual display 280. The human
readable representation of the decoded data may also be
displayed on a visual display 281 of the point of sale
terminal 340. If desired, one of the visual displays
240, 281 may be omitted. Using communications circuitry
(not shown) the microprocessor transmits scanned data to
the remote device 200 to update the remote database 180.
As described with respect to the embodiment shown in
Figure 1 above, using appropriate keystrokes on the
keypad 240, the user may select data items for
incorporation into the modified bar code dataform 160,
manipulate the selected data, confirm the selected data,
and actuate the printer 320 to print a label 345
including the modified bar code dataform. Depending on
its anticipated use, the label may or may not include an
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adhesive backing. If, for example, the label 345 is to
be used as a customer receipt, the label will include
human readable characters (not shown, in Figure 6 the
label 345' includes representations of human readable
characters 350'). Typical human readable characters
would include data relating to the product number,
product description, product price, date of purchase,
etc. Such a customer receipt label would normally not
have an adhesive backing.
In response to the user's selection of data fields
to be included in the modified bar code dataform, the
microprocessor utilizes communications circuitry (not
shown) and queries the remote device 200 to retrieve data
not stored in RAM memory accessible to the microprocessor
(or a PCMCIA card accessible to the microprocessor). The
selected data is retrieved and display on one or both of
the visual displays 280, 281. The user may manipulate
the selected data as described with respect to the
embodiment shownõin Figure 1. The keypad 240 or a
keyboard 342.of the point of sale terminal 340 may be
used to input commands to the microprocessor to
manipulate the selected data. Additionally, the keypad
240 or keyboard 342 may be utilized to input data in the
form of human readable characters. If desired, one of
.25 the keypad 240 and keyboard 342 may be omitted.
After confirmation by the user (via keystroke
commands) of the selected data, the microprocessor
assembles the data into a format suitable for encoding
into a selected bar code dataform format. Upon user
command, the encoded bar code representation is printed
on the label 345 by the printer 320.
Figure 5 is another configuration for producing a
modified bar code dataform 160. The Figure 5
configuration is similar to the configuration shown in
Figure 4 except that the printer 320 of the Figure 4
configuration is integrated into the point of sale
terminal 340'. A receipt 345' printed by the point of
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sales terminal 340' may include human readable
transaction information, represented schematically by
lines at 350, along with the modified bar code dataform
160'.
The block diagram shown in Figure 6 represents a
typical application of a modified bar code dataform in a
retail environment involving a purchase of an item of
merchandise by a customer. Figure 6A is related to
Figure 6 and illustrates in block diagram form an example
of the use of the modified bar code in a return
situation.
As will be illustrated the modified bar code
dataform, which incorporates additional data relating to
the sales transaction may advantageously be employed in a
return of merchandise situation to both increase the
speed and improve the integrity of the return process.
It is assumed that the retailer has a pricing file and an
inventory file stored in a database. It is also assumed
that the configuration shown in Figure 4 is employed by
the retailer.
Turning to Figure 6, a customer selects an item of
merchandise for purchase (shown at 500) and takes the
item to the point of sale terminal 340. If the item
includes an original bar code dataform, the scanning
device 100 is employed to scan the bar code (shown at
502). The purchase price for the item is retrieved from
the pricing file record associated with the item and the
inventory file record associated with the item is
appropriately decremented.
If the item does not include a bar code dataform,
the item's stock keeping unit number is input through the
keypad 240 or the keyboard 340 (shown at 504). The
purchase price for the item is retrieved and the
inventory file record is appropriately decremented
described previously.
In either case, a modified bar code dataform is
generated based on data selected by the retailer (shown
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at 506). Advantageously, the selected data includes
additional data regarding the purchase transaction, at a
minimum, the sales price of the item and the purchase
date.
The modified bar code is printed on the adhesive
backed label 345 (shown at 508) and the label is affixed
to the item (shown at 510). In addition to the label
345, a customer receipt is printed by the point of sale
terminal 340 (shown at 512). The customer receipt
includes human readable data characters setting forth the
item's stock keeping unit number, a product descriptor
for the item, the item purchase price, the date of
purchase, store name and number, etc. The customer
receipt preferably also includes the modified bar code
dataform.
Figure 6A is a block diagram representation of the
return process. The item purchased is presumed to have
affixed to it the modified bar code dataform label as
described with respect to Figure 6 above.
The item of merchandise is returned by the customer
to the retailer (shown at 520). If the customer has the
sales receipt and the sales receipt includes the modified
bar code dataform, the modified bar code dataform printed
on the sales receipt and the modified bar code dataform
printed on the label 345 are scanned and decoded (shown
at 522, 524). The decoded values are compared to
validate the item purchase price, date of sale and item
stock keeping unit number (shown at 526).
If the decoded data values of the label and sales
receipt agree with each other and the human readable
characters on the sales receipt, the purchase price is
determined (shown at 528) and the item purchase price is
refunded or credited to the customer (shown at 530). The
record for the file is appropriately updated in the
inventory file to reflect the item's return to inventory
(shown at 532).
In this case, the modified bar code dataforms are
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compared to validate the item's purchase price and
ascertain that the item being returned by the customer is
in fact the item reflected in the sales receipt.
If the customer has the sales receipt and the
receipt does not include the modified bar code dataform,
the modified bar code dataform printed on the label 345
is scanned and decoded (shown at 540). The decoded
values are compared to the human readable characters
printed on the sales receipt to validate the item
purchase price, date of sale and item stock keeping unit
number as set forth on the sales receipt (shown at 542).
If the decoded data values agree with the sales
receipt value, the purchase price is determined 528 and
refunded or credited to the customer 530. The inventory
file is appropriately updated 532. In this case, the
modified data code printed on the label is used to
validate the human readable characters on the sales
receipt and ascertain that the item being returned by the
customer is in fact the item reflected in the sales
receipt.
If the customer does not have the sales receipt, the
modified bar code dataform printed on the label 345 is
scanned and decoded (shown at 550). The purchase price
to be refunded or credited to the customer is determined
from the decoded data values 528. The purchase price is
refunded or credited 530. Finally, the inventory file is
appropriately updated 532.
In a similar vein, the use of a modified bar code
dataform including sales transaction information may be
advantageously employed by wholesalers and distributors
to increase the efficiency and integrity of the
returned/rejected goods process in their respective
operations.
Although the invention has been described in its
preferred form with a certain degree of particularity, it
is understood that the present disclosure of the
preferred form has been made only by way of example and
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that numerous changes in the details of construction,
operation and the combination and arrangement of parts
may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and
the scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.
