JPH064697A - Bar code dialler device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To carry a bar code dialler device and to easily transmit ordering data on merchandise by inputting various data with a bar code by key input, accumulating them in a memory, converting them into acoustic signals and transmitting them by means of a telephone line. CONSTITUTION:Data which a bar code read part reads are transmitted to a bar code analysis part and are converted into the code for computer. A keyboard composed of numeric keys and function keys is used for the operation of data reference and alteration. Input from the bar code read part and the keyboard is error-checked in a data analysis/control part, is analyzed, referred to, corrected and altered, and is preserved in a storage part. A dial tone generation part converts the code for computer into a voice signal for telephone and transmits data to the host computer by a telephone set through a speaker. Thus, data can directly be transmitted to the host computer from wherever the telephone set exists even in the case where MODEM cannot be used.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus used for business such as ordering business which requires bar code input and data transfer by communication.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in systems such as chain stores,
Information read by a bar code reader or the like from each store is sent to the host computer via a communication line. In such a system, a terminal computer normally equipped with a modem is arranged in each store, and the data is sent to the host computer of the headquarters through the communication line.

As described above, the merchandise ordering system used in a chain store is effective.
As a system in which a small store with a small sales volume or a small amount of sales and a wholesaler perform it, the amount of capital investment is large and it is actually difficult. Therefore, even now, many small shops still place orders for products using old slips.

[0004]

However, even in a small-scale store, inputting order data in each store is a time-consuming and labor-intensive operation. Therefore, computerization may be considered, but in many cases it is difficult to realize due to the above circumstances.

In the case of computerization, the device generally becomes large in size, so it cannot be used successfully in a business where the orderer often moves. Furthermore, data input from the keyboard requires skill and it is difficult to secure personnel.

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable device which can easily input ordering data of products and easily send the data through a communication line.

[0007]

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a means for inputting data using a bar code book in which various kinds of data are written together with a bar code and key input, and its input. And a means for storing the data in a memory and a means for converting the data stored in the memory into an acoustic signal and transmitting it to a telephone line.

The principle of the device of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The function of each part is as follows. The barcode reading unit can optically read the printed barcode, and the data read here is sent to the barcode analysis unit and converted into a computer code.

In addition to the bar code reading section, a keyboard used for manual input and for operations such as data reference and change is provided. The bar code dialer of the present invention has a limited number of keys in order to be hand sized. As will be specifically described in the examples described later, it is generally composed of numeric keys and function keys.

The bar code reading and the input from the keyboard are sent to the data analysis and control unit to check the input data for errors, and to control the data reference and data correction / change in addition to the analysis of the input data. It is the central part of the device that performs.

A program for performing these processes is a ROM
It is built in (not shown in the figure) in advance, and is automatically loaded into the main memory when the power is turned on. Note that this part also includes a display controller and a printer controller.

The recording unit is a device for storing input data. This device uses battery-backed RAM, but small floppy disks and hard disks can also be used.

A general display means such as a liquid crystal display or a light emitting diode is used for the display section, and is used when displaying input data or reference data.

The dial tone generator converts the computer code into a telephone sound signal and sends the data to the host computer by telephone through the speaker. In the case of auto dialing, a telephone call is made by using the data from the ID recording unit in which the telephone number of the partner type (reception side) is recorded as a sound signal.

In addition to this, the apparatus of the present invention has a printer connector which is connected to an external printer for confirming data. If it is an ultra-small printer, it can be built into the device.

When the data is transferred from the bar code dialer to the computer, the following procedure is performed. Remove the handset of the telephone. Put the speaker part of the bar code dialer on the communication side of the handset. Press the communication button.
After that, automatic dialing is done, it automatically connects to the host computer, and data transfer is done automatically.

Since the code of the data being transferred is displayed on the display unit, it is possible to visually confirm what is being transferred. When all the data has been transferred, the end mark is displayed on the display unit, and at the same time, the end sound is emitted from the speaker, so the bar code dialer disconnects from the handset and returns the handset to the telephone.

[0018]

EXAMPLE An example of the apparatus of the present invention will be described. Figure 2
FIG. 3 is a view showing the external appearance of the device of the present invention. The size is such that it can be held with one hand, and the display unit 1 is a two-line display in this example.
The upper line is the code display and the lower line is the quantity display.

When data is input, a cursor (_) is displayed,
Data can be input from the cursor position on the line where the cursor is displayed. An example of the input process will be described below.

Turn on the power switch. At this time, the mode becomes the input mode, and the cursor is displayed at the 1st line and the 2nd digit. While pressing the bar code reader button, the bar code of the corresponding prize is read from the product column of the bar code book as shown in FIG. A confirmation mark (?) Is displayed in front of the code, so f
Press the 1 + 0 key to confirm the input. Press f1 + 9 key to re-input. Do the same for the quantity. When the product code and quantity are confirmed, the data will be recorded automatically. While there is input data, repeat steps ~. When processing is complete, turn off the power.

The f1 + n key is the f key on the keyboard.
This means pressing the number n key while pressing the 1 key. It is also possible to directly enter the product code and quantity. In that case, be sure to press the return key after entering the data.

The keyboard will be described. In the device of this example, the keys are composed of numbers 0 to 9, periods, commas, function keys f1 to f3, and a return key. Function keys have a special meaning when used with other keys. In this embodiment, the following functions are provided.

F1 + 0: Confirm key for the confirmation mark (?) At the time of data input. f1 + 9: Re-entry request key for the confirmation mark (?) at the time of data entry. f2 + ,: Data processing mode setting key. The data processing mode changes in the order of the change mode, the reference mode, and the input mode to the one-time press. f2 +. : Printer output key. When the printer is connected, the data stored in the recording unit is automatically printed. f3 +. Data transmission key. Data transfer occurs to the host computer when the speaker is set to the handset.

The above is a part of how to use the function keys. How to use it depends on the description of the program.

The data transmission is as described above. However, since the apparatus of the present invention transmits the data by sound, a data transmission error is likely to occur due to noise or vibration from the outside. Then, the transmitter (speaker) of the telephone and the bar code dialer are fixed as shown in FIG.

After fixing, when the data transmission key (f3 +.) Is pressed, the process from dialing the data to transferring the data is automatically performed. In addition, in order to prevent duplicate data transfer, once the data is transmitted, a transmission mark is attached, and the data with this mark is not transmitted.

[0027]

Since the bar code dialer device of the present invention is small and lightweight and can be carried around, it is possible to input data by a bar code or a keyboard regardless of location.

Further, since the bar code dialer device of the present invention has a built-in speaker, it can be directly transmitted to the host computer from any place with a telephone even when the modem cannot be used, and data error caused by manual intervention can be prevented. There is an effect that prevention and delay of processing can be prevented.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an internal configuration diagram of an example of a barcode dialer device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external view of an example of a barcode dialer device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a barcode book used in the device of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Display 2 Bar Code Reader 3 Speaker 4 Printer Connector 5 Key

Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁵ Identification code Office reference number FI technical display location H04M 11/00 303 8627-5K

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An input unit comprising a bar code reading unit and a key input unit, a unit for analyzing data sent from the input unit and storing it in a memory, data stored in the memory, and transmission stored in advance in the memory. A bar code dialer device comprising means for converting the above data into an acoustic signal and transmitting it through a telephone line in an integrated device.