Method for controlling a scanner

Abstract

The present invention relates to the field of identifying data carriers. The technical result achieved by the invention is that of reducing the number of incorrectly scanned data carriers by blocking a scanner if a computing system is unready to receive information about a successive barcode. The claimed technical result is achieved in that a method for controlling a scanner comprises a step of determining the degree of readiness of a computing system for the input of data read from a barcode, wherein if the computing system is unready to receive barcode information, the scanner is sent a control signal that blocks its ability to read barcodes, and when the computing system is subsequently ready, a control signal is sent which unblocks the barcode reading ability, wherein the computing system is unready if information related to the last read barcode is not entered into the system upon input via an interface element.

Description

[0001] METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SCANNER

[0002] AREA OF TECHNOLOGY

[0003] The present invention relates to the field of recording media recognition, in particular to a method for controlling a scanner.

[0004] LEVEL OF TECHNOLOGY

[0005] In environments such as warehouses and retail stores, inventory control often involves scanning large numbers of barcodes in rapid succession. A worker may walk down aisles with hundreds of items, scanning each barcode one after the other, without looking at the screen. Such solutions are widely known in the art, for example, from Russian Patent No. 2671753. This approach carries significant risks when the user is required to enter additional data, for example, to identify unrecognized barcodes, batch numbers, serial numbers, or other product details. In such cases, some barcodes may be missed or not scanned. For example, the software may prompt the user to enter a batch number or serial number along with the scanned barcode, but if the user continues scanning without noticing the system prompt, the scan is lost (scanned incorrectly), and inventory control becomes unreliable.This not only reduces accuracy, but also slows down the entire process, as the user is forced to constantly monitor the screen, which reduces efficiency and increases the likelihood of errors.

[0006] The proposed technical solution is aimed at eliminating the shortcomings of the current state of the art and differs from previously known ones in that the proposed technical solution reduces the number of recording media scanned incorrectly due to the ability to block the scanner when the computing system is not ready to accept information about the next barcode. DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

[0007] Thus, the technical problem solved by the claimed invention is the problem of reducing the number of recording media scanned incorrectly.

[0008] The technical result is a reduction in the number of recording media scanned incorrectly, due to the ability to block the scanner when the computing system is not ready to accept information about the next barcode.

[0009] The claimed technical result is achieved in that the method for controlling the scanner includes a stage of determining the degree of readiness of the computing system for data input by reading a barcode, wherein in the event of the unreadiness of the computing system to receive information about the barcode, a control signal is sent to the scanner, blocking the ability to read barcodes, and in the event of subsequent readiness of the computing system, a control signal is sent, unblocking the ability to read barcodes, wherein the unreadiness of the computing system occurs in the event of failure to enter into the system information related to the last read barcode, by input through an interface element.

[0010] IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The following detailed description of the invention includes numerous implementation details intended to provide a clear understanding of the present invention. However, one skilled in the art will readily appreciate how the present invention may be utilized with or without these implementation details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the features of the present invention.

[0012] Furthermore, it will be clear from the foregoing description that the invention is not limited to the embodiment described. Numerous possible modifications, changes, variations, and substitutions, while preserving the spirit and form of the present invention, will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0013] The method is implemented by means of a scanner, an interface element, and a computing system, connected to each other.

[0014] The computing system decodes, stores, and processes data received from the scanner, as well as executes instructions. The computing system may include components such as one or more processors, at least one memory, data storage, input / output interfaces, input devices, and networking capabilities. Graphics processing units (GPUs) and central processing units (CPUs) may be used as processors. When executing machine-readable instructions contained in random-access memory (RAM), the device's processor is configured to perform the basic computing operations necessary for the operation of the device or the functionality of one or more of its components. The memory is typically implemented as RAM, where the necessary software logic is loaded to provide the required functionality. When implementing the proposed solution, the memory capacity required for its implementation is allocated.The data storage device can be an HDD, SSD, RAID array, network storage, flash memory, etc. The device enables long-term storage of various types of information. The system has standard means for connecting and operating peripherals and other devices, such as USB, RS232, RJ45, COM, HDMI, PS / 2, Lightning, etc. Network interaction means are selected from a device that ensures the network reception and transmission of data, such as an Ethernet card, WLAN / Wi-Fi module, Bluetooth module, BLE module, NFC module, IrDA, RFID module, GSM modem, etc. The means ensure the organization of data exchange via a wired or wireless data transmission channel, such as WAN, PAN, LAN, Intranet, Internet, WLAN, WMAN, or GSM. The device components are connected via a common data transmission bus.

[0015] A scanner may contain laser or LED equipment, or a camera for scanning the recording medium. Laser and LED scanners contain laser emitters and LED emitters, respectively, for irradiating the recording medium, and a reading element that receives the beam reflected from the barcode. A scanner may be an imager or a photo scanner, in which information is captured using a miniature camera built into the housing. Scanning is also possible with any other camera, including a computer camera, such as a smartphone camera.

[0016] An interface is a means of inputting and outputting information and may include a keyboard and screen, a touchscreen, a computer mouse, a joystick, etc. An interface may be part of an information system or a scanner.

[0017] The scanner can be wired or wireless, meaning it can be connected to the computing system either wirelessly or wired. The scanner can be integrated into a single housing, along with the computing system and interface, in a mobile device, such as a smartphone (where the camera is used for scanning, the smartphone's hardware is used for computing, and the touchscreen is used for the interface).

[0018] The method is implemented by disabling the barcode scanner if the computer system is unready to accept information about the next barcode, preventing data loss. Unreadiness of the computer system may be caused by the inability to process new data due to delays or other operational pauses. Some scanner applications require additional input from the user—for example, to identify unrecognized barcodes, batch numbers, serial numbers, or other product details. If such data is not entered, the system is also unready to accept information about the next barcode. Additional data is entered through an interface element.

[0019] The scanner reactivates as soon as the computing system is ready to accept new input, allowing the user to resume scanning. This approach is applicable to various types of scanners, including wired, wireless, and those embedded in mobile devices, and significantly improves the reliability of barcode scanning systems in environments such as warehouses and retail stores. There are several ways to implement the shutdown mechanism, depending on the capabilities of the scanner hardware and software:

[0020] 1. API or command control: If the barcode scanner supports API control, the computing system can send a command to turn off the laser beam. This does not require completely powering down the scanner; it simply disables the beam from activating when the trigger is pulled, thereby pausing the scanning process until the computing system reactivates it.

[0021] 2. Firmware-Based Shutdown: If firmware control is maintained, the scanner can be placed into a shutdown state, whereby pulling the trigger does not activate the beam, but other systems remain active. This minimizes delays when resuming scanning.

[0022] 3. Scanner Power Off: In situations where more granular control is unavailable, the computer system can power off the scanner by turning off its power. Although this method may introduce a restart delay, it is useful when more precise control methods are unavailable.

[0023] Thus, when the scanner is disabled via firmware, the scanner firmware automatically turns off the laser beam immediately after scanning a barcode. The scanner remains disabled until the software sends a command to re-enable it. This method allows the scanner firmware to take responsibility for the shutdown.

[0024] When the scanner is disabled by the computing system, the computing system actively manages the scanner's state. After receiving a scanned barcode, the computing system software immediately disables the scanner by sending a command or by powering down the scanner. When the computing system software is ready to accept new input, the scanner is reactivated.

[0025] Both options disable the scanner until the system is ready to accept new input, preventing data loss during system failures. The scanner is reactivated when the computing system signals that it is ready to accept a new scan. This ensures that the scanner operates only when the system can process the input, optimizing accuracy and speed and reducing the number of incorrectly scanned recording media in environments such as inventory, retail, and logistics.

[0026] In these application materials, a preferred disclosure of the implementation of the claimed technical solution was presented, which should not be used as limiting other, particular embodiments of its implementation that do not go beyond the scope of the requested scope of legal protection and are obvious to specialists in the relevant field of technology.

Claims

Formula 1. A method for controlling a scanner, which includes a step of determining the degree of readiness of a computing system for data input by reading a barcode, wherein in the event of the computing system not being ready to receive information about a barcode, a control signal is sent to the scanner that blocks the ability to read barcodes, and in the event of the subsequent readiness of the computing system, a control signal is sent that unblocks the ability to read barcodes, wherein the unreadiness of the computing system occurs in the event of failure to enter into the system information related to the last read barcode by input through an interface element.

2. The method according to paragraph 1, wherein the control signal is generated by the built-in firmware of the scanner.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the control signal is generated by software of the computing system.

4. The method according to paragraphs 2-3, in which the ability to block the reading of barcodes is ensured by disabling the laser or LED, or the scanner camera with a control signal, and unblocking by turning on the laser or LED, or the camera with a control signal.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the laser, LED, or camera is turned off without completely turning off the power to the scanner.

6. The method according to claim 4, wherein the laser, LED or camera is disabled by completely turning off the power to the scanner.

7. The method according to paragraphs 1-6, in which the scanner is wired, wireless or built into a mobile device.