Barcode Scanner Adapter for Mobile Supply Ordering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Businesses face inefficiencies in maintaining stocks of consumable supplies due to tedious manual processes and the challenge of uploading data from remote locations without reliable internet connections, especially when dealing with diverse stock items from multiple vendors.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a portable barcode scanner connected to a mobile phone device via protocols like HID, CDC, or SPP, which uses a scanner adapter application to parse and upload order data to a listener server for processing into electronic orders, enabling efficient supply ordering even without direct internet access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a portable barcode scanner is used for supply cataloguing, then data collection efficiency is improved, but compatibility issues arise when the scanner output protocol (HID, CDC, or SPP) is not recognized by the mobile phone device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary translation layer that converts scanner output from HID, CDC, or SPP protocols into a format recognizable by the mobile phone. This intermediary translation mechanism resolves the incompatibility between diverse scanner protocols and the phone's data processing capabilities, enabling seamless data collection without requiring protocol matching.
2Extent of automation
If third party software suites are installed on customer computer systems, then automated supply ordering capability is improved, but customer security policies may prevent installation
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables the mobile phone device to perform self-service by natively processing scanner data through built-in or pre-installed applications. Instead of requiring third-party software installation on restricted customer systems, the phone uses its own capabilities to capture, process, and transmit supply ordering data, bypassing installation restrictions while maintaining full automation.
3Measurement precision
If vendor agents visit customer facilities to assess stock, then accurate inventory data is obtained, but data transmission to vendor is hindered by lack of reliable internet connection
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary data capture and storage directly at the customer facility using the mobile phone's local storage capabilities. Inventory data is collected and saved on the device before transmission, allowing agents to work offline in areas without reliable internet. The data is then transmitted when connectivity becomes available, ensuring both accurate measurement and reliable transmission.
4Device complexity
If manual supply ordering process is used, then no specialized equipment is needed, but the process becomes very inefficient when managing hundreds of diverse supply items
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical processes (handwritten records, phone calls, physical inventory checks) with electronic digital systems. The mobile phone and barcode scanner automate data capture, processing, and transmission, dramatically improving efficiency for managing large numbers of diverse supply items while requiring only common portable devices rather than specialized equipment.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for ordering supplies, includes a portable barcode scanner configured to output data according to at least one of an HID, CDC or SPP protocol. A mobile phone device incapable of recognizing and parsing data when the data is configured according to the HID, CDC or SPP protocol is connected to the scanner using a communication connection. A scanner adapter application on the mobile phone device, which receives the output data comprising order data, is configured to parse the order data and pass it to an upload application having a current data field that receives at least part of the order data. A listener server configured to receive the at least part of the order data from the upload application processes the order information into an electronic order, and sends the electronic order to a vendor server.