Removable Processor Mobile Headset for Hands-Free Data Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Automatic Identification and Data Capture (AIDC) technologies, such as RFID, face limitations in enterprise-level deployments across various industries, particularly in leveraging real-time visibility and data capture for products throughout the supply chain and industrial production, necessitating improved systems for reading product indicia.
Innovation Solution
A mobile computing headset system with a wearable data-capture accessory that includes a product indicia reader and communication modules, enabling hands-free, voice-activated data capture and transmission, utilizing 2D imagers or UHF EPC readers, and supporting Internet-based communication protocols like 802.11a, 802.11b, and 802.11g, with a removable processing module and noise-canceling audio for improved voice recognition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a distributed architecture with RFID devices and EPC technology is used for automatic identification, then real-time visibility and data capture capability are improved, but device complexity and infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile computing device integrates multiple functions including RFID reader, 2D imager, voice recognition, and wireless communication into a single handheld device, eliminating the need for separate distributed RFID infrastructure and multiple specialized devices while maintaining real-time data capture capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines product indicia reading, voice recognition processing, wireless communication, and data transmission into a single integrated mobile computing device, simplifying the system architecture while preserving real-time visibility and data capture functions
2Ease of operation
If hip-mounted computers and cabled headsets are used for data capture, then data capture functionality is provided, but operator mobility and ease of operation are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the data capture functionality from the operator's body by using a handheld mobile computing device with integrated voice recognition, eliminating the need for hip-mounted computers and cabled headsets while maintaining hands-free operation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile computing device includes integrated voice recognition software and noise-canceling audio processing that automatically processes voice commands without requiring external headset equipment or complex mounting infrastructure, making the device self-sufficient for hands-free operation
3Productivity
If keypad-intensive operations are used for data entry, then data capture accuracy is maintained, but productivity and speed of operation decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical keypad input with voice recognition software that processes spoken commands, eliminating the need for physical keyboard interaction while maintaining data capture accuracy through voice-to-text conversion and noise-canceling audio processing
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system facilitates efficient hands-free data capture in applications like inventory management and shipping, eliminating the need for current hip-mounted computers and cabled headsets, offering non-keypad intensive operations and enhanced voice command recognition, thereby improving productivity and flexibility in enterprise-level deployments.
Implementation Method 1
noise-canceling audio for improved voice recognition
Implementation Method 2
capable of receiving and sending radio communications
Data Source
AI summary
A system for reading product indicia includes a mobile computing headset and a wearable data-capture accessory. The mobile computing headset preferably includes a removable processing module shaped and sized to be attachable to the wearable data-capture accessory and one or more communication modules to communicate information between the data-capture accessory and existing infrastructure devices. The data-capture accessory includes a product indicia reader and a communication module for transmitting information to and from the mobile headset.