Server-Based Character Set Management for Product Terminals
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing product information reading terminals, such as the BEETLE/iCheck G, face challenges in managing character sets for different languages and regions due to limited flash memory capacity, requiring an efficient method to update and manage character sets across multiple devices.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that utilize a server system to manage character sets by registering end devices, determining necessary character sets, and transmitting only identifiers and updates, allowing for efficient configuration and updating of character sets without the need for complete data transmission, ensuring compatibility and version management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the flash module is made large enough to accommodate all character sets, then all character sets can be stored locally, but the device cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The character set storage is segmented into two parts: a small local flash module on the device for storing essential character sets, and a remote server system for storing the complete character set library. This segmentation allows the device to maintain minimal local storage while accessing comprehensive character sets through network connections, resolving the contradiction between storage capacity and device cost.
Solution Approach 2:
A server system acts as an intermediary between the device and the complete character set library. The server stores comprehensive character sets and provides them to devices on demand, allowing devices to access extensive character set support without requiring large local storage capacity, thus maintaining low device costs while ensuring comprehensive character set availability.
2Reliability
If complete character set data is transmitted to each device, then all devices have full character set support, but the transmission time and network bandwidth are excessively consumed
Solution Approach 1:
Only the essential identification information (headers) of character sets is extracted and transmitted to devices, rather than complete character set data. The actual character set data remains on the server and is transmitted only when specifically requested and needed, dramatically reducing transmission time and network bandwidth consumption while maintaining the ability to provide complete character set support when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The server pre-processes and stores character set identification information (headers) that allow devices to quickly identify available character sets without receiving complete character set data. This preliminary action enables devices to make informed decisions about which character sets to download based on their specific needs, avoiding unnecessary data transmission.
3Ease of operation
If character sets are manually configured on each device, then precise control over character set installation is achieved, but the complexity of device configuration and maintenance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device automatically performs character set configuration by reading its own identification information, comparing it with the server's character set catalog, and autonomously downloading required character sets. This self-service approach eliminates the need for manual configuration while maintaining precise control over which character sets are installed, reducing configuration management complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the device reports its current character set status to the server, the server determines which character sets are needed based on this feedback, and then provides the appropriate character sets. This automated feedback loop simplifies configuration management while ensuring the device has the correct character sets for its specific application.
4Duration of action of moving object
If all character sets are pre-installed on devices, then immediate character set availability is ensured, but the device memory usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The character set storage system transitions from a static pre-installed model to a dynamic on-demand model. Essential character sets are pre-installed for immediate availability, while additional character sets can be dynamically downloaded when needed. This dynamic approach ensures immediate availability of critical character sets while minimizing overall memory usage by only storing character sets that are actually required.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
The method involves transmitting information about actual stored character set to a storage region of a product information retrieval terminal. A test is made whether the information complies with configuration assembly of the character set by a server system. A defective character set is transmitted to the terminal when the information do not comply with configuration assembly of the character set. The character set in the terminal is erased before the transmission of the character set. A table is formed from header information by the server system. An independent claim is also included for a product information retrieval terminal comprising a reading unit.