Information gathering and decoding apparatus and method of use

US9569763B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Datalogic USA, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Harold C. Clifford · Eugene, US
• Paul Duggan · Cambridge, GB
• Bruce Paris · Eugene, US
• Jeff Robson · Eugene, US
• Michael John Webb · Sydney, AU
• Alexander M. McQueen · Eugene, US
• Jonathan Paul Hewitt · Watford, GB
• Gianfranco Tibaldi · Bologna, IT
• Daniela Tangerini · Bologna, IT

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 19, 2009
• Grant date: Feb 14, 2017
• Expiry date: Sep 26, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06Q20/202
• WIPO field: IT methods for management
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

An information gathering and decoding apparatus includes two information gathering devices that communicate with one another, preferably wirelessly. The two information gathering devices may be used substantially simultaneously to process one, or multiple, customer orders. Customer order information is sent from one information gathering device to the other, and only one of the information gathering devices communicates with a computer system to send information from both of the information gathering devices to the computer system as if the information originated from the one information gathering device. Communication between the two information gathering devices combined with a microprocessor in at least one of the information gathering devices may allow the information gathering and decoding apparatus to be used with existing computer systems, such as point of sale systems, preferably without modifying the computer system. One information gathering device may pre-qualify customers to purchase restricted items. The second information gathering device may access the pre-qualification from the first information gathering device to process sales of restricted items to customers.