GB2045487A - Data collection equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

Equipment for use in collecting data from forms has a keyboard, an indicator, a processing unit, and control parameter memories (P1-Pn). In use, a form is placed on a receiving panel, and one of the memories (P1-Pn) which pertains to the kind of form in question is selectively connected into the equipment. The selected memory sequentially illuminates appropriate light-emitting elements at the form- receiving panel so as to give a visual indication of the different form captions under which data is to be collected. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Data collection equipment The present invention relates to data collection equipment for collecting data from forms, of the kind comprising a keyboard, an indicating means, a processing unit, and a plurality of memories.

Conventional terminal equipment for data collection generally includes an image screen with programmed captions. However, captions are not normally processed in a computer, and therefore such programming of same undesirably takes up storage space. Also, it is very often difficult for an operator to get a form and the displayed image to "match-up" i.e. to register properly with each other. Further, if a form has to be altered, the computer program must also be altered in such a system.

A form can contain considerably more information than an ordinary display screen, which screen is normally the same size as an A4 format, but only contains about 1900 characters. An A4 sheet which has been fully written on can contain 6000-12000 characters, depending on the type and spacing used. An A4 form can thus have on one-third to one-sixth of its surface a number of characters corresponding to the total number which can be accommodated on an A4 display screen. Also, the characters on an A4 sheet are clearly readable and without flickering.

An object of the invention is to provide simple, cheap and intelligent data collection equipment enabling reliable data collection from different types of form.

According to the invention therefore there is provided data collection equipment, especially for collecting data from forms, having a keyboard, an indicating means, a processing unit and a plurality of memories, characterised in that there is provided a form-receiving location, on which energizable light-emitting elements for denoting form captions are arranged, and that said memories consist of control parameter memories which are selectively connectable in the equipment and which are arranged respectively to effect sequential control of appropriate said light-emitting elements which pertain respectively to different predetermined types of form.

In a first embodiment of the invention, the form-receiving location or panel is provided with fixed caption labels at the light-emitting elements, corresponding to the different types of form to be used.

In a second embodiment of the invention, the form-receiving location or panel is arranged such that the different types of form to be used can be placed on such location or panel, the form captions being identified directly on a properly positioned form by the light-emitting elements shining straight through said form.

Preferably, the light-emitting elements comprise LED's and the indicating means comprises a single row indicator.

The data collection equipment in accordance with the invention has several advantages in comparison with previously known equipment having a corresponding function.

In particular, since it does not require expensive components, such as a disiplay screen, the equipment can be manufactured at a very attractive price, and can thus be installed at different locations where data is accumulated.

No extra costs need arise for programming for the supplier or buyer, since programming can be done once and for all. Very rapid program changing can be effected with the selectively connectable control parameter memories.

Great operational reliability can also be achieved due to the absence of moving parts, such as recording discs or cassette tapes.

Finally, the data collecting equipment in accordance with the invention can be very easy to handle for the user, since it utilises direct involvement of the data collecting medium, i.e. the form. The operator can have a definite indication of the item he is dealing with the whole time, and the arrangement may be such that he does not need to move his eyes to any notable extent. The equipment thus need require no appreciable training time and can be easily used, even by a person not acquainted with typewriting.

The invention will now be described further by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a block diagram of one form of data collecting equipment in accordance with the invention; and Figure 2 shows a perspective view of such equipment.

In the block diagram of Fig. 1, a central processing unit CPU, e.g. a microcomputer, is connected to a form-receiving panel FP provided with LED's, and also to an indicator IND, a keyboard KB and a data bus DB. To the data bus DB there are connected: a data memory DM, a buffer memory BM, a program memory PM and a plurality of controlling parameter memories P1-Pn, insertable in the equipment. The data bus DB may furthermore be connected to other peripheral equipment P, such as a writer, transmission adaptor, etc.

The data collecting equipment functions as follows. In the program memory PM there is a general program which can perform all conceivable checks on input data. The checks to be carried out for the individual forms are defined in the controlling parameter memories P1-Pn, there being one memory for each type of form, each field in these memories being specified in relation to a particular position on the form and a particular kind of data check.

For example, a field can be specified in the following way: P, V, 40, 60, where P is the position or LED number; V is the value check; and 40, 60 are the values this field may have.

In the program memory PM there are also other program functions which can be controlled by function keys, such as the keys TOT, PRINT, TRM etc. (Fig. 2), which will be described in more detail below.

In use, an operator places a form on the form-receiving panel FP and switches on the equipment. A first LED normally lights up to denote that a program number should be selected, and the operator then keys in, on the numerical keyboard KB, the number of one of the controlling parameter memories P1-Pn inserted in the apparatus and corresponding to the form being handled. The LED's on the form-receiving panel which are under the captions on the form then light up successively, said captions acquainting the operator with the kind of information he is required to feed in via the keyboard KB.

During input of data, the operator is thus guided by these LED's, which, in order, identify on the form the appropriate fields for data input. The information keyed in on the keyboard KB is shown on the indicator IND at the same time as it is stored in the buffer memory BM and is checked by the program controlled by the parameter memory. After each data input for a specific field, a key TAB (Fig. 2) is depressed, and if the operation has been effected incorrectly a warning signal is emitted. When the entire form has been dealt with, a key REG (Fig. 2) is depressed, to transfer the information fed into the buffer memory BM to the data memory DM, in which the form data in question is stored item by item.

The function keys in the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 2 have the following tasks: FIX With this key the operator specifies that the information fed in shall apply to all subsequent forms. This information can be the data or department, for example.

LOCK The field is closed against input.

FREE Fix or lock are released.

TOT By depressing the key TOT the operator can obtain the sum of all the values in the data memory DM of the field when the appropriate LED is illuminated.

CLR Clearing or erasing of the current field in the buffer memory BM and indicator IND.

BACK The previous field is shown on the indicator.

BACK REC The previous item is brought from the data memory DM and the field is shown on the indicator when the appropriate LED is illu minated.

RWD REC The next item is taken from the data memory, and the field is shown on the indicator when the appropriate LED is illuminated.

SRCH Search. The program searches for an item which has the value given by the operator in the field the LED of which is illuminated.

TAB This key is depressed when the operator has completed the data input for the current field. The LED for the next field is illuminated.

REG This key is depressed when the operator is ready with the form. The information in buffer memory BM is then transferred to the data memory DM.

PRINT The information in the buffer memory BM is written out with the aid of a printer.

TRM The information in the data memory is transmitted to other equipment.

For transferring information in a communications system, e.g. for reporting, the equipment described above can also serve as receiving equipment, the receiving operator only needing to inspect the indicator with a form in place to provide the captions. This method has the advantage that most often only a numerical keyboard is required, since the receiver is also provided with the text alternative (a numeral) intended by the transmitter. The equipment can also be provided with different types of printer and an alphanumerical keyboard.

Claims (5)

1. Data collection equipment, especially for collecting data from forms, having a keyboard, an indicating means, a processing unit and a plurality of memories, characterised in that there is provided a form-receiving location, on which energizable light-emitting elements for denoting form captions are arranged, and that said memories consist of control parameter memories which are selectively connectable in the equipment and which are arranged respectively to effect sequential control of appropriate said light-em itt- ing elements which pertain respectively to different predetermined types of form.

2. Data collection equipment as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said form-receiving location is provided with fixed caption labels adjacent the light-emitting elements, and corresponding to the different types of form to be used.

3. Data collection equipment as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said form-receiving location is arranged such that different types of form to be used can be placed thereon, the form captions being identified directly on a form by the light-emitting elements shining through the form.

4. Data collecting equipment as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that said light-emitting elements consist of light emitting diodes and that said indicating means consists of a single row indicator.

5. Data collecting equipment substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.