JPS63502060A - Data acquisition system for trade exhibitions - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] This invention relates to the field of remote data acquisition and, in particular, to commercial exhibitions. , data about participants at exhibitions, conferences and other gatherings and gatherings of people. In many jobs in the business world, many companies compete for market share. If the company exhibits its products and services and distributes promotional materials, On the other hand, a trade exhibition that attempts to attract new business from participants at such gatherings Attending exhibitions, exhibitions, conferences and other large gatherings or gatherings of people is prohibited. This is not uncommon. This gathering can be retail oriented, in which case the seller Consumers who should purchase their products, either directly or through a distributor trying to influence people. Other gatherings, especially trade exhibitions, distribute products manufacturers or retailers, where manufacturers sell products in addition to products from other manufacturers. or to a distributor or retailer to start carrying a new product in its place. trying to make an impact. Large gatherings, such as exhibitors at conferences Exhibit products aimed at attendees. For example, exhibitors at medical conferences typically manufacturers and distributors of medical devices and supplies; providers of services to physicians; Including.

The main intent of each exhibitor at trade exhibitions and other gatherings is to To obtain as much information as possible and to express interest in the seller's products and services. attempt to establish long-term relationships with participants. Seller typically participates Promote to participants with address and phone information so they can obtain additional materials. Provide materials for Sellers may run out of promotional materials at gatherings or You may have additional materials to offer to potential loyal customers. do not have. In this way, sellers can take care of themselves to ensure that new contacts are followed through. You must obtain the names and addresses of attendees who visited your exhibition.

Typically, sellers provide the names and names of attendees who are interested in their products and services. To follow through on contacts made at gatherings by obtaining addresses; We also seek to provide a means for sellers to offer a variety of products and services. , i.e. provides an indication of the indicated interest. For example, a seller consisting of Please provide a postcard with your address on it so that it can be mailed. Provide a simple questionnaire for participants to fill out and ask questions about the participants. Fill in the information and rely on the notation using the code written on the back of the business card. child These methods are inefficient and often ineffective for many reasons.

For example, participants may be reluctant to fill out postcards or questionnaires; The seller's experience is long enough for the seller to obtain information from a significant number of participants. Participants may not be willing to wait in the exhibit area, or participants may not be willing to wait in the exhibit area. You may not have as many business cards as you need.

Obtaining information from participants is just a way of solving the problem for the seller. These followers Information provided by traditional methods will eventually be transferred to postal or telephone lists. and thus when transcribing the participant's identification data and interests. It gives you the opportunity to make mistakes. Attendees at a gathering typically sell products and services from different sellers. have different levels of interest in the service. For example, participants consisting of additional While some participants may only be interested in printed matter, others may be interested in the product or service. You may be interested in purchasing the Another participant is a product or service You may wish to enter into a lengthy discussion with the seller regarding the issue. typically changes in Seller's interest in each of the products and services offered by Seller. It is difficult to maintain separate records of participants for each level. stomach In the event of a discrepancy, we will continue to be responsible for all contacts made at gatherings such as trade exhibitions. Traditional methods of attempting to accomplish this are haphazard and time consuming at best. , is inefficient.

In this way, sellers can make further contact with participants who have expressed an interest in their products. The process of obtaining information from participants at a trade fair can be automated to There is a need for a means to One such means is Bo No. 4,233.661, issued to 1 t on) et al. Each participant at the gathering must have a credit card issued in a similar manner. Equipped with a badge. Participants then mark their name and address on the question card. Show the seller his or her badge. In this way, exhibitors can It merely provides a written record of the participant's visit. participants computerized 5. To get the list. Seller must ensure that the information is computer-recorded from the question card. Arrangements must be made to have it transferred to a storage device. This probably requires extensive labor. Manual processes that are essential and inherently introduce errors during transcription into computers It is. In addition, Participant may purchase one or more of Seller's products or services. If the exhibitor or participant is merely interested, the seller or participant should include the participant's specific information on the question card. Interests must be entered manually. Later, the seller's employees will ask participants how to Manually determining which promotional materials should be sent Must decide whether participants should be called directly for immediate sales do not have.

Commerce exhibitions and other gatherings typically feature a variety of vaguely interconnected products. organized to promote For example, a typical indoor and outdoor exhibition is This may include items such as dishes, dishes, furniture and garden equipment. Exhibits at medical conferences Relatively inexpensive items like books, disposable items like syringes and gloves, etc. This can range from very expensive items such as the latest electronic monitoring equipment. each Attendees are typically interested in only a small portion of the products and services on display. have Especially when the organizers of the gathering do not have related products in the same area. Is there a particular product or service on display that the participant is interested in? It is not feasible for participants to explore all passages to determine It is not uncommon for gatherings to be so large that the In this way, join A person can identify which sellers are promoting products and services that are of interest to him or her. In addition, the minimum amount for participants to visit the seller may also be determined. How can you decide which seller to visit as per your time requirement? There is a need for such a means.

Commercial trade exhibitions, exhibitions, conferences, etc. typically attract buyers and retailers to retail stores. attended by distributors and distributors. Other meetings are attended by doctors, lawyers, businessmen, etc. It will be done. These people are generally not completely separated from the day-to-day tasks of their regular work. Furthermore, business transactions or other events that require their attention may be You have to wait until the next time to go back to your hotel room or call the office. It needs to be easily touched so that there is no contact between the two in the gathering. many conference generals Facilities and other gathering places may be equipped with public address systems when there are thousands of participants. call participants for all messages that need to be communicated, but It is not practical to go out. Typically, the gathering organizer makes the call Limiting messages to emergencies and, on the other hand, limiting messaging services to gatherings. Restrictions are placed on notices affixed to notice boards in fixed locations. In this way, people or of transactions and events that require her attention. Even without interrupting the gathering with constant loudspeaker announcements. To find messages for participants without the need for participants to regularly check notice boards There is a need for means of

Summary of the invention This invention is a system for successfully handling information at multiple exhibitions in gatherings of people. be. The system receives identifying information about multiple participants at the gathering. including data processing systems for The system also provides a port for each participant. data tuple identification means. In a preferred embodiment, the portable identification means It is ji. The system further uses each participant's respective portal identification means. including a first means for encoding a unique identifier for each participant. preferred In a preferred embodiment, this first means favors the badge with alternating black and white stripes. This is a barcode printed on the

This system is also used for portals associated with each of multiple sellers in a gathering. a device for decoding the unique identifier in the identification means and associated with the second means; a digital data storage means for storing a digital representation of each of the discriminators; 2. Preferably, the second means provides export information to each of the plurality of sellers. This is a transmittable identification reading mechanism. A transportable identification sequencer is encoded therein. Sensing the identification code on each of the portable identification badges to determine its own identification code including the means to The transportable identification sequence mechanism is further sensed and encoded. means for converting the identified identification code into a digital representation of the identification code; and digital data storage means for storing the digital representation. transportable identification The retrieval mechanism further includes data entry means, and an operator of the retrieval mechanism enable input of at least one code representation of response information received from .

Preferably, the data processing system of the present invention receives identification information from each seller.

Identification information preferably includes the first list of products and services offered by each seller. the second category of participants for whom the products and services are intended; Contains a list of. The identifying information received from each participant is preferably Products and services offered by multiple sellers and sellers' Participants are classified according to the categories listed by the seller in the list in 2. At least one category includes a third list. Data processing systems have multiple An initial list of products and services offered by the seller and the participants have expressed interest. further compare the third list of products and services that participants expressed interest in. Create a production list of sellers who have Preferably, the production list is the seller's The outputs listed in the output list are listed in order and the participants Make it possible to visit exhibitors' exhibitions and minimize the distance that participants must travel when visiting exhibitors. All you have to do is move it.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the data processing system is a digital data processor. connectable to each of the transportable identification mechanisms associated with each of the sellers via a link. be. The transportable identification readout mechanism associated with each exhibitor is a digital data link. It is equipped with a data transmission means for transmitting digital data via the A digital representation of the identity of the participants visiting each exhibition of the product is thereby stored in the data. be transmitted to a processing system; In an exemplary embodiment, digital data The data link can be transported in multiple ways to receive the data stored in each of the readout mechanisms. A portable data retrieval and storage unit that can be transported to each of the functional identification readout mechanisms. It is. Portable data retrieval and storage units are further integrated into data processing systems. and a data processing system for transmitting the received data to the system.

Preferably, the data processing system identifies the attendees who visited each of the exhibitor's exhibitions. including means for providing each exhibitor with an overview of the Also preferably, data processing The system sends a set of mailboxes containing the names and addresses of attendees who visited each exhibitor's exhibition. Includes means for providing a label for use.

The system of the invention further preferably includes a means for displaying a message. Including steps. Message display means to unique identifiers and relevant participants. Each of the Portable Identification Badges to display the message intended for Each responds to a unique identifier.

This invention also applies to multiple participants and exhibitors at trade fairs, exhibitions, conferences or Includes methods for managing attendance information in multiple exhibitions at other gatherings. This person The badge is coded with a unique identification number that is readable by electronic means. providing each participant with a means of identification, such as: Preferably your own Identification is coded using a barcode. For example, barcodes can be read optically. There may be alternating white and black stripes available. The method of the invention further provides an identification method. to read out the coded identification and to store the digital representation of the unique identification. Provide each seller with electronic means, such as a transportable identification mechanism, to including doing. The method of the invention further includes processing data from a transportable identification readout mechanism. including periodically transmitting a digital representation of the identification to the system so that the data is by a data processing system to provide an overview of the participants at each of the exhibitions. Be open to manipulation.

Preferably, the methods of the invention further include products and services in which the participant has expressed an interest. entering information representative of the transportable identification into a transportable identification reading mechanism. Also preferable This method represents each participant's level of interest and the seller's products and services. This includes the step of entering information.

As revealed above, this invention is suitable for commercial exhibitions and other large gatherings. How we obtain, maintain and use information about participants and exhibitors and equipment. The apparatus of the method includes a data processing system. There is only one method for this or more information regarding the exhibitor's location within the exhibition area and information provided by the exhibitor. including compiling information about the products and services offered; Be able to be classified into one or more categories.

Preferably, the method further comprises grouping each participant so that it can be easily identified. Obtain a short list of biographical-style information such as name, address, and phone number from each participant at Including. For example, at a trade show, exhibitors typically sell They want to know if it's a person, a retailer, a distributor, a manufacturer, etc. At the medical conference, the exhibitor wants to know whether the participant is a doctor, business owner, or purchasing agent. in this way , the seller will determine what the participant's potential purchasing power is and how this contact can determine how much effort should be expended in carrying out the . The information available from participants is preferably shared with each participant during the group visit. Contains a list of products and services that may be of interest to you. Each participant has a unique identification number and Identification means such as badges on which a unique identification number is permanently encoded It is equipped with Preferably the encoding is an optically readable barcode.

Preferably, each Participant also owns the products and services listed by the Participant. and even more preferably a list of each of the exhibitors at the gathering promoting the Exhibitions can be visited to save participants' time and travel while visiting gatherings. It has a pseudo-date that gives a suggested order.

The device of the invention further senses the identification number on the participant's identification badge and decodes it. Contains its own portable data acquisition unit that includes electronics to read data. Po The tuple data acquisition unit also decodes the identification number digits. and providing each seller with at least one portable data acquisition unit.

The identification badge of each participant visiting the seller is the seller's portal data acquisition unit. A digital representation of the participant's identification number is read out by the Portal Data Capture stored in data storage memory within the storage unit. The identification number is preferably the participant Display of products and services that may be of interest to you and provide references for products and services. stored with an indication of the participant's level of interest (for example, level 1 participants may want more printed materials, and Bell 2 participants may want more printed materials. Level 3 participants may be interested in purchasing products, and Level 3 participants may be interested in purchasing Level 4 participants may be interested in learning more about products and services. Are you and would you like to call us directly after the trade exhibition to discuss further? (maybe). Level of interest preferably from keypad with data acquisition unit into data storage memory.

Storing level of interest in products and services with participant identification A reasonable level of effort is required to later retrieve information and follow through on each participant. Provide sellers with a means to exercise their power. Interest level depends on specific sellers sells according to the information it wants to obtain from each participant visiting its exhibition. This is a user-limitable guideline that can be changed from a seller to a seller.

In accordance with this invention, identification numbers, products from many participants who visited the exhibitor's exhibition and indication of interest in the Services and indication of level of interest in Portable Data. The acquisition unit stores the data as digital data in a data storage memory. good Preferably, the portal data acquisition unit is Contains an electronic clock that is set when the product is prepared for purchase. this clock may be implemented in software or in electronic circuitry. clock is good Preferably the current date stored in the data storage memory along with information from each participant. Provides a digital display of the date and time of day. Many exhibits at trade exhibitions Digital data from the Portal Data Acquisition Unit of the Portal Data Acquisition Unit is A computer capable of manipulating data from data storage memory in a data acquisition unit. transferred to a data storage device in a computer system. Many sellers at the gathering The information from the tuple data acquisition unit is thus implemented in the computer system. It can be used for statistical analysis by software programs that perform gathering Exhibitors at the event should preferably report daily attendance at the gathering, and if participants are interested. statistical information regarding the categories of products and services held, and at each of the exhibitions. It is equipped with a numerical display of attendance.

This invention preferably applies to those participants who express an interest in each seller's products and services. is used to provide each of the exhibitors with a specially prepared postage list. mail The usage list is preferably provided immediately after the gathering and is alphabetical. Seller's products and services by postal code, by postal code, or by participant Any other information that Seller desires to facilitate the mailing of additional promotional information regarding provided in order. The invention preferably applies to products and services in which participants have expressed interest. Each participant has the ability to provide mailing lists to sellers according to the categories of Promotional materials or other business activities mailed to be able to adapt to the Additionally, sellers should preferably ensure that participants Freedom of choice about receiving a postal list listed according to the level of has. In this way, participants who only wish to receive additional printed materials can print will receive the goods. Participants who wish to purchase a product will be contacted by a salesperson. will be contacted later. Participants desiring to become distributors may establish such relationships. will be contacted by someone within the seller's organization who will be responsible for establishing the further Those participants who need immediate information will receive a phone call. In this way, each The Participant preferably represents his or her own interest in each Seller's products and services. be treated according to their level of interest. Participants also follow participant categories. can be listed.

For example, are individual participants only sent retailer brochures and listings? Maybe. Retailers may be contacted by local distributors. to the manufacturer Potential distributors are those with an appropriate level of responsibility for the seller's organization. May be touched by objects. All of this information is collected from participants during their initial registration. Based on the information and the information entered into the data storage of the data acquisition unit? may be provided to the seller.

The mailing list preferably mails promotional materials specifically adapted to the group. printed postal labels ready to be used by sellers for or, more preferably, the list is in the form of a data diskette or or other transportable medium, and a postal list is provided to the seller for future mailings. and make it available.

As revealed above, this invention also preferably provides Including methods and apparatus for communicating messages. Message at Commerce Exhibition Once received by the correspondent, the message is sent to a message storage device that stores the message. input to the display system. In a preferred embodiment, a message display The system includes the data processing system and the message display system includes the data processing system. have access to the participant's information in the data processing system; Metsuse Messages stored on the page display system are Identified by participant identification number. The message display system is identified by a badge. The participant's badge to the badge reader mechanism associated with the display terminal that reads out the separate number. one or more display terminals that are selectively activated by insertion of a have

The identification number is the same as the stored identification number associated with the stored message. data processing system to be compared. message display system If you have a message intended for a participant, that message is a standard CR. Visual display at display terminals such as T displays, LCD displays, etc. displayed on the screen. In an alternative embodiment, the display terminal is Includes an inexpensive printer that prints message information on paper so participants can or have an easy-to-read copy of the message information that she can carry with her.

Brief description of the drawing Figure 1 shows a data processing unit and associated peripherals, as well as multiple portable devices. 1 is a diagram of the invention showing a data acquisition unit and a message display system; FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the stem.

Figure 2 shows the barcode symbols and start/stop symbols for numbers 0 to 9. 1 illustrates an example barcode for use with the invention of FIG.

Figure 3 shows the starting symbol, followed by the symbol for the test total number, followed by 8. An example bar showing eight symbols for the identification number followed by a stop symbol Illustrating code identification.

FIG. 4 is an example showing a barcode identification positioned close to one edge of a badge. This example shows the badge shown below.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a portal acquisition unit of the present invention showing a badge There is.

Figure 6 shows a sensor for detecting barcode information on a badge, and a sensor for detecting the presence of a badge. A hard copy of the information obtained from each participant is printed. The port in Figure 5 shows the printer and associated paper rollers for printing. FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the tuple data acquisition unit.

FIG. 7 is a partial plan view of a badge detecting the switch and sensor of FIG. 6; .

FIG. 8 shows an exemplary microprocessor used in the portable data acquisition unit of FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a processor control data sensing and storage circuit.

Figure 9 shows the map of Figure 8 in response to barcoded information from the badge being read. 1 is an example voltage waveform of data input to a microprocessor;

Figures 10a, 10b, 10c and 10d are from the barcode sensor. The microprocessor of FIG. 8 for inputting data from the and keypads. control, store data in the data memory, and then transfer the data to the data processing unit. 1 is an exemplary flowchart of a program for transmitting a .

FIG. 11 is an exemplary registration for a trade show, exhibition, conference, or other gathering of people. 2 is a pictorial block diagram of the data flow in the system of the invention during the stages; FIG. Ru.

Figure 12: A trade exhibition, exhibition, conference or other gathering of people is in progress. FIG. 2 is a pictorial block diagram of the data flow in the system of the invention between FIG.

Figure 13 shows the situation after a trade exhibition, exhibition, conference or other gathering of people has ended. 1 is a pictorial block diagram of data flow in the system of the invention; FIG.

Figures 14a-14m illustrate exemplary business exhibitions, exhibitions, conferences, or other Data processing unit of this invention before, during and after a gathering of people This is a flowchart of the program within.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE OVERALL SYSTEM FIG. It is a system block diagram of an example. It consists of three functional subsystems, viz. Registration and reporting subsystem or data processing subsystem 100 for sale remote data acquisition subsystem 102, and message subsystem 104. include. The registration and reporting subsystem, in the preferred embodiment, C, IBM-PC/XT, or other small business-use computer with data processing capacity. or a personal computer. preferably data processing unit 100 is a rigid disk drive or other large data data storage means and later on at trade fairs, exhibitions, conferences, or other gatherings of people. Allows information received from sponsors, exhibitors, and participants to be stored.

Preferably, the data processing unit 110 and its associated data storage means are dual is provided and operated as a redundant system to provide data to the data processing unit 110. data inputs are stored in at least two separate and independent storage units. Make it. Thus, in case of a failure in one processing unit or storage unit , stored data will not be lost. Moreover, only one data processing unit It operates on multiple processing units or one data storage unit. The data processing unit 100 is connected thereto in data communication via a data link 114. It has a data input/output terminal 112 that allows information to be sent to the data processing unit 110. Furthermore, the data in the data processing unit 100 can be accessed by the operator. be displayed for further investigation. In a preferred embodiment, the data Power/output terminal 112 is a key provided as part of data processing unit 100. board and display.

The data processing unit 110 is connected to a dot matrix processor via a data link 120. printer, high-speed line printer, or data processing unit 110. Report printer 122, which can be other means for creating a printed copy connected to. Print as such, as will be explained in more detail below. The data provided will be exhibited at trade fairs, exhibitions, conferences, or other gatherings of people. This is an overview of the participants and their activities.

The data processing unit 110 further connects to a label printer via a data link 124. 126. Label printer 126 is a dot matrix printer, high speed line printer, letter quality printer, or its name and address on the label. to print labels for use in mailing information to the people marked on the label. There may be other means of

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, data link 124 and label printer 126 may be the same as data link 120 and port printer 122.

In such an alternative embodiment, the paper used to print the report may be No need to replace it with a readily available format that has a postal label affixed to it It just is.

Data processing unit 110 further includes a floppy disk via data link 130. The drive mechanism unit 132 is connected to the drive mechanism unit 132. Floppy disk drive mechanism 132 There are many easy-to-use methods for writing digital data to flexible magnetic media. It can be any one of the possible floppy disk drive units. Ta For example, the floppy disk drive mechanism 132 is an 8-inch floppy drive mechanism, 5 ゜Can be a 25 inch floppy drive mechanism or a 3 inch floppy drive mechanism Ru. Alternatively, floppy disk drive unit 132 may be a tape drive. may be replaced by a structural unit.

The data processing unit 110 also communicates with the badge printer 1 via a data link 140. 42. Badge printer 142 is preferably white and non-printed. High resolution, dots that create a pattern of alternating black stripes interspersed with dark areas. It is a matrix graphics printer. Barcode information is like the raw material for business cards. Printed on above average weight paper with a flat surface texture. Preferably, The paper on which barcode information is printed can be used as a badge on the printed unit. badge size by perforations or other means so that it can be used as A continuous Feed paper (i.e. sprocket or bin feed). favorable fruit In some embodiments, badge printer 142 also prints the participant's name, job or organization, and affiliation. on badges at trade shows, exhibitions, conferences, or other gatherings of people. Print human-readable identifying information on the badge, such as other pertinent commonly found information. to As is known in the art, dot matrix printers print alphanumeric information. It can be easily adapted to print both information and graphics information. Ba There is no barcoded information printed on the badge. In a preferred embodiment, barco The coding information is a matrix 2 of 5 code, explained more fully below.

Report printer 122, label printer 126 and badge printer 142 are It can be the same printer by giving it the appropriate paper.

The seller remote data acquisition subsystem 102 includes a plurality of portable data acquisition units. Includes cuts 200, 202 and 204. Only three data acquisition units Although only shown in Figure 1, a typical seller remote data acquisition subsystem Stems are available to each exhibitor at a trade show, exhibition, conference, or other gathering of people. may contain hundreds of units, each with its own individually consecutive units. Dew. Thus, the three units shown are for illustration only and this It does not represent any system limitations.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the portal data acquisition unit 200 is intangible. , the data link 210 includes two data processing units 110 connected to.

Similarly, the portal data acquisition unit 202 and the portal data acquisition unit Units 204 are connected to data processing units by data links 212 and 214, respectively. It can be connected to port 110. Portable data, as explained in more detail below. The data acquisition units 200, 202 and 204 are initialized with information to be considered for listing. and further information about the attendees who visited the exhibitor's exhibition via the portable transmission unit 200, 202 and 204 to the data processing unit 110. It is only connected to the data processing unit 110. In this example, the data acquisition unit Knits 200, 202 and 204 one unit at a time, data processing unit 1 It is possible to connect to 10. However, a person skilled in the art can prepare for connecting the data. will recognize that it can be done. Data link 21 in the illustrated embodiment 0.232 and 214 are standard TTL (transistor transistor logic) Ru. Other interfaces such as fiber optic, infrared radio, RF etc. can also be used. I can stay.

Portable data acquisition unit 200.20, as disclosed in detail below. 2 and 204 are badges 350 printed by barcode printer 142. and means for sensing the encoded identification information. Portable data acquisition unit 200.202 and 204 are portable data acquisition units 200.202 and 204 are connected to the data processing unit 110 to further transmit information to the portable data Transmission from acquisition units 200, 202 and 204 to data processing unit 110 Stores the identifying information printed on the badge until and data storage means for retaining the data. Portable data acquisition unit 200. 202 and 204 are further questions asked by exhibitors to participants at the exhibition. Contains a means for manually entering information that is a response to. Digital display of response - Portable data acquisition unit in conjunction with the identification information read from the coded badge. stored in the data storage means within the set.

In the preferred embodiment, the data input/output terminal 112 and associated data processing unit The host 110 may also be used to attract participants and exhibitors at trade shows, exhibitions, conferences or other gatherings. Message data used to receive and store messages on behalf of the customer. is part of the display subsystem 104.

If the message is received by another person via telephone, telegram, or personal visit, this The message is sent to the data processing unit 110 via the data input/output terminal 112. and the message is stored along with an identification code for the participant for whom the message is intended. can be applied.

Message display subsystem 104 further includes a message display unit. Bars for sensing barcoded information on knit 250 and participant badges Includes a code reader 252. The message display unit 250 is electrically A data link 254, which may be optical, radio frequency, etc., connects the data processing unit. connected to port 110.

Identification badge 350 is sensed by barcode reader 252 and a code is read thereon. When the barcoded information is read from the badge 350, the identifying information is Data link from the sage display unit 250 to the data processing unit 100 254. The software within data processing unit 110 is Additional information may be stored in connection with a message input to data processing unit 110. cause the information to be compared with the identifying information provided. Identification information is associated with the message If the identification information matches, the digital representation of the message will be sent to Datalink 2. 54 in which it is displayed in a visually reproducible format. is transmitted to display unit 250 so that the participant receives his or her message. be able to take it.

Message display unit 250 preferably displays messages or parts thereof. via data link 254 to indicate that the has been received and understood. A participant may activate and send a signal back to the data processing unit 110. At least one touch responsive area or switch 256 is included. After that, data processing Unit 110 may send further parts of the message or send an indication that the message or more messages are not available to the participant. obtain.

Message display subsystem 104 also has its own data entry terminals and and a message storage means. But long Message display subsystem 104 responds to participant and exhibitor information. A message display bar advantageously used in this invention to have access to The code format is illustrated in FIG. As illustrated in FIG. Each of the zero decimal digits may be represented by five alternating white and black bars; White bars reflect light and black bars reflect virtually no light. 5 bars each Among the numbers, two bars are approximately three times as wide as the other three bars, which are narrow bars. It is a wide bar with a width that In this way, the barcode illustrated in FIG. It is called the "Matrix 2 of 5" code. For example, number 0 is a narrow bar 270, followed by a second narrow bar 272, followed by two wide bars 274.27 6, represented as a third narrow bar 278 following it. barcode reader during the transition from the reflective part of the barcode to the non-reflective part of the barcode and vice versa. A wide bar or Determine whether the narrow bar has bussed to the sensor.

(Margin below) As further illustrated in Figure 2, there are four barcodes used in this invention. a single wide bar followed by narrow bars 282, 284, 286 and 288 Includes start/stop symbols including 280. The start/stop symbol is preferably a barcode. The beginning and end of the identification number is barcoded to identify the beginning and end. can be attached to

An exemplary barcode 300 representing a participant identification number is illustrated in FIG. Figure 3 The example barcode 300 includes a start symbol, six zero symbols, and four , a 2 symbol, another 0 symbol, and a stop symbol. Also illustrated in Figure 3 Each symbol is marked by an additional narrow bar marked bars 301-311 so that Separated from the next trailing symbol. If a narrow bar is considered to have a single width and If the wide width is considered to have a width of 3, each numeric symbol has an additional spacebar of 30 When 1 to 311 are included, it occupies a width of 10. Similarly, start and stop symbols The above number has a width of 8 when the additional space bar is included.

This invention allows participants at a trade show, trade show, conference or other gathering to have 24 It is identified by an identifier containing binary digits (bits). The binary representation of identification is 8 are classified into octal digits (i.e. eight groups of three binary digits). Ru. Thus, a unique identification number of 16,777.216 is obtained. With this technology As is well known, only the numbers 0 to 7 are used in octal notation. Illustrated in Figure 3 In the example barcode shown, nine octal digits are placed between the start and stop symbols. provided. The rightmost eight digits are the unique participant identification number listed above. It is. The leftmost number (i.e. between space par 301 and space par 303) (represented by a barcoded symbol) represents a unique identification number. The checksum digit is defined by checksumming eight octal digits. It is.

In the preferred embodiment, the checksum is equal to even digits (i.e., the leftmost digit starting with , add every other digit), then add the odd digit, then add the odd digit This is done by multiplying the sum of the digits of a number by three. even digits The sum is added to the multiplication product and the result is divided by ten. two's complement after division is the value of the checksum digit. Barcode is read by barcode reader After the detected barcode is converted into a digital representation of the identifier, A similar mathematical process on the odd and even digits of the own discriminator results in the same checksum digits. or an error is indicated and barcode sensing is repeated. Should.

Example participant badge description FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a badge 350 made in accordance with the present invention. example As shown, badge 350 is advantageously 2 inches tall and 3.5 inches wide. This is possible with printers such as the Epson FX100 printer that have graphics capabilities. Common and easily available for heavy continuous paper that can be automatically fed through the printer available format. Written in conjunction with Figure 3, as illustrated The barcode 300 printed on the badge 350 is printed near the bottom edge of the badge 350. It will be done. Preferably, the location of barcode 300 relative to the bottom of badge 350 is is a substantially constant distance from the bottom edge of badge 350, so that the The bottom edge is where the barcode 300 is sensed by a barcode league or other device. Have standards when you should be. Accurately place the barcode 300 on each badge shape This is easily accomplished with printers that have tractor feed or pin feed; are available on the market. The barcode 300 shown in FIG. described above to produce a pattern of overlapping points positioned on the edge 350. is created by using the graphic capabilities of Epson printers.

As also illustrated in FIG. 4, barcode 30 is located near the bottom edge of badge 350. The same printer that prints 0 also prints in a human readable format. The name of the participant is printed on the badge 350, so the badge 350 is used as an identification badge. It also performs normal functions. As is customary with such badges, the participant's company or other group affiliations and home addresses of its participants printed on badge 350. Can be linted.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, barcode 300 is placed on the front surface of badge 350. Human-readable identification information is printed on top. If you call it aesthetic It is desirable that barcode 300 not appear on the front of badge 350 for some reason. Additionally, badge 350 may be printed in two stages.

During the first stage a barcode identification number 300 is printed on the back of the badge 350. Ru. For example, paper with sequential barcodes 300 in which the numbers are consecutive can be printed sequentially on one side. The continuous form is then turned upside down and printed. Printer 142 (first printer) is positioned to receive printer information. The next sequentially printed registration number will be printed next. placed so that it is positioned on the back side of the paper to be printed. In this way, the identification number Once assigned to a participant, human-readable information completely fills the badge 350. printed on the front side of the badge shape corresponding to its identification number for identification purposes.

Instead, badge 350 prints human-readable information in one form. and insert the barcode 300 upside down and backwards onto the next continuous sheet. can be made by printing on. Two continuous sheets of paper are two sheets of paper that are one sheet of paper. The first sheet of paper removed from the printer as a unit is in front of badge 350 and A second sheet of paper with barcode 300 is placed near the fold at the bottom edge of badge 350. The desired fold is made at the joint between the two sheets so that they are positioned closely and on the back side. Other printing methods may also be used to achieve this result. For example, barco Positioned on one side of a conventional identification badge to create an identification badge 350 with a code. A separate adhesive-backed barcode label may be used. Either Even so, the resulting badges are advantageously coated with a clear coat to increase their durability. Can be applied with a thin layer of laminated or other materials.

Although explained above with Matrix 2 of 5 barcodes, other barcodes may also be used. can be used to encode the user's identity on the badge 350. moreover, Other machine-readable identification means may also be used (e.g. coded magnetic strips, etc.). However, barcoding converts barcodes into badges. Standard and readily available dot-matrix for printing on 350 It was chosen as it is economical and easy to implement using a splinter. has been selected.

Description of an Exemplary Portable Data Acquisition Unit Description of an Exemplary Portable Data Acquisition Unit 200 is illustrated in FIG. The data acquisition unit 200 is a button It includes a keyboard 400 that resembles a numeric touchpad used in. Portapul Data acquisition unit 200 further includes a display 402, which is preferably In the embodiment, it is a liquid crystal display (LCD). Also preferably, the display 402 sends a message to the operator of the portable data acquisition unit 200. Contains two lines of 16 alphanumeric indicators used for display. example key Board 400 has 12 keys, which are ported via display 402. Entering numerical data in response to questions from the tuple data acquisition unit 200 I can do it. Keyboard 400 can support alphanumeric characters with other features if desired. Can be expanded to include additional keys to provide data entry capabilities as needed. Ru. In a similar manner, display 402 may be enlarged to display longer messages. Additional display lines and displays if display capability is desired. Additional characters can be given per play line.

Data acquisition unit 200 further has a left end 422 and a right end 424. It includes a slot 420. Identification badge 350 (FIG. 4) is located at left end 422. It is inserted into slot 420 and fed to right end 424 . Illustrated in Figure 6 The slot 420 provides a path for the badge 350 to pass through the optical sensor 430. It's on. In the preferred embodiment, the optical sensor 430 is a Heulet Paracard (H Packard) HBCS 1100 optical sensor. other light source A sensor may also be used. In short, the light sensor 430 receives the light reflected from the badge 350. and detected by a light sensing element (not shown) such as a phototransistor. A light source (not shown), such as a light-emitting diode, that generates light include. The detected light is as defined by the barcoded information on the badge. The sea urchin responds to the alternating reflective and non-reflective parts of the badge. Preferably a light source The light emitted and detected by the light-sensitive element is therefore in the infrared range; Therefore, ambient light has little or no effect on the operation of the unit.

Slot 420 has a bottom surface 432 on which a badge is inserted into slot 420. When the badge 350 is pressed, the bottom edge of the badge 350 slides. The optical sensor 430 is the badge 35 Barcode 3 printed on badge as 0 is moved along bottom surface 432 00 (FIG. 4) is at the same height and close to the sensor 430. 432.

A microswitch assembly 434 is mounted in groove 420 on the opposite side of sensor 430. I get kicked. Microswitch assembly 434 is inserted into badge slot 420. serves the dual purpose of holding badge 350 against sensor assembly 430 when and senses when the badge 350 is positioned relative to the sensor. My The position of the cross switch assembly 434 is determined by the thickness of the badge 350. regulated to be sufficient to activate. In a preferred embodiment, micro Switch assembly 434 typically includes a spring via that rests in knurled portion 438. is activated by the movement of the wheel 436 that is activated. Slot 4 at left end 422 The badge 350 inserted into the micro wheel 43 in a direction perpendicular to its axis of rotation by an amount sufficient to activate the switch. Push wheel 436 from knurled portion 438 to move 6. spring bias car Ring 436 causes badge 350 to be forced against the surface of slot 420. , where sensor 430 reads barcode 300 (not shown) on badge 350. (not shown) is mounted in close proximity to sensor 420.

As described in more detail below, activation of microswitch 434 The presence of 50 indicates that power is provided to the sensor circuit connected to sensor 430. and cause Otherwise, no power is provided to the sensor circuit. I like this In a new embodiment, the portable data acquisition unit 200 is completely portable. This is important because it is battery-operated in order to provide Referring to Figure 7, this FIG. 4 is a partial top view of lot 420 detecting the presence of badge 350 and sensor 4; microswitch assembly 432 such as pressing badge 350 against 30. Functionality is better recognized.

Referring again to FIG. 6, the portable data acquisition unit 200 further - includes a matrix printer 440, which is the main body of the data acquisition unit 200; installed within. In the preferred embodiment, printer 440 is located at 0505) Lance Romita Pro Bird 2780 No. 1 Epson φ America From Epson America, Inc. It is a Tuto-Matrix M-150 printer. This is at a rate of 1 line per second Print 16 characters per line on the calculation sheet. Of course other similar preliminaries A printer can be used. Additionally, the ability to print more characters per line. You can also use a printer that has one. The printer 440 has a standard roll 444 of calculation paper. A continuous supply of paper 442 is provided from. fed through printer 440. After the paper 442 is placed on the top surface of the main body of the portable data acquisition unit 200, Holding the paper in a substantially horizontal position under a clear plastic window 450 placed the first support 446 and the second support 448. after that , paper 442 is printed on paper 442 after it is printed and passes under window 450. is supplied to a take-up roll 452 that receives it. Window 450 is printed on paper 442. Provide a means to observe the information being displayed. By using the take-up roll 452 , if the portable data acquisition unit 200 is an eyesore, torn, or lost. This provides an important feature in that it does not generate wasted paper.

For the operation of the portable data acquisition unit 200, please refer to the block diagram in FIG. can be further understood by.

In FIG. 8, sensor 430, microswitch 432 and printer 440 are They are given the same reference numbers.

Sensor 430 includes a light source 436A and a light sensor 430B. Microswitch 432 is connected to a voltage source shown as +V in FIG. Micro switch 4 32 is closed by the presence of badge 350 (FIG. 4), the voltage +V is amplified. A second voltage source with high current application capability is applied to the light source 4. Give 30A. Voltage +y is also provided to saturated DC amplifier 502. light source The light emitted by 430A is reflected from the white reflective portion of badge 350 and Detected by sensor 430B. Sensor 430B is reflected from badge 350. It generates an output voltage in response to the reflected light. Substantially white area of the badge is close to the sensor When doing so, a voltage of less than 0.6 volts is generated.

At least 3.5 volts are present when the substantial black area of the badge is in close proximity to the sensor. pressure is generated. The voltage from sensor 430B is applied to saturation via signal line 504. A current amplifier 502 is provided. A saturated DC amplifier 502 connects the signal on line 504 to It provides an output signal on line 506 in response. However, on line 506 The voltage is regulated so that it has high and low voltage levels on line 504. is substantially independent of the absolute magnitude of the cell voltage and substantially independent of the absolute cell voltage. is independent.

The output of saturated DC amplifier 502 on line 506 is provided to digitizer 510. , which detects the presence of barcode information 300 on badge 350 and Generates an interrupt on line 512 to processor 514. Interrupt on line 512 The barcode 300 is connected to the sensor to generate a changing voltage on line 506. is enabled as long as it is moved in front of the sensor 430B. Digitizer 510 also generates a changing signal on line 516, which corresponds to a changing voltage on line 506. Respond to levels. “The low signal level on line 516 is the bar on badge 350. A high voltage level on line 516 indicates the presence of a reflective portion of the cord and a high voltage level on sensor 4 30B shows the presence of a dark non-reflective portion of the barcode on badge 350 in front of 30B.

The signal on line 516 has the output of microprocessor 514 on line 522. is provided as one input of a multiplexer 520 that microprocessor 514 responds to the interrupt on line 512 and controls the optical response signal on line 516. programmed to gate into line 522 via multiplexer 520. It will be done. The changing signal on line 522 also controls the programming of microphone processor 514. interrupt the programmed operation. Microprocessor 514 also outputs a signal on line 522. Barcode wide and narrow bars by measuring the time between level transitions Programmed to differentiate between bars. During the transition, microprocessor 514 It has an internal timer to enable it to measure the time.

Microprocessor 514 processes the bar code described in connection with FIGS. 2 and 3. By decoding the time between transitions on line 522 according to the coding scheme , transforms the information obtained from the transition on line 522 into a binary representation of the participant's identification number. Advantageously, it is programmed to do so. Figure 9 is illustrated in Figures 3 and 4. 5 illustrates an example signal on line 522 that corresponds to a barcode. mentioned above As shown, the high voltage level on line 522 corresponds to the dark, non-reflective portion of the bar code. The corresponding and low voltage level corresponds to the light reflective portion of the bar code. Thus, the third The starting symbol for the barcode shown is from the low voltage level on line 522 to the high voltage level. is represented by the first transition up to 522. The mold pressure during period T1 is at a high level remains there and then transitions back to a low voltage level. High voltage level during period T3 The voltage remains at the front-voltage level of period T2 before changing back to zero. So After that, the voltage transitions to the front-voltage level for period T4 and then to a high voltage level for period T5. level and then to the frontage-voltage level during period T6. Illustrated in Figure 9 The time periods T2, T3, T4, T5, T6 and T7 are respectively the period almost one-third of T1, thus while the time period T1 corresponds to a wide bar. These correspond to the narrow bars on the barcode. Microprocessor 514 ( Figure 8) consists of five short inter-transition times as the starting pulse followed by a long inter-transition time. programmed to allow for pauses. In a similar manner, a barcode indicating 0 is the result resulting in two short periods (T7 and T8) between transitions, followed by two long periods (T9 and T10) and two shorter periods (T11 and T10) on line 522. 12) follows. Microprocessor 514 sets this time period combination to 0. be programmed to be recognized as

The microprocessor 514 of the preferred embodiment is available from IN Corporation and others. It is a handheld 80C39 single chip computer. microprocessor 514 is an external programmable read-only memory (FROM), preferably programmable read-only memory (FROM). gram memory 530, FROM is necessary to perform the functions described herein. programmed with software. Additionally, the microprocessor 514 reprogrammable data memory 532 via line 522. store the participant's identification code received from the barcoded badge 350. used for Furthermore, the data memory 532 is used to store additional information about the level of interest of the participants.

Microprocessor 514 has internal scratchpad memory and internal registers. However, these are used for temporary storage and manipulation of data.

As also illustrated in FIG. Connected to latches 550, 552 and 554. Latch 550 will be explained to those skilled in the art. It is used to control writing of data to the liquid crystal display 402 in a known manner. It will be done. Selected digital outputs from microprocessor 514 are latched 55 When latched by 0, the signal is output on line 556 to LCD display 402. given to. The signal on line 556 is the parallel data source for microprocessor 514. causing data on the data output to be gated onto the LCD display 402. vinegar. In a preferred embodiment, liquid crystal display 420 is manufactured by IEEE Industria. Available from Industrial Division This is the CD display numbered 3802-09-032. LCD display 40 2 selectively displays information on one of the 32 display units 411 (FIG. 5). A completely professional program that responds to data provided on line 558 to display is a programmable display device.

Second latch 552 is used to control keyboard 400. second la switch 552 provides four lines 56 as line inputs to keyboard 402. It has four active output signals on 0.562.564 and 566. keyboard 400 is line 570.57 provided as input to microprocessor 514 It has three column outputs on 2 and 574. performed in a manner well known in the art. Give one of the keyboard rows with one of the inputs 560.562.564 or 566 The signal sent to column output line 570.5 is if a key on the keyboard is pressed. 72 or 574 will generate an activation signal. Thus, line 56 by selectively strobing 0.562.564 and 566. microphone by observing the input from lines 570, 572 and 574. You can decide whether LoBrose or not.

The second latch 552 also has three Input to a decoder 590 that decodes the four lines to provide an output signal. gives four outputs on lines 580, 582, 584 and 586. La In 592 is any one of a number of audible sound generators operating at low voltage levels. is used to drive the display 600, which can be The display 600 does not require sound. The desired message will be displayed on the liquid crystal display 402. is activated to inform the operator of the tuple data acquisition unit 200. . For example, if an error occurs when entering input data into the keyboard 400? Or if there is an error when reading the barcoded information 300 on the badge 350. is detected, indicator 600 is activated to provide the operator with the appropriate error message. It is notified that the message is being displayed on the liquid crystal display 402.

Lines 594 and 596 are provided as inputs to motor controller 602. Mo The motor controller 602 is the motor power for the motors in the 16 column printer 440. It has an output on run 604. Line 594 is the start line, which is activated. motor controller 602 then provides power on line 604 to motor of printer 440. cause it to work. Line 596 is the stop line, which is activated. motor controller 602 turns off power from line 604 going to printer 440. cause disconnection.

When power is applied to line 604 and to printer 440, The motor is activated and moves across the paper in the printer to print in the printer 440. move the head. A signal is generated by printer 440 to activate the motor. Indicates that the print head is moving. The first signal on line 610 is ready This indicates that the print head is starting from the leftmost position. and The signal on line 610 indicates that the printhead is the rightmost printer in the printer. When it reaches the first row, it returns to its inactive state. The signal on line 610 is multiplexed. is provided as an input to the microprocessor 514 via the microprocessor 520 and thus Microprocessor 514 observes the state of line 610 and It is possible to determine whether or not the movement is between the margins of on line 594 The start signal of is provided as a control to multiplexer 520 and is on line 610. A signal is sent to the microprocessor 514 on line 522 when the printer is activated. Select as input.

When the start signal on line 594 is inactive, multiplexer 520 The second selection selects the output of barcode digitizer 510 in line 516. Printer 440 also sends a signal on line 612 responsive to printhead movement. Occur. The signal on line 612 is proportional to the speed of the motor and Occurs once for each location. The signal on line 612 is output by amplifier 614. is amplified and then provided as an input to microprocessor 514 on line 616. available. When the microprocessor detects an active signal on line 16, it The print head of printer 440 moves to a new column and receives a new print signal. is to be sent to printer 440. As mentioned above, Printer 440 can print 16 alphanumeric characters per line. each Alphanumeric characters are five dots wide with the sixth dot separating the characters. In this way, Each row of the linter has 96 dots. Therefore, on line 612 and line The signal on line 616 occurs 96 times between the left and right margins of the printer.

Microprocessor 514 has four lines 620.622.624 and 626 The printer 440 is driven through a third latch 554 that generates four output signals. move. Lines 620, 622, 624 and 626 are four channel dot drives. is provided as an input to the motion 630. Four channel dot drive line 620 ．． 622.624 and 626 and amplify the signals on lines 632.634.6 The signal outputs on 36 and 638 are provided to a print hammer within printer 440.

In the preferred embodiment, microprocessor 514 responds to each pulse on line 612 by Activate the two print hammers against it. The printer prints one line of dots at a time. The microprocessor 514 directly controls the print hammer. , printer 440 can be used for graphical as well as alphanumeric output.

Microprocessor 514 also includes microprocessor 514 and a data processing unit. 110 (FIG. 1). be done. Two-way data bus 646 connects microprocessor 514 to a two-way data bus. Interconnect with Tsuhua 640. Two-way data buffer 640 is connected to connector 646 The second data bus 644 is connected to a second data bus 644 provided to the second data bus 644 . Connector 646 connects directly to the data processing unit 110 and thus interconnect bus 210 of FIG. handle. Line 640 connects connector 646 to the input of microprocessor 514. Make them interconnected.

Line 650 indicates that the portable data acquisition unit 200 is connected to the data processing unit 11. 0 to make it available to microprocessor 514. or it receives data from the microprocessor 514. When interconnected to data processing unit 110 to indicate the Activated by knit 110. Line 652 is routed through first latch 550. from microprocessor 514 to connector 646.

Microprocessor 514 determines whether it has data available to data processing unit 110. or when receiving data or instructions from data processing unit 110. The signal on line 652 is activated to acknowledge the take. 2-way data buffer 640 is controlled by microprocessor 514 via line 654 and its Therefore, data passes through a two-way data buffer 640 from the sending device to the receiving device. Ru.

For example, data processing unit 110 sends data to microprocessor 514. If you indicate by activating line 650 that you have data for microprocessor 514 transfers two-way data from bus 6f44 to bus 642. level on line 654 to enable data flow through buffer 640. Select the file. The two-way data buffer 640 has at least a recognition signal on the line 65. enabled in that direction until sent by microprocessor 514 on 2 It will remain as it is. Conversely, if microprocessor 514 indicates that line 650 is has data to send by activating line 652 while active. , microprocessor 514 selects the signal level on line 654. data from bus 642 to bus 644 and from microprocessor 514. causing a flow of data to processing unit 110;

In the preferred embodiment, the two-way data buffer 640 is a portable data acquisition unit. It is not used except when the unit 200 is connected to the data processing unit 110. It is a TTL interface integrated circuit. 0.2 direction decoupling to avoid wasting power. Data buffer 7642 is a source of DC voltage on line 660 from connector 646. is provided. This power is used by the portable data acquisition unit 200 for data processing. provided by the data processing unit 110 when connected to the processing unit 110. Ru. Thus, the two-way data buffer 640 is connected to the portable data acquisition unit 2. It does not consume any power from the batteries in the 00. Therefore, obtaining portal data The life of the batteries within unit 200 is extended.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE FLOWCHART FOR OPERATION OF PORTAPLE DATA ACQUISITION UNIT FIG. 10 shows the software in program memory 530 of microprocessor 514. 1 illustrates an example flowchart for a. Portable data acquisition unit 2 00 is first turned on, the microprocessor 514 will reset to the initial starting location. As soon as it is reset, the software Program control of microprocessor 514 is triggered and various registers within microprocessor 514 are activated. Hardware initialization activity block where data and flags are set to well-known values. Enter 704. Additionally, a stop signal is activated to motor controller 602 (FIG. 8). and multiplexer 520 is activated to output digitizer 51 on line 516. Data from 0 is enabled on line 522 to microprocessor 514. .

Initializes hardware and configures registers and files within microprocessor 514 After clearing the lag, program control is explained in more detail in Figure 10b and 6 series. Branch through block 704 to the evacuation and analysis data subroutine that will do. In summary, the save and analyze subroutine is executed within microprocessor 514. Whatever may be in the various registers or scratchpad memory The data is also analyzed and any valid data in data memory 532 (FIG. 8) is deleted. avoid

Program control returns from the save and analyze subroutine via block 706. . It then enables the internal timer of microprocessor 514 and Processor 514 reads the barcode via line 512 and line 22, respectively. Activity enabled to detect interrupts and data from sensors enter block 710.

An internal timer in microprocessor 514 preferably clocks an internal timer every 60 milliseconds. is set to give a

The timer is set by the user of the portable data acquisition unit 200 to whether in response to various instructional messages displayed on the play 402; provide a means of determining whether For example, in the preferred embodiment, the user can You have two minutes to respond to the message and if any response If not received within, the software assumes that no response will occur.

After enabling the timer and barcode sensor, program control activity block where processor 514 is switched to an alternative lower power mode of operation. Transfer to lock 712. The 80C39 microprocessor specifically enters this mode. and is adapted to reduce its current consumption from approximately 7 milliamps to approximately 1 milliamps. It will be done. Similarly, program memory 530 may be used for low power operation of microprocessor 514. Since it is not used during a rotation stop, the current requirement of the program memory 530 is approximately 6. Reduced from 8 milliamps to 68 microamps. In this way, the emergency Much power is saved during low power shutdown mode. microprocessor 51 4 is an internal timer interrupt or an interrupt on line 512 from the barcode sensor circuit. activity block 7 in low power shutdown mode until interrupted by It is within 12. When an interrupt occurs, program control enters block 714; This is because the microprocessor uses an interrupt routine that will be more fully explained in Figure 10C. Cause to run Chin. In short, the program is a microprocessor 514 to determine the cause of the interrupt and response accordingly. Block Returning to block 716, program control is controlled by microprocessor 514 The data acquisition unit 200 is connected to the data processing unit 110 (FIG. 1). To determine whether the The process moves to decision block 720, which tests the status of link 650. If line 650 If a connection exists, indicated by the active signal above, the software processor 514 transfers to the host routine via block 722. 110, which inputs data from data processing unit 110. and output the data there. The operation of the host routine is described below with respect to Figure 10b. It will be explained in more detail below.

If there are no host connection requests, program control returns to decision block 720. moves to decision block 724 where the microphone processor, referred to as a flag, The registers in processor 514 are checked to see if a complete barcode has been read. and whether there is a timeout for data input by the user. decide. If neither the barcode flag nor the timeout flag is set, Program control is transferred again to activity block 712, where the software The microprocessor 514 returns to low power shutdown mode until the next interrupt. cause to enter. As mentioned above, the preferred embodiment uses a timer assignment. The microprocessor 514 does not remain in paper power outage mode for longer than that amount of time.

The barcode flag or timeout flag is determined by the software in decision block 724. If set when executing routine 726, program control 10B, where the software is again transferred to microprocessor 514 as shown in FIG. Execute the evacuation and analysis subroutines that will be described below for program control via block 730 to the evacuation and analysis subroutine. from the routine back to the main processing routine. Therefore, the program 732, where memory is checked to determine if it is full. It will be done. If memory is full, program control is activated by Activity Program 73. 4, where microprocessor 514 prompts the user for further barcodes. ``Memory Out'' appears on LCD display 402 to indicate that the memory card cannot be entered. is triggered to display a "full" instruction message.

In response to this instruction message, the user activates the portable data acquisition unit 200. should be taken to the data processing unit 110 so that the information contained therein is The data may be transferred to data processing unit 110. Deleting instruction messages when memory is full After displaying, program control is transferred to activity block 736, There, the most recently sensed barcode is discarded. Therefore, the program The control is activated as indicated by the corresponding connector symbol A in Figure 10A. It is transferred back to bitty block 710.

Referring again to decision block 732, if the memory is If it is not full when the The state of the registers is checked and the data is retrieved from the keyboard or barcode. Determine if received from sensing circuit.

If no new data has been received, program control is activated. Bitty block 710 awaits the data further described above. If new If invalid data is being received from the keyboard or barcode sensing circuit, the Gram control is transferred to decision block 742. Within decision block 742, the gram determines whether data is needed regarding the current inlet. parable For example, the microprocessor 514 can retrieve barcodes from each attendee visiting the trade show. Programmable to require only identification. In such a case, temporarily close the bar. Once the code is read, no further information is required and program control returns to block 704 where program control performs the following in connection with FIG. 10b. will be transferred to the evacuation and analysis routines described in . On the other hand, Mike Processor 514 is programmed to require input of information about participants. It is possible. For example, in one particular embodiment of the invention, one pellet of the unit Data inquires about attendees' interests in the products the seller is exhibiting. Will. For example, an exemplary exhibitor with a large number of products at its trade show may one or more in the portable data acquisition unit 200 in connection with barcode identification; It may be necessary to include more than one product code. In addition, the seller is the participant's level of interest in the product (e.g., do they print only or buy the product? , delivery of products or trade exhibitions, exhibitions, conferences or other gatherings are over. You may wish to know (such as whether you will be visiting soon).

The seller or participant category is individual, store owner, wholesaler, etc. You may also want to know if they are a vendor or manufacturer of new equipment. Not possible. To obtain this information, program control uses activity block 74. 4, where microprocessor 514 inputs the information requested by the user. Displays an instruction signal on LCD display 402 to indicate what should be done. Let them play. For example, the instruction message "Identify the participant" can be coded by the user. You can indicate that code 1.2.3 or 4 should be entered, and If the category is ``Individual'', ``Shop Owner'', ``Wholesaler'', or ``New Equipment Manufacturer'' ”. The number of programs corresponding to the identity of the category of participants It remains in the activity block 744 until the character is entered and the LC Respond by displaying the numbers entered on D-display 402 will. The user then confirms that the identification is correct by pressing the rENTERJ key on the keyboard. It can be notified by activating. In a preferred embodiment, the input oysters - is placed on the # key on a typical touch-tone keypad. If the user If you are not satisfied with the input, press the CLEARJ key (on a typical keypad). ) is activated and the other input is the first input. is carried out on behalf of.

Instruction message displayed by the portable data acquisition unit 200 A valid response to a message and an instruction message is that someone Renting knits 200 can be specified by each seller. In this way, - an outpouring of people Participant may choose to identify participants and their level of interest as described above. and other sellers may choose to obtain other information from participants. Maybe. For example, manufacturers or distributors of consumer products at retail-oriented gatherings. In addition to displaying each participant's reactions to the products and services exhibited, Participant's socio-economic information (e.g. age, gender, marital status, number of family members) etc.). Redefining instructional messages and responses Capability is an important characteristic, so the portable data acquisition unit 200 It can be used by different sellers who want different types of information from their visitors.

Information input via keyboard 400 shall be referred to as "participant response information" and desired by each seller according to criteria selected by each seller. can mean the level of interest information, socio-economic information or other information Wear.

Does the user fail to respond to the prompt message on LCD display 402? possible while program control is within activity block 744. be enabled.

Thus, microprocessor 514 can respond to timer interrupts. or in response to user-induced interruptions or prompt messages. Insert another badge into the Portable Data Acquisition Unit instead. If an interrupt occurs When the interrupt occurs, program control is transferred via block 746 to the interrupt routine; This is explained below in connection with Figure 10c. After the interrupt routine is completed, Program control returns via block 750 to decision block 752. Judgment Bro At block 752, the program detects whether the barcode flag or timeout flag is interrupted. During the handling routine, the microprocessor determines whether the cause to be inspected. If neither flag is set, this This means that the interrupt is simply a time interrupt or a barcode reading that is further advanced. The program control is based on the data entered from the keyboard. The activity data is stored in scratchpad memory for further use. 754. Program control then continues at decision block 742. 514 to determine if further information is needed from the keyboard. vinegar. As mentioned above, if more information is needed, program control again enters activity block 744 where it repeats the previous instruction message. or display a new prompt message. and waiting for a response. If not, program control returns to decision block 7. 42 transfers to block 744 to execute a save and analyze subroutine.

Returning again to decision block 752, if the barcode flag or timeout flag is set upon return from the interrupt routine, control transfers again to block 726. This causes program control to enter the save and analyze subroutine. Here, any data entered with the keyboard is the most recently read Evacuated in relation to barcodes. This is useful if the user wants to set time limits (and If you are unable to access the information released within 2 minutes (for example, 2 minutes) or if the second badge is Occurs if the requested information is read before being entered in relation to the first badge. Ru. The main processing routine then waits until memory is full or the portal data is filled. As described above, the acquisition unit 200 is connected to the data processing unit 110. It is repeated as h.

The interrupt routine is illustrated by the flow chart of Figure 10c. interrupt loop program control is entered via decision block 760 and program control is entered via decision block 7. 62. Within decision 762, the program causes microprocessor 514 to Interrupts can be triggered by data coming from the barcode sensing circuit or by an internal timer. Cause to determine what was caused from Ma. If it is an internal timer has caused an interrupt, control is transferred to decision block 764; There, the program causes microprocessor 514 to increment an internal register. This register causes the last instruction message to appear on the LCD display 40. When displayed on 2, it was reset to zero. The count in the register is almost 2 is compared with the maximum count corresponding to the minute and if the count exceeds the maximum count. , indicates that a timeout has occurred and the user has not responded to the prompt message. . If this occurs, program control is transferred to activity block 766. where the timeout flag is set and the timeout flag is set to notify other parts of the program that the timeout flag is Indicates that a has occurred. If a timeout occurs, program control is blocked. 770, which allows program control to be executed prior to interrupts. Causes a return to the software part. For example, the control is shown in Figure 10a. Either lock 716 or block 750 will be returned. judgment block Returning to 762, if the microprocessor 514 interrupts the barcode sensing circuit If the determination is caused by receiving further data from the Program control is transferred to activity block 722, where the microprocessor A sensor 514 measures the amount of time that has occurred since the last transition in the barcode pattern. Calculate. The amount of time that occurred is determined by the most recently detected long transition and the most recently detected long transition. For transitions with longer current time durations compared to the shorter time durations of transitions that were or short transitions. If this transition If the first transition corresponds to the beginning of a new barcode, the flag is Set to indicate the beginning of a new barcode. Similarly, if that transition starts If it is determined that the second transition corresponds to the end of the symbol, then the time from the last transition The duration between is saved as the current time period of the wide barcode. similarly , the time duration between the second and third transitions is narrower than the time duration of the barcode will be evacuated for a period of time. After that, for wide barcodes and narrow barcodes The time duration is continuously updated such that batch 350 passes in front of sensor 430. compensate for variations in speed. The transition of the sensed time period 66 is illustrated in FIG. The barcode pattern is generated corresponding to the number of transitions in the example barcode. It is accumulated as turn data. Current transition detected and time duration calculated If so, program control passes from activity block 772 to decision block 7. 74, where the number of detected transitions is compared to the number of expected transitions to determine if the number of transitions is sufficient. Determine if appropriate data has been received for the entire barcode.

If sufficient data has not been received, control is transferred to block 770, which Here, program control is the part of the software that is executed prior to receiving an interrupt. be transferred back to If not enough data has been received to indicate a full barcode. If so, control is transferred from decision block 774 to activity block 776; There, the barcode flag indicates to the software that enough barcodes have been received. set as shown in other parts of the software. Control is then evacuated and analyzed A flow chart of the subroutine is illustrated in Figure 10b. Evacuation and analysis sub Input to the routine is via block 780. Program control is block 780 is passed to decision block 782 where the barcode flag is set. is examined to determine whether it is If the barcode flag is set If so, program control is transferred to activity block 784, which Here, the barcode data including the digital representation of wide and narrow bars is batch 3. Each symbol within the 50 barcodes 300 is converted into a numerical representation. Then the pro The program control is transferred to activity block 786 and the received barcode corresponds to an acceptable barcode. Thus, before this In the example system described, the barcode consists of nine numeric symbols followed by a stop symbol. Must include the start symbol following the . Furthermore, each numeric symbol is a number from 0 to 7. Must be within range.

If the barcode is ever acceptable, the rightmost octal digit of 8 The test sum is computed as described above and the ninth checksum digit is to confirm whether the barcode reading was appropriate. If barcode If the barcode was inappropriate, the read error flag indicates that the barcode should not be used. set to instruct the rest of the program to do so. activity After completing block 786, program control is transferred to decision block 790.

Those skilled in the art will know which barcode formats are acceptable if other barcode formats are used. It would be recognized that the criteria for the code will also change accordingly.

Returning to decision block 782, if the barcode flag is not set. , control is transferred from decision block 782 directly to decision block 790 . this is the time Occurs when a pause occurs while waiting for a response from the user.

Within decision block 790, the scratchpad of microprocessor 514 is detected. Determine if there is current data to be scanned and saved. If it exists If so, program control is transferred to activity block 792, where the My The computer processor 514 has an instruction message "Evacuate data" on the LCD display. caused to be displayed on Ray 402 and accumulated so far. The data is printed to the printer. Then the program control is activity Moving to block 794 where the accumulated data is transferred to data memory 532. sent. The data transferred to the data memory 532 is transferred to the data memory 532. 0 to data processing unit 110 is lost before being transferred. In the event of a power outage in the portable data acquisition unit 200, the data will be printed on the printer as a backup. All data received is 440 paper, so the data cannot be manually recovered if lost. can be done. In the preferred embodiment, data is stored in memory 532 and The printed data further includes a digital display of date and time; Therefore, the exhibitor can keep a chronological record of the participants at the exhibition. this Date stamps are most often used for statistical purposes (e.g. to aid in staffing). can be used to determine the time when many visitors flocked to an exhibit). An example In this case, the date and time are held as a counter in the date memory 532 and stored in the data processing unit. information received from client 110 or input via keyboard 400. It is set first. The date and time are updated periodically with the internal timer discussed above. Ru. Instead, the date and time will be displayed in the microprogram when the current date and time are needed. A digital counter (Figure 8) accessible by processor 514 (Figure 8) (not shown).

After being transferred to step 532, program control is transferred again to decision block 790. Determine if there is more data to evacuate. If the data to be evacuated no longer exists, program control passes from decision block 790 to decision block 796, where it is set in the activity block 786. Possible read error flags are checked. If the read error flag is set If so, program control is transferred to activity block 798 where the program The microprocessor 514 displays an error message on the LCD display 402. 600. to indicate to the user that the last batch was not properly read. after that, Control is transferred to activity block 800 where a valid barcode flag is entered. The program is reset so that other parts of the program remain in scratchpad memory. Do not use saved barcode information. Controlled by activity block 800 to block 802, where program control is transferred to the save and analyze subroutine. transferred back to the part of the software that called the routine. In this way, the program system Control will return to either block 706 or 730 of Figure 10a.

Returning to decision block 796, if the read error flag is not set. , control is transferred from decision block 796 to decision block 804 where the The touchpad memory location is inspected and valid barcode data stored therein. Determine if the data exists. If valid barcode data is stored there If so, control passes from decision block 804 to activity block 806. will be moved to Activity block 806 includes scratch pad memory. The stored barcode is moved to the active barcode register and the valid barcode flag is barcode to indicate to other parts of the program that a new, valid barcode has been read. Sea urchins are set. As mentioned above, this flag is set in the decision block of Figure 10a. Lock 740 is tested.

Control is transferred from activity block 806 to block 802 where the program program control is returned to a portion of the program called a subroutine.

Returning to decision block 804, if there is currently no valid barcode data. , program control is transferred to activity block 810 where the program The RAM outputs instructions from the microprocessor 514 onto the LCD display 402. ``Card Ready'' page. this shall inform the user that all previous instruction messages are satisfactory or allowable time. indicates that the message has elapsed to respond to the last instruction message. thus, The portal data unit 200 is ready for the next batch to pass into the processor 430. is completed.

After displaying the instruction message “The card is ready,” RAM control is transferred to activity block 812, where the program triggers processor 514 to calculate the number of locations in data memory 532. new barcode identification and associated participant information data. available for storing data. After performing the calculation, an instruction message will be displayed. "REM free space" (corresponds to free space remaining) and available A numerical indication of the number of memory locations is displayed to remind the user of the portable data acquisition. The processing unit 200 is brought to the data processing unit 110 to process the data. Transferred to processing unit 110 so that data memory 532 stores further participant information. Gives instructions as to whether it will be cleared for. Program control is activated. From the activity block 812 to the block 802 is called a subroutine. Back to the software part.

A flowchart of the host routine is illustrated in Figure 10d. The host routine is activity block 820 and control is passed to activity block 822. be done. The activity block 822 module communicates with the data processing unit 110 and the ports. The data lines between the tuple data acquisition units 200 allow data to be transmitted in both directions. will be examined to determine whether If the data line is working If that is established, program control is transferred to activity 824; There, the program runs between the microprocessor 514 and the data processing unit 110. cause them to respond to their commands. For example, activity block 82 4 may be viewed as a series of decision blocks, which indicate that the instructions 10 to determine if it has been received. activity block A first decision block 826 within 824 determines whether instructions from data processing unit 110 data from the portable data acquisition unit 200 to the data processing unit 110. Check to determine if it is an instruction to send data. If the command is If the command is "send data", the program control is an activity block. 830, where the data in data memory 532 is transferred to data processing unit 1. Sent to 10. Optional data memory 530, such as barcode only Selected portions of data (not shown) are sent to data processing unit 110. It will be done. In a preferred embodiment, the entire contents of data memory 530 are stored in a data processing unit. Once transferred to the unit 110, the data sent to the data processing unit 110 is When the data is sent, it is checksummed. Mosiello 256 checksum and polynomial checksum The linear checksum, which is the sum total, is added at the end of the data, so 110 can determine whether the received data was transferred correctly. . After sending all data to data processing unit 110, program control Activity block 830 transfers to decision block 832 .

At decision block 832, the program is examined by microprocessor 514 and tuple data acquisition unit 200 disconnects from data processing unit 110 is determined by examining the instructions received from the unit 110. , determine whether it was a disconnect instruction. If a disconnection command is received If so, control is returned via block 834 to block 836 of FIG. 10a. , where the control returns to step 10a to reinitialize the microprocessor 514. Moving to block 702 of the diagram. If a disconnect command is not received, control Decision block 832 returns the data processing unit to activity block 822. Waits for the next command from bit 110.

Returning again to activity block 824, if the send data instruction If not received within activity block 826, program control is passed to activity block 826. 4, where the information received from the data processing unit 110 is transferred to decision block 840 within The instruction taken is an instruction to store data in data memory 532. is examined to determine whether it is. If it stores data instruction, program control passes from decision block 840 to the activity block. The data is transferred from the data processing unit 110 to the microphone lock 842. data is transferred to processor 514 and stored in data memory 532.

The data can be in any of a number of formats.

For example, the Portable Data Acquisition Unit collects the 16-bit identification associated with the seller. Each is given a number. Therefore, the data acquisition unit 200 processes the data. Once attached to unit 110, the seller may be identified. Other data memory 5 Other data transferred to 32 is the instructions displayed after a valid barcode is received. Contains message information. The instruction message information can be different for each seller. The ability to send instruction message information to the portable data acquisition unit 200 is limited to the device. The data acquisition unit 200 takes them to the data processing unit 110 to respond. exchanged within the seller simply by changing the message string cause something. After all host information is stored in data memory 530, The program control begins with activity block 842 and the decision block described above. 832.

Returning to activity block 824 and decision block 840, if the instruction If the instruction is not to store data, program control returns to decision block 84. 0 to decision block 844 where the output from data processing unit 110 is Whether the instruction is for erasing data in program memory 832 be examined to determine whether If the command is a "delete data" command, 846, where the program is transferred to microprocessor 5 bit block 846. 14 clears all accumulated data in data memory 532 and clears any Clears the counter to indicate that no data is currently stored in data memory. cause to do. Identification for the tuple data acquisition unit 200 a data memory 532 corresponding to a storage location for the message and a storage location for the instruction message; The part consisting of is not cleared by this command. In storage location for barcode identification Only the portion of memory that is corresponding and responsive to the instruction message is cleared.

After completing the activity within activity block 846, the program Control is transferred to activity 350, where the program cause the printer 514 to print a “page break” on the printer 440. Rub. This is a process in which the data printed on the paper after the page break is processed. This is done to indicate that it has been transferred to unit 110. In this way, too If manual entry is required due to memory loss, the data will be saved to the last page. It is only necessary to manually insert the cut b1 in the front. activity After completing block 850, program control returns to decision block 83, discussed above. Moved to 2.

Figure 11 explains the flow of data in the overall system. a pictorial illustration of the data flow of this invention during the registration phase of a meeting or other gathering of people; exemplify. The registration phase typically occurs before the gathering begins. For example, commercial Exhibitions, exhibitions, conferences or other gatherings are held long before their first day. Exhibitors and participants may be notified in advance of the gathering's sponsors. Can be registered. For example, exhibitors and participants may submit Seller Registration Form 900 and and a registration form, exemplified by participant registration form 902, can be completed.

These forms may be used to store information contained in the forms as described above, such as data processing system 110. data is sent to a central location where it is entered into a data processing system. Typically, Data is transferred from the paper to the data processing unit 110 via the data input device 112. , this device may be a keyboard of data processing unit 110. too Of course, as is well known in the art, such materials as punched cards, machine-readable forms, etc. Other means of data entry may be used. The data processing unit 110 is completely This is illustrated pictorially as a number of flexible disks 904 on which data is distributed. Illustrated with the seller's information file and a large number of flexible disks 906 Generates an information file for the participants who have been. Thus, this information is Another data processing unit 11 placed at a fair, exhibition, conference or other gathering of people 0. The same data processing unit 110 or the first data processing unit Files 904 and 906 generated by unit 110 can be read. Similar units 110 that can To continue to register for trade fairs, exhibitions, conferences or other gatherings. Used in Mari. At a place where people gather, display the exhibitor file 904 and participant file. Information from the module 906 is re-entered into the data processing unit for use in the collection. be done. Late registrations may be completed by manual data entry via data entry device 112. Information from processed and late registrations will be added to the seller file and participant file. It will be done.

As also illustrated in FIG. 11, data processing unit 110 is configured as described above. A participant badge 350 is generated as shown below. Preferably, pre-registered participants Badges 350 are made prior to the gathering. However, badges are standard The badge 350 can be made using a dot-matrix printer. and can be continued later with a gathering for registered participants.

As also illustrated in FIG. The information from the seller is connected to the data processing unit 110 and the information from FIG. Enter the Portable Data Acquisition Unit as described above in connection with Figure 10d. Powered. In a preferred embodiment, the Seller Registration Form 900 is used when an Seller visits a trade show. the categories of information that must be requested from each participant .

These categories are stored in the data memory 532 of the portable data acquisition unit 200. (FIG. 8) by data processing unit 110 as an instruction message stored in It will be formatted as Preferably, the portable data acquisition unit 200 is issued to sellers as soon as they are ready and before crowds begin. this invention In a preferred embodiment, participating in a trade show, exhibition, conference or other gathering. The information requested from each participant who registers to participate in the product list and/or Contains categories of products participants are interested in seeing in gatherings. For example, the illustrative At trade exhibitions of consumer products, some people are only interested in household goods, while others are interested in garden products. Some people are interested in the equipment used in Software in data processing unit 110 The software will interact each participant's interests with the products and services offered by the seller. Seller whose products and services are related to and of interest to participants Create a schedule 908 for each participant who is restoring. Preferably, Itinerary 908 for each participant is a trade fair, exhibition, conference or other gathering. The seller will be asked to write down the approximate location within a facility.

In this way, each participant can view the exhibits of sellers whose products and services are of interest to them. You can visit places in a planned manner.

Figure 12 shows this invention during trade exhibitions, exhibitions, conferences or other gatherings of people. This is a pictorial illustration of the flow of information.

Data processing unit 110 continues to be the focus of information flow within the invention. Before As described in It is handled by inputting data from a registration form 902. Participant badge 3 50 is generated by data processing unit 110 as explained above. Can be done. The participant badge 350 will also be posted to the port when the participant visits the exhibition hall during the meeting. 200 through the sensing part of the tuple data acquisition unit 200 and associated references. Participant information is manually acquired by the data acquisition unit 200 through the keypad of each unit. can be placed in As illustrated by the virtual line, the data acquisition unit 200 data is periodically provided to data processing unit 110 from data memory 532. Transfer participant information to processing unit 110 and clear data memory 532 Ru. Preferably, the data processing unit 110 is a fixed disk 910 or have other means of mass storage of large amounts of digital information. Portable data acquisition The information received from unit 200 is predefined as described above in connection with FIG. For each seller, along with the seller information and participant information entered during registration. It is stored in the fixed disk 910 as a visitor report file. periodically (with Visitor information for sellers stored in fixed disk 910 (e.g. daily) The files are aligned and printed as a series of statistical reports 912, which These are available to the sponsors of the gathering, who determine the participants at the gathering, Identify the most popular sellers and identify the products in which visitors are most interested.

Optionally, the participant information file for each exhibitor is stored in a series of magnetic storage units. 914, which may be something like a floppy disk; The data storage in the fixed disk 910 is freely available the next day and the visitor information The information is also saved in case of failure of data processing unit 110 or fixed disk 910. can be done.

In an alternative embodiment, the system of the invention further includes at least one portable host. 916 (shown in dotted line). Portable host 916 processes data I will bring the seller's portable data acquisition unit 200 to unit 110. Dump data from the portable data acquisition unit 200 at each exhibition hall. Used to type.

Portable host 916 is preferably a battery-powered microcomputer, Substantially the same data as the data interface of data processing unit 110 interface, so that each of the portable data acquisition units 200 The stored data that it has is thereby Portable host 916 in a similar manner as forwarding to data processing unit 110 Transfer to. Portable host 916 has sufficient data storage capacity, so , may hold data transferred from multiple portable data acquisition units 200. . Preferably, the portable host 916 is a flexible disk drive (not shown). data from the portable data acquisition unit 200. may be transferred to a flexible disk for temporary storage.

Portable host 916 is configured to host data in the same manner as portable data acquisition unit 200. data processing unit 110 and thus a portable data acquisition unit. Data received from 200 may be transferred to data processing unit 110. Poe The data interface of tuple host 916 can be reconfigured so that The data interface of the portal host 916 is the portal data acquisition unit. Emulates the Knit 200 data interface.

In this way, the data processing unit 110 determines whether it is the portable data acquisition unit 2 Portal host 916 in a similar manner as receiving visitor information data from 00 Receive visitor information data from. In this way, the portaple host 196 digital data between the data acquisition unit 200 and the data processing unit 110. Portable data acquisition unit 20 and data processing unit 110 as data link Works instead of a direct connection between.

Visitor information data from the data acquisition unit 200 to the portal host 916 The ability to transfer visitor information data is an advantageous feature. mediating the portal data acquisition unit 200 for transfer to the processing unit 110; Rather than having to take it to a central location, sellers can It is possible to operate with a minimum of interruptions to transfer data to the port 916.

This particularly applies to the portable data acquisition unit 200 to the data processing unit 100. The time spent in transport is greater than the time required to actually transfer the data. This is especially advantageous in large exhibition halls where there are many people.

As with data processing unit 110, each portal host 196 preferably Portable host 916 completely malfunctions during a trade exhibition or other gathering of people be configured with redundant systems to reduce the possibility of

For example, the portal host 916 preferably has dual Contains a microprocessor and dual data storage. Thus, the portaple The host 916 stores data from the portable data acquisition unit 200 in two storage units. Provides a means to store all of the data received, so one record Even if a storage unit fails, it does not cause data loss.

As explained above and in connection with FIG. a display unit 250 and an associated barcode reader 252. if The message represented by block 920 is sent to data processing unit 110 and If received at the registration center where the data entry device 112 and associated data entry device 112 are located, the The page is manually entered into data processing unit 110 and fixed disk data storage. It is stored in unit 910 as part of the message file. do that Prior to the message being sent to the intended person and the participation stored on the fixed disk 910. person information file to determine if the person is attending the meeting. and determine the identification number assigned to that participant. Identification number is for participants The message is stored on fixed disk 910 in association with the message. The participant When the barcode reader 252 passes through the barcode reader 252, the barcode reader 252 Aspects similar to those described above in connection with portable data acquisition unit 200 decodes the barcoded information 300 on the badge 350 and digitizes the identification number. the data processing unit 110; The data processing unit 110 An identification number is stored on fixed disk 910 in association with the received message. Compare with identification number. If the message passes through the badge reader 252 If the message was received for a missed participant, the message will be sent to the message display. transferred from fixed disk 910 to unit 250 and displayed in a conventional manner. It is done. As previously mentioned, message display unit 250 The participant can read the message displayed on the message display unit 250. includes a recognition switch 256 that can be activated by the participant to indicate reading the page.

Once recognition is received, data processing unit 110 processes the remaining attachments for that participant. Send a message from Canada. Switch 256 is activated after the last message is sent. When the data processing unit 110 receives the message from the fixed disk 910, Clear and make storage space available for other messages. one mess Although only message display unit 250 is shown, multiple message display units 250 are shown. The spray unit is used for commercial exhibitions, exhibitions, conferences or other gathering facilities. can be placed in multiple locations within the network so that participants receive messages periodically. can be examined to determine whether message in a manner well known to those skilled in the art. Display unit 250 may have a printer associated with it; A permanent copy of the message will be forwarded to the participant and printed for the participant's convenience. can be done.

Figure 13 follows the conclusion of a trade show, exhibition, conference or other gathering of people. The system of this invention used is illustrated. Fixed disk 910 or each output accumulated in floppy disk files 904, 906 and 914. Files of product information, participant information, and visitor information are stored in the data processing unit 110. used as data by Data management program within data processing unit 110 The program uses data to organize business exhibitions, exhibitions, conferences or other gatherings of people. Prepare reports for backers and sellers. For sponsor reports The names and addresses of all attendees at the trade show and the products they were interested in. Contains information such as categories. In addition, the sponsor's report will advantageously include each exhibition. A summary of exhibitors and their addresses and visitors on the show floor can be identified.

In this way, patrons can help organize the next trade exhibition, exhibition, conference or other gathering of people. To determine which exhibitors and participants you would like to invite to the party you are planning to sponsor, Contains the information necessary for The sponsor's report is shown in Figure 13 as document 930. has been done.

In addition to providing reports 930 to sponsors, the Gram is a set of postal labels 932 for trade exhibitions, exhibitions, conferences or other gatherings. The names and addresses of exhibitors and participants at the event will be restored and printed. can cause In a manner well known in the art, the labels are postalized in alphabetical order. number, product category or any other instructions requested by the sponsor. can be recorded.

In a similar manner, the program in the data processing unit 110 visits the exhibitor's exhibition hall. participants and their addresses and the products and product categories in which they expressed interest. A restore seller's report 940 may be printed. data processing unit 110 is thus sent to each seller by the seller's portal data acquisition unit 200. May provide a permanent record of the information taken.

In addition to the Seller's Report 940, the Seller shall comply with criteria selected by the Seller. A pre-printed postal label 942 can be provided that is prepared in advance.

(i.e. alphabetical order, postal code order, classification by product, participant Prepare postal labels (classification by category, classification by level of interest, etc.) It is especially useful for sellers with their own ability to create large numbers of sets of postal labels. For those wishing to do so, the data processing unit 110 will 1 with the participant information and address information from the postal label 942 mentioned in A set of flexible disks 944 can be made. In this way, the seller can transfer the data contained on flexible disk 944 to its own data processing system. can be sent.

Flowchart description for system software program Further details of the software program of data processing unit 110 are given in Section 14a. This is illustrated in Figures 14m to 14m.

Figure 14a is a flowchart for starting the system program and The main processing loop of a system program is illustrated below. Operation of data processing unit 110 Input from the system to the system program is through block 100.

Program control is transferred to activity block 1002, where instruction The data processing unit 1 is displayed on a CRT or other display unit. selecting an action from a list of actions displayed to the user in connection with step 10; request. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the user may select one of the following: can be done.

i.e. Enter exhibition data Enter your backer data Enter seller data Enter participant data Enter message data Enter system data Start making badges Start preparing the data acquisition unit Start creating a report that retrieves data from data acquisition units turn off logging User selections are entered from the keyboard and program control is from the activity block. Transferred to lock 1004, where program control corresponds to the selected operation. Branches to a subroutine. If the user chooses to enter trade show data , program control is transferred to block 1010, which indicates that program control Branch to Exhibition Data Entry Subroutine to be described below in conjunction with Figure 14b. cause to do. If the user chooses to enter patronage data, Program control passes to block 1012, which indicates that program control is shown in FIG. triggers transition to the patron data entry subroutine described below in connection with wake up If the user chooses to enter seller data, program control is transferred to block 1014, which indicates that program control continues in connection with FIG. 14e. Causes a transition to the Seller Data Entry subroutine to be described below. too If the user chooses to enter participant data, program control blocks 1016, which the program control is described below in connection with Figure 14f. causes the participant to be transferred to the participant data entry subroutine. If the user If you choose to enter system data, program control is performed at block 1020. , which means program control is transferred to the system described below in connection with Figure 14d. system data entry subroutine. If the user If you choose to enter the page, program control transfers to block 1022, which is a message input sub whose program control is described below in connection with Figure 14g. Causes a shift to routine. If the user wants to create a new badge If so, program control branches to block 1024, which Control is passed to the badge creation subroutine described below in connection with Figure 14h. and cause If the user chooses to prepare a data acquisition device, Program control passes to block 1026, which indicates that program control is shown in FIG. Retrieving data from the prepared data acquisition data acquisition device described below in connection with If so, program control branches to block 1030, which The program control is explained below in connection with Figure 14j. If you choose to begin, program control branches to block 1032, which The program control is related to Figure 14, Figure 14, and Figure 14M. Rub. Once all of the previously described subroutines have been completed, program control passes to block 10. 34 and then returns to the main processing loop via activity block 1002 , which causes the program sequence described above to be repeated. . If the user programmatically executes activity block 1002 If you choose to log off when prompted, program control The program branches from block 1004 to block 1036, where the program Exit to the system.

The program allows data processing unit 110 to perform any of the subroutines described below. While it is causing the badge 350 to run is read by barcode reader 252 in conjunction with display unit 250. or as a result of activation of switch 256 in connection with the message display unit. can be interrupted by being read by a recognition received as . This is emitted , program control is temporarily transferred to block 1040, which This is the beginning of the page display interrupt routine. Program control is a decision block. 1042, where the program is transferred to message display unit 2 Interrupt from 50 by new badge or previous message being read is triggered by activation of switch 256 to recognize. If new Once badge 350 has been read, program control is directed to activity block 10. 44, where the identification data from the badge is transferred to the message display unit. from the message file 250 to the data processing unit 110 and of the message file. It is compared to the identity stored in association with the message.

Program control passes from activity block 1044 to decision block 1046. transferred, where the comparison is checked and a message is sent to the participant associated with the identification number. Decide whether it was. If any message for that participant If not in the sage file, program control returns to decision block 1046. is moved to activity block 1050 where the data is sent to the message disk. The message sent to the play unit 250 is “No message” or to that effect. display another message.

If there is a message waiting for the participant, program control will block the decision. 1046 to an activity block 1052 where the The first portion of the first message is transferred to the message display unit 250. be done. If messages are displayed on message display unit 250 all at once, If the message is longer than can be displayed, the undisplayed portion of the message can be remains in the message file in association with the subscriber's identification number. Mail the data After sending to the message display unit 250, the program control is performed in block 1. 054, where program control is transferred to message display unit 2. 50 returns to the part of the main program that was interrupted.

(Margin below) Returning to decision block 1042, switch 256 is configured to indicate an acknowledgment. If the interrupt is caused by the activity of Control is transferred to disconnection block 1060. Decision block 1060 determines whether the current If the message file being played has any more messages or is examined to determine which remaining parts of the current message are present. .

If the message or any part of the message is not present, the program control is transferred to activity block 1062, and the program display a message with no message or other message to that effect. The data is transferred to the message display unit 250 as shown in FIG. after that, Program control is transferred to block 1054 to return to the interrupted program. Ru.

If there are other messages or other parts of the current message for the participant. If so, decision block 1060 returns the program to activity block 1064. Program control is transferred and the next part of the current message or the next message is transferred to the message display unit 250. Then the program control Block 1054 is entered and program control is returned to the interrupted program. be done.

The mlJb diagram is a flowchart of the exhibition data input subroutine. exhibition Data entry subroutines typically handle one or more transactions at an organizational stage. First enter data about exhibitions, exhibitions, conferences or other gatherings of people is used during the pre-registration phase (Figure 11).

In particular, it organizes data regarding the configuration of centers for specific gatherings. It may also be used by the management of large conference centers. The data will be saved later in the post-conference session. It is useful for arranging many sellers in a center, and for other purposes.

The exhibition data input subroutine is program controlled by activity block 1. It begins at block 1070, which is moved to 072. Activity block 1072 The user is then prompted to enter data regarding the exhibition.

For example, the user can enter the name of the exhibition, the name of the hall where the exhibition is held, and the You will be prompted to enter your booth identification number at the mall. should be displayed The product category is also entered along with the category of people attending the exhibition.

For example, categories of participants may be individuals, retailers, distributors, manufacturers, or It may be another member of the species.

Other information may be entered according to the user's specific requirements. After prompting the user , program control is from activity block 1072 to activity block 1074 and the data entered by the user becomes the entered data. input into system memory where it is saved. The entered data is stored in the program. Can be used by other parts and trade exhibitions, exhibitions, conferences or other people can be printed out as part of the statistics on the collection.

After the input data is saved in activity block 1074, program control moves to decision block 1076 where the user enters more trade show data. You will be prompted to indicate whether or not you should. If it should be included, the program Ram control passes from decision block 1076 to activity block 1072; User is prompted to enter more data. Otherwise, the program Program control passes from decision block 1076 to block 1078 where program control You are prompted to enter user data at block 1034 in Figure 14a. illustration Patron data includes the name and address of the sponsor, and the information that the sponsor Contains the order you want printed. For example, a patron may want his report to be named Alphabetically by category, participant's state and zip code May be printed in numerical order. As mentioned above, the report printed in this way is Allows patrons to decide which categories of patrons are more interested in the product and also sponsors the next trade exhibition, exhibition, conference or other event to be held. Give backers the option of pre-printing a mailing label to announce the gathering. give to The user receives the instruction message in activity block 1084. After populating the data in response to , program control passes to activity block 108 6, entered by the data entered by the user, and stored in system memory. will be evacuated. This data is thus used in reports and trade exhibitions, exhibitions and conferences. It can be used to prepare for the conclusion of a meeting or other gathering. Is the data entered? After the program control is activated, the program control is biti block 1088 and the user should enter further data. You will be prompted to indicate whether If further data should be entered For example, program control transfers to activity block 1084 and the user again You will be prompted to enter your data. 4+ Otherwise, program control is a decision block. From block 1088, program control passes to block 1090 in Figure 14a. is transferred to the main processing unit loop via block 1034.

FIG. 14d shows the system data entry subroutine beginning at block 1094. This is a flowchart. Program control begins at block 1094. biti block 1096 and prompts the user to enter system data. It will be done. Exemplary system data includes information about users, and system equipment includes Available for use by other parts of the system program. for example, This subroutine enters the names of allowed users and their passwords. used. Typically this subroutine is used for trade fairs, exhibitions, conferences or is used in advance of other gatherings of people to prepare the system for use at the gathering. Just be there. Users can also view the printer's statistical reports and seller reports. , used in preparing the itinerary, and can be printed to print badges. You will be prompted to enter the printer name and column number. This subroutine is The ability to tailor the system to the data processing needs of a particular application This is particularly advantageous in that it can be applied to data. The user accepts the request via an instruction message. After entering the estimated data, program control is carried out at activity block 10. 98, the entered data is entered and stored on the system for further use. is saved in system memory. Then the program control is the activity block Moving to 1100, the user is prompted to indicate whether more data is to be entered. Urged by the sea urchin. If further data is to be entered, the program Control passes to activity block 1096 and the user is prompted as before.

Otherwise, program control transfers to block 1102, where program control The main processing loop is entered via block 1034 in Figure 14a.

FIG. 14e shows the flow of the Seller Data Entry subroutine beginning at block 1110. -This is a chart. Program control begins at block 1110 with an activity block. 111 woshi 27. Hu Lei 2, the user selects from the &-r- options for the data entry operation. be encouraged to do so. In an exemplary embodiment of this invention, a user adds seller data. , edit seller data, delete seller data or return to the main processor loop. option is given. User responses to prompt messages are activity block 1112 and program control is input to the activity block 1112. 1114, program control is transferred to four subroutines depending on the user's selections. Branches into one of the chins. If the user has the option to add seller data If so, program control branches to block 1116. If the user If you select the option to edit seller data, program control is blocked. The process branches to step 1120. If the user selects the option to delete seller data If so, program control branches to block 1122. If the user If the option to return to the logic loop is selected, program control returns to block 112. Branches into 4. Program control branches from block 1124 to block 1126 and program control is passed to the main processing routine via block 1034 in Figure 14a. transferred to the pool.

The Additional Seller Data subroutine beginning at block 1116 provides program control is moved from block 1116 to activity block 1130 where the user The user will be prompted to enter the seller's name and data. In the illustrative invention The data to be submitted includes the order in which the seller wishes to receive the reports, and the order in which they are expected to be received. Alphabetized by customer name (i.e. participant who visited the exhibitor's exhibition) , guests in order of participant category (i.e. categories defined by the sponsor). By category (i.e. categories defined by each seller) and by state and postal code. It can be in order of flight number. The data entered will also be used to determine which booth is assigned to the exhibitor. Includes identification and identification of the products exhibited by the Seller. The day and evening that was put in is the seller further including the identification of the portable data acquisition unit assigned to the portable data acquisition unit. This is a port data returned by a tuple data acquisition unit is related to a particular seller. enable. Seller also acknowledges that the Seller will Provides an opportunity to fall into the category of participants who wish to be encouraged by data acquisition units. It will be done. As mentioned above, in the illustrated invention, these categories are “-individual”, “small” may include 'vendors', 'distributors', 'manufacturers', and their intermediaries. It is Noh.

In response to the instruction message in activity block 1130, the user After entering the data, program control is transferred to activity block 1132. , the data entered by the user is entered and stored in the system for further use. is saved in system memory. Then the program control is activity block 1 134, and a very recently added exhibitor is located at Alfhube by booth number. and in any other order specifically requested by the sponsor (even if (for example, product type, address, etc.) Updated. Seller list updated in activity block 1134 After that, program control passes to activity block 1136 where the user completes the transaction. Please enter the personal names of exhibitors participating in an exhibition, exhibition, conference or other gathering. Urged by the sea urchin. Program control then passes activity block 1140 to and the user responds to the prompt message in activity block 1136. You will be prompted to answer and enter data for each of the participants listed. this The data is shared with other participants, except that the participant's employer appears to be the seller. Contains all the data entered for. In this way, the user can You will not be prompted to enter employer information. Activity block 1140 Details of the program will be provided in the participant data set forth below according to Figure 14f. The details are substantially similar to those in the data input subroutine. Program control is The reference identified in response to the instruction message in activity block 1136 activity block 11 until the participant information for each of the participants is entered. loop through 40. Then the program control is in the activity block Moving to 1112, the user again selects an operation within the seller data input subroutine. be encouraged to do so.

If program control is made to enter block 1120, edit seller data. If the user selects to Moving to activity block 1144, the user indicates that the data needs to be edited. You will be prompted to enter the name of the seller. Then program control is activated. name and first name entered by user input into Bitty block 1146. The relevant data will be displayed to the seller who has entered the previous information.

Program control is from activity block 1146 to activity block 1150, and after indicating the edit from the user, the program control 1152, and the user-edited seller data is saved. the Afterwards, program control returns again to activity block 1112 where the user The player is allowed to select the Noh action again.

If the user chooses to delete seller data and program control is blocked If transferred to 1112, program control is then transferred to the activity block 1156, the user enters the name of the seller to be removed from the list of sellers. be encouraged to do so. After the user enters the seller's name, the program control is activated. Move to activity block 1158, enter the seller's name using ÷e, and display the item. The person's name will be removed from the seller's file. The seller's name is from the seller file. Once removed, program control passes to activity block 1112 where the user The user again performs one of the available actions in the Seller Data Entry subroutine. be selected.

FIG. 14f shows the flowchart of the participant input subroutine beginning at block 1160. -This is a chart. Program control begins at block 1160 with an activity block. 1162, the user can access the available information in the Participant Data Entry Subroutine. prompts you to select an action from a list of possible actions. After the user prompts for a selection , the selection is entered from the keyboard, and the program control is in the activity block. 1164, program control transfers to the portion of the program associated with the selected operation. Branch into. If a participant chooses an action that adds participant data, the Program control passes to block 1166. If a user edits participant data is selected, program control branches to block 1168. If user If the participant selects the option to delete participant data, program control The process moves to block 1170. If the user selects the option to print the participant itinerary, If so, program control branches to block 1172. If the user If the program indicates that further participant data entry actions should not be performed, RAM control passes to block 1174 and program control passes to block 1174 in FIG. 14a. Block 1176 returns program control to the main processing loop via lock 1034 Move to.

If the user selects the additional participant data subroutine, the program control moves from block 1166 to activity block 1178, where the user participates. You will be prompted to enter the person's name and data. Participant data includes the participant's address and phone number, identification of the participant's employer, and category for the participant. This input For power, the user can specify whether the participant category corresponds to one of the sponsor categories. A list of categories corresponding to the category selected by the sponsor will be provided so that It will be done. Users may also attend trade fairs, exhibitions, conferences or other gatherings of people. While participating, participants will be prompted to enter a list of product formats that interest them. Ru. The User agrees to the format of the Product selected by the Sponsor and exhibited by the Seller. A display of the corresponding product format is provided. The user enters the prompted information. After entering, program control transfers activity from activity block 1178. Moving to block 1180, data entered by the user is entered. Participation The person shall be assigned an identification number. Then enter the participant's name, identification number and other input information. The entered data is saved in the participant data file. Program control is activated. The activity block 1180 is moved to the activity block 1182, and a new The participant's name, identification and data entered in will be added to the list of participants.

The list of participants should be arranged so that all participants are alphabetical and also Participants can see their reports printed (e.g. by state, product category, etc.) will be updated in the order that backers request them to be viewed. Participant list updated After the activity block 1182, program control passes from the activity block 1182 to the decision block 1184 and prompts the user to indicate whether the exhibition is in progress. Ru. If the exhibition is not in progress, control passes to activity block 1162. and the user can select other options within the Participant Data Entry subroutine. be encouraged to do so. If the exhibition is in progress and the participant badge is already pre-registered, If it indicates that the program is being printed for participants who Control passes to activity block 1186, which displays the fourteenth diagram, the fourteenth diagram, and the fourteenth diagram. The report generation subroutine to be described below in connection with the 14m diagram The participant's data is transferred to the badge print queue so that it can be printed. If Exhibition If the meeting is not yet in progress, all participant badges will be printed as a group. be done.

After adding participant data to the badge print queue, program control is activated. activity block 1186 to activity block 1162 and the user allows you to select other actions from the available actions in the participant data entry subroutine. Urged by the sea urchin.

If the user chooses to enable Participant Data Keeper, program control Lock 1168 transfers to block 1188, where the user indicates that the data needs to be edited. You will be prompted to enter the names of the required participants. User entered participant's name After that, program control passes from activity block 1188 to activity block 1188. 1190 and enters the participant's name so that the user can edit the data. The previous name will be entered and the relevant data will be displayed for the participant's name. after that , program control is transferred to activity block 1192, where editing commands are and the participant data is modified by editing commands. Edited by user After indicating that it is finished, program control returns to activity block 1194. The edited participant data is saved. Program control is then activated. Moving to activity block 1162, the user enters the participant data entry subroutine. You will be prompted to choose another action.

If the user chooses to delete participant data, program control Lock 1170 transfers to activity block 1196, where the user You will be prompted to enter the name of the participant to be removed from the list.

After the user enters the participant's name, program control goes to activity block 1. 196 moves to activity block 1198 where the participant's name is entered and and then removed from the participant file. Is the participant's name in the participant file? After being removed from the activity block 1162, program control is transferred to activity block 1162, The user is again prompted to select an action within the participant data entry subroutine. Ru.

If the user selects the action to print the participant itinerary, the program control Control passes from block 1172 to activity block 1200, where the user You will be prompted to enter the name of the participant whose details should be printed. user enters name After entering, program control transfers the activity from activity block 1200. The transfer program extracts the product category from the participant data file. Search and compare product categories to categories in the seller file, and Which sellers display products corresponding to the product categories listed by Determine whether Program control then proceeds to activity block 120. 2 to activity block 1204, where the product category is selected by the participant. The itinerary is created according to the order of booth numbers of exhibitors corresponding to the listed product categories. will be accomplished. Program control then passes to activity block 1206, The itinerary created in the activity block 1204 is shown in the 14th figure and 14th history. The report generation subroutine to be described below in connection with Figures and Figure 14m. The document to be printed is added to the print queue. Then the program RAM control is transferred to activity block 1162, where the user enters the data entry sub. You will be prompted to select other actions from the routine.

FIG. 14g is a flowchart of the message input subroutine. Metsuse The input subroutine begins at block 1210 and program control is activated. activity block 1212, where the user selects the participant or participants from whom the message will be received. or the seller's name.

In the preferred embodiment, the user utters the name of the participant for whom the message is intended. A list of participants is provided that the user can quickly scroll to see . The user positions the display cursor by name and indicates selection of name. Select the participant's name by clicking. Instead, users can roll up a list of sellers. and select the seller for whom the message is intended. In this case, the seller's A reference listed as a seller so that anyone can receive the message. A message is stored in connection with the identity of the participant. User is a participant or seller After selecting the selected participant or If the seller's name is entered and the participant's identification number or seller's identification number is Participant information is obtained from the file to identify messages. Then the program System control passes to activity block 1216 where the user selects a participant or You will be prompted to enter a message for the seller. User ends message After indicating the activity block 1216, program control The message is inputted and the message data is transferred to the input block 1218. and over time, the storage associated with the Participant Identification Number or the Seller Identification Number. is applied. The message is the display message described above in connection with Figure 14a. stored in the message file accessed by the message interrupt subroutine. It will be done. After the message is stored, program control is carried out in the activity block. From block 1218, program control passes to block 1220 in FIG. 14a. Transferred to the main processing loop via lock 1034.

FIG. 14h shows the flow of the print badge subroutine beginning at block 1230. It is a chart. Program control is transferred to activity block 1232; The user will now start printing badges for all pre-registered participants. , enter the name of the participant for whom the badge should be printed, or enter all participants. You will be prompted to enter it.

After the user responds to the instruction message, program control 1234, where the participant's name or all participants' names are entered in the report creation subroutine. Added to the queue of badges to be printed by the chin. one or two These names are used in the badge print queue in activity block 1234. , program control is transferred to decision block 1236 where the user You will be prompted to indicate whether any additional badges should be printed. If user enters the names of participants rather than "all participants," and if If the name of another participant is to be inked and inked, program control will Lock 1236 transfers to activity block 1232, where the user You will be prompted to enter the person's name. If more badges should be printed If the user indicates that the 1238, program control passes to block 103 in FIG. 14a. 4 to the main processing loop.

FIG. 14i is a flowchart of the data acquisition device preparation subroutine. sub The routine begins at block 1250 and program control is transferred to the activity block. is moved to lock 1252, where the user is prompted to enter the seller's name. . After the user enters the seller's name, the program controls the activity block The process moves to 1254, where the seller's name is input by the user. Program control is activated. transaction block 1254 to decision block 1256 where the seller The data file contains all of the portable data acquisition units borrowed by the seller. It will be examined to decide whether to take it or not. Portable Day prepared so far The counter corresponding to the number of crab knits is the data acquisition unit borrowed by the seller. compared to the number of If all the portable data acquisition units rented by the seller is received, program control transfers the activity block from decision block 1256 to Lock 1250, and all of the portable data acquisition units are transferred to the seller. The message is displayed to indicate receipt. Then the program Control is transferred from activity block 1260 to block 1262 where the program RAM control is returned to the main processing loop via block 1034 in Figure 14a. Ru. If the seller wants to use the borrowed portable data acquisition unit 1256 , the user moves to activity block 1264 and enters the portal data acquisition unit. You will be prompted to connect the unit 200 to the data processing unit 110 (FIG. 1). .

Program control then passes to decision block 1266 to obtain the portable data. The data line to be connected to unit 200 is connected to the portable data acquisition unit. is periodically checked to determine if the port 200 is connected.

If the portable data acquisition unit 200 is not connected, the program control Control continues back to decision block 1266. Data processing unit 110 indicates that A response from the portal data acquisition unit 200 is sent to indicate that the connection has been made. After receiving the answer, program control passes from decision block 1266 to processing block 12. Move to 70. At processing block 1270, the portal data acquisition unit 200 The information in the seller data file regarding the control of Transferred to 00. In this way, the portable data acquisition unit 200 can determine which output The portal data acquisition unit 200 determines whether the Portable data acquisition unit 200 is given an identification number so that it can be checked later. available. Portable data acquisition unit 200 also allows participants' badges to be read out. A list of instructional messages to display when the command is displayed is given. Acte In the activity block 1270, the data is transferred to the portable data acquisition unit 20. 0, program control is transferred to activity block 1272. , counters saved in the seller data file can be saved in other portal data acquisition units. Incremented by 1 to indicate that the knit has been prepared for the seller. after that , program control is transferred to block 1262, where program control is transferred to the main processing loop. will be moved to

FIG. 14j shows the flow from the portable data acquisition unit to the data processing unit 110. A flowchart of the subroutine used to dump data back. be. As mentioned above, one of the 200 Seller Portable Data Acquisition Units or from many Seller Portable Data Acquisition Units 200. Information may be received directly from an intermediary portal host 916 that receives data. Dan The ping data acquisition device subroutine begins at block 1280, where the program control Control is transferred to decision block 1282.

At decision block 1282, the portable data acquisition unit 200 processes the data. Portable data acquisition to determine if connected to unit 110 The lines connecting unit 200 to data processing unit 110 are periodically tested. It will be done. If the portable data acquisition unit 200 is not connected, Program control continues back to decision block 1282. Portable data acquisition unit If activity on the interconnect line indicates that the net 200 is connected and program control passes from decision block 1282 to activity block 128. Move on to 4. Activity block 1284 stores the data stored therein. A series of commands to transfer portable data acquisition to data processing unit 110 sent to unit 200. After the data is transferred, program control is activated. Bitty block 1284 moves to processing block 1286 where other data and The sequential numbers of the portable data acquisition unit 200 transferred together are various exhibitions. The seller by which the data was received compared to the sequential number assigned to the seller. Determine. After the seller is identified, the program controls the activity block 1790, whether the participant's identification number is the portable data acquisition unit 200 or not. data received from the participant and related to that participant. It will be done. Program control passes to activity block 1292 to identify the participant. and related data are transferred to the visitor file maintained for each seller. It will be done.

Participants will be sorted in the order selected by the seller (e.g. product category, level of interest, (in alphabetical order according to address, etc.) will be added to the visitor file. Participant information After being added to the guest file, program control passes to decision block 1294. moved to The data received from the portable data acquisition unit 200 is Participant data is examined to determine if any participant data exists. If any If further participant data exists, program control Transfer to activity block 1290 to read identification and related data. be done. If there is no further participant data, program control blocks 1 296, program control is passed to block 1034 in FIG. 14a. and returns to the main processing loop.

The flowchart of the report creation subroutine is shown in Fig. 14, Fig. 14, and Fig. 14. This is illustrated in the 14m diagram. The report generation subroutine begins at block 1300, Program control is transferred to activity block 1302. activity At block 1302, the user is prompted to select a report generation action. So After that, the selection entered by the user is entered from the keyboard. this happened After that, program control is performed from activity block 1302 to activity block 1302. Moving to block 1304, the program selects the sub-box corresponding to the action selected by the user. Branch to routine. If the user chooses to add the report to the report queue If so, program control includes a subroutine to add the report to the report queue. The program then moves to block 1310, which is the beginning of the routine. If the user is in the report queue If you choose to delete a report, program control removes the report from the report queue. The process moves to block 1312, which is the beginning of the subroutine for deleting the notification. if One of the printers attached to the data processing unit 110 (first time) by the user If you choose to control the printer, the program control changes The program then moves to block 1314, which is the beginning of the routine. If the user does not initiate the action If so, program control passes to block 1316. If user select to indicate that all input in the report generation subroutine has been processed. If so, program control passes to block 1318. After that, the program system Control passes to activity block 1320 and the program continues with other options. Finish creating the currently selected report. current report After the activity block 1320 is created, program control Transferring to activity block 1322, program control is passed to block 1322 in FIG. 14a. 1034 to the main processing loop.

If the user chooses to add a report to the report queue, the program RAM control passes from block 1310 to activity block 1330 where the user The user may include the seller's name or print a report for backers. option to print statistics or to print statistics. be done. 4- The is the seller's name or the user is the sponsor's report or statistics After entering the instruction that you want the above report, the program controls the activity block. block 1330 to an activity block 1332 where the seller's name Previous or other user selections are entered from the keyboard. Then the program control Moving to decision block 1334, the user selects whether the user should print a statistical report. will be examined to determine whether you have made the choice to do so. If the user has statistics If the above report is selected, program control is activated from decision block 1334. Moving to activity block 1336, the program enters the portable data acquisition unit. Statistics are created from the information stored from each of the ports 200. activity blog After statistics are created in block 1336, program control returns to activity block 1336. The process moves to lock 1340, where the statistical report thus created is printed. added to the client queue. After the statistical report has been added to the print queue , the program control is the report creation service to be described below in connection with the 14th Tragic Diagram. The process moves to block 1342, which transfers program control to another portion of the routine.

If the user does not choose to generate statistical reports, the program Control passes from decision block 1334 to activity block 1344, which reports Decide if the seller or sponsor wants the book to be printed. data file for the entered seller name or data file for the backer. data file is examined. If the selected seller or sponsor If desired, program control is activated from decision block 1344. Activities block 1346, where the seller's name or backer is waiting for a report. added to the column.

Program control is then transferred to decision block 1350. Decision block 13 Returning to step 44, if the selected seller or sponsor If not desired, program control directly from decision block 1344 1350 and bypasses activity block 1346. judgment At block 1350, the selected seller or sponsor sends a mailing label to the selected sellers or sponsors to decide whether they wish to be featured. data files can be examined. If the selected seller or sponsor If a label is desired to be printed, program control returns to decision block 135. 0 to activity block 1352 and enters the name of the selected seller of the sponsor. The previous is added to the mailing label queue. Then the program control is block 13 42 and later to the next part of the report generation subroutine. If judgment At block 1350, the selected seller or sponsor receives a shipping label. Seller or sponsor data files that you have chosen not to have created. If the file indicates, program control passes from decision block 1350 to block 134. 2 and bypasses activity block 1352.

If the user chooses to delete a report from the report queue, the Program control passes from block 1312 to activity block 1360; The user then enters the seller's name to remove the report from the report queue. The recipient will be asked to select a sponsor.

Program control then passes to activity block 1362, where the sponsor's The seller's name is entered from the keyboard and the selected seller or sponsor The corresponding report is removed from the corresponding report or label queue.

Program control then passes from activity block 1362 to block 134. 2 and program control is transferred to the next portion of the report generation subroutine.

If the user chooses to change the printer controls, the program control From lock 1314, the user is transferred to activity block 1370, where the user You will be prompted to select printer control options. user enters options After the selected option is entered from the keyboard and program control is is moved to activity block 1372 where the action corresponding to the option is performed. It is done. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a user can view the current status of each of the printers. A status display is given.

For example, one printer is assigned to print a report and the other printer is assigned to print labels, and the other printer is assigned to print badges. May be allocated for linting. User reloads printer with paper change the paper format in the printer, change the print ribbon or its When the printer finishes any current print job so that you can change The user is given the option of placing the printer in an idle state. for example When the form needs to be changed directly or printed from the report queue. Allows users to delete printed labels from printed reports or label queues. The current print job can be interrupted when the user desires. The user can also enter the play state It is possible to restart and kill any printer that has been Users can also It is possible to reallocate the printing work of the data. program is active After completing the activity in block 1372, program control program control passes to block 1342, where program control passes to the next part of the report generation subroutine. will be moved to the minute.

If the user selects the option not to perform any action, the Program control is moved from block 1316 to block 1342 and program control is transferred from block 1316 to block 1342. is moved to the next part of the report generation subroutine. This option selection is If the user simply wishes to examine the current status of each of the various print queues, It is conveniently selected when

As mentioned above, block 1342 is the report generation subroutine illustrated in FIG. 1411. In the second part of the program program 7 Teigo T ( transfer control. The program control is set to 4'l[r block 1382. Continue at block 1380 to be moved. Decision block 1382 determines whether the to determine if there are any reports or calendars waiting to be printed. Certain statuses of the report queue are checked. If you wait for it to print If you have a report or calendar that 1384 and select available printers to print the report or itinerary. The status of each printer is examined to determine if the printer is present. Ru. If there is an available printer, the program controls the decision block 1384 moves to activity block 1386 where the report or itinerary is The data to be printed is transferred to the operating system of the data processing unit) 110 (Fig. 1). sent. This printing is performed by the operating system in a conventional manner known in the art. be exposed. The report generation subroutine can continue while printing is occurring. Ru. The report or itinerary to be printed in this way is transferred to the operating system. After the process is completed, program control passes from activity block 1386 to decision block 1. Moving on to 390. If you have a printer available to print your report or itinerary does not exist, program control passes from decision block 1384 to decision block Move to 1390. If there are no reports or schedules waiting to be printed If so, program control is transferred from decision block 1382 to decision block 1390. Ru.

Decision block 1390 determines whether a report is currently being generated. The status of the report queue can be checked. If a report has been generated If so, program control passes from decision block 1390 to activity block 13. Moving to 92, other lines of the current report being created are created. Next to the report After the line is created, program control passes to activity block 1392. The process moves to decision block 1394 to determine whether the report is complete. (for example, determining whether the last participant was added to the report) (You can check the seller report to If the report is complete, the program Ram control passes from decision block 1394 to activity block 1396; An instruction is given to the report to indicate that it is ready to be printed. . Program control then proceeds from Activate block 1396 to Decision block ]Move to 400. If the report is not completed at decision block 1394 If it is determined that Bypass and go directly to decision block 1400. Decision block 1390 Returning to , if no report has been created, program control Step 1390 moves to decision block 1402, which determines whether any sellers are listed. or whether the sponsor is listed in the report queue. The report queue is examined. ,.

If the seller or sponsor is listed in the report queue, the program Control passes from decision block 1402 to activity block 1404 where the program Ram will report to the next seller in the report queue or to the backer. Start creating a book. Program control then proceeds to activity block 1402. - to decision block 1400.

Within decision block 1400, the label queue includes any mailing labels currently being created. be examined to determine whether the If a shipping label is created If so, program control begins at decision block 1400 to Moving to block 1410, the next line of the current mailing label is created. after that, Program control passes from activity block 1410 to decision block 1412. The current mailing label list being created is complete or not. be examined to determine whether This is for the last participant in the list. Determined by checking whether data was added to the mailing label.

If the mailing label list is complete, program control Moving from block 1412 to activity block 1414, the mailing label list is Shown as ready to be printed. Then program control is moved from activity block 1414 to block 1420. block At 1420, the program controls the information to be described below in connection with Figure 14m. The process is moved to the next part of the report creation subroutine. Returning to decision block 1412, If the mailing label list has not been completed, program control 1412 directly to block 1420.

Returning to decision block 1400, if a mailing label has not been created, then Program control is transferred from decision block 1400 to decision block 1422.

Examined to make a decision. If any seller is listed or if the sponsor is listed in the mailing label queue. Program control is transferred from decision block 1422 to activity block 1424. mailing label to the next seller in the queue or to a backer. creation begins. Program control then proceeds to activity block 142. 4 to block 1420. If decision block 1422 determines that There are no other sellers in the shipping label queue, and the backer is in the shipping label queue. If it is determined that there is no column, program control transfers from decision block 1422 to Moving directly to block 1420.

The final portion of the report generation subroutine is shown in Figure 14m. program system Control moves to this portion from block 1420 in the fourteenth garden map. This part begins at block 1430 and program control begins at block 1430 with a decision block. 1432. At decision block 1432, a badge has been created. The badge creation queue is examined to determine whether. If the badge is created If so, control passes from decision block 1432 to activity block 1 434, where the participant information from the participant data file is transferred to the badge application. is moved to the client file. Badge prints are displayed in the program assigned to the badge print. Activity block 1 requires the use of the linter's graphical capabilities. The program at 434 converts the participant identification number into the octal representation of the participant registration number. and then convert the symbols and symbols for each of the start symbol, stop symbol, and octal digit. and a barcode representation of the registration number, including symbols for the check total numbers. Ba After creating a line of graphic characters for the Activity block 1434 transfers to decision block 1436, where the program Check to see if all of the information needed to print your current badge has been created. decide. If the badge has been completed, program control returns to decision block 14. 36 to the activity block 1440, and the badge creation file is moved from badge is indicated as ready to be printed. Then the program program control is transferred to activity block 1442 and program control is transferred to the fourteenth activity block 1442. The diagram transitions via block 1444 to the start of the report generation subroutine. No. Returning to decision block 1436 in Figure 14m, if the current badge creation is complete. If not, program control passes from decision block 1436 to block 1. 442 directly.

If at decision block 1432 it is determined that a badge is not currently created. If so, program control passes from decision block 1432 to decision block 144. Move on to 6.

At decision block 1436, the badge print queue is marked with a badge print queue for any participant. Checked to determine if it is listed on the print queue. too If any participant is listed in the badge print queue, the program Program control passes from decision block 1446 to activity block 1450 where program control passes from decision block 1446 to activity block 1450, where The program prints badges for the next participant listed in the badge print queue. Start creating. Program control then proceeds from activity block 1450. Moving to block 1442. At decision block 1446, if the badge print If it is determined that the participant is not listed in the queue, the program control Control passes from decision block 1446 to block 1442 and thus to the fourteenth The diagram transitions via block 1444 to the start of the report generation subroutine.

Although preferred embodiments of this invention have been disclosed herein, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the following claims Changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention as defined. He will realize that what may be done.

Engraving (no changes to the content) Engraving (Contents: No changes) Engraving (8j: no changes) 42ri1 437,. 9 Engraving (no redactions in the content) Engraving (no changes to the content) Pure GCfl″8ζ There is no Kaoru master) (No changes to the contents of engraving C) Engraving (no changes required) Engraving (no changes to the content) Engraving (no changes to the content) Engraving (no changes to the content) Engraving (no changes to the content) Engraving (no changes to the content) Engraving (no changes in content) Pure B (Contents: No change) Engraving (no changes in content) Engraving (no changes to the content) Engraving (no changes in content) Engraving (no extra pages in the content) Procedure supplement (method) 1986 r month t1

Claims (24)

[Claims] 1. A system for managing information at multiple exhibitions in a gathering of people. hand, a data processing system for receiving identification information regarding a plurality of participants in said gathering; stems (110, 112) and portable identification means (35) for each said participant. 0) and a unique identifier for each participant on said portable identification means for each participant. first means (300) for encoding an identifier; decoding and decoding a unique identifier on each said portable identification means (350); Storing a digital representation of each said identifier in the digital data storage means (532) a second means (20 0) to manage information at multiple exhibitions in a gathering of people, characterized by system. 2. The data processing system (110, 112) is provided by each seller. the first list of products and services and the products and services for which they are intended; identifying information from each said seller, including a second list of categories of participants that are An information management system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising receiving: A system for 3. The identification information for one of the participants is of interest to the one participant. a third list of products and services offered by multiple sellers, showing , in a category listed by said seller on said second list of said seller. and at least one category into which said one participant is classified. A system for managing information according to claim 2, further characterized by: 4. The data processing system stores the first item of the product in which the one participant has expressed an interest. 3 list of products and services provided by said multiple sellers. Compare with the list and have products and services of interest to said one participant. The method according to claim 3, further comprising creating an output list of sellers who A system for managing information on the website. 5. the one participant is listed on the output list in the order of traveling the least distance; listed in said order so that it is possible to visit said seller's exhibitions. Claims further characterized in that the output list includes the sellers listed in the list. A system for managing the information described in Section 4. 6. The data processing system (110, 112) is connected to a digital data link (6). 44,646) of said second means (200) associated with each of said sellers. the second item associated with each of the sellers; Means (200) for transmitting digital data via said digital data link (644, 646). Data transfer means (640) are provided to transfer digital data, and Therefore, the digital representation of the identification of the participants who visited each exhibition of the said exhibitor shall be provided as described above. To manage the information set forth in claim 1, which is transferred to a data processing system. system. 7. The digital data link includes a portable data retrieval and storage unit ( 916), which has a plurality of said transportable to a second means (200) and transmitting the received data to said processing system; further connected to said data processing system (110, 112) for transmitting to said data processing system (110, 112); Managing the information according to claim 6, further characterized in that: system for. 8. said data processing means summarizing the identification of participants visiting each said exhibitor's exhibition; further characterized by further comprising means (340) for providing each said seller with A system for managing information according to claim 1. 9. The data processing system collects the names and names of participants visiting each exhibitor's exhibition. further comprising means (942) for providing a set of mailing labels with an address. A system for managing information according to claim 8, further characterized by: Mu. 10. Said second means (200) display response information received from each participant. and storing said indicia associated with a digital indicia of each said participant's identity. further characterized in that the response information includes data input means (400) for The information is stored in the data processing system (110, 11) so as to be included in the summary. 2) A system for managing information according to claim 1, which is transferable to Mu. 11. Each Participant has the response information for each of the Seller's products and services. Information management according to claim 10, further characterized in that it corresponds to an interest. system for managing 12. further characterized by means (104) for displaying a message; said means (104) for displaying a message said portable identification; in response to said unique identifier on one of the means (350); Intended for displaying messages intended for child-related participants A system for managing information according to claim 1. 13. Further characterized in that said portable identification means (350) is a badge. A system for managing information according to claim 1. 14. Said means (300) for encoding said unique identifier is optically readable. Claim 1 further characterized in that the barcode (300) is A system for managing the information described in Section 3. 15. trade exhibitions, exhibitions, conferences or other gatherings of multiple participants and exhibitors; A method for managing information on participants at multiple exhibitions at coded with a unique identification number (300) readable by the means (200); providing each participant with an identification means (350) that reading said coded identification (300) on said identification means (350) and Provide each seller with an electronic means (200) for storing a digital representation of special identification. and said data provides a summary of participants at each said exhibitor's exhibition. so that it can be skillfully processed by the data processing means (110, 112) so as to , transmitting said digital representation of said identification from said electronic means (200) to said data processing; 1. A method characterized in that the method comprises the steps of: periodically transferring data to means (110, 112); 16. that said unique identification (300) is encoded using a barcode; 16. The method of claim 15, further characterized in: 17. The identification means (350) is a badge that can be worn by the participant. 16. The method of claim 15, further characterized. 18. Said electronic means (200) representing products and services of interest to the participant. 16. A method according to claim 15, further characterized by the step of entering information into the . 19. represents the level of interest of said participant in the Seller's products and services; 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of entering information. 20. Claim further characterized in that said electronic means (200) are portable. The method described in item 15. 21. Gatherings of people such as trade exhibitions, exhibitions, conferences and the like A system for managing information in a community, receive and store seller information to identify multiple sellers in said gathering; a data processing system (110, 112) for processing the data; The management system (110, 112) is configured to identify multiple participants at the exhibition. further receives and stores participant identification information, and the data processing system further assigning a unique identification code to said participant; portable identification means (350) to be given to each said participant; Code the participant's unique identification code on each said portable identification means (350). an encoding mechanism (142) for encoding the code; characterized by a transportable identification reading mechanism (200) to be given to a plurality of sellers, The transportable identification reading mechanism (200) includes: sensing said identification code on each said portable identification means (350); means for determining the unique identification code encoded therein (430); and converting the sensed coded identification code into a digital representation of the unique identification code. means (510, 514) for converting into digital data storage means (532) for storing said digital representation; , Enter at least one code representing response information received from each said participant. means (400) for an operator of said reading mechanism to stem. 22. The seller information described above describes the products and services provided by each seller. and the categories of people and participants in the trade for which said products and services are intended. 22. The system of claim 21, further characterized in that it describes a goal. 23. If said Participant Identification Information is intended for said Seller's products and services; at least one participant category for classifying each of said participants according to a participant category; The system according to claim 22, further characterized in that it further comprises a category. stem. 24. Said Participant Identification Information may also identify products and services of interest to each said Participant. The system according to claim 23, further characterized in that it includes a list of .