In-field device for de-centralized workflow automation

摘要

In one example, a system is provided. The system includes a portable, in-field unit including: a tag reader to acquire an ID tag identifier from a tag located in or on a physical item positioned within functional range of the in-field unit tag reader; a digital processor arranged for executing software code stored in the in-field unit responsive to the acquired ID tag identifier, the stored software code including—a customer application layer; and a database adapter component configured to provide database services to the processor; wherein the database services include accessing a stored database to acquire stored data associated with the acquired ID tag identifier.

主权项

1. An apparatus, comprising:
a first machine that is distinct from a second stationary automated sortation machine, the first machine comprising:
a ruggedized enclosure;an image capture unit inside the ruggedized enclosure, the image capture unit to provide a digital image of an optical identifier visible on a physical item located proximate to the first machine; anda digital processor coupled to the image capture unit and arranged for executing software code stored on a memory device of the first machine;wherein the stored software code includes an address recognition process for recognizing a destination address visible in the captured digital image;the digital processor configured to, responsive to recognizing the destination address visible in the captured digital image, cause destination address recognition information to be communicated to a backend system accessible by the second stationary automated sortation machine prior to introduction of the physical item into the second stationary automated sortation machine;wherein the software code further includes a first directory component configured to provide directory services;the digital processor is configured to determine whether or not to invoke a directory service of the first directory component to attempt to lookup the destination address recognition information; andin response to looking up preliminary address data from the first directory component or determining to invoke a directory service of a second directory component of a third machine that is distinct from the first machine, initiating an attempt to lookup the destination address recognition information from the second directory component; wherein the digital processor is configured to utilize a wireless communication interface of the first machine to transmit the destination address recognition information in response to receiving back a lookup result from the second directory component of the third machine after said initiating; and wherein the digital processor is configured to, by invocation of the directory service or a different directory service of the first directory component, attempt or re-attempt to lookup the destination address recognition information from the first directory component responsive to a result of said initiation of the attempt to lookup the destination address recognition information from the second directory component.