Development of a Portable Data Collection System Assistant with an RF Link to a Laptop

International Electronic Machines (IEM), a leader in instrumentation and vision systems, develops, manufactures, and markets rugged multimedia solutions, camera, industrial computers, gauges, internet solutions, data acquisition, communications and data processing equipment for a variety of industries. We propose to develop a hybrid software design that will combine the best features of Virtual Network Computing (VNC) and a customized application that assists the ASPEN system data entry by providing easy to use pop-up screens using innovative solutions. The Data Collection System (DCS) will allow a portable digital assistant (PDA) to communicate via a RF link with a laptop running an existing inspection data collection system. Key innovations include: smart buffering keystrokes, smart keys as a graphic overlay in the viewer, smart pop-up data entry windows, local storage of ASPEN screen templates, high performance data compression robust RF link management, innovative power management techniques, a unique (yet generic) solution that is platform independent, and an architecture that sits on top of tested VNC Model.