Multi-level hierarchical radio-frequency communication system

Abstract

Portable measuring devices which communicate by low power transceivers through a communication controller with a printer device collect weight and size data on articles to be shipped. The collected weight and size data are combined with origin and destination data, and labels are printed bearing pertinent shipping and routing information in machine readable format. The labels are attached to the articles to be shipped and accompany the articles to their respective destinations. At transfer points the labels are read by scanner devices which also communicate by low power transceiver links with the communication controller. The wireless linking of the scanner devices promotes human safety by the absence of cords which could cause entanglement of an operator in mechanized conveying equipment. The communication controllers at each stage of the shipping process have the capability of transferring received and updated status information on the shipped articles to a central data station.

1 . A multi-level digital data communication system including:  
     at least one data communication device comprising 
 means, responsive to instructional codes, for processing digital data messages having address codes and data codes and for routing said data messages,  
 means for storing digital data messages coupled to said processing means,  
 first means for communicating said data messages as first type radio frequency transmission signals, and  
 second means for communicating said data messages as second type radio frequency transmission signals,  
 said first and second radio frequency communication means being communicatively coupled to said processing means for selectively transmitting and receiving data messages to and from each of said first and second radio frequency communication means;  
 at least one first type data terminal device comprising  
 first communication means for communicating said data messages as said first type radio frequency transmission signals, and means, coupled to said first communication means of said data terminal device, for transducing data signals of data messages of communication between said at least one data communication device and said at least one first type data terminal device; and  
 at least one data communication interface device comprising  
 second means for communicating said data messages at said second type radio frequency transmission signals, and  
 third means for communicating said data messages to a data station.  
 
   
   
       2 - 64 . (canceled)