-The development history of industrial handheld terminals

    In order to meet the needs of some enterprise employees for mobile office, handheld computer terminals were first used in European and American countries. Due to the limitations of early communication technology, computer technology and network technology, the functions of handheld computer terminals are very simple, such as calculating bills, checking calendars, and checking task lists.

   With the development of technology, especially after the advent of the Windows system, coupled with the continuous maturity of embedded technology, the computing power of microprocessors has been greatly improved, making it possible to run the operating system on the embedded CPU. Windows CE and Windows Mobile series have also achieved great success on the mobile side . The early popular handheld computer terminals all used Windows CE and Windows Mobile systems.

    Later with the popularization and application of the Android open source operating system, the mobile communication industry has completed a new round of industry revolution, including mobile phones, tablets, industrial PDAs and other mobile terminals have chosen to carry the Android system.

    After decades of development, there are many players in the handheld phone market, and the market concentration is low, showing a state of full competition. Users in the logistics and retail fields are still the main force in handheld applications. Medical, industrial manufacturing, and public utilities.

    With the continuous advancement of smart medical care, smart manufacturing, and smart city construction, application scenarios will be gradually enriched. The demand for smart mobile terminals in emerging markets around the world has surged. The product form and functions of handheld devices will be reshaped according to different industry needs and application scenarios, and more and more industry-customized handheld devices will appear.

    In order to customize an industrial handheld terminal that suits the specific industrial demands, it is necessary to understand the following product knowledge:

1.What is the industrial handheld terminal ?

    Industrial handheld computer, also known as handheld terminal, handheld PDA, generally refers to a portable data capture mobile terminal with the following characteristics: operating system, such as WINDOWS, LINUX, Android, etc.; memory, CPU, graphics card, etc; screen and keyboard ; Data transmission and processing capability. It has its own battery and can be used outdoor .

   Handheld devices can be classified into industrial grade and consumer grade. Industrial handhelds are mainly used in the industrial field,such as barcode scanners, RFID readers, Android POS machines, etc. can be called handhelds; consumer handhelds include many, such as smart phones, tablet computers, handheld game consoles, etc. Industrial grade handhelds have higher requirements than consumer grades in terms of performance, stability, and battery durability.

2. Equipment composition

-Operating system

    At present, it mainly includes Android handheld terminal, Windows Mobile/CE handheld terminal and Linux.

   From the historical evolution of the handheld operating system, the Windows operating system has the characteristics of slow update but good stability. The Android version is free, open source, and updated quickly. It is favored by manufacturers. At present, the Android version is widely used in the market .

-Memory

    The composition of memory includes running memory (RAM) and storage memory (ROM), as well as external expansion memory.

The processor chips normally selected from Qualcomm, Media Tek, Rock chip . The chips that can be used in RFID handheld reader with UHF functions mainly include the following types: IndyR2000/PR9200/AS3993/iBAT1000/M100/QM100 series chips.

-Hardware composition

    Including basic accessories such as screens, keyboards, batteries, display screens, as well as barcode scanning heads (one-dimensional and two-dimensional), wireless communication modules (such as 2/3/4/5G, WiFi, Bluetooth, etc.), RFID UHF function modules, Optional modules such as fingerprint scanner module and camera.

-Data processing function

   The data processing function facilitates users to collect and feedback information in a timely manner, and also provides technical support for secondary development and expands more possibilities.

3. Classification of industrial handheld terminals

    The classification of handheld terminal can take various forms, such as classification according to function, operating system, IP level, industry application, etc. Following is classified by functions :

-Handheld Barcode Scanner

    Barcode scanning is one of the most important functions of a handheld terminal. It attaches the encoded barcode to the target ,then uses a special scanning reader which uses optical signals to transmit the information from the bar magnet to the scanning reader. There are currently two technologies for barcode scanning, laser and CCD. Laser scanning can only read one-dimensional barcodes. CCD technology can identify one-dimensional and two-dimensional barcodes. When reading one-dimensional barcodes, laser scanning technology is faster and more convenient than CCD technology. .

-Handheld RFID Reader

    RFID identification is similar to barcode scanning, but RFID uses a dedicated RFID handheld terminal and a dedicated RFID tag that can be attached to the target goods, then uses frequency signals to transmit information from the RFID tag to the RFID reader.

-Handheld Biometric Tablet

    If equipped with a fingerprint scanner module, biometric fingerprint information can be collected and compared, handheld Biometric Tablet mainly used in fields with high security requirements such as public security, banking, social insurance, etc. In addition, it can also be equipped with iris recognition, face recognition and other biometrics module for security verification.

-Handheld wireless transmission terminal

   GSM/GPRS/CDMA wireless data communication: The main function is to exchange real-time data with the database through wireless data communication. It is mainly needed in two cases, one is the application that requires high real-time data, and the other is when the required data cannot be stored in the handheld terminal due to various reasons, etc.

- Handheld Card ID Reader

     Including contact IC card reading and writing, non-contact IC card, magnetic stripe card reader .It normally used for ID cards reader, campus cards reader and other card management scenarios.

-Special function handheld Terminal

     It includes handheld devices with special functions based on application scenarios, such as explosion-proof handheld devices, outdoor three-proof handheld devices, surveying and mapping handheld devices, and handheld security terminal. According to the needs of application scenarios, various peripherals such as external password keyboards, scanner guns, scanning boxes, receipt printers, kitchen printers, card readers can be expanded, and functions such as printing, NFC reader can be added.

For over 10 years experience for POS and tablet scanner industry , Hosoton has been the main player in developing advanced rugged, mobile technologies for warehousing and logistic industries. From R&D to manufacturing to in-house testing, Hosoton control the entire product development process with ready-made products for quick deployment and customization service to meet different individual needs. Hosoton’s innovative and experience has helped many enterprises at every level with equipment automation and seamless Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) integration.

Learn more how Hosoton offers solutions and service to streamline your business at www.hosoton.com