Compass Solutions, Inc. - Radio Forms Browser


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The Radio Forms Browser^TM (RFB) is a HyperText Markup Language (HTML) browser for Radio-Frequency Data Terminals (RDTs). Currently supporting the Intermec, Symbol, Teklogix, LXE and Norand product lines, it is designed for DOS-based units and supports the display capabilities of these handheld devices.

RF Browser Components

The Radio Forms Browser solution consists of two software components. A network workstation or server-based component, called the RFB Browser, interprets the HTML and acts as a standard browser to any web server. RFB Browser then interacts with a Radio Forms Client running on an RDT. The Radio Forms Client processes all of the I/O activities and interactions with the user.

Application Development Made Easy!
RDT screens are written in standard HTML and served using a standard web server. Radio Form Browser's highly efficient architecture delivers the document to the RDT and manages the RDT response. The burgeoning toolset for developing and deploying HTML-based applications makes delivering an application to your RDT quicker and easier than ever before.

Design… Test… Support… Anywhere!
RDT Screens may be used and tested without RDT hardware using either a workstation web-browser or a Windows-based radio emulator provided with the Radio Forms Browser. You no longer need to supply developers with RDTs for application development / unit testing.

Think of the advantage to your support staff when they can PERFORM the same actions that an RDT user is attempting - from a workstation browser!

Capabilities:

Deliver portable data collection and query applications using HTML 3.0 compatible forms - to RF Data Terminals (RDTs).
High-speed – designed for sub-second response applications.
Low-overhead, scalable – Even the largest RDT installations can be supported with modest computing capabilities.
RF network friendly – optimizes traffic to RDTs, filtering content inappropriate for device / network.
Text, password, submit, reset and hidden input types for forms.
Dynamic function key assignment to hypertext links and submit input tags.

Requirements:

Windows NT 4.0, OS/2 (works under Windows 9x, but not recommended for production use)
Intel-class PC, TCP/IP access to application web server.
Ethernet or RS-232 Asynchronous connected RF network controller
RF network for supported RDTs (900Mhz, 2.4Ghz or greater).
DOS-based RDTs. Current support for Antares, Janus, Norand, LXE and Symbol lines.

NOT A SURFER'S PARADISE -

A Serious Tool for Industrial-Strength Data Collection / Query Applications.

Radio Forms Browser is a text browser optimized for delivering portable data collection applications. It is not intended to be a general-purpose browser for use on the Internet. Every application written for this environment should be developed with the user interface and display capabilities of the portable device in mind. The HTML environment is transparent to the RDT user. The device functionality appears to be that of a standard data collection device.

HTML / Browser Compatibility

HTML: The Radio Forms Browser supports HTML 3.0 functionality. If used to traverse traditional web-pages on the Internet, the user interface of the handheld device would not be able to completely display the content being presented. In such a case, the Radio Forms Browser filters the HTML and sends the content that can be displayed on the client. For example, graphic images will display using their "Alt Text" HTML attribute – the image and its data will never traverse the RF network.

Navigation: The Radio Forms Client supports field-to-field navigation with the standard arrow keys built into the handheld device. In addition, function keys on the portable device can be mapped to linked or push-button objects on the HTML form.

Plug-ins not supported: The Radio Forms Browser does not support plug-ins or other extension mechanisms for a browser. Java, ActiveX or other multimedia plug-ins are not supported (DOS doesn't present the environment for running these extensions).

Scripting not supported: The Radio Forms Browser does not support JavaScript or other browser-based scripting languages. DOS memory management is currently insufficient to reasonably operate these interpreters.

HTTP: The Radio Forms Browser supports the HyperText Transfer Protocol 1.0 standard (Internet Draft 5 of the HTTP Working Group within the IETF). It does not currently support the secure sockets layer (SSL).

Home Page Configuration: A Radio Forms Client must be configured with a home page. This is the starting point for the handheld device when it is turned on. It also serves as the starting screen of the application that the operator of the handheld device is using (such as an operator logon screen). The operator of the handheld can not modify this setting.

Supplied Software Components

RFB Browser

The RFB Browser interprets HTML received from a web server and formats it for optimized transmission to the Radio Forms Client. Responses from the Radio Forms Client are posted back to the web server.

Radio Forms Client

The Radio Forms Client is downloaded and installed on the target RDT. It directly interacts with the keyboard, scanner and RF radio using that RDT's supported DOS-based device drivers. The RF client formats the radio forms sent by RF Browser and processes the RDT user actions.

RDT Emulator

For Windows This is a simulator application that presents an RDT-like display for use on a Windows workstation. It interacts with RF Browser just as the Radio Forms Client. It is a great way to test an RDT application without using an actual RDT.

RF Data Terminal Compatibility

The RF Client is fully compatible with the following Portable devices:

Intermec Antares
Intermec Janus (900Mhz and 2.4Ghz)
Intermec 6400
Norand (native)
LXE
Symbol
Teklogix

Contact

For additional information or to arrange a Radio Forms Browser demonstration, please contact: