Wescor Rx600 Mobile Terminal
The Virtual Warehouse Continues To Evolve
The need for accessing real time information about company assets has gravitated from big rig trucks to delivery vans, tow trucks and other field service applications. Businesses competing in service markets require up to date information on where their inventory is, where it is going, and how soon it should get there.Following the successful introduction of the RDT 800, Wescor retained IDE to begin the design and development of the Rx600. The Rx600 would have a streamlined, icon-driven user interface, and a compact, ruggedized case that would survive harsh environments, all the while maintaining flexibility to meet individual needs as they arise. The Rx600 must meet stringent drop test requirements (four feet onto concrete) and be operable while wearing gloves. The design needed to be resistant to rain and surface spills, and be sensitive to human factors and ergonomics criteria while maintaining a friendly appearance.
Balancing Packaging And Design
The IDE design team continued the tradition of creating a highly intuitive man-machine interface for the Rx600. Together, IDE's
mechanical designers and industrial designers developed several architectural configurations, which were discussed and evaluated
with Wescor to determine which design best served the needs of the operator and the functional and performance needs of the
industry.
The requirement for a very small footprint was driven by the fact that smaller vehicles have less cab space available for mounting hardware. A compact design could have a variety of mounting options to meet the needs of this market. The compact design necessitated efficient packaging of the electronics, battery compartment, and LCD.
The physical user interface needed to be simple and intuitive, thus the number of function buttons was kept to a minimum. Button locations were carefully considered so that the operator could activate individual buttons using one hand.
Physical User Interface
The Rx600 features a protective, polycarbonate, scratch resistant display surface. The ¼ VGA display is for viewing communications
(correspondence) between the Rx600 and a central dispatch data management and tracking system. Additionally, the display is
backlit to improve the clarity of the information being displayed under various lighting conditions. The Rx600 can also be
custom ordered with a touch screen, allowing the operator to make selections by tapping the display.
To the right of the display are function buttons used for selecting options on the display. The compass shaped navigation button
allows the operator to traverse the software menus as needed. Below the navigation button are the select and cancel buttons. On
the lower right edge is a green power switch to bring the unit on-line and on the upper right edge is a red emergency button that
can be pushed by the operator to automatically send an emergency / distress signal to the dispatch authority. The Power and
Emergency buttons are set within shallow wells to protect them from inadvertent actuation. All of the buttons have a soft feel,
yet are rigid enough to allow operators wearing gloves to sense tactile feedback.
Attention To Detail
The rear of the case incorporates rubberized grips that assist the operator in holding the Rx600. A six-foot data cable attaches
to the lower left corner. The data cable also provides power to the Rx600. IDE designed a sealed compartment for the batteries
that enables the operator to disconnect the unit for situations when the device needs to be operated away from the vehicle. The
cable is routed through a specially designed opening in the battery access panel that relieves strain on the cable.
IDE also designed and tested the Rx600's in-cab mounting cradle. This cradle allows the Rx600 to be mounted in a number of different
locations within most vehicle interiors. The Rx600 is easily and safely snapped into and out of the cradle with one hand.
