Portable scanner system with transceiver for two-way radio frequency communication

• US 5,272,324 A
• Filed: 10/09/1992
• Issued: 12/21/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Thomas Group, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Interlink Technologies Incorporated (WMS Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Blevins, Ronald L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Weinhardt, Robert A.
• Application Number:
  US07/959,481
• Time in Patent Office: 438 Days
• Field of Search: 235/470, 235/472, 235/462, 235/385, 235/383, 235/375, 235/378, 235/145 R, 200/DIG. 2
• US Class Current: 235/462.44
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 17/0022 arrangements or provisious for transferring data to distant stations, e.g. from a sensing device "transfer between computer elements G06F13/00 "; data-transmission H04L
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 2007/10534 Scanner to be worn on a finger or on a wrist
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10881 constructional details of hand-held scanners

Abstract

A hands free radio frequency terminal is worn on the body of the user. Components comprised of bar code scanner, key pads for communicating with a computer and LCD/LED display are attached to a sleeve device detachably worn on the forearm, and includes a switch for operating the scanner that is worn across the palm of the hand on a stirrup device. A power pack and radio frequency transceiver is worn on the torso of the user and is interconnected by conductors to the components. The RF transceiver has communication with a host computer.

Claims

1. A portable scanner system comprising:

(a) a scanner means for reading coded information and generating scanner data signals;

(b) a portable keyboard means for generating keyboard data signals;

(c) a portable display means connected to said scanner means and said keyboard means for receiving data signals from said scanner means and said keyboard means and displaying data;

(d) an elongate mounting sleeve for insertion on a forearm of an operator, said mounting sleeve including means for securing said scanner means, said keyboard means, and said display means to an outer surface of said mounting sleeve;

(e) a portable radio transceiver for receiving and transmitting data signals, said portable transceiver being connected to said scanner means, said keyboard means and said display means whereby said portable radio transceiver transmits scanner data signals an keyboard data signals received from said scanner means and said keyboard means;

(f) a second radio transceiver in two-way radio communication with said portable radio transceiver; and

(g) a computer system for generating computer data signals, said computer system being connected to said second radio transceiver whereby the radio transceivers communicate computer data signals from said computer system to said portable display means, and communicate keyboard data signals and scanner data signals from said keyboard means and said scanner means to said computer system.

2. The system defined in claim 1 wherein said elongate mounting sleeve for insertion on a forearm of an operator is made from a pliable material.

3. The system defined in claim 2 wherein said elongate mounting sleeve includes a thumb aperture and scanner switch at one end of said sleeve, the scanner switch selectively operating said scanner means to read coded information.

4. The system defined in claim 2 wherein said display means and said mounting sleeve include means for detachably securing said display means to said mounting sleeve.

5. The system defined in claim 1 wherein said display means includes a display terminal whereby computer data, scanner data, and keyboard data signals received or transmitted by said portable radio transceiver are displayed.

6. The system defined in claim 2 wherein said keyboard means and said mounting sleeve include means for detachably securing said keyboard means to said mounting sleeve.

7. The system defined in claim 1 wherein said keyboard means includes at least one alphanumeric keyboard connected to said radio transceiver.

8. The system defined in claim 1 wherein said keyboard means includes an alphabetical keyboard and a separate numeric keyboard.

9. The system defined in claim 2 wherein said scanner means and said mounting sleeve include means for detachably securing said scanner means to said mounting sleeve.

10. The system defined in claim 2 wherein said scanner means includes a bar code scanner.

11. The system defined in claim 10 wherein said bar code scanner is sighted longitudinally along said mounting sleeve toward the thumb aperture.

12. The system defined in claim 2 including a portable power source connected to said scanner means, said display means, and said portable radio transceiver.

13. The system defined in claim 12 including a power cable and supporting means for positioning said portable power source and said portable radio transceiver on an operator apart from an operating area of said scanner means mounted on said sleeve.

14. The system defined in claim 13 wherein said supporting means includes a belt for securing said radio transceiver to a back of an operator.

15. The system defined in claim 11 wherein said computer system includes a means for receiving data signals from said scanner and transmitting computer data signals to said display means through said portable transceiver and said second radio transceiver.

16. A portable scanner system comprising:

(a) a bar code scanner for reading coded information and generating scanner data signals;

(b) a keyboard for generating keyboard data signals;

(c) a display terminal connected to said scanner and said keyboard for receiving data signals from said scanner and said keyboard and displaying information;

(d) an elongate mounting sleeve for insertion on a forearm of an operator, said mounting sleeve including means for detachably securing said scanner, said keyboard and said display terminal to said sleeve;

(e) a portable radio transceiver for receiving and transmitting data signals, said transceiver being connected to said scanner, said keyboard, and said display terminal whereby said portable radio transceiver transmits scanner data signals and keyboard data signals received from said scanner means and said keyboard means;

(f) a portable power source connected to said scanner, said display terminal, said keyboard, and said radio transceiver;

(g) a second radio transceiver in two-way radio communication with said portable radio transceiver,

(h) a computer interface connected to said second radio transceiver; and

(i) a computer system for generating computer data signals, said computer system being connected to said second radio transceiver through said computer interface whereby the radio transceivers communicate computer data signals form said computer system to said display terminal, and communicate keyboard data signals and scanner data signals from said keyboard and said scanner to said computer system.

17. A portable scanner system for two way communication with a host computer, which generates computer data signals, connected to a base station transceiver, said portable scanner system comprising:

(a) a scanner means for reading coded information and generating scanner data signals;

(b) a keyboard means for generating keyboard data signals;

(c) a display means connected to said scanner means and said keyboard means for receiving data signals from said scanner means and said keyboard means and displaying data;

(d) an elongate mounting sleeve provided with means for securing said scanner means, said keyboard means, and said display means to an outer surface of said mounting sleeve; and

(e) a portable radio transceiver for receiving and transmitting data signals, said transceiver being connected to said scanner means, said keyboard means and said display means, and being in two way radio communication with the base station transceiver, whereby computer data signals are communicated from the host computer to said display means; and

scanner data signals and keyboard data signals are communicated from said keyboard means and said scanner means to the host computer.