Apparatus for scanning and downloading data
First Claim
1. An apparatus for scanning and downloading bar code data read from inventory items comprising:
- an optical scanner including a laser for producing an outgoing laser beam;
switching means within the scanner for selecting between scanning bar codes on inventory items and downloading inventory item bar code data;
modulating means within the scanner for modulating the outgoing laser beam with the inventory item bar code data during data downloading;
control means within the scanner for processing and storing the inventory item bar code data, and for controlling operation of the scanner, the switching means, and the modulating means.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus which is a single portable device for scanning and downloading data. The apparatus employs a laser within an optical scanner to accomplish both scanning and downloading functions. In addition to the optical scanner, the apparatus employs control and communication circuitry for switching from scanning to downloading and for modulating an outgoing laser beam during downloading. A modulating material, such as a liquid crystal display or electrochromic lens, is excited to modulate the outgoing laser beam passing through it. The optical scanner also includes a motor-driven mirrored spinner which may be stopped to accomplish a high rate of data transfer during downloading using a highly directional beam.
16 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for scanning and downloading bar code data read from inventory items comprising:
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an optical scanner including a laser for producing an outgoing laser beam; switching means within the scanner for selecting between scanning bar codes on inventory items and downloading inventory item bar code data; modulating means within the scanner for modulating the outgoing laser beam with the inventory item bar code data during data downloading; control means within the scanner for processing and storing the inventory item bar code data, and for controlling operation of the scanner, the switching means, and the modulating means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11)
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6. The apparatus as recited in claim I, wherein the modulating means comprises:
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a modulating material through which the outgoing laser beam passes; and means for exciting the modulating material with an electrical signal containing data to be downloaded. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8)
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12. An apparatus for scanning and downloading data comprising:
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an portable optical scanner including a laser for producing an outgoing laser beam, a mirrored spinner having a predetermined number of mirrored facets, a motor coupled to the mirrored spinner, a mirror for collecting light reflected from bar code labels during scanning, and a detector for converting the reflected light into electrical signals based on the intensity of the reflected light; switching means within the scanner for controlling the motor, including means for deenergizing the motor during data downloading; modulating means within the scanner for modulating the outgoing laser beam with data during data downloading including a modulating material through which the outgoing laser beam passes, and means for exciting the modulating material with an electrical signal containing the data to be downloaded; and control means within the scanner for processing and storing data, and for controlling operation of the scanner, the switching means, the modulating means, and the demodulating means.
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13. A method for downloading inventory item bar code data from an optical scanner comprising the steps of:
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providing an optical scanner having a laser for producing an outgoing beam and a motor-driven mirrored spinner for reflecting the outgoing beam; switching operation of the scanner from scanning to downloading the inventory item bar code data; and modulating the outgoing laser beam with the inventory item bar code data to be downloaded. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. An apparatus for scanning and downloading inventory item bar code data comprising:
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an optical scanner including a laser for producing an outgoing laser beam; switching means within the scanner for selecting between scanning and downloading the inventory item bar code data; modulating means within the scanner for modulating the outgoing laser beam with the inventory item bar code data during downloading including a modulating material through which the outgoing laser beam passes, and means for exciting the modulating material with an electrical signal containing the inventory item bar code data to be downloaded; and control means within the scanner for processing and storing the inventory item bar code data, and for controlling operation of the scanner, the switching means, and the modulating means. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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20. A method for downloading the inventory item bar code data from an optical scanner comprising the steps of:
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providing an optical scanner having a laser for producing an outgoing beam and a motor-driven mirrored spinner for reflecting the outgoing beam; switching operation of the scanner from scanning to downloading the inventory item bar code data; and modulating the outgoing laser beam with the inventory item bar code data to be downloaded by providing a modulating material in the path of the outgoing laser beam and exciting the modulating material with an electrical signal containing the inventory item bar code data to be downloaded.
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Specification