Hands-free bar code scanner with finger activated optical control

• US 5,340,972 A
• Filed: 04/03/1992
• Issued: 08/23/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc. (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc. (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Inventors: Sandor, Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): SHEPPERD, JOHN W
• Application Number:
  US07/862,698
• Time in Patent Office: 872 Days
• Field of Search: 250/221, 341/20, 341/21, 200/DIG. 2, 235/462, 235/472
• US Class Current: 235/462.44
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0331 Finger worn pointing device
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 2007/10534 Scanner to be worn on a finger or on a wrist
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 2207/1016 Motor control or optical moving unit control
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10564 Light sources
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10584 Source control
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10633 by oscillation
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10653 using flexible or piezoelectric means
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10871 randomly oriented data-fields, code-marks therefore, e.g. concentric circles-code
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10881 constructional details of hand-held scanners
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10891 the scanner to be worn on a finger or on a wrist
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/343 Cards including a counter
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/02 by keys or other credit registering devices
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/0045 with a code reader for reading of an identifying code of the article to be registered, e.g. barcode reader or radio-frequency identity [RFID] reader

Abstract

A hands-free bar code scanner unit is mounted on the back of the hand or wrist of an operator to free the hands and arms of the operator to perform normal manual tasks. The bar code scanner is selectively actuated by the operator by positionally moving one or more fingers, preferably by pointing an index finger. The bar code scanner unit comprises a housing secured to the back of the hand or wrist of an operator. The housing mounts therein an active or passive photosensor for detecting a predetermined positional movement of one or more fingers by the operator. The housing also mounts therein a bar code scanner which scans in the direction in which the scanner is aimed, as in the direction of a pointing finger, and is responsive to the photosensor detecting a predetermined positional movement of one or more fingers to actuate the bar code scanner. In a preferred embodiment, a first photosensor detects the position of the index finger, and a second photosensor detects the position of the middle finger. During operation, a logic circuit is coupled to the outputs of the first and second photosensors to actuate the bar code scanner when the outputs of the photosensors indicate relaxed nonpointing positions of both the index finger and the middle finger followed by a pointing position of the index finger and a relaxed nonpointing position of the middle finger. The arrangement and logic circuit provide for ambidextrous placement of the unit on either the right or the left hand of an operator.

Claims

1. A hands-free bar code scanner unit, comprising:

a. a photosensor means for detecting a predetermined positional movement of one or more fingers by an operator, wherein said photosensor means comprises an active photosensor assembly which includes means for generating a radiation beam which can be interrupted by a moving finger, and a photodetector means for detecting reflected radiation of the radiation beam;

b. a bar code scanner arranged to scan in a direction in which the scanner is aimed; and

c. means responsive to said photosensor means detecting a predetermined positional movement of one or more fingers to actuate the bar code scanner.

3. A hands-free bar code scanner unit as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said photosensor means detects a pointing position of the index finger, and wherein the bar code scanner is aimed in the direction of the pointing position of the index finger.

4. A hands-free bar code scanner unit as claimed in claim 3, wherein said photosensor means also detects a relaxed nonpointing position of the middle finger.

5. A hands-free bar code scanner unit as claimed in claim 4, wherein said photosensor means first detects relaxed nonpointing positions of both the index finger and the middle finger, followed by a pointing position of the index finger and a relaxed nonpointing position of the middle finger.

6. A hands-free bar code scanner unit as claimed in claim 5, wherein the photosensor is mounted in a housing which is contoured with recesses to fit the back of the index finger and the back of the middle finger of the operator.

7. A hands-free bar code scanner unit as claimed in claim 6, further comprising a keyboard and display mounted in said housing.

8. A hands-free bar code scanner unit as claimed in claim 7, further comprising a printer and data storage device mounted in said housing.

9. A hands-free bar code scanner unit as claimed in claim 6, further comprising a communications interface means mounted in said housing for providing a communication link between said scanner unit and a local area network or telephone exchange network.

10. A hands-free bar code scanner unit as claimed in claim 6, further comprising a low power radio broadcast transmission means mounted in said housing for providing a communications link between said scanner unit and a stationary receiver.

11. A hands-free bar code scanner unit as claimed in claim 5, wherein a logic circuit is coupled to said photosensor means to actuate the bar code scanner when the outputs of said photosensor means indicate first detecting relaxed nonpointing positions of both the index finger and the middle finger, followed by a pointing position of the index finger and a relaxed nonpointing position of the middle finger, thereby providing for ambidextrous placement of the unit on either the right hand or the left hand of the operator.

12. A hands-free bar code scanner unit as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said photosensor is mounted in a housing which is contoured to fit the back of the hand and is also contoured with at least one recess to fit the top of at least one moving finger of the operator.

13. A hands-free bar code scanner unit as claimed in claim 12, wherein said housing is contoured with recesses to fit the tops of the index and middle fingers of an operator, and a photosensor means is provided for each of the index and middle fingers of the operator.

14. A hands-free bar code scanner unit as claimed in claim 1 or 2, further including a mounting for securing said scanner and photosensor means to the wrist or forearm of the operator, with a rear portion of the mounting being wrapped around the wrist or forearm of the operator, and a forward portion of the mounting being secured to mounting frames underneath said housing, and wherein said rear portion of the mounting includes a strap which encircles the wrist or forearm of the operator.

15. A hands-free bar code scanner unit as claimed in claim 14, wherein said strap includes a Velcro release.

16. A hands-free bar code scanner unit as claimed in claim 14, wherein said mounting further includes an elastic band which encircles both the index and middle fingers of the hand of the operator.

17. A hands-free bar code scanner unit as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the bar code scanner unit is capable of ambidextrous operation and can fit either the left or right hand of the operator, and logic is provided to enable the bar code scanner upon the pointing of the index finger of either the left or right hand of the operator on which the scanner is mounted and the simultaneous relaxed nonpointing of the middle finger of either the left or right hand of the operator on which the scanner is mounted.

18. A hands-free bar code scanner unit as claimed in claim 1 or 2, further comprising a small computer unit capable of being mounted on a belt worn by the operator and communicating with said scanner unit.

19. A hands-free bar code scanner unit as claimed in claim 18, wherein said computer unit has a radio frequency communications means capable of establishing a communications link with a host computer.

2. A hands-free bar code scanner unit, comprising:

a. a photosensor means for detecting a predetermined positional movement of one or more fingers by an operator, wherein said photosensor means comprises a passive photodetector means for detecting ambient room illumination which is blocked by a pointing finger and passed to the photodetector means by a nonpointing finger;

b. a bar code scanner arranged to scan in a direction in which the scanner is aimed; and

c. means responsive to said photosensor means detecting a predetermined positional movement of one or more fingers to actuate the bar code scanner.

20. A hands-free bar code scanner unit as claimed in claim 2, wherein said photodetector means generates an output and said photosensor means further comprises a high frequency filtering means for filtering the photodetector output such that slow changes in ambient illumination do not actuate the bar code scanner.

21. A method of operating a hands-free bar code scanner unit, comprising the steps of:

a. aiming the bar code scanner at a bar code symbol to be detected;

b. photodetecting positional movement of one or more fingers of an operator, wherein said photodetecting is performed by generating a radiation beam which can be interrupted by a moving finger, and detecting reflected radiation of the radiation beam; and

c. actuating the bar code scanner responsive to the photodetecting of a predetermined positional movement of said one or more fingers of the operator.

23. A method of operating a hands-free bar code scanner unit as claimed in claim 21 or 22, wherein said photodetecting step comprises detecting a pointing position of an index finger of the operator, and aiming the scanner in the direction of the pointing position of an index finger.

24. A method of operating a hands-free bar code scanner unit as claimed in claim 23, wherein said photodetecting step further comprises photodetecting a relaxed nonpointing position of a middle finger of the operator.

27. A method of operating a hands-free bar code scanner unit as claimed in claim 21, wherein the operation of the bar code scanner unit is ambidextrous and can be performed by either a left or right hand of the operator, and said actuating of the bar code scanner occurs upon the photodetecting of a pointing of an index finger of either the left or right hand of the operator on which a photosensor is mounted and a simultaneous relaxed nonpointing of a middle finger of either the left or right hand of the operator on which the photosensor is mounted.

28. A method of operating a hands-free bar code scanner unit as claimed in claim 21 or 22, further comprising the step of establishing a communications link between said scanner unit and a local area or telephone exchange network.

29. A method of operating a hands-free bar code scanner unit as claimed in claim 21 or 22, further comprising the step of establishing a low power radio broadcast communications link between said scanner unit and a stationary receiver.

30. A method of operating a hands-free bar code scanner unit as claimed in claim 21, further comprising the step of establishing a communication link between said scanner unit and a small computer unit capable of being mounted to a belt worn by the operator.

22. A method of operating a hands-free bar code scanner unit, comprising the steps of:

a. aiming the bar code scanner at a bar code symbol to be detected;

b. photodetecting positional movement of one or more fingers of an operator, wherein said photodetecting is performed by photodetecting ambient room illumination which is not blocked by a pointing finger; and

c. actuating the bar code scanner responsive to the photodetecting of a predetermined positional movement of said one or more fingers of the operator.

31. A method of operating a hands-free bar code scanner unit as claimed in claim 22, wherein said photodetecting step includes generating an output signal and subjecting said signal to high-frequency filtering such that slow changes in the ambient room illumination do not activate the bar code scanner.

25. A method of operating a hands-free bar code scanner unit as claimed in 24, wherein said photodetecting step further comprises first photodetecting relaxed nonpointing positions of both the index finger and the middle finger, followed by photodetecting a pointing position of the index finger and a relaxed nonpointing position of the middle finger.

26. A method of operating a hands-free bar code scanner unit as claimed in claim 25, wherein said actuating of the bar code scanner occurs upon sequentially first photodetecting relaxed nonpointing positions of both the index finger and the middle finger, followed by detecting a pointing position of the index finger and a relaxed nonpointing position of the middle finger, and said actuating is performed using logic circuitry which allows ambidextrous placement of the unit on either the right hand or the left hand of an operator.

32. A hands-free bar code scanner unit mounted on the hand or wrist of an operator which is actuated by a predetermined positional movement of one or more fingers by the operator while aiming the scanner at a bar code symbol to be detected, comprising:

a. a housing to be mounted on the back of the hand or wrist of an operator;

b. activation switch means of a photosensor type, mounted in said housing, responsive to a predetermined movement of one or more fingers by the operator, wherein said switch means comprises an active photosensor assembly which includes means for generating a radiation beam which can be interrupted by a moving finger, and a photodetector means for detecting reflected radiation of the radiation beam;

c. a bar code scanner, mounted in said housing to scan in a direction in the general direction of the outstretched finger of the operator, and being responsive to said activation switch means to actuate scanning by the bar code scanner.

34. A hands-free bar code scanner unit as claimed in claim 32 or 33, wherein said activation switch means detects a pointing position of the index finger, and wherein the bar code scanner is mounted in said hosing such that the emitted light beam is generally directed in the direction of the pointing position of the index finger.

33. A hands-free bar code scanner unit mounted on the hand or wrist of an operator which is actuated by a predetermined positional movement of one or more fingers by the operator while aiming the scanner at a bar code symbol to be detected, comprising:

a. a housing to be mounted on the back of the hand or wrist of an operator;

b. activation switch means of a photosensor type, mounted in said housing, responsive to a predetermined movement of one or more fingers by the operator, wherein said switch means comprises a passive photodetector means for detecting ambient room illumination which is blocked by a pointing finger and passed to the photodetector means by a nonpointing finger;

c. a bar code scanner, mounted in said housing to scan in a direction in the general direction of the outstretched finger of the operator, and being responsive to said activation switch means to actuate scanning by the bar code scanner.

35. In a bar code scanner adapted to be mounted on the hand or wrist of the user and provided with a triggering arrangement to actuate the scanner for reading a bar code, the improvement which comprises the triggering arrangement including a photosensor means for detecting a predetermined position movement of the user, and for actuating the scanner to read a bar code upon such detection, wherein said photosensor means comprises an active photosensor assembly which includes means for generating a radiation beam which can be interrupted by a moving finger, and a photodetector means for detecting reflected radiation of the radiation beam.

37. Improvement according to claim 35 or 36 in which said predetermined position movement comprises a movement of solely pointing the index finger from a position of the hand in which the index finger is not so solely pointed.

38. Improvement according to claim 35 or 36 in which the scanner is constructed so that, when mounted on the hand or wrist of the user, it will be aimed in the direction that the user'"'"'s index finger points.

36. In a bar code scanner adapted to be mounted on the hand or wrist of the user and provided with a triggering arrangement to actuate the scanner for reading a bar code, the improvement which comprises the triggering arrangement including a photosensor means for detecting a predetermined position movement of the user, and for actuating the scanner to read a bar code upon such detection, wherein said photosensor means comprises a passive photodetector means for detecting ambient room illumination which is blocked by a pointing finger and passed to the photodetector means by a nonpointing finger.