Modular hand-held data entry system

• US 5,539,194 A
• Filed: 05/19/1995
• Issued: 07/23/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies General IP PTE Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Norand Corporation (Baker Hughes Company)
• Inventors: Adams, Glen S., Mahany, Ronald L., Danielson, Arvin D., Bunte, Alan G., Geers, Robert G., Arensdorf, Richard C., Hanson, George E., Miller, Phillip, Koenck, Steven E., Durbin, Dennis A., Kelly, Stephen J., Schultz, Darald R., Cargin, Keith K., Boatwright, Darrell L., Gibbs, William T., Hutton, James R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pitts, Harold
• Application Number:
  US08/444,619
• Time in Patent Office: 431 Days
• Field of Search: 235/472, 235/454
• US Class Current: 235/472.02
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0241 for telephones
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1647 including at least an additional display G06F1/1692 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1671 Special purpose buttons or auxiliary keyboards, e.g. retractable mini keypads, keypads or buttons that remain accessible at closed laptop G06F1/1666 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1683 for the transmission of signal or power between the different housings, e.g. details of wired or wireless communication, passage of cabling
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1698 the I/O peripheral being a sending/receiving arrangement to establish a cordless communication link, e.g. radio or infrared link, integrated cellular phone details of antennas disposed inside a computer H01Q1/2266
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/28 Supervision thereof, e.g. detecting power-supply failure by out of limits supervision
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3203 Power management, i.e. event-based initiation of a power-saving mode
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3228 Monitoring task completion, e.g. by use of idle timers, stop commands or wait commands
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 15/0216 Constructional details or arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 15/0283 for data storage and retrieval
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0231 Cordless keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 17/0022 arrangements or provisions 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 7/10574 Multiple sources
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10584 Source control
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10702 Particularities of propagating elements, e.g. lenses, mirrors G06K7/10831 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10722 : Photodetector array or CCD scanning
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10732 : Light sources
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10811 : Focalisation
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10841 : Particularities of the light-sensitive elements semiconductor devices H01L
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10851 : Circuits for pulse shaping, amplifying, eliminating noise signals, checking the function of the sensing device basic electronic circuitry H03
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10881 : constructional details of hand-held scanners
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1093 : sensing, after transfer of the image of the data-field to an intermediate store, e.g. storage with cathode ray tube
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1098 : the scanning arrangement having a modular construction
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/12 : using a selected wavelength, e.g. to sense red marks and ignore blue marks
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 : Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 : Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/005 : using a power saving mode for copiers G03G15/5004
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3883 : Arrangements for mounting batteries or battery chargers
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 17/0085 : using test signal generators
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 17/318 : Received signal strength
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2001/3894 : Waterproofing of transmission device
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/0025 : Transmission of mode-switching indication
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/0032 : Without explicit signalling
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/403 : with centralised control, e.g. polling
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0208 : characterized by the relative motions of the body parts
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0214 : Foldable telephones, i.e. with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position combined with translation movement H04M1/0235
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0235 : Slidable or telescopic telephones, i.e. with a relative translation movement of the body parts; Telephones using a combination of translation and other relative motions of the body parts
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0254 : comprising one or a plurality of mechanically detachable modules
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0262 : for a battery compartment
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/16 : including more than one display unit
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/18 : including more than one keyboard unit
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 : Terminal devices

Abstract

A hand held data entry apparatus having a body for receiving, storing and transmitting information, including a camming mechanism for quickly sealingly attaching an accessory such as a scanner to the top of a hand held data entry apparatus. Additionally, a similar camming mechanism is utilized to hold a battery pack in place with the additional feature of not only pulling the battery pack securely against the housing, but also pushing the battery pack contacts into abutment with complementary contacts disposed within the housing. A keypad is provided for permitting information to be manually entered into the hand held body and this keypad is encased in a layer of elastomeric material such as silicone. A pair of LED'"'"'s are utilized, one to indicate a "good scan" and the other to indicate something else, such as a "bad scan." Additionally, these LED'"'"'s can be encased in operative or dummy keys in order to save keyboard space. A mechanism is provided for pivoting the scanner about either of two perpendicular axes.

Claims

1. In a data capture system, a hand-held data terminal of a weight suitable for one-handed use, comprising:

(a) a base unit operable for receiving operator effected data entry, comprising

(i) a frontal side with a user interface for viewing by an operator during an operator effected data entry,

(ii) a handgrip side, opposite said frontal side, which is manually gripped during the operator effected data entry,

(iii) a module receiving end,

said base unit having an edgewise disposition where said module receiving end, which is remote during the operator effected data entry, is generally uppermost, and where said frontal side is directed generally laterally of the operator holding said base unit at said handgrip side;

(b) an optical indicia reader module, comprising

(i) a module housing assembled at said module receiving end of said base unit, having a light transmissive window of extent accommodating reading of an entire line of optical indicia without movement of the hand-held data terminal as a whole, and said module housing being capable of orientation in either of two respective opposite dispositions where the light transmissive window is directed respectively in each of two opposite directions relative to said base unit, and said module housing, when assembled with said base unit so as to direct the light transmissive window in either of the two respective opposite directions, has a footprint falling within the confines of said module receiving end of said base unit, and

(ii) reader means in said module housing for reading optical indicia which are located externally of the hand-held data terminal and without establishing physical contact between any portion of the hand-held data terminal and the optical indicia to be read;

(c) said optical indicia reader module being constructed for orientation to said base unit in either a left-handed reading position or a right-handed reading position and in a manner permitting the assembled said base unit and said optical indicia reader module to be held in one hand;

(d) portable battery means in said base unit for supplying power to the hand-held data terminal;

(e) a manual actuator, located on said base unit, for actuating operation of said optical indicia reader module by the same hand which is holding the hand-held data terminal; and

(f) said reader means comprising a laser scanner in said module housing, the hand-held data terminal being of configuration to be held in a right or a left hand of the operator, with said base unit in the edgewise disposition and said laser scanner being contained in said module housing so as to be oriented with said module housing to accommodate right-handed or left-handed use.

2. In the data capture system according to claim 1, wherein said manual actuator is located where a thumb or a forefinger of the left or the right hand of the operator would naturally rest when the operator is holding the hand-held data terminal in one hand with the hand-held data terminal in the edgewise disposition to read optical indicia.

3. In the data capture terminal according to claim 1, wherein said manual actuator is located on a first lateral side of the hand-held data terminal where the thumb of the operator'"'"'s left or right hand would naturally rest when the operator is holding the hand-held data terminal in one hand with the hand-held data terminal in the edgewise disposition for reading optical indicia, and further comprising a second manual actuator located on a second lateral side of the hand-held data terminal, opposite the first lateral side, where the forefinger of the operator'"'"'s left or right hand would naturally rest when the operator is holding the hand-held data terminal in one hand with the hand-held data terminal in the edgewise disposition for reading optical indicia.

4. In a data capture system, a hand-held data terminal of a weight suitable for one-handed use, comprising:

(a) a base unit operable for receiving operator effected data entry, comprising

(i) a frontal side with a user interface for viewing by an operator during an operator effected data entry,

(ii) a handgrip side, opposite said frontal side, which is manually gripped during the operator effected data entry,

(iii) a module receiving end,

said base unit having an edgewise disposition where said module receiving end, which is remote during the operator effected data entry, is generally uppermost, and where said frontal side is directed generally laterally of the operator holding said base unit at said handgrip side;

(b) an optical indicia reader module, comprising

(i) a module housing assembled at said module receiving end of said base unit, having a light transmissive window of extent accommodating reading of an entire line of optical indicia without movement of the hand-held data terminal as a whole, and which housing, when assembled with said base unit, has a footprint falling within the confines of said module receiving end of said base unit, and

(ii) a laser scanner in said module housing for reading optical indicia which are located externally of the hand-held data terminal and without establishing physical contact between any portion of the hand-held data terminal and the optical indicia to be read;

(c) said optical indicia reader module being constructed for assembly to said base unit in a manner permitting said laser scanner to be rotatable about a vertical axis of the hand-held data terminal into either a left-handed reading position or a right-handed reading position, and in a manner permitting the assembled said base unit and said optical indicia reader module to be held in one hand;

(d) portable battery means in said base unit for supplying power to the hand-held data terminal;

(e) a manual actuator, located on the hand-held data terminal, for actuating operation of said optical indicia reader module by the same hand which is holding the hand-held data terminal; and

(f) the hand-held data terminal comprising the assembled said base unit and said optical indicia reader module, being of configuration to be held in a right or a left hand of the operator with said base unit in said edgewise disposition and said laser scanner directed forwardly toward optical indicia which are spaced in front of the light transmissive window.

5. In the data capture system according to claim 4, wherein said optical indicia reader module further comprises means for pivoting the light transmissive window of said optical indicia reader module about a horizontal axis of the hand-held data terminal thereby enabling the light transmissive window to be positioned in a plurality of orientations relative to the horizontal axis when said optical indicia reader module has been pivoted about the vertical axis into either the left-handed reading position or the right-handed reading position.

6. In the data capture system according to claim 4, wherein said manual actuator is located where a thumb or a forefinger of the left or the right hand of the operator would naturally rest when the operator is holding the hand-held data terminal in one hand with the hand-held data terminal in the edgewise disposition to read optical indicia.

7. In the data capture terminal according to claim 4, wherein said manual actuator is located on a first lateral side of the hand-held data terminal where the thumb of the operator'"'"'s left or right hand would naturally rest when the operator is holding the hand-held data terminal in one hand with the hand-held data terminal in the edgewise disposition for reading optical indicia, and further comprising a second manual actuator located on a second lateral side of the hand-held data terminal, opposite the first lateral side, where the forefinger of the operator'"'"'s left or right hand would naturally rest when the operator is holding the hand-held data terminal in one hand with the hand-held data terminal in the edgewise disposition for reading optical indicia.

8. In a data capture system, a hand-held data terminal of a weight suitable for one-handed use, comprising:

(a) a base unit operable for receiving operator effected data entry, comprising

(i) a frontal side with a user interface for viewing by an operator during an operator effected data entry,

(ii) a handgrip side, opposite said frontal side, which is manually gripped during the operator effected data entry,

(iii) a module receiving end,

said base unit having a disposition where said module receiving end, which is remote during the operator effected data entry, is generally uppermost, and where said frontal side is directed toward the operator holding said base unit at said handgrip side;

(b) an optical indicia reader module, comprising

(i) a module housing assembled at said module receiving end of said base unit, having a light transmissive window of extent accommodating reading of an entire line of optical indicia without movement of the hand-held data terminal as a whole, and which housing, when assembled with said base unit, has a footprint falling within the confines of said module receiving end of said base unit, and

(ii) reader means, located completely within said module housing, for reading optical indicia which are located externally of the hand-held data terminal and without establishing physical contact between any portion of the hand-held data terminal and the optical indicia to be read;

(c) said optical indicia reader module being constructed for assembly to said base unit in a manner permitting said optical indicia reader module to be pivotable about a vertical axis of the hand-held data terminal, thereby enabling the light transmissive window to be positioned in a plurality of orientations relative to the vertical axis, and in a manner permitting the assembled said base unit and said optical indicia reader module to be held in one hand;

(d) portable battery means in said base unit for supplying power to the hand-held data terminal;

(e) a manual actuator, located on the hand-held data terminal, for actuating operation of said optical indicia reader module by the same hand which is holding the hand-held data terminal; and

(f) the hand-held data terminal comprising the assembled said base unit and said optical indicia reader module with said module housing containing said optical indicia reader means, being of configuration to be held in a right hand or a left hand of the operator, and being directed toward optical indicia which are spaced in front of the light transmissive window.

9. In the data capture system according to claim 8, wherein said optical indicia reader module further comprises means for pivoting the light transmissive window of said optical indicia reader module about a horizontal axis of the hand-held data terminal thereby enabling the light transmissive window to be positioned in a plurality of orientations relative to the horizontal axis when the user has pivoted said optical indicia reader module about the vertical axis into a desired position.

10. In the data capture system according to claim 8, wherein said manual actuator is located where a thumb or a forefinger of the left or the right hand of the operator would naturally rest when the operator is holding the hand-held data terminal in one hand with the hand-held data terminal in the edgewise disposition to read optical indicia.

11. In the data capture terminal according to claim 8, wherein said manual actuator is located on a first lateral side of the hand-held data terminal where the thumb of the operator'"'"'s left or right hand would naturally rest when the operator is holding the hand-held data terminal in one hand with the hand-held data terminal in the edgewise disposition for reading optical indicia, and further comprising a second manual actuator located on a second lateral side of the hand-held data terminal, opposite the first lateral side, where the forefinger of the operator'"'"'s left or right hand would naturally rest when the operator is holding the hand-held data terminal in one hand with the hand-held data terminal in the edgewise disposition for reading optical indicia.

12. In a data capture system, a hand-held data terminal of a weight suitable for one-handed use, comprising:

(a) a base unit operable for receiving operator effected data entry, comprising

(i) a frontal side, of a predetermined width, with a user interface for viewing by an operator during an operator effected data entry,

(ii) a handgrip side, opposite said frontal side, which is manually gripped during the operator effected data entry, and

(iii) a module receiving end,

said base unit having an edgewise disposition where said module receiving end, which is remote during the operator effected data entry, is generally uppermost, and where said frontal side is directed generally laterally of the operator holding said base unit at said handgrip side;

(b) an optical indicia reader module, comprising

(i) a module housing assembled at said module receiving end of said base unit, having a light transmissive window of extent accommodating reading of an entire line of optical indicia without movement of the hand-held data terminal as a whole, and said module housing being capable of orientation in either of two respective opposite dispositions where the light transmissive window is directed respectively in each of two opposite directions relative to said base unit, and said module housing, when assembled with said base unit so as to direct the light transmissive window in either of the two respective opposite directions, does not exceed the predetermined width of said base unit, and

(ii) reader means in said module housing for reading optical indicia which are located externally of the hand-held data terminal and without establishing physical contact between any portion of the hand-held data terminal and the optical indicia to be read;

(c) said optical indicia reader module being constructed for orientation to said base unit in either a left-handed reading position or a right-handed reading position and in a manner permitting the assembled said base unit and said optical indicia reader module to be held in one hand;

(d) portable battery means In said base unit for supplying power to the hand-held data terminal;

(e) a manual actuator, located on said base unit, for actuating operation of said optical indicia reader module by the same hand which is holding the hand-held data terminal; and

(f) the hand-held data terminal being of configuration to be held in a right or a left hand of the operator, with said base unit in the edgewise disposition and said reader means being contained in said module housing so as to be oriented with said module housing to accommodate right-handed or left-handed use.

13. In the data capture system according to claim 12, wherein said manual actuator is located where a thumb or a forefinger of the left or the right hand of the operator would naturally rest when the operator is holding the hand-held data terminal in one hand with the hand-held data terminal in the edgewise disposition to read optical indicia.

14. In the data capture terminal according to claim 12, wherein said manual actuator is located on a first lateral side of the hand-held data terminal where the thumb of the operator'"'"'s left or right hand would naturally rest when the operator is holding the hand-held data terminal in one hand with the hand-held data terminal in the edgewise disposition for reading optical indicia, and further comprising a second manual actuator located on a second lateral side of the hand-held data terminal, opposite the first lateral side, where the forefinger of the operator'"'"'s left or right hand would naturally rest when the operator is holding the hand-held data terminal in one hand with the hand-held data terminal in the edgewise disposition for reading optical indicia.

15. In a data capture system, a hand-held data terminal of a weight suitable for one-handed use, comprising:

(a) a base unit operable for receiving operator effected data entry, comprising

(i) a frontal side with a user interface for viewing by an operator during an operator effected data entry,

(ii) a handgrip side, opposite said frontal side, which is manually gripped during the operator effected data entry,

(iii) a module receiving end, said base unit having an edgewise disposition where said module receiving end, which is remote during the operator effected data entry, is generally uppermost, and where said frontal side is directed generally laterally of the operator holding said base unit at said handgrip side;

(b) an optical indicia reader module, comprising

(i) a module housing assembled at said module receiving end of said base unit, capable of reading an entire line of optical indicia without movement of the hand-held data terminal as a whole, and said module housing being capable of orientation in either of two respective opposite dispositions where said module is directed respectively in each of two opposite directions, and said module housing relative to said base unit, when assembled with said base unit so as to be directed in either of the two respective opposite directions has a footprint falling within the confines of said module receiving end of said base unit, and

(ii) reader means in said module housing for reading optical indicia which are located externally of the hand-held data terminal and without establishing physical contact between any portion of the hand-held data terminal and the optical indicia to be read;

(c) said optical indicia reader module being constructed for orientation to said base unit in either a left-handed reading position or a right-handed reading position and in a manner permitting the assembled said base unit and said optical indicia reader module to be held in one hand;

(d) portable battery means in said base unit for supplying power to the hand-held data terminal;

(e) a manual actuator, located on said base unit, for actuating operation of said optical indicia reader module by the same hand which is holding the hand-held data terminal; and

(f) said reader means comprising a laser scanner in said module housing, the hand-held data terminal being of configuration to be held In a right or a left hand of the operator, with said base unit In the edgewise disposition and said laser scanner being contained In said module housing so as to be oriented with said module housing to accommodate right-handed or left-handed use.

16. In the data capture system according to claim 15, wherein said manual actuator is located where a thumb or a forefinger of the left or the right hand of the operator would naturally rest when the operator is holding the hand-held data terminal in one hand with the hand-held data terminal in the edgewise disposition to read optical indicia.

17. In the data capture terminal according to claim 15, wherein said manual actuator is located on a first lateral side of the hand-held data terminal where the thumb of the operator'"'"'s left or right hand would naturally rest when the operator is holding the hand-held data terminal in one hand with the hand-held data terminal in the edgewise disposition for reading optical indicia, and further comprising a second manual actuator located on a second lateral side of the hand-held data terminal, opposite the first lateral side, where the forefinger of the operator'"'"'s left or right hand would naturally rest when the operator is holding the hand-held data terminal in one hand with the hand-held data terminal in the edgewise disposition for reading optical indicia.