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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
First Claim
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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.

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