Reader module for reading bar code symbols when connected to or disconnected from a terminal module

• US 5,763,865 A
• Filed: 04/01/1996
• Issued: 06/09/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 04/01/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Symbol Technologies, LLC (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc. (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Inventors: Swift, Philip W., Ball, Alan, Raymond, Lee, DeVita, Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): Hajec, Donald T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LEE, MICHAEL GUNYOUNG
• Application Number:
  US08/625,550
• Time in Patent Office: 799 Days
• Field of Search: 235/472, 235/462, 235/454, 235/383
• US Class Current: 235/462.3
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10881 constructional details of hand-held scanners
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1098 the scanning arrangement having a modular construction

Abstract

An electro-optical system for reading bar code symbols includes a reader module and a terminal module releasably interconnected to each other. The reader module includes a manually actuatable actuator to initiate the reading. Reading is initiated either when the modules are disconnected, or when the modules are interconnected, by manually actuating the actuator in both cases. A keyboard may be provided on either module to facilitate data entry.

Claims

1. An optical reader, comprising:

a reader module including an optical source for generating a reading beam;

an actuator provided on the reader module for actuating the reader module;

a terminal module releasably connectable to the reader module for communicating with the reader module, said terminal module receiving a portion of the reader module; and

a detector provided on the terminal module for detecting the reading beam.

2. A reader as claimed in claim 1 in which a detector for detecting the reading beam is provided in the reader module.

3. A reader as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a keypad for user input to the reader.

4. A reader as claimed in claim 3 in which the keypad is provided on the terminal module.

5. A reader as claimed in claim 3 in which the keypad is provided on the reader module.

6. A reader as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a visual display.

7. A reader as claimed in claim 6 in which the display is provided on the terminal module.

8. A reader as claimed in claim 6 in which the display is provided on the reader module.

9. A reader as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a main module carrying a keypad, the main module being connectable with the terminal module.

10. A reader as claimed in claim 1 in which the terminal module includes a recess portion into which the portion of the reader module is inserted.

11. A reader as claimed in claim 1 in which the terminal module includes a central portion which overlies a corresponding face portion of the reader module and skirt portions overlying portions of adjoining faces of the reader module.

12. A reader as claimed in claim 1 in which the reader module is configured to be gripped as a whole in the palm of the hand of a user.

13. A reader as claimed in claim 1 in which the reader module comprises a head portion and a handle portion and the terminal module is connectable to a base end of the handle portion.

14. A reader as claimed in claim 1 in which the reader module comprises a head portion and a handle portion and the terminal module is connectable to a part of the handle portion which, in use, faces the user.

15. A reader as claimed in claim 1 in which the reader module includes a head portion and a handle portion and the terminal module is connectable to the head portion.

16. A field of view optical reader, comprising:

a reader module including an optical source for generating a reading beam;

an actuator provided on the reader module for actuating the reader module;

a terminal module releasably connectable to the reader module for communicating with the reader module, said terminal module receiving a portion of the reader module; and

a detector provided on the terminal module for detecting the reading beam.

17. A flying spot optical scanner, comprising:

a scanner module including an optical source for generating a scanning beam;

an actuator provided on the scanner module for actuating the reader module;

a terminal module releasably connectable to the reader module for communicating with the reader module, said terminal module receiving a portion of the reader module; and

a detector provided on the terminal module for detecting the reading beam.