Laser scanner module having integral interface with hand-held data capture terminal proximity and label sensing, and enhanced sensitivity and power efficiency

• US 5,834,753 A
• Filed: 05/09/1995
• Issued: 11/10/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/1986
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Intermec IP Corporation (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Norand Corporation (Baker Hughes Company)
• Inventors: Danielson, Arvin D., Hanson, George E., Durbin, Dennis A.
• Primary Examiner(s): PITTS, HAROLD I
• Application Number:
  US08/438,220
• Time in Patent Office: 1,281 Days
• Field of Search: 235/472, 235/462
• US Class Current: 235/472.01
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0231 Circuits relating to the driving or the functioning of the vehicle monitoring tyres B60C23/00; indicating overspeed B60K31/00; for dash boards B60K37/00, B60Q3/10; for indicating emergencies B60Q1/52; brake control systems B60T; registering or indicating the working of vehicles G07C5/00; measuring distance G01C, e.g. combinations of speed and distance G01C23/00; engine indicators G01L; measuring speed or acceleration G01P
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0315 using multiplexing techniques multiplexing for transmission of signals G08C15/00; multiplexing for electrical communication in general H04J
• 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 1/1656 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 1/1696 the I/O peripheral being a printing or scanning device
• 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 2200/1632 Pen holder integrated in the computer
• 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 2207/1011 Aiming
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10574 Multiple sources
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10584 Source control
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10613 by rotation, e.g. polygon
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10633 by oscillation
• 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 7/109 : adaptations to make the hand-held scanner useable as a fixed scanner
• 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: G06K 7/1417 : 2D bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 : Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/343 : Cards including a counter
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0808 : Diagnosing performance data testing of vehicles G01M17/00; testing of electrical installation on vehicles G01R31/005
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0858 : wherein the data carrier is removable
• 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: H01Q 1/242 : specially adapted for hand-held use
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/50 : Structural association of antennas with earthing switches, lead-in devices or lightning protectors
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/526 : Electromagnetic shields
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/245 : in the focal plane of a focussing device
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/46 : for ICE-powered road vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/005 : using a power saving mode for copiers G03G15/5004
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3877 : Arrangements for enabling portable transceivers to be used in a fixed position, e.g. cradles or boosters
• 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 1/1671 : the supervisory signal being transmitted together with control information
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/1685 : the supervisory signal being transmitted in response to a specific request, e.g. to a polling signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0202 : Portable telephone sets, e.g. cordless phones, mobile phones or bar type handsets constructional features of telephone transmitters or receivers, e.g. of speakers or microphones H04M1/03
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/006 : Networks other than PSTN/ISDN providing telephone service, e.g. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) , including next generation networks with a packet-switched transport layer H04L65/00 takes precedence; aspects not specific to the type of network H04M3/00; special services in those networks H04M3/42
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/14 : Spectrum sharing arrangements between different networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/00 : Communication routing or communication path finding
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0229 : where the received signal is a wanted signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 : Terminal devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 : adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/0233 : Filters, inductors or a magnetic substance
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 : in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A portable, hand-held data processing assembly of modular structure includes a base unit with a keyboard and a display screen. An indicia reader module is housed in a housing shell which is attachable to the base unit. The indicia reader module can contain a reflected light indicia reader for non-contact essentially instantaneous reading of bar codes of the like disposed in a spaced, non-contacting relationship to the assembly. The indicia reader module can also include a processor. The base can include a light source. Additionally, the base unit can include a battery for powering the hand-held data processing assembly. A data collection and communications module can include a stacked arrangement of a communications interface main circuit board, a radio and a laser scanner assembly which are housed in a housing shell attachable to the base unit. In this arrangement, the radio is mounted in spaced relationship to one side of the main circuit board, while the laser scanner assembly is mounted to the other side of the main circuit board. A support frame and a plurality of ground planes in the sandwiched main circuit board and a routing circuit board form an RF cage for shielding RF interference which may be generated by the radio. Also disclosed is a method for reducing the operational power consumption requirements of laser bar code scanners by analyzing reflected laser light in order to determine the presence of optically readable information sets.

Claims

1. In a data acquisition system, a hand-held data processing assembly, comprising:

(a) a base unit of size to be held in one hand during data acquisition, said base unit comprising a user interface; and

(b) an indicia reader module, assembled with said base unit, containing a reflected light indicia reader to essentially instantaneously read optical indicia disposed in spaced non-contacting relationship to the assembly, said reader module containing a power supply.

2. A data acquisition system according to claim 1, wherein said base unit comprises a light source for generating a light beam, the hand-held data processing assembly being orientable for directing a light beam from said light source toward optical indicia to be read.

3. A data acquisition system according to claim 1, wherein said indicia reader module further comprises a processor controlling functioning of the hand-held data processing assembly.

4. A data acquisition system according to claim 1, wherein said base unit further comprises a battery for providing electrical power to the hand-held data processing assembly.

5. The data acquisition system according to claim 1, wherein said indicia reader module further comprises a charge coupled device reader assembly.

6. A hand-held data processing assembly, comprising:

(a) a base unit of size to be held in one hand during data acquisition, said base unit comprising a user interface; and

(b) an indicia reader module, assembled with said base unit, to essentially instantaneously read indicia disposed in spaced non-contacting relationship to the assembly, said reader module containing a power supply.

7. A hand-held data processing assembly according to claim 6, wherein said indicia reader module further comprises a processor controlling functioning of the hand-held data processing assembly.

8. A hand-held data processing assembly according to claim 6, wherein said base unit further comprises a battery providing electrical power to the hand-held data processing assembly.

9. The hand-held data processing assembly according to claim 6, wherein said indicia reader module further comprises a charge coupled device reader assembly.