Writing implement having an integrated optical reader

• US 5,939,702 A
• Filed: 10/10/1997
• Issued: 08/17/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hanger Solutions, LLC (IP Investments Group LLC)
• Original Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Drobnis, David D., Agabra, David S., Knighton, Mark S., Vernon, John M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hajec, Donald
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lee, Diane I.
• Application Number:
  US08/949,130
• Time in Patent Office: 676 Days
• Field of Search: 235/472.01, 235/472.02, 235/472.03, 235/462.01, 235/462.25, 235/462.43, 235/462.44, 235/462.45, 235/462.46, 341/13, 401/195, 382/314, 345/166, 345/179
• US Class Current: 235/472.03
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 17/0022 arrangements or provisious 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 7/10772 Moved readers, e.g. pen, wand
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10881 constructional details of hand-held scanners

Abstract

A writing implement (10) has an optical reader (20) integrated therewith. The optical reader (20) can include a bar code reader, an optical text reader, or an optical imaging reader. Preferably, a wireless data communication circuit shares an emitter and a detector of the optical reader (20).

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a writing implement having an opening through which a writing tip is projectable and through which an optical reader is accessible, the opening at a writing end of the writing implement;

a member associated with the writing implement to select from a writing mode and an optical reading mode;

an optical reader; and

a light pipe to optically couple the optical reader to the writing end when the writing tip is retracted from the opening.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a reader tip optically coupled to the optical reader, the reader tip accessible proximate to the opening.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the optical reader is accessible when the writing tip is retracted from the opening.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the optical reader is inaccessible when the writing tip is projected through the opening.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the light pipe is pivotally connected within the writing implement.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the light pipe is tapered between a head and a reader tip.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the light pipe is spring-biased toward a writing cartridge having the writing tip.

8. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the light pipe pivots to a first position when the writing tip is projected through the opening.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the light pipe pivots to a second position when the writing tip is retracted from the opening.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the member is disposed at an end of the writing implement opposite to a writing end.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a switch associated with the optical reader, the switch responsive to the member.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the member projects and retracts a writing tip.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the writing implement includes a housing, wherein at least a portion of the optical reader is supported by a circuit board, and wherein the circuit board is disposed between the housing and a writing cartridge.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the optical reader includes an emitter and a detector mounted to the circuit board.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the optical reader includes an emitter and a detector, the apparatus further comprising a wireless data communication circuit which shares the emitter and the detector.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising a memory to store data read by the optical reader, wherein the emitter communicates an optical signal associated with the data.

17. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the optical reader includes at least one of a bar code reader, an optical text reader, and an optical imaging reader.

18. An apparatus comprising:

a writing implement to receive a writing cartridge having a writing tip, the writing implement having an opening through which the writing tip is projectable, the opening at a writing end of the writing implement;

a member associated with the writing implement to selectively project and retract the writing tip through the opening;

an optical reader integrated with the writing implement; and

a light pipe spring-biased toward the writing cartridge to optically couple the optical reader to the writing end when the writing tip is retracted from the opening.