Versatile RF terminal scanner system

• US 5,962,837 A
• Filed: 06/09/1998
• Issued: 10/05/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Intermec IP Corporation (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Intermec IP Corporation (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Inventors: Main, Douglas Walter, Kassens, Tim A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pitts, Harold I.
• Application Number:
  US09/094,091
• Time in Patent Office: 483 Days
• Field of Search: 235/462.44, 235/462.45, 235/462.46, 235/462.47
• US Class Current: 235/462.44
• 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 2207/1011 Aiming
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10346 the antenna being of the far field type, e.g. HF types or dipoles
• 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

A hand-held data processing assembly having a detachable radio frequency tag reader module. The assembly can have an electromagnetic field permeable housing. In one embodiment, the detachable tag reader module can be replaced with a different tag reader module. In other embodiments, the detachable tag reader module can be replaced with other types of reader modules such as a CCD reader module or a laser scanner module. The system can be held with the right or left hand. In either case, the user interface of the system faces the user during operation.

Claims

1. A data capture system, comprising:

a) a data capture terminal having,

1) size and weight convenient for portable use,

2) a radiant energy receiver to receive data via a radiant energy link, said radiant energy receiver being capable of receiving radio frequency data from a remote source,

3) a terminal data coupler to receive data,

4) a user data entry interface, and

5) said terminal adapted to receive a reader module such that the reader module is operable to read a data source, with a frontal operating side of the terminal comprising said user data entry interface and being generally horizontal and in facing relation to a user holding the terminal;

b) said reader module being operable during a reading operation to produce radio frequency identification data based upon reader radio frequency coupling with a radio frequency identification data source, said reader module being secured with said data capture terminal to form a data capture assembly of size and weight to be supported and directed toward a data source during a reading operation; and

c) a reader data coupler to transmit identification data to the terminal data coupler, such that identification data obtained as a result of reader radio frequency coupling with a data source mall be stored by the data capture assembly.

2. The data capture system of claim 1 wherein said data capture assemble has an elongated configuration suitable for support by the user, with the frontal operating side facing the user, and with a distal side directed away from the user, said data capture assembly being user supported with said reader module projecting radio frequency energy along a read energy path toward a radio frequency identification data source.