Compact scanner module mountable to pointing instrument
First Claim
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1. A data reading system comprisinga pointing instrument which may be held in a hand of an operator;
- a scanner module mounted within the pointing instrument, the scanner module comprising a beam source, a focusing lens for focusing the beam to a desired waist location, a scanning mechanism for scanning the focused beam along at least one axis to produce a scanning beam of at least one scan line, and a detector for detecting light reflected and/or scattered off the object being scanned and producing a signal representing the light detected;
decoder for decoding the signal;
a data terminal module operably connected to the scanner module;
wherein the decoder is located remotely from the pointing instrument, wherein the pointing instrument affects aiming of the scanning beam toward an object to be scanned by pointing the pointing instrument at the object, wherein the pointing instrument is usable to actuate the data terminal module.
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Abstract
Method and apparatus for scanning items with a compact scanner which is mountable onto and/or integral with a pointing instrument. The scanner module may be equipped with an aiming beam for additional help in directing the scan line toward the object to be read. The pointing instrument may be a pen or pencil or alternately a pen-based computer stylus for use with an integrated data terminal module operably connected to the scanner module. Security for preventing separation of the module may be provided by a wireless link.
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Citations
8 Claims
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1. A data reading system comprising
a pointing instrument which may be held in a hand of an operator; -
a scanner module mounted within the pointing instrument, the scanner module comprising a beam source, a focusing lens for focusing the beam to a desired waist location, a scanning mechanism for scanning the focused beam along at least one axis to produce a scanning beam of at least one scan line, and a detector for detecting light reflected and/or scattered off the object being scanned and producing a signal representing the light detected;
decoder for decoding the signal;
a data terminal module operably connected to the scanner module;
wherein the decoder is located remotely from the pointing instrument, wherein the pointing instrument affects aiming of the scanning beam toward an object to be scanned by pointing the pointing instrument at the object, wherein the pointing instrument is usable to actuate the data terminal module. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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Specification