Electro-optical reader with electronic stylus

• US 6,491,225 B1
• Filed: 05/09/2000
• Issued: 12/10/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc. (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc. (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Inventors: Mulla, Altaf, Dvorkis, Paul, Swartz, Jerome
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, THIEN MINH
• Application Number:
  US09/568,324
• Time in Patent Office: 945 Days
• Field of Search: 235/462-1-4, 235/462-5-4, 235/462--46, 235/472.01, 235/472.02, 235/472.03, 235/470, 235/494, 235/375, 235/454
• US Class Current: 235/472.01
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 2207/1011 Aiming
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 2207/1016 Motor control or optical moving unit control
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 2207/1018 Source control
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10564 Light sources
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10584 Source control
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10633 by oscillation
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10643 Activating means
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10653 using flexible or piezoelectric means
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10673 Parallel lines
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10693 for omnidirectional scanning
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10811 Focalisation
• 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 7/10871 randomly oriented data-fields, code-marks therefore, e.g. concentric circles-code
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10881 constructional details of hand-held scanners
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10891 the scanner to be worn on a finger or on a wrist
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/109 adaptations to make the hand-held scanner useable as a fixed scanner
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1098 the scanning arrangement having a modular construction

Abstract

A portable instrument includes a stylus for contacting a digitizer tablet or a computer touch screen to generate positional input data, as well as a bar code scanner for electro-optically reading bar code symbols. Data indicative of the symbols is downloaded to a remote host.

Claims

1. A portable instrument for manually selecting points on a target plane on a data entry device in a stylus mode of operation, and for selectively electro-optically reading coded indicia in a reading mode of operation, the instrument comprising:

a) a housing having a size and a shape configured to be held in a user'"'"'s hand during both the stylus and reading modes;

b) a stylus tip on the housing for contacting the target plane to generate and enter positional input data to the data entry device for the points selected by the user during the stylus mode;

c) a light-transmissive window on the housing and facing the indicia during the reading mode;

d) a scan module supported by the housing, for directing a light beam through the window at the indicia for reflection therefrom, and for receiving light reflected from the indicia through the window, the scan module including a movable scan component operatively connected to a flexure;

e) a drive for flexing the flexure and moving the scan component to scan the indicia during the reading mode; and

f) a switch on the housing for selecting between the stylus mode and the reading mode of operation.

2. The instrument of claim 1, wherein the scan module has a plurality of components including a light sensor having a field of view and operative for detecting light reflected off the indicia through the window in the reading mode, and for generating an electrical signal indicative of the detected light;

a processor for processing the electrical signal into a processed signal during the reading mode; and

a memory for storing the processed signal.

3. The instrument of claim 2, wherein the plurality of components includes a scanner for scanning at least one of the light beam and the field of view during the reading mode.

4. The instrument of claim 2, wherein the light sensor is a charge coupled device.

5. The instrument of claim 1, wherein the switch is manually actuatable for initiating reading when actuated.

6. The instrument of claim 1, wherein the switch is manually actuatable for switching between the modes of operation.

7. The instrument of claim 1, wherein the stylus tip is tapered for contacting a computer touch screen which lies in the target plane.

8. The instrument of claim 1, wherein the stylus tip is tapered for contacting a computer digitizer tablet which lies in the target plane.

9. The instrument of claim 1, wherein the tip is an electrically conductive contact.

10. The instrument of claim 1, wherein the tip and the window are spaced apart along the housing by a distance which serves as a minimum spacing between the window and the indicia to be read.

11. The instrument of claim 1, wherein the drive includes a permanent magnet having a permanent magnetic field, and an energizable electromagnet having a magnetic field which interacts with the permanent magnetic field upon energization by the drive for causing the flexure to flex.

12. The instrument of claim 1, wherein the flexure includes a generally planar leaf spring connected to the movable scan component.

13. The instrument of claim 1, wherein the movable scan component is a scan mirror mounted to the flexure.

14. A portable instrument for manually selecting points on a target plane on a data entry device in a stylus mode of operation, and for selectively electro-optically reading coded indicia in a reading mode of operation, the instrument comprising:

a) a housing having a size and a shape configured to be held in a user'"'"'s hand during both the stylus and reading modes, the housing being elongated and extending along an axis between opposite end regions;

b) a stylus tip on the housing for contacting the target plane to generate and enter positional input data to the data entry device for the points selected by the user during the stylus mode;

c) a light-transmissive window located at one of the end regions on the housing and facing the indicia during the reading mode;

d) a scan module supported by the housing, for directing a light beam through the window at the indicia for reflection therefrom, and for receiving light reflected from the indicia through the window, the scan module including a movable scan component operatively connected to a flexure; and

e) a drive for flexing the flexure and moving the scan component to scan the indicia during the reading mode.

15. The instrument of claim 14, wherein the stylus tip is located at another of the end regions of the housing.

16. A portable instrument for manually selecting points on a target plane on a data entry device in a stylus mode of operation, and for selectively electro-optically reading coded indicia in a reading mode of operation, the instrument comprising:

a) a housing having a size and a shape configured to be held in a user'"'"'s hand during both the stylus and reading modes;

b) a stylus tip on the housing for contacting the target plane to generate and enter positional input data to the data entry device for the points selected by the user during the stylus mode;

c) a light-transmissive window on the housing and facing the indicia during the reading mode;

d) a scan module supported by the housing, including a light sensor having a field of view, and a scanner for scanning the field of view over the indicia; and

e) a switch on the housing for selecting between the stylus mode and the reading mode of operation.

17. The instrument of claim 16, wherein the light sensor is a charge coupled device.

18. A portable instrument for manually selecting points on a target plane on a data entry device in a stylus mode of operation, and for selectively electro-optically reading coded indicia in a reading mode of operation, the instrument comprising:

a) a housing having a size and a shape configured to be held in a user'"'"'s hand during both the stylus and reading modes;

b) a stylus tip on the housing for contacting the target plane to generate and enter positional input data to the data entry device for the points selected by the user during the stylus mode;

c) a light-transmissive window on the housing and facing the indicia during the reading mode;

d) a scan module supported by the housing, for scanning the indicia during the reading mode; and

e) a manually actuatable switch on the housing for switching between said modes of operation.

19. A portable instrument for manually selecting points on a target plane on a data entry device in a stylus mode of operation, and for selectively electro-optically reading coded indicia in a reading mode of operation, the instrument comprising:

a) a housing having a size and a shape configured to be held in a user'"'"'s hand during both the stylus and reading modes;

b) a stylus tip on the housing for contacting the target plane to generate and enter positional input data to the data entry device for the points selected by the user during the stylus mode;

c) a light-transmissive window on the housing and facing the indicia during the reading mode;

d) a scan module supported by the housing for scanning the indicia during the reading mode;

e) a signal processor on the housing, for generating a data signal corresponding to the scanned indicia;

f) an interface on the housing, for downloading the data signal to a host remote from the housing during a download mode; and

g) an indicator on the housing, for indicating that the indicia was scanned during the reading mode, and also for transmitting the data signal to the host during the download mode.

20. The instrument of claim 19, wherein the indicator is a light.

21. A data collection terminal, comprising:

a) a handheld housing having a processor, a memory, a touch screen and a download port; and

b) a portable instrument having a size and a shape configured to be held in a user'"'"'s hand, the instrument having a stylus tip for contacting the touch screen to generate and enter positional input data for points selected by the user in a stylus mode of operation, the instrument further having a reader for electro-optically reading coded indicia in a reading mode of operation to generate a data signal indicative of the indicia, the instrument being receivable in the download port during a download mode of operation and having an interface for downloading the data signal to the memory under control of the processor upon receipt of the instrument in the download port.

22. A portable instrument for manually selecting points on a target plane on a data entry device in a stylus mode of operation, and for selectively electro-optically reading coded indicia in a reading mode of operation, the instrument comprising:

a) a housing having a size and a shape configured to be held in a user'"'"'s hand during both the stylus and reading modes;

b) a stylus tip on the housing for contacting the target plane to generate and enter positional input data to the data entry device for the points selected by the user during the stylus mode;

c) a light-transmissive window on the housing and facing the indicia during the reading mode;

d) a scan module supported by the housing, for directing a light beam through the window at the indicia for reflection therefrom, and for receiving light reflected from the indicia through the window, the scan module including a movable scan component operatively connected to a flexure, the scan module having a plurality of components including a light sensor having a field of view and operative for detecting light reflected off the indicia through the window in the reading mode, and for generating an electrical signal indicative of the detected light, a processor for processing the electrical signal into a processed signal during the reading mode, and a memory for storing the processed signal and for storing user information relating to the user; and

e) a drive for flexing the flexure and moving the scan component to scan the indicia during the reading mode.

23. A portable instrument for manually selecting points on a target plane on a data entry device in a stylus mode of operation, and for selectively electro-optically reading coded indicia in a reading mode of operation, the instrument comprising:

a) a housing having a size and a shape configured to be held in a user'"'"'s hand during both the stylus and reading modes;

b) a stylus tip on the housing for contacting the target plane to generate and enter positional input data to the data entry device for the points selected by the user during the stylus mode;

c) a light-transmissive window on the housing and facing the indicia during the reading mode;

d) a scan module supported by the housing, for directing a light beam through the window at the indicia for reflection therefrom, and for receiving light reflected from the indicia through the window, the scan module including a movable scan component operatively connected to a flexure and a processor for converting the reflected light into a data signal indicative of the indicia;

e) a drive for flexing the flexure and moving the scan component to scan the indicia during the reading mode; and

f) an interface for downloading the data signal to a host remote from the housing during a download mode of operation.

24. The instrument of claim 23, and further comprising a manually actuatable switch mounted on the housing and operative for switching among the modes of operation.

25. The instrument of claim 23, wherein the interface is a wireless transmitter for transmitting the data signal at radio frequencies.

26. The instrument of claim 23, wherein the interface is a light emitter for transmitting the data signal at optical frequencies.

27. The instrument of claim 23, wherein the interface is a speaker for broadcasting the data signal at audio frequencies.

28. The instrument of claim 23, wherein the interface includes a computer peripheral having a port into which the interface is inserted.

29. A portable instrument for manually selecting points on a target plane on a data entry device in a stylus mode of operation, and for selectively electro-optically reading coded indicia in a reading mode of operation, the instrument comprising:

a) a housing having a size and a shape configured to be held in a user'"'"'s hand during both the stylus and reading modes;

b) a stylus tip on the housing for contacting the target plane to generate and enter positional input data to the data entry device for the points selected by the user during the stylus mode;

c) a light-transmissive window on the housing and facing the indicia during the reading mode;

d) a scan module supported by the housing, for scanning the indicia during the reading mode;

e) a manually actuatable switch on the housing for switching between said modes of operation;

f) a signal processor for generating a data signal corresponding to the scanned indicia;

g) an interface for downloading the data signal to a host remote from the housing during a download mode; and

h) the switch being further operative for selecting the download mode.

30. The instrument of claim 29, wherein the switch has three positions respectively corresponding to the stylus mode, the reading mode and the download mode.

31. The instrument of claim 29, wherein the switch includes a switch controller operative for determining a time period in which the switch is actuated, and wherein different durations of the time period are used for switching among said modes of operation.