Bar code reader and wearable bar code reader having the same

• US 7,837,112 B2
• Filed: 12/14/2007
• Issued: 11/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bluebird Soft Incorporated (Bluebird,Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bluebird Soft Incorporated (Bluebird,Inc.)
• Inventors: An, Hyun Woo
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee; Michael G
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mikels; Matthew
• Application Number:
  US12/519,646
• Publication Number:
  US 20090272811A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,075 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 235/462.44
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10891 the scanner to be worn on a finger or on a wrist

Abstract

Provided are a bar code reader and a wearable bar code reader having the bar code reader. The bar code reader includes; a main board, a casing that has an upper casing with at least one button hole piercing therethrough, a lower casing assembled to the upper casing, and a projection unit coupled to one side of the upper and lower casings to assist joining the upper and lower casing. An input button unit is coupled to the casing having at least one portion outwardly exposed through at least one button hole, and is electrically connected to the main board. Also, a bar code reading unit included within the casing for enabling external projection is electrically connected to the main board for reading a bar code of a target object, and a bar code support bracket is coupled to the casing for supporting the bar code reading unit.

Claims

1. A bar code reader comprising:

a main board;

a casing having an upper casing with at least one button hole piercing therethrough, a lower casing separable from and assembled to the upper casing, wherein the upper casing and lower casing interpose the main board therebetween, and a projection unit coupled to one side of the upper casing and the lower casing to assist joining of the upper casing and the lower casing;

an input button unit coupled to the casing having at least one portion outwardly exposed through at least one button hole, and electrically connected to the main board for supplying a required signal thereto;

a bar code reading unit included within the casing for enabling external projection through the projection unit, and electrically connected to the main board for reading a bar code of a target object; and

a bar code support bracket coupled to the casing for supporting the bar code reading unit,

wherein the at least one button hole comprises a first button hole and a second button hole disposed in the upper casing separated from the first button hole, and

wherein the input button unit comprises;

a first button having at least one portion externally exposed through the first button hole;

a second button having at least one portion externally exposed through the second button hole; and

a common rib connecting plate coupled with the first button and the second button to be disposed between the upper casing and the main board, and elastically deformed for supplying each signal of the first button and the second button to the main board in conformity with each pressing of the first button and the second button.

2. The bar code reader of claim 1, wherein the first button and the second button are coupled to the common rib connecting plate by being separated from each other to correspond to locations of the first button hole and the second button hole, respectively, and a cutaway portion is disposed to the common rib connecting plate between the first button and the second button by cutting a predetermined area for independent pressing of the first button and the second button.

3. The bar code reader of claim 1, wherein at least one installation hole separated from each other is formed in an outer circumferential area of the first button hole of the upper casing, and a light guide member is installed to the installation hole for emitting light of a light emitting diode that is electrically connected to the main board for emitting the light.

4. The bar code reader of claim 3, wherein at least one installation holes comprises a first installation hole and a second installed hole, and a bar code operation light guide member for sending the light of a bar code operation light emitting diode that emits the light when operating the bar code reading unit is installed into the first installation hole, and a Bluetooth operation light guide member for sending the light of a Bluetooth operation light emitting diode that irradiates the light when operating the Bluetooth electrically connected to the main board is installed into the second installation hole.

5. The bar code reader of claim 1, wherein a hook projecting from one sidewall of the lower casing is furnished to the lower casing, and the bar code support bracket comprises a screw hole through which a screw can be fitted to the lower casing, and a hook catch hole caught by the hook.

6. The bar code reader of claim 1, wherein the projection unit comprises:

a first projection window substantially parallel with the bar code reading unit;

a second projection window separated from the first projection window, and slanted with respect to the first projection window;

an angle adjusting member disposed between the first projection window and the second projection window for supporting the second projection window; and

a projection window receiving rim for accommodating the first projection window, the second projection window and the angle adjusting member, and coupled to the upper casing and the lower casing.

7. The bar code reader of claim 6, wherein the projection window receiving rim is formed of a rubber substance.

8. The bar code reader of claim 1, wherein a battery holder unit for accommodating a battery is formed to a rear end of the lower casing, and the lower casing comprises:

a battery cover covering the battery holder unit; and

a battery cushion member disposed to one side of the battery installed to the battery holder unit for absorbing a shock applied to the battery.

9. The bar code reader of claim 1, wherein the main board and the bar code reading unit is connected by a Flexible Printed Circuit Board (FPCB).

10. A wearable bar code reader comprising:

a bar code reader claimed in claim 1;

a conduction line electrically connected to the main board; and

a glove having an external button electrically connected to the conduction line for operating the bar code reading unit.

11. The wearable bar code reader of claim 10, comprising a pocket provided on a surface of the glove for accommodating the casing.