Hand-held data collector with detachable scanner

• US 8,960,552 B2
• Filed: 08/01/2013
• Issued: 02/24/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Retail Services WIS Corporation
• Original Assignee: Western Inventory Service Limited (American Capital Limited)
• Inventors: Henry, Todd, Whitehouse, David, Davoren, Sean, Grant, Scott, Johnston, Bob, Lupfer, Thomas H., West, David N.
• Primary Examiner(s): St Cyr, Daniel
• Application Number:
  US13/956,786
• Publication Number:
  US 20130341405A1
• Time in Patent Office: 572 Days
• Field of Search: 235/462.45, 235/462.46, 235/462.01, 235/462.44, 235/462.4
• US Class Current: 235/462.46
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/021 Arrangements integrating additional peripherals in a keyboard, e.g. card or barcode reader, optical scanner
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0213 Arrangements providing an integrated pointing device in a keyboard, e.g. trackball, mini-joystick for pointing devices integrated in a laptop computer G06F1/169; joysticks G05G9/047; constructional details of pointing devices G06F3/033
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0216 Arrangements for ergonomically adjusting the disposition of keys of a keyboard for keyboards integrated in a laptop computer G06F1/1664
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0219 Special purpose keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10881 constructional details of hand-held scanners
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1091 means to wake up the scanner from a sleep mode, e.g. using an acceleration sensor indicating that the scanner is being picked up by a user

Abstract

Disclosed is data collection apparatus for hand use. The apparatus comprises a body and a bar code scanner. The body has: a central portion adapted to be and gripped in the manner of a joystick; a switch positioned on the central portion and positioned in the manner of a pistol trigger, for finger actuation; a first data entry portion to which the central portion extends, the first data entry portion having at least a 10-digit numeric keypad, each key of said keypad being adapted for and actuable in use by the thumb of said hand; and a second data entry portion from which the central portion extends. The scanner is: adapted for actuation by said switch; has a configuration in which the bar code scanner defines a protuberance extending from the first data entry portion; and is detachable from the body for use in tight spaces.

Claims

1. Apparatus for collecting data and for use with a hand, said apparatus comprising:

a body having

a central portion adapted to be and gripped in use by said hand in the manner of a joystick;

a switch positioned on the central portion and positioned in the manner of a pistol trigger, for actuation in use by a finger of said hand selected from index finger and middle finger;

a first data entry portion to which the central portion extends, the first data entry portion having at least a 10-digit numeric keypad, each key of said keypad being adapted for and actuable in use by the thumb of said hand; and

a second data entry portion from which the central portion extends;

wherein the second data entry portion comprises a view screen and a navigation switch.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the keypad includes 10 digit keys and 5 function keys.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the body further comprises a light arrangement capable of producing high intensity red, yellow and green light on demand.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the central portion defines a waist portion of the body.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a bar code scanner adapted for actuation by said switch.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the bar code scanner has a configuration wherein the scanner wirelessly transmits data to the body.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the bar code scanner is detachable from the body and wirelessly transmits data to the body when in use and detached.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the scanner and the body each incorporate apparatus for storing electricity, and the scanner and the body share these apparatus when attached.

9. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the scanner is adapted to be held in the palm of said hand and has a secondary switch positioned thereon for actuation in use by the thumb of said hand.

10. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the scanner is adapted to be held in the palm of said hand and has a secondary switch positioned thereon for actuation in use by one of the thumb;

the index finger; and

the middle finger of said hand.

11. Apparatus for collecting data and for use with a hand, said apparatus comprising:

a body having a central portion adapted to be and gripped in use by said hand in the manner of a joystick;

a switch positioned on the central portion and positioned in the manner of a pistol trigger, for actuation in use by a finger of said hand selected from index finger and middle finger;

a first data entry portion to which the central portion extends, the first data entry portion having at least a 10-digit numeric keypad, each key of said keypad being adapted for and actuable in use by the thumb of said hand;

a second data entry portion from which the central portion extends; and

a bar code scanner adapted for actuation by said switch, the bar code scanner having a configuration wherein the scanner wirelessly transmits data to the body.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the scanner assembly and the body each incorporate apparatus for storing electricity and the scanner assembly and the body share these apparatus when attached.

13. Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the scanner assembly is adapted to be held in the palm of said hand and has a secondary switch positioned thereon for actuation in use by one of the thumb;

the index finger; and

the middle finger of said hand.

14. Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the scanner assembly is adapted to be held in the palm of said hand and has a secondary switch positioned thereon for actuation in use by the thumb of said hand.