US 5,539,194 A · Modular hand-held data entry system · patentgrep

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Abstract

A hand held data entry apparatus having a body for receiving, storing and transmitting information, including a camming mechanism for quickly sealingly attaching an accessory such as a scanner to the top of a hand held data entry apparatus. Additionally, a similar camming mechanism is utilized to hold a battery pack in place with the additional feature of not only pulling the battery pack securely against the housing, but also pushing the battery pack contacts into abutment with complementary contacts disposed within the housing. A keypad is provided for permitting information to be manually entered into the hand held body and this keypad is encased in a layer of elastomeric material such as silicone. A pair of LED's are utilized, one to indicate a "good scan" and the other to indicate something else, such as a "bad scan." Additionally, these LED's can be encased in operative or dummy keys in order to save keyboard space. A mechanism is provided for pivoting the scanner about either of two perpendicular axes.

Claims17

Dependent claims

In a data capture system, a hand-held data terminal of a weight suitable for one-handed use, comprising:

(a) a base unit operable for receiving operator effected data entry, comprising
(i) a frontal side with a user interface for viewing by an operator during an operator effected data entry,
(ii) a handgrip side, opposite said frontal side, which is manually gripped during the operator effected data entry,
(iii) a module receiving end,
said base unit having an edgewise disposition where said module receiving end, which is remote during the operator effected data entry, is generally uppermost, and where said frontal side is directed generally laterally of the operator holding said base unit at said handgrip side;
(b) an optical indicia reader module, comprising
(i) a module housing assembled at said module receiving end of said base unit, having a light transmissive window of extent accommodating reading of an entire line of optical indicia without movement of the hand-held data terminal as a whole, and said module housing being capable of orientation in either of two respective opposite dispositions where the light transmissive window is directed respectively in each of two opposite directions relative to said base unit, and said module housing, when assembled with said base unit so as to direct the light transmissive window in either of the two respective opposite directions, has a footprint falling within the confines of said module receiving end of said base unit, and
(ii) reader means in said module housing for reading optical indicia which are located externally of the hand-held data terminal and without establishing physical contact between any portion of the hand-held data terminal and the optical indicia to be read;
(c) said optical indicia reader module being constructed for orientation to said base unit in either a left-handed reading position or a right-handed reading position and in a manner permitting the assembled said base unit and said optical indicia reader module to be held in one hand;
(d) portable battery means in said base unit for supplying power to the hand-held data terminal;
(e) a manual actuator, located on said base unit, for actuating operation of said optical indicia reader module by the same hand which is holding the hand-held data terminal;
and
(f) said reader means comprising a laser scanner in said module housing, the hand-held data terminal being of configuration to be held in a right or a left hand of the operator, with said base unit in the edgewise disposition and said laser scanner being contained in said module housing so as to be oriented with said module housing to accommodate right-handed or left-handed use.

10 more elements

In a data capture system, a hand-held data terminal of a weight suitable for one-handed use, comprising:

(a) a base unit operable for receiving operator effected data entry, comprising
(i) a frontal side with a user interface for viewing by an operator during an operator effected data entry,
(ii) a handgrip side, opposite said frontal side, which is manually gripped during the operator effected data entry,
(iii) a module receiving end,
said base unit having an edgewise disposition where said module receiving end, which is remote during the operator effected data entry, is generally uppermost, and where said frontal side is directed generally laterally of the operator holding said base unit at said handgrip side;
(b) an optical indicia reader module, comprising
(i) a module housing assembled at said module receiving end of said base unit, having a light transmissive window of extent accommodating reading of an entire line of optical indicia without movement of the hand-held data terminal as a whole, and which housing, when assembled with said base unit, has a footprint falling within the confines of said module receiving end of said base unit, and
(ii) a laser scanner in said module housing for reading optical indicia which are located externally of the hand-held data terminal and without establishing physical contact between any portion of the hand-held data terminal and the optical indicia to be read;
(c) said optical indicia reader module being constructed for assembly to said base unit in a manner permitting said laser scanner to be rotatable about a vertical axis of the hand-held data terminal into either a left-handed reading position or a right-handed reading position, and in a manner permitting the assembled said base unit and said optical indicia reader module to be held in one hand;
(d) portable battery means in said base unit for supplying power to the hand-held data terminal;
(e) a manual actuator, located on the hand-held data terminal, for actuating operation of said optical indicia reader module by the same hand which is holding the hand-held data terminal;
and
(f) the hand-held data terminal comprising the assembled said base unit and said optical indicia reader module, being of configuration to be held in a right or a left hand of the operator with said base unit in said edgewise disposition and said laser scanner directed forwardly toward optical indicia which are spaced in front of the light transmissive window.

10 more elements

In a data capture system, a hand-held data terminal of a weight suitable for one-handed use, comprising:

(a) a base unit operable for receiving operator effected data entry, comprising
(i) a frontal side with a user interface for viewing by an operator during an operator effected data entry,
(ii) a handgrip side, opposite said frontal side, which is manually gripped during the operator effected data entry,
(iii) a module receiving end,
said base unit having a disposition where said module receiving end, which is remote during the operator effected data entry, is generally uppermost, and where said frontal side is directed toward the operator holding said base unit at said handgrip side;
(b) an optical indicia reader module, comprising
(i) a module housing assembled at said module receiving end of said base unit, having a light transmissive window of extent accommodating reading of an entire line of optical indicia without movement of the hand-held data terminal as a whole, and which housing, when assembled with said base unit, has a footprint falling within the confines of said module receiving end of said base unit, and
(ii) reader means, located completely within said module housing, for reading optical indicia which are located externally of the hand-held data terminal and without establishing physical contact between any portion of the hand-held data terminal and the optical indicia to be read;
(c) said optical indicia reader module being constructed for assembly to said base unit in a manner permitting said optical indicia reader module to be pivotable about a vertical axis of the hand-held data terminal, thereby enabling the light transmissive window to be positioned in a plurality of orientations relative to the vertical axis, and in a manner permitting the assembled said base unit and said optical indicia reader module to be held in one hand;
(d) portable battery means in said base unit for supplying power to the hand-held data terminal;
(e) a manual actuator, located on the hand-held data terminal, for actuating operation of said optical indicia reader module by the same hand which is holding the hand-held data terminal;
and
(f) the hand-held data terminal comprising the assembled said base unit and said optical indicia reader module with said module housing containing said optical indicia reader means, being of configuration to be held in a right hand or a left hand of the operator, and being directed toward optical indicia which are spaced in front of the light transmissive window.

10 more elements

In a data capture system, a hand-held data terminal of a weight suitable for one-handed use, comprising:

(a) a base unit operable for receiving operator effected data entry, comprising
(i) a frontal side, of a predetermined width, with a user interface for viewing by an operator during an operator effected data entry,
(ii) a handgrip side, opposite said frontal side, which is manually gripped during the operator effected data entry, and
(iii) a module receiving end,
said base unit having an edgewise disposition where said module receiving end, which is remote during the operator effected data entry, is generally uppermost, and where said frontal side is directed generally laterally of the operator holding said base unit at said handgrip side;
(b) an optical indicia reader module, comprising
(i) a module housing assembled at said module receiving end of said base unit, having a light transmissive window of extent accommodating reading of an entire line of optical indicia without movement of the hand-held data terminal as a whole, and said module housing being capable of orientation in either of two respective opposite dispositions where the light transmissive window is directed respectively in each of two opposite directions relative to said base unit, and said module housing, when assembled with said base unit so as to direct the light transmissive window in either of the two respective opposite directions, does not exceed the predetermined width of said base unit, and
(ii) reader means in said module housing for reading optical indicia which are located externally of the hand-held data terminal and without establishing physical contact between any portion of the hand-held data terminal and the optical indicia to be read;
(c) said optical indicia reader module being constructed for orientation to said base unit in either a left-handed reading position or a right-handed reading position and in a manner permitting the assembled said base unit and said optical indicia reader module to be held in one hand;
(d) portable battery means In said base unit for supplying power to the hand-held data terminal;
(e) a manual actuator, located on said base unit, for actuating operation of said optical indicia reader module by the same hand which is holding the hand-held data terminal;
and
(f) the hand-held data terminal being of configuration to be held in a right or a left hand of the operator, with said base unit in the edgewise disposition and said reader means being contained in said module housing so as to be oriented with said module housing to accommodate right-handed or left-handed use.

10 more elements

In a data capture system, a hand-held data terminal of a weight suitable for one-handed use, comprising:

(a) a base unit operable for receiving operator effected data entry, comprising
(i) a frontal side with a user interface for viewing by an operator during an operator effected data entry,
(ii) a handgrip side, opposite said frontal side, which is manually gripped during the operator effected data entry,
(iii) a module receiving end, said base unit having an edgewise disposition where said module receiving end, which is remote during the operator effected data entry, is generally uppermost, and where said frontal side is directed generally laterally of the operator holding said base unit at said handgrip side;
(b) an optical indicia reader module, comprising
(i) a module housing assembled at said module receiving end of said base unit, capable of reading an entire line of optical indicia without movement of the hand-held data terminal as a whole, and said module housing being capable of orientation in either of two respective opposite dispositions where said module is directed respectively in each of two opposite directions, and said module housing relative to said base unit, when assembled with said base unit so as to be directed in either of the two respective opposite directions has a footprint falling within the confines of said module receiving end of said base unit, and
(ii) reader means in said module housing for reading optical indicia which are located externally of the hand-held data terminal and without establishing physical contact between any portion of the hand-held data terminal and the optical indicia to be read;
(c) said optical indicia reader module being constructed for orientation to said base unit in either a left-handed reading position or a right-handed reading position and in a manner permitting the assembled said base unit and said optical indicia reader module to be held in one hand;
(d) portable battery means in said base unit for supplying power to the hand-held data terminal;
(e) a manual actuator, located on said base unit, for actuating operation of said optical indicia reader module by the same hand which is holding the hand-held data terminal;
and
(f) said reader means comprising a laser scanner in said module housing, the hand-held data terminal being of configuration to be held In a right or a left hand of the operator, with said base unit In the edgewise disposition and said laser scanner being contained In said module housing so as to be oriented with said module housing to accommodate right-handed or left-handed use.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 08/444,619Filed 19 May 1995 · continuation
Priority: 7 Jun 1989
Granted: 23 Jul 1996
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification60 codes

H04L 1/0032
Characterised by the signalling: without explicit signalling
B60R 11/02
Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for: for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement…
B60R 11/0241
For radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof: for telephones
G06F 1/1626
For portable computers: with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]

Family

Serial364,594Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 7 Jun 1989
Serial364,902Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 8 Jun 1989
Serial626,711Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 12 Dec 1990
Serial633,500Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 26 Dec 1990
Serial809,380Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 18 Dec 1991
Serial816,888Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 3 Jan 1992
Serial777,393Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 7 Jan 1992
Serial866,642Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 3 Apr 1992
Serial877,324Parent of this continuation · filed 1 May 1992
Serial251,844Parent of this continuation · filed 31 May 1994
US 5,410,141 AParent of this continuation-in-part · filed 25 Apr 1995
US 5,202,817 AParent of this continuation-in-part
US 5,539,194 AThis patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

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