Arm-mounted reader with object sensing
AssigneeSymbol Technologies, Inc.
InventorsBoris Metlitsky, Mark Krichever, Edward Barkan, Howard M. Shepard, Jerome Swartz
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An electro-optical bar code symbol reader initiates reading of a symbol when a target bearing the symbol is detected within a predetermined distance of the reader. The reader is mounted on an operator's arm by being strapped around the operator's wrist. A keyboard and a display are provided on the reader for data entry and display.
Claims18
An arm-mounted reader for electro-optically reading bar code symbols, comprising:
- a) a housing;
- b) a light source supported by the housing for illuminating a symbol to be read with light;
- c) a detector supported by the housing for detecting at least a portion of the light reflected from the symbol, and for generating an electrical signal representative of the symbol;
- d) a sensor for automatically sensing a target bearing the symbol proximate to the reader, and for initiating the reading upon sensing the target's presence;
- and
- e) a support for supporting the housing on an operator's arm at a location in which the entire reader is located out of contact with the hand of the operator's arm to enable hands-free operation.
An arm-mounted system for electro-optically reading bar code symbols, comprising:
- a) an actuatable scanner, including a light source for illuminating a symbol to be read with light and a detector for detecting at least a portion of the light reflected from the symbol to generate an electric signal representative of the symbol;
- b) a support for supporting the scanner on an operator's arm at a location in which the entire system is located out of contact with the hand of the operator's arm to enable hands-free operation;
- and
- c) a sensor for actuating the scanner upon sensing that a target bearing the symbol is within a predetermined distance of the scanner.
A method of electro-optically reading bar code symbols, comprising the steps of:
- a) illuminating a symbol to be read with light;
- b) detecting at least a portion of the light reflected from the symbol to generate an electrical symbol representative of the symbol;
- c) performing the illuminating and detecting steps in a housing;
- d) supporting the housing on an operator's arm at a location in which the entire housing is located out of contact with the hand of the operator's arm to enable hands-free operation;
- and
- e) automatically sensing when a target bearing the symbol is within a predetermined distance relative to the housing, said sensing step being performed in the housing at said location.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.