Method, system and apparatus for processing barcode data

A system, comprising:

• a host including:
• an infrared (IR) port,
• a database storing information related to one or more barcodes,
• application software for communicating between the database and the IR port;
• and
• a contact barcode scanner for scanning barcodes, including:
• a photoemitter for shining light onto a scanning surface, whereby producing reflected light,
• a photodetector responsive to the reflected light,
• a screen abutted against the photodetector, having an opening for limiting the amount of light reaching the photodetector,
• a lens placed in front of the screen for focusing reflected light onto the photodetector,
• a memory for storing data related to one or more transitions detected in the reflected light,
• an infrared (IR) transceiver for transmitting the stored data to the IR port of the host,
• a processor, operatively coupled to the photodetector, the photoemitter, the memory, and the IR transceiver, configured to permit the scanner to read a barcode when the scanner is moved over the barcode at a lineal speed in the range of one inch/second to five inches/second,
• a first switch, operatively coupled to the processor, for selectively activating the photoemitter in order to read the barcode, and
• a second switch, operatively connected to the processor, for selectively causing the data stored in the memory to be transmitted by the IR transceiver.

A hand-held contact barcode scanner for scanning barcodes, comprising:

• means for shining an optical beam onto a scanning surface, whereby producing a reflected beam;
• means for receiving the reflected beam;
• means for restricting the amount of light reaching the receiving means, the restricting means abutted against the receiving means;
• means for focusing the reflected beam onto the receiving means placed in front of the restricting means;
• means for storing data related to one or more transitions detected in the reflected beam;
• means for transmitting the stored data over an infrared link to a host;
• means for permitting the scanner to read a barcode when the scanner is moved over the barcode at a lineal speed in the range of one inch/second to five inches/second;
• means for manually activating the scanner to read the barcode;
• and
• means for selectively causing the data stored in the storing means to be transmit ted by the transmitting means.

A method for using a barcode scanner to scan a barcode located on a scanning surface, comprising:

• manually activating a switch causing a photoemitter to shine a light onto the scanning surface, whereby producing a reflected beam;
• moving the scanner over the barcode at a lineal speed in the range of one inch/second to five inches/second;
• restricting the amount of light from the reflected beam reaching a photodetector using a screen abutted against the photodetector, having an opening for limiting the amount of light reaching the photodetector;
• focusing the reflected beam onto the photodetector using a lens placed in front of the screen;
• receiving the restricted reflected beam at the photodetector;
• detecting one or more transitions in the reflected beam;
• storing data related to the transitions;
• and
• transmitting the stored data over an infrared link to a host.