Patent US5793032A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5793032A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Portable optical scanning and pointing systems
Assignee: Symbol Technologies LLC
•
Filing: 1995-02-01
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Granted: 1998-08-11
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Expires: 2015-02-01
Abstract
Abstract An optical scanning system for reading indicia of differing light reflectivity has an optical scan module which is adapted to be mounted on a finger of a user. A first peripheral module, preferably in the form of a wrist watch, has a receiver which detects the reflected light. A second peripheral module, mounted on the other arm of the user, communicates with the first module by radio frequency transmission. According to other aspects of the invention, the light detector may be mounted in a housing which is separate and part from the optical scan module. According to another aspect, a laser pointer or scanner is mounted to a ring which is arranged to be worn on a single finger of the user.
Inventors
- 👤 Simon Bard
- 👤 Joseph Katz
- 👤 Frederic Heiman
- 👤 Paul Dvorkis
- 👤 Edward Barkan
- 👤 Jerome Swartz
- 👤 Boris Metlitsky
- 👤 Miklos Stern
- 👤 Mark Krichever
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 16:06
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/10; G06K7/10544; G06K7/10821; G06K7/1098; G04; G04B; G04B37/00; G04B37/0008; G04B37/0016; G04B47/00; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/16; G06F1/1613; G06F1/163; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/03; G06F3/033; G06F3/0346; G06K7/10554; G06K7/10564; G06K7/10584; G06K7/10594; G06K7/10603; G06K7/10633; G06K7/10643; G06K7/10653; G06K7/10881; G06K7/10891; G06F2203/00; G06F2203/033; G06F2203/0331; G06K2007/10524; G06K2007/10534; G06K2207/00; G06K2207/1016
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 57
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
An optical system for reading indicia of different light reflectivity comprising: an optical module having a light emitter for generating and emitting a scanning light beam for illuminating an indicia to be read, wherein said optical module incorporates a ring-shaped portion which is adapted to be mounted on a finger of a user; and a first peripheral module, housed separate and apart from said optical module, having a light detector for detecting the reflection of the scanning light beam from said indicia and producing electrical signals responsive to the light received.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
91 words
An optical system for reading indicia of different light reflectivity comprising: an optical module having a light emitter for generating and emitting a scanning light beam for illuminating an indicia to be read, wherein said optical module incorporates a ring-shaped portion which is adapted to be mounted on a finger of a user; and a first peripheral module, housed separate and apart from said optical module, having a light detector for detecting the reflection of the scanning light beam from said indicia and producing electrical signals responsive to the light received.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said first peripheral module is arranged to be worn on the same arm as said optical module.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
86 words
An optical system for reading indicia of different light reflectivity comprising: an optical module having a light emitter for generating and emitting a scanning light beam for illuminating an indicia to be read, wherein said optical module is adapted to be held by a hand of a user; and a first peripheral module, housed separate and apart from said optical module, having a light detector for detecting the reflection of the scanning light beam from said indicia and producing electrical signals responsive to the light received.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
86 words
An optical system for reading indicia of different light reflectivity comprising: an optical module having a light emitter for generating and emitting a scanning light beam for illuminating an indicia to be read, wherein said optical module is adapted to be held by a hand of a user; and a first peripheral module, housed separate and apart from said optical module, having a light detector for detecting the reflection of the scanning light beam from said indicia and producing electrical signals responsive to the light received.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
An optical system according to claim 3 including a storage stand for the first peripheral module.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system according to claim 4 in which the first peripheral module includes a rechargeable battery, and the storage stand incorporates a battery charger.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system according to claim 4 in which the first peripheral module includes a data-storage element, the storage stand incorporating a data-readout contact through which the data stored in the data-storage element may be downloaded.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system according to claim 4 in which the storage stand comprises a storage container.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
85 words
An optical system for reading indicia of different light reflectivity comprising: an optical module having a light emitter for generating and emitting a scanning light beam for illuminating an indicia to be read; and a first peripheral module, housed separate and apart from said optical module, having a light detector for detecting the reflection of the scanning light beam from said indicia and producing electrical signals responsive to the light received, wherein said first peripheral module is attached to a garment worn by the user.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
85 words
An optical system for reading indicia of different light reflectivity comprising: an optical module having a light emitter for generating and emitting a scanning light beam for illuminating an indicia to be read; and a first peripheral module, housed separate and apart from said optical module, having a light detector for detecting the reflection of the scanning light beam from said indicia and producing electrical signals responsive to the light received, wherein said first peripheral module is attached to a garment worn by the user.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
87 words
An optical system for reading indicia of different light reflectivity comprising: an optical module having a light emitter for generating and emitting a scanning light beam for illuminating an indicia to be read; and a first peripheral module, housed separate and apart from said optical module, having a light detector for detecting the reflection of the scanning light beam from said indicia and producing electrical signals responsive to the light received, wherein said first peripheral module is adapted to be held by the hand of a user.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
87 words
An optical system for reading indicia of different light reflectivity comprising: an optical module having a light emitter for generating and emitting a scanning light beam for illuminating an indicia to be read; and a first peripheral module, housed separate and apart from said optical module, having a light detector for detecting the reflection of the scanning light beam from said indicia and producing electrical signals responsive to the light received, wherein said first peripheral module is adapted to be held by the hand of a user.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
99 words
An optical system for reading indicia of different light reflectivity comprising: an optical module having a light emitter for generating and emitting a scanning light beam for illuminating an indicia to be read; and a first peripheral module, housed separate and apart from said optical module, having a light detector for detecting the reflection of the scanning light beam from said indicia and producing electrical signals responsive to the light received, wherein said first peripheral module includes a wireless transmitter for transmitting detected information to a second peripheral module, housed separately and spaced apart from said first peripheral module.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
99 words
An optical system for reading indicia of different light reflectivity comprising: an optical module having a light emitter for generating and emitting a scanning light beam for illuminating an indicia to be read; and a first peripheral module, housed separate and apart from said optical module, having a light detector for detecting the reflection of the scanning light beam from said indicia and producing electrical signals responsive to the light received, wherein said first peripheral module includes a wireless transmitter for transmitting detected information to a second peripheral module, housed separately and spaced apart from said first peripheral module.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system as defined in claim 10, wherein said second peripheral module is adapted to be worn by the user.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
34 words
A system according to claim 11, wherein said second peripheral module includes a radio frequency transmitter for transmitting said detected information to a base station, housed separately and spaced apart from said peripheral module.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system as defined in claim 10, wherein said second peripheral module is mounted on a stationary support.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system as defined in claim 10, wherein said second peripheral module is housed in a self-contained, portable unit.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system according to claim 10, wherein said second peripheral module is adapted to be carried by a user and includes a keypad or touch screen for inputting data to said system.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
A system according to claim 10, wherein said second peripheral module is battery powered.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system according to claim 10, wherein said first peripheral module is positioned over a conveyor along which articles having indicia to be read are arranged to pass.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system according to claim 10, wherein said first peripheral module forms part of a cash register unit.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
85 words
An optical system for reading indicia of different light reflectivity comprising: an optical module having a light emitter for generating and emitting a scanning light beam for illuminating an indicia to be read, wherein said optical module includes scanning means for automatically scanning said emitted light beam; and a first peripheral module, housed separate and apart from said optical module, having a light detector for detecting the reflection of the scanning light beam from said indicia and producing electrical signals responsive to the light received.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
85 words
An optical system for reading indicia of different light reflectivity comprising: an optical module having a light emitter for generating and emitting a scanning light beam for illuminating an indicia to be read, wherein said optical module includes scanning means for automatically scanning said emitted light beam; and a first peripheral module, housed separate and apart from said optical module, having a light detector for detecting the reflection of the scanning light beam from said indicia and producing electrical signals responsive to the light received.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
101 words
An optical system for reading indicia of different light reflectivity comprising: an optical module having a light emitter for generating and emitting a scanning light beam for illuminating an indicia to be read, wherein said optical module is arranged to emit said light beam in a fixed direction, the user manually moving said optical module to scan said light beam over said indicia; and a first peripheral module, housed separate and apart from said optical module, having a light detector for detecting the reflection of the scanning light beam from said indicia and producing electrical signals responsive to the light received.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
101 words
An optical system for reading indicia of different light reflectivity comprising: an optical module having a light emitter for generating and emitting a scanning light beam for illuminating an indicia to be read, wherein said optical module is arranged to emit said light beam in a fixed direction, the user manually moving said optical module to scan said light beam over said indicia; and a first peripheral module, housed separate and apart from said optical module, having a light detector for detecting the reflection of the scanning light beam from said indicia and producing electrical signals responsive to the light received.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
83 words
An optical system for reading indicia of different light reflectivity comprising: an optical module having a light emitter for generating and emitting a scanning light beam for illuminating an indicia to be read; and a first peripheral module, housed separate and apart from said optical module, having a light detector for detecting the reflection of the scanning light beam from said indicia and producing electrical signals responsive to the light received, wherein said first peripheral module takes the form of a wrist-worn module.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
83 words
An optical system for reading indicia of different light reflectivity comprising: an optical module having a light emitter for generating and emitting a scanning light beam for illuminating an indicia to be read; and a first peripheral module, housed separate and apart from said optical module, having a light detector for detecting the reflection of the scanning light beam from said indicia and producing electrical signals responsive to the light received, wherein said first peripheral module takes the form of a wrist-worn module.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
14 words
A system according to claim 21, wherein said wrist-worn module incorporates a wrist watch.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
112 words
A system for reading indicia having parts of different light reflectivity, comprising: a light emitter for generating a light beam which illuminates the indicia and for producing reflected light of variable intensity reflected from said indicia; said light emitter having a housing adapted to be worn on a single finger of a user in a position such that the light beam is directed in a natural pointing direction of said finger; and an optical detector for detecting said reflected light and producing an electrical signal indicative of the reflected light intensity; said detector having a housing adapted to be worn by the user in a position spaced apart from the light emitter.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
112 words
A system for reading indicia having parts of different light reflectivity, comprising: a light emitter for generating a light beam which illuminates the indicia and for producing reflected light of variable intensity reflected from said indicia; said light emitter having a housing adapted to be worn on a single finger of a user in a position such that the light beam is directed in a natural pointing direction of said finger; and an optical detector for detecting said reflected light and producing an electrical signal indicative of the reflected light intensity; said detector having a housing adapted to be worn by the user in a position spaced apart from the light emitter.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
13 words
A system according to claim 23, wherein said housing incorporates a ring portion.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system according to claim 23, wherein said light emitter includes a scanner for automatically scanning said light beam.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
36 words
A system according to claim 23, wherein said light emitter is arranged to emit said light beam in a fixed direction, the user manually moving said light emitter to scan said light beam over said indicia.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
58 words
An optical system adapted to be worn on the body of a user, the system comprising: a laser scanner having a laser emitter for generating and emitting a laser beam; and a band secured to the module and adapted to be worn around a part of the user's body, the band incorporating a battery for powering the module.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
58 words
An optical system adapted to be worn on the body of a user, the system comprising: a laser scanner having a laser emitter for generating and emitting a laser beam; and a band secured to the module and adapted to be worn around a part of the user's body, the band incorporating a battery for powering the module.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system according to claim 27 in which the band is adapted to be worn around the user's wrist.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system according to claim 27 in which the band is adapted to be worn around the user's arm.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system according to claim 27 in which the band is adapted to be worn around the user's finger.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
59 words
An optical system adapted to be worn on the body of a user, the system comprising: a bar code reader having a laser emitter for generating and emitting a laser beam; and a band secured to the module and adapted to be worn around a part of the user's body, the band incorporating a battery for powering the module.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
59 words
An optical system adapted to be worn on the body of a user, the system comprising: a bar code reader having a laser emitter for generating and emitting a laser beam; and a band secured to the module and adapted to be worn around a part of the user's body, the band incorporating a battery for powering the module.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
58 words
An optical system adapted to be worn on the body of a user, the system comprising: a laser pointer having a laser emitter for generating and emitting a laser beam; and a band secured to the module and adapted to be worn around a part of the user's body, the band incorporating a battery for powering the module.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
58 words
An optical system adapted to be worn on the body of a user, the system comprising: a laser pointer having a laser emitter for generating and emitting a laser beam; and a band secured to the module and adapted to be worn around a part of the user's body, the band incorporating a battery for powering the module.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
12 words
A system according to claim 27 in which the battery is flexible.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system according to claim 27 in which the battery comprises a lithium polymer battery.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system according to claim 27 in which the band further includes a form-retaining spring.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
73 words
An optical system adapted to be worn on the body of a user, the system comprising: an optical module having a laser emitter for generating and emitting a laser beam; and a band secured to the module and adapted to be worn around a part of the user's body, the band incorporating a battery for powering the module, wherein the band further includes a form-retaining spring which forms a terminal of the battery.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
73 words
An optical system adapted to be worn on the body of a user, the system comprising: an optical module having a laser emitter for generating and emitting a laser beam; and a band secured to the module and adapted to be worn around a part of the user's body, the band incorporating a battery for powering the module, wherein the band further includes a form-retaining spring which forms a terminal of the battery.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
73 words
An optical system adapted to be worn on the body of a user, the system comprising: an optical module having a laser emitter for generating and emitting a laser beam; and a band secured to the module and adapted to be worn around a part of the user's body, the band incorporating a battery for powering the module, wherein the band further includes a form-retaining spring which is snap-fit into the optical module.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
73 words
An optical system adapted to be worn on the body of a user, the system comprising: an optical module having a laser emitter for generating and emitting a laser beam; and a band secured to the module and adapted to be worn around a part of the user's body, the band incorporating a battery for powering the module, wherein the band further includes a form-retaining spring which is snap-fit into the optical module.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
88 words
An optical scanner for reading bar code symbols on a target at a distance from the unit, comprising scanning means for generating a laser beam directed toward a target producing a pulsed relatively short image line on the target plane during a first time period and a substantially continuous wide angled laser beam that sweeps an entire symbol during a second time period for reading the symbol, and detection means for receiving reflected light from such symbol to produce electrical signals corresponding to data represented by such symbol.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
88 words
An optical scanner for reading bar code symbols on a target at a distance from the unit, comprising scanning means for generating a laser beam directed toward a target producing a pulsed relatively short image line on the target plane during a first time period and a substantially continuous wide angled laser beam that sweeps an entire symbol during a second time period for reading the symbol, and detection means for receiving reflected light from such symbol to produce electrical signals corresponding to data represented by such symbol.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system according to claim 38 wherein said scanning means includes a semiconductor laser light source to produce said laser beam.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
54 words
A system according to claim 38 wherein said scanning means activates said laser beam during the first period only during a portion of the scanning cycle so as to produce a pulsed narrow-angled beam, and in a second period operates continuously during the scanning cycle to produce a wide-angled beam when reading the symbol.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
88 words
An optical system for reading indicia of different light reflectivity comprising: an optical module having a light emitter for generating and emitting a scanning light beam for illuminating an indicia to be read; and a first peripheral module, housed separate and apart from said optical module, having a light detector for detecting the reflection of the scanning light beam from said indicia and producing electrical signals responsive to the light received, wherein said first peripheral module includes a keypad or touch screen for inputting data to said system.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
88 words
An optical system for reading indicia of different light reflectivity comprising: an optical module having a light emitter for generating and emitting a scanning light beam for illuminating an indicia to be read; and a first peripheral module, housed separate and apart from said optical module, having a light detector for detecting the reflection of the scanning light beam from said indicia and producing electrical signals responsive to the light received, wherein said first peripheral module includes a keypad or touch screen for inputting data to said system.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-08-10 | 2002-02-09 | 2002-08-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-08-10 | 2006-02-09 | 2006-08-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-08-10 | 2010-02-09 | 2010-08-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |