US5610387A — Portable optical scanning system worn by a user f…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 105 words

An optical scanning system for reading indicia of differing light reflectivity comprising: a finger mountable optical scan module including a light emitter for emitting light directed at said indicia and a light detector for detecting the reflection of light from said indicia; a first peripheral module mountable to an arm or wrist of a user for receiving a first signal corresponding to said detected reflection of light from said optical scan module; and a second peripheral module mountable to the user and establishing a wireless communication link with said first module for receiving from said first module a second signal corresponding to said first signal.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 105 words

An optical scanning system for reading indicia of differing light reflectivity comprising: a finger mountable optical scan module including a light emitter for emitting light directed at said indicia and a light detector for detecting the reflection of light from said indicia; a first peripheral module mountable to an arm or wrist of a user for receiving a first signal corresponding to said detected reflection of light from said optical scan module; and a second peripheral module mountable to the user and establishing a wireless communication link with said first module for receiving from said first module a second signal corresponding to said first signal.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 20 words

A system according to claim 1, wherein said optical scan module is adapted to be mounted on a single finger.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 26 words

A system according to claim 1, wherein said at least one finger and said arm or wrist are on the same side of the user's body.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 31 words

A system according to claim 3, wherein said second signal is an analog signal and said second peripheral module includes a means for converting said second signal to a digitized signal.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 18 words

A system according to claim 4, wherein said second peripheral module includes means for processing said digitized signal.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 21 words

A system according to claim 5, wherein said processing means includes decoder means for decoding information contained in said digitized signal.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 29 words

A system according to claim 6, wherein said second peripheral module includes indicator means for signaling the user when the decoding has been successfully accomplished by the decoder means.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 24 words

A system according to claim 6, wherein said second peripheral module includes radio frequency transmitter for transmitting said decoded information to a base station.

Claim 10

Independent Claim 39 words

A system according to claims 6, wherein second peripheral module includes a data storage device for storing said decoded information and a keypad and display, or touch screen, for inputting data to said system and displaying said decoded information.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 35 words

A system according to claim 6, wherein said second peripheral module includes a wireless transmitter for transmitting said input data and said first peripheral module includes a wireless receiver for receiving said transmitted input data.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 44 words

A system according to claim 5, wherein said second peripheral module is mounted on an arm or wrist of the user which is on a different side of the user's body from the arm or wrist on which the first peripheral module is mounted.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 30 words

A system according to claim 3, wherein said first signal is an analog signal and said first peripheral module includes means for converting said first signal to a digitized signal.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 18 words

A system according to claim 12, wherein said first peripheral module includes means for processing said digitized signal.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 21 words

A system according to claim 13, wherein said processing means includes decoder means for decoding information contained in said digitized signal.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 29 words

A system according to claim 14, wherein said first peripheral module includes indicator means for signaling the user when the decoding has been successfully accomplished by the decoding means.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 21 words

A system according to claim 15, wherein said second peripheral module is mounted on another arm or wrist of the user.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 14 words

A system according to claim 16, wherein said second signal includes said decoded information.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 20 words

A system according to claim 17, wherein second peripheral module includes a data storage device for storing said decoded information.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 25 words

A system according to claim 17, wherein said second peripheral module includes a radio frequency transmitter for transmitting said decoded information to a base station.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 30 words

A system according to claim 17, wherein said second peripheral module includes a keypad and display, or touch screen, for inputting data to said system and displaying said decoded information.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 52 words

A system according to claim 20, wherein (i) said wireless receiver is a first radio frequency transceiver capable of receiving said second signal and transmitting said input data and (ii) said first peripheral module includes a second radio frequency transceiver capable of transmitting said second signal and receiving said transmitted input data.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 18 words

A system according to claim 15, wherein said second peripheral module is located a distance from the user.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 14 words

A system according to claim 22, wherein said second signal includes said decoded information.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 30 words

A system according to claim 23, wherein said first peripheral module includes a keypad and display, or touch screen, for inputting data to said system and displaying said decoded information.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 20 words

A system according to claim 23, wherein first peripheral module includes a data storage device for storing said decoded information.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 19 words

A system according to claim 1, wherein the frequency of said received second signal is selectable by the user.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 20 words

A system according to claim 1, further comprising a cable connecting said optical scan module and said first peripheral module.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 52 words

A system according to claim 27, wherein said cable has an exposed length extending between said optical scan module, and said first peripheral module includes a cable reel adapted to accept said cable, whereby said cable is extendable from and retractable onto said cable reel to adjust said exposed length of cable.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 20 words

The system according to claim 1, wherein said second peripheral module is mountable to the wearer's other arm or wrist.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 152 words

An optical scanning system for reading indicia of differing light reflectivity comprising: a finger mountable optical scan module including a light emitter for emitting light directed at said indicia and a light detector for detecting the reflection of light from said indicia; a first peripheral module mountable to an arm or wrist of a user for receiving a first signal corresponding to said detected reflection of light from said optical scan module; and a second peripheral module mountable to the user and establishing a wireless communication link with said first module for receiving from said first module a second signal corresponding to said first signal; wherein: said optical scan module is adapted to be mounted on a single finger; said optical scan module has a housing portion for housing said light emitter and light detector and a ring mount portion; and said housing portion is rotatable connected to said ring mount portion.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 152 words

An optical scanning system for reading indicia of differing light reflectivity comprising: a finger mountable optical scan module including a light emitter for emitting light directed at said indicia and a light detector for detecting the reflection of light from said indicia; a first peripheral module mountable to an arm or wrist of a user for receiving a first signal corresponding to said detected reflection of light from said optical scan module; and a second peripheral module mountable to the user and establishing a wireless communication link with said first module for receiving from said first module a second signal corresponding to said first signal; wherein: said optical scan module is adapted to be mounted on a single finger; said optical scan module has a housing portion for housing said light emitter and light detector and a ring mount portion; and said housing portion is rotatable connected to said ring mount portion.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 18 words

a system according to claim 30, wherein said rotatable connection provides at least one rotational degree of freedom.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 32 words

A system according to claim 30, wherein said housing is rotatable in a plane approximately parallel to a plane tangential to the circumference of said ring mount portion at said rotatable connection.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 72 words

An optical scanning system for reading indicia of differing light reflectivity comprising: an optical scan module, mountable on the person of a user and having a light emitter for generating and emitting light onto said indicia; and a peripheral module, housed separately from said optical scan module and mountable elsewhere on the person of the user, and having at least one light detector for detecting the reflection of light from said indicia.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 72 words

An optical scanning system for reading indicia of differing light reflectivity comprising: an optical scan module, mountable on the person of a user and having a light emitter for generating and emitting light onto said indicia; and a peripheral module, housed separately from said optical scan module and mountable elsewhere on the person of the user, and having at least one light detector for detecting the reflection of light from said indicia.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 21 words

A system according to claim 33, wherein said housing is adapted to be mounted on a single finger of the user.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 37 words

A system according to claim 34, wherein said optical scan module has a housing portion for housing said light emitter and a ring mount portion; and said housing portion is rotatably connected to said ring mount portion.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 18 words

A system according to claim 34, wherein said rotatable connection provides at least one rotational degree of freedom.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 32 words

A system according to claim 34, wherein said housing is rotatable in a plane approximately parallel to a plane tangential to the circumference of said ring mount portion at said rotatable connection.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 23 words

A system according to claim 33, wherein said peripheral module has a housing adapted to be mounted on the body of the user.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 25 words

A system according to claim 38, wherein said peripheral module has a housing adapted to be mounted on an arm or wrist of the user.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 53 words

A system according to claim 33, wherein said peripheral module has a housing adapted to be mounted on an arm or wrist of the user which is on a side of the body of the user which is different from that on which the optical scan module housing is adapted to be mounted.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 32 words

A system as defined in claim 33, wherein the optical scan module includes a pen, and said peripheral module is a pen computer having a touch screen for use with said pen.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 26 words

A system according to claim 33, wherein said peripheral module includes a transceiver capable of receiving input data and transmitting said signal and said input data.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 15 words

A system according to claim 42, wherein said transceiver transmit and receives an infrared signal.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 13 words

A system according to claim 33, wherein said peripheral module transmits an acoustic.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 155 words

An optical scanning system for reading indicia of differing light reflectivity comprising: a finger mountable optical scan module including a light emitter for emitting light directed at said indicia and a light detector for detecting the reflection of light from said indicia; a first peripheral module adapted to be mounted on an arm or wrist of a user and including a receiver for receiving a first signal corresponding to said detected reflection of light from said optical scan module; and a second peripheral module including a wireless receiver for receiving a second signal, corresponding to said first signal, from said first peripheral module; wherein said first signal is an analog signal, said first peripheral module includes a digitizer for converting said first signal to a digitized signal and a decoder means for decoding information contained in said digitized signal and said decoder is automatically activated upon said receiver receiving a signal indicative of said indicia.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 155 words

An optical scanning system for reading indicia of differing light reflectivity comprising: a finger mountable optical scan module including a light emitter for emitting light directed at said indicia and a light detector for detecting the reflection of light from said indicia; a first peripheral module adapted to be mounted on an arm or wrist of a user and including a receiver for receiving a first signal corresponding to said detected reflection of light from said optical scan module; and a second peripheral module including a wireless receiver for receiving a second signal, corresponding to said first signal, from said first peripheral module; wherein said first signal is an analog signal, said first peripheral module includes a digitizer for converting said first signal to a digitized signal and a decoder means for decoding information contained in said digitized signal and said decoder is automatically activated upon said receiver receiving a signal indicative of said indicia.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 44 words

A system according to claim 45, wherein (i) said first peripheral module includes an indicator for producing an audible signal when the decoding has been successfully accomplished by the decoder and (ii) said light emitter is automatically deactivated in response to said audible signal.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 48 words

A system according to claim 45, wherein (i) said first peripheral module includes an indicator for producing an audible signal when the decoding has been successfully accomplished by the decoder and (ii) said light emitter and said light detector are automatically deactivated in response to said audible signal.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 21 words

A system according to claim 45, wherein said light emitter is automatically deactivated within a predetermined period of time after activation.

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 25 words

A system according to claim 45, wherein said light emitter and said light detector are automatically deactivated within a predetermined period of time after activation.

Claim 54

Dependent Claim 67 words

An optical scanning system for reading indicia of differing light reflectivity comprising: an optical scan module having a light emitter for generating and emitting light onto said indicia; and a peripheral module, housed separate and apart from said optical scan module, having at least one light detector for detecting the reflecting of light from said indicia and producing a signal representing the information contained in the indicia.

Claim 55

Dependent Claim 67 words

An optical scanning system for reading indicia of differing light reflectivity comprising: an optical scan module having a light emitter for generating and emitting light onto said indicia; and a peripheral module, housed separate and apart from said optical scan module, having at least one light detector for detecting the reflecting of light from said indicia and producing a signal representing the information contained in the indicia.

Claim 56

Dependent Claim 42 words

A system according to claim 50 further comprising a base station, and wherein said peripheral module includes a keypad or touch screen for inputting data, and said signal and said input data are transmitted to said base station by said peripheral module.

Claim 57

Dependent Claim 23 words

The system according to claim 1, wherein a wireless communication link is established between said optical scan module and said first peripheral module.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2000-03-10	2000-09-09	2001-03-11	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2004-03-10	2004-09-09	2005-03-11	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2008-03-10	2008-09-09	2009-03-11	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Portable optical scanning system worn by a user for reading indicia of differing light reflectivity

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