US5939702A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Writing implement having an integrated optical reader
Assignee: Hanger Solutions LLC
•
Filing: 1997-10-10
•
Granted: 1999-08-17
•
Expires: 2017-10-10
Abstract
Abstract A writing implement (10) has an optical reader (20) integrated therewith. The optical reader (20) can include a bar code reader, an optical text reader, or an optical imaging reader. Preferably, a wireless data communication circuit shares an emitter and a detector of the optical reader (20).
Inventors
- 👤 Mark S. Knighton
- 👤 David S. Agabra
- 👤 David D. Drobnis
- 👤 John M. Vernon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 15:42
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/10; G06K7/10544; G06K7/10821; G06K7/10881; G06K17/00; G06K17/0022; G06K7/10712; G06K7/10762; G06K7/10772
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
An apparatus comprising: a writing implement having an opening through which a writing tip is projectable and through which an optical reader is accessible, the opening at a writing end of the writing implement; a member associated with the writing implement to select from a writing mode and an optical reading mode; an optical reader; and a light pipe to optically couple the optical reader to the writing end when the writing tip is retracted from the opening.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
78 words
An apparatus comprising: a writing implement having an opening through which a writing tip is projectable and through which an optical reader is accessible, the opening at a writing end of the writing implement; a member associated with the writing implement to select from a writing mode and an optical reading mode; an optical reader; and a light pipe to optically couple the optical reader to the writing end when the writing tip is retracted from the opening.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a reader tip optically coupled to the optical reader, the reader tip accessible proximate to the opening.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the optical reader is accessible when the writing tip is retracted from the opening.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the optical reader is inaccessible when the writing tip is projected through the opening.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the light pipe is pivotally connected within the writing implement.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the light pipe is tapered between a head and a reader tip.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the light pipe is spring-biased toward a writing cartridge having the writing tip.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the light pipe pivots to a first position when the writing tip is projected through the opening.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the light pipe pivots to a second position when the writing tip is retracted from the opening.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the member is disposed at an end of the writing implement opposite to a writing end.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a switch associated with the optical reader, the switch responsive to the member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the member projects and retracts a writing tip.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the writing implement includes a housing, wherein at least a portion of the optical reader is supported by a circuit board, and wherein the circuit board is disposed between the housing and a writing cartridge.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the optical reader includes an emitter and a detector mounted to the circuit board.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the optical reader includes an emitter and a detector, the apparatus further comprising a wireless data communication circuit which shares the emitter and the detector.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising a memory to store data read by the optical reader, wherein the emitter communicates an optical signal associated with the data.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the optical reader includes at least one of a bar code reader, an optical text reader, and an optical imaging reader.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
92 words
An apparatus comprising: a writing implement to receive a writing cartridge having a writing tip, the writing implement having an opening through which the writing tip is projectable, the opening at a writing end of the writing implement; a member associated with the writing implement to selectively project and retract the writing tip through the opening; an optical reader integrated with the writing implement; and a light pipe spring-biased toward the writing cartridge to optically couple the optical reader to the writing end when the writing tip is retracted from the opening.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
92 words
An apparatus comprising: a writing implement to receive a writing cartridge having a writing tip, the writing implement having an opening through which the writing tip is projectable, the opening at a writing end of the writing implement; a member associated with the writing implement to selectively project and retract the writing tip through the opening; an optical reader integrated with the writing implement; and a light pipe spring-biased toward the writing cartridge to optically couple the optical reader to the writing end when the writing tip is retracted from the opening.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3004140A
Cited
US4202641A
Cited
US4475240A
Cited
US4748318A
Cited
US5159321A
Cited
WO1991016688A1
Cited
US5247170A
Cited
US5247137A
Cited
US5434371A
Cited
US5517579A
Cited
US5652412A
Cited
US5774602A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-08-16 | 2003-02-15 | 2003-08-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-08-16 | 2007-02-15 | 2007-08-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-08-16 | 2011-02-15 | 2011-08-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |