Hand Held Products, Inc.

James M DeArras

Vernon Lee Stant

Frederick M Weaver

Allen M Grayson, Jr

Michael S Beard

Kevin John Ahearn

Lawrence R Ober

Walter C Simciak

David P Gibbon

James A Trautwein

Stephen Charles Allen

Joseph W Lowe

Bengt E Salmonsson

Hand-held optical scanner

A portable item tracking unit includes a bar code reader for capturing a bar code related to an item, a microphone for capturing an audio identification from a recipient of an item, and a memory. The memory associatively electronically stores a digital signal related to the audio identification along with a digital representation of bar code data to provide audio proof of delivery of the item. A display and a speaker may respectively display the stored bar code related to the item and audibly broadcast the electronically stored audio identification for the item. A user input is preferably included for verifying that the input of the bar code and the audio identification is satisfactory. A transferring circuit transfers the electronically stored bar code and the electronically stored audio identification to a host computer. The host computer includes its own memory for associatively storing a plurality of digital identification indicia having a respective plurality of digital audio identifications for a corresponding plurality of items. A consumer can then access the host computer via a telephone network. After the host computer accepts selection of an item, a reconstruction circuit converts the digital identification indicia and the digital audio identification for the selected item into first and second audible messages. A transmitter may then transmit the first and second audible messages to provide audio proof of delivery of the item.

Audio proof of delivery system and method

A data recognition apparatus of the invention preferably has a data communication apparatus and a portable data reader adapted to communicate therewith. The portable data reader is particularly adapted to substantially extend the time period required before replacing or recharging a portable power source connected thereto. The portable data reader preferably includes a data sensor, a central processor, a display, a user interface, a transceiver, a timer, a portable power source, and a power manager. The power manager is connected in electrical communication with the portable power source, the data sensor, the central processor, the display, the user interface, and the transceiver and the central processor is connected in electrical communication with the timer. The power manager manages the amount of and timing of power supplied to the data sensor, the central processor, the display, and the transmitter and receiver responsive to command signals received from the central processor and interaction of a user with the user interface. The power manager also preferably provides at least four modes of predetermined power operation of the central processor, the display, and the user interface. A method of managing power for such a portable data reader are also included.

Data recognition apparatus and portable data reader having power

Electronic bar code reader

Front of an instrument panel for an electronic bar code reader

Top, bottom, back, and ends of a housing with a carrying clip for an

An apparatus for making available to a calculator remote programs provided on memory chips and transferring the data stored in the chips into the calculator using only the power supply of the calculator. A connector extends between the calculator and the apparatus for supplying a chain of clock pulses from the calculator for controlling the transfer of data between the apparatus and the calculator. The EPROM chips are temporarily turned on with power generated by the power supply carried in the calculator transferring the data stored in the chip to a temporary storage device. Data is transferred from the temporary storage device to the calculator at a slower rate than the rate that the data is transferred into the temporary storage device from the chip. Power is cut off to the chip immediately after the data is transferred from the chip to the temporary storage device minimizing the power requirement for transferring data from the chip to the calculator. A pair of semi-conductive devices and a capacitor are used for temporarily turning on the chip with the power.

Powerless remote program reservoir

Growing community of inventors

Richmond, VA, United States of America

James M DeArras