Psc Inc.

Other

L Michael Hone

Vincent T LaManna

Andrew Longacre, Jr

Charles E Biss

Harold McGuire

Dean S White

Vincent T La Manna

A hand-held instrument for reading a bar code symbol obtains print quality parameters by analyzing a signal resulting from code reading, using an internal computer having memory contained in the instrument. The instrument includes a graphic display comprising a display device such as a liquid crystal having a matrix of elements arranged in areas which provide a message containing a plurality of dot matrix characters, other areas where the elements are formed into segments for display of alphanumeric characters and still other areas where the elements are formed into legends. The computer has memory for storing fixed or variable text messages which are selectively displayed depending upon the results of the print quality analysis. The display is selectively orientable (flippable) to present messages in the message area, characters in the segment area and graphics in other areas in upright position and in proper orientation for readability by use of the controls to set the display to present the messages either in left or right-handed orientation. The instrument can be handled in either the right or left hand and the display presented in readable position. The areas are arranged so as to be mirror-wise symmetric about a longitudinal axis through the instrument so that when the computer writes data into the array of the graphic driver, it is written in an orientation and ordered so that the display presents the graphics upright and in order (left to right in the American system) for viewing.

Bar code reading instrument and selectively orientable graphics display

A hand-held bar code scanner has a removable boot to hold a field-replaceable optical element, which is sandwiched between an opening formed at the nose section of the scanner housing and the face section of the boot. The replaceable optical element can be, for example, a transparent element, filter, lens, or Brewster Window.

Boot with replaceable optical element for a bar code scanner

A hand-held bar code scanner has a field-replaceable optical element (250) such as a window using a rubber boot (110) to hold the window (250) proximate to the scanner housing (101) in front of the housing. The optical element is most typically a window but may also be a filter or lens.

Bar code scanner with field replaceable window

Hand-held optical scanner

A scanning system utilizing a scanner which is located in a case of size adapted to fit in the palm of the hand or to be attached to the hand along the top outside surface of the hand between the fingers and the wrist. The scanner includes a scan engine within the case mounted on a printed circuit board which scans symbols having data identifying characteristics, which are visible through a window in a side wall of the case. A switch for enabling scanning operations may be provided by a manually actuated trigger on the printed circuit board and an arm which is pivotally mounted on a post which aligns the scan engine in the case and is captured in an opening along a wall of the case. The scanner may be connected by a retractable cable to a retraction unit which can be carried by the operator. The system may be configured with the scanner on the outer side of the hand and held on the hand as by a strap or glove. A light weight arm unit is carried on the forearm. A terminal may be carried by the operator as on his or her belt. The arm unit has an outside or top surface with a keypad and display. The keypad enables the system to be turned on and off and for data to be entered which is transferred to the terminal. Passages in the arm unit are provided for cables which connect the scanner to the arm unit and the arm unit to the terminal.

Growing community of inventors

Webster, NY, United States of America

L Michael Hone