Hand-held optical scanner and highlighter

Abstract

Special holder for combination of an umbilical type scanner with an inking highlighter in an integral or piggy back unit, which upon use provides a visual record of what has been scanned as well as 'scan field verification' which obviates the need to continuously call up the computer display to determine the scan accuracy. The use of a highlighter improves the contrast between the print and the background paper (or other substrate), particularly in the case of poor quality paper, such as newsprint or recycled paper. This results in a 'cleaner' digital signal and higher degree of scan accuracy, i.e. a better recognition read by the graphics/text software. Several embodiments of special holders are shown, a principal one being a side-by-side (tandem) pair of sleeves joined by a web, one sleeve being adapted to hold a conventional pen or wand-type scanner, and the other adapted to hold a conventional highlighter. In alternate embodiments a special 'donut' holder comprising a cylinder with a felt highlighter tip is provided into the axial bore of which is inserted a conventional or specially designed scanner. In still another embodiment an angled highlighter may be clipped to a wand-type scanner. Scanning may be done with the highlights proceeding or trailing the scanner in the case of the arrangement. In the case of the 'donut' type scanner/highlighter, the highlighting procedes the scanning, and the unit is omni-directional.