Claims
- 1. A mobile automated data collection device for reading printed indicia, said device comprising:
a detector; an extensible arm comprising:
a proximal end; and a distal end upon which said detector is mounted; a controller configured to receive and process a plurality of electrical signals sensed by said detector; a display responsive to said controller and configured to present human-intelligible information corresponding to data received from said detector; and a rigid container comprising:
a base portion with at least one compartment disposed therein; a cover portion in cooperation with said base portion such that that said detector, extensible arm, controller and display can fit therebetween at least during periods of storage or transport of said device; and a handle coupled to said container such that said device is configured to be human-carryable.
- 2. A mobile automated data collection device according to claim 1, wherein said detector is pivotally mounted to said distal end of said extensible arm.
- 3. A mobile automated data collection device according to claim 2, wherein said detector includes:
a light emitting source; and a receiver for detecting light emitted from said light emitting source once said light has been reflected from said printed indicia.
- 4. A mobile automated data collection device according to claim 1, further comprising a trigger sensor in electrical communication with said controller, said trigger sensor to detect the presence of an object containing printed indicia and send an input signal to said controller upon said presence.
- 5. A mobile automated data collection device according to claim 1, wherein said proximal end of said extensible arm is pivotally connected to permit preferential positioning of said extensible arm.
- 6. A mobile automated data collection device according to claim 1, wherein said handle is retractable into a recess in said container.
- 7. A mobile automated data collection device according to claim 1, wherein said display is pivotally mounted to either said container or said controller.
- 8. A mobile automated data collection device according to claim 1, wherein said container is environmentally shielded.
- 9. A mobile automated data collection device according to claim 8, wherein said environmental shielding includes moisture shielding.
- 10. A mobile automated data collection device according to claim 8, wherein said environmental shielding includes particulate shielding.
- 11. A mobile automated data collection device according to claim 1 further comprising a plurality of wheels mounted on at least one surface of said container.
- 12. A mobile automated data collection device according to claim 11, wherein said plurality of wheels are retractably mounted.
- 13. A mobile automated data collection device according to claim 11, wherein at least one of said plurality of wheels further includes a locking feature to inhibit container motion.
- 14. A mobile automated data collection device according to claim 1, wherein said container is adapted to house a first information processing apparatus in electrical communication with said controller.
- 15. A mobile automated data collection device according to claim 14, wherein said container further includes at least one port to effect communication between said first information processing apparatus and a second information processing apparatus.
- 16. A mobile automated data collection device according to claim 1, wherein said cover portion is hingedly detachable from said base portion.
- 17. A container for a printed indicia reading device, said container comprising:
a rigid carryable enclosure including:
a base portion with at least one compartment disposed therein for storage of at least one component of said printed indicia reading device; a cover portion in cooperation with said base portion such that when said cover is in a closed relationship with said base, said enclosure effects environmental shielding of components disposed within; and a handle mounted on said container to facilitate carrying said container; a plurality of retractable wheels mounted on at least one surface of said container; and an articulating extensible arm mounted at a proximal end to said enclosure, said articulating extensible arm configured to pivotally fit within said enclosure.
- 18. A container according to claim 17, wherein said cover portion is hingedly detachable from said base portion.
- 19. A container according to claim 17, wherein said distal end of said extensible arm further includes:
at least one locking joint; and at least one tension spring, whereby said at least one locking joint and said at least one tension spring enable said multiple preferential positioning of said distal end.
- 20. A container according to claim 17, wherein said handle is retractable into a recess in said enclosure.
- 21. A container according to claim 17, wherein said environmental shielding includes moisture shielding.
- 22. A container according to claim 17, wherein said environmental shielding includes particulate shielding.
- 23. A container according to claim 17, wherein at least one of said plurality of retractable wheels further includes a locking feature to inhibit container motion.
- 24. A container according to claim 17, wherein said container further includes at least one data communication port.
- 25. A method of using a mobile automated data collection device to read printed indicia disposed on an object, comprising the steps of:
placing said mobile automated data collection device in operative proximity to a medium for transporting said object, said mobile automated data collection device including a hand-carryable container configured with at least one compartment therein to hold at least a detector, extensible arm, controller and output device; mounting said detector to said extensible arm; deploying said detector, extensible arm, controller and output device such that said detector, controller and output device are in electrical communication with one another; transporting said object past said mobile automated data collection device such that said object is in optical communication with said mobile automated data collection device; sensing the presence of said object; sending an input signal to said controller to indicate that said object is in optical communication with said mobile automated data collection device; directing said detector to read said printed indicia in response to said input signal; reading light reflected from said printed indicia in said detector; sending data corresponding to said reflected light to said controller; and presenting said data in human-intelligible format to said output device.
- 26. The method of claim 25, wherein said medium for transporting said object is a continuous conveyor.
- 27. The method of claim 25, wherein said detector further comprises a transmitter to generate a light emitting source and a receiver to detect said light which has reflected off said printed indicia.
- 28. The method of claim 25, wherein said medium for transporting said object containing printed indicia includes manually placing and aligning said object.
- 29. The method of claim 25, further comprising the step of securing said detector in a preferred scanning position.
- 30. The method of claim 25, further comprising the step of providing indication to a user the scan status of said object containing printed indicia.
- 31. The method of claim 30, wherein said step of providing indication to a user the scan status of said object containing printed indicia includes the presentation of a signal upon detection of a read error.
- 32. The method of claim 25, further comprising the step of halting the reading process upon receipt of an error signal.
- 33. The method of claim 25, further comprising the steps of:
placing at least one communications port in operative cooperation with an information processing apparatus; and transmitting an electrical signal containing said data corresponding to said reflected light from said printed indicia to said at least one communications port.
- 34. The method of claim 25, wherein said steps of detecting the presence of said object and sending an input signal are accomplished with a trigger sensor that is in electrical communication with said controller.
Parent Case Info
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/734,436, filed Dec. 11, 2000.
Continuations (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
09734436 |
Dec 2000 |
US |
Child |
10192401 |
Jul 2002 |
US |