Patent · US Expired

Portable programmable optical code reader

US4721849A · kind A · utility

120Cited by
13References
19Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 2, 1985
Grant dateJan 26, 1988
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 2, 2005

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG06K2207/1017
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A portable sensing device for reading data codes comprising a thin, generally planar housing of polygonal shape having a light source and light sensor at one of the corners thereof for reading data codes. The code reader contains a memory not only capable of storing the sensed data codes for future access, but capable of being programmed. A multipurpose battery charger is provided which is capable of charging multiple ones of the code readers simultaneously while receiving outputs from their memories and inputting commands or programming. Although the output from each code reader is performed optically through coded pulsing of the light source, the input occurs through the battery charger terminals, the charging current being delivered in coded pulses. Outputs from multiple code readers placed in a single charger occur sequentially in accordance with coded commands given by the charger.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.