Ergonomic hand-held data terminal and data collection system
US6109528A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 20, 1996 |
| Grant date | Aug 29, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 20, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06K7/10881
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A portable hand-held data terminal having a curvilinear cross-sectional keypad capable of operation by one hand. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention the keys may extend to various heights above the keypad depending on their function. For example, a scan trigger key may extend the farthest from the terminal, numeric keys may extend the next farthest, and alphabetic keys may extend the least. The data terminal may also provide a quick release pistol grip to terminal attachment which utilizes, in an exemplary embodiment, a pair of removably receivable compressible O-rings, a pair of removably receivable guides, and a lever-type latch mechanism. The invention may also provide an interface between the pistol grip assembly's trigger mechanism and the data terminal which does not require that the housing of the data terminal be pierced. In an exemplary embodiment this interface utilizes a reed switch, mounted inside the data terminal's housing, and a magnetic trigger assembly wherein the reed switch is held closed by the magnet when the trigger is depressed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.