Registers – Coded record sensors – Particular sensor structure
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-22
2001-04-10
Lee, Michael G. (Department: 2876)
Registers
Coded record sensors
Particular sensor structure
C235S472030, C235S462450
Reexamination Certificate
active
06213398
ABSTRACT:
FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates in general to pen shaped data acquisition or data generating implements, and in particular, to a new and useful pen stand or well, which also functions as a data transfer station for use with the implement.
Hand-held scanners are known, which contain electronics and interfaces capable of scanning printed data on a page, such as bar codes and the like. One product available from Symbol Technologies, Inc. is referred to as the Datawand IIB/III, and includes an elongated hand-held scanner which is used to scan and collect data, and a data well which has an opening for receiving the scanner and for downloading the data. For this purpose, the scanner has an optical reader at its end which functions as an optical read/write head that is brought into face-to-face relationship with an optical reader in the well, in order to upload data from the scanner, and download it to the data well.
The Symbol scanner has no ability to act as a pen for writing on a surface, nor does it have the appropriate shape or size to serve as a writing implement. No special measures are taken to protect the optical reader within the data well either, since it is contemplated that only the scanner end will be inserted into the well.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a data well for a hand-held data acquisition implement, where the implement is also capable of serving as a writing instrument and where the data well also serves as a stand or pen well for storing the writing/data implement. Writing means such as a ball point pen and cartridge, lead pencil and cartridge or other writing tip arrangement, is provided at one end of the implement, while a data transfer tip, such as the optical reader, is provided at an opposite end of the implement.
One of the problems to be overcome by the present invention was to keep the optical reader in the data/pen well, clean and undamaged despite insertion of the implement into the well with the writing tip down.
The data/pen well of the present invention has been designed so as to satisfy one set of mechanical requirements when the optical reader end of the implement is inserted into the well, and to satisfy a different set of mechanical requirements when the writing end of the implement is inserted for storage of the implement in the sense of a pen stand.
According to the present invention, a shutter automatically remains over the optical reader in the well and is shaped to receive and store the writing end of the writing implement. In this configuration, the well acts as a pen well or pen stand.
The shutter is designed, however, so that it automatically moves aside when the optical reader end of the implement is inserted into the well, allowing access to the optical reader in the well and permitting proper alignment of the optical readers on the implement and well, for achieving data transfer.
In this way, the data/pen well provides protection for the optical reader or readers in the well, keeping them clean and undamaged, while allowing the optics of the implement to engage the reader when the correct end of the implement is inserted into the well. No user involvement is necessary since the well automatically receives the writing end of the pen for serving as a storage facility, and automatically exposes the optical readers when serving a data transfer function.
Accordingly, another object of the present invention is to provide a data well which can also serve as a pen stand for storing a writing instrument in a point down position, without allowing dust or ink to settle on or be applied to the internal optical components of the stand, nor risking damage to the optical components.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a data well which can serve as an upload station when the writing implement is inserted with its optical reader end down. Insertion of the implement automatically pivots the shutter away from the reader or readers in the well.
A further object of the present invention is to utilize a pocket clip present on the writing instrument as the portion of the implement which pushes the shutter aside. This avoids wear and tear on other parts of the pen which are more susceptible to wear and damage than the pen clip which is advantageously made of metal.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a data/pen well for use with a dual purpose writing/data implement, in a manner which is entirely transparent to the user. The simple act of inserting the optical reader end of the implement into the stand, presents the appropriate mechanisms in the stand to the reader. Conversely, the insertion of the implement, writing end down, into the well, automatically allows the well to serve as a stand, without endangering the delicate optical elements of the reader in the stand.
Accordingly, another object of the present invention is to provide a data well for storing and interfacing with a writing implement having a writing end with a writing tip and a data transfer end with a data transfer tip, the data well comprising: a housing having an inlet opening for receiving an end of the implement; a data reader in said housing for facing the data transfer tip to exchange data with the implement when the data transfer end of the implement is received in said opening; and shutter means in said housing and engageable with an engagement portion of the implement for movement of said shutter means between a writing tip storage position in which said data reader is inaccessible, and an interface position in which said data reader is accessible to said data transfer tip, said shutter means being engaged by said engagement means of the implement when the data transfer end is received in said opening.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the shutter means comprises a shutter which moves over a fixed data reader in the housing, as opposed to mounting the data reader to the shutter means. This is to avoid the bending of wires which are necessarily connected to the data reader. In the broader sense however, the invention contemplates both a fixed data reader and a data reader mounted to the shutter means for movement with insertion of the implement. In that form of the invention, the shutter means moves the reader into position to interface with the data transfer end of the implement.
In a preferred form of the implement, the data transfer end and the writing end are opposite from each other. Although various engagement portions can be provided on the implement, in a preferred form of the invention, the pocket clip attached to the implement is used as the engagement portion for moving the shutter means.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a data well which is simple in design, rugged in construction and economical to manufacture.
The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses, reference is made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated.
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patent: 5
Linderson Paul E.
Mercurio Frank
Southworth Robert
A.T. Cross Company
Felten Daniel S
Lee Michael G.
Mintz Levin Cohn Ferris Glovsky and Popeo P.C.
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