Hand-mounted bar code reader

A hand worn laser bar code reader scanner device is of compact design and adapted to be worn comfortably on the back of the hand of the user. A switch associated with the laser is attached to a hand strap such that the bar code reader is switched on and off by deliberate flexure of muscles in the user's hand. This enables the user to point his hand in a natural manner toward the bar code subject matter to be read, and, through the automatic switch, frees the fingers of his hand for use on other operations without removal of the laser device from the hand.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The invention relates to laser bar code readers, and particularly to 
scanning, portable laser bar code readers. 
Hand-held laser bar code readers are in an increasing use for efficient 
reading of information on containers in warehouses and other stock and 
inventory control situations. Modern hand held laser bar code readers have 
scanning mechanisms for scanning the beam, either reciprocally in a single 
plane to form a single scan line or in a raster pattern or other patterns 
wherein a plurality of non-parallel scan lines are formed. 
Often, the operator of a hand held laser bar code scanner must read 
information from bar codes, then periodically enter data on a keyboard, or 
otherwise use the fingers of his hand for operations relating to the 
general work being undertaken. With conventional hand held laser bar code 
readers, this has required laying down the bar code reader temporarily, or 
switching it to the other hand, to facilitate the use of the hand for 
other operations. In the case of keyboard entry, efficient operation 
requires the use of the fingers of both hands simultaneously, 
necessitating the setting aside of the bar code reader. 
Such laser bar code readers could be much more efficiently employed if they 
could remain in or on the hand while still freeing the fingers for 
keyboard entry or other operations in conjunction with the tasks in which 
the user is involved. It is an object of the invention to produce a 
portable bar code reader scanner device capable of such operation. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In accordance with the present invention, a laser bar code scanner device 
is adapted to be worn on the back of a human hand. The scanner device 
comprises a compact laser scanner including a laser for projecting a beam, 
a beam scanner, a housing surrounding the laser, and a connection to a 
power supply. There are included switch means for energizing the laser. A 
hand strap connected to the housing is of a length sufficient to extend 
around the hand to retain the housing on the back of the hand in such a 
position to project a scanning beam forward generally in the direction of 
the natural pointing of the hand and arm. In association with the strap 
and switch means, there are included means for activating the switch means 
to energize the laser upon a deliberate flexure of muscles in the hand. 
The muscle flexure may comprise the pointing of a finger, such as in the 
direction of the bar code to be read, with appropriate sensing apparatus 
and the strap to activate the switch upon such a gesture. 
Alternatively, the switch may be activated by other deliberate manual 
gestures, such as the clenching of the hand into a fist. 
Therefore, in accordance with the invention, the fingers of the hand 
bearing the laser scanner device are completely freed for other activities 
such as data entry. Both arms of the user are available, while at the same 
time the laser scanner device is instantly available for identifying data. 
Other and further objects of the present invention will be apparent from 
the following description and claims and are illustrated in the 
accompanying drawings, which by way of illustration, show preferred 
embodiments of the present invention and the principles thereof and what 
are now considered to be the best modes contemplated for applying these 
principles. Other embodiments of the invention embodying the same or 
equivalent principles may be used and structural changes may be made as 
desired by those skilled in the art without departing from the present 
invention and the purview of the appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
In the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a hand-mounted laser bar code scanner 
generally identified by the reference number 10, secured to the back of a 
user's hand 12. The bar code reader of scanner 10 includes a housing 14, 
an internal laser and scanning mechanism and return signal detection 
system (not shown) for producing the desired scan line or pattern and 
reading bar codes, an electrical cord 16 leading to a power supply for the 
laser and to a data recording device which may be separate from the 
housing 14, and a strap 18 for securing the bar code reader 10 to the back 
of the hand. 
The scanner device 10 is shown in FIG. 1 projecting a scan line 20 
transversely across a bar code 22 of the ordinary type comprising 
alternate and variable spaced and sized reflective and non-reflective 
bars. 
FIG. 2 shows the laser scanner 10, still attached to the user's hand 12, 
but with the hand clenched into a fist. This deliberate manual gesture 
flexes certain muscles of the hand, expanding the circumference of the 
hand at the location of the strap 18, and causes a switch associated with 
the scanner to energize or de-energize the laser. This enables the user to 
simply point his wrist and arm at a bar (such as the bar code 22) to be 
read and clench his hand into a fist to activate the laser. The laser may 
be turned off by repeating the same gesture. 
FIG. 3 is a perspective view from the front side of the laser bar code 
scanner, showing the connection of the strap 18 and indicating a special 
switch 24 which may be mounted on one side of the scanner's housing 14 and 
to which the mounting strap 18 is connected. The switch 24 may be 
sensitive to surges of tension in the strap 18, so that the flexure of the 
hand causes the switch to energize or de-energize the laser. 
Alternatively, the strap 18 can include a more sophisticated switching 
arrangment such as a tension or pressure-sensitive resistance element 
contained in the strap, with a small amount of current continually passed 
through the strap. The resistance element is then connected in a circuit 
so as to operate a relay switch when there are significant changes in the 
resistance. Similarly, other forms of switching arrangements can be used. 
As also shown in FIG. 3, the scanning beam may be a radiation frequency 
above or below the visible spectrum, such as an infrared laser beam. In 
this case, there are provided one or a pair of pointing beams 26 on either 
side of the invisible scanning beam, so that the operator has a visible 
marker with which to direct the scanner. The pointing beams 26 may be of 
any suitable conventional type, such as incandescent beams, LED's, lasers 
or other appropriate sources of light. 
FIGS. 1 and 3 also show that the scanner 10 may include indicators 20, 28 
and 30 on the side of the housing facing the user. For example, as 
indicated in the drawings, the indicator 28 may be a "LASER ON" indicator 
light, while the indicator 30 may comprise a "GOOD READ" indicator light, 
confirming that the bar code has been properly read. 
While we have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of our 
invention, it is to be understood that these are capable of variation and 
modification, and we therefore do not wish to be limited to the precise 
details set forth, but desire to avail ourselves of such changes and 
alterations as fall within the purview of the following claims.