Abstract:
An improved electronic measuring device has a compact design, is easy to operate, and uses menu-driven logic to minimize the requirement for buttons and/or switches to take, store, recall, and/or manipulate measurements.

Description:
[0001]     This application is a regular filed application of and claims, for the purposes of priority, the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/590,040, entitled “Electronic Length Measuring Device,” which was filed on Jul. 21, 2004, which is owned by the assignee of this application, and which this application hereby expressly incorporates by reference herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0002]     This disclosure relates generally to measuring devices, such as measuring tapes, and more specifically to electronic measuring devices.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0003]     Electronic tape measures, such as sonic tape measures, have been developed to simplify the task of measuring distances, for example, for estimating the size of a room, without having to physically stretch a tape measure across the distance being measured.  
         [0004]     With advancements in electronics, it is possible to provide many functions, such as calculations for area and volume, into a sonic tape measure. However, with many functions often comes a need for many buttons for an end user to select a desired function. This adds complexity and cost to the device, and may make it cumbersome to operate.  
         [0005]     In addition, hand-held device such as sonic tape measures, stud finders, and laser levels, often have a desirable feature of a belt clip for hanging the device from a belt. However, the belt clip often provides an uneven surface that may not be desirable from a utilitarian standpoint, such as when it is desirable to have the device sit level on a surface such as a table for making measurements, or to take up a minimal amount of space in a storage container such as a tool box or drawer. In addition, the belt clip may interfere with the operation of electronic handheld devices, such as those that include buttons and/or switches, especially when it is necessary to have a large number of buttons and/or switches for operation of an electronic handheld device. Accordingly, there is a need for an improved sonic tape measure that is easier for an end user to operate.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0006]     An improved electronic measuring device is disclosed which has a compact design, that is easy to operate, and that uses menu-driven logic to minimize the requirement for buttons and/or switches to take, store, recall, and manipulate measurements.  
         [0007]     In accordance with one aspect of the invention, an electronic measuring device include a transceiver device, a microprocessor operatively connected to the transceiver device, as well as a memory, an electronic output device, and a plurality of input mechanisms, all of which are operatively connected to the microprocessor. The microprocessor may be programmed with logic that allows a user of the device to take and manipulate measurements using a menu-driven procedure by using the input mechanisms to select and activate desired operations.  
         [0008]     In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the input mechanisms include a read button, at least one scroll button, and a menu/select button. The read button may be a combined power/read button.  
         [0009]     In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, the microprocessor may be programmed with logic that allows a user of the device to take distance measurements using a menu-driven procedure solely by using the menu/select button, the scroll button, and the read button to select and activate desired operations. The input mechanisms may also include a +/= button.  
         [0010]     According to still another aspect of the invention, a method of taking a measurement using an electronic measuring device is provided. The electronic measuring device includes a read button, at least one scroll button, and a menu/select button as input mechanisms that are operatively connected to a microprocessor that is also operatively connected to a display device. The method includes pressing the menu/select button, pressing the scroll button until an indication is provided on the display device corresponding to a desired measurement to be taken, and pressing the read button.  
         [0011]     Other features and advantages of the disclosed devices and methods will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the detailed description provided below which is made with reference to the attached drawings provided in illustration of one preferred embodiment.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]      FIG. 1  is a plan view of a measuring device in accordance with this disclosure;  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  is an elevational view of the upper end of the measuring device;  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  is an elevational view of the left side of the measuring device;  
         [0015]      FIG. 4  is an elevational view of the right side of the measuring device;  
         [0016]      FIG. 5  is an elevational view of the lower end of the measuring device;  
         [0017]      FIG. 6  is an elevational view of the rear side of the measuring device;  
         [0018]      FIG. 7  is an enlarged view of a display screen of the measuring device;  
         [0019]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a portion of the measuring device, showing a retractable belt clip member in a deployed configuration;  
         [0020]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a portion of the measuring device, showing the retractable belt clip member in a stowed configuration;  
         [0021]      FIG. 10  is a perspective cross-sectional view, taken along line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 1 , of a deployment and retraction mechanism for the retractable belt clip member; and  
         [0022]      FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view, taken along line  11 - 11  of  FIG. 5 , of the deployment and retraction mechanism. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0023]     With reference initially to  FIG. 1 , an electronic tape measure  20  includes a microprocessor  21 . Operatively connected to the microprocessor may be a memory  23 , an electronic display  22 , and input mechanisms in the form of a power/read button  24 , a first scroll button  26 , a second scroll button  28 , a select button  30 , an addition or +/= button  32 , and a clear/reset button  34 . The electronic tape measure  20  may also include a retractable belt clip member  36 .  
         [0024]     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the electronic tape measure  20  may include a sonic transceiver device  38  and a laser pointer device  40 , both of which may be operatively connected to the microprocessor  21 . The sonic transceiver device  38  may be adapted to use a sound signal (such as, for example, an ultrasonic signal) to measure a distance from the electronic tape measure  20  to a surface, such as a wall or ceiling of a room. The laser pointer device  40  assists the end user of the electronic tape measure  20  by providing an indication of a specific location at which a measurement is being taken, for example, a location on a wall or ceiling surface.  
         [0025]     With reference again to  FIG. 1 , the electronic display  22  may include a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen  42  that has a function indication region  44 , that in  FIG. 1  displays a “V” to indicate the electronic tape measure  20  is in a volume measurement mode. The LCD screen  42  may also include a graphical icon display  46  that may indicate, for example, which measurement is to be taken by the electronic tape measure  20  when the read button is depressed. For example, a height segment “H,” a length segment “L,” or a width segment “W,” may flash on the graphical icon display  46  to indicate the respective dimension to be measured when the read button  24  is depressed. The LCD screen  42  may also include an upper numeric display region  48 , that may be used to indicate a distance measured by the electronic tape measure  20 . A unit indication region  50  may be provided on the LCD screen  42 , for example, to indicate units of measures such as feet, meters, inches, or centimeters. The LCD screen  42  may also include a lower numeric display region  52 , and a parameter region  54  that may be used to indicate that a calculated area or volume of a room being measured by the electronic tape measure  20  is being shown on the lower numeric display region  52 .  
         [0026]     As shown in the side views of  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the electronic tape measure  20  may further include left and right ribbed side grip panels  56  and  58 , respectively, a front housing portion  57 , and a rear housing portion  59 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the retractable belt clip member  36  may include ribbed base surface  60 , to facilitate deployment and retraction of the retractable belt clip member  36  by sliding the ribbed base surface  60  along the line of the directional arrow  62  shown in  FIG. 5 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the electronic tape measure  20  may include a battery lid  64 , and an instructional label  66  on the rear of the electronic tape measure  20 .  
         [0027]     With reference to  FIG. 7 , the LCD screen  42  is shown with an example of all possible display indications shown at one time (of course all such display indications would not be shown at the same time during normal use of the electronic tape measure  20 ). As shown in  FIG. 7 , the function display region  44  may include “L” for length, “A” for area, “V” for volume, “U” for selecting units, “M S ” for storing a measurement in memory, “M R ” for recalling a measurement from memory, numeric indications 1-5 to indicate five different memory locations, as well as a battery status indicator. The unit display region  50  shown in  FIG. 7  uses “IN” for inches, “FT” for feet, “YDS” for yards, “M” for meters, and “CM” for centimeters. The parameter display region  54  may show “SQ” for measuring area, (i.e., square feet or square meters) or “CU” for measuring volume (i.e., cubic feet or cubic meters). The graphic icon display region  46  may include a “+” to indicate that a measurement is being added, for example, to calculate a total square footage of multiple rooms in a dwelling.  
         [0028]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view showing the retractable belt clip member  36  in a deployed configuration, and  FIG. 9  is a perspective view showing the retractable belt clip member  36  in a stowed configuration.  
         [0029]      FIGS. 10 and 11  are cross-sectional views showing further detail of structure providing the mechanism for deployment and retraction of the retractable belt clip member  36 .  
         [0030]     As seen in  FIG. 10 , the belt clip member  36  includes two bosses  68  (only one of which is visible in  FIG. 10 ) that each include a blind hole  70 . The front housing portion  57  includes a pair of openings  72  through which each of the bosses  70  pass. A threaded fastener  74  is threadably secured to each of the blind bores  70 , and includes a fastener head  76  that prevents the retractable belt clip member  36  from being completely removed from attachment to the front housing portion  57 . A detent protrusion  78  may be provided on the retractable belt clip member  36 , such that it mates with a corresponding deployed detent dimple  80  formed in the front housing portion  57  when the belt clip member  36  is in a deployed configuration, and that mates with a stowed detent dimple  82  also formed in the front housing portion  57 , when the belt clip member  36  is in a stowed configuration. Also, as seen in  FIG. 8 , guide slots  84  may be formed in the belt clip member  36 , to ensure that it will move from the stowed configuration to the deployed configuration and vice versa in a linear fashion and also to stabilize the belt clip member  36  in a proper position with respect to the front housing portion  57  and the rear housing portion  59 .  
         [0031]     The front and rear housing portions  57  and  59  may be made from any suitable material, such as ABS plastic, and the retractable belt clip member and side grip panels  56  and  58  may also be made from any suitable material, such as ABS plastic. The buttons  24 - 34  may be made from any suitable material such as a TPR rubber material.  
         [0032]     As shown in Table I below, to turn the electronic tape measure  20  on the end user may simply press and release the power/read button  24 .  
                                 TABLE I                           TO TURN TOOL ON            Step                   Number   Button   Result   Display               1   Press   Unit will power up where   Upper Numeric           POWER/   it was just before it   Display Region 48:           READ button   powered down. Display   Same as shutdown           24 and   should be the same as it   Lower Numeric           release.   was prior to shutdown.   Display Region 52:                   Same as shutdown                   Periphery:                   Same as shutdown                  
 
         [0033]     It should be noted that any software, hardware, firmware, and/or combination thereof used to implement the programming logic described herein is well within the capabilities of one of ordinary skill in the art to program, and may be stored in any computer readable memory such as on a magnetic disk, a laser disk, or other storage medium, in a RAM or ROM of a computer or processor, etc. Likewise, this programming logic may be delivered to a user, a device, or an operator workstation using any known or desired delivery method including, for example, on a computer readable disk or other transportable computer storage mechanism or over a communication channel such as a telephone line, the Internet, the World Wide Web, any other wired or wireless local area network or wide area network, etc. (which delivery is viewed as being the same as or interchangeable with providing such software via a transportable storage medium). Furthermore, this programming logic may be provided directly without modulation or encryption or may be modulated and/or encrypted using any suitable modulation carrier wave and/or encryption technique before being transmitted over a communication channel.  
         [0034]     Table II sets forth the logic that may be programmed into the microprocessor  21  and a procedure that may be used to facilitate measuring a length by using the electronic tape measure  20 .  
                                 TABLE II                           TO MEASURE A LENGTH            Step                   Number   Button   Result   Display               1   Press   Menu options will pop up   Upper Numeric           MENU/SELECT   with the mode you are   Display Region 48:           button 30.   currently in flashing. The   Whatever was in               current mode should be   display before the               either Length, Area, or   MENU/SELECT               Volume.   button 30 was pushed.                   Lower Numeric                   Display Region 52:                   Whatever was in                   display before the                   MENU/SELECT                   button 30 was pushed.                   Periphery:                   Icon for Length, Area,                   Volume, Units,                   Memory Store, and                   Memory Retrieve***                   will be visible with the                   current mode flashing.       2   Repeatedly press   Menu options will   Upper Numeric           SCROLL (L or R)   continue to be displayed   Display Region 48:           button 26 or 28 until   on the screen and each   Whatever was in           the Length Icon is   time the SCROLL (L or R)   display before the           flashing.   button 26 or 28 is pushed,   MENU/SELECT               the flashing will move to   button 30 was pushed.               the next Icon in line.   Lower Numeric                   Display Region 52:                   Whatever was in                   display before the                   MENU/SELECT                   button 30 was pushed.                   Periphery:                   Icon for Length, Area,                   Volume, Units,                   Memory Store, and                   Memory Retrieve***                   will be visible with the                   Length mode flashing.       3   Press   Menu choice of measuring   Upper Numeric           MENU/SELECT   lengths has been selected.   Display Region 48:           button 30.       A value of zero and the                   current units of                   measure.                   Lower Numeric                   Display Region 52:                   Nothing                   Periphery:                   The L with line Icon                   should appear on the                   screen and be flashing.       4   Press READ button   Measurement will be   Upper Numeric           24 and obtain first   displayed on Upper   Display Region 48:           measurement.   Numeric Display Region   XXXX″, XX′XX″,               48 of display.   XX.XX yds,                   XXXX cm, or                   XX.XX m                   Lower Numeric                   Display Region 52:                   Nothing                   Periphery:                   The L with line Icon                   should appear on the                   screen and be flashing.       5   Pressing READ   Pressing this button   Upper Numeric           button 24.   generates a new   Display Region 48:               measurement.   XXXX″, XX′XX″,                   XX.XX yds,                   XXXX cm, or                   XX.XX m                   Lower Numeric                   Display Region 52:                   Nothing                   Periphery:                   The L with line Icon                   should appear on the                   screen and be flashing.                  
 
         [0035]     If length is above 600″, 50′, 16.7 yds, 1524 cm, 15.24 m, “Err” should appear in the display.  
         [0036]     If length is less than 22″, 1′ 10″, 0.61 yds, 56 cm, 0.56 m, “Err” should appear on the display.  
         [0037]     Pressing the Clear/Reset button  34  will zero the screen.  
         [0038]     Table III sets forth logic that may be programmed into the microprocessor  21  and a procedure that may be used to add length measurements using the electronic tape measure  20 .  
                                                   TABLE III                           TO ADD LENGTH MEASUREMENTS            Step                   Number   Button   Result   Display                    1   Press   Menu options will pop up   Upper Numeric           MENU/SELECT   with the mode you are   Display Region 48:           button 30.   currently in flashing.   Whatever was in               Should be Length, Area,   display before the               or Volume.   MENU/SELECT                   button was pushed.                   Lower Numeric                   Display Region 52:                   Whatever was in                   display before the                   MENU/SELECT                   button was pushed.                   Periphery:                   Icon for Length, Area,                   Volume, Units,                   Memory Store, and                   Memory Retrieve***                   will be visible with the                   current mode flashing.       2   Repeatedly press   Menu options will   Upper Numeric           SCROLL (L or R)   continue to be displayed   Display Region 48:           button 26 or 28 until   on the screen and each   Whatever was on the           the Length Icon is   time the SCROLL (L or R)   screen before the           flashing.   button 26 or 28 is pushed,   MENU/SELECT               the flashing indication will   button 30 was pushed.               move to the next Icon in   Lower Numeric               line.   Display Region 52:                   Whatever was on the                   screen before the                   MENU/SELECT                   button 30 was pushed.                   Periphery:                   Icon for Length, Area,                   Volume, Units,                   Memory Store, and                   Memory Retrieve will                   be visible with the                   Length mode flashing.       3   Press   Menu choice of measuring   Upper Numeric           MENU/SELECT   lengths has been selected.   Display Region 48:           button 30.       A value of zero and the                   current units of                   measure.                   Lower Numeric                   Display Region 52:                   Nothing                   Periphery:                   The Length Icon should                   appear on the screen                   and be flashing.       4   Press READ button   Measurement will be   Upper Numeric           24 and obtain first   displayed on Upper   Display Region 48:           measurement. If   Numeric Display Region   XXXX″, XX′XX″,           measurement is not   48 of display.   XX.XX yds, XXXX cm,           correct user may       or XX.XX m,           push       Lower Numeric           CLEAR/RESET       Display Region 52:           button 34 to clear       Nothing           line.       Periphery:                   The L with line Icon                   should appear on the                   screen and be flashing.       5   Press +/= button 32.   Measurement continues to   Upper Numeric               show on Upper Numeric   Display Region 48:               Display Region 48 of   XXXX″, XX′XX″,               display along with a plus   XX.XX yds, XX.XX m,               sign (+). Measurement is   or XXXX cm               also displayed on Lower   Lower Numeric               Numeric Display Region   Display Region 52:               52.   XXXX″, XX′XX″,                   XX.XX yds,                   XXXX cm, or                   XX.XX m                   Periphery:                   The L with line                   (Length Icon) should                   appear on the screen                   and be flashing.                   There will be a plus                   sign (+).       6   Press READ button   Second measurement will   Upper Numeric           24 and obtain   appear on Upper Numeric   Display Region 48:           second   Display Region 48 of   XXXX″, XX′XX″,           measurement. If   display along with a plus   XX.XX yds, XXXX cm,           measurement is not   sign (+) but there will be   or XX.XX m           correct the READ   no value on the Lower   Lower Numeric           button 24 could be   Numeric Display Region   Display Region 52:           pushed again.   52.   Nothing                   Periphery:                   The L with line Icon                   should appear on the                   screen and be flashing.                   There will be a plus                   sign (+).       7   Press +/= button 32.   Second measured value   Upper Numeric               continues to appear on   Display Region 48:               Upper Numeric Display   XXXX″, XX′XX″,               Region 48. Sum total of   XX.XX yds,               first and second   XXXX cm, or               measurements will show   XX.XX m               up on Lower Numeric   Lower Numeric               Display Region 52.   Display Region 52:                   XXXX″, XX′XX″,                   XX.XX yds,                   XXXX cm, or                   XX.XX m                   Periphery:                   The L with line Icon                   should appear on the                   screen but not be                   flashing.       8   Press +/= button 32.   Pressing the +/= button 32   Upper Numeric               again will prepare the unit   Display Region 48:               to add another length. The   XXXX″, XX′XX″,               Upper Numeric Display   XX.XX yds,               Region 48 will display the   XXXX cm, or               last measured value, the   XX.XX m               Lower Numeric Display   Lower Numeric               Region 52 will display the   Display Region 52:               last calculated result.   XXXX″, XX′XX″,                   XX.XX yds, XXXX cm,                   or XX.XX m                   Periphery:                   The L with line Icon                   should appear on the                   screen and be flashing.                   There will be a plus                   sign (+).       9   Press READ 24   Third measurement will   Upper Numeric           button and obtain   appear on Upper Numeric   Display Region 48:           third measurement.   Display Region 48 of   XXXX″, XX′XX″,           If measurement is   display along with a plus   XX.XX yds, XXXX cm,           not correct the   sign (+) but there will be   or XX.XX m           READ button 24   no value on the Lower   Lower Numeric           could be pushed   Numeric Display Region   Display Region 52:           again.   52.   Nothing                   Periphery:                   The L with line Icon                   should appear on the                   screen and be flashing.                   There will be a plus                   sign (+).       10   Press +/= button 32.   Third measured value   Upper Numeric               continues to appear on   Display Region 48:               Upper Numeric Display   XXXX″, XX′XX″,               Region 48. Sum total of   XX.XX yds, XXXX cm,               first, second, and third   or XX.XX m               measurements will show   Lower Numeric               up on Lower Numeric   Display Region 52.               Display Region 52:   XXXX″, XX′XX″,                   XX.XX yds,                   XXXX cm, or                   XX.XX m                   Periphery:                   The L with line Icon                   should appear on the                   screen but not be                   flashing.                 *To add additional length measurements repeat steps #8, #9, and #10.             
 
 To clear sum total, press CLEAR/RESET button  34 . 
 
         [0039]     Table IV sets forth the programmed logic and a procedure that may be used to determine an area measurement using the electronic tape measure  20 .  
                                                   TABLE IV                           TO DETERMINE AREA            Step                   Number   Button   Result   Display                    1   Press   Menu options will pop up   Upper Numeric           MENU/SELECT   with the mode you are   Display Region 48:           button 30.   currently in flashing.   Whatever was in               Should be either Length,   display before the               Area, or Volume.   MENU/SELECT                   button 30 was pushed.                   Lower Numeric                   Display Region 52:                   Whatever was in                   display before the                   MENU/SELECT                   button 30 was pushed.                   Periphery:                   Icon for Length, Area,                   Volume, Units,                   Memory Store, and                   Memory Retrieve***                   will be visible with the                   current mode flashing.       2   Repeatedly press   Menu options will   Upper Numeric           SCROLL (L or R)   continue to be displayed   Display Region 48:           button 26 or 28 until   on the screen and each   Whatever was on the           the Area Icon is   time the SCROLL (L or R)   screen before the           flashing.   button 26 or 28 is pushed,   MENU/SELECT               the flashing indication will   button 30 was pushed.               move to the next Icon in   Lower Numeric               line.   Display Region 52:                   Whatever was on the                   screen before the                   MENU/SELECT                   button 30 was pushed.                   Periphery:                   Icon for Length, Area,                   Volume, Units,                   Memory Store, and                   Memory Retrieve will                   be visible with the area                   mode flashing.       3   Press   Menu choice of measuring   Upper Numeric           MENU/SELECT   areas has been selected.   Display Region 48:           button 30.       A value of zero and the                   current units of                   measure                   Lower Numeric                   Display Region 52:                   ------ and sq                   Periphery:                   The LW Icon should                   appear on the screen                   with the L with line                   portion flashing.       4   Press READ button   Measurement will be   Upper Numeric           24 and obtain first   displayed on Upper   Display Region 48:           measurement. If   Numeric Display Region   XXXX″, XX′XX″,           measurement is not   48 of display.   XX.XX yds,           correct press       XXXX cm, or           CLEAR/RESET       XX.XX m           button 34 to start       Lower Numeric           measuring routine       Display Region 52:           over again       ------ and sq           (beginning of step       Periphery:           4).       The LW with line Icon                   should be on the screen                   with the W with line                   portion flashing.       5   Press READ button   Second measurement will   Upper Numeric           24 and obtain   appear on Upper Numeric   Display Region 48:           second   Display Region 48 of   XXXX″, XX′XX″,           measurement. If   display. Area calculation   XX.XX yds,           measurement is not   will appear on the Lower   XXXX cm, or           correct press   Numeric Display Region   XX.XX m           CLEAR/RESET   52.   Lower Numeric           button 34 to start       Display Region 52:           measuring routine       XXXX sq           over again       Periphery:           (beginning of step       The LW with line Icon           4).       should be on the screen                   with nothing flashing.       6   Press   Screen will clear any read   Upper Numeric           CLEAR/RESET   or calculated values.   Display Region 48:           button 34 to start       A value of zero and the           measuring routine       current units of           over again       measure           (beginning of step       Lower Numeric           4).       Display Region 52:                   ------ and sq                   Periphery:                   The LW Icon should                   appear on the screen                   with the L with line                   portion flashing.                  
 
         [0040]     End users may see what values were measured when determining area by pressing the READ button  24  after an area has been calculated. The LCD screen  42  will show first measurement on the Upper Numeric Display Region  48  with the L with line Icon flashing, by pressing the READ button  24  again the second measurement will be displayed on the Upper Numeric Display Region  48  with the W with line Icon flashing. Pressing the READ button  24  again will get the user back to the first measurement.  
         [0041]     Table V sets forth programmed logic and a procedure that may be used to add area measurements using the electronic tape measure  20 .  
                                 TABLE V                           TO ADD AREA MEASUREMENTS       This function is a continuation of the “TO DETERMINE AREA” function. User       would still be in the Area mode with a calculated area displayed on the Lower       Numeric Display Region 52 of the LCD screen 42.            Step                   Number   Button   Result   Display               1   Press the +/= button   This button should be   Upper Numeric           32 (add another   pressed only after a value   Display Region 48:           area).   for area is registered on   Whatever was in               the Lower Numeric   display before the               Display Region 52 of the   MENU/SELECT               display. This function will   button 30 was pushed.               allow the user to calculate   Lower Numeric               another area and add it to   Display Region 52:               the previous value. Upper   Whatever was in               Numeric Display Region   display before the               48 will show nothing and   MENU/SELECT               Lower Numeric Display   button 30 was pushed.               Region 52 will show the   Periphery:               current area value.   The LW Icon should                   appear on the screen                   with the L with line                   portion flashing.                   A plus sign (+) will                   appear on the screen       2   Press READ button   Measurement will be   Upper Numeric           24 and obtain first   displayed on Upper   Display Region 48:           measurement. If   Numeric Display Region   XXXX″, XX′XX″,           measurement is not   48 of display.   XX.XX yds, XXXX cm,           correct press       or XX.XX m           CLEAR/RESET       Lower Numeric           button 34 to start       Display Region 52:           measuring routine       Nothing           over again (end of       Periphery:           step 1).       The LW Icon should be                   on the screen with the                   W with line flashing.                   A plus sign (+) will                   appear on the screen       3   Press READ button   Second measurement will   Upper Numeric           24 and obtain   appear on Upper Numeric   Display Region 48:           second   Display Region 48 of   XXXX″, XX′XX″,           measurement. If   display. Area calculation   XX.XX yds, XXXX cm,           measurement is not   will appear on the Lower   or XX.XX m           correct press   Numeric Display Region   Lower Numeric           CLEAR/RESET   52.   Display Region 52:           button 34 to start       XXXX sq           measuring routine       Periphery:           over again (end of       The LW Icon should be           step 1).       on the screen with                   nothing flashing.                   A plus sign (+) will                   appear on the screen       4   Press +/= button 32.   Upper Numeric Display   Upper Numeric               Region 48 of display will   Display Region 48:               show the last measured   XXXX″, XX′XX″,               length from step #3 above.   XX.XX yds,               Tool will calculate the   XXXX cm, or               sum of the area previously   XX.XX m               on the Lower Numeric   Lower Numeric               Display Region 52 of the   Display Region 52:               LCD and the new area just   XXXX sq               obtained. This new value   Periphery:               will be displayed on the   The LW Icon should be               Lower Numeric Display   on the screen with               Region 52.   nothing flashing.       5   Press +/= button 32.   Pressing this button will   Upper Numeric               let the end user add   Display Region 48:               another area.   A value of zero and the                   current units of                   measure                   Lower Numeric                   Display Region 52:                   XXXX sq                   Periphery:                   The LW Icon should                   appear on the screen                   with the L with line                   portion flashing.                   A plus sign (+) will                   appear on the screen                  
 
         [0042]     End users may see what values were measured when determining last area by pressing the READ button  24  after an area has been calculated. Display will show first measurement on the Upper Numeric Display Region  48  with L with line Icon flashing, by pressing the READ button  24  again the second measurement will be displayed on the Upper Numeric Display Region  48  with the W with line flashing. Pressing the READ button  24  again will get the user back to the first measurement.  
         [0043]     Table VI sets forth the programmed logic and a procedure that may be used to determine volume using the electronic tape measure  20 .  
                                 TABLE VI                           TO DETERMINE VOLUME            Step                   Number   Button   Result   Display               1   Press   Menu options will pop up   Upper Numeric           MENU/SELECT   with the mode you are   Display Region 48:           button 30.   currently in flashing.   Whatever was in               Should be either Length,   display before the               Area, or Volume.   MENU/SELECT                   button was pushed.                   Lower Numeric                   Display Region 52:                   Whatever was in                   display before the                   MENU/SELECT                   button 30 was pushed.                   Periphery:                   Icon for Length, Area,                   Volume, Units,                   Memory Store, and                   Memory Retrieve***                   will be visible with the                   current mode flashing.       2   Repeatedly press   Menu options will   Upper Numeric           SCROLL (L or R)   continue to be displayed   Display Region 48:           button 26 or 28 until   on the screen and each   Whatever was in           the Volume Icon is   time the SCROLL (L or R)   display before the           flashing.   button is pushed, the   MENU/SELECT               flashing will move to the   button 30 was pushed.               next Icon in line.   Lower Numeric                   Display Region 52:                   Whatever was in                   display before the                   MENU/SELECT                   button 30 was pushed.                   Periphery:                   Icon for Length, Area,                   Volume, Units,                   Memory Store, and                   Memory Retrieve***                   will be visible with the                   Area mode flashing.       3   Press   Menu choice of measuring   Upper Numeric           MENU/SELECT   volumes has been selected.   Display Region 48:           button 30.       A value of zero and the                   current units of                   measure                   Lower Numeric                   Display Region 52:                   ------ and cu                   Periphery:                   The LWH Icon should                   appear on the screen                   with the L with line                   portion flashing.       4   Press READ button   Measurement will be   Upper Numeric           24 and obtain first   displayed on Upper   Display Region 48:           measurement. If   Numeric Display Region   XXXX″, XX′XX″,           measurement is not   48 of display.   XX.XX yds, XXXX cm,           correct press       or XX.XX m           CLEAR/RESET       Lower Numeric           button 34 to start       Display Region 52:           volume measuring       ------ and cu           routine over again       Periphery:           (beginning of step       The LWH Icon should           4).       be on the screen with                   the W with line                   flashing.       5   Press READ button   Second measurement will   Upper Numeric           24 and obtain   appear on Upper Numeric   Display Region 48:           second   Display Region 48 of   XXXX″, XX′XX″,           measurement. If   display. Nothing will   XX.XX yds,           measurement is not   appear on the Lower   XXXX cm, or           correct press   Numeric Display Region   XX.XX m           CLEAR/RESET   52.   Lower Numeric           button 34 to start       Display Region 52:           volume measuring       ------ and cu           routine over again       Periphery:           (beginning of step       The LWH Icon should           4).       be on the screen with                   the H with line                   flashing.       6   Press READ button   Third measurement will   Upper Numeric           24 and obtain third   appear on Upper Numeric   Display Region 48:           measurement. If   Display Region 48 of   XXXX″, XX′XX″,           measurement is not   display. Calculated   XX.XX yds, XXXX cm,           correct press   volume will appear on the   or XX.XX m           CLEAR/RESET   Lower Numeric Display   Lower Numeric           button 34 to start   Region 52 of the display.   Display Region 52:           volume measuring       XXXX cu           routine over again       Periphery:           (beginning of step       The LWH Icon should           4).       be on the screen with                   nothing flashing.       7   Press   Screen will clear any read   Upper Numeric           CLEAR/RESET   or calculated values.   Display Region 48:           button 34 to start       A value of zero and the           measuring routine       current units of           over again       measure           (beginning of step       Lower Numeric           4).       Display Region 52:                   ------ and cu                   Periphery:                   The LWH Icon should                   appear on the screen                   with the L with line                   portion flashing.                  
 
         [0044]     End users may see what values were measured when determining volume by pressing the READ button  24  after the volume has been calculated. Display will show first measurement on the Upper Numeric Display Region  48  with L with line Icon flashing, by pressing the READ button  24  again the second measurement will be displayed on the Upper Numeric Display Region  48  with the W with line flashing, by pressing the READ button  24  again the third measurement will be displayed on the Upper Numeric Display Region  48  with the H with line flashing. Pressing the READ button  24  again will get the user back to the first measurement with the L with line Icon flashing.  
         [0045]     Table VII sets forth the programmed logic and a procedure that may be used to add volume measurement using the electronic tape measure  20 .  
                                 TABLE VII                           TO ADD VOLUME MEASUREMENTS       This function is a continuation of the “TO DETERMINE VOLUME” calculation       function. User would still be in the Volume mode with a calculated volume displayed       on the Lower Numeric Display Region 52 of the LCD screen 42.            Step                   Number   Button   Result   Display               1   Press the +/= button   This button should be   Upper Numeric           32 (add another   pressed only after a value   Display Region 48:           volume).   for volume is registered on   The last measurement               the Lower Numeric   shown on the screen               Display Region 52 of the   will remain.               display. This function will   Lower Numeric               allow the user to calculate   Display Region 52:               another volume and add it   XXXX cu               to the previous value.   Periphery:               Lower Numeric Display   The LWH Icon should               Region 52 will show the   appear on the screen               current volume value.   with the L with line                   portion flashing.                   A plus sign (+) will                   appear on the screen.       2   Press READ button   Measurement will be   Upper Numeric           24 and obtain first   displayed on Upper   Display Region 48:           measurement. If   Numeric Display Region   XXXX″, XX′XX″,           measurement is not   48 of display. This will be   XX.XX yds,           correct press   the length value just   XXXX cm, or           CLEAR/RESET   measured.   XX.XX m           button 34 to start       Lower Numeric           measuring routine       Display Region 52:           over again (end of       ------ and cu           step 1).       Periphery:                   The LWH Icon should                   be on the screen with                   the W with line                   flashing.                   The plus sign (+) will                   stay lighted on the                   screen.       3   Press READ button   Second measurement will   Upper Numeric           24 and obtain   appear on Upper Numeric   Display Region 48:           second   Display Region 48 of   XXXX″, XX′XX″,           measurement. If   display. This will be the   XX.XX yds,           measurement is not   width value just measured.   XXXX cm, or           correct press       XX.XX m           CLEAR/RESET       Lower Numeric           button 34 to start       Display Region 52:           measuring routine       ------ and cu           over again (end of       Periphery:           step 1).       The LWH Icon should                   be on the screen with                   the H with line                   flashing.                   The plus sign (+) will                   stay lighted on the                   screen.       4   Press READ button   Third measurement will   Upper Numeric           24 and obtain third   appear on Upper Numeric   Display Region 48:           measurement. If   Display Region 48 of   XXXX″, XX′XX″,           measurement is not   display. Volume   XX.XX yds,           correct press   calculation will appear on   XXXX cm, or           CLEAR/RESET   the Lower Numeric   XX.XX m           button 34 to start   Display Region 52.   Lower Numeric           measuring routine       Display Region 52:           over again (end of       XXXX cu           step 1).       Periphery:                   The LWH Icon should                   be on the screen with                   nothing flashing.                   The plus sign (+) will                   stay lighted on the                   screen.       5   Press +/= button 32.   Upper Numeric Display   Upper Numeric               Region 48 of display will   Display Region 48:               show the last measured   XXXX″, XX′XX″,               length from step #4 above.   XX.XX yds,               Tool will calculate the   XXXX cm, or               sum of the volume   XX.XX m               previously on the Lower   Lower Numeric               Numeric Display Region   Display Region 52:               52 of the LCD and the   XXXX cu               new volume just obtained.   Periphery:               This new value will be   The LWH Icon should               displayed on the Lower   be on the screen with               Numeric Display Region   nothing flashing.               52.   The plus sign (+) will                   go off.       6   Press +/= button 32.   Pressing this button will   See line 1 above               let the end user add               another volume.                  
 
         [0046]     End users may see what values were measured when determining a volume by pressing the READ button  24  after the volume has been calculated. Display will show first measurement on the Upper Numeric Display Region  48  with L with line Icon flashing, by pressing the READ button  24  again the second measurement will be displayed on the Upper Numeric Display Region  48  with the W with line flashing, by pressing the READ button  24  again the third measurement will be displayed on the Upper Numeric Display Region  48  with the H with line flashing. Pressing the READ button  24  again will get the user back to the first measurement with the L with line Icon flashing.  
         [0047]     Table VIII sets forth the programmed logic and a procedure that may be used to change units of measure when using the electronic tape measure  20 .  
                                 TABLE VIII                           TO CHANGE UNITS OF MEASURE            Step                   Number   Button   Result   Display               1   Press   Menu options will pop up   Upper Numeric           MENU/SELECT   with the mode you are   Display Region 48:           button 30.   currently in flashing.   Whatever was in               Should be either Length,   display before the               Area, or Volume   MENU/SELECT                   button 30 was pushed.                   Lower Numeric                   Display Region 52:                   Whatever was in                   display before the                   MENU/SELECT                   button 30 was pushed.                   Periphery:                   Icon for Length, Area,                   Volume, Units,                   Memory Store, and                   Memory Retrieve***                   will be visible with the                   current mode flashing.       2   Repeatedly press   Menu options will   Upper Numeric           SCROLL (L or R)   continue to be displayed   Display Region 48:           button 26 or 28 until   on the screen and each   Whatever was in           the Units Icon is   time the SCROLL (L or R)   display before the           flashing.   button 26 or 28 is pushed,   MENU/SELECT               the highlighting will move   button 30 was pushed.               to the next Icon in line.   Lower Numeric                   Display Region 52:                   Whatever was in                   display before the                   MENU/SELECT                   button 30 was pushed.                   Periphery:                   Icon for Length, Area,                   Volume, Units,                   Memory Store, and                   Memory Retrieve***                   will be visible with the                   Units mode flashing.       3   Press   Menu choice of changing   Upper Numeric           MENU/SELECT   units has been selected.   Display Region 48:           button 30.       Should show the same                   value that was on the                   screen before getting                   into this menu driven                   mode to change units.                   Lower Numeric                   Display Region 52:                   Should show the same                   value that was on the                   screen before getting                   into this menu driven                   mode to change units.                   Periphery:                   The Units Icon will be                   flashing; all other Icons                   will be off. The units of                   measure will show up                   on the screen (in, ft,                   yds, cm, m) with the                   current units of                   measure flashing.       4   Press SCROLL (L   The units of measure will   Upper Numeric           or R) button 26 or   change to the next type in   Display Region 48:           28 until the units   line. Sequence will be in,   Value and units from           desired show up on   ft, yds, cm and m. User   previous step will           the screen.   may keep pressing   change to converted               SCROLL (L or R) button   value and units of               26 or 28 until the desired   measure.               Units of measure are   Lower Numeric               displayed.   Display Region 52:                   If there was a value on                   this line, value and                   units from previous                   step will change to                   converted value and                   units of measure.                   Periphery:                   The Units Icon will be                   flashing; all other Icons                   will be off. The units of                   measure will be                   illuminated (in, ft, yds,                   cm, m) with the desired                   unit of measure                   flashing.       5   Press   Tool will now display all   Upper Numeric           MENU/SELECT   measurements based upon   Display Region 48:           button 30.   the Unit type selected.   Same as previous step               Unit will kick out of menu   Lower Numeric               mode and back to Length,   Display Region 52:               Area or Volume mode.   Same as previous step                   Periphery:                   Unit Icon will turn off.                 *If an end user comes into menu mode from measuring lengths, the Upper Numeric Display Region 48 and possibly Lower Numeric Display Region 52 may continue to show the measurements once the MENU/SELECT button 30 is pressed. If the menu option is then changed to Area, Volume, or Memory Retrieve, nothing may be displayed on the UPPER NUMERIC DISPLAY REGION 48 or Lower Numeric Display Region 52. The UPPER NUMERIC DISPLAY REGION 48 and possibly          # LOWER NUMERIC DISPLAY REGION 52 values may be displayed in the Length, Units, and Memory Store modes.           
 
         [0048]     If an end user comes into menu mode from measuring areas, the Upper Numeric Display Region  48  and possibly Lower Numeric Display Region  52  may continue to show the measurements once the MENU/SELECT button  30  is pressed. If the menu option is then changed to Length, Volume, or Memory Retrieve, nothing may be displayed on the UPPER NUMERIC DISPLAY REGION  48  or Lower Numeric Display Region  52 . The UPPER NUMERIC DISPLAY REGION  48  and possibly LOWER NUMERIC DISPLAY REGION  52  values may be displayed in the Area, Units, and Memory Store modes.  
         [0049]     If an end user comes into menu mode from measuring Volumes, the Upper Numeric Display Region  48  and possibly Lower Numeric Display Region  52  may continue to show the measurements once the MENU/SELECT button  30  is pressed. If the menu option is then changed to Length, Area, or Memory Retrieve, nothing may be displayed on the UPPER NUMERIC DISPLAY REGION  48  or Lower Numeric Display Region  52 . The UPPER NUMERIC DISPLAY REGION  48  and possibly LOWER NUMERIC DISPLAY REGION  52  values may be displayed in the Volume, Units, and Memory Store modes.  
         [0050]     Table IX sets forth the programmed logic and a procedure that may be used to save a value in memory on the electronic tape measure  20 .  
                                 TABLE IX                           TO SAVE VALUE IN MEMORY            Step                   Number   Button   Result   Display               1   Press   Menu options will pop up   Upper Numeric           MENU/SELECT   with the mode you are   Display Region 48:           button 30.   currently in flashing.   Whatever was in               Should be either Length,   display before the               Area, or Volume.   MENU/SELECT                   button 30 was pushed.                   Lower Numeric                   Display Region 52:                   Whatever was in                   display before the                   MENU/SELECT                   button 30 was pushed.                   Periphery:                   Icon for Length, Area,                   Volume, Units,                   Memory Store, and                   Memory Retrieve***                   will be visible with the                   current mode flashing.       2   Repeatedly press   Menu options will   Upper Numeric           SCROLL (L or R)   continue to be displayed   Display Region 48:           button 26 or 28 until   on the screen and each   Whatever was in           the Memory Store   time the SCROLL (L or R)   display before the           Icon is flashing.   button 26 or 28 is pushed,   MENU/SELECT               the highlighting will move   button 30 was pushed.               to the next Icon in line.   Lower Numeric               User may continue to   Display Region 52:               toggle through the choices   Whatever was in               until reaching the Memory   display before the               Store Icon.   MENU/SELECT                   button 30 was pushed.                   Periphery:                   Icon for Length, Area,                   Volume, Units,                   Memory Store, and                   Memory Retrieve will                   be visible with the                   Memory Store mode                   flashing.       3   Press   Menu choice of Memory   Upper Numeric           MENU/SELECT   Storage has been selected.   Display Region 48:           button 30.   Once the user has selected   Nothing               that they want to go to   Lower Numeric               Memory Storage, they   Display Region 52:               need to determine what   The value that is to be               memory location they   stored.               want to save their value in.   Periphery:               There are five locations   Icon for Memory Store               (1-5). The tool will default   and 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 will be               to the first memory   highlighted. The 1 will               location by flashing the 1.   be flashing.               The user may then accept               this location by pressing               the MENU/SELECT               button 30 or scroll to               another of the memory               locations by pushing the               SCROLL (L or R) button               26 or 28.       4   Press the SCROLL   This will allow the user to   Upper Numeric           (L or R) button 26   choose a different memory   Display Region 48:           or 28.   location. By continuing to   Nothing               push the SCROLL (L or   Lower Numeric               R) button 26 or 28, the   Display Region 52:               unit will scroll through the   The value that is to be               five different memory   stored.               locations.   Periphery:                   Icon for Memory Store                   and 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 will be                   highlighted. The                   current memory                   location will be                   flashing.       5   Press the   This will store the value in   Upper Numeric           MENU/SELECT   the memory location.   Display Region 48:           button 30.   Pressing this key will also   The display will look               put the user back in the   like it did before the               Length, Area or Volume   MENU/SELECT               mode, whatever the mode   button 30 was pushed.               was before the Memory   Lower Numeric               Storage routine was   Display Region 52:               started.   The display will look                   like it did before the                   MENU/SELECT                   button 30 was pushed.                   Periphery:                   The display will look                   like it did before the                   MENU/SELECT                   button 30 was pushed.                  
 
         [0051]     Table X sets forth programmed logic and a procedure that may be used to retrieve a value in memory on the electronic tape measure  20 .  
                                 TABLE X                           TO VIEW VALUE IN MEMORY       (MEMORY RECALL MODE)       Memory locations may be cleared only when in Memory Recall mode. Once in       Memory Recall mode, the user may hold the CLEAR/RESET button 34 in for 2       seconds and all the values in memory will be cleared.            Step                   Number   Button   Result   Display               1   Press   Menu options will pop up   Upper Numeric           MENU/SELECT   with the mode you are   Display Region 48:           button 30.   currently in flashing. At   Whatever was in               this point the current mode   display before the               should be either Length,   MENU/SELECT               Area, or Volume   button 30 was pushed.                   Lower Numeric                   Display Region 52:                   Whatever was in                   display before the                   MENU/SELECT                   button 30 was pushed.                   Periphery:                   Icon for Length, Area,                   Volume, Units,                   Memory Store, and                   Memory Retrieve***                   will be visible with the                   current mode flashing.       2   Repeatedly press   Menu options will   Upper Numeric           SCROLL (L or R)   continue to be displayed   Display Region 48:           button 26 or 28 until   on the screen and each   Whatever was in           the Memory   time the SCROLL (L or R)   display before the           Retrieve Icon is   button 26 or 28 is pushed,   MENU/SELECT           flashing.   the highlighting will move   button 30 was pushed.               to the next Icon in line.   Lower Numeric               User may continue to   Display Region 52:               toggle through the choices   Whatever was in               until reaching the Memory   display before the               Retrieve Icon.   MENU/SELECT                   button 30 was pushed.                   Periphery:                   Icon for Length, Area,                   Volume, Units,                   Memory Store, and                   Memory Retrieve***                   will be visible with the                   Memory Retrieve Icon                   flashing.       3   Press   Menu choice of Memory   Upper Numeric           MENU/SELECT   Retrieve has been selected.   Display Region 48:           button 30.   Once the user has selected   Nothing               that they want to go to   Lower Numeric               memory retrieve, they   Display Region 52:               need to determine what   The display shows the               memory location they   value stored in the               want to retrieve their value   memory location that is               from. There are five   flashing.               locations (1-5). The tool   Periphery:               will default to the first   Icon for Memory               occupied memory location   Retrieve and any               by flashing the memory   memory locations (1, 2,               location number and the   3, 4, 5) that have a               corresponding value   value will be               displayed on the Lower   highlighted. The lowest               Numeric Display Region   numbered memory               52.   location will be                   flashing when the user                   first enters this mode.       4   Press the   This will take the end user   Upper Numeric           MENU/SELECT   back to the mode he/she   Display Region 48:           button 30.   was in before they got into   Whatever was in               the Memory Recall mode.   display before the                   MENU/SELECT                   button 30 was pushed.                   Lower Numeric                   Display Region 52:                   Whatever was in                   display before the                   MENU/SELECT                   button 30 was pushed.                   Periphery:                   Whatever was in                   display before the                   MENU/SELECT                   button 30 was pushed.                  
 
         [0052]     Table XI sets forth the programmed logic and a procedure that may be used to add a memory value to a length, area, or volume measurement using the electronic tape measure  20 .  
                                 TABLE XI                           TO ADD A MEMORY VALUE TO A LENGTH, AREA, OR VOLUME       Obviously, one cannot add a length to an area or volume,       nor can one add an area to a volume.       As noted above, memory locations may be cleared only when       in Memory Recall mode. Once in Memory Recall       mode, the user may hold the CLEAR/RESET button 34 in for 2       seconds and all the values in memory will be cleared.            Step Number   Button   Result   Display               1   Press the +/= button   This button may be pushed   Upper Numeric           32.   once there is a value in the   Display Region 48:               tool for length, area or   XXXX″, XX′XX″,               volume. Measurement   XX.XX yds, XXXX cm,               continues to show on   or XX.XX m               Upper Numeric Display   Lower Numeric               Region 48 of display along   Display Region 52:               with a plus sign (+).   XXXX″, XX′XX″,               Measurement is also   XX.XX yds,               displayed on Lower   XX.XX cm, or               Numeric Display Region   XX.XX m               52.   Periphery:                   Some form of the LWH                   icon should be on the                   screen. There will be a                   plus sign (+).       2   Press   Menu options will pop up   Upper Numeric           MENU/SELECT   with the mode you are   Display Region 48:           button 30.   currently in flashing. At   Whatever was in               this point the current mode   display before the               should be either Length,   MENU/SELECT               Area, or Volume.   button 30 was pushed.                   Lower Numeric                   Display Region 52:                   Whatever was in                   display before the                   MENU/SELECT                   button 30 was pushed.                   Periphery:                   Icon for Length, Area,                   Volume, Units,                   Memory Store, and                   Memory Retrieve***                   will be visible with the                   current mode flashing.       3   Repeatedly press   Menu options will   Upper Numeric           SCROLL (L or R)   continue to be displayed   Display Region 48:           button 26 or 28 until   on the screen and each   Whatever was in           the Memory   time the SCROLL (L or R)   display before the           Retrieve Icon is   button 26 or 28 is pushed,   MENU/SELECT           flashing.   the highlighting will move   button 30 was pushed.               to the next Icon in line.   Lower Numeric               User may continue to   Display Region 52:               toggle through the choices   Whatever was in               until reaching the Memory   display before the               Retrieve Icon.   MENU/SELECT                   button 30 was pushed.                   Periphery:                   Icon for Length, Area,                   Volume, Units,                   Memory Store, and                   Memory Retrieve***                   will be visible with the                   Memory Retrieve Icon                   flashing.       4   Press   Menu choice of Memory   Upper Numeric           MENU/SELECT   Retrieve has been selected.   Display Region 48:           button 30.   Once the user has selected   Nothing               that they want to go to   Lower Numeric               memory retrieve, they   Display Region 52:               need to determine what   The display shows the               memory location they   value stored in the               want to retrieve their value   memory location that is               from. There are five   flashing.               locations (1-5). The tool   Periphery:               will default to the first   Icon for Memory               occupied memory location   Retrieve and any               by flashing the memory   memory locations (1, 2,               location number and the   3, 4, 5) that have a               corresponding value   value will be               displayed on the Lower   highlighted. The lowest               Numeric Display Region   numbered memory               52. The user may then   location will be               accept this location by   flashing when the user               pushing the   first enters this mode.               MENU/SELECT button               30 or scroll to another of               the memory locations by               pushing the SCROLL (L               or R) button 26 or 28.       5   Press the   This will take the end user   Upper Numeric           MENU/SELECT   back to the mode he/she   Display Region 48:           button 30.   was in before they got into   Whatever was in               the Memory Recall mode.   display before the               The Lower Numeric   MENU/SELECT               Display Region 52 will   button 30 was pushed.               show the addition of the   Lower Numeric               previous value and what   Display Region 52:               was in memory.   Sum of the previous                   value and what was in                   memory.                   Periphery:                   Whatever was in                   display before going                   into the memory recall                   mode.                 Footnotes:            *Unit may be programmed to automatically shutdown 30 seconds after last input (button actuation).            **None of the functions listed can be performed until unit is powered on.            ***When getting into Menu/Select Mode to select Length, Area, Volume, Units, Memory Storage, and Memory Retrieve, the Memory Retrieve Icon may be programmed not to light up unless there are stored values in memory.             
 
         [0053]     Due to the simplicity of the logic programmed into the processor  21  and the minimal number of buttons that are used in the electronic tape measure  20 , multiple functions may be performed using the electronic tape measure, without the need for cumbersome numerous small buttons on the device. In addition, due to the retractable nature of the belt clip  36 , and the small number of buttons, a belt clip may be provided on the front of the device without interfering with operation of the buttons  24 - 34 .  
         [0054]     Since the belt clip member  36  is retractable, it may be located on the front of the device  20  without interference with operation of the device  20 .  
         [0055]     The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, as modifications will be obvious to those skilled in the art. For example, the teachings of this disclosure are applicable to many types of handheld devices in addition to length measuring devices, such as, for example, laser levels, and stud sensors.