Abstract:
A handheld optical imaging reader having a body specifically configured to be held in the hand and improve the ease by which a user can effectively obtain information from target objects presented to the reader. The body of the reader extends along a first axis and includes an optical imager aligned along a non-parallel second axis and a display extending along a non-parallel plane. The reader includes two triggers mounted to opposing sides of the body and positioned for activation by the thumb of a user when held in either the left of right hand using either an overhand or underhand grip. The reader may include a display and keypad to allow for high-level user functions and interaction.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to coded record systems and, more particularly, to readers having camera-type readers for barcode and image processing. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Machine vision plays an important role in automated and robotic systems, such as assembly line manufacturing, quality control inspection, and sample processing. Conventional systems are generally comprised of an optical imager, such as a charged coupled device (CCD) or similar device using digital imaging technology, that is positioned capture images of objects that pass in front of it. In low-light or enclosed applications, machine vision systems may include an illumination source, such as a bank of light emitting diodes (LEDs), positioned proximately to the imager. The images are subsequently processed to decode information contained in the resulting two-dimensional image, such as 1D linear codes, 2D stacked/matrix codes, OCR fonts, and postal codes. The image captured by the machine vision system may also be subjected to more advanced processing, such as shape recognition or detection algorithms, that provide information about the object of interest in the image. 
         [0005]    In the health care industries, barcode and other symbolic data encoding systems are being used to track information, control work flow, and ensure security and safety in the workplace. In older systems, relevant information was encoded into barcodes, which are essentially graphic representation of data (alpha, numeric, or both). Barcodes encode numbers and letters into different types of linear codes, two-dimensional codes, and composite codes (a combination of linear and two-dimensional codes) that are scanned by laser based device and then interpreted to reveal the encoded information. In more recent applications, referred to as digital or optical image capture, an optical device captures a digital picture of the barcode and software in the imager orients the picture and decodes the barcode contained in the picture. 
         [0006]    Conventional barcode readers and imaging systems are not well suited for use in the health care industry as they are adapted for manufacturing or commercial applications where ergonomics and ease of use are not a consideration. For example, such systems are generally bulky handheld units having a full grip handle and trigger assembly coupled to a large reader. These systems are also not readily used in medical applications as they are not compatible with medical cleaning solvents and solutions, or easily sterilized by medical workers. In addition, such systems are often lack the performance and ability to scan barcodes and other icons that become damaged. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    It is therefore a principal object and advantage of the present invention to provide a handheld optical imager that is designed for use in the health care industry. 
         [0008]    It is therefore a principal object and advantage of the present invention to provide a handheld optical imager that is ergonomic. 
         [0009]    It is therefore a principal object and advantage of the present invention to provide a handheld optical imager that is easy to use. 
         [0010]    It is therefore a principal object and advantage of the present invention to provide a handheld optical imager that is durable enough for medical application. 
         [0011]    Other objects and advantages will in part be obvious, and in part appear hereinafter. 
         [0012]    In accordance with the foregoing objects and advantages, the present invention provides a handheld optical imaging reader having a body specifically configured to be held in the hand and improve the ease by which a user can effectively obtain information from target objects presented to the reader. More specifically, the body of the reader extends along a first axis and includes an optical imager aligned along a non-parallel second axis and a display extending along a non-parallel plane. The reader further includes two triggers mounted to opposing sides of the body and positioned for activation by the thumb of a user when held in either the left of right hand using either an overhand or underhand grip. In this manner, a user may capture images of a target that is not readily accessible by conventional scanners, such as a patient wristband, that is routinely positioned in an awkward to reach location. In one embodiment, the reader includes a display and keypad to allow for high level user functions and interaction. In a second embodiment, reader includes only a single trigger mounted to an upper surface of the body, thereby significantly reducing the profile of the reader. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
         [0013]    The present invention will be more fully understood and appreciated by reading the following Detailed Description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a handheld reader according to the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a top view of a first embodiment of a handheld reader according to the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is an end view of a first embodiment of a handheld reader according to the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a side view of a first embodiment of a handheld reader according to the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a high-level schematic of the internal components of a first embodiment of a reader according to the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a handheld reader according to the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a side view of a second embodiment of a handheld reader according to the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0021]    Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout, there is seen in  FIGS. 1 through 3  a handheld reader  10  according to the present invention. Reader  10  generally comprises a housing  12  extending along longitudinal axis X-X from an imager window  14  at the front of the reader to a host interface  16  at the rear of the reader. Housing  12  is configured to be grasped by the hand of a user and, as will be described in more detail hereinafter, is arranged to provide improved ergonomics and ease of use. Housing  12  is preferably manufactured from chemical resistant plastic or silicone rubber. Window  14  preferably comprises a durable filter material for protection, such as Clarex®, available from Astra Products, Inc. of Baldwin, N.Y. In addition, any seams used to form housing  12  from multiple subparts should be tightly sealed against the ingress of fluids. 
         [0022]    In a preferred embodiment, housing  12  should be manufactured to comply with IP54 as defined in International Standard IEC 60529 for the manufacture of solid objects. Accordingly, reader  10  may be cleaned with a ten percent bleach solution, a pure ammonia solution, isopropyl alcohol, or commercially available cleaners, such as Citrace® and Dispatch ®, available from Caltech Industries, Inc. of Midland, Mich., and CaviCide®, available from Metrex International of Orange, Calif. 
         [0023]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , host interface  16  may comprise a conventional RS232 transceiver and associated 12 pin FFC jack. Alternatively, interface  16  may comprise other conventional buses, such as USB, IEEE, 1394, IrDA, PCMCIA, or Ethernet (TCP/IP). Interface  16  may also comprise a wireless transceiver for wireless communication to a host computer and is programmed with the applicable protocols for interfacing with a host computer, such as Bluetooth(r) or 802.11 protocols. It should be recognized by those of skill in the art that interface  16  may be provided as part of a permanently tethered cable arrangement, a releasable tether, such as with a USB connection, or a completely wireless arrangement. Host interface  16  thus provides a communications link between reader  10  and a host device, and may optionally provide structural support and, as discussed below, a power supply. 
         [0024]    Reader  10  includes an optical imager  18  positioned therein to capture images of a target through window  14 . In a preferred embodiment, imager  18  and window  14  are positioned to capture images along an axis Y-Y that is non-parallel with respect to axis X-X. For example, axis Y-Y may be offset downwardly from axis X-X by approximately fifteen degrees. 
         [0025]    Imager  18  may comprise any off-the-shelf optical imager capable of capturing digital images of a target that may be further processed for barcode and/or shape recognition. For example, Honeywell Imaging and Mobility of Skaneateles Falls, N.Y. sells a 5×80 series of imagers are capable of scanning and decoding most standard barcodes including linear, stacked linear, matrix, OCR, and postal codes. Other acceptable optical imaging platforms may also include the EV12, EV15, EA15, and XA21 imagers available from Intermec Technologies Corporation of Everett, Wash., or any custom imaging packaging sold commercially for incorporation into machine vision or optical imaging systems. It should be recognized by those of skill in the art that the particular model or make optical imaging platforms that may be interfaced with the present invention are not important. It should further be recognized that the present invention may be used with other data collection devices, such as laser scanners, RFID transceivers, and the like. 
         [0026]    Imager  18  preferably comprises an image engine  20  having image processing circuitry for omni-directional optical scanning. Referring to  FIG. 5 , imager  18  may further be interconnected to a microcontroller  22  for managing imaging and illumination operations, performing processing of captured images, and communicating through a host, such as a host computer or medical device, through a host interface  16 . Image engine  20  controls an image sensor  24 , such as a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor, and is capable of capturing two-dimensional images of 1D linear barcodes, 2D stacked/matrix barcodes, standard optical character recognition (OCR) fonts, Reduced Space Symbology (RSS) barcodes, and postal barcodes, as well as providing image captured images for use in a wide range of applications, such as image and shape recognition, signature capture, image capture, and non-standard optical character recognition. Imager  18  may further include an integrated illumination source  26  connected to engine  20 , such as one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) of various wavelengths, to enhance illumination, operation, and image capture. For example, imager  18  may include red LEDs for general illumination and green LEDs for targeting. 
         [0027]    Imager  18  obtains an optical image of the field of view and, using preprogrammed algorithms in image engine  20 , deciphers the context of the image to determine the presence of any decodable barcodes, linear codes, matrix codes, and the like. Image engine  20  may be programmed to perform other image processing algorithms on the image captured by imager  18 , such as shape recognition, match filtering, statistical analysis (e.g., threshold detection), and other high-level processing techniques. 
         [0028]    Reader  10  may optionally include RFID unit  28  including an RFID transceiver and associated antenna supporting standard RFID protocols, such as the TI Tag-it transponder protocol or ISO 15693. For these protocols, transceiver operates at 13.56 MHz, and may comprise a S6700 Multi-Protocol Transceiver IC available from Texas Instruments of Dallas, Tex. Depending on the application, other frequency transceivers may be more appropriate based on target range, power availability, cost, etc. RFID unit  28  may further be interconnected to sound source  46  or display  38  either directly or indirectly through microcontroller  22  for indicating a successful or unsuccessful interrogation of an RFID tag. 
         [0029]    In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, of reader  10  includes a keypad  30  positioned on the top surface of housing  12 , a pair of opposing triggers  32  positioned on opposing sides of housing  12  for triggering optical imaging operations, and an integral finger rest  34  formed into the bottom surface of housing  12 . Opposing triggers  32  allow for easier activation using the thumbs when a user is holding the device in the palm of the left or right hand. Keypad  30  preferably comprises a membrane-style arrangement, thereby allowing for easier disinfection and cleaning of reader  10  without allowing fluids to infiltrate the internal components of reader  10 . Keypad may optionally include a dedicated button  36  for triggering optical imaging operations. 
         [0030]    A display  38  may optionally be provided on the top surface of housing  12  in proximity to keyboard  30 . Display  38  may be used to provide a user with general information, such as the time of day and date, as well as device status information, such as an indication that a barcode was successfully scanned and the amount of battery life remaining, and application specific information, such as the name of the patient wearing a bracelet containing the barcode that was successfully scanned. Microcontroller  22  is preferably programmed to control display  38  and provide the appropriate visual information during use of reader  10 . To assist with the viewing of information during operation of reader  10 , display  38  may be positioned along a plane that is non-parallel with respect to axis X-X, such as axis Y-Y discussed previously. In a preferred embodiment, display  38  may be offset approximately sixteen degrees. 
         [0031]    Host interface  16  may optically include a mount  40  for interconnection to a cradle (not shown) associated with a host device. In addition to providing structural interconnection to a separate device, mount  40  may further comprise one or more contacts  50  for establishing electrical continuity with reader  10 , particular when reader  10  is provided with an onboard power source  42 , such as a rechargeable and/or replaceable battery. It should be recognized by those of skill in the art that interface  16  could include a USB port to provide a structural attachment, a communications link, and a power source or recharge connection. Alternatively, interface  16  could additionally include wireless communication capabilities, while provided only power through physical contact between interface  16  and an external device. 
         [0032]    For operations with an on-board power source  42  such as a battery, microcontroller  22  is preferably programmed to implement a number of power modes to address operational needs while preserving battery life. For example, microcontroller  22  may direct placement of reader  10  into a fully awake mode, where all operations are powered, a dozing mode, where a more limited list of processes remain powered, and a sleep mode, where only essential processes are powered. For example, dozing mode may maintain power to display  38  and basic operations, and sleep mode involves placement of all peripherals into the lowest possible power state, such as display  38 , image engine  18 , and any wireless version of interface  16 . When any trigger  32  or keypad button, including button trigger  36  are activated, reader  10  returns to a fully awake mode. 
         [0033]    Reader  10  may further comprise a vibration motor  44  interconnected to microcontroller  22 . In this case, microcontroller  22  may be programmed to actuate vibration motor  44  in response to various conditions to provide a tactile response to a user. For example, vibration may be used to alert a user to successful or unsuccessful operation of reader  10 . This feature is particular useful in the medical field, where a user may not be able to easily view display  38 , such as when reaching around or over an obstacle to capture an image of a barcode on a patient wristband. Reader  10  may further or optionally include a sound source  46 , such as a buzzer or speaker, for providing audible feedback to a user. For example, microcontroller  22  may be programmed to provide audible tones may be used to indicate successful or unsuccessful barcode reading operations, or to indicate when a wireless reader  10  has been carried out of range of the wireless host. 
         [0034]    Reader  10  may further comprise a magnet  48  secured to or provided as part of housing  12  for readily attaching reader  10  to any magnetizable surface. For example, reader  10  may be attached to a file cabinet or other metal surface to prevent against loss or misplacement. Magnet  48  may also be used to secure reader  10  in a designated cradle associated with a host device. 
         [0035]    There is seen in  FIGS. 6 and 7  another embodiment of the present invention. More specifically, handheld reader  60  is configured to have a reduced profile by the omission of any keypad or display. Reader  60  comprises a housing  62  extending along a longitudinal axis from a imaging window  64  at the front to a rear tether  66 . Reader  10  includes a single trigger  68  positioned along the upper surface of housing  62 . As explained above, imaging window  64  (and the internal imager) may be aligned to capture images along an axis that is non-parallel with respect to the longitudinal axis of reader  60 . 
         [0036]    Tether  66  may provide for structural, communicative, and electrical interconnection to a host or other device. For example, tether  66  may include cabling for two-way communications between reader  10  and host device. Alternatively, tether  66  may simply comprise a lanyard or cord so reader  60  can hang loosely around the neck of a user. In this case, tether  66  may be interconnected to a trigger internal to tether  66  that is operated by tugging on tether  66  while holding housing  62  in place and directing window  64  at a target, thereby prompting barcode or image processing processes to commence while reader is securely maintained around the neck of the user.