Patent ID: 8186592

Claim:
A handheld reading system comprising: a universal stand holding a handheld reading device that collects and processes machine readable data, wherein the universal stand comprises: a base adapted for placement on a surface, wherein the base provides holding stability to the stand and to the reading device being held; a cradle arm having a flange portion and a cradle portion at opposite ends thereof, wherein the cradle portion is operable to secure the handheld reading device in a secure position within the cradle; and, a hinge rotatably connecting the flange of the cradle arm to the base, and wherein the hinge comprises a flange mating section of the cradle arm and a base hinge mating section of the base held together by a detachable pin, and wherein the cradle arm is replaceable by detachment of the pin to enable the base to be used for providing holding stability for more than one type of hand held reading device requiring a different cradle arm for more than one type of reading device; and wherein the hand held reading system further comprises a hand held reading device operable to read machine readable information from a machine readable information bearing indicia and wherein the hand held reading device is operable to read the information both while placed in the universal stand and while used in a hand held mode of operation.