초록 ▼

One or more reading devices are disposed within a hollow case sized and shaped to be held in a user's hand. A supplemental switch is also disposed in the case and is manually activatable by a user, such as by the user's thumb. Logic disposed in the case is connected to a reading device and the suppl

One or more reading devices are disposed within a hollow case sized and shaped to be held in a user's hand. A supplemental switch is also disposed in the case and is manually activatable by a user, such as by the user's thumb. Logic disposed in the case is connected to a reading device and the supplemental switch for taking a first action when the switch is activated and taking a second action when it is not. The first and second actions may comprise first and second modes of operation of the reading device. When two or more reading devices are provided, the first and second actions may include reading operations of the first and second devices, respectively. Types of reading devices that may be incorporated into embodiments of the invention include bar code scanners, RF ID interrogators, and smart card scanners.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A hand-held, dual-mode asset tracking reader comprising:a) a hollow case sized and shaped to be held in a user's hand; b) a reading device disposed within said case in a position for receiving information from an asset, said device having an output outputting a signal representing received inform

1. A hand-held, dual-mode asset tracking reader comprising:a) a hollow case sized and shaped to be held in a user's hand; b) a reading device disposed within said case in a position for receiving information from an asset, said device having an output outputting a signal representing received information; c) a primary switch disposed within said case connected to said device, said switch being manually activatable by a user while gripping said case to initiate a reading process; d) a secondary switch disposed within said case manually activatable by a user while gripping said case and activating said primary switch; and e) logic disposed within said case connected to said device, said primary switch, and said secondary switch for taking a first action when said primary switch is activated by a user but said secondary switch is not activated and for taking a second action when both said primary switch and said secondary switch are activated by a user, said first action comprising processing said signal.