Importance

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Abstract

An optical scanner for reading optically encoded indicia such as a bar code is contained within the same housing as a mouse-type position sensing device. The position sensing portion comprises a track ball extending through a lower opening in the housing and associated movement detection electronics. As the housing is moved by the user across a flat surface, the track ball engages the surface and the associated electronics detect the extent of the movement of the device across the surface. Conveniently located keys allow the user to activate a switch by clicking, and this data along with positional data detected by the track ball electronics is provided as input to an associated computer. The device comprises an optical scanner in the form of a laser beam source, means for oscillating the laser beam so as to produce a scanning beam directed outwardly through a window, and a photodetector for sensing light reflected from a target indicia such as a bar code. The device also comprises a digitizing means for converting the analog signal from the photosensor indicative of the reflectivity of the target indicia into a digital data signal representative thereof. The digital bar pattern is provided to the associated computer along the same transmission means as the positional data.

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First Claim