Glove-Mounted Barcode Scanner with Forearm Trigger

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional hand-held bar code readers require unnatural movements for activation, are bulky, power-hungry, and interfere with normal hand use, leading to repetitive stress injuries and reduced battery life.

Innovation Solution

A compact, low-power, ergonomic bar code input device with a ground signal-based trigger mechanism integrated into a glove, allowing for ambidextrous, hands-free operation and natural motion scanning, which reduces power consumption and minimizes interference with hand use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional hand-held bar code readers are used, then scanning function is achieved, but natural hand movement is restricted and repetitive stress injuries occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenatural hand movementVSAvoidrepetitive stress injuries

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device is segmented into separate functional components: the scanning unit is mounted on the glove while the trigger mechanism is positioned on the forearm, allowing independent optimization of each component's position and function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The trigger mechanism is relocated from the hand to the forearm, moving the activation control to a different spatial dimension that does not interfere with natural hand movements during scanning operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If conventional hand-held bar code readers are used, then scanning capability is provided, but device bulk and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescanning capabilityVSAvoiddevice bulk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The heavy battery pack and power management components are extracted from the hand-mounted scanning unit and relocated to a separate wearable power source, significantly reducing the weight and bulk of the scanning device itself

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The scanning electronics and optical components are nested within a compact housing that integrates with the glove structure, minimizing overall device volume while maintaining full scanning functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Ease of operation

If conventional trigger mechanisms are used, then scanning activation is achieved, but power consumption increases and battery life decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescanning activationVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The scanning operation is activated periodically only when the trigger is pulled, rather than continuously operating, allowing the scanner to remain in a low-power standby state between scanning events

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical trigger pull is converted into an electrical signal that activates the scanner, replacing continuous mechanical engagement with intermittent electrical activation to reduce power consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Adaptability or versatility

If hand-mounted scanning devices are used, then hands-free operation is achieved, but interference with normal hand use occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehands-free operationVSAvoidnormal hand use

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The forearm-mounted trigger acts as an intermediary control mechanism, allowing the user to activate scanning without using the hand that would naturally be occupied with manual tasks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS8371506B2Handheld barcode code input device with no-power supplied switch trigger

Publication Date: 2013.02.12 KOAMTAC INC

AI summary

A device for scanning a bar code symbol is adapted to be worn comfortably on an operator's bare or gloved hand, arm, or wrist which does not interfere with normal use of the hand. When provisioned with a glove, a portable bar code scanner means is secured on the back of the glove and is electrically connected to an activation switch disposed at a button provided at the end of a cable for manipulation by a thumb or other finger. The activation switch triggers the portable bar code scanner means to scan a bar code symbol to be read.