Abstract: An optical scanning system for reading indicia of differing light reflectivity has an optical scan module including a light emitter for emitting light onto the indicia and a light detector for detecting the reflection of light from the indicia. The scan module is adapted to be mounted on at least one finger of a user. A first peripheral module has a receiver for receiving a first signal corresponding to the detected reflection of light from the optical scan module. The first peripheral module is adapted to be mounted on an arm or wrist of the user. A second peripheral module includes a receiver for receiving a second signal corresponding to the first signal from the first peripheral module by radio frequency transmission. According to other aspects of the invention, the light detector is located in a housing separate and apart from the optical scan module.

Abstract: A portable data input or computer system includes a keyboard, another data input device such as an optical scanner, a data processor module, and a display. All of those system components are configured for carrying and/or securing on a garment, such as a vest. Typically, the garment has a number of pockets. The operator can wear the garment and carry the system components in pockets when not using them. At such times, the system components are out of the way. The display may be flipped up so that, when the system is in use, displayed data is visible to the operator without removing the display from the pocket. The operator may activate the keyboard with only one hand while it is still in its pocket, or the operator can remove the keyboard from the pocket, hold it in one hand and key in data with the other hand. To input other data, for example by scanning bar code type indicia, the operator removes the scanner from its pocket, points the scanner at the bar code and triggers the scanner to read the indicia.