Abstract: Described is an arrangement stabilizing a hand-held portable electronic device. The device includes an integral support on which the device rests when placed on a work surface. The arrangement has a stabilizing member including a work surface contacting base and a coupling mechanism securing the stabilizing member to the device in a support configuration. When in the support configuration, a width of the base is greater than that of the integral support. The coupling mechanism is releasable to allow the stabilizing member to move to a stowed configuration. When in the stowed configuration, a profile of the device is reduced in comparison with that in the support configuration.

Abstract: A securing arrangement for a portable electronic device comprises a wrist receiving loop a first end of which is permanently coupled to a first location on the device and an anchoring member coupled to a second end of the wrist receiving loop in combination with a coupling member including a first anchoring loop coupled to the device at a second location separated from the first location, the first anchoring loop and the wrist receiving loop being sized so that the anchoring loop may be passed over the anchoring member to releasably couple the securing arrangement in a first configuration.

Abstract: A docking station for a portable electronic device comprises a housing forming a first cradle receiving slot, the housing including a first housing connector within the first cradle receiving slot in combination with a first cradle shell inerrable into the first cradle receiving slot, the first cradle shell being sized and shaped to receive a first portable electronic device therein, the first cradle shell including a first shell inner connector positioned on a device receiving side of the cradle shell so that, when a first portable electronic device is received in the first cradle shell, the first shell inner connector is aligned with a connector of the first portable electronic device and a first shell outer shell connector on a housing facing surface of the first cradle shell, the first shell outer connector being positioned so that, when the first cradle shell is inserted into the first cradle receiving slot, the first shell outer connector aligns with the first housing connector.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a personal shopping system for combined use in both the home of a user and a shopping establishment. The system includes a host computer which is coupled to a host modem and, optionally, to at least one wireless multi-access point. The portable terminal can be used in both the shopping establishment and the home of the user. It is configured to read bar codes associated with items related to shopping, and includes a memory, a bar code reader, a wireless transceiver, and a data interface. The data interface of the terminal communicates with a data interface of the shopping establishment kiosk cradle or directly with the shopping establishment's communications network.

Abstract: An improved housing configuration for a portable electronic device is provided. The housing includes a flash card slot configured within a battery compartment of the portable electronic device to protect a flash card from outside contaminants. The housing also includes a SIM module, the SIM module having a well to provide for proper alignment with a SIM card, a freely detachable SIM card cover, and a sealing gasket to provide a seal between the well and the SIM card cover. The housing also includes a pen slot, which enables a user to easily remove the pen with a pushing action. The housing further includes a hand strap mount, which can be easily converted into a hip-clip.

Abstract: A portable data collection device has a display; manual data entry circuitry; a processor for receiving entered data and for controlling the display; a first wireless communication circuit for receiving data using a first protocol over short range from at least one data transmitting unit and a second wireless communication circuit using a second protocol for transmitting and receiving data over a long range from a host.

Abstract: An improved housing configuration for a portable electronic device is provided. The housing includes a flash card slot configured within a battery compartment of the portable electronic device to protect a flash card from outside contaminants. The housing also includes a SIM module, the SIM module having a well to provide for proper alignment with a SIM card, a freely detachable SIM card cover, and a sealing gasket to provide a seal between the well and the SIM card cover. The housing also includes a pen slot, which enables a user to more easily remove the pen with a pushing action. The housing further includes a hand strap mount, which can be easily converted into a hip-clip.

Abstract: An optical scan module, for example for an optical scanner, includes an integrally molded plastics material member which defines not only the laser focusing lens, but also the laser focusing aperture and the collection mirror. In addition, the molded member may act to house and to locate both a semiconductor laser and a photodetector, thereby ensuring easy and accurate placement of those elements within the scanning assembly. The optical assembly may be in modular form, mounted onto a common printed circuit board with a beam scanner.

Abstract: An optical scan module, for example for an optical scanner, includes an integrally molded plastics material member which defines not only the laser focusing lens, but also the laser focusing aperture and the collection mirror. In addition, the molded member may act to house and to locate both a semiconductor laser and a photodetector, thereby ensuring easy and accurate placement of those elements within the scanning assembly. The optical assembly may be in modular form, mounted onto a common printed circuit board with a beam scanner.

Abstract: A portable data collection device has a display; manual data entry circuitry; a processor for receiving entered data and for controlling the display; a first wireless communication circuit for receiving data using a first protocol over short range from at least one data transmitting unit and a second wireless communication circuit using a second protocol for transmitting and receiving data over a long range from a host.

Abstract: Antique identifying electro-optical marker is associated with a base unit having a receiver. During a set-up mode of operation, an electro-optical reader reads the marker. During subsequent reading of indicia, the reader generates electrical signals which are transmitted to the receiver of the uniquely identified base unit.

Abstract: An optical scan module, for example for an optical scanner, includes an integrally molded plastics material member which defines not only the laser focusing lens, but also the laser focusing aperture and the collection mirror. In addition, the molded member may act to house and to locate both a semiconductor laser and a photodetector, thereby ensuring easy and accurate placement of those elements within the scanning assembly. The optical assembly may be in modular form, mounted onto a common printed circuit board with a beam scanner.

Abstract: An optical scanner having an adjustable cradle or stand for allowing the user either to operate the scanner in the hand or while positioned in the cradle. In one embodiment, suitable for use with wireless-based hand-held scanners, a particular scanner may be associated with an individual cradle by scanning a bar code symbol associated with that cradle and storing and/or processing the ID data contained in the symbol. A simple mechanical arrangement is provided for switching the scanner either manually or automatically between one-dimensional and two-dimensional scanning, with corresponding changes in the cross-sectional shape and/or focus of the scanning laser beam.