Stylus feature for handheld barcode scanner

Abstract

A handheld barcode reader includes a reader enclosure constructed from a dielectric material and a screen engaging member operatively coupled with the reader enclosure. The reader enclosure includes a nose portion and a handle portion coupled with the nose portion and is adapted to accommodate a user's hand. The screen engaging member is constructed from a conductive material and includes an extension member coupled with the nose portion of the reader enclosure and at least one arm member extending from the nose portion of the reader enclosure to the handle portion of the reader enclosure.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An accessory for a handheld barcode reader including a nose portion and a handle portion, the accessory comprising:
 a frame member adapted to couple with and at least partially extend from the nose portion of the barcode reader; and   at least one arm member coupled with the frame member and including a length adapted to at least partially extend to the handle portion of the barcode reader to be contactable by a user;   wherein the accessory is constructed from a conductive material adapted to establish a communicative link between a user's hand and the frame member.   
     
     
         2 . The accessory of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the frame member or the at least one arm member is coupled with the barcode reader via at least one of a friction-fit connection or an adhesive material. 
     
     
         3 . The accessory of  claim 1 , wherein the frame member comprises an outer bezel adapted to extend outwardly from the nose portion of the handheld barcode reader. 
     
     
         4 . The accessory of  claim 1 , wherein the frame member comprises at least one protrusion extending outwardly from the nose portion of the handheld barcode reader. 
     
     
         5 . The accessory of  claim 1 , wherein the accessory is constructed from at least one of a foil, a conductive tape, a conductive paint, or a conductive rubber. 
     
     
         6 . The accessory of  claim 1 , further comprising a visual identifier to identify a hand contact region. 
     
     
         7 . A handheld barcode reader comprising:
 a reader enclosure constructed from a dielectric material, the reader enclosure including a nose portion and a handle portion coupled with the nose portion and being adapted to accommodate a user's hand;   a power source operatively coupled with the reader enclosure; and   a screen engaging member operatively coupled with the reader enclosure and the power source, the screen engaging member constructed from a conductive material and including an extension member being coupled with or integrally formed with the nose portion of the reader enclosure.   
     
     
         8 . The handheld barcode reader of  claim 7 , wherein the screen engaging member is adapted to establish a communicative link via the conductive material between the power source and the extension member. 
     
     
         9 . The handheld barcode reader of  claim 7 , wherein the screen engaging member comprises at least one of a foil, a conductive tape, a conductive paint, or a conductive rubber. 
     
     
         10 . The handheld barcode reader of  claim 7 , wherein the screen engaging member extends at least partially around a bezel of the nose portion of the reader enclosure. 
     
     
         11 . The handheld barcode reader of  claim 7 , further comprising a toggle member adapted to switch the handheld barcode reader between an interfacing mode and a barcode reading mode. 
     
     
         12 . The handheld barcode reader of  claim 7 , wherein the extension member comprises at least one charging lead.