First Hand Held PC-Scanner Designed for Single-Handed Wireless Data Collection.CHARLOTTE, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 28, 1998--Hand Held Products has introduced Dolphin RF, a hand-held PC and bar code scanner A device specialized for reading bar codes and converting them into either the ASCII or EBCDIC digital character code. Pen scanners, also known as wand scanners, were the first type of bar code scanner developed in the 1970s. designed for easy, single-handed data collection. Incorporating a miniature radio, Dolphin RF allows data collected in warehouses, distribution centers and other sites to be transmitted electronically to a business' local area network. Developed by Proxim Inc. of Mountain View, Calif., the integrated miniature radio operates in a 2.4GHz frequency band. Using the latest spread-spectrum radio frequency technology, the transceiver has an automatic frequency-hopping feature that eliminates interference for more reliable data communications data communications, application of telecommunications technology to the problem of transmitting data, especially to, from, or between computers. In popular usage, it is said that data communications make it possible for one computer to "talk" with another. . The RF system adopts Wireless LAN A local area network that transmits over the air typically in the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz unlicensed frequency band. It does not require line of sight between sender and receiver. Wireless base stations (access points) are wired to an Ethernet network and transmit a radio frequency over an area Interoperability Forum (WLIF (Wireless LAN Interoperability Forum, Sunnyvale, CA) An earlier membership organization that endorsed products proven interoperable with major wireless LAN standards. It was founded in 1996 to promote the OpenAir protocol, and later, 802.11. It disbanded in 2001. See Wi-Fi Alliance. ) open standards Specifications for hardware and software that are developed by a standards organization or a consortium involved in supporting a standard. Available to the public for developing compliant products, open standards imply "open systems;" that an existing component in a system can be replaced . Dolphin RF can therefore be used together with other RF devices using this industry-standard wireless local area network (WLAN See wireless LAN. WLAN - wireless local area network ) configuration. Dolphin RF is based on the Dolphin(TM) hand held computer that was recently selected by the US Postal Service postal service, arrangements made by a government for the transmission of letters, packages, and periodicals, and for related services. Early courier systems for government use were organized in the Persian Empire under Cyrus, in the Roman Empire, and in medieval for its 300,000 mobile workers. By using a radio transceiver just a third the size of a credit card, the original size and unique shape of Dolphin have been retained, making it the smallest and lightest RF data collection device available. Dolphin RF is designed for repetitive site-wide data collection commonly required in warehouses and other large sites. Dolphin's ergonomic ergonomic - Concerning ergonomics or exhibitting good ergonimics. shape fits comfortably in either the left or right hand and weighs just 14 ounces. With one hand, users can scan bar codes or key-in data using the thumb, freeing the other hand for continuing work such as stock picking, counting and loading. Other Dolphin RF features include a special battery that allows up to 10 hours of operation with up to 16,000 scans and an optional long range scanner that can read bar codes from fork-lift trucks or the floor at a distance of up to 5 meters. Dolphin is PC-compatible with DOS 386 architecture and can be expanded to 12MB of memory. This ensures easy integration into existing or new systems. Programming is also easy with Hand Held's Simplicity(TM) rapid application development tools, allowing Dolphin to be programmed using industry-standard languages such Microsoft and Borland C/C C/C Center to Center C/C Combustion Chamber C/C Command/Control C/C Crew Chief C/C cabin cruiser (US DoD) C/C chief complaint (medical) C/C Channel-to-Channel C/C Communication and Collaboration ++, Visual Basic, and the Excel(TM) Spreadsheet. Dolphin RF is one of the most rugged devices available and is designed Dolphin RF Page 3 to IP65 environmental standards. As well as being resistant to extremes of temperature, humidity and dust, Dolphin can withstand repeated five-foot drops onto a concrete floor. Dolphin RF models feature a numeric keypad A four-row keyboard of digits used on calculators, computer keyboards and telephones. See keypad. (hardware) numeric keypad - A standard feature of PC keyboards, consisting of a rectangular array of 17 extra keys at the right-hand end: 0-9, ., Num Lock, /, *, -, + and Enter. , and come in standard range, long range, high density, high visibility and non-scanning versions with memory from 4MB to 12MB. Useful accessories include desk-top and vehicle-mounted charging cradles, multiple battery charges, holsters and wrist straps. "Dolphin reflects the industry's move to smaller, lighter and more affordable portable devices. With the miniature Proxim radio, Dolphin RF retains the small size and award-winning ergonomic shape, while allowing highly reliable wireless data collection. With the open standard, users will be able to upgrade to Dolphin RF without replacing existing wireless LAN networks and data systems," explained Scott Cardais, president of Hand Held Products. For more information on Dolphin RF, contact Hand Held Products at 800/582-HAND, or visit their Web site at http://www.handheld.com. -0- Editors Please Note: Color slides are available upon request. Please call 215/351-4274. CONTACT: Hand Held Products by Al Paul Lefton Co. Bernard Allmayer, 215/351-4274 Ballmayer@lefton.com |
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