Hand-held portable data collection terminal system

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A hand-held portable data collection system for reading data comprising:

(a) a hand-held portable data collection terminal for collecting data; and

(b) a somatic communications system operatively integrated with said hand-held portable data collection terminal for tactually communicating with an operator by producing a vibrational signal during hand-held utilization thereof;

wherein said somatic communications system produces an output to the operator responsive to movement of said hand-held portable data terminal.

2. The hand-held portable data collection system of claim 1 wherein said hand-held portable data collection terminal has at least one central axis therethrough corresponding to a center of mass thereof, said somatic communications system being disposed off of said at least one central axis such that the vibrational signal of said somatic communications system is thereby augmented.

3. The hand-held portable data collection system of claim 1 wherein said somatic communications system includes a data file reader such that operation of said data file reader contributes to the vibrational signal of said somatic communications system.

4. The hand-held portable data collection system of claim 3 wherein said data file reader is a laser scanner.

5. The hand-held portable data collection system of claim 3 wherein said data file reader is a direct illumination laser scanner wherein optically readable indicia is illuminated with a laser without any reflective surfaces interposed in the laser beam path.

6. The hand-held portable data collection system of claim 3 wherein said data file reader is a retro-reflective scanner.

7. The hand-held portable data collection system of claim 3 wherein data file reader includes a photosensitive array.

8. The hand-held portable data collection system of claim 7 wherein the photosensitive array is a charge-coupled device.

9. The hand-held portable data collection system of claim 1 wherein said somatic communications system produces an output to the operator responsive to an input stimulus received by said hand-held portable data terminal.

10. The hand-held portable data collection system of claim 3 wherein said somatic communications system produces an output to the operator responsive to data input received from optically readable indicia read by said data file reader.

11. The hand-held portable data collection system of claim 1 wherein said somatic communications system produces an output to the operator responsive to movement of said hand-held portable data terminal, said movement being characteristic of pre-data collecting operation thereof.

12. The hand-held portable data collection system of claim 1 wherein said somatic communications system produces an output to the operator responsive to movement of said hand-held portable data terminal, said movement being characteristic of data collection operation thereof.

13. The hand-held portable data collection system of claim 1 wherein said somatic communications system produces an output to the operator responsive to movement of said hand-held portable data terminal, said movement being characteristic of post data collection operation thereof.

14. The hand-held portable data collection system of claim 1 wherein said somatic communications system includes a vibrational control system for operatively controlling the vibrational signal thereof.

15. The hand-held portable data collection system of claim 1 wherein said somatic communications system operatively controls the vibrational signal thereof in response to an input stimulus received by said hand-held portable data terminal.

16. The hand-held portable data collection system of claim 1 wherein said somatic communications system operatively controls the vibrational signal thereof in response to data input received from optically readable indicia read by said data file reader.

17. A hand-held portable date collection system for reading data comprising:

(a) a hand-held portable data collection terminal for collecting data; and

(b) a somatic communications system operatively integrated with said hand-held portable date collection terminal for tactually communicating with an operator by producing a vibrational signal during hand-held utilization thereof;

wherein said somatic communications system operatively controls the vibrational signal thereof in response to movement of said hand-held portable data terminal.

18. The hand-held portable data collection system of claim 17 wherein said somatic communications system operatively controls the vibrational signal thereof in response to movement of said hand-held portable data terminal, said movement being characteristic of pre-data collection operation thereof.

19. The hand-held portable data collection system of claim 17 wherein said somatic communications system operatively controls the vibrational signal thereof in response to movement of said hand-held portable data terminal, said movement being characteristic of data collection operation thereof.

20. The hand-held portable data collection system of claim 17 wherein said somatic communications system operatively controls the vibrational signal thereof in response to movement of said hand-held portable data terminal, said movement being characteristic of post data collection operation thereof.

21. The hand-held portable data collection system of claim 14 wherein said vibrational controlling system is operatively capable of augmenting the vibrational signal of said somatic communications system.

22. The hand-held portable data collection system of claim 14 wherein said vibrational control system is operatively capable dampening the vibrational signal of said somatic communications system.

23. The hand-held portable data collection system of claim 1 wherein said somatic communications system is operatively utilized to assist the operator in reading optically readable indicia.

24. A hand-held portable data collection system for reading data comprising:

(a) a hand-held portable data collection terminal for collecting data; and

(b) a somatic communications system operatively integrated with said hand-held portable data collection terminal for tactually communicating with an operator by producing a vibrational signal during hand-held utilization thereof;

wherein said data file reader includes a reading field of view in which optically readable indicia may be read, said somatic communications system being operatively utilized to assist the operator in positioning said hand-held portable data terminal such that optically readable indicia appear in the reading field of view thereof.

25. The hand-held portable data collection system of claim wherein said data file reader includes a reading field of view in which optically readable indicia may be read, said somatic communications system being operatively utilized to indicate to the operator a positioning of said hand-held portable data terminal such that optically readable indicia appear in the reading field of view thereof.

26. The hand-held portable data collection system of claim 24 wherein said data file reader includes a reading field of view in which optically readable indicia may be read, said somatic communications system being operatively utilized to indicate to the operator initiation of reading of optically readable indicia appearing in the reading field of view thereof.

27. The hand-held portable data collection system of claim 24, wherein said data file reader includes a reading field of view in which optically readable indicia may be read, said somatic communications system being operatively utilized to indicate to the operator a successful reading of optically readable indicia appearing in the reading field of view thereof.

28. The hand-held portable data collection system of claim 24 wherein said data file reader includes a reading field of view in which optically readable indicia may be read, said somatic communications system being operatively utilized to indicate to the operator an unsuccessful reading of optically readable indicia appearing in the reading field of view thereof.

29. The hand-held portable data collection system of claim 24 wherein said data file reader includes a reading field of view in which optically readable indicia may be read, said somatic communications system being operatively utilized to indicate to the operator successive reading of optically readable indicia appearing in the reading field of view thereof.

30. The hand-held portable data collection system of claim 24 wherein said data file reader includes a reading field of view in which optically readable indicia may be read, said somatic communications system being operatively utilized to indicate to the operator termination of reading of optically readable indicia appearing in the reading field of view thereof.

31. A hand-held portable data collection system for reading data in the form of optically readable indicia during utilization thereof in the hand of an operator, said hand-held portable data collection system comprising:

(a) a hand-held portable data collection terminal for collecting, processing and transferring data, said hand-held portable data terminal having a housing; and

(b) a data file reader operatively integrated with said hand-held portable data collection system for reading data encoded as optically readable indicia, said data file reader having a reading field of view in which optically readable indicia may be read,

(c) said reading field of view of said data file reader extending from the housing in a direction permitting an operator to conveniently position said hand-held portable data terminal such that optically readable indicia are disposed in the reading field of view when held near hip level.

32. The hand-held portable data collection system of claim 31 wherein said hand-held portable data collection terminal is shaped to be comfortably held in one hand during hand-held operation thereof.

33. The hand-held portable data collection system of claim 31, further comprising a display disposed on the upper surface of said hand-held portable data terminal, said display having an optimal viewing angle within which information displayed thereon is readily viewable by the operator.

34. The hand-held portable data collection system of claim 31 wherein the reading field of view of the data file reader is disposed at a non-orthogonal, non-perpendicular, angle with respect to the housing of the hand-held portable data collection terminal.

35. The hand-held portable data collection terminal system of claim 31 wherein the housing of said hand-held portable data collection terminal is generally rectangularly shaped having a top edge, a bottom edge, a left edge and a right edge, the reading field of view of said data file reader being sufficiently disposed relative to the housing to permit the operator to conveniently position the reader such that optically readable indicia are disposed in the reading field of view by directing the reading field of view toward the optically readable indicia wherein the optically readable indicia is viewable by the operator by viewing over the top edge of the housing.

36. The hand-held portable data collection terminal system of claim 31 wherein the housing of said hand-held portable data collection terminal is generally rectangularly shaped having a top edge, a bottom edge, a left edge and a right edge, the reading field of view of said data file reader being sufficiently disposed relative to the housing to permit the operator to conveniently position the reader such that optically readable indicia are disposed in the reading field of view by directing the reading field of view toward the optically readable indicia wherein the optically readable indicia is viewable by the operator by viewing under the bottom edge of the housing.

37. The hand-held portable data collection terminal system of claim 31 wherein the housing of said hand-held portable data collection terminal is generally rectangularly shaped having a top edge, a bottom edge, a left edge and a right edge, the reading field of view of said data file reader being sufficiently disposed relative to the housing to permit the operator to conveniently position the reader such that optically readable indicia are disposed in the reading field of view by directing the reading field of view toward the optically readable indicia wherein the optically readable indicia is viewable by the operator by viewing around the left edge of the housing.

38. The hand-held portable data collection terminal system of claim 31 wherein the housing of said hand-held portable data collection terminal is generally rectangularly shaped having a top edge, a bottom edge, a left edge and a right edge, the reading field of view of said data file reader being sufficiently disposed relative to the housing to permit the operator to conveniently position the reader such that optically readable indicia are disposed in the reading field of view by directing the reading field of view toward the optically readable indicia wherein the optically readable indicia is viewable by the operator by viewing around the right edge of the housing.

39. The hand-held portable data collection system of claim 31 wherein the housing of said hand-held portable data collection terminal is generally rectangularly shaped having a top edge, a bottom edge, a left edge and a right edge wherein the reading field of view of the reader is disposed at an angle adjustable by the operator to a preferred position with respect to the housing.

40. The hand-held portable data collection system of claim 31 wherein said data file reader is a laser scanner.

41. The hand-held portable data collection system of claim 31 wherein said data file reader is a direct illumination laser scanner wherein optically readable indicia is illuminated with a laser without any reflective surfaces interposed in the laser beam path.

42. The hand-held portable data collection system of claim 31 wherein said data file reader is a retro-reflective scanner.

43. The hand-held portable data collection system of claim 31 wherein said data file reader includes a photosensitive array.

44. The hand-held portable data collection system of claim 43 wherein the photosensitive array is a charge-coupled device.

45. A hand-held portable data collection system for reading data in the form of optically readable indicia during utilization thereof in the hand of an operator, said hand-held portable data collection system comprising:

(a) a hand-held portable data collection terminal for collecting, processing and transferring data, said hand-held portable data terminal having generally a housing and an upper housing surface;

(b) a data file reader operatively integrated with said hand-held portable data collection system for reading data encoded as optically readable indicia, said data file reader including a reading field of view in which optically readable indicia may be read; and

(c) a display disposed on the upper surface of said hand-held portable data terminal, said display having an optimal viewing angle within which information displayed thereon is readily viewable by an operator, wherein said display is capable of digitizing tactile data input simultaneous with operation of said data file reader.

46. The hand-held portable data collection system of claim 45 wherein said hand-held portable data collection terminal is shaped to be comfortably held in one hand during hand-held operation thereof.

47. The hand-held portable data collection system of claim 46 wherein said hand-held portable data collection terminal is further shaped to be comfortably operable near hip level.

48. The hand-held portable data collection system of claim 45 wherein the reading field of view of the data file reader is disposed at a non-orthogonal, non-perpendicular, angle with respect to the housing of the hand-held portable data collection terminal.

49. The hand-held portable data collection terminal system of claim 45 wherein the housing of said hand-held portable data collection terminal is generally rectangularly shaped having a top edge, a bottom edge, a left edge and a right edge, the reading field of view of said data file reader being sufficiently disposed relative to the housing to permit the operator to conveniently position the reader such that optically readable indicia are disposed in the reading field of view by directing the reading field of view toward the optically readable indicia wherein the optically readable indicia is viewable by the operator by viewing over the top edge of the housing.

50. The hand-held portable data collection terminal system of claim 45 wherein the housing of said hand-held portable data collection terminal is generally rectangularly shaped having a top edge, a bottom edge, a left edge and a right edge, the reading field of view of said data file reader being sufficiently disposed relative to the housing to permit the operator to conveniently position the reader such that optically readable indicia are disposed in the reading field of view by directing the reading field of view toward the optically readable indicia wherein the optically readable indicia is viewable by the operator by viewing under the bottom edge of the housing.

51. The hand-held portable data collection terminal system of claim 45 wherein the housing of said hand-held portable data collection terminal is generally rectangularly shaped having a top edge, a bottom edge, a left edge and a right edge, the reading field of view of said data file reader being sufficiently disposed relative to the housing to permit the operator to conveniently position the reader such that optically readable indicia are disposed in the reading field of view by directing the reading field of view toward the optically readable indicia wherein the optically readable indicia is viewable by the operator by viewing around the left edge of the housing.

52. The hand-held portable data collection terminal system of claim 45 wherein the housing of said hand-held portable data collection terminal is generally rectangularly shaped having a top edge, a bottom edge, a left edge and a right edge, the reading field of view of said data file reader being sufficiently disposed relative to the housing to permit the operator to conveniently position the reader such that optically readable indicia are disposed in the reading field of view by directing the reading field of view toward the optically readable indicia wherein the optically readable indicia is viewable by the operator by viewing around the right edge of the housing.

53. The hand-held portable data collection system of claim 45 wherein the housing of said hand-held portable data collection terminal is generally rectangularly shaped having a top edge, a bottom edge, a left edge and a right edge wherein the reading field of view of the reader is disposed at an angle adjustable by the operator to a preferred position with respect to the housing.

54. The hand-held portable data collection system of claim 45 wherein the data file reader is a laser scanner.

55. The hand-held portable data collection system of claim 45 wherein the data file reader is a direct illumination laser scanner wherein optically readable indicia is illuminated with a laser without any reflective surfaces interposed in the laser beam path.

56. The hand-held portable data collection system of claim 45 wherein the data file reader is a retro-reflective scanner.

57. The hand-held portable data collection system of claim 45 wherein the data file reader includes a photosensitive array.

58. The hand-held portable data collection system of claim 57 wherein the photosensitive array is a charge-coupled device.

59. The hand-held portable data collection system of claim 45 wherein said display is capable of receiving tactile data input.

60. The hand-held portable data collection system of claim 45 wherein said display is capable of digitizing tactile data input.

61. The hand-held portable data collection system of claim 45 wherein said display is capable of receiving tactile data input simultaneous with operation of said data file reader.

62. The hand-held portable data collection system of claim 45 wherein said display is capable of receiving tactile data input simultaneous with operation of said data file reader such that said tactile data input includes data for operational control of said data file reader.

63. The hand-held portable data collection system of claim 45 wherein said display is capable of digitizing tactile data input simultaneous with the operation of said data file reader such that said tactile data input includes data for operational control of said data file reader.

64. A hand-held portable data collection system for reading data in the form of optically readable indicia during utilization thereof in the hand of an operator, said hand-held portable data collection system comprising:

(a) a hand-held portable data collection terminal for collecting, processing and transferring data, said hand-held portable data terminal having generally a housing and an upper housing surface;

(b) a data file reader operatively integrated with said hand-held portable data collection system for reading data encoded as optically readable indicia, said data file reader including a reading field of view in which optically readable indicia may be read;

(c) a display disposed on the upper surface of said hand-held portable data terminal, said display having an optimal viewing angle within which information displayed thereon is readily viewable by the operator; and

(d) the reading field of view of said data file reader being sufficiently disposed relative the optimal viewing angle of said display to permit the operator to conveniently position the reader such that optically readable indicia are disposed in the reading field of view by directing the reading field of view toward the optically readable indicia without sighting along a line substantially parallel to the upper surface of the housing and such that said display is viewable by the operator within the optimal viewing angle wherein said display displays information concerning the operation of said data file reader.

65. The hand-held portable data collection system of claim 64 wherein said display displays information disposed within the reading field of view of said data file reader.

66. The hand-held portable data collection system of claim 64 wherein said display displays an image of optically readable indicia disposed within the reading field of view of said data file reader.

67. The hand-held portable data collection system of claim 64 wherein said display displays information to assist the operator in operating said data file reader.

68. The hand-held portable data collection system of claim 64 wherein said display displays information to assist the operator in positioning said hand-held portable data collection terminal during operation of said data file reader.

69. The hand-held portable data collection system of claim 64 wherein said display displays information to assist the operator in positioning said hand-held portable data collection terminal such that optically readable indicia are readably disposed within the reading field of view of said data file reader.

70. The hand-held portable data collection system of claim 64 wherein said display displays information indicating initiation of reading optically readable indicia.

71. The hand-held portable data collection system of claim 64 wherein said display displays information indicating a successful reading of optically readable indicia.

72. The hand-held portable data collection system of claim 64 wherein said display displays information indicating an unsuccessful reading of optically readable indicia.

73. The hand-held portable data collection system of claim 64 wherein said display displays information indicating successive reading of optically readable indicia.

74. The hand-held portable data collection system of claim 64 wherein said display displays information indicating termination of reading optically readable indicia.

75. The hand-held portable data collection system of claim 64 wherein said display displays information indicating said data file reader is incapable of reading optically readable indicia disposed within the reading field of view of said data file reader.

76. A hand-held portable data collection system for reading data in the form of optically readable indicia during utilization thereof in the hand of an operator, said hand-held portable data collection system comprising:

(a) a hand-held portable data collection terminal for collecting, processing and transferring data, said hand-held portable data terminal having generally a housing and an upper housing surface;

(b) a data file reader operatively integrated with said hand-held portable data collection system for reading data encoded as optically readable indicia, said data file reader including a reading field of view in which optically readable indicia may be read;

(c) a display disposed on the upper surface of said hand-held portable data terminal, said display having an optimal viewing angle within which information displayed thereon is readily viewable by the operator; and

(d) the reading field of view of said data file reader being sufficiently disposed relative the optimal viewing angle of said display to permit the operator to conveniently position the reader such that optically readable indicia are disposed in the reading field of view by directing the reading field of view toward the optically readable indicia without sighting along a line substantially parallel to the upper surface of the housing and such that said display is viewable by the operator within the optimal viewing angle, wherein said display is capable of receiving tactile data input simultaneous with operation of said data file reader such that said tactile data input includes data for initiating reading of optically readable indicia disposed within the reading field of view of said data file reader.

77. The hand-held portable data collection system of claim 76 wherein said display is capable of digitizing tactile data input simultaneous with the operation of said data file reader such that said tactile data input includes data for initiating reading of optically readable indicia disposed within the reading field of view of said data file reader.

78. The hand-held portable data collection system of claim 76 wherein said display is capable of receiving tactile data input such that said tactile data input includes data for adjusting disposition of the reading field of view with respect to the housing of said hand-held portable data terminal.

79. The hand-held portable data collection system of claim 76 wherein said display is capable of digitizing tactile data input such that said tactile data input includes data for adjustably disposing the reading field of view with respect to the housing of said hand-held portable data terminal.

80. The hand-held portable data collection system of claim 76 wherein said display is capable of receiving tactile data input simultaneous with operation of said data file reader such that said tactile data input includes data for adjustably disposing the reading field of view with respect to the housing of said hand-held portable data terminal proportional to the coordinate position of said tactile data input on said display.

81. The hand-held portable data collection system of claim 76 wherein said display is capable of digitizing tactile data input simultaneous with operation of said data file reader such that said tactile data input includes data for adjusting disposition of the reading field of view with respect to the housing of said hand-held portable data terminal proportional to the coordinate position of said tactile data input on said display.

82. The hand-held portable data collection system of claim 76 wherein said display is capable of receiving tactile data input simultaneous with operation of said data file reader such that said tactile data input includes data for adjustably disposing the reading field of view with respect to the housing of said hand-held portable data terminal proportional to the coordinate position of said tactile data input on said display wherein the reading field of view of said data file reader is dynamically positioned to impinge upon optically readable indicia.

83. The hand-held portable data collection system of claim 76 wherein said display is capable of digitizing tactile data input simultaneous with operation of said data file reader such that said tactile data input includes data for adjusting disposition of the reading field of view with respect to the housing of said hand-held portable data terminal proportional to the coordinate position of said tactile data input on said display wherein the reading field of view of said data file reader is dynamically positioned to impinge upon optically readable indicia.

84. The hand-held portable data collection system of claim 76 wherein said display is capable of receiving tactile data input simultaneous with operation of said data file reader such that said tactile data input includes data for adjustably disposing the reading field of view with respect to the housing of said hand-held portable data terminal proportional to the coordinate position of said tactile data input on said display wherein the reading field of view of said data file reader is dynamically positioned to impinge upon optically readable indicia, said data file reader being operably responsive thereto such that reading of the optically readable indicia is initiated thereupon.

85. The hand-held portable data collection system of claim 76 wherein said display is capable of digitizing tactile data input simultaneous with operation of said data file reader such that said tactile data input includes data for adjusting disposition of the reading field of view with respect to the housing of said hand-held portable data terminal proportional to the coordinate position of said tactile data input on said display wherein the reading field of view of said data file reader is dynamically positioned to impinge upon optically readable indicia, said data file reader being operably responsive thereto such that reading of the optically readable indicia is initiated thereupon.

86. A method of operating a hand-held portable data collection system, said hand-held portable data collection system comprising a hand-held portable data collection terminal for reading data in the form of optically readable indicia during utilization thereof in the hand of an operator, said method comprising:

(a) mobilizing a hand-held portable data collection terminal by moving the hand-held portable data collection terminal from a dormant position to an active position wherein said movement is characteristic of action preliminary to reading optically readable indicia such that the optically readable indicia is substantially disposed within the reading field of view of a data file reader integrated with the hand-held portable data collection terminal;

(b) activating the data file reader upon termination of said movement;

(c) thereafter reading the optically readable indicia;

(d) repeating step (c) upon an unsuccessful reading of said optically readable indicia; and;

(e) terminating the reading of said optically readable indicia upon a successful reading thereof.

87. The method according to claim 86 further comprising the step of indicating to the operator, prior to said termination step, the successfulness of said reading step upon a successful reading thereof.

88. A method of operating a hand-held portable data collection system, said hand-held portable data collection system comprising a hand-held portable data collection terminal for reading data in the form of optically readable indicia during utilization thereof in the hand of an operator, said method comprising:

(a) mobilizing a hand-held portable data collection terminal by moving the hand-held portable data collection terminal from a dormant position to an active position wherein said movement is characteristic of action preliminary to reading optically readable indicia such that the optically readable indicia is substantially disposed within the reading field of view of a data file reader integrated with the hand-held portable data collection terminal;

(b) activating the data file reader upon termination of said movement;

(c) thereafter reading the optically readable indicia;

(d) terminating the reading of said optically readable indicia upon a successful reading thereof; and

(e) indicating to the operator the unsuccessfulness of said reading step upon an unsuccessful reading thereof in step (c).

89. The method according to claim 88 wherein said indicating step further comprises indicating to the operator the information relating to the adjustment of the hand-held portable data collection terminal with respect to the optically readable indicia required to obtain a successful reading thereof.

90. A method of operating a hand-held portable data collection system, said hand-held portable data collection system comprising a hand-held portable data collection terminal for reading data in the form of optically readable indicia during utilization thereof in the hand of an operator, said method comprising:

(a) mobilizing a hand-held portable data collection terminal by moving the hand-held portable data collection terminal from a dormant position to an active position wherein said movement is characteristic of action preliminary to reading optically readable indicia such that the optically readable indicia is substantially disposed within the reading field of view of a data file reader integrated with the hand-held portable data collection terminal;

(b) activating the data file reader upon termination of said movement;

(c) thereafter reading the optically readable indicia;

(d) terminating the reading of said optically readable indicia upon a successful reading thereof; and

(e) readjusting the position of the hand-held portable data collection terminal after said reading step upon an unsuccessful reading of the optically readable indicia such that the optically readable indicia is disposed within the reading field of view of the data file reader of the hand-held portable data collection terminal and thereafter repeating said reading step.

91. The method according to claim 89 further comprising the step of readjusting the position of the hand-held portable data collection terminal after said reading step upon an unsuccessful reading of the optically readable indicia, said readjusting step being executed according to the indicated adjustment information such that the optically readable indicia is disposed within the reading field of view of the data file reader of the hand-held portable data collection terminal and thereafter repeating said reading step.

92. A method of operating a hand-held portable data collection system, said hand-held portable data collection system comprising a hand-held portable data collection terminal for reading data in the form of optically readable indicia during utilization thereof in the hand of an operator, said method comprising:

(a) mobilizing a hand-held portable data collection terminal by moving the hand-held portable data collection terminal from a dormant position to an active position wherein said movement is characteristic of action preliminary to reading optically readable indicia such that the optically readable indicia is substantially disposed within the reading field of view of a data file reader integrated with the hand-held portable data collection terminal;

(b) activating the data file reader upon termination of said movement;

(c) thereafter reading the optically readable indicia; and

(d) terminating the reading of said optically readable indicia upon a successful reading thereof;

wherein said activating step includes indicating to the user the execution of said activating step by somatically communicating with the operator by producing tactually detectable vibrations.

93. The method according to claim 92 wherein said reading step includes indicating to the user the execution of said reading step by somatically communicating with the operator by producing tactually detectable vibrations.

94. The method according to claim 92 wherein said terminating step includes indicating to the user the execution of said terminating step by somatically communicating with the operator by producing tactually detectable vibrations.

95. The method according to claim 87 wherein said indicating step includes somatically communicating with the operator by producing tactually detectable vibrations.

96. The method according to claim 88 wherein said indicating step includes somatically communicating with the operator by producing tactually detectable vibrations.

97. The method according to claim 89 wherein said indicating step includes somatically communicating with the operator by producing tactually detectable vibrations.

98. A hand-held portable data collection system for reading data comprising:

(a) a hand-held portable data collection terminal for collecting data; and

(b) a somatic communications system operatively integrated with said hand-held portable data collection terminal for tactually communicating with an operator by producing a vibrational signal during hand-held utilization thereof, wherein said vibrational signal is produced by a vibrating device remote from said hand-held portable data collection terminal, said remote vibrating device adapted to be worn by a user.

99. A hand-held portable data collection system for reading data in the form of optically readable indicia during utilization thereof in the hand of an operator, said hand-held portable data collection system comprising:

(a) a hand-held portable data collection terminal for collecting, processing and transferring data, said hand-held portable data collection terminal including a data file reader for reading data encoded as optically readable indicia; and

(b) a somatic communications system operatively integrated with said hand-held portable data collection terminal for tactually communicating with the operator by producing a plurality of tactually distinct vibrational signals during hand-held utilization thereof.

100. The hand-held portable data collection system of claim 99 wherein a first vibrational signal is produced to indicate activation of said data file reader, a second vibrational signal is produced to indicate reading of said optically readable indicia, and a third vibrational signal is produced to indicate a successful reading operation, wherein said first, second, and third vibrational signals are tactually distinct.