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        Windows handhelds offer document scanning

        Jonathan Angel | Date: Jun 5, 2009 | Comments: 1


        Intermec has introduced two rugged Windows Mobile 6.1 handheld computers that are said to convert full-page paper documents into electronic files. The CN4/CN4e (left) and CN50 include wide-area connectivity, barcode scanners, cameras, GPS receivers, and 3.5-inch QVGA touchscreen displays,...

        the company says.

        (Click here for a larger view of Intermec's CN4e [far left] and CN4 [near left])

        Like many handheld computers, Intermec's CN4 and CN50 include barcode scanning capabilities. In this case, the devices include 1 megapixel area imagers that support omnidirectional scanning and decoding of 1D and 2D symbologies, as well as signature capturing. In addition, the company says, the handhelds are available with optional Enhanced Mobile Document Imaging software that can be used to scan paper documents in the field and convert them into electronic format.

        The CN4, pictured above, is a follow-on to Intermec's CN3, which was billed as "the world's smallest rugged mobile computer" when it was introduced in 2006. The CN4 is sealed against intrusion via liquid and dust to the IP64 standard, and is claimed to resist six-foot drops.

        In addition to the barcode scanner mentioned above, the CN4 is available with an optional two megapixel camera, with LED flash. Speaking of options, the device actually comes in two configurations: As the standard CN4, it comes with a 2200mAh battery and the choice of a QWERTY or numeric keypad, and as the slightly larger CN4e, it comes with a phone-style keypad and a 4000mAh battery pack.

        The CN4/4e have 3.5-inch touchscreen QVGA displays, 520MHz Marvell PXA270M processors, 128MB of RAM, 256MB of flash storage, and miniSD expansion slots. Wired communications include USB host and client ports, plus the ability to add RS232 and Ethernet ports via snap-on adapters. Wireless capabilities, meanwhile, include not only cellular (separate GSM or CDMA versions), Bluetooth 2.0, IrDA, and 802.11b/g, but also GPS.

        With due respect to the CN4/4e, we'd venture to say that the simultaneously introduced CN50 (right) is even more technologically advanced. Instead of the PXA270, this device uses an unspecified ARM11 applications processor and ARM9 radio processor -- perhaps a Qualcomm chipset -- and is said to be capable of working at high speed on either CDMA or GSM networks.

        The CN50 also includes GPS and a digital compass, according to Intermec. And, unusually for this class of device, an accelerometer has also been included, capable of switching the handheld's 3.5-inch QVGA touchscreen display between landscape and portrait modes automatically.

        As suggested above, the CN50 has the same barcode and document scanning capabilities as the CN4/4e, and again includes 802.11b/g wireless and Bluetooth (here, version 2.1). Here, a three megapixel autofocus camera is standard, and the CN50 also has both front and rear speakers, says Intermec.

        Features and specifications listed by Intermec for the CN4/4e include the following:
        • Processor -- Marvell PXA270M clocked at 520MHz
        • Memory -- 128MB of RAM and 256MB of flash storage
        • Display -- 3.5-inch QVGA touchscreen display
        • Camera -- 2 megapixel with LED flash (optional)
        • Barcode scanner -- 1 megapixel area imager with laser framer and aiming; supports 1D/2D symbologies, signature capture, and optional document imaging
        • Keyboard -- QWERTY or numeric keypad (CN4); larger alphanumeric or numeric phone-style keypad (CN4e)
        • Wireless:
          • LAN -- 802.11b/g
          • PAN -- Bluetooth 2.0
          • WAN -- GSM/GPRS/EDGE/HSPA, or CDMA/EV-DO Rev. A
          • IrDA
          • GPS
        • Other I/O:
          • 1 x USB host
          • 1 x USB client
          • RS232 (via snap-on adapter)
          • Ethernet (via snap-on adapter or desktop dock)
        • Expansion -- miniSD slot
        • Battery:
          • 2200mAH standard battery pack (CN4 only)
          • 4000mAh extended battery (standard on CN4e; available on CN4)
        • Operating temperature -- -4 to 140 deg. F (-20 to 60 deg. C)
        • Dimensions:
          • CN4 with standard battery -- 6.8 x 3.2 x 1.1 inches (173 x 81 x 28mm)
          • CN4 with extended battery -- 6.8 x 3.2 x 1.3 inches (173 x 81 x 33mm)
          • CN4e -- 8.3 x 3.2 x 1.3 inches (210 x 81 x 33mm)
        • Weight:
          • CN4 -- 14.0 to 16.0 ounces (397 to 454 g)
          • CN4e -- 18.0 to 20.0 ounces
        Features and specifications listed by Intermec for the CN50 include the following:
        • Processor -- ARM11 applications processor and ARM9 radio processor
        • Memory -- 128MB of RAM and 512MB of flash storage
        • Display -- 3.5-inch QVGA touchscreen display
        • Camera -- 3 megapixel with autofocus and LED flash
        • Barcode scanner -- 1 megapixel area imager with laser framer and aiming; supports 1D/2D symbologies, signature capture, and optional document imaging
        • Keyboard -- Backlit numeric or QWERTY keypad
        • Wireless:
          • LAN -- 802.11b/g
          • PAN -- Bluetooth 2.1
          • WAN -- GSM/UMTS/HSDPA and CDMA/EV-DO Rev. A (dual-mode)
          • GPS/digital compass
        • Other I/O -- 1 x USB 2.0
        • Battery:
          • 1950mAh standard battery pack
          • 3900mAh extended battery (optional)
        • Operating temperature -- 14 to 122 deg. F (-10 to 50 deg. C)
        • Dimensions -- 6.05 x 2.93 x 1.09 inches (154 x 74 x 28mm
        • Weight:
          • 11 ounces (310g) with standard battery
          • 12 ounces (340g) with extended battery
        Further information

        Intermec says the CN4, CN4e, and CN50 will be available for volume shipment in the third quarter of 2009; pricing was not announced. Further information may be found on the company's website, here, here, and here.


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