PORTABLE DATA COLLECTION DEVICE WITH VIEWING ASSEMBLY

A portable data collection device. The device includes an imaging assembly including a two dimensional (2D) photosensor array. The imaging assembly is selectively actuatable with a first trigger for reading a target dataform in the imaging assembly's target area and actuatable with a second trigger for capturing a color image of the target object in the target area. The imaging assembly further includes compression circuitry for compressing digital data representative of the target area when the imaging assembly is actuated to capture an image of the target area. The device also includes a viewing assembly to aid an operator in aiming and positioning the device with respect to a target dataform or target object. In one embodiment of the viewing assembly, a liquid crystal display screen is affixed to a pivoting member. When the viewing assembly is actuated an image of the target area is displaced on the display screen. In a second embodiment of the viewing assembly, a manual pivoting member includes an opening. When the pivoting member is positioned a predetermined distance from the operator's eye, a view through the opening corresponds to the imaging assembly's target area.