U.S. patent application number 12/652503 was filed with the patent office on 2010-04-29 for data processing and communications device with interchangeable modules.
Invention is credited to George E. Hanson, Steven E. Koenck, Jeffrey S. Krunnfusz, Phillip Miller, Darald R. Schultz.
Application Number | 20100105444 12/652503 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27490911 |
Filed Date | 2010-04-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100105444 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Koenck; Steven E. ; et
al. |
April 29, 2010 |
DATA PROCESSING AND COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE WITH INTERCHANGEABLE
MODULES
Abstract
A portable, hand-held data terminal of modular structure
includes a base module with a keyboard and a display screen. A data
and communications module may be selected from a number of
different data and communications modules, each having different
types of data communications transceivers, or including in addition
data collection devices, such as shelf label readers or bar code
readers. The base module includes a microprocessor-controlled data
communications and control interface having a predetermined
protocol. To adapt the various types of data and communications
modules for selection of any one thereof to become attached to the
base module and function therewith, each of the data and
communications modules includes a microprocessor operable to
function as an emulator to interact with the microprocessor of the
base module and communicate with the microprocessor of the base
module in accordance with the protocol of the data communications
and control interface of the base module.
Inventors: |
Koenck; Steven E.; (Cedar
Rapids, IA) ; Miller; Phillip; (Cedar Rapids, IA)
; Hanson; George E.; (Cedar Rapids, IA) ; Schultz;
Darald R.; (Cedar Rapids, IA) ; Krunnfusz; Jeffrey
S.; (Cedar Rapids, IA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MCANDREWS HELD & MALLOY, LTD
500 WEST MADISON STREET, SUITE 3400
CHICAGO
IL
60661
US
|
Family ID: |
27490911 |
Appl. No.: |
12/652503 |
Filed: |
January 5, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11167395 |
Jun 27, 2005 |
7641117 |
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12652503 |
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10188183 |
Jul 2, 2002 |
6910632 |
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11167395 |
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09609078 |
Jun 30, 2000 |
6431451 |
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10188183 |
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08735174 |
Oct 22, 1996 |
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09609078 |
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08277559 |
Jul 19, 1994 |
5567925 |
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08735174 |
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08071555 |
Jun 4, 1993 |
5331136 |
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08277559 |
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07660615 |
Feb 25, 1991 |
5218187 |
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08071555 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
455/566 ;
455/575.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06K 7/10702 20130101;
H04L 69/325 20130101; G06K 7/10722 20130101; H04L 69/326 20130101;
G06F 15/0225 20130101; G06K 7/10851 20130101; H04L 69/324 20130101;
G06F 1/28 20130101; B60R 11/02 20130101; G06K 17/0022 20130101;
H01Q 1/2266 20130101; H01Q 1/241 20130101; G06K 7/10574 20130101;
H01Q 1/007 20130101; G06K 7/10584 20130101; G06Q 20/343 20130101;
G06F 1/1632 20130101; G07F 7/02 20130101; G06K 7/10841 20130101;
H04L 1/0032 20130101; G06K 7/10732 20130101; G06F 1/32 20130101;
B60R 11/0241 20130101; G06F 1/1626 20130101; G06K 7/12 20130101;
G06F 1/1698 20130101; H01Q 21/24 20130101; H04W 88/06 20130101;
H04B 2001/3894 20130101; G06K 7/10811 20130101; G06F 1/163
20130101; G06K 7/10881 20130101; G06K 7/1098 20130101; H04B 1/3833
20130101; H04L 69/32 20130101; H04L 29/06 20130101; G07G 1/0045
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/566 ;
455/575.1 |
International
Class: |
H04B 1/38 20060101
H04B001/38; H04M 1/00 20060101 H04M001/00 |
Claims
1-24. (canceled)
25. A communication device comprising: a base module comprising a
base module processor, the base module being operable to couple to
one of a plurality of different communication modules, each of the
plurality of communication modules comprising a radio transceiver,
wherein the base module processor is operable to interface with
communication modules employing different wireless communication
protocols, thereby enabling the communication device to communicate
using a plurality of different wireless communication
protocols.
26. The communication device of claim 25 wherein the base module
further comprises a keypad for receiving user input.
27. The communication device of claim 25 wherein the base module
further comprises a visual display for displaying information.
28. The communication device of claim 25 wherein each of the
communication modules is operable to communicate with a second
communication device via its radio transceiver.
29. The communication device of claim 25 wherein the base module
further comprises a base module memory that stores base module
communication software that is used by the base module processor to
support wireless communication by the radio transceiver of a
selected communication module.
30. The communication device of claim 29 wherein the base module,
using the base module communication software, supports wireless
communication by the radio transceiver of the selected
communication module regardless of which of the plurality of
communication modules is selected.
31. The communication device of claim 25 wherein the base module
processor is configured such that data is transferred between the
base module processor and the communication module pursuant to a
uniform data transfer protocol regardless of which of the plurality
of communication modules is selected.
32. A communication device comprising: a base module comprising a
base module processor, and a communication module configured to
couple to the base module, the communication module being a
selected one of a plurality of different communication modules,
each of the plurality of communication modules comprising a radio
transceiver, wherein the base module processor is operable to
interface with communication modules employing different wireless
communication protocols, thereby enabling the communication device
to communicate using a plurality of different wireless
communication protocols.
33. The communication device of claim 32 wherein the base module
further comprises a keypad for receiving user input.
34. The communication device of claim 32 wherein the base module
further comprises a visual display for displaying information.
35. The communication device of claim 32 wherein the communication
module is operable to communicate with a second communication
device via the radio transceiver.
36. The communication device of claim 32 wherein the base module
further comprises a base module memory that stores base module
communication software that is used by the base module processor to
support wireless communication by the radio transceiver of the
communication module.
37. The communication device of claim 32 wherein the base module,
using the base module communication software, supports wireless
communication by the radio transceiver of the communication module
regardless of which of the plurality of communication modules is
selected.
38. The communication device of claim 32 wherein the communication
module further comprises a communication processor operable to
control communications of the wireless transceiver.
39. The communication device of claim 38 wherein the communication
processor is operable to exchange communication data with the base
processor pursuant to a uniform data transfer protocol regardless
of which of the plurality of communication modules is selected.
40. The communication device of claim 38 wherein the communication
module further comprises a communication module memory that stores
communication module communication software that is used by the
communication processor to control communications of the wireless
transceiver.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
Claiming Benefit Under 35 U.S.C. 120
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-pact application of
PCT application PCT/US90/03282, filed Jun. 7, 1990 and U.S.
application Ser. No. 07/467.096, filed Jan. 18, 1990, by S. E.
Koenck and R. L. Mahany
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
[0002] The descriptive matter of the above-referred to PCT
application PCT/US90/03282, filed Jun. 7, 1990, as published under
International Publication No. WO 90/16033 on 27 Dec. 1990,
including forty-six pages of specification and nineteen sheets of
drawings including FIGS. 1 through 37, and that of the U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 07/467,096, filed Jan. 18, 1990, are
incorporated herein by reference in their entirety, and made Part
of this application.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] This invention relates generally to data systems, and more
particularly to data collection and processing systems using
portable, hand-held data terminals for collecting, selectively
processing and for communicating collected data to other system
elements. Typical collection processes may include reading data and
manually keying in such read data. Typical automated processes may
include scanning indicia of information with a scanner, for example
a bar code reader. Data collected by such terminals may become part
of the data base of the system. Real time use of data collected by
the data terminals may be implemented by communication interfaces
within such data terminals.
[0004] Though host computers which as central processing stations
of such data systems may control data bases and data flow, the
hand-held data terminals are key elements for operating the data
systems efficiently. Current data systems using hand-held data
terminals have shown a correlation between the functionality of the
hand-held data terminals and the overall effectiveness of the
systems. While progress has already been made in improving
efficiency and functionality of hand-held data terminals, there is
nevertheless a need to provide hand-held data terminals which are
readily adaptable to perform various functions and communicate with
a variety of communications equipment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The PCT application Serial Number 90/0382, filed Jun. 7,
1989, assigned to and owned by the assignee of the present
application, the descriptive matter of which is incorporated herein
by reference in its entirety, refers to a modular hand-held unit
and discloses a manner of attaching one functional module to
another.
[0006] According to this invention, one of a plurality of special
purpose data and communications modules is selectively combined
with a base module or unit of the hand-held data terminal.
[0007] According to one particular aspect of the invention, a base
unit includes a user interface in an upward directed surface which
would typically be facing toward a person using the data terminal.
The user interface typically features a keyboard adjacent a bottom
end, and a liquid crystal display adjacent a top end of a
substantially rectangular, elongate housing of the data terminal.
The base unit provides for a data and communications module to be
attached beneath the user interface and adjacent the top end of the
housing.
[0008] According to another particular aspect of the invention, the
data and communications module attachable to the base module
includes a communications means of one type, such as a radio using
spread spectrum modulation transmissions, the data and
communications module including provisions emulating data
communications of a second type, the second type of communications
and the respective protocol being compatible with data circuits of
the base module.
[0009] In another particular aspect of the invention, the data and
communications module to be attached to the base module includes
provisions for data communications and a data scanner provision for
collecting data. In a more particular implementation of the
invention, the base module includes data collection provisions,
collected data being transferable via a cable mounted to the base
unit. In combination with the data scanner module, the data and
communications module includes provisions for selectively switching
data collection operations between the data scanner provision of
the data and communications module and the data collection
provisions of the base module.
[0010] In yet another aspect of the invention the data and
communications module may include a modern and typical telephone
communications coupling either in lieu of a radio communications
provision or in addition thereto. The modem may be provided in the
data and communications module with a data scanning device or with
alternate data identification and collection provisions.
[0011] In one particular implementation including certain features
of the invention, the data and communications module is
contemplated to include the combination of a radio frequency
communications provision and a data identification and collection
provision, and an antenna of radio frequency communications
provision of the data and communications module may be pivotally
mounted to be pivoted to a position out of interfering relationship
with the data identification and collection provision, while
optimally receiving radio frequency communication.
[0012] In furtherance of efficient adaptability of data
communications modules to base modules of the data terminals in
accordance with the invention, it is contemplated to provide an
elastic hand strap on the downward facing surface of a data
terminal for retaining manual engagement with the data terminal,
the hand strap being attached at one end thereof to a base module
of the data terminal. A second, opposite end of the elastic strap
is slidably inserted into engagement with a guide track disposed in
an outer surface of the data and communications module. The
direction of insertion is in the direction of the one end of the
elastic hand strap, such that ah elastic tension in the hand strap
retains the slidable engagement of the other elastic hand strap
with the data and communications module of the data terminal. In
accordance with the invention, the elastic strap is readily removed
without tools by sliding the second end along the guide track in a
direction against the tension of the elastic strap.
[0013] In a further embodiment according to the invention, in which
a base unit includes a data and control interface for interacting
with a data and communications module, an improvement in each of a
plurality of data and communications modules includes a data and
control interface provision including data and control signal
conversion provisions for communicating data between the data and
communication module and the base module in accordance with a data
protocol resident within the base unit.
[0014] Various other features and advantages of the data terminal
in accordance with the invention will become apparent from the
following detailed description, which may be best understood when
read with reference to the appended drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 shows a frontal view of a modular data terminal and
showing a frontal or upward directed face of the data terminal, as
it would typically face an operator of the data terminal;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a side view of the data terminal shown in FIG.
1;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a side view of an alternate data terminal in
accordance with the invention, a particular provision in accordance
with certain features of the invention for engaging and disengaging
a data and communications module with respect to a base module
being illustrated;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a side view of an alternate data terminal in
accordance with the invention showing particular features relating
to a data and communications module in combination with a base
module, such features relating to the data and communications
module having an RF communications provision and a data scanning
provision and including further a pivotal antenna, all in
accordance with the invention;
[0019] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a pivot joint of an antenna in
accordance with a particular aspect of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the antenna pivot joint shown
in FIG. 5;
[0021] FIG. 7 is a partial pictorial view of an upper portion of a
data terminal in accordance with the invention, showing in
particular a data and communications module having telephone
connector plugs for interfacing the data and communications module
with telephone communications lines;
[0022] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of functional blocks for
illustrating contemplated major functional elements of a base
module and a respective data and communications module of a data
terminal in accordance with the invention; and
[0023] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of functional blocks for
illustrating the major functional elements shown in FIG. 8 and for
illustrating the function of emulating the interface function
required by an interface circuit communicating between
non-compatible communications functions of the communications or
data collection functions of the data and communications module and
the base module.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0024] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a data collection terminal
unit, also referred to herein as data terminal, is designated
generally by the numeral 10. As shown in FIG. 1, a frontal face 12
of an elongate housing 14 of a base module 16 of the data terminal
10 typical faces upward and is accessible to the user of the data
terminal. The upward facing portion of the module 16 houses a
keyboard module 17, including an alphanumerical keyboard 18 and a
display screen 19. The display screen 19 is in a preferred
embodiment described herein a 4-line by 16-character Reflective
Super Twist Liquid Crystal Display (LCD). Of course, other display
means may be used in its stead. The keyboard 18 includes a lower,
standard numerical keyboard section 21, above which is disposed an
alphabetical keyboard arrangement 22. An On-Off power key 23 is
preferably placed in a leftmost position of an uppermost row on an
uppermost row of five keys. The outermost keys 24 in a bottom row
are configured as "CLEAR" and "ENTER", while the remaining four
keys in the uppermost row are preferably configured as a set of
four user-defined function keys 26.
[0025] At a bottom end 30 of the housing 14, there are located two
connector plugs 31 and 32 in recesses 33 and 34, respectively.
Inasmuch as the connectors 31 and 32 are disposed in the recesses,
adjacent end and interleaved protrusions 36 of the housing 14
extend somewhat past the connectors to protect the connectors from
damage should the data terminal accidentally be dropped or set down
on the bottom end 30. A preferred embodiment of the data terminal
10 is intended to withstand without damage a drop of about 1.2
meters to a solid surface, such as concrete. The preferred
connector 31 is an input-output port, as may be used for such data
collection as bar code reading, for example. In such instance, the
connector 31 is preferred to be a 9-pin D-subminiature connector
with pins interfacing to typical 5 volt scanning peripherals. The
connector 32 may be used for accessing external power sources or
provide of combined power and data communication. A circular
miniature DIN-type connector 32 may be used in the preferred
embodiment. A top end 40 of the preferred embodiment of the base
module 16 typically may not include connectors. An antenna 41 shown
to extend above the top end 40 is further described in reference to
FIG. 2.
[0026] FIG. 2 is a side view of a data terminal 10 of FIG. 1. The
base module 16 of the data terminal 10 includes an elongate upper
housing portion 43 and a battery compartment 44 attached to the
upper housing portion 43 adjacent the bottom end 30. In the
preferred embodiment, the battery compartment 44 is assembled as a
lower housing portion to the upper housing portion 43 and is
equipped with a battery compartment door 46 which may be locked to
seal an opening of the battery compartment 44. Adjacent the top end
40 of the data terminal 10 a data and communications module 48 is
attached to the lower edge of the upper housing portion 43. The
antenna 41 extends upward from the data and communications module
48 above the top end 40 of the data terminal 10. An elastic hand
strap 49 is attached to the underside of the data terminal 10. A
belt clip 50 may conveniently be mounted to the hand strap 49,
allowing the data terminal to be carried on a user's belt. The
elastic hand strap is attached adjacent the top end of the data
terminal to the underside of the data and communications module 48
and adjacent the bottom end 30 to a sloped lower surface of the
battery compartment 46.
[0027] One of the features of hand-held data terminals as disclosed
herein and in the PCT application PCT/US90/03282 incorporated
herein by reference relates to the exchangeability of modules of
different shape and varied function. The data and communications
module 48 in FIG. 2 may for example include a radio module which is
externally identified by the antenna 41. The radio module may be a
commercially available pretuned 1-watt (UHF) frequency modulated
(FM) radio transceiver module, or any similar radio module, such as
a Motorola P10.TM. radio model, for example.
[0028] In accordance herewith it is contemplated to provide the
data and communications module 48 as a module which is readily
replaceable with another data and communications module. Each such
module will feature a quick exchange mounting mechanism, such as is
more clearly illustrated with respect to FIG. 3, and any of a
number of features packaged in one of a number of compatible data
and communications modules. When mounted, the module, such as the
data and communications module 48 is matched in a contour
continuation along a juncture 52 to the adjacent edge of the
battery compartment 44 and along a longitudinal parting line 53 of
the base module 16. For example, the data and communications module
48 is sized to include the described radio frequency transceiver
module, as indicated by the antenna 41. Other data and
communications modules may include a similar radio frequency
transceiver module and may include additional memory capacity to
function with the base module 16. Various combinations of features
are contemplated in accordance herewith.
[0029] FIG. 3 snows the base module 16 and substantially in a ready
position to become mounted to the base module 16 is a data and
communications module designated generally by the numeral 55. The
data and communications module 55 is shown to represent generally a
number of such data and communications modules which may be
desirably incorporated into a communications system in accordance
with the invention. It may be noted that the data and
communications module 55 is shown in FIG. 3 as being of somewhat
relatively greater depth or thickness than the data and
communications module 48 described with respect to FIG. 2. The
change in outer dimensions illustrates that a number of modules of
various depth are adapted to match with mounting provisions to
attach the respective data and communications module 55 to the base
module 16.
[0030] The data and communications module 55, as a representative
module featuring the attachment to the base module 16 has a
plurality of laterally disposed latching hooks or latch hooks 56
which become engaged by respective latching seats or latch seats 57
disposed along the adjacent edge of the base module 16 when the
module 55 is moved toward and into engagement with the adjacent
edge and then toward the battery compartment 44, as shown by the
arrow. Electrical communication is established via a power and
communications connector 61 the pins of which engage a mating
connector socket 62 within the base module 16. A set of screws 63
may be tightened through the battery compartment 44 into a set of
threaded seats 64 disposed in the adjacent wall of the module 55 to
securely retain the attached module as an integrated part of the
data terminal 10. At the top end of the data terminal 10, a lip or
extending stop edge 66 of the module 55 engages a complementarily
shaped seat 67 at the top end of the base module 16 to securely
interlock the data and communications module 55 with the base
module 16.
[0031] It is contemplated, for example, for the module 55 to
include any of a number of combinations of diverse functional
elements. For example, the module 55 may include the aforementioned
transceiver, though the antenna 41 may be attached externally as
shown in FIG. 2 or might be provided internally, in addition to
extended data memory capacity, a modem or a reader of indicia of
information may be included, such as a bar code reader, or a shelf
tag reader. Shelf tag systems are known in which so-called "shelf
tags" contain means for programming information into small display
devices which are attached to front edges of merchandise storage
shelves. The devices or tags would then retain the programmed data
which may be acquired by the reader in the data and communication
module 55, for example. Information may be communicated between the
shelf tag and the data terminal 10 by various means including radio
frequency or optical transmission. Information may be communicated
via optical readers in the data and communications terminal 16 as
read from liquid crystals, or by other communication such as infra
red optical, or low power RF data messages.
[0032] FIG. 4 shows an alternate embodiment of the data terminal 10
in which the data terminal includes a data and communications
module which includes, for example, a radio frequency transceiver
module and a CCD scanner module which may be disposed in a lower
portion of the module at 76, having a scanning window at 77. Since
it may be desirable to position the scanning window near a surface
at which data indicia such as bar code labels may be located, as
indicated at 78, the antenna which also protrudes from the top end
of the data terminal 10 is found to be interfering when disposed in
a normally protruding position. It is therefore contemplated to
arrange the antenna 41 in a manner in which it may be pivoted from
an upwardly protruding position, such as shown in phantom lines at
81 to a tilted position such as shown by the antenna 41.
[0033] In reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, there is shown a pivotal
joint which experiences little signal degradation when pivoted from
such upwardly extended Position to the tilted position in which the
scanner window may be brought into proximity of a bar code label,
for example, as described. The pivotal antenna joint includes a
pivot base or pivot socket 83 into a hollow cup of which fits a
pivot ball 84. Both the pivot socket 83 and the pivot ball 84 are
of RF dielectric to prevent radio frequency burns of a person
touching the antenna when the associated radio transceiver is
transmitting. The pivot socket 83 is mounted against an outer wall
of the module, such as the module 48, 55 or 75 by an antenna swivel
post 35. The swivel post 85 includes a spherical top against which
rests a pivot washer 86. The pivot washer is in turn urged into
contact with the top of the swivel post by a cupped spring washer
87, also at times referred to as Belville washer. The urging force
against the spring washer 97 is provided by a doubly-threaded
antenna mounting bushing 88. An external thread of the bushing 88
screws into an upper opening of the pivot ball 84 to complete the
pivot joint of the antenna. The antenna 41 screws with its base
into the internal threads of the mounting bushing 88. As shown in
FIG. 6, a lower dielectric skirt 89 of the antenna 41 extends
downward over the outer edge of the bushing, which is of metal, to
prevent exposure of the bushing. It should be understood that
variations in the pivot joint may be possible within the scope of
the invention.
[0034] FIG. 7 shows another embodiment and further features of the
invention as described herein. The elastic strap 49 may be
permanently attached adjacent the bottom end of the data terminal
10 as described herein above. At an upper end, however, the elastic
strap may be attached to the exchangeable data and communications
modules, such as a module 90 depicted in FIG. 7. In that the
modules are exchangeable and in an effort to facilitate a quick
replacement of one module for another, the hand strap is attached
to the module 90 by a guide structure 91 including left and right
hand spaced guide tracks 92 and 93 which receive a guide bracket 94
attached to the upper end of the hand strap 49. To attach the upper
end of the hand strap 49 the elastic hand strap is stretched beyond
its normal tensioned stretched length and the guide bracket 94 is
inserted into an uppermost opening between the guide tracks 92 and
93. The tension of the hand strap 49 pulls the bracket 94 into the
space between the guide tracks 92 and 93 in the direction of the
arrow 95. The insertion of the bracket 94 securely captures the
strap 49 at its upper end. To remove the hand strap at its upper
point of attachment, the bracket is simply pulled out of the
uppermost opening between the two spaced guide tracks 92 and 93.
The embodiment of the data and communications module 90 further
shows typical telephone connector jacks 97 and 98 indicating that
the module contains a typical modem unit for communication over
standard telephone lines. The modem unit as shown by connectors 97,
98 in the module 90 may be supplemented by memory for data storage
prior to communication by the modem. In this manner the data
terminal may be used in a batch process mode, data being
transmitted at times and occasions convenient for telephone
hook-up. Modem connections may also take on more significance in
that the data terminal may be coupled to a typical cellular
telephone unit which in turn can communicate via standard telephone
communication networks over vast areas. In the latter mode batch
transfer of data may still be desirable, though the need for
substantial data storage capacity may be reduced.
[0035] FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate a microprocessor controlled data
transfer between the base module 16 and any of a number of data and
communication modules which may include various data collection and
data communication transceivers including complex radios such as a
spread spectrum radio or such a modem for telephone transmission of
data. Though not expressly described, it is understood that the
hand-held data terminal 10 as described herein and all of its
circuits, including those of attached modules are powered by a
battery or power source which occupies the space of the battery
compartment 44 as described herein. FIG. 8 shows a block diagram of
functions of the base module 16 and a typical data and
communications module designated generally by the numeral 100. The
base module is operative in conjunction with a typical radio
frequency transceiver provided by the data and communication module
100, for example. The base module 16 includes a typical keyboard
module 102 interactively coupled to a microprocessor 104. A
preferred microprocessor is a 80C196KC device which is a 16-bit
microcontroller 105 with on-chip masked ROM, RAM and built-in
timers, ports, analog to digital converters and a serial interface
106. Thus, the microprocessor functions as a microcontroller and as
an interface for communicating data and control signals to and from
the base module 16. In addition to the on-chip memory capacity, an
external ROM 107 and an external RAM may be provided for additional
data processing and communication capacity. Display controller and
driver circuits 109 may be multi-chip circuits or may be integrated
into a single device to drive the described LCD screen 110. A
typical scanner interface 115 is coupled to a 9-pin connector 115,
such as the referred to D subminiature connector which may couple a
laser scanner or CCD scanner to the base module 16 for data
collection.
[0036] The data and communication module 100 is of particular
interest in that an improved interfacing may be obtained by
coupling communication between the data and communication module
100 and the base module 16 through a microprocessor 125, such as,
for example an 80C51 microprocessor circuit. Typical on board ROM
allows the microprocessor to be programmed to interact with a
number of devices in accordance with the stored program. The
microprocessor interacts with an interface circuit 126 which may be
an analog or mixed analog and digital interface circuit. The
program for interacting with the interface circuit 126 may also be
stored within a ROM of the interface circuit 126. The interface
circuit 126 is coupled to a transceiver module 129. The
microprocessor 125 may also be coupled directly to a data
collection interface 128 to receive data from a scanner for reading
any number of different bar codes or for providing input data from
other external sources. The operation of the microprocessor 125 for
coupling data to the base module 16 allows various input patterns
to be processed by any of specific operational protocols controlled
by the microprocessor 125, such that the data input from the data
collection circuit can be made the same from any of a number of
devices. Also with respect to the operation of the transceiver, in
that the program for operating the microprocessor 125 may include
particular address codes for data retrieval and data communication
via the transceiver, the data sent via a data and control bus
between the microprocessors 125 and 104 can emulate a uniform data
transfer protocol to the base module 16. The simplification
resulting from the microprocessor 125 increases the number of
communications devices that may be represented by the data
communication transceiver circuit or module.
[0037] Referring now to FIG. 9, the base module 16 is shown as
being coupled to a different data and communications module
designated generally by the numeral 130 in which the interface
circuit 126 shown in FIG. 8 has been replaced with an interface
circuit 132 and the transceiver coupled to the interface circuit
134. The transceiver 134 may for example be a complex radio, such
as a spread spectrum radio in lieu of an FM transceiver, such as
may have been represented by the block identified at 129 in FIG. 8.
However, the program function represented by the interface circuit
132 and interacting with the microprocessor permits the interactive
control and data stream between the base module 16 and the data and
communication module 130 to be emulated to appear to the base
module 16 as being the same as the simple FM transceiver module.
The reference to the particular microprocessor circuits should not
be considered limiting to the scope of the invention. The
combination of two microprocessors interacting with each other,
each controlling the environment of a respective one of two
submodules such as the base module and the data and communication
module permits an increased number of different components and
functions within the data system.
[0038] Various changes and modifications in the structure of the
described embodiment are possible without departing from the spirit
and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.
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