Data processing and communications device with interchangeable modules
First Claim
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1. A data communications system comprising:
- a base module, comprising first processing circuitry, first interface circuitry and a first memory that stores base module communications software; and
a plurality of communications modules interchangeably couplable to the based module, each communications module comprising second interface circuitry and at least one of a plurality of wireless transceivers of differing types;
wherein the base module receives a selected one of the plurality of communications modules in an engaging position that communicatively couples the first and second interface circuitry and enables the base module to communicate via the selected communications module, characterized in that each communications module further comprises second processing circuitry and a second memory that stores communications module software, and the first processing circuitry, using the base module communications software, supports communication of data via at least one of the plurality of wireless transceivers regardless of which of the plurality of communications modules is selected.
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Abstract
A data communications device includes a base unit having a first microprocessor and a data and communication module received by the base unit that includes a second microprocessor and a transceiver. The data and communication module is selected from a plurality of data and communication modules each having different types of transceivers. A program is stored in one of the base unit and the data and communication module to control communication of control signals and data between the first microprocessor and the second microprocessor according to a uniform data protocol that is understandable to the base unit.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A data communications system comprising:
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a base module, comprising first processing circuitry, first interface circuitry and a first memory that stores base module communications software; and
a plurality of communications modules interchangeably couplable to the based module, each communications module comprising second interface circuitry and at least one of a plurality of wireless transceivers of differing types;
wherein the base module receives a selected one of the plurality of communications modules in an engaging position that communicatively couples the first and second interface circuitry and enables the base module to communicate via the selected communications module, characterized in that each communications module further comprises second processing circuitry and a second memory that stores communications module software, and the first processing circuitry, using the base module communications software, supports communication of data via at least one of the plurality of wireless transceivers regardless of which of the plurality of communications modules is selected. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20)
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19. A data communications device comprising:
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a base unit having a first microprocessor;
a data and communication module received by the base unit, the data and communication module having a second microprocessor and a transceiver and being selected from a plurality of data and communication modules each having different types of transceivers; and
a program stored in one of the base unit and the data and communication module for controlling communication of control signals and data between the first microprocessor and the second microprocessor according to a uniform data protocol that is understandable to the base unit.
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21. A data communications device comprising:
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a base unit comprising;
a first microcontroller;
a first data interface; and
a first memory;
a data and communication module received by the base unit, comprising;
a second microcontroller;
a second data interface communicatively coupled to the first data interface;
a second memory storing a program for operating the second microcontroller to interact with the second data interface; and
a transceiver;
wherein the data and communication module is selected from a plurality of data and communication modules each having substantially different transceivers. - View Dependent Claims (22, 24)
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23. A method of coupling a data and communication module housing a transceiver to a base module in a data communication system, the method comprising:
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selecting the data and communication module from a plurality of data and communication modules each having different transceivers;
engaging the data and communication module with the base module to establish a communication interface between a first microprocessor of the base module with a second microprocessor of the data and communication module;
operating the first microprocessor to communicate data on the communication interface according to a first data protocol resident within the base module; and
operating the second microprocessor to communicate data with the transceiver according to a second protocol specific to the transceiver and to communicate data with the communication interface according to the first data protocol.
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Specification