System and method for mobile data processing and transmission

• US 20030046451A1
• Filed: 10/24/2001
• Published: 03/06/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Telematics Corporation (Acacia Research Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Mobile Information Systems Incorporated
• Inventors: Prabhakaran, Sanjiv
• Granted Patent: US 6,889,139 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 710/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus

Abstract

According to the present invention, a technique for processing data is provided. The invention provides a flexible way to process data such that a user may conveniently enter and transfer data. Also, the user may have ready access to powerful data processing. In an embodiment of the present invention, a novel system (110) for mobile data processing is provided. The system includes an interface unit (116) that includes a processor (122). A positioning system (120) couples to a first antenna (126) and to the processor. A remote data terminal (118) electrically couples to the interface unit during at least a first time period. The remote data terminal is capable of data transfers with the interface unit during the first time period and with a user.

Claims

1. A mobile data processing system comprising:

an interface unit, including a processor and a positioning system coupled to a first antenna and to the processor; and

a remote data terminal, electrically coupled to the interface unit during at least a first time period, capable of data transfers with the interface unit during the first time period and with a user.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the processor is coupled to a second antenna and the remote data terminal includes a third antenna, and wherein the remote data terminal and the interface unit are capable of data transfer during the first time period using the second and third antennas.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the interface unit and the remote data terminal are adapted to physically couple during the first time period.

4. The system of claim 1 further comprising a system power supply wherein the processing system is capable of operation independent of an external power supply.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the interface unit is adapted to removably couple to an external power supply.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the interface unit is electrically coupled to an external power supply of a vehicle.

7. The system of claims 1 wherein the remote data terminal includes a data terminal power supply.

8. The system of claims 1 wherein the remote data terminal includes a keypad.

9. The system of claims 2 wherein the first and second antennas are coupled to the interface unit with first and second cables and coupled to first and second magnetic bases respectively such that the first and second antennas may be removably mounted on a metallic surface.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the positioning system is a global positioning system.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the remote data terminal is adapted to be hand-held.

12. A method of processing data comprising steps of:

receiving user data from a user interface of a control unit;

receiving positioning data from a positioning system of the control unit; and

transmitting the user data and positioning data, using a second antenna of the control unit, to a base station.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the step of receiving user data comprises:

entering the user data into a remote data entry terminal; and

transferring the user data to the control unit.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the entering step comprises actuating keys on a keypad.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein the entering step comprises scanning a bar code.

16. The method of claim 13 wherein the entering step comprises scanning data.

17. The method of claim 12 wherein the transmitting step comprises transmitting data to a RAM network.

18. A method of processing data comprising steps of:

removably coupling a remote data terminal to a control unit that includes an antenna;

receiving positioning data in the control unit from the antenna;

transferring at least a portion of the received positioning data to the remote data terminal; and

displaying data indicative of at least a portion of the positioning data on a display of the remote data terminal.

19. A data processing system comprising:

a housing;

a user interface secured to the housing and adapted to receive user data from a user;

a positioning system including a first antenna;

a transmitter/receiver including a second antenna; and

a processor, coupled to the user interface, the positioning system, and the transmitter/receiver, capable of processing positioning data from the positioning system received by the first antenna, t/r data from the transmitter/receiver received by the second antenna, and the user data and further capable of transferring the processed data to the transmitter/receiver for transmission outside the system.

20. The system of claim 19 wherein the user interface is a plug adapted to receive a cable.

21. The system of claim 19 wherein the user interface is a cradle having electrical contacts.

22. The system of claim 19 wherein the user interface is a keypad.

23. A computer program product for use with a base station, a positioning system and a user interface, the computer program product comprising:

a computer-readable memory comprising;

code that processes user data entered into the user interface;

code that processes positioning data from the positioning system; and

code that directs transmission of the processed user data and processed positioning data to the base station.

24. The computer program product of claim 23 further comprising code that directs the user interface to prompt the user to enter the user data.

25. The computer program product of claim 23 further comprising code that directs the user interface to display the positioning data on a display screen of the user interface.

26. The computer program product of claim 23 wherein the code that processes the positioning data calculates a speed of the positioning system.

27. The computer program product of claim 23 wherein the code that processes the positioning data calculates a heading of the positioning system.

28. A mobile data terminal unit comprising:

a processor for processing user data;

a display for displaying output data;

a data entry tool for entering input data;

a power source for operating the mobile data terminal unit;

a mobile control unit removably coupled to the mobile data terminal and configured to transmit data between the mobile control unit and a base unit; and

a computer-readable memory including;

code that processes the input data;

code that processes the output data; and

code that directs transmission of the user data to a destination selected from a group consisting of the mobile control unit, the base unit and a mobile data suite.