Retrofit enhancement device for a hand-held data collection unit
First Claim
1. An apparatus for use with a portable data collection device and a stationary central monitoring station, said apparatus comprising:
- an electronic transmitter/receiver that communicates with the central monitoring station;
a data collector that collects data; and
an infrared communication port, the collected data being transferred to the portable data collection device through said infrared communication port, said apparatus either routing the collected data to the portable data collection device or to said electronic transmitter/receiver of said apparatus, said electronic transmitter/receiver of said apparatus wirelessly transferring the collected data to the central monitoring station.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus (112) is used with a portable data collection device (111) and a stationary central monitoring station. The apparatus (112) includes an electronic transmitter/receiver that communicates with the central monitoring station, a data collector (162, 164, 166, or 168) that collects data, and an infrared communication port (176). The data is transferred to the portable data collection device (111) through the infrared communication port (176). The apparatus (112) either routes the data to the portable data collection device (111) or to the electronic transmitter/receiver of the apparatus (112). The electronic transmitter/receiver of the apparatus (112) wirelessly transfers the data to the central monitoring station.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for use with a portable data collection device and a stationary central monitoring station, said apparatus comprising:
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an electronic transmitter/receiver that communicates with the central monitoring station;
a data collector that collects data; and
an infrared communication port, the collected data being transferred to the portable data collection device through said infrared communication port, said apparatus either routing the collected data to the portable data collection device or to said electronic transmitter/receiver of said apparatus, said electronic transmitter/receiver of said apparatus wirelessly transferring the collected data to the central monitoring station. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for enhancing the capability of a data collection unit, said method comprising the steps of:
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providing a portable data collector;
removing a power source from the portable data collector;
replacing the power source with a new device, the new device including a power source and a means for collecting data, the new device and the portable data collector together forming a single enhanced data collection unit;
transferring collected data between the portable data collector and the new device through an infrared communication port; and
supplying power to both the portable data collector and the new device from the power source in the new device. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A system for electronically collecting, storing, and transferring data, said system comprising:
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a first device that electronically collects a first set of data;
a second device that electronically collects a second set of data;
the first set of data alternatively being temporarily stored by said first device or immediately transferred to said second device through infrared communication and wirelessly transferred to a remote central monitoring station;
the second set of data alternatively being transferred to said first device through infrared communication and temporarily stored by said first device or immediately transferred wirelessly to the remote central monitoring station. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification