Hand-held data capture system with interchangeable modules

• US 20050087603A1
• Filed: 08/22/2003
• Published: 04/28/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/14/1988
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Broadcom Corporation (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Mahany, Ronald L., Danielson, Arvin D., Geers, Robert G., Hanson, George E., Miller, Phillip, Koenck, Steven E., Durbin, Dennis A., Kelly, Stephen J., Schultz, Darald R., Cargin, Keith K., Boatwright, Darrell L., Gibbs, William T.
• Granted Patent: US 7,712,669 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/472.20
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 2075/027 four
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/28 Supervision thereof, e.g. detecting power-supply failure by out of limits supervision
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3203 Power management, i.e. event-based initiation of a power-saving mode
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3228 Monitoring task completion, e.g. by use of idle timers, stop commands or wait commands
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1635 Stackable modules
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0231 Cordless keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04886 by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 17/0022 arrangements or provisions for transferring data to distant stations, e.g. from a sensing device "transfer between computer elements G06F13/00 "; data-transmission H04L
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10584 Source control
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10722 Photodetector array or CCD scanning
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10881 constructional details of hand-held scanners
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1093 sensing, after transfer of the image of the data-field to an intermediate store, e.g. storage with cathode ray tube
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1098 the scanning arrangement having a modular construction
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/343 Cards including a counter
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/02 by keys or other credit registering devices
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/0045 with a code reader for reading of an identifying code of the article to be registered, e.g. barcode reader or radio-frequency identity [RFID] reader
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/242 : specially adapted for hand-held use
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/005 : using a power saving mode for copiers G03G15/5004
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3883 : Arrangements for mounting batteries or battery chargers
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 17/0085 : using test signal generators
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 17/318 : Received signal strength
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2001/3894 : Waterproofing of transmission device
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 : Terminal devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 10/00 : Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 : in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A data capture system includes a data collection terminal and a wireless communications module comprising a transceiver arranged to transmit and receive radio frequency signals to and from a remote station in the data capture system. At least one flat antenna embedded within the communications module, and a pair of flat antennas may be included. A connector is arranged to removably couple the communications module with the data collection terminal and to transmit signals. A microprocessor is coupled with the connector and is arranged to standardize the logic levels and the format of the signals transmitted over the connector such that the data collection terminal may be engaged by the communications module through the connector without adjustment of the communications module.

Claims

1-55. -55. (canceled)

56. Apparatus comprising:

a data processing terminal;

a wireless communications module comprising a transceiver arranged to transmit and receive radio frequency signals;

at least one antenna coupled with the transceiver and embedded within the communications module; and

a connector arranged to removably couple the communications module with the data processing terminal and to transmit signals, wherein the data processing terminal is coupled with the connector and is arranged to standardize the logic levels and the format of the signals transmitted over the connector such that the data processing terminal may be engaged by the communications module through the connector without adjustment of the communications module.

57. The apparatus of claim 56 wherein the at least one antenna comprises a flat antenna.

58. The apparatus of claim 56 wherein the at least one antenna comprises a pair of flat antennas.

59. The apparatus of claim 56 wherein the at least one antenna comprises two antennas having different structure relative to each other.

60. In a communication system including a portable data processing terminal of a size and weight carriable by a user, apparatus comprising:

a wireless communications module comprising a transceiver arranged to transmit and receive radio frequency signals, the module being of such a size and weight as to be maneuverable with only one hand of a user;

at least one antenna coupled with the transceiver and embedded within the communications module; and

a connector arranged to releasably engage the communications module from the data processing terminal and to transmit signals, wherein the data processing terminal is coupled with the connector and is arranged to standardize the logic levels and the format of the signals transmitted over the connector such that the data collection terminal may be engaged by the communications module through the connector without adjustment of the communications module or the data processing terminal.

61. The system of claim 60 wherein the at least one antenna comprises a flat antenna.

62. The system of claim 60 wherein the at least one antenna comprises a pair of flat antennas.

63. The system of claim 60 wherein the at least one antenna comprises two antennas having different structure relative to each other.

64. The system of claim 60 wherein battery power is applied to the communications module from the data processing terminal through a switch and wherein the data processing module is responsive to the non-operation of the communications module for opening the switch and thereby removing power from the communications module.

65. Apparatus for use with a portable data processing terminal of a size and weight carriable by a user comprising:

a wireless communications module comprising a transceiver arranged to transmit and receive radio frequency signals, the module having such a size and weight as to be maneuverable with only one hand of the user;

at least one antenna coupled with the communications module and embedded within the communications module;

a connector arranged to releasably engage the communications module with the data processing terminal and to transmit signals; and

a housing enclosing the data processing terminal and defining an opening arranged to receive the communications module and to guide the module into contact with the connector, wherein the data processing terminal is arranged to standardize the logic levels and the format of the signals transmitted over the connector such that the data processing terminal may be engaged by the communications module through the connector without adjustment of the communications module or the data processing terminal.

66. The apparatus of claim 65 wherein the at least one antenna comprises a flat antenna.

67. The apparatus of claim 65 wherein the at least one flat antenna comprises a pair of flat antennas.

68. The apparatus of claim 65 wherein the at least one antenna comprises two antennas having different structure relative to each other.

69. Apparatus for use with a portable data processing terminal including a connector and having a size and weight carriable by a user, the apparatus comprising a wireless communications module having a generally flat rectangular shape and having such a size and weight as to be maneuverable by only one hand of a user, the module being coupled to the data processing terminal through the connector and comprising a transceiver arranged to transmit and receive radio frequency signals and comprising an antenna embedded in the module and coupled to the transceiver.

70. The apparatus of claim 69 wherein the at least one antenna comprises a flat antenna.

71. The apparatus of claim 69 wherein the at least one antenna comprises a pair of flat antennas.

72. The apparatus of claim 69 wherein the at least one antenna comprises two antennas having different structure relative to each other.