Wireless interface and method for enhanced functionality
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Accused Products
Abstract
A portable end device, such as a bar code scanner, may be equipped with auxiliary interfaces. The auxiliary interfaces may be easily added to the end device as a replaceable cover, such as a replaceable battery door. A signal path conducts signals to and from the replaceable cover. One auxiliary interface is a Bluetooth radio. Data integrity protocols may be selected to guarantee delivery and guarantee no duplicate deliveries. Host pairing algorithms may provide standard or strong pairing with a host computer. Ergonomic interface features allow a user to control and monitor the operation of the end device and the data link with minimal hardware cost and battery life impact. Host software programs provide data routing, automatic reestablishment of the data link, and other functions. The system is adaptable to a wide array of use environments through the selection of timer parameters in the end device.
42 Citations
78 Claims
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1-35. -35. (canceled)
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36. A method for establishing a radio connection, comprising:
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receiving a first activation signal;
applying power to radio hardware;
entering a first discoverable mode for up to a first period of time;
receiving a page from a first host via a radio connection;
entering an active mode of communication with the first host;
transmitting data to the first host;
after data has been transmitted, negotiating a lower power mode with the first host and entering a sniff mode; and
after a second period of time of not receiving a second activation signal, sending a disconnection message to the first host; and
removing power from the radio hardware to enter a sleep mode. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56)
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57. A method of transmitting data from an electronic device to a host, comprising:
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determining if a cable is connected to an interface, when the cable is connected, transmitting data to the host via the cable;
when the cable is not connected, determining if an auxiliary interface is connected to the interface;
when the auxiliary interface is connected, determining if there is a data link between the auxiliary interface and the host;
when there is a data link between the auxiliary interface and the host, transmitting data to the host via the auxiliary interface;
when there is not a data link between the auxiliary interface and the host, saving the data in memory for later transmission; and
when there is not a cable connected and there is not an auxiliary interface connected, saving the data in memory for later transmission. - View Dependent Claims (58, 59, 60)
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61. An electronic end device capable of communicating with a host computer, comprising a digital memory holding computer instructions for:
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determining if a cable is connected to an interface;
when the cable is connected, transmitting data to the host via the cable;
when the cable is not connected, determining if an auxiliary interface is connected to the interface;
when the auxiliary interface is connected, determining if there is a data link between the auxiliary interface and the host;
when there is a data link between the auxiliary interface and the host, transmitting data to the host via the auxiliary interface;
when there is not a data link between the auxiliary interface and the host, saving the data in memory for later transmission; and
when there is not a cable connected and there is not an auxiliary interface connected, saving the data in memory for later transmission. - View Dependent Claims (62, 63)
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64. A wireless data collection device, comprising:
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a data collection engine operable to collect data from a portable data carrier and transmit a first signal corresponding to collected data;
an electronic controller coupled to receive the first signal corresponding to the collected data and operable to direct a second signal corresponding to the collected data to a plurality of modules according to a schedule of priorities;
a wireless interface module coupled to receive the second signal at a second priority and operable to transmit a third signal corresponding to the collected data wirelessly;
a memory module coupled to receive the second signal at a third priority and operable to store in digital memory a representation of the second signal corresponding to the collected data; and
a timer coupled to the electronic controller and operable to generate a retry signal;
whereby the electronic controller is responsive to the timer to read the representation of the second signal from the memory module and direct the second signal to the wireless interface module. - View Dependent Claims (65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73)
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74. A method for managing a radio communication link, comprising:
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entering a discoverable mode;
receiving a page from a first remote device;
determining a second communication link identifier associated with the first remote device;
retrieving a first communication link identifier from memory; and
comparing the first communication link identifier with the second communication link identifier to determine whether to pair with the remote device. - View Dependent Claims (75, 76, 77, 78)
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Specification