Data collector with expanded functionality

• US 20090025094A1
• Filed: 07/16/2007
• Published: 01/22/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited (Trimble Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited (Trimble Inc.)
• Inventors: Nicol, Robert, Steiger, Gerald, Jurs, Craig, Harmon, John Paul, Jondrow, Timothy James, York, Dennis
• Granted Patent: US 9,448,375 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 726/34
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0001 specially adapted for lighting devices or systems lighting or signalling on vehicles using light guides B60Q1/00; lighting devices for vehicle dashboards B60Q3/10; lighting devices for vehicle interior using light guides B60Q3/62; lighting devices mounted on the vehicle rear part using light guides F21S43/235; measuring arrangements having light conducting pointers G01D13/265; illumination of liquid crystal displays G02F1/1336; illuminated signs G09F13/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0096 the lights guides being of the hollow type
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/44 Mechanical structures for providing tensile strength and external protection for fibres, e.g. optical transmission cables cables incorporating electric conductors and optical fibres where features relating to the optical fibres are not of interest H01B11/22
• 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 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03545 Pens or stylus

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention recite a data collector with expanded functionality and a method of enhancing revenue generation using a data collector with expanded functionality. In one embodiment, a central unit of a data collector is configured to receive a replaceable unit such that any one of a variety of replaceable units can be configure to be attached to said central unit.

Claims

1. A method for enhancing revenue generation using a data collector with expanded functionality;

said method comprising;

configuring a central unit of said data collector to receive a replaceable unit such that any one of a variety of replaceable units can be configured to be attached said central unit.

2. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising:

creating a first configuration of said data collector using a first of said variety of replaceable units; and

creating a second configuration of said data collector using a second of said variety of replaceable units.

3. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising:

repairing said data collector by replacing a first of said variety of replaceable units with a corresponding second of said variety of replaceable units.

4. The method as recited in claim 3 further comprising:

identifying a new function which cannot be performed by a first of said variety of replaceable units; and

configuring a second or said variety of replaceable units to perform said function.

5. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising:

reconfiguring the display capabilities of said data collector by replacing a top cover of said data collector with a second top cover.

6. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising:

reconfiguring a user interface of said data collector by replacing a top cover of said data collector.

7. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising:

utilizing integrated seals to create a watertight seal between said data collector and said user replaceable unit and wherein the sealing force of said integrated seal is not parallel with a mechanical force coupling said data collector and said user replaceable unit.

8. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising:

configuring said variety of replaceable units to be a user replaceable unit.

9. A ruggedized data collector comprising:

at least one integrated seal for creating a watertight seal between a first component and a second component and wherein the sealing force of said at least one integrated seal is not parallel with a mechanical force coupling said first component and said second component.

10. The ruggedized data collector of claim 9 wherein said at least one integrated seal is co-molded to create a molecular bond with said first component.

11. The ruggedized data collector of claim 9 wherein said at least one integrated seal is over-molded to create a molecular bond with said first component.

12. The ruggedized data collector of claim 9 wherein said at least one integrated seal is over-molded onto a substrate and wherein said substrate is heated by induction to heat a hot-melt adhesive disposed upon said substrate.

13. The ruggedized data collector of claim 9 wherein the sealing force of said at least one integrated seal is increased when said ruggedized data collector is submerged to a greater depth.

14. The ruggedized data collector of claim 9 wherein said integrated seal is created using a liquid injection molding-silicone process.

15. A ruggedized data collector comprising:

at least one light pipe which is co-molded with an integrated seal of said ruggedized data collector.

16. The ruggedized data collector of claim 15 wherein said at least one light pipe and said integrated seal are created using a using liquid injection molding-silicone process.

17. The ruggedized data collector of claim 15 wherein said at least one light pipe directly contacts a light source of said ruggedized data collector.

18. The ruggedized data collector of claim 17 wherein said light source comprises a light emitting diode.

19. The ruggedized data collector of claim 17 wherein said at least one light pipe comprises a silicone light pipe which conforms at least partially to the shape of said light source.

20. The ruggedized data collector of claim 17 wherein said at least one light pipe reduces the loss of light from said light source by at least partially eliminating an air gap between said light source and said at least one light pipe.

21. A ruggedized data collector comprising:

an interchangeable cover for reconfiguring said ruggedized data collector to function as a cellular telephone

a watertight seal for forming a sealed voice receiver within said interchangeable cover.

22. The ruggedized data collector of claim 21 further comprising:

at least one integrated seal for creating a watertight seal between a first component of said ruggedized data collector and a second component of said ruggedized data collector and wherein the sealing force of said at least one integrated seal is not parallel with a mechanical force coupling said first component and said second component.

23. The ruggedized data collector of claim 22 further comprising:

a watertight seal covering every opening of said ruggedized data collector.

24. The ruggedized data collector of claim 23 further comprising:

at least one user replaceable unit comprising a first communication interface.

25. The ruggedized data collector of claim 24 further comprising:

at least one light pipe which is formed concurrent with the creation of said at least one integrated seal and which directly contacts a light emitting diode of said ruggedized data collector.

26. The ruggedized data collector of claim 25 further comprising:

a stylus comprising;

a spring loaded data input tip;

a tool for actuating a mechanical fastener of said ruggedized data collector; and

a hole for a lanyard.

27. A ruggedized data collector comprising:

at least one integrated seal for creating a watertight seal between a first component of said ruggedized data collector and a second component of said ruggedized data collector and wherein the sealing force of said at least one integrated seal is not parallel with a mechanical force coupling said first component and said second component; and

a stylus comprising;

a spring loaded data input tip;

a tool for actuating a mechanical fastener of said ruggedized data collector; and

a hole for a lanyard.

28. The ruggedized data collector as recited in claim 27 wherein said stylus is configured to be magnetically coupled with said ruggedized data collector when not in use.

29. The ruggedized data collector as recited in claim 28 wherein said tool further comprises a second data input tip.

30. The ruggedized data collector as recited in claim 29 wherein said second data input tip further comprises a second spring loaded data input tip.

31. The ruggedized data collector as recited in claim 30 wherein said stylus further comprises a hinge for permitting greater torque to be applied using said tool.