Electronic notebook for use in data gathering, formatting and transmitting system
First Claim
1. A self-contained, hand-held portable data collection device for receiving and storing character data for subsequent read-out and transmission of the character data in a desired format to a utilization means, comprising:
- entry means for supplying coded signal representations of character data and controls, the character data coded signals to be stored in said device at addresses determined in accordance with control coded signals associated with the character data coded signals,A random access memory having plural character data storage positions arranged in plural lines, each line including plural said storage positions,means for addressing the memory in accordance with the control coded signals for entry and storage of the character data coded signals in an addressed position,display means for visually displaying characters represented by character data coded signals,output connection means,said addressing means including means for selectively addressing said memory for reading out character data coded signals stored in positions of said memory and for selectively supplying said signals read out from said memory to said display means for display thereof, and to said output connection means to be available for transmission thereof to a utilization means, andelectrical energy storing means integral with said self-contained hand-held portable data collection device for supplying electrical energy to the aforesaid means for operation of the said device, said electrical energy storing means comprising;
first and second energy storing cells, and means connecting said first and second energy storing cells normally to enable said first cell to supply electrical energy as aforesaid and to permit depletion of substantially all electrical energy stored in said first cell prior to depletion of the electrical energy stored in said second cell, said connecting means being responsive to depletion of the electrical energy stored in said first cell below a predetermined level, automatically to enable said second cell to supply energy to at least said memory means for maintaining storage of said coded signals theretofore entered and stored therein.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A data gathering and transmitting system includes a portable data gathering device having a keyboard and an input/output connector, each operable for entering data into, and for providing access to data previously entered into, a random access memory. Data as entered is displayed simultaneously; data in memory may be selectively accessed for display by addressed locations and in various automatic scan modes. The portable device thus operates as a true electronic notebook. An interface-formatter located at a remote terminal communicates with a computer, and provides for read-out of data from the portable data gathering device and automatic conversion and formatting of the data to a form suitable for direct transmission to the computer, and for print-out of a hard copy of the data. Where a hard copy print-out is not required, a read-out unit may simply transmit the data without formatting to a distant central receiver suitably programmed to receive and interpret the data transmission. Data may also be transmitted from a computer or distant central transmitter to the interface-formatter for entering data into the memory of the electronic notebook via the input-output connector. Thus, data can be loaded into the electronic notebook from a remote computer, the data can be displayed for reference, and field changes and additions can be made to the data. The massaged data can then be transmitted back to the computer.
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Citations
74 Claims
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1. A self-contained, hand-held portable data collection device for receiving and storing character data for subsequent read-out and transmission of the character data in a desired format to a utilization means, comprising:
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entry means for supplying coded signal representations of character data and controls, the character data coded signals to be stored in said device at addresses determined in accordance with control coded signals associated with the character data coded signals, A random access memory having plural character data storage positions arranged in plural lines, each line including plural said storage positions, means for addressing the memory in accordance with the control coded signals for entry and storage of the character data coded signals in an addressed position, display means for visually displaying characters represented by character data coded signals, output connection means, said addressing means including means for selectively addressing said memory for reading out character data coded signals stored in positions of said memory and for selectively supplying said signals read out from said memory to said display means for display thereof, and to said output connection means to be available for transmission thereof to a utilization means, and electrical energy storing means integral with said self-contained hand-held portable data collection device for supplying electrical energy to the aforesaid means for operation of the said device, said electrical energy storing means comprising; first and second energy storing cells, and means connecting said first and second energy storing cells normally to enable said first cell to supply electrical energy as aforesaid and to permit depletion of substantially all electrical energy stored in said first cell prior to depletion of the electrical energy stored in said second cell, said connecting means being responsive to depletion of the electrical energy stored in said first cell below a predetermined level, automatically to enable said second cell to supply energy to at least said memory means for maintaining storage of said coded signals theretofore entered and stored therein. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72)
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39. A self-contained, hand-held portable data collection device for receiving and storing character data for subsequent read-out and transmission of the character data in a desired format to a utilization means, comprising:
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a keyboard having a plurality of selectively actuatable character data and control keys, means responsive to key actuation to produce corresponding character data and control coded signals, a random access memory having plural character data storage positions arranged in plural lines, each line including plural said storage positions, first means for storing an indication of each position of a line of memory, as addressed, means responsive to each character data signal produced by key actuation to advance the addressed position indication of said storing means to a successive position, said keyboard including selectively actuatable forward and backward line shift keys and said key actuation responsive means responding to actuation thereof to produce corresponding forward and backward line shift control signals, second means for storing an indication of each line address of memory, and responsive to each line shift control signal to shift, in corresponding forward and backward directions, the line address indication as stored therein to a successive line, addressing means responsive to the stored line and position indications of the respective storing means therefor, for addressing the thus identified position and line to render that position available for data storage, means for entering character data signals corresponding to an actuated key in a currently addressed position of the memory, display means for displaying a character corresponding to the character signals stored in at least a currently addressed memory position and electrical energy storing means integral with said self-contained hand-held portable data collection device for supplying electrical energy to the aforesaid means for operation of the said device, said electrical energy storing means comprising; first and second energy storing cells, and means connecting said first an second energy storing cells normally to enable said first cell to supply electrical energy as aforesaid and to permit depletion of substantially all electrical energy stored in said first cell prior to depletion of the electrical energy stored in said second cell, said connecting means being responsive to depletion of the electrical energy stored in said first cell below a predetermined level, automatically to enable said second cell to supply energy to at least said memory means for maintaining storage of said coded signals theretofore entered and stored therein. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67)
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73. A self-contained, hand-held portable data collection device for receiving and storing character data for subsequent read-out and transmission of the character data in a desired format to a utilization means, comprising:
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entry means for supplying coded signal representations of character data and controls, the character data coded signals to be stored in said device at addresses determined in accordance with control coded signals associated with the character data coded signals, a random access memory having plural character data storage positions arranged in plural lines, each line including plural said storage positions, means for continuously recirculating the contents of the storage positions of each line of said memory, means for addressing the memory in accordance with the control coded signals for entry and storage of character data coded signals in addressed positions of said memory, display means for visually displaying characters represented by character data coded signals, output connection means, said addressing means including means for selectively addressing each line of said memory for supplying at least selected ones of the coded signals of corresponding, selected storage positions of the addressed line during said recirculation of the contents of the storage positions of the line, to said display means for display thereby, and to said output connection means to be available for transmission thereof to a utilization means, and electrical energy storing means integral with said self-contained hand-held portable data collection device for supplying electrical energy to the aforesaid means for operation of the said device, said addressing means includes counter means for accumulating a count in accordance with an addressed line of said memory, and said supplying means supplies said count of said count accumulation means along with said at least selected ones of the recirculating coded signals of the addressed line of said memory to said display means for display of the line number in association with the characters defined by the said at least selected ones of the coded signals of that addressed line, and to said output connection means to be available for transmission thereof to a utilization means, thereby to identify the line of the coded signals as displayed and as available for transmission. - View Dependent Claims (74)
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Specification