Data communication system with communicating and recharging docking apparatus for hand-held terminal

• US 5,317,691 A
• Filed: 07/31/1992
• Issued: 05/31/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Intermec IP Corporation (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Norand Corporation (Baker Hughes Company)
• Inventors: Traeger, Robert J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Black, Thomas G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): ZANELLI, MICHAEL J
• Application Number:
  US07/921,408
• Time in Patent Office: 669 Days
• Field of Search: 364/709.01, 364/709.12, 235/454, 235/422, 235/375, 235/385, 340/825.52, 340/825.06, 361/393, 361/394, 361/395, 439/629, 439/630, 439/631, 370/85.1, 395/200, 395/325
• US Class Current: 709/250
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0241 for telephones
• 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 1/1632 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: 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 7/10574 Multiple sources
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10584 Source control
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10702 Particularities of propagating elements, e.g. lenses, mirrors G06K7/10831 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10722 Photodetector array or CCD scanning
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10732 Light sources
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10811 Focalisation
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10841 Particularities of the light-sensitive elements semiconductor devices H01L
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10851 Circuits for pulse shaping, amplifying, eliminating noise signals, checking the function of the sensing device basic electronic circuitry H03
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10881 constructional details of hand-held scanners
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/12 using a selected wavelength, e.g. to sense red marks and ignore blue marks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0808 Diagnosing performance data testing of vehicles G01M17/00; testing of electrical installation on vehicles G01R31/005
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2001/3894 Waterproofing of transmission device
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/04 Supports for telephone transmitters or receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/16 Discovering, processing access restriction or access information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0296 : switching to a backup power supply
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/26 : Network addressing or numbering for mobility support
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 : Terminal devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 : in wireless communication networks

Abstract

In an exemplary embodiment, portable data devices can be coupled with a local area network at any of a multiplicity of points and integrated into the system. The preferred system is highly flexible and closely adaptable to changing needs of an individual user. For example, unitary multiple docking devices each receiving a plurality of hand-held computerized data terminals may be chained in a series to a single primary controller which may have a further LAN channel including an auxiliary unit which may supply charging power to a further series of multiple docking devices, added to the system as needed. A preferred auxiliary unit is capable of handling two-way communication without the provision of a direction control line in the channel. A preferred LAN system may have unitary printed circuit boards or other rigid network pathways provided with multiple docking receptacles. The control for the LAN system will automatically establish identities for randomly added devices.

Claims

1. In a system for gathering data from a plurality of portable data entry terminals, said data comprising a series of address bits designating a particular one of the plurality of portable data entry terminals, each portable data entry terminal having an array of terminal contacts,

an expandable arrangement of one or more units, each unit comprising a series of docking receptacles, each docking receptacle having a like array of receptacle contacts, each docking receptacle adapted to receive one of the portable data entry terminals such that corresponding ones of said arrays of terminal and receptacle contacts mate with each other upon insertion of the one portable data entry terminal into any of said docking receptacles,

each unit having a set of main conductive paths, each main conductive path extending adjacent said series of docking receptacles and continuously from a first end of said main conductive paths to a second end thereof, and a plurality of sets of branch conductive paths, one set of branch conductive paths for each of said docking receptacles, each branch conductive path extending continuously from one of said main conductive paths to a corresponding one of said receptacle contacts of its docking receptacle to ensure the transmission of the data appearing at a given receptacle contact of said array of any one docking receptacle in said expandable arrangement to a corresponding receptacle contact of said array of each docking receptacle in said expandable arrangement, said first ends of said main conductive paths of one unit being adapted to be connected to said second ends of said main conductive paths of another unit such that at least one further unit can be added to said arrangement.

2. In a data gathering system as claimed in claim 1, each unit further comprising common substrate means of elongated configuration with opposing ends, and first and second connectors disposed respectively at said opposing ends, said main conductive paths disposed on said common substrate means and interconnecting said first and second connectors.

3. In the data gathering system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said common substrate means comprises printed circuit board means.

4. In a data gathering system as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one main conductive path of each set of main conductive paths and at least one branch conductive path of each set of said plurality of sets of branch conductive paths provides power to each portable data entry terminal inserted into its docking receptacle.

5. In a local area network, a local area network controller for controlling the transmission of data to and from each of a plurality of portable data entry terminals, said data comprising a series of address bits designating a particular one of the plurality of portable data entry terminals,

a unit adapted to be connected to a like unit in an expandable arrangement thereof, said unit comprising a series of docking receptacles, each docking receptacle adapted to receive any one of the portable data entry terminals and having a set of receptacle couplers for transmitting data to and from the received one data entry terminal,

each unit having network conductive path means extending adjacent said series of docking receptacles and continuously from a first end of said path means to a second end thereof, and branch conductive path means extending continuously from said network conductive path means to each set of receptacle couplers of each docking receptacle of said unit for providing distinct connection to each receptacle coupler of its docking receptacle and for transmitting data by an inserted one of the plurality of portable data entry terminals via at least one terminal coupler of the transmitting portable data entry terminal to a corresponding receptacle coupler of each docking receptacle in said expandable arrangement, said first end of said network conductive path means adaptively connectable to either the local area network controller or to said second end of said network conductive path means of another unit.

6. In a local area network as claimed in claim 5, wherein at least one receptacle coupler of each set is a mechanical contact which provides power to the portable data entry terminal inserted into its docking receptacle.

7. In a local area network as claimed in claim 6, wherein said network conductive paths means and said branch conductive path means comprise power and bidirectional data transmission conductive paths.

8. In a local area network as claimed in claim 7, wherein each unit comprises a common substrate means, and said power and bidirectional data transmission conductive paths are disposed on said common substrate means.

9. In a local area network as claimed in claim 8, wherein said common substrate means comprises printed circuit board means of rectangular configuration, first and second connector means disposed at opposite ends of said printed circuit board means, said power and bidirectional data transmission conductive paths of said network conductive path means interconnecting said first and second connector means.

10. In a local area network as claimed in claim 9, wherein there is included a plurality of said units the number of which is selected to receive each of the plurality of portable data entry terminals, said first connector means of each unit of said arrangement being connected to said second connector means of a preceding unit of said arrangement, said power and bidirectional data transmission conductive paths of said network conductive path means of said arrangement being connected in series with each other.

11. In a local area network as claimed in claim 10, wherein said printed circuit board means mounts said sets of receptacle couplers thereon.

12. In a local area network, a local area network controller for controlling the bidirectional transmission of data to and from each of a plurality of portable data entry terminals, said data comprising a series of address bits designating a particular one of the plurality of portable data entry terminals, said local area network controller including first and second channel means,

a plurality of units, each unit adapted to be connected to a like unit in an expandable bidirectional data communication arrangement thereof, each unit comprising a series of docking receptacles, each docking receptacles adapted to receive any one of the portable data entry terminals and has a set of receptacle couplers for transmitting data to and from its received portable data entry terminal, and one of said plurality of unit having first communication path mean interconnected between said first channel means and each set of receptacle couplers of said one unit, and

auxiliary means having second communication path means connectable either directly to said second channel means or to said first channel means via said first communication path means of said one unit, and comprising data transmitting means coupled with said second communication path means for retransmitting data bidirectionally along said second communication path means to thereby increase the number of said units in said arrangement with the local area network controller.

13. In a local area network as claimed in claim 12, wherein there is included a plurality of units, at least another unit of said plurality is coupled to said second communication path means of said auxiliary means, said transmitting data means comprising first repeater means for receiving data signals from the local area network controller and for transmitting such data to said another unit and second repeater means for transmitting data from any portable data entry terminal inserted into a docking receptacle of said another unit.

14. In a local area network as claimed in claim 12, wherein there is included a plurality of said units, each of said first and second communication path means includes power and bidirectional data transmission paths, another of said plurality of units being connected to said auxiliary means remotely from the local area network controller, said auxiliary means comprising means for supplying power to any portable data entry terminal inserted into a docking receptacle of said another unit.

15. In a local area network, a local area network controller for controlling the bidirectional transmission of data to and form a plurality of portable data entry terminals, said data comprising a series of address bits designating a particular one of the plurality of portable data entry terminals, the local area network controller comprising a primary channel for providing bidirectional transmission of data to and from and for providing power to certain portable data entry terminals and a secondary channel for providing bidirectional transmission of data to and from other portable data entry terminals,

a plurality of units, each unit comprising a series of docking receptacles, each docking receptacle adapted to receive any one of the portable data entry terminals and having a set of receptacle couplers for transmitting data to and from its received portable data entry terminal, and a first set of power and bidirectional data transmission conductive paths interconnected between the local area network controller and said set of receptacle couplers of a unit, a first arrangement of at least a first unit connected to the primary channel of the local area network controller unit;

and

auxiliary means comprising a second set of power and bidirectional data transmission conductive paths, power supply means connected to said power conductive path of said second set, and means for connecting said second set of power and bidirectional data transmission conductive paths to either of the second channel of the local area network controller in a second arrangement or to said first set of power and bidirectional data transmission conductive paths of said first unit of said first arrangement to increase the number of portable data entry terminals in bidirectional data communication with the local area controller.

16. In a local area network as claimed in claim 15, wherein there is included a second unit coupled to said auxiliary means in said second arrangement, said auxiliary means comprising a first repeater means for receiving data from the local area network controller and for transmitting such data either to said first or second units and a second repeater means for receiving data from any terminal unit connected in said set of receptacles of either said first or second unit and for transmitting such data toward the local area network controller.

17. In a local area network as claimed in claim 16, wherein said auxiliary means further comprises energy direction sensing means for controlling the selective activation of said first and second repeater means, and responsive to data transmitted from the local area network controller for activating said first repeater means and responsive to data signals transmitted toward the local area network controller for activating said second repeater means.

18. In a system for gathering data from a plurality of portable data entry terminals, said data comprising a series of address bits designating a particular one of the plurality of portable data entry terminals, each portable data entry terminal having a set of terminal couplers,

an expandable arrangement of like units, each unit including means for connecting adjacent units of said expandable arrangement in an end-to-end relation with each other, common substrate means and a series of docking receptacles having set of receptacles connection points on said common substrate means, each docking receptacle having a set of receptacle couplers connected with said set of connection points, each docking receptacle adapted to receive any of the portable data entry terminals such that corresponding ones of said sets of terminal and receptacle couplers mate with each other upon insertion of the one portable data entry terminal into any of said docking receptacles,

said connecting means comprising first and second connector means disposed respectively at opposing ends of said common substrate means, a set of main conductive paths, each main conductive path extending continuously from said first connector means adjacent said series of docking receptacles to said second connector means, and a plurality of sets of branch conductive paths, one set of branch conductive paths for each docking receptacle, each branch conductive path extending continuously between and interconnecting corresponding ones of said set of receptacle connection points and said main conductive paths to ensure the transmission of data by an inserted one of the plurality of portable data entry terminals via at least one terminal coupler of the transmitting data entry terminal to a corresponding receptacle coupler of each docking receptacle in said expandable arrangement, said second connector means being adapted to be connected to said first connector means of another unit such that at least one further docking receptacle is added to said expandable arrangement.

19. In a system for gathering data as claimed in claim 18, wherein there is included a plurality of said units adapted to be connected in said arrangement with each other such that said second connector means of a leading unit in said arrangement is connected to said first connector means of a trailing unit in said arrangement wherein said main conductive paths of said units in said arrangement are connected in series with each other.

20. In a system for gathering data as claimed in claim 18, wherein said substrate means comprises a printed circuit board, each set of said main conductive paths and said plurality of sets of branch conductive paths include a power conductive path and are disposed on said printed circuit board.

21. In a local area network, a local area network controller for controlling the transmission of signals to and from each of a plurality of portable data entry terminals, each of the signals comprising a series of address bits designating a particular one of the plurality of portable data entry terminals,

a unit adapted to be connected to alike unit in an expandable arrangement thereof, said unit comprising a series of docking receptacles, each docking receptacle adapted to receive any one of the portable data entry terminals and having a set of receptacle couplers for transmitting the signals to and from the received one portable data entry terminal,

said unit having network conductive path means extending adjacent said series of docking receptacles and continuously from a first end of said network conductive path means to a second end thereof, branch conductive path means for providing distinct and continuous connection of said network conductive path means to each set of said receptacle couplers of each docking receptacle of said unit for transmitting the signals from said network conductive path means directly to a corresponding receptacle coupler of each set thereof, and means for connecting said first end of said network conductive path means to either the local area network controller or to said second end of said network conductive path means of another unit.

22. In a local area network as claimed in claim 21, wherein at least one receptacle coupler of each set is a mechanical contact which provides power to the portable data entry terminal inserted into its docking receptacle.

23. In a local area network as claimed in claim 22, wherein said network conductive path means and said branch conductive path means comprise power and bidirectional signal transmission conductive paths.

24. In a local area network as claimed in claim 23, wherein each unit comprises a common substrate means, and said power and bidirectional data transmission conductive paths are disposed on said common substrate means.

25. In a local area network as claimed in claim 24, wherein said common substrate means comprises printed circuit board means of rectangular configuration, first and second connector means disposed at opposite ends of said printed circuit board means, said power and bidirectional data transmission conductive paths of said network conductive path means extending continuously between and interconnecting said first and second connector means.

26. In a local area network as claimed in claim 25, wherein there is included a plurality of said units, the number of which is selected to receive each of the plurality of portable data entry terminals, said first connector means of each unit of said arrangement being connected to said second connector means of a preceding unit of said arrangement, said power and bidirectional data transmission conductive paths of said network conductive path means of said arrangement being connected in series with each other.

27. In a local area network as claimed in claim 21, wherein the signal transmitted via said network conductive path means and said branch conductive path means comprises data bits associated with said address bits.

28. In a local area network as claimed in claim 21, wherein said second end of said network conductive path means is adaptively connectable to either the local area network controller or to said second end of said network conductive path means of another unit.

29. In a system for transmitting signals to and from a plurality of portable data entry terminals, each portable data entry terminal having a like array of terminal couplers, each of the transmitted signals comprising a series of address bits designating a particular one of the plurality of portable data entry terminals,

a unit adapted to be connected in an end-to-end relation to form an expandable arrangement thereof, said unit comprising common substrate means, a series of docking receptacles, each docking receptacle having a like array of receptacle couplers, each docking receptacle adapted to receive any of the portable data entry terminals such that corresponding ones of said arrays of terminal and receptacle couples mate with each other upon insertion of a portable data entry terminal into any of said docking receptacles,

first and second connector means disposed respectively at opposing ends of said common substrate means, a set of main conductive paths, each main conductive path extending continuously from said first connector means and extending adjacent said series of docking receptacles to said second connector means, and a plurality of sets of branch conductive paths, a corresponding set of branch conductive paths for each docking receptacle, each branch conductive path of one set extending continuously between and interconnecting a corresponding one of said array of receptacle couplers and at least one of said main conductive paths to ensure the direct transmission of the data appearing at a given receptacle contact of said array of any one docking receptacle in said expandable arrangement to a corresponding receptacle contact of said array of each docking receptacle in said expandable array, said second connector means being adapted to be connected to said first connector means of another unit such that further docking receptacles are added to said expandable arrangement.

30. In a system for transmitting signals as claimed in claim 29, wherein there is included a plurality of said units adapted to be connected to said expandable arrangement with each other such that said second connector means of a leading unit in said expandable arrangement is connected to said first connector means of trailing unit in said expandable arrangement to connect said main conductive paths of said units in said expandable arrangement in series with each other.

31. In a system for transmitting signals as claimed in claim 29, wherein said second connector of a leading unit in said expandable arrangement is connected to said second connector of a trailing unit in said expandable arrangement to connect said main conductive paths of said connected leading and trailing units of said expandable arrangement in series with each other.