Vehicle data system
First Claim
1. The method of transmitting data in a transport vehicle manned by a single person, which comprises:
- establishing a vehicle local area network within the vehicle and connecting respective points on the vehicle where data device means are to be mounted,providing operating potential to the vehicle local area network from a vehicle power source,coupling different portable data device means to the vehicle local area network at at least one of the respective points on the vehicle, for data interchange with other data device means which are coupled with the vehicle local area network, anddynamically assigning addresses to the respective different portable data device means as they are coupled with the vehicle local area network and using such addresses in effecting data interchange with such respective portable data device means via the vehicle local area network.
7 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A vehicle for transport, fork lift or delivery route operations, for example, includes on-board peripherals which are coupled through a Local Area Network (LAN) into a data system. A LAN data bus provides selective access to the peripherals or data devices such as, for example, a large area display, a keyboard, a printer and a data terminal. The data system controls or provides data on tasks executed by or in connection with the operation of the vehicle. To increase the versatility of the vehicle, the data terminal, multiple data terminals, or any of the other data devices may be removably coupled to the LAN to be operable externally of the vehicle. A mobile mount adapter provides a secure electrical connection of a respective data terminal to the LAN to removably incorporate the data terminal into the data system. The data terminal includes base contact areas which are contacted by spring contacts of the adapter. An "open face" of a disclosed adapter allows a cable for a scanner or other data link to extend from adjacent the base contact areas without a need to remove the extending cable, thereby enabling a cable-connected scanner to be moved and used while the data terminal is disposed in the adapter.
113 Citations
9 Claims
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1. The method of transmitting data in a transport vehicle manned by a single person, which comprises:
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establishing a vehicle local area network within the vehicle and connecting respective points on the vehicle where data device means are to be mounted, providing operating potential to the vehicle local area network from a vehicle power source, coupling different portable data device means to the vehicle local area network at at least one of the respective points on the vehicle, for data interchange with other data device means which are coupled with the vehicle local area network, and dynamically assigning addresses to the respective different portable data device means as they are coupled with the vehicle local area network and using such addresses in effecting data interchange with such respective portable data device means via the vehicle local area network. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A vehicle data gathering system comprising:
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a) a portable data terminal comprising a keyboard for the manual entry of data, a display for displaying data, a rechargeable terminal power source and first electrical contact means connected to said rechargeable terminal power source for facilitating the recharging of said terminal power source; b) vehicle power bus means for conveying power from a vehicle power source to a second electrical contact means; c) a terminal receiving adaptor having said second electrical contact means affixed thereto and comprising means for defining a channel for receiving said portable data terminal in a received, recharging position wherein said first electrical contact means is aligned to electrically connect with said second electrical contact means to permit the application of power from said vehicle power source via said vehicle power bus means and said electrically connected first and second electrical contact means to recharge said rechargeable terminal power source, and for releasing said portable data terminal from said channel to permit the use of said portable data terminal remote from the vehicle; and d) adjustable mounting means affixed to the vehicle and manually adjustable by a vehicle operator for disposing said terminal receiving adaptor and said portable data terminal received within said channel in a variety of positions to facilitate the viewing of said display and the manual entry of data upon said keyboard by the vehicle operator. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification