Hand-held computerized data collection terminal with rechargeable battery pack sensor and battery power conservation
First Claim
1. In a data collection system,a hand held computerized data collection terminal having user interface means providing for interaction with a user of the terminal during data collection operation, said terminal having computer processor means and control circuitry connected with said user interface means and with said computer processor means for controlling operation of said terminal, said terminal having a battery pack removably secured therewith and supplying operating power to said computer processor means and said control circuitry, said battery pack having an electrically conductive short-circuit element mounted thereon for enabling sensing of the presence of the battery pack, and said terminal having element sensing means switchable between a charging circuit enabling condition and a charging circuit disabling condition in dependence upon the presence of a battery pack with the element and the presence of a battery pack without such an element, respectively, said terminal having a battery_compartment for removably receiving said battery pack, and said element sensing means comprising a pair of conductive probes arranged to be conductively bridged by the electrically conductive short-circuit element as the battery pack is inserted into said battery compartment, said terminal comprising a bottom terminal part providing a bottom wall and side walls of said battery compartment, a battery compartment wall extending above the bottom wall to define an upper boundary of said battery compartment, and said probes being mounted at the battery compartment wall of said battery compartment, said bottom terminal part having a partition wall providing an inner boundary of said battery compartment, a battery supply connector being mounted at the side of said partition wall external to said battery compartment, and being connected with the battery pack in said battery compartment, and a host circuit carrying member having the computer processor means thereon and extending within the terminal at a level just above the battery compartment wall and coupled with the battery supply connector so as to provide for the supply of battery power to the computer processor means.
9 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An improved hand-held computer terminal for use in the route distribution industries. The housing of the terminal provides a keypad and sixteen line display and is molded to fit the grip of the user. Circuit boards within the terminal housing arc modular in arrangement and are connected by pin and socket and compressible interconnect strip connectors. High speed data communication between the device and external devices is available. A battery power sensing circuit disables random access memory when low power is sensed and interrupt circuitry permits the terminal to enter an inactive, sleep mode when keypad activity is absent for a predetermined period. A sensing circuit senses the presence of rechargeable batteries. Electrostatic discharge protection is provided by circuit devices integrated into signal carrying lines and no conductive sheathing is required. A removable end cap allows introduction of auxiliary memory cards or the like into a slot under the end cap. A mylar strip is removably positioned between an on board lithium backup battery and its associated circuitry. The mylar strip may be removed by the user when commencement of use occurs. A modular end cap adapts the terminal for radio frequency communication and the like.
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Citations
68 Claims
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1. In a data collection system,
a hand held computerized data collection terminal having user interface means providing for interaction with a user of the terminal during data collection operation, said terminal having computer processor means and control circuitry connected with said user interface means and with said computer processor means for controlling operation of said terminal, said terminal having a battery pack removably secured therewith and supplying operating power to said computer processor means and said control circuitry, said battery pack having an electrically conductive short-circuit element mounted thereon for enabling sensing of the presence of the battery pack, and said terminal having element sensing means switchable between a charging circuit enabling condition and a charging circuit disabling condition in dependence upon the presence of a battery pack with the element and the presence of a battery pack without such an element, respectively, said terminal having a battery_compartment for removably receiving said battery pack, and said element sensing means comprising a pair of conductive probes arranged to be conductively bridged by the electrically conductive short-circuit element as the battery pack is inserted into said battery compartment, said terminal comprising a bottom terminal part providing a bottom wall and side walls of said battery compartment, a battery compartment wall extending above the bottom wall to define an upper boundary of said battery compartment, and said probes being mounted at the battery compartment wall of said battery compartment, said bottom terminal part having a partition wall providing an inner boundary of said battery compartment, a battery supply connector being mounted at the side of said partition wall external to said battery compartment, and being connected with the battery pack in said battery compartment, and a host circuit carrying member having the computer processor means thereon and extending within the terminal at a level just above the battery compartment wall and coupled with the battery supply connector so as to provide for the supply of battery power to the computer processor means.
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4. In a data collection system,
a hand held computerized data collection terminal having user interface means providing for interaction with a user of the terminal during data collection operation, said terminal having computer processor means and control circuitry connected with said user interface means and connected with said computer processor means for controlling operation of said terminal, said terminal having a battery pack removably secured therewith and supplying operating power to said computer processor means and said control circuitry, said terminal having first and second circuit carrying members mounted therein, and having respective first and second sets of generally parallel spaced apart connector elements thereon, a resilient elongated member positioned between the first and second sets of connector elements and having a plurality of generally parallel conductive elements embedded therein in spaced apart relation and electrically connecting respective individual connector elements of the first and second sets.
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6. In a data collection system,
a hand-held computerized data collection terminal having a longitudinal axis and having user interface means providing for interaction with a user of the terminal during data collection operation, said terminal having computer processor means and control circuitry connected with said user interface means and with said computer processor means for controlling operation of said terminal, said terminal having rechargeable battery means removably received therewith and supplying operating power to said terminal, and said control circuitry including detection means actuatable to detect the presence of rechargeable battery means, said rechargeable battery means comprising an arrangement of a plurality of rechargeable battery cells forming a battery pack with longitudinal axes of the battery cells extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the terminal, the terminal having a battery receiving chamber into which the battery pack is longitudinally inserted, and the battery receiving chamber and the battery pack having cross sections with three rounded corners and one somewhat squared corner so that the batten pack can only be inserted into the battery receiving chamber with a correct longitudinal end of the battery pack first and with a correct side of the battery pack facing one wall of the battery receiving chamber, the battery pack having an electrically conductive short circuit element only at the correct side of the battery pack, and being operative when the battery pack is inserted with its correct longitudinal end first and with the electrically conductive short circuit element facing said one wall of the battery receiving chamber to actuate said detection means.
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9. In a data collection system, a hand-held computerized data collection terminal having user interface means providing for interaction with a user of the terminal during data collection operation, said terminal having computer processor means and control circuitry connected therewith for controlling operation of said terminal, said terminal having battery means for supply of operating power to said computer processor means and said control circuitry, said terminal comprising a terminal housing having a housing end portion with peripheral device electrical connector means therein accessible from the exterior of said housing end portion, an end cap releasably engaged with said housing end portion, and peripheral device circuit means electrically coupled with the peripheral device electrical connector means and protectively enclosed by said end cap,
said peripheral device circuit means having a peripheral device electrical connector fitting accessible at the exterior of the end cap and coupled with said computer processor means via said peripheral device circuit means for providing data communication with a peripheral device.
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13. In a data collection system, a hand-held computerized data collection terminal having user interface means providing for interaction with a user of the terminal during data collection operation, said terminal having computer processor means and control circuitry connected therewith for controlling operation of said terminal, said terminal having battery means for supply of operating power to said computer processor means and said control circuitry, said terminal comprising a terminal housing having a housing end portion with peripheral device electrical connector means therein accessible from the exterior of said housing end portion, an end cap releasably engaged with said housing end portion, and peripheral device circuit means electrically coupled with the peripheral device electrical connector means and protectively enclosed by said end cap,
said peripheral device circuit means comprising a peripheral device electrical connector fitting at the exterior of the end cap, said terminal housing containing a peripheral device circuit carrying member mounting said peripheral device electrical connector means for automatic engagement with the peripheral device circuit means as the end cap is applied to said housing end portion.
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14. In a data collection system, a hand-held computerized data collection terminal having user interface means providing for interaction with a user of the terminal during data collection operation, said terminal having computer processor means and control circuitry connected therewith for controlling operation of said terminal, said terminal having battery means for supply of operating power to said computer processor means and said control circuitry, said terminal comprising a terminal housing having a housing end portion with peripheral device electrical connector means therein accessible from the exterior of said housing end portion, an end cap releasably engaged with said housing end portion, and peripheral device circuit means electrically coupled with the peripheral device electrical connector means and protectively enclosed by said end cap,
said peripheral device circuit means comprising a memory card removably inserted into the peripheral device electrical connector means, and removable from the housing end portion upon disengagement of the end cap from said housing end portion.
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16. In a data collection system, a hand-held computerized data collection terminal having user interface means providing for interaction with a user of the terminal during data collection operation, said terminal having computer processor means and control circuitry connected therewith for controlling operation of said terminal, said terminal having battery means for supply of operating power to said computer processor means and said control circuitry, said terminal comprising a terminal housing having a housing end portion with peripheral device electrical connector means therein accessible from the exterior of said housing end portion, an end cap releasably engaged with said housing end portion, and peripheral device circuit means electrically coupled with the peripheral device electrical connector means and protectively enclosed by said end cap,
said housing end portion having auxiliary battery means for supplying backup operating Vower to the terminal along an electric current flow path and an insulating strip of electrical insulating material extending into said housing end portion from the vicinity of said end cap for maintaining the electric current flow path in an open circuit condition until the insulating strip is manually pulled to a non current flow interrupting position by manual gripping of a portion of the insulating strip normally covered by the end cap.
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18. In a data collection system,
a hand-held computerized data collection terminal having user interface means providing for interaction with a user of the terminal during data collection operation, said terminal having computer processor means and control circuitry connected with said user interface means and with said computer processor means for controlling operation of said terminal, said terminal having main battery means for supplying operating power to said terminal, terminal memory means normally supplied with operating power from said main battery means, auxiliary stand-by battery means for supplying electric power to said terminal memory means as a back up to said main battery means, said auxiliary stand-by battery means having an auxiliary current flow path for supplying current to the terminal memory means when needed, and an insulating strip of electrical insulating material inserted into the auxiliary current flow path to prevent depletion of the auxiliary stand-by battery means prior to use of the terminal, said terminal comprising a terminal housing having an access opening accommodating manual removal of the insulating strip from the auxiliary current flow path, and a closure cap for removable attachment to said terminal housing and enclosing said access opening when attached to said terminal housing.
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21. In a data collection system, a hand-held computerized data collection terminal comprising:
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(a) user interface means providing for interaction with a user of the terminal during data collection operation; (b) computer processor means and control circuitry connected therewith and with said user interface means for controlling operation of said terminal; (c) battery means for supply of operating power to said computer processor means and said control circuitry; (d) a terminal housing having a housing end portion at an end of said terminal housing; and (e) an end cap releasably and selectively engaged with said end of said terminal housing for cooperation therewith, (f) said housing end portion having an exterior boundary wall defining the external cross sectional perimeter of the terminal at said end of said terminal housing, (g) said end cap having an external wall with external perimeter for mating with the exterior boundary wall of the housing end portion to enclose the end of said terminal housing, and thereby protect the interior of the terminal, (h) the releasability of the end cap providing for the selective assemblage within the interior of the housing of differently functioning components which serve to selectively change the functioning of the data collection terminal. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. In a data collection system, a hand-held computerized data collection terminal comprising:
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(a) a user interface proving for interaction with a user of the terminal during data collection operation; (b) computer processor and control circuitry connected with said user interface for controlling operation of said terminal; (c) battery means for supply of operating power to said computer processor and control circuitry; (d) a terminal housing having a housing end portion having an access opening; and (e) an end cap releasably and connectively engaged with said housing end portion and containing a memory device for coupling to said computer processor and control circuitry. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. In a data collection system, a hand-held computerized data collection terminal having user interface means providing for interaction with a user of the terminal during data collection operation, said terminal having computer processor means and control circuitry connected therewith and with said user interface means for controlling operation of said terminal, said terminal having battery means for supply of operating power to said computer processor means and said control circuitry, said terminal comprising a terminal housing end portion with peripheral device electrical connector means therein accessible from the exterior of said housing end portion, an end cap releasably engaged with said housing end portion, and peripheral device circuit means electrically coupled with the peripheral device electrical connector means,
said peripheral device electrical connector means being coupled with said computer processor means via said peripheral device circuit means, said end cap being removable from the housing end portion for operative access to said peripheral device electrical connector means to enable a peripheral coupling to be received by said peripheral device electrical connector means thereby to provide peripheral access to said computer processor means via said peripheral device circuit means, said end cap being clear of any connector components.
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34. In a data collection system, a hand-held computerized data collection terminal having user interface means providing for interaction with a user of the terminal during data collection operation, said terminal having computer processor means and control circuitry connected therewith and with said user interface means for controlling operation of said terminal, said terminal having battery means for supply of operating power to said computer processor means and said control circuitry, said terminal comprising a terminal housing end portion with peripheral device electrical connector means therein accessible from the exterior of said housing end portion, an end cap releasably engaged with said housing end portion, and peripheral device circuit means electrically coupled with the peripheral device electrical connector means,
said peripheral device electrical connector means being coupled with said computer processor means via said peripheral device circuit means, said end cap being removable from the housing end portion for operative access to said peripheral device electrical connector means to enable a peripheral coupling to be received by said peripheral device electrical connector means thereby to provide peripheral access to said computer processor means via said peripheral device circuit means, said peripheral device electrical connector means having a cavity frontally thereof for accommodating a peripheral coupling, said end cap overlying said cavity.
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36. In a data collection system, a hand-held computerized data collection terminal having user interface means providing for interaction with a user of the terminal during data collection operation, said terminal having computer processor means and control circuitry connected therewith and with said user interface means for controlling operation of said terminal, said terminal having battery means for supply of operating power to said computer processor means and said control circuitry, said terminal comprising a terminal housing end portion with peripheral device electrical connector means therein accessible from the exterior of said housing end portion, an end cap releasably engaged with said housing end portion, and peripheral device circuit means electrically coupled with the peripheral device electrical connector means,
said peripheral device electrical connector means being coupled with said computer processor means via said peripheral device circuit means, said end cap being removable from the housing end portion for operative access to said peripheral device electrical connector means to enable a peripheral coupling to be received by said peripheral device electrical connector means thereby to provide peripheral access to said computer processor means via said peripheral device circuit means, said peripheral device electrical connector means having electrical conductor means, and a peripheral device contact means being insertable into engagement with the electrical conductor means of said peripheral device electrical connector means with the end cap removed from said housing end portion.
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37. In a data collection system, a hand-held computerized data collection terminal having user interface means providing for interaction with a user of the terminal during data collection operation, said terminal having computer processor means and control circuitry connected therewith and with said user interface means for controlling operation of said terminal, said terminal having batten means for supply of operating power to said computer processor means and said control circuitry, said terminal comprising a terminal housing end portion with peripheral device electrical connector means therein accessible from the exterior of said housing end portion, an end cap releasably engaged with said housing end portion, and peripheral device circuit means electrically coupled with the peripheral device electrical connector means,
said peripheral device electrical connector means being coupled with said computer processor means via said peripheral device circuit means, said end cap being removable from the housing end portion for operative access to said peripheral device electrical connector means to enable a peripheral coupling to be received by said peripheral device electrical connector means thereby to provide peripheral access to said computer processor means via said peripheral device circuit means, said peripheral device electrical connector means having electrical conductor means connecting with said peripheral device circuit means, and having an access space providing access to said electrical conductor means, and peripheral device means insertable into the access space when the end cap is removed from said housing end portion and having contact means for coupling with said electrical conductor means so as to provide for communication with the computer processor means via said peripheral device circuit means.
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38. In a data collection system, a user supported computerized data collection terminal comprising:
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(a) user interface means providing for interaction with a user of the terminal during data collection operation; (b) computer processor means and control circuitry connected therewith and with said user interface means for controlling operation of said terminal; (c) battery means for supply of operating power to said computer processor means and said control circuitry; (d) a terminal housing having a housing open end portion which is open at an end of said terminal housing; (e) an end cap releasably engaged with said end of said terminal housing for closing said housing open end portion; (f) said terminal having an interior space and having interior electrical connector means within said interior space and coupled with said computer processor means; and (g) means comprising the releasability of the end cap providing for the connection with said interior electrical connector means, while the end cap is released from its closing relationship to said housing open end portion and said end of said terminal housing is open, of a peripheral device for enabling the terminal to perform a new function. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49)
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50. In a data collection system, a user supported computerized data collection terminal comprising:
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(a) user interface means providing for interaction with a user of the terminal during data collection operation; (b) computer processor means and control circuitry connected therewith and with said user interface means for controlling operation of said terminal; (c) battery means for supply of operating power to said computer processor means and said control circuitry; (d) a terminal housing having a housing open end portion which is open at an end of said terminal housing; (e) an end cap releasably engaged with said end of said terminal housing for closing said housing open end portion; (f) said housing open end portion having an exterior boundary wall defining the external cross sectional perimeter of the terminal at said end of said terminal housing; (g) said end cap having an external wall with external perimeter for mating with the exterior boundary wall of the housing open end portion to enclose the end of said terminal housing, and thereby protect the interior of the terminal; and (h) means comprising the releasability of the end cap providing for the selective assemblage at the housing open end portion of radio frequency communication components. - View Dependent Claims (51, 52)
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53. In a data collection system, a user supported computerized data collection terminal comprising:
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(a) user interface means providing for interaction with a user of the terminal during data collection operation; (b) computer processor means and control circuitry connected therewith and with said user interface means for controlling operation of said terminal; (c) battery means for supply of operating power to said computer processor means and said control circuitry; (d) a terminal housing having a housing open end portion which is open at an end of said terminal housing; (e) an end cap releasably engaged with said end of said terminal housing for closing said housing open end portion; (f) said terminal having an interior and having interior electrical connector means within said interior and coupled with said computer processor means; (g) said housing end portion having an exterior boundary wall defining the external cross sectional perimeter of the terminal at said end of said terminal housing; (h) said end cap having an external wall with external perimeter for mating with the exterior boundary wall of the housing open end portion to enclose the end of said terminal housing and thereby protect the interior of the terminal; and (i) said end cap having radio frequency communication components protectively enclosed thereby, with said radio frequency communication components being releasably coupled with said interior electrical connector means for the transmission of data from the terminal to an external peripheral device. - View Dependent Claims (54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62)
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63. In a data collection system, a user supported computerized data collection terminal comprising:
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(a) user interface means providing for interaction with a user of the terminal during data collection operation; (b) computer processor means and control circuitry connected therewith and with said user interface means for controlling operation of said terminal; (c) battery means for supply of operating power to said computer processor means and said control circuitry; (d) a terminal housing having a housing open end portion which is open at an end of said terminal housing; (e) an end cap releasably engaged with said end of said terminal housing for closing said housing open end portion; (f) said housing open end portion having peripheral device electrical connector means therein accessible from the exterior of said housing open end portion when the end cap is released from its closing relationship to said housing open end portion; and (g) peripheral device circuit means releasably electrically coupled with said peripheral device electrical connector means and protectively enclosed by said end cap, said peripheral device circuit means being removable from coupling relationship with said peripheral device electrical connector means after the end cap is released from its closing relationship to said housing open end portion. - View Dependent Claims (64, 65, 66, 67)
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68. In a data collection system, a user supported computerized data collection terminal comprising:
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(a) user interface means providing for interaction with a user of the terminal during data collection operation; (b) computer processor means and control circuitry connected therewith and with said user interface means for controlling operation of said terminal; (c) battery means for supply of operating power to said computer processor means and said control circuitry; (d) a terminal housing having a housing end portion with an access opening and a cavity in said terminal housing accessible from exteriorly of said housing end portion via said access opening; (e) said terminal housing having peripheral device electrical connector means coupled with said computer processor means and accessible from exteriorly of said housing end portion via said access opening and said cavity; (f) a removable circuitry carrying element in said cavity and releasably engaged with said peripheral device electrical connector means and coupled via said electrical connector means with said computer processor means; and (g) an end cap overlying said access opening and protectively enclosing said removable circuitry carrying element, said end cap being releasably engaged with said housing end portion and being releasable to uncover said access opening and allow removal of the circuitry carrying element after the access opening is uncovered.
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Specification