Portable data collection device
First Claim
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1. A portable device for collecting a plurality of different types of sensed physical data, comprising:
- a portable unit sized for hand-held use, including;
a housing;
processor means mounted within the housing for controlling input and output of information corresponding with and according to a plurality of different types of sensed physical data to and from a memory means mounted within the housing for storing said information;
operator control means for controlling the processor means; and
a plurality of commonly configured externally accessible input ports extending through the housing that are connected to the processor means; and
at least one sensor means for providing a sensed signal representative of a corresponding type of sensed physical data, wherein the sensor means comprises an interconnection means supportably connectable to the externally accessible portion of any of said input ports for providing to the processor means the sensed signal, the interconnection means comprising;
(i) a data identification means for communicating to the processor means a data identification signal identifying the corresponding type of sensed physical data represented by the sensed signal; and
(ii) a scaling means for altering the strength of the sensed signal to a corresponding predetermined scaling factor for calibrating the sensed signal into said information;
wherein the processor means automatically employs said data identification signal and controls the input of the corresponding said information to said memory means according to the corresponding type of sensed physical data regardless of which of said plurality of input ports is connected to said interconnection means.
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Abstract
The present invention provides a portable data collection device that has a variety of sensors that are interchangeable with a variety of input ports in the device. The various sensors include a data identification feature that provides information to the device regarding the type of physical data produced by each sensor and therefore the type of sensor itself. The data identification feature enables the device to locate the input port where the sensor is connected and self adjust when a sensor is removed or replaced. The device is able to collect physical data, whether or not a function of a time.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A portable device for collecting a plurality of different types of sensed physical data, comprising:
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a portable unit sized for hand-held use, including; a housing; processor means mounted within the housing for controlling input and output of information corresponding with and according to a plurality of different types of sensed physical data to and from a memory means mounted within the housing for storing said information; operator control means for controlling the processor means; and a plurality of commonly configured externally accessible input ports extending through the housing that are connected to the processor means; and at least one sensor means for providing a sensed signal representative of a corresponding type of sensed physical data, wherein the sensor means comprises an interconnection means supportably connectable to the externally accessible portion of any of said input ports for providing to the processor means the sensed signal, the interconnection means comprising; (i) a data identification means for communicating to the processor means a data identification signal identifying the corresponding type of sensed physical data represented by the sensed signal; and (ii) a scaling means for altering the strength of the sensed signal to a corresponding predetermined scaling factor for calibrating the sensed signal into said information; wherein the processor means automatically employs said data identification signal and controls the input of the corresponding said information to said memory means according to the corresponding type of sensed physical data regardless of which of said plurality of input ports is connected to said interconnection means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 27, 28)
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21. A portable device for collecting a plurality of different types of physical data, comprising:
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a portable unit sized for hand-held use, including; a housing; processor means mounted within said housing for controlling the input and output of information corresponding with and according to a plurality of different types of sensed physical data to and from a memory means mounted within said housing for storing said information; operator control means for controlling said processor means, wherein, when the portable unit is operating independently of an external digital computer, the operator control means permits the user to select a time interval at the end of which the processor means receives a sensed signal from a sensor means; and a plurality of commonly configured, externally accessible input ports extending through said housing operably connected to said processor means; and a plurality of sensor means, each sensor means providing to the processor means a sensed signal representative of a corresponding type of sensed physical data wherein each sensor means comprises; an interconnection means that is supportably connectable to the externally accessible portion of any of the input ports, each interconnection means comprising; (i) a scaling means for converting the strength of the corresponding sensed signal to correspond to a corresponding preselected scaling factor to calibrate the corresponding sensed signal into said corresponding information; and (ii) a data identification means for communicating to the processor means a data identification signal indicating the type of corresponding sensed physical data represented by the sensed signal, wherein at least one sensor means is sized for hand-held use; and wherein the processor means automatically employs said data identification signal and controls the input of the corresponding said information to said memory means according to the corresponding type of sensed physical data regardless of which of said plurality of input ports is connected to said interconnection means. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29)
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30. A portable device for collecting a plurality of different types of sensed physical data, comprising:
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a portable unit sized for hand-held use, including; a housing; processor means mounted within the housing for controlling input and output of information corresponding with and according to a plurality of different types of sensed physical data to and from a memory means mounted within the housing for storing said information; a key pad having multiple keys for controlling the processor means, wherein, when the portable unit operates independently of an external digital computer, the key pad permits the user to select a time interval at the end of which the processor means receives a sensed signal from a sensor means; and a plurality of commonly configured externally accessible input ports extending through the housing that are connected to the processor means; and a plurality of sensor means for providing a sensed signal representative of a corresponding type of sensed physical data, wherein each sensor means comprises; an interconnection means supportably connectable to the externally accessible portion of any of the input ports for providing to the processor means the sensed signal, the interconnection means comprising; (i) a data identification means for communicating to the processor means a data identification signal identifying the corresponding type of sensed physical data represented by the sensed signal; and (ii) scaling means for altering the strength of the corresponding sensed signal to a form corresponding to a corresponding predetermined scaling factor for calibrating the corresponding sensed signal into said corresponding information, wherein at least one of the sensor means is sized for hand-held use and the sensed signal is analog for sensed physical data that is a function of time and digital for sensed physical data that is not a function of time; and wherein the processor means automatically employs said data identification signal and controls the input of the corresponding said information to said memory means according to the corresponding type of sensed physical data regardless of which of said plurality of input ports is connected to said interconnection means.
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Specification