One-handed dock for a portable data collection terminal

• US 5,888,087 A
• Filed: 12/24/1996
• Issued: 03/30/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Intermec IP Corporation (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Norand Corporation (Baker Hughes Company)
• Inventors: Pavek, John G., Hanson, George E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Abrams, Neil
• Assistant Examiner(s): BIGGI, BRIAN JOSEPH
• Application Number:
  US08/772,538
• Time in Patent Office: 826 Days
• Field of Search: 439/292, 439/293, 439/297-299, 439/310, 439/374, 439/929, 439/919, 439/923, 235/430, 235/462, 235/472, 235/454, 364/708.1, 364/709.01, 364/709.04, 364/424.04
• US Class Current: 439/374
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0231 Circuits relating to the driving or the functioning of the vehicle monitoring tyres B60C23/00; indicating overspeed B60K31/00; for dash boards B60K37/00, B60Q3/10; for indicating emergencies B60Q1/52; brake control systems B60T; registering or indicating the working of vehicles G07C5/00; measuring distance G01C, e.g. combinations of speed and distance G01C23/00; engine indicators G01L; measuring speed or acceleration G01P
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0315 using multiplexing techniques multiplexing for transmission of signals G08C15/00; multiplexing for electrical communication in general H04J
• 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: G06F 1/3203 Power management, i.e. event-based initiation of a power-saving mode
• 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: G07C 5/0858 wherein the data carrier is removable
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/50 Structural association of antennas with earthing switches, lead-in devices or lightning protectors
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/526 : Electromagnetic shields
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3877 : Arrangements for enabling portable transceivers to be used in a fixed position, e.g. cradles or boosters
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2001/3894 : Waterproofing of transmission device
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/0025 : Transmission of mode-switching indication
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/0032 : Without explicit signalling
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/1671 : the supervisory signal being transmitted together with control information
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/1685 : the supervisory signal being transmitted in response to a specific request, e.g. to a polling signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/04 : Supports for telephone transmitters or receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/006 : Networks other than PSTN/ISDN providing telephone service, e.g. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) , including next generation networks with a packet-switched transport layer H04L65/00 takes precedence; aspects not specific to the type of network H04M3/00; special services in those networks H04M3/42
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 : Terminal devices
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/0233 : Filters, inductors or a magnetic substance
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/929 : Connecting base plate or shelf type holder

Abstract

A docking device for a data collection terminal comprises a latch which positively retains an inserted data collection terminal in a docking position wherein communication and power contacts of the data collection terminal are communicatively coupled to complementary contacts of the docking device. The latch urges the inserted data collection terminal into a latched rest position with an optimal minimum contact engagement force, such that any shock or vibration has a tendency to increase the contact engagement force to thereby eliminate an inadvertent opening of contacts due to shock or vibration. The latch is adapted to facilitate one-handed insertion and removal of the data collection terminal into and from the docking device. The docking device includes a scanner bracket for holding a scanner operably connected to the data collection terminal wherein the scanner, inserted in the bracket, and the controls of the data collection terminal, inserted into the docking device, remain accessible to a user thereof.

Claims

1. In a data collection system, an end-insertion docking device and a data collection terminal having a plurality of surface contacts, said docking device comprising:

a) a docking channel having a longitudinal extent and an insertion end with an insertion opening at said insertion end, a retention end longitudinally opposite from said insertion end, said docking channel having a base wall and having retention surfaces disposed spacedly opposite said base wall, forming a retention cavity therebetween;

b) means for latching the data collection terminal into, and releasing the latched data collection terminal from, said docking device by a user using only one hand; and

c) a scanner operably connected to the data collection terminal, and a bracket for receiving the scanner;

the docking device having resilient means for engaging the surface contacts of the terminal to effect charging of the terminal while the terminal is latched into the docking device.

2. The data collection system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a) said resilient means comprising a plurality of spring contacts extending into said docking channel; and

wherein said docking channel has guide surfaces to slidingly guide the plurality of surface contacts of the data collection terminal into alignment with said plurality of spring contacts as the data collection terminal is inserted into said docking device.

3. The data collection system according to claim 1, wherein the scanner is a laser scanner.

4. The data collection system according to claim 1, wherein said bracket includes cushioning means for cushioning the scanner inserted into said bracket.

5. The data collection system according to claim 1, wherein the scanner is inserted into the bracket, the data collection terminal having controls which remain accessible to a user with the terminal inserted into said docking channel, and a wireless link between the terminal and the scanner.

6. A data collection system comprising an end-insertion docking device and a data collection terminal having a plurality of surface contacts, said docking device comprising:

a) a docking channel having a longitudinal extent, an insertion end with an insertion opening and a retention end spaced longitudinally opposite from the insertion end, the docking channel further having a base wall and terminal retention surfaces spaced opposite from the base wall such that a retention cavity is formed therebetween;

b) a plurality of spring contacts protruding into the docking channel, and guide surfaces forming part of the docking channel such that the plurality of surface contacts of the data collection terminal are guidable into alignment with said plurality of spring contacts;

c) means for engaging the data collection terminal into, and for removing the data collection terminal from, said docking device by a user using only one hand; and

d) a scanner operably connected to the data collection terminal, and a bracket receiving said scanner.

7. The data collection system according to claim 6, wherein said means for removing the data collection terminal from said docking device includes a single release mechanism that is adapted to disengage the data collection terminal from said plurality of spring contacts.

8. The data collection system according to claim 7, wherein said release mechanism operably disengages the data collection terminal from said plurality of spring contacts substantially in a direction from said retention end toward said insertion end.

9. The data collection system according to claim 6, wherein said plurality of spring contacts are adapted to reliably engage the plurality of surface contacts of the data collection terminal in a vibration-prone environment.

10. In a data collection system, an end-insertion docking device and a data collection terminal having a plurality of surface contacts, said docking device comprising:

a) a docking channel having a longitudinal extent and an insertion end with an insertion opening at said insertion end, a retention end longitudinally opposite from said insertion end, said docking channel having a base wall and having retention surfaces disposed spacedly opposite said base wall, forming a retention cavity therebetween;

said retention surfaces disposed to provide access to controls of the data collection terminal as the data collection terminal is fully inserted into the docking channel;

b) means for selectively inserting the data collection terminal into, and removing the data collection terminal from, said docking channel by a user using only one hand; and

c) a scanner bracket and a scanner received by the bracket and operably connected to the data collection terminal as the data collection terminal is inserted into the docking channel;

said scanner bracket configured such that the scanner is readily removable from the scanner bracket by the user.

11. In a data collection system, a data collection terminal having a terminal display and a plurality of battery charging contacts arranged for receiving battery charging current, said system further comprising:

(a) a docking installation comprising a docking receptacle having a longitudinal extent, an insertion end and a retention end spaced longitudinally opposite from the insertion end, with a terminal receiving space extending longitudinally from the retention end for accommodating said terminal as it is inserted into the docking receptacle beginning at the insertion end;

(b) a plurality of electrically conductive contacts protruding into the terminal receiving space and resiliently deflectable in response to engagement with the respective battery charging contacts of the terminal;

(c) guide surfaces forming part of the docking receptacle such that the plurality of battery charging contacts of the data collection terminal are guidable into alignment with said plurality of electrically conductive contacts;

(d) the construction of the docking receptacle and of the guide surfaces providing for engaging the data collection terminal into, and for removing the data collection terminal from, said docking device by a user using only one hand;

(e) said docking installation having a scanner operably connected to the data collection terminal; and

(f) said docking installation being of construction such that the terminal display remains accessible to a user substantially in its entirety while the terminal and scanner are held by the docking installation.

12. A data collection system according to claim 11, with said data collection terminal together with said scanner being held by said docking installation such that the terminal is removable by a user in a single motion.

13. A system according to claim 12, with said scanner comprising a deflected beam laser scanner.

14. A system according to claim 13, with said data collection terminal being operably connected with said laser scanner via a wireless link.

15. A system according to claim 14, with said laser scanner having a rechargeable battery, and said docking installation providing for recharging of the rechargeable battery of the laser scanner.

16. A system for facilitating data collection operations, said system comprising:

(a) a data collection terminal and an indicia reader operably coupled with the terminal, said terminal having a rechargeable battery and a user interface for observation by a user;

(b) a docking installation releasably receiving said data collection terminal and indicia reader for recharging of said battery; and

(c) the construction of the docking installation providing unobstructed access to the user interface substantially in its entirety during recharging of the battery and providing for removal of the terminal with a single motion.

17. A system according to claim 16, with said indicia reader comprising a deflected beam laser scanner.

18. A system according to claim 16, with said data collection terminal being coupled with said indicia reader via a wireless link.

19. A system according to claim 16, with said indicia reader having a battery enabling operation of the indicia reader without a cable connection to said terminal.

20. A system according to claim 16, with said indicia reader being wirelessly coupled with the terminal and being removable from the docking installation by a user using only one hand.