Portable data processing device having an indicia reader and a multi-tasking operating system capable of executing battery monitoring instructions while concurrently executing application programs

• US 5,892,971 A
• Filed: 05/23/1995
• Issued: 04/06/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/1986
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Intermec IP Corporation (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Norand Corporation (Baker Hughes Company)
• Inventors: Danielson, Arvin D., Durbin, Dennis A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Thomas C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ton, David
• Application Number:
  US08/448,169
• Time in Patent Office: 1,414 Days
• Field of Search: 235/462, 364/708.1, 375/202, 395/673, 395/893, 395/827, 395/840
• US Class Current: 710/7
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 2075/027 four
• 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 1/1684 Constructional details or arrangements related to integrated I/O peripherals not covered by groups G06F1/1635 - G06F1/1675
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1696 the I/O peripheral being a printing or scanning device
• 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 provisious 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 2207/1011 Aiming
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 2207/1013 Multi-focal
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 2207/1018 Source control
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10574 Multiple sources
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10584 Source control
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10613 by rotation, e.g. polygon
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10633 by oscillation
• 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 7/10851 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 7/109 : adaptations to make the hand-held scanner useable as a fixed scanner
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1093 : sensing, after transfer of the image of the data-field to an intermediate store, e.g. storage with cathode ray tube
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1098 : the scanning arrangement having a modular construction
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1417 : 2D bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/22 : by structural association with other equipment or articles
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2225 : used in active tags, i.e. provided with its own power source or in passive tags, i.e. deriving power from RF signal
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/242 : specially adapted for hand-held use
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/245 : in the focal plane of a focussing device
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2001/3894 : Waterproofing of transmission device

Abstract

A portable, hand-held data processing assembly of modular structure includes a base unit with a keyboard and a display screen. An indicia reader module is housed in a housing shell which is attachable to the base unit. The indicia reader module can contain a reflected light indicia reader for non-contact essentially instantaneous reading of bar codes of the like disposed in a spaced, non-contacting relationship to the assembly. The indicia reader module can also include a processor. Additionally, the base unit can include a battery for powering the hand-held data processing assembly. A data collection and communications module can include a stacked arrangement of a communications interface main circuit board, a radio and a laser scanner assembly which are housed in a housing shell attachable to the base unit. A support frame and a plurality of ground planes in the sandwiched main circuit board and a routing circuit board form an RF cage for shielding RF interference which may be generated by the radio. Also disclosed is a method for reducing the operational power consumption requirements of laser bar code scanners by analyzing reflected laser light in order to determine the presence of optically readable information sets. In any described embodiment, the hand-held data processing assembly can include a multitasking operating system. The multitasking operating system can execute battery monitoring instructions and diagnostic routines while concurrently executing application programs.

Claims

1. A portable battery-powered hand-held data processing device, comprising:

(a) a user interface system, located on the portable battery-powered hand-held data processing device;

(b) an indicia reader input system, located on the portable battery-powered hand-held data processing device; and

(c) a processing system, comprising

(i) a computerized processor, located within a housing of the portable battery-powered hand-held data processing device, for controlling said user interface system and said indicia reader input system, and

(ii) a multitasking operating system designed to run on said computerized processor and capable of executing essentially concurrently a wide range of computer processes.

2. The portable battery-powered hand-held data processing device according to claim 1, wherein said multitasking operating system executes battery monitoring instructions and diagnostic routines, at fixed priority levels, while concurrently executing application programs under extended portable operating conditions.

3. The portable battery-powered hand-held data processing device according to claim 1, wherein said multi-tasking operating system executes battery monitoring instructions.

4. The portable battery-powered hand-held data processing device according to claim 1, wherein said multi-tasking operating system executes diagnostic routines.

5. The portable battery-powered hand-held data processing device according to claim 1, wherein said indicia reader input system is an optical indicia reader.

6. The portable battery-powered hand-held data processing device according to claim 1, wherein said indicia reader input system is a laser scanner.

7. The portable battery-powered hand-held data processing device according to claim 1, further comprising a removable smart card.

8. The portable battery-powered hand-held data processing device according to claim 1, wherein the data processing device is of a size so as to be readily contained in a shirt pocket.

9. The portable battery-powered hand-held data processing device according to claim 1, wherein said user interface system further comprises a digitizer input receiving input from movement of a stylus.

10. The portable battery-powered hand-held data processing device according to claim 1, further comprising a shell module giving the data processing device additional functionality.

11. The portable battery-powered hand-held data processing device according to claim 1, wherein said user interface is a graphical user interface displaying graphical information to a user.

12. The portable battery-powered hand-held data processing device according to claim 1, wherein said indicia reader input system is a non-contact reader reading data without coming into physical contact with the indicia being read.

13. The portable battery-powered hand-held data processing device according to claim 3, further comprising a fuel gauge.

14. The portable battery-powered hand-held data processing device according to claim 10, wherein said shell module comprises a printer.

15. The portable battery-powered hand-held data processing device according to claim 9, wherein said digitizer input accepts handwritten input.

16. The portable battery-powered hand-held data processing device according to claim 15, wherein the data processing device interprets handwritten input.

17. The portable battery-powered hand-held data processing device according to claim 9, wherein said digitizer input comprises a learning mode adapting the data processing device to the handwriting style of a given user.

18. The portable battery-powered hand-held data processing device according to claim 1, wherein the data processing device serves as a computing engine to any of a family of peripheral devices.

19. The portable battery-powered hand-held data processing device according to claim 1, wherein said indicia reader input system is an instant-type reader.