Modular, portable data processing terminal for use in a radio frequency communication network
First Claim
1. A base module for use in a portable terminal utilizing a communication protocol stack having higher layers and at least one lower layer, the portable terminal also comprising a communication module having a wireless receiver and operable to perform the functionality of at least one lower layer of the communication protocol stack, the base module comprising:
- a base memory operable to store the higher layers of the communication protocol stack; and
a base processor operable to cooperate with the communication module to effect wireless communication by the communication module, the base processor being operable to perform the functionality of the higher layers of the communication protocol stack stored in the base memory, wherein the base processor does not perform the functionality of at least one lower layer of the communication protocol stack, instead allowing the communication module to perform the functionality of said at least one lower layer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Modular, portable data collection terminals are disclosed for use in mixed wireless and hard-wired RF communication networks, wherein various radio transmitter modules and associated antennas may be selectively added to a base terminal unit to solve networking problems associated with specific types of business environments. Modularity exists in both the hardware (splitting data collection and processing control circuitry from radio transceiver control circuitry) and software (splitting transceiver-specific, lower level communication protocol from generic, higher level communication protocol). The control circuitry, including associated microprocessors devices, interact to selectively activate communication circuits to perform necessary communication or data processing functions and enter and remain in a power-saving dormant state during other times. To support such dormant or “sleeping” states, a series of communication protocols provide for channel access to the communication network. The disclosed modular design also provides for automatic selection from a variety of available built-in and externally mounted antennas based on the particular type of radio transceiver(s) selected.
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Citations
45 Claims
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1. A base module for use in a portable terminal utilizing a communication protocol stack having higher layers and at least one lower layer, the portable terminal also comprising a communication module having a wireless receiver and operable to perform the functionality of at least one lower layer of the communication protocol stack, the base module comprising:
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a base memory operable to store the higher layers of the communication protocol stack; and a base processor operable to cooperate with the communication module to effect wireless communication by the communication module, the base processor being operable to perform the functionality of the higher layers of the communication protocol stack stored in the base memory, wherein the base processor does not perform the functionality of at least one lower layer of the communication protocol stack, instead allowing the communication module to perform the functionality of said at least one lower layer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A communication module for use in a portable terminal utilizing a communication protocol stack having higher layers and at least one lower layer, the portable terminal also comprising a base module operable to perform the functionality of the higher layers of the communication protocol stack, the communication module comprising:
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a wireless receiver; a module memory operable to store at least one lower layer of the communication protocol stack; and a module processor operable to cooperate with the base module to enable receipt of wireless communications by the wireless receiver, the module processor being operable to perform the functionality of said at least one lower layer of the communication protocol stack stored in the module memory, wherein the module processor does not perform the functionality of at least one higher layer of the communication protocol stack, instead allowing the base module to perform the functionality of said at least one higher layer. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A portable terminal utilizing a communication protocol stack having higher layers and at least one lower layer, the portable terminal comprising:
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a base module comprising a base processor and a base memory, the base memory storing the higher layers of the communication protocol stack for use by the base processor; a communication module comprising a module processor, a module memory, and a wireless receiver; the module memory storing at least one lower layer of the communication protocol stack for use by the module processor in communicating with both the base module and the wireless receiver; and the base module being configured to receive the communication module in an assembled position which communicatively couples the base processor and module processor. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. A portable terminal utilizing a communication protocol stack having higher layers and a lowest layer, the portable terminal comprising:
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a base module comprising a base processor and a base memory, the base memory storing a first set of instructions comprising at least one higher layer of the communication protocol stack; and a communication module comprising a module processor, a module memory, and a wireless receiver; the wireless receiver having a second set of instructions comprising at least the lowest layer of the communication protocol stack; the module memory storing the second set of instructions; the module processor using the second set of instructions in communicating with both the wireless receiver and the base module; and the base processor using the first set of instructions in communicating with the module processor. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45)
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Specification