Data collector with expanded functionality

• US 9,063,314 B2
• Filed: 03/12/2013
• Issued: 06/23/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited (Trimble Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited (Trimble Inc.)
• Inventors: York, Dennis, Harmon, John Paul, Jurs, Craig, Steiger, Gerald, Jondrow, Timothy James, Nicol, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Edwards, Anthony Q
• Application Number:
  US13/796,178
• Publication Number:
  US 20130188386A1
• Time in Patent Office: 833 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0001 specially adapted for lighting devices or systems lighting or signalling on vehicles using light guides B60Q1/00; lighting devices for vehicle dashboards B60Q3/10; lighting devices for vehicle interior using light guides B60Q3/62; lighting devices mounted on the vehicle rear part using light guides F21S43/235; measuring arrangements having light conducting pointers G01D13/265; illumination of liquid crystal displays G02F1/1336; illuminated signs G09F13/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0096 the lights guides being of the hollow type
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/44 Mechanical structures for providing tensile strength and external protection for fibres, e.g. optical transmission cables cables incorporating electric conductors and optical fibres where features relating to the optical fibres are not of interest H01B11/22
• 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 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03545 Pens or stylus

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention recite a data collector with expanded functionality and a method of enhancing revenue generation using a data collector with expanded functionality. In one embodiment, a central unit of a data collector is configured to receive a replaceable unit such that any one of a variety of replaceable units can be configure to be attached to said central unit.

Claims

1. A ruggedized data collector comprising:

an interchangeable cover for reconfiguring said ruggedized data collector to function as a communication device;

at least one user replaceable unit comprising a first communication interface;

a watertight seal for forming a sealed voice receiver within said interchangeable cover;

at least one integrated seal for creating a watertight seal between a first component of said ruggedized data collector and a second component of said ruggedized data collector and wherein a sealing force of said at least one integrated seal is not parallel with a mechanical force coupling said first component and said second component

at least one light pipe which is co-molded with said integrated seal of said ruggedized data collector.

2. The ruggedized data collector of claim 1 wherein said at least one light pipe and said integrated seal are created using a using liquid injection molding-silicone process.

3. The ruggedized data collector of claim 1 wherein said at least one light pipe directly contacts a light source of said ruggedized data collector.

4. The ruggedized data collector of claim 3 wherein said light source comprises a light emitting diode.

5. The ruggedized data collector of claim 3 wherein said at least one light pipe comprises a silicone light pipe which conforms at least partially to the shape of said light source.

6. The ruggedized data collector of claim 3 wherein said at least one light pipe reduces the loss of light from said light source by at least partially eliminating an air gap between said light source and said at least one light pipe.