DATA COLLECTION SYSTEM INCLUDING CONTROLLED POWER SWITCHING OF THE DATA COLLECTION MODULES THEREOF
First Claim
1. A data collection system comprising a data transmitting element having a data source and means for actuating the source for providing data signals therefrom and a local timing signal source coupled to be responsive to the actuation of said source for providing timing signals of a preselected duration for transferring the data from the source, a control element comprising a central timing signal source coupled to be responsive to the timing signals from the data transmitting element for providing central timing signals for a preselected time duration to allow data to be transferred to the other elements of the system for shifting data from the data transmitting element to another element, and a data receiving element having a data register coupled to receive data signals transferred out of the data source for the data transmitting element in response to the reception of the central timing signals and during the duration thereof.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A data collection system for collecting data, electronically encoding it and processing it to allow it to be transmitted to a distant point. The system is defined in terms of a plurality of modules for collecting and processing data and which modules may be controlled and powered from a central modular control element. One of the modules for the system includes manually operated keyboard means for collecting data and electronically entering it into the system. The keyboard module includes a data register for receiving and storing the data entered into the system by means of the keyboard and a local timing signal source that is activated in response to the operation of a key. This module timing signal is coupled by means of a system bus to the control module for activating a control clock pulse source that couples clock pulses onto the system bus that are applied to the keyboard data register along with the data register for the other modules of the system for transferring the data from the keyboard module to the other modules of the system. The other modules may include a magnetic recording module having an individual data register and means for processing any data entered into the register for transmission to a remote point. The system may also include a display means for rendering visible the data entered into the system. The display means may comprise a printer also having a data register responsive to the central clock pulses for receiving data from the keyboard module. The system may be powered from a central power source such as a battery. For this purpose, the modules may include a power switch that is coupled to be responsive to the keyboard timing signal for applying the power to these modules for the duration of the timing signal.
34 Citations
34 Claims
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1. A data collection system comprising a data transmitting element having a data source and means for actuating the source for providing data signals therefrom and a local timing signal source coupled to be responsive to the actuation of said source for providing timing signals of a preselected duration for transferring the data from the source, a control element comprising a central timing signal source coupled to be responsive to the timing signals from the data transmitting element for providing central timing signals for a preselected time duration to allow data to be transferred to the other elements of the system for shifting data from the data transmitting element to another element, and a data receiving element having a data register coupled to receive data signals transferred out of the data source for the data transmitting element in response to the reception of the central timing signals and during the duration thereof.
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2. A data collection system as defined in claim 1 wherein the control element comprises a central power source switchably connectable to each of the elements of the system and coupled to be responsive to the local timing signal from the data transmitting element for switching the power onto the other elements of the system for the duration of the timing signal.
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3. A data collection system as defined in claim 1 wherein the data source comprises a keyboard means for providing binary coded data signals and a data register for temporarily storing the keyboard generated data signals.
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4. A data collection system as defIned in claim 3 wherein the keyboard means includes at least a single key for generating preselected identification information for identifying the data transmitting element and coupling the identification information to the data register.
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5. A data collection system having a plurality of data collection modules, said system comprising;
- a system bus means having a plurality of individual buses for coupling preselected signals to all of the data collection modules coupled thereto, the bus means having individual buses for coupling data handling function signals, data signals and timing signals between the modules coupled thereto, a data transmitting module having a source of data signals, means for actuating the source for providing data signals therefrom, a data register for receiving the data signals from the data source, data transmitting means for providing timing signals of a preselected time duration in response to the actuation of the data source, the data transmitting module being coupled to the system bus for receiving signals therefrom and transferring signals thereto, a system control module comprising a central timing signal source, the control module being coupled to the system bus for receiving signals therefrom and transferring singals thereto, said central timing signal source receiving the timing signals from the individual bus coupled to the data transmitting module timing signal source and coupling central timing signals to an individual system bus, and a data receiving module coupled to the system bus for receiving signals therefrom, said receiving module having a data register coupled to receive the data signals from the data register of the data transmitting module, and the central timing signals being coupled to the data registers of the data transmitting and data receiving modules during the time interval of the data transmitting timing signal.
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6. A data collection system as defined in claim 5 wherein the control module comprises a central power source connected to individual buses of the system bus means for coupling power signals to the modules, the control module further having a power switch coupled to receive the data transmitting timing signal for switching the central timing signal source to an active state, the data receiving module having a power switch coupled to receive the data transmitting signal and to switchably couple the power buses to the data receiving module for powering same.
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7. A data collection system as defined in claim 6 wherein the power source is a battery.
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8. A data collection system as defined in claim 7 wherein the data source of the data transmitting module comprises keyboard means having a plurality of keys for generating data signals and means for transferring the data signals to the transmitting data register.
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9. A data collection system as defined in claim 8 wherein the keyboard means includes a key actuatable for generating a unique data transmitting identification module signal for initial entry of the identification module signal into the module data register.
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10. A data collection system as described in claim 6 wherein the data receiving module includes means for processing and storing the data signals temporarily stored in the data register thereof.
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11. A data collection system as defined in claim 10 wherein the means for processing and storing includes magnetic tape storage means.
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12. A data collection system as defined in claim 5 wherein the data receiving module further includes means for transmitting data through the individual data register to the other modules coupled to the system bus means.
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13. A data collection system as defined in claim 6 wherein the data receiving module further includes a source of data signals, means for actuating the source for providing data signals for transfer to the individual data register, means for providing timing signals of a preselected time duration in response to the actuation of the data source and coupled to the indivIdual bus in common with the timing signals of the data transmitting module for actuating the central timing signal source.
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14. A data collection system as defined in claim 7 wherein the battery power source includes means for detecting a low battery condition.
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15. A data collection system as defined in claim 14 wherein the detecting means includes latch means switchably operative in response to a low battery condition and signaling means coupled to be responsive to the latch means in an operative condition for signaling a low voltage condition.
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16. A data collection system as defined in claim 14 wherein the signaling means comprises an audible alarm.
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17. A data collection system as defined in claim 14 wherein the signaling means comprises a visual voltage indicating means.
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18. A data collection system comprising a data transmitting element having a data source, means for actuating the source for providing data signals therefrom, a power switch coupled to be responsive to the actuation of the data source for powering the data transmitting element, said element including a local timing signal source coupled to be responsive to the actuation of the data source for providing timing signals of a preselected time duration, a system control element comprising a central power supply and a power switch coupled to be switchably responsive to the timing signals from the data transmitting element and a central timing signal generator activated in response to the switching of the power switch to provide central timing signals for the time duration of the transmitting element signals, and means for receiving and storing data signals from the transmitting element and including a power switch coupled to be responsive to the timing signals from the transmitting element for coupling power to the receiving means, the central timing signals being coupled to the data source and to the receiving means for transferring the data signals from the data source to the receiving means.
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19. A data collection system as defined in claim 18 wherein the power supply is a battery.
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20. A keyboard system for a data collection system, said keyboard system comprising a keyboard having a plurality of keys adapted for generating electrical signals, a keyboard matrix coupled to the keyboard with the keys arranged in rows and columns, each of the keys being adapted for bridging a connection between a row and a column to thereby signal the operation of the key, means coupled to the matrix for detecting and signaling the operation of a key, counting means for providing a plurality of scanning signals in accordance with the count thereof and responsive to the key detect signal for initiating the counting sequence, the scanning signals from the counting means being applied in a predetermined pattern to the keyboard matrix, means coupled to the matrix for detecting the column of the matrix coupled to the operated key and providing an output signal to the counting means for stopping the counting sequence, the count stored in the counter at the termination of the counting sequence representing the data to be electrically represented by the operated key, a data register, and means for transferring the count data of the counter to the data register.
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21. A data collection system comprising a data generating module including a keyboard having a plurality of keys arranged in a preselected matrix for representing individual characters to be entered into the system upon operation of the keys, encoding means for encoding the key closures and providing encoded signals representative thereof in accordance with a preselected binary code, a data register for receiving and storing the encoded signals, a power switch coupled to be responsive to a key for switching power into the module, and a module timing signal source for producing a data transfer signal for a preselected time duration, a control module including a central power source and a cenTral clock pulse generator for producing timing signals at a preselected rate, said module including a system bus means having a plurality of individual data buses for coupling signals to and from the system modules, one of the individual buses coupling the module timing signals to the other modules and to trigger the central clock pulse generator, the individual buses include power transfer buses, central timing signal buses, data buses and system function buses, said data generating module, control module and other modules for the system being operatively coupled to the system bus means, and a data receiving module coupled to be operative from the system bus means and including a power switch coupled to receive the module timing signals for coupling power to the module in response thereto and a data register for receiving the central clock pulses appearing on the individual bus and the data signals appearing on the data bus.
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22. A data collection system as defined in claim 21 wherein the data generating module timing signal source includes a counter for receiving the central clock pulses to terminate the module timing signal source after a preselected count to thereby define the preselected time interval.
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23. A data collection system as defined in claim 21 wherein the data receiving module includes magnetic storage means for receiving the data signals from the module data register and means for maintaining the module powered after the termination of the module timing signal for the module transferring data onto the data bus.
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24. A data collection system as defined in claim 23 including printer module means coupled to be operative from the system bus means and having a power switch coupled to be responsive to the module timing signals for powering the printer means and a data register coupled to receive the signals on the data buses and the clock pulse signal buses, said printer means including means for visibly printing out the data stored in the module data register.
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25. A data collection system as defined in claim 23 wherein the central power source is a battery having voltage regulating/protection means coupled thereto.
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26. A data collection system as defined in claim 23 wherein the magnetic storage means comprises a magnetic tape cassette recording/playback means.
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27. A data collection system as defined in claim 24 wherein the printer means is a strip printer.
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28. A data collection system as defined in claim 21 wherein the keyboard includes a header key for generating a preselected header character along with a unique identification character for identifying the data generating module.
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29. A data collection system comprising a data generating module including a keyboard having a plurality of keys arranged in a preselected matrix for representing individual characters to be entered into the system upon operation of the keys, encoding means for encoding the key closures and providing encoded signals representative thereof in accordance with a preselected binary code, a data register for receiving and storing the encoded signals, and a module timing signal source for producing a data transfer signal for a preselected time duration, a control module including a central clock pulse generator for producing timing signals at a preselected rate, said module including a system bus means having a plurality of individual data buses for coupling signals to and from the system modules, one of the individual buses coupling the module timing signals to the other modules and to trigger the central clock pulse generator, the individual buses include central timing signal buses, data buses and system function buses, said data generating module, control module and other modules for the system being operatively coupled to the system bus means, and a data receiving module coupled to be operative from the system bus means and including a data register for receiving the central clock pulses appearing on the individual bus and the data signals Appearing on the data buses.
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30. A data collection system as defined in claim 29 wherein the data generating module timing signal source includes a counter for receiving the central clock pulses to terminate the module timing signal source after a preselected count to thereby define the preselected time interval.
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31. A data collection system as defined in claim 29 wherein the data receiving module includes magnetic storage means for receiving the data signals from the module data register and means for maintaining the module powered after the termination of the module timing signal for the module transferring data onto the data bus.
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32. A data collection system as defined in claim 31 including printer module means coupled to be operative from the system bus means and having a power switch coupled to be responsive to the module timing signals for powering the printer means and a data register coupled to receive the signals on the data bus and the clock pulse signal buses, said printer means including means for visibly printing out the data stored in the module data register.
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33. A data collection system as defined in claim 31 wherein the central power source is a battery having voltage regulating/protection means coupled thereto.
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34. A data collection system as defined in claim 32 wherein the printer means is a strip printer.
Specification