Battery-operated data collection apparatus having an infrared touch screen data entry device
First Claim
1. Photoelectric apparatus comprising:
- an emitter element for intermittently emitting a beam of electromagnetic radiation,a detector element for receiving radiation emitted by the emitter element, the detector element having a semiconductor junction and having an output terminal at which a voltage representative of intensity of electromagnetic radiation falling on the junction is developed, andswitch means for intermittently grounding the output terminal of the detector element when the emitter element is not emitting the beam of electromagnetic radiation.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A portable self-contained remote access terminal comprises a matrix display device and a touch screen device having a touch surface which overlies the display device so that the display device can be seen through the touch surface. The touch screen device comprises an array of infrared emitter elements for emitting respective beams over a sensing space, a corresponding array of detector elements for receiving the beams respectively, driver circuits for intermittently and sequentially energizing the emitter elements at a power level at least 10 times the rated constant power level of the emitter elements at a frequency of at least about 20 Hz and at a duty cycle substantially less than about two percent, a multiplexer operative when the emitter element is energized to select the corresponding detector element, and a voltage detector for determining whether the selected detector element is illuminated. The terminal also comprises a data storage device in which data for determining the nature of the display provided by the display device is stored, and in which data provided by way of the touch screen device is stored. A battery pack which is incorporated in the terminal is used to operate the data storage device, the display device and the touch screen device.
250 Citations
23 Claims
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1. Photoelectric apparatus comprising:
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an emitter element for intermittently emitting a beam of electromagnetic radiation, a detector element for receiving radiation emitted by the emitter element, the detector element having a semiconductor junction and having an output terminal at which a voltage representative of intensity of electromagnetic radiation falling on the junction is developed, and switch means for intermittently grounding the output terminal of the detector element when the emitter element is not emitting the beam of electromagnetic radiation. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. An input device for detecting entry of an probe into a sensing space, said device comprising:
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at least one emitter element for emitting a beam over the sensing space, at last one detector element for receiving the beam, the detector element having a semiconductor junction and an output terminal, drive means for intermittently energizing the emitter element whereby the detector element provides a signal at a circuit node, which is connected to said output terminal, switch means for selectively grounding said circuit node intermittently and in timed relationship to the energization of the emitter element, and monitor means operative when the emitter element is energized to determine whether the beam emitted by the emitter element is reaching the detector element. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5)
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6. A portable, self-contained remote access terminal for collecting and temporarily storing data, comprising:
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a liquid crystal display panel for providing legible instructions as to data to be collected, a touch screen for entry of data, the touch screen being substantially transparent and in overlaying relationship with the display panel so that the display panel can be seen through the touch screen and comprising an array of emitter elements for emitting respective beams over a sensing space, an array of detector elements associated respectively with the emitter elements for receiving the beams emitted by the emitter elements, the detector elements each having a semiconductor junction and an output terminal, drive means for intermittently and sequentially energizing the emitter elements, selector means for selecting the associated detector elements in timed relationship with energization of the emitter elements, whereby the output terminals of the detector elements are sequentially connected to a circuit node, means operative when an emitter element is energized to determine whether the beam emitted by the emitter element is reaching the associated detector element, and switch means for selectively grounding said circuit node intermittently and in timed relationship to the energization of the emitter elements, data storage means for storing data which determines the nature of the display provided by the display panel and data entered by way of the touch screen, and battery means connected to the display panel, the touch screen and the storage means for supplying operating current thereto. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A portable, self-contained, battery operated remote access terminal for collecting and temporarily storing data, comprising:
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a display panel for providing legible instructions as to data to be collected, a touch screen for entry of data, the touch screen being substantially transparent and in overlaying relationship with the display panel so that the display panel can be seen through the touch screen, and the touch screen comprising an array of emitter elements for emitting respective beams over a sensing space, and an array of detector elements associated respectively with the emitter elements for receiving the beams emitted by the emitter elements, the detector elements each having a semiconductor junction and an output terminal, drive means for intermittently and sequentially energizing the emitter elements, selector means for selecting the associated detector elements in timed relationship with energization of the emitter elements and, whereby the output terminals of the detector elements are sequentially connected to a circuit node, switch means for selectively grounding said circuit node intermittently and in timed relationship with the energization of the emitter elements, means operative when an emitter element is energized to determine whether the beam emitted by the emitter element is reaching the associated detector element, data storage means for storing data which determines the nature of the display provided by the display panel and data entered by the way of the touch screen, and power supply means for operating the display panel, the touch screen and the storage means. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A portable, self-contained, battery operated remote access terminal for collecting and temporarily storing data, comprising:
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a display panel for providing legible instructions as to data to be collected, a touch screen for entry of data, the touch screen being substantially transparent and in overlaying relationship with the display panel so that the display panel can be seen through the touch screen, the touch screen including an array of emitter elements for emitting respective beams over a sensing space, and an array of detector elements associated respectively with the emitter elements for receiving the beams emitted by the emitter elements, each detector element having a semiconductor junction and an output terminal, data storage means for storing data which determines the nature of the display provided by the display panel and data entered by way of the touch screen, drive means for energizing the emitter elements sequentially, selector means for selecting the associated detector elements in timed relationship with energization of the emitter elements and, whereby the output terminals of the detector elements are sequentially connected to a circuit node, switch means for selectively grounding said circuit node intermittently and in timed relationship with the energization of the emitter elements, and power supply means for operating the display panel, the touch screen and the storage means. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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20. Data collection apparatus comprising:
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a host computer having a communications port, and a portable, self-contained, battery operated remote access terminal for collecting and temporarily storing data and comprising; a liquid crystal display panel for providing legible instructions as to data to be collected, an infrared touch screen for entry of data, the touch screen being substantially transparent and in overlaying relationship with the display panel so that the display panel can be seen through the touch screen, the touch screen comprising an array of emitter elements for emitting respective beams over a sensing space, an array of detector elements associated respectively with the emitter elements for receiving the beams emitted by the emitter elements, the detector elements each having a semiconductor junction and an output terminal, drive means for intermittently and sequentially energizing the emitter elements, selector means for selecting the associated detector elements in timed relationship with energization of the emitter elements, whereby the output terminals of the detector elements are sequentially connected to a circuit node, means operative when an emitter element is energized to determine from the signal present at the circuit node whether the beam emitted by the emitter element is reaching the associated detector element, and switch means for selectively grounding said circuit node intermittently and in timed relationship to the energization of the emitter elements, data storage means for storing data which determines the nature of the display provided by the display panel and data entered by way of the touch screen, a communications port which mates with the communications port of the hose computer for transferring data between the data storage means and the host computer, and rechargeable battery means connected to the display panel, the touch screen and the storage means for supplying operating current thereto. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
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Specification