Pocket size data capture unit with processor and shell modules

• US 5,468,947 A
• Filed: 03/29/1993
• Issued: 11/21/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/1986
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Intermec Technologies Corporation (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Norand Corporation (Baker Hughes Company)
• Inventors: Danielson, Arvin D., Durbin, Dennis A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hajec, Donald
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tremblay, Mark S.
• Application Number:
  US08/040,313
• Time in Patent Office: 967 Days
• Field of Search: 235/375, 235/379, 235/380, 235/382, 235/383, 235/381, 235/487, 235/492, 902/20-26, 364/700, 364/704, 364/705.01, 364/705.03, 364/705.06, 364/706, 364/708.1, 364/709.01, 364/709.09, 364/709.1, 364/709.11
• US Class Current: 235/472.02
• 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 hand-held processing system wherein a peripheral module may receive therein a computer processor basic module of standardized construction, with a user-immune real-time multi-tasking operating system. Advantageously the peripheral module or computer processor module may include a touch screen or other highly versatile and compact data input/output device adaptable to graphical and/or other input/output modes suitable for different applications, languages and the like.

Claims

1. A hand-held data processing system, comprising:

a self-contained computerized processing module for computerized processing of data;

said processing module having a graphical display with a display screen occupying substantially an entire broad side of the processing module;

means for displaying information over substantially the entire surface of the display screen;

said self-contained computerized processing module having a size so as to be readily contained in a shirt pocket; and

said processing module further including optical reader means for effecting the input of optical information.

2. The hand-held data processing system according to claim 1, wherein said graphical display means is operably coupled with said optical reader means, whereby information read by said optical reader means is displayed.

3. The hand-held data processing system according to claim 1, further including means for registering the path of movement of a stylus over the surface of the display screen to receive a manually generated path information.

4. The hand-held data capture system, comprising:

multipurpose computerized processing module means for computerized processing of data;

shell module means having auxiliary means for executing an auxiliary function, having battery means supplying power thereto, and having a receptacle for receiving said computerized processing module means so that the computerized processing module means is substantially contained within said shell module means during hand-held operation;

coupling means for providing communication between said shell module means and a computerized processing module means in said receptacle;

said shell module means with said computerized processing module means assembled in its receptacle having an overall size so as to be readily contained in a shirt pocket;

said computerized processing module means includes battery means for supplying power thereto and said computerized processing module fitting into the receptacle together with said battery means for removal as a unit therewith;

said coupling means providing a quick-connect, quick-disconnect coupling readily accommodating bodily removal of the computerized processing module means and the battery means as a unit from the receptacle of the shell module means; and

said shell module means including means accommodating insertion of a smart card therein for coupling with the computerized processing module means.

5. The hand-held data capture system according to claim 4, wherein said computerized processing module means includes means operable for carrying out an optical reading function while entirely separate from said shell module means, and also for carrying out an optical reading function while substantially contained within said shell module means.

6. The hand-held data capture system according to claim 4, wherein said computerized processing module means includes touch screen display means operable for presenting a graphical display and for receiving and storing manual input data while entirely separate from said shell module means.

7. The hand-held data capture system according to claim 4, wherein said computerized processing module means includes input screen means for registering the path of movement of a stylus thereon so as to receive manually entered path information while entirely separate from said shell module means.

8. The hand-held data capture system according to claim 4, wherein said computerized processing module means together with said peripheral shell module means selectively provides a touch screen display and a stylus path responsive digitizing input at a common display region.

9. The hand-held data capture system according to claim 4, further including automatic reading data capture means for the automatic reading of data into the system.

10. The hand-held data capture system according to claim 9 wherein said automatic reading data capture means comprise an automatic optical reader including a light source means for illuminating a complete line of data.

11. The hand-held data capture system according to claim 9, wherein said automatic reading data capture means comprises automatic path input means for automatically registering hand-entered path configurations.

12. The hand-held data capture system according to claim 11, wherein said automatic path input means comprises digitizing means responsive to stylus generated handwriting configurations.

13. A hand-held data capture system, comprising:

multipurpose computerized processing module means for computerized processing of data;

shell module means having auxiliary means for executing an auxiliary function, having battery means supplying power thereto, and having a receptacle for receiving said computerized processing module means so that the computerized processing module means is substantially contained within said shell module means during hand-held operation;

coupling means for providing communication between said shell module means and a computerized processing module means in said receptacle;

said shell module means with said computerized processing module means assembled in its receptacle having an overall size so as to be readily contained in a shirt pocket;

said computerized processing module means includes battery means for supplying power thereto and said computerized processing module fitting into the receptacle together with said battery means for removal as a unit therewith;

said coupling means providing a quick-connect, quick-disconnect coupling readily accommodating bodily removal of the computerized processing module means and the battery means as a unit from the receptacle of the shell module means;

automatic reading data capture means for the automatic reading of data into the system; and

said computerized processing module means including means operable for carrying out an optical reading function while entirely separate from said shell module means, and also for carrying out an optical reading function while substantially contained within said shell module means.

14. A hand-held data capture system, comprising:

multipurpose computerized processing module means for computerized processing of data;

shell module means having auxiliary means for executing an auxiliary function, having battery means supplying power thereto, and having a receptacle for receiving said computerized processing module means so that the computerized processing module means is substantially contained within said shell module means during hand-held operation;

coupling means for providing communication between said shell module means and a computerized processing module means in said receptacle;

said shell module means with said computerized processing module means assembled in its receptacle having an overall size so as to be readily contained in a shirt pocket;

said computerized processing module means includes battery means for supplying power thereto and said computerized processing module fitting into the receptacle together with said battery means for removal as a unit therewith;

said coupling means providing a quick-connect, quick-disconnect coupling readily accommodating bodily removal of the computerized processing module means and the battery means as a unit from the receptacle of the shell module means;

automatic reading data capture means for the automatic reading of data into the system; and

said computerized processing module means including touch screen display means operable for presenting a graphical display and for receiving and storing manual input data while entirely separate from said shell module means.

15. A hand-held data capture system, comprising:

multipurpose computerized processing module means for computerized processing of data;

shell module means having auxiliary means for executing an auxiliary function, having battery means supplying power thereto, and having a receptacle for receiving said computerized processing module means so that the computerized processing module means is substantially contained within said shell module means during hand-held operation;

coupling means for providing communication between said shell module means and a computerized processing module means in said receptacle;

said shell module means with said computerized processing module means assembled in its receptacle having an overall size so as to be readily contained in a shirt pocket;

said computerized processing module means includes battery means for supplying power thereto and said computerized processing module fitting into the receptacle together with said battery means for removal as a unit therewith;

said coupling means providing a quick-connect, quick-disconnect coupling readily accommodating bodily removal of the computerized processing module means and the battery means as a unit from the receptacle of the shell module means;

automatic reading data capture means for the automatic reading of data into the system; and

said computerized processing module means including input screen means for registering the path of movement of a stylus thereon so as to receive manually entered path information while entirely separate from said shell module means.

16. In a hand-held data capture system,

(a) computerized processing module means for computerized processing of data;

(b) shell module means having auxiliary means for executing an auxiliary function, having battery means supplying power thereto, and having a receptacle for receiving said computerized processing means so that the computerized processing module means is substantially contained within said shell module means during hand-held operation;

(c) coupling means providing communication between said shell module means and a computerized processing module means in said receptacle;

(d) said shell module means with said computerized processing module means assembled in its receptacle having an overall size so as to be readily contained in a shirt pocket;

(e) said computerized processing module means having battery means supplying power thereto and said computerized processing module means fitting into the receptacle together with said battery means for removal as a unit therewith;

(f) said coupling means providing a quick-connect, quick-disconnect coupling readily accommodating bodily removal of the computerized processing module means and the battery means as a unit from the receptacle of the shell module means;

(g) said system comprising automatic reading data capture means for the automatic reading of data into the system; and

(h) said computerized processing module means having means operable for carrying out an optical reading function while entirely separate from said shell module means, and also for carrying out an optical reading function while substantially contained within said shell module means.

17. The hand-held data capture system according to claim 16 wherein said automatic reading data capture means comprises an automatic optical reader including a light source means for illuminating a complete line of data.

18. In a hand-held data capture system according to claim 16, said automatic reading data capture means comprising automatic path input means for automatically registering hand-entered path configurations.

19. In a hand-held data capture system according to claim 16, said automatic path input means comprising digitizing means responsive to stylus generated handwriting configurations.

20. In a hand-held data capture system,

(a) multipurpose computerized processing module means for computerized processing of data;

(b) shell module means having auxiliary means for executing an auxiliary function, having battery means supplying power thereto, and having a receptacle for receiving said computerized processing means so that the computerized processing module means is substantially contained within said shell module means during hand-held operation;

(c) coupling means providing communication between said shell module means and a computerized processing module means in said receptacle;

(d) said shell module means with said computerized processing module means assembled in its receptacle having an overall size so as to be readily contained in a shirt pocket;

(e) said computerized processing module means having battery means supplying power thereto and said computerized processing module means fitting into the receptacle together with said battery means for removal as a unit therewith;

(f) said coupling means providing a quick-connect, quick-disconnect coupling readily accommodating bodily removal of the computerized processing module means and the battery means as a unit from the receptacle of the shell module means;

(g) said system comprising automatic reading data capture means for the automatic reading of data into the system; and

(h) said computerized processing module means having touch screen display means operable for presenting a graphical display and for receiving and storing manual input data while entirely separate from said shell module means.

21. In a hand-held data capture system,

(a) computerized processing module means for computerized processing of data;

(b) shell module means having auxiliary means for executing an auxiliary function, having battery means supplying power thereto, and having a receptacle for receiving said computerized processing means so that the computerized processing module means is substantially contained within said shell module means during hand-held operation;

(c) coupling means providing communication between said shell module means and a computerized processing module means in said receptacle;

(d) said shell module means with said computerized processing module means assembled in its receptacle having an overall size so as to be readily contained in a shirt pocket;

(e) said computerized processing module means having battery means supplying power thereto and said computerized processing module means fitting into the receptacle together with said battery means for removal as a unit therewith;

(f) said coupling means providing a quick-connect, quick-disconnect coupling readily accommodating bodily removal of the computerized processing module means and the battery means as a unit from the receptacle of the shell module means;

(g) said system comprising automatic reading data capture means for the automatic reading of data into the system; and

(h) said computerized processing module means having input screen means for registering the path of movement of a stylus thereon so as to receiving manually entered path information while entirely separate from said shell module means.

22. In a hand-held data capture system,

(a) computerized processing module means for computerized processing of data,

(b) shell module means having auxiliary means for executing an auxiliary function, having battery means supplying power thereto, and having a receptacle for receiving said computerized processing means so that the computerized processing module means is substantially contained within said shell module means during hand-held operation, and

(c) coupling means providing communication between said shell module means and a computerized processing module means in said receptacle,

(d) said shell module means with said computerized processing module means assembled in its receptacle having an overall size so as to be readily contained in a shirt pocket,

(e) said computerized processing module means having input screen means for registering the path of movement of a stylus thereon so as to receiving manually entered path information while entirely separate from said shell module means.