Hand-held computerized data collection terminal with rechargeable battery pack sensor and battery power conservation

• US 5,515,303 A
• Filed: 08/11/1994
• Issued: 05/07/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies General IP PTE Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Norand Corporation (Baker Hughes Company)
• Inventors: Cargin, Keith K. Jr., Mahany, Ronald L., Durbin, Dennis A., Kelly, Stephen J., Schultz, Darald R., Boatwright, Darrell L., Gibbs, William T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Envall, Jr., Roy N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MOISE, EMMANUEL LIONEL
• Application Number:
  US08/289,322
• Time in Patent Office: 635 Days
• US Class Current: 361/679.32
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0241 for telephones
• 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 1/163 Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1635 Details related to the integration of battery packs and other power supplies such as fuel cells or integrated AC adapter
• 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 1/1698 the I/O peripheral being a sending/receiving arrangement to establish a cordless communication link, e.g. radio or infrared link, integrated cellular phone details of antennas disposed inside a computer H01Q1/2266
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/28 Supervision thereof, e.g. detecting power-supply failure by out of limits supervision
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3203 Power management, i.e. event-based initiation of a power-saving mode
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3228 Monitoring task completion, e.g. by use of idle timers, stop commands or wait commands
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0231 Cordless keyboards
• 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 7/10574 Multiple sources
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10584 Source control
• 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 7/1093 : 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: G06Q 10/08 : Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 : Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/343 : Cards including a counter
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/02 : by keys or other credit registering devices
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/0045 : with a code reader for reading of an identifying code of the article to be registered, e.g. barcode reader or radio-frequency identity [RFID] reader
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2258 : used with computer equipment
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2266 : disposed inside the computer
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/005 : using a power saving mode for copiers G03G15/5004
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3883 : Arrangements for mounting batteries or battery chargers
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 17/0085 : using test signal generators
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 17/318 : Received signal strength
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2001/3894 : Waterproofing of transmission device
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/0025 : Transmission of mode-switching indication
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/0032 : Without explicit signalling
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/403 : with centralised control, e.g. polling
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0262 : for a battery compartment
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 : Terminal devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 10/00 : Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 : in wireless communication networks
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 320/12 : Precharging analysis, e.g. determining presence of battery

Abstract

An improved hand-held computer terminal for use in the route distribution industries. The housing of the terminal provides a keypad and sixteen line display and is molded to fit the grip of the user. Circuit boards within the terminal housing arc modular in arrangement and are connected by pin and socket and compressible interconnect strip connectors. High speed data communication between the device and external devices is available. A battery power sensing circuit disables random access memory when low power is sensed and interrupt circuitry permits the terminal to enter an inactive, sleep mode when keypad activity is absent for a predetermined period. A sensing circuit senses the presence of rechargeable batteries. Electrostatic discharge protection is provided by circuit devices integrated into signal carrying lines and no conductive sheathing is required. A removable end cap allows introduction of auxiliary memory cards or the like into a slot under the end cap. A mylar strip is removably positioned between an on board lithium backup battery and its associated circuitry. The mylar strip may be removed by the user when commencement of use occurs. A modular end cap adapts the terminal for radio frequency communication and the like.

Claims

1. In a data collection system,

a hand held computerized data collection terminal having user interface means providing for interaction with a user of the terminal during data collection operation, said terminal having computer processor means and control circuitry connected with said user interface means and with said computer processor means for controlling operation of said terminal, said terminal having a battery pack removably secured therewith and supplying operating power to said computer processor means and said control circuitry, said battery pack having an electrically conductive short-circuit element mounted thereon for enabling sensing of the presence of the battery pack, and said terminal having element sensing means switchable between a charging circuit enabling condition and a charging circuit disabling condition in dependence upon the presence of a battery pack with the element and the presence of a battery pack without such an element, respectively, said terminal having a battery_compartment for removably receiving said battery pack, and said element sensing means comprising a pair of conductive probes arranged to be conductively bridged by the electrically conductive short-circuit element as the battery pack is inserted into said battery compartment, said terminal comprising a bottom terminal part providing a bottom wall and side walls of said battery compartment, a battery compartment wall extending above the bottom wall to define an upper boundary of said battery compartment, and said probes being mounted at the battery compartment wall of said battery compartment, said bottom terminal part having a partition wall providing an inner boundary of said battery compartment, a battery supply connector being mounted at the side of said partition wall external to said battery compartment, and being connected with the battery pack in said battery compartment, and a host circuit carrying member having the computer processor means thereon and extending within the terminal at a level just above the battery compartment wall and coupled with the battery supply connector so as to provide for the supply of battery power to the computer processor means.

2. In a data collection system according to claim 1, a peripheral device circuit carrying member disposed in said bottom terminal part on the opposite side of the partition wall from the battery compartment, said peripheral device circuit carrying member having a connector receptacle with a memory card therein, and said bottom terminal part having an opening at one end providing access to said battery compartment and having an insertion slot at an opposite end accommodating insertion of said memory card into said connector receptacle.

3. In a data collection system according to claim 2, said peripheral device circuit carrying member having peripheral device coupling means accessible through the opposite end of the bottom terminal part, and a removable end cap covering the opposite end of the bottom terminal part and having a peripheral device connector releasably connected with said peripheral device coupling means.

4. In a data collection system,

a hand held computerized data collection terminal having user interface means providing for interaction with a user of the terminal during data collection operation, said terminal having computer processor means and control circuitry connected with said user interface means and connected with said computer processor means for controlling operation of said terminal, said terminal having a battery pack removably secured therewith and supplying operating power to said computer processor means and said control circuitry, said terminal having first and second circuit carrying members mounted therein, and having respective first and second sets of generally parallel spaced apart connector elements thereon, a resilient elongated member positioned between the first and second sets of connector elements and having a plurality of generally parallel conductive elements embedded therein in spaced apart relation and electrically connecting respective individual connector elements of the first and second sets.

5. In a data collection system according to claim 4, said first circuit carrying member being a keypad printed circuit board and said second circuit carrying member being a display printed circuit board, an edge of the keypad printed circuit board having said first set of connector elements spaced therealong, and an edge of the display printed circuit board being disposed in overlapping relation to the edge of the keypad printed circuit board and having the second set of connector elements spaced therealong and respectively aligned with the connector elements of the first set and the respective conductive elements of the resilient elongated member, said resilient elongated member being compressed between the circuit boards.

6. In a data collection system,

a hand-held computerized data collection terminal having a longitudinal axis and having user interface means providing for interaction with a user of the terminal during data collection operation, said terminal having computer processor means and control circuitry connected with said user interface means and with said computer processor means for controlling operation of said terminal, said terminal having rechargeable battery means removably received therewith and supplying operating power to said terminal, and said control circuitry including detection means actuatable to detect the presence of rechargeable battery means, said rechargeable battery means comprising an arrangement of a plurality of rechargeable battery cells forming a battery pack with longitudinal axes of the battery cells extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the terminal, the terminal having a battery receiving chamber into which the battery pack is longitudinally inserted, and the battery receiving chamber and the battery pack having cross sections with three rounded corners and one somewhat squared corner so that the batten pack can only be inserted into the battery receiving chamber with a correct longitudinal end of the battery pack first and with a correct side of the battery pack facing one wall of the battery receiving chamber, the battery pack having an electrically conductive short circuit element only at the correct side of the battery pack, and being operative when the battery pack is inserted with its correct longitudinal end first and with the electrically conductive short circuit element facing said one wall of the battery receiving chamber to actuate said detection means.

7. In a data collection system according to claim 6, said control circuitry including battery charging control means controlling supply of battery charging current to rechargeable battery means received by the terminal, said detection means serving to enable said battery charging control means when the presence of rechargeable battery means is detected and serving to disable said battery charging control means when non-rechargeable battery means are received by said terminal for supplying operating power thereto.

8. In a data collection system according to claim 6, said one wall defining a boundary of the battery receiving chamber receiving said battery means, and said detection means comprising a pair of spaced electrically conductive probe elements disposed upon said one wall of said battery receiving chamber, said pair of probe elements being differentially responsive to insertion of rechargeable battery means and non-rechargeable battery means into said battery receiving chamber by virtue of only said battery pack having said electrically conductive short-circuit element for electrically bridging said probe elements.

9. In a data collection system, a hand-held computerized data collection terminal having user interface means providing for interaction with a user of the terminal during data collection operation, said terminal having computer processor means and control circuitry connected therewith for controlling operation of said terminal, said terminal having battery means for supply of operating power to said computer processor means and said control circuitry, said terminal comprising a terminal housing having a housing end portion with peripheral device electrical connector means therein accessible from the exterior of said housing end portion, an end cap releasably engaged with said housing end portion, and peripheral device circuit means electrically coupled with the peripheral device electrical connector means and protectively enclosed by said end cap,

said peripheral device circuit means having a peripheral device electrical connector fitting accessible at the exterior of the end cap and coupled with said computer processor means via said peripheral device circuit means for providing data communication with a peripheral device.

10. In a data collection system according to claim 9, said terminal having external conductive metal pads at an end thereof remote from said end cap and coupled with said computer processor means for the transmission of data at a substantially higher rate than the data communication provided via said peripheral device electrical connector fitting.

11. In a data collection system according to claim 10, communication circuit means coupled between said computer processor means and said external conductive pads and providing for two-way transmission at a rate of about 500,000 bits per second.

12. In a data collection system according to claim 10, circuit means coupled between said computer processor means and said peripheral device electrical connector fitting and providing for data communication at a rate of not more than about 19,200 bits per second.

13. In a data collection system, a hand-held computerized data collection terminal having user interface means providing for interaction with a user of the terminal during data collection operation, said terminal having computer processor means and control circuitry connected therewith for controlling operation of said terminal, said terminal having battery means for supply of operating power to said computer processor means and said control circuitry, said terminal comprising a terminal housing having a housing end portion with peripheral device electrical connector means therein accessible from the exterior of said housing end portion, an end cap releasably engaged with said housing end portion, and peripheral device circuit means electrically coupled with the peripheral device electrical connector means and protectively enclosed by said end cap,

said peripheral device circuit means comprising a peripheral device electrical connector fitting at the exterior of the end cap, said terminal housing containing a peripheral device circuit carrying member mounting said peripheral device electrical connector means for automatic engagement with the peripheral device circuit means as the end cap is applied to said housing end portion.

14. In a data collection system, a hand-held computerized data collection terminal having user interface means providing for interaction with a user of the terminal during data collection operation, said terminal having computer processor means and control circuitry connected therewith for controlling operation of said terminal, said terminal having battery means for supply of operating power to said computer processor means and said control circuitry, said terminal comprising a terminal housing having a housing end portion with peripheral device electrical connector means therein accessible from the exterior of said housing end portion, an end cap releasably engaged with said housing end portion, and peripheral device circuit means electrically coupled with the peripheral device electrical connector means and protectively enclosed by said end cap,

said peripheral device circuit means comprising a memory card removably inserted into the peripheral device electrical connector means, and removable from the housing end portion upon disengagement of the end cap from said housing end portion.

15. In a data collection system according to claim 14, said terminal housing containing a memory card controller board with said peripheral device electrical connector means thereon and arranged to automatically electrically connect with an edge of the memory card as the memory card is inserted into the housing end portion with the end cap disengaged therefrom.

16. In a data collection system, a hand-held computerized data collection terminal having user interface means providing for interaction with a user of the terminal during data collection operation, said terminal having computer processor means and control circuitry connected therewith for controlling operation of said terminal, said terminal having battery means for supply of operating power to said computer processor means and said control circuitry, said terminal comprising a terminal housing having a housing end portion with peripheral device electrical connector means therein accessible from the exterior of said housing end portion, an end cap releasably engaged with said housing end portion, and peripheral device circuit means electrically coupled with the peripheral device electrical connector means and protectively enclosed by said end cap,

said housing end portion having auxiliary battery means for supplying backup operating Vower to the terminal along an electric current flow path and an insulating strip of electrical insulating material extending into said housing end portion from the vicinity of said end cap for maintaining the electric current flow path in an open circuit condition until the insulating strip is manually pulled to a non current flow interrupting position by manual gripping of a portion of the insulating strip normally covered by the end cap.

17. In a data collection system according to claim 16, said auxiliary battery means having an electrically conductive clip arranged for electrically contacting said auxiliary battery means and having an end of said insulating strip interposed between the auxiliary battery means and said clip for preventing the electrical contact between said clip and said auxiliary battery means until such time as said insulating strip is pulled to a non current flow interrupting position.

18. In a data collection system,

a hand-held computerized data collection terminal having user interface means providing for interaction with a user of the terminal during data collection operation, said terminal having computer processor means and control circuitry connected with said user interface means and with said computer processor means for controlling operation of said terminal, said terminal having main battery means for supplying operating power to said terminal, terminal memory means normally supplied with operating power from said main battery means, auxiliary stand-by battery means for supplying electric power to said terminal memory means as a back up to said main battery means, said auxiliary stand-by battery means having an auxiliary current flow path for supplying current to the terminal memory means when needed, and an insulating strip of electrical insulating material inserted into the auxiliary current flow path to prevent depletion of the auxiliary stand-by battery means prior to use of the terminal, said terminal comprising a terminal housing having an access opening accommodating manual removal of the insulating strip from the auxiliary current flow path, and a closure cap for removable attachment to said terminal housing and enclosing said access opening when attached to said terminal housing.

19. In a data collection system according to claim 18, said terminal having an electrically conductive retaining clip overlying the auxiliary stand-by battery means, and said insulating strip being disposed between the clip and the auxiliary stand-by battery means for preventing current flow from the auxiliary stand-by battery means until said insulating strip has been removed from between said clip and said auxiliary stand-by battery means.

20. In a data collection system according to claim 18, said terminal having a terminal housing with an end wall accessible to the user, said end wall having an opening therein, and said insulating strip having a free end extending through said opening to the exterior of said end wall so as to be accessible to a user for manually withdrawing said insulating strip from the auxiliary current flow path to place said auxiliary current flow path in condition for supplying current to the terminal memory means when needed.

21. In a data collection system, a hand-held computerized data collection terminal comprising:

(a) user interface means providing for interaction with a user of the terminal during data collection operation;

(b) computer processor means and control circuitry connected therewith and with said user interface means for controlling operation of said terminal;

(c) battery means for supply of operating power to said computer processor means and said control circuitry;

(d) a terminal housing having a housing end portion at an end of said terminal housing; and

(e) an end cap releasably and selectively engaged with said end of said terminal housing for cooperation therewith,

(f) said housing end portion having an exterior boundary wall defining the external cross sectional perimeter of the terminal at said end of said terminal housing,

(g) said end cap having an external wall with external perimeter for mating with the exterior boundary wall of the housing end portion to enclose the end of said terminal housing, and thereby protect the interior of the terminal,

(h) the releasability of the end cap providing for the selective assemblage within the interior of the housing of differently functioning components which serve to selectively change the functioning of the data collection terminal.

22. A data collection system as recited in claim 21, wherein a selected one of said end caps comprises a cover for protectively enclosing said housing end portion.

23. A data collection system as recited in claim 21, wherein the releasability of said end cap provides for the assemblage within the interior of said housing of a radio frequency communication module for communication with an external peripheral device.

24. A data collection system as recited in claim 21, wherein the releasability of said end cap provides for the assemblage within the interior of said housing of peripheral device circuit means for communication with an external peripheral device.

25. A data collection system as recited in claim 21, wherein said computer processor means includes data processing means for processing data from a plurality of data devices.

26. In a data collection system, a hand-held computerized data collection terminal comprising:

(a) a user interface proving for interaction with a user of the terminal during data collection operation;

(b) computer processor and control circuitry connected with said user interface for controlling operation of said terminal;

(c) battery means for supply of operating power to said computer processor and control circuitry;

(d) a terminal housing having a housing end portion having an access opening; and

(e) an end cap releasably and connectively engaged with said housing end portion and containing a memory device for coupling to said computer processor and control circuitry.

27. A data collection system as recited in claim 26, wherein said end cap forms a cover for positively enclosing said access opening of said housing end portion and said memory device.

28. A data collection system as recited in claim 26, wherein said end cap contains a radio frequency communication module for communication with an external device.

29. A data collection system as recited in claim 26, wherein said end cap further comprises a peripheral device electrical connector therein accommodating electrical connection with said battery to accommodate coupling of said battery with a device external to said end cap.

30. A data collection system as recited in claim 29, wherein said end cap and accommodating electrical connector provide for coupling between said computer processor and control circuitry and a device external to the end cap via a cable.

31. In a data collection system, a hand-held computerized data collection terminal having user interface means providing for interaction with a user of the terminal during data collection operation, said terminal having computer processor means and control circuitry connected therewith and with said user interface means for controlling operation of said terminal, said terminal having battery means for supply of operating power to said computer processor means and said control circuitry, said terminal comprising a terminal housing end portion with peripheral device electrical connector means therein accessible from the exterior of said housing end portion, an end cap releasably engaged with said housing end portion, and peripheral device circuit means electrically coupled with the peripheral device electrical connector means,

said peripheral device electrical connector means being coupled with said computer processor means via said peripheral device circuit means,

said end cap being removable from the housing end portion for operative access to said peripheral device electrical connector means to enable a peripheral coupling to be received by said peripheral device electrical connector means thereby to provide peripheral access to said computer processor means via said peripheral device circuit means, said end cap being clear of any connector components.

32. In a data collection system according to claim 31, said peripheral device electrical connector means having a cavity frontally thereof for accommodating a peripheral coupling, said end cap overlying said cavity.

33. In a data collection system according to claim 31, said peripheral device electrical connector means having electrical conductor means, and a peripheral device contact means being insertable into engagement with the electrical conductor means of said peripheral device electrical connector means with the end cap removed from said housing end portion.

34. In a data collection system, a hand-held computerized data collection terminal having user interface means providing for interaction with a user of the terminal during data collection operation, said terminal having computer processor means and control circuitry connected therewith and with said user interface means for controlling operation of said terminal, said terminal having battery means for supply of operating power to said computer processor means and said control circuitry, said terminal comprising a terminal housing end portion with peripheral device electrical connector means therein accessible from the exterior of said housing end portion, an end cap releasably engaged with said housing end portion, and peripheral device circuit means electrically coupled with the peripheral device electrical connector means,

said peripheral device electrical connector means being coupled with said computer processor means via said peripheral device circuit means,

said end cap being removable from the housing end portion for operative access to said peripheral device electrical connector means to enable a peripheral coupling to be received by said peripheral device electrical connector means thereby to provide peripheral access to said computer processor means via said peripheral device circuit means, said peripheral device electrical connector means having a cavity frontally thereof for accommodating a peripheral coupling, said end cap overlying said cavity.

35. In a data collection system according to claim 34, said end cap protectively enclosing said cavity.

36. In a data collection system, a hand-held computerized data collection terminal having user interface means providing for interaction with a user of the terminal during data collection operation, said terminal having computer processor means and control circuitry connected therewith and with said user interface means for controlling operation of said terminal, said terminal having battery means for supply of operating power to said computer processor means and said control circuitry, said terminal comprising a terminal housing end portion with peripheral device electrical connector means therein accessible from the exterior of said housing end portion, an end cap releasably engaged with said housing end portion, and peripheral device circuit means electrically coupled with the peripheral device electrical connector means,

said peripheral device electrical connector means being coupled with said computer processor means via said peripheral device circuit means,

said end cap being removable from the housing end portion for operative access to said peripheral device electrical connector means to enable a peripheral coupling to be received by said peripheral device electrical connector means thereby to provide peripheral access to said computer processor means via said peripheral device circuit means, said peripheral device electrical connector means having electrical conductor means, and a peripheral device contact means being insertable into engagement with the electrical conductor means of said peripheral device electrical connector means with the end cap removed from said housing end portion.

37. In a data collection system, a hand-held computerized data collection terminal having user interface means providing for interaction with a user of the terminal during data collection operation, said terminal having computer processor means and control circuitry connected therewith and with said user interface means for controlling operation of said terminal, said terminal having batten means for supply of operating power to said computer processor means and said control circuitry, said terminal comprising a terminal housing end portion with peripheral device electrical connector means therein accessible from the exterior of said housing end portion, an end cap releasably engaged with said housing end portion, and peripheral device circuit means electrically coupled with the peripheral device electrical connector means,

said peripheral device electrical connector means being coupled with said computer processor means via said peripheral device circuit means,

said end cap being removable from the housing end portion for operative access to said peripheral device electrical connector means to enable a peripheral coupling to be received by said peripheral device electrical connector means thereby to provide peripheral access to said computer processor means via said peripheral device circuit means, said peripheral device electrical connector means having electrical conductor means connecting with said peripheral device circuit means, and having an access space providing access to said electrical conductor means, and peripheral device means insertable into the access space when the end cap is removed from said housing end portion and having contact means for coupling with said electrical conductor means so as to provide for communication with the computer processor means via said peripheral device circuit means.

38. In a data collection system, a user supported computerized data collection terminal comprising:

(a) user interface means providing for interaction with a user of the terminal during data collection operation;

(b) computer processor means and control circuitry connected therewith and with said user interface means for controlling operation of said terminal;

(c) battery means for supply of operating power to said computer processor means and said control circuitry;

(d) a terminal housing having a housing open end portion which is open at an end of said terminal housing;

(e) an end cap releasably engaged with said end of said terminal housing for closing said housing open end portion;

(f) said terminal having an interior space and having interior electrical connector means within said interior space and coupled with said computer processor means; and

(g) means comprising the releasability of the end cap providing for the connection with said interior electrical connector means, while the end cap is released from its closing relationship to said housing open end portion and said end of said terminal housing is open, of a peripheral device for enabling the terminal to perform a new function.

39. In a data collection system according to claim 38, said end cap being removable to provide for replacement by a different end cap, peripheral circuitry for enabling the performance of a new function being connectable with said interior electrical connector means prior to engagement of the different end cap with said end of said terminal housing.

40. In a data collection system according to claim 38, said interior electrical connector means comprising electrical contact means for supplying battery power from said battery means to a peripheral device coupled with said interior electrical connector means.

41. In a data collection system according to claim 38, said terminal with peripheral circuitry assembled therewith and inserted into coupling relation with said interior electrical connector means further having a peripheral device associated with the peripheral circuitry for performing an additional function and for data communication with said computer processor means, so as to perform the additional function under the control of said terminal.

42. In a data collection system according to claim 41, said battery means supplying battery power to said peripheral device under the control of said computer processor means.

43. In a data collection system according to claim 38, said end cap being releasable to accommodate coupling a radio frequency communication transceiver with said computer processor means via said interior electrical connector means while said end of said terminal housing is uncovered.

44. In a data collection system according to claim 43, said interior electrical connector means comprising electrical contact means for supplying battery power from said battery means to a radio frequency communication transceiver when assembled with said terminal.

45. In a data collection system according to claim 38, said terminal with peripheral circuitry assembled therewith and inserted into coupling relation with said interior electrical connector means further having a communication transceiver connected with said peripheral circuitry for enabling said terminal to perform a communication function.

46. In a data collection system according to claim 45, said communication transceiver comprising a radio frequency communication transceiver coupled with said computer processor means via said peripheral circuitry and said interior electrical connector means.

47. In a data collection system according to claim 38, said end cap comprising a cover for protectively enclosing said housing open end portion, and said end cap having means providing for coupling of an optical information reader with said computer processor means.

48. In a data collection system according to claim 47, said computer processor means including data processing means for processing data from an optical information reader and from a communication transceiver.

49. In a data collection system according to claim 48, said data processing means controlling supply of battery power from said battery means to a communication transceiver.

50. In a data collection system, a user supported computerized data collection terminal comprising:

(a) user interface means providing for interaction with a user of the terminal during data collection operation;

(b) computer processor means and control circuitry connected therewith and with said user interface means for controlling operation of said terminal;

(c) battery means for supply of operating power to said computer processor means and said control circuitry;

(d) a terminal housing having a housing open end portion which is open at an end of said terminal housing;

(e) an end cap releasably engaged with said end of said terminal housing for closing said housing open end portion;

(f) said housing open end portion having an exterior boundary wall defining the external cross sectional perimeter of the terminal at said end of said terminal housing;

(g) said end cap having an external wall with external perimeter for mating with the exterior boundary wall of the housing open end portion to enclose the end of said terminal housing, and thereby protect the interior of the terminal; and

(h) means comprising the releasability of the end cap providing for the selective assemblage at the housing open end portion of radio frequency communication components.

51. In a data collection system according to claim 50, said radio frequency communication components having a different end cap protectively enclosing said housing open portion, said different end cap having a radio frequency antenna extending therefrom and coupled with said radio frequency communication components.

52. In a data collection system according to claim 50, said radio frequency communication components being in the form of a radio frequency data transceiver module which can be removed and replaced without disassembly of said terminal housing.

53. In a data collection system, a user supported computerized data collection terminal comprising:

(a) user interface means providing for interaction with a user of the terminal during data collection operation;

(b) computer processor means and control circuitry connected therewith and with said user interface means for controlling operation of said terminal;

(c) battery means for supply of operating power to said computer processor means and said control circuitry;

(d) a terminal housing having a housing open end portion which is open at an end of said terminal housing;

(e) an end cap releasably engaged with said end of said terminal housing for closing said housing open end portion;

(f) said terminal having an interior and having interior electrical connector means within said interior and coupled with said computer processor means;

(g) said housing end portion having an exterior boundary wall defining the external cross sectional perimeter of the terminal at said end of said terminal housing;

(h) said end cap having an external wall with external perimeter for mating with the exterior boundary wall of the housing open end portion to enclose the end of said terminal housing and thereby protect the interior of the terminal; and

(i) said end cap having radio frequency communication components protectively enclosed thereby, with said radio frequency communication components being releasably coupled with said interior electrical connector means for the transmission of data from the terminal to an external peripheral device.

54. In a data collection system according to claim 53, said end cap having a radio frequency antenna extending therefrom and coupled with said radio frequency communication components.

55. In a data collection system according to claim 53, said end cap being releasable to provide for removal of the radio frequency components without disassembly of said terminal housing.

56. In a data collection system according to claim 55, said radio frequency communication components being in the form of a radio frequency data transceiver module which can be removed and replaced without disassembly of said terminal housing.

57. In a data collection system according to claim 53, said interior electrical connector means comprising electrical contact means for supplying battery power from said battery means to said radio frequency communication components.

58. In a data collection system according to claim 53, said battery means supplying battery power to said radio frequency communication components under the control of said computer processor means.

59. In a data collection system according to claim 53, said end cap being releasable to accommodate coupling a different radio frequency communication transceiver with said computer processor means via said interior electrical connector means.

60. In a data collection system according to claim 53, said end cap having means providing for coupling of an optical information reader with said computer processor means.

61. In a data collection system according to claim 58, said computer processor means including data processing means for processing data from an optical information reader and from a radio frequency communication transceiver.

62. In a data collection system according to claim 58, said data processing means controlling supply of battery power from said battery means to an optical information reader.

63. In a data collection system, a user supported computerized data collection terminal comprising:

(a) user interface means providing for interaction with a user of the terminal during data collection operation;

(b) computer processor means and control circuitry connected therewith and with said user interface means for controlling operation of said terminal;

(c) battery means for supply of operating power to said computer processor means and said control circuitry;

(d) a terminal housing having a housing open end portion which is open at an end of said terminal housing;

(e) an end cap releasably engaged with said end of said terminal housing for closing said housing open end portion;

(f) said housing open end portion having peripheral device electrical connector means therein accessible from the exterior of said housing open end portion when the end cap is released from its closing relationship to said housing open end portion; and

(g) peripheral device circuit means releasably electrically coupled with said peripheral device electrical connector means and protectively enclosed by said end cap, said peripheral device circuit means being removable from coupling relationship with said peripheral device electrical connector means after the end cap is released from its closing relationship to said housing open end portion.

64. In a data collection system according to claim 63, said peripheral device circuit means comprising a circuitry carrying element which is releasably engageable with said peripheral device electrical connector means.

65. In a data collection system according to claim 63, said peripheral device circuit means comprising a circuitry carrying element which is manually inserted into said housing open end portion to couple circuitry thereon with said peripheral device electrical connector means while the end cap is released from its closing relationship to said housing open end portion.

66. In a data collection system according to claim 64, said circuitry carrying element being of generally planar configuration.

67. In a data collection system according to claim 65, said circuitry carrying element being of generally planar configuration.

68. In a data collection system, a user supported computerized data collection terminal comprising:

(a) user interface means providing for interaction with a user of the terminal during data collection operation;

(b) computer processor means and control circuitry connected therewith and with said user interface means for controlling operation of said terminal;

(c) battery means for supply of operating power to said computer processor means and said control circuitry;

(d) a terminal housing having a housing end portion with an access opening and a cavity in said terminal housing accessible from exteriorly of said housing end portion via said access opening;

(e) said terminal housing having peripheral device electrical connector means coupled with said computer processor means and accessible from exteriorly of said housing end portion via said access opening and said cavity;

(f) a removable circuitry carrying element in said cavity and releasably engaged with said peripheral device electrical connector means and coupled via said electrical connector means with said computer processor means; and

(g) an end cap overlying said access opening and protectively enclosing said removable circuitry carrying element, said end cap being releasably engaged with said housing end portion and being releasable to uncover said access opening and allow removal of the circuitry carrying element after the access opening is uncovered.