Data communication system for printer and handheld computer

• US 6,236,486 B1
• Filed: 12/05/1997
• Issued: 05/22/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Intermec IP Corporation (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Intermec IP Corporation (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Inventors: Nocker, William B. IV
• Primary Examiner(s): Pascal, Leslie
• Assistant Examiner(s): SINGH, DALZID E
• Application Number:
  US08/986,003
• Time in Patent Office: 1,264 Days
• Field of Search: 359/159, 359/163, 400/88, 385/88
• US Class Current: 398/129
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/36 for portability , i.e. hand-held printers or laptop printers B41J3/4075 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/1143 Bidirectional transmission

Abstract

A data communication system permits optical communication between a printer and a handheld data-collection computer. The printer has a receiving cavity disposed at an outer surface thereof with a first optical communication port disposed on at least one surface of the receiving cavity. The first optical communication port is coupled to the printer to permit data communications therewith. The data-collection computer has a second optical communication port disposed at an outer surface thereof. The second optical communication port is coupled to the computer to permit data communications therewith. The computer is adapted for partial insertion into the receiving cavity to bring the first optical communication port into partial alignment with the second optical communication port, thereby enabling data communication over an optical medium between the first and second optical communication ports to permit direct data communication between the printer and the computer.

Claims

1. A data communication system, comprising:

a fixed position printer coupled via wires to a local area network, said printer having a receiving cavity disposed at an outer surface thereof, said receiving cavity further including a first optical communication port disposed on at least one surface of said receiving cavity, said first optical communication port being coupled to the printer to permit data communications therewith; and

a handheld computer having a second optical communication port disposed at an outer surface thereof, and an RF communication port enabling said computer to communicate via a wireless connection to said local area network, said second optical communication port being coupled to said computer to permit data communications therewith, said computer being adapted for partial insertion into said receiving cavity to bring said first optical communication port into at least partial alignment with said second optical communication port enabling data communication over an optical medium between said first and second optical communication ports, thereby permitting direct data communication between said printer and said computer.

wherein said RF communication port permits wireless communication between said printer and said local area network only when said computer is inserted in said receiving cavity.

2. The data communication system of claim 1, wherein said receiving cavity further comprises a generally rectangular shape having oppositely disposed side walls and a bottom adjoining said side walls, said bottom providing said at least one surface of said receiving cavity.

3. The data communication system of claim 1, wherein said receiving cavity further comprises a cover adapted for selective movement between closed and open positions.

4. The data communication system of claim 1, wherein said computer further comprises a generally elongated rectangular shape having a bottom end providing said outer surface on which said second optical communication port is disposed.

5. The data communication system of claim 1, wherein said optical medium further comprises infrared light.

6. The data communication system of claim 1, wherein said receiving cavity is disposed on an upper surface of said printer.

7. The data communication system of claim 1, wherein said receiving cavity further comprises means for charging a battery of said computer while said computer is inserted into said receiving cavity.

8. The data communication system of claim 1 wherein said receiving cavity is oriented such that said handheld computer is retained therein by gravity.

9. A data communication system, comprising:

a fixed position printer coupled via wires to a local area network, said printer having a first optical communication port disposed at an external surface thereof, said first optical communication port being electrically coupled to the printer to permit data communications therewith; and

a handheld data-collection device having a second optical communication port disposed at an external surface thereof, and a supplemental communication port enabling wireless communication with said local area network, said second optical communication port being electrically coupled to said data-collection device to permit data communications therewith, wherein an optical communication link is established between said first optical communication port and said second optical communication port, said supplemental communication port thereby permitting wireless communication between said printer and said local area network via said data-collection device only when said first and second optical communication ports have said optical communication link.

10. The data communication system of claim 9, wherein said supplemental communication port further comprises an RF communication port.

11. The data communication system of claim 9, wherein said optical communication link further comprises infrared light.

12. The data communication system of claim 9, wherein said printer further comprises a receiving cavity disposed at an outer surface thereof, said receiving cavity further including said first optical communication port.

13. The data communication system of claim 12, wherein said data-collection device is adapted for partial insertion into said receiving cavity to bring said first optical communication port into at least partial alignment with said second optical communication port.

14. The data communication system of claim 12, wherein said receiving cavity further comprises a generally rectangular shape having oppositely disposed side walls and a bottom adjoining said side walls.

15. The data communication system of claim 12, wherein said receiving cavity further comprises a cover adapted for selective movement between closed and open positions.

16. The data communication system of claim 15, wherein said cover is biased in a normally closed position.

17. The data communication system of claim 9, wherein said data-collection device further comprises a generally elongated rectangular shape having a bottom end providing said outer surface on which said second optical communication port is disposed.

18. The data communication system of claim 12, wherein said receiving cavity further comprises means for charging a battery of said data-collection device while said data-collection device is inserted into said receiving cavity.

19. The data communication system of claim 9, wherein said printer further comprises a thermal printer.