System for coupling a multiplicity of RF data collection terminals with host computer means
First Claim
1. In a data communication system having a plurality of mobile transceiver units communicative with a plurality of base transceiver units, one or more circuits comprising:
- a network controller intercommunicative between the base transceiver units and one or more host computers for data interchange therebetween, having at least one port, wherein each of the at least one port communicates using a selected one of a plurality of different electrical interface standards, and providing software-controllable selection of the one of the plurality of different electrical interface standards for communication using said at least one port, based upon user input.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Improved apparatus for a radio communication system having a multiplicity of mobile transceiver units selectively in communication with a plurality of base transceiver units which communicate with one or two host computers for storage and manipulation of data collected by bar code scanners or other collection means associated with the mobile transceiver units. A network controller provides selective interface means to be employed between the host computers and the base transceivers whereby low data rate base transceivers may be utilized with the network controller while spread spectrum or high data rate networked base transceivers may be also utilized. The network controller may allow selection of interface means for three of its ports from its front panel with use of three input keys. The network controller is entirely external to the host computer or computers, and can couple to a variety of commonly encountered host ports. Most preferable one- or two-network controller ports can each be software configured to match any needed host port, so that the host computer(s) need not be adapted to a radio network protocol accommodating the multiple base transceiver units.
29 Citations
27 Claims
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1. In a data communication system having a plurality of mobile transceiver units communicative with a plurality of base transceiver units, one or more circuits comprising:
a network controller intercommunicative between the base transceiver units and one or more host computers for data interchange therebetween, having at least one port, wherein each of the at least one port communicates using a selected one of a plurality of different electrical interface standards, and providing software-controllable selection of the one of the plurality of different electrical interface standards for communication using said at least one port, based upon user input. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. In a data communication system having a multiplicity of mobile portable transceiver units communicative by radio means with base transceiver units, an apparatus for data interchange between said base transceiver units and a host computer comprising:
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a housing having a multiplicity of communication ports thereon; at least three of said communication ports each selectively controllable to provide data interchange using an electrical interface standard selected from a plurality of electrical interface standards comprising an RS232 electrical interface standard and at least one non-RS232 electrical interface standard, based upon user input; and at least two of said communication ports each selectively controllable to provide data interchange using an electrical interface standard selected from a plurality of electrical interface standards comprising an RS422 electrical interface standard and at least one non-422 electrical interface standard, based upon user input. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A data communication system comprising:
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a network controller member having a multiplicity of communication ports thereon; said network controller member intercommunicative with a data processor at one of said communication ports; said network controller member intercommunicative with a stationary receiver at another of said communication ports; and said network controller member selectively operable with said data processor over the one of said communication ports, the one of said communication ports being software configurable to communicate using a user selectable one of a plurality of different electrical interface standards, based upon user input to said network controller member. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. One or more circuits for use in a network controller, the one or more circuits comprising:
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at least one interface enabling receipt of user input; and at least one processor operably coupled to the at least one interface and to a plurality of data communication ports, the at least one processor operable to, at least, receive input from a user via the at least one interface, the input identifying one of a plurality of different electrical interface standards, configure one of the plurality of data communication ports to operate using the user identified electrical interface standard, and cause exchange of data between the one of the plurality of data communication ports and another of the plurality of data communication ports. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification