Modular, portable data processing terminal for use in a communication network
First Claim
1. A system for use in a communication network having a plurality of subnetworks, the system comprising;
- a mobile computing device comprising;
a base module comprising a base processing unit operable on data in accordance with a set of communication software routines; and
a communication module comprising;
a first communication transceiver comprising a first operating characteristic to conduct data communications on a first of the plurality of subnetworks;
a second communication transceiver comprising a second operating characteristic to conduct data communications on a second of the plurality of subnetworks, the second operating characteristic being different from the first operating characteristic and the second subnetwork being different from the first subnetwork; and
a communication processor coupled between the base processing unit and the first and second communication transceivers for converting data received by the first and second communication transceivers to a format for processing by the base processing unit in accordance with the set of communicating software routines and for converting data processed by the base processing unit to a format for transmission by a selected one of the first and second communication transceivers, thereby isolating the base processing unit from differences between the first and second operating characteristics of the first and second communication transceivers,wherein the communication processor is operable to initiate a test communication by the second communication transceiver and respond to the absence of receipt of a reply test communication by the first communication transceiver following initiation of a test communication by the second communication transceiver by conducting data communications with the second communication transceiver.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A portable data terminal includes at least two communication transceivers having different operating characteristics, one for conducting data communications on a wired subnetwork and one for conducting data communications on a wireless subnetwork. A communication processor converts data received by the communication transceivers to a predetermined format for a base module and converts data in a predetermined format from the base module to a format for transmission by a selected one of the first and second communication transceivers, thereby isolating the base module from differing characteristics of the transceivers. The communication processor is arranged to relay communications received by one transceiver for re-transmission by the other transceiver and to transfer communications from one subnetwork to the other, without activating the base module.
112 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A system for use in a communication network having a plurality of subnetworks, the system comprising;
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a mobile computing device comprising; a base module comprising a base processing unit operable on data in accordance with a set of communication software routines; and a communication module comprising; a first communication transceiver comprising a first operating characteristic to conduct data communications on a first of the plurality of subnetworks; a second communication transceiver comprising a second operating characteristic to conduct data communications on a second of the plurality of subnetworks, the second operating characteristic being different from the first operating characteristic and the second subnetwork being different from the first subnetwork; and a communication processor coupled between the base processing unit and the first and second communication transceivers for converting data received by the first and second communication transceivers to a format for processing by the base processing unit in accordance with the set of communicating software routines and for converting data processed by the base processing unit to a format for transmission by a selected one of the first and second communication transceivers, thereby isolating the base processing unit from differences between the first and second operating characteristics of the first and second communication transceivers, wherein the communication processor is operable to initiate a test communication by the second communication transceiver and respond to the absence of receipt of a reply test communication by the first communication transceiver following initiation of a test communication by the second communication transceiver by conducting data communications with the second communication transceiver. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A mobile computing device comprising:
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a base module comprising a base processing unit operable on data in accordance with a set of communication software routines; and a communication module comprising; a first communication transceiver comprising a first operating characteristic for conducting data communications on a first subnetwork; a second communication transceiver comprising a second operating characteristic for conducting data communications on a second subnetwork, the second operating characteristic being different from the first operating characteristic and the second subnetwork being different from the first subnetwork; and a communication processor coupled between the base processing unit and the first and second communication transceivers for converting data received by the first and second communication transceivers to a format for processing by the base processing unit in accordance with the set of communication software routines and for converting data processed by the base processing unit to a format for transmission by a selected one of the first and second communication transceivers, thereby isolating the base processing unit from differences between the first and second operating characteristics of the first and second communication transceivers, wherein the communication processor is operable to initiate a test communication by the second communication transceiver and respond to the absence of receipt of a reply test communication by the first communication transceiver following initiation of a test communication by the second communication transceiver by conducting data communications with the second communication transceiver. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. At least one communication module for use in a mobile computing device, the at least one communication module comprising:
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a first communication transceiver comprising a first operating characteristic for conducting data communications on a first subnetwork; a second communication transceiver comprising a second operating characteristic for conducting data communications on a second subnetwork, the second operating characteristic being different from the first operating characteristic and the second subnetwork being different from the first subnetwork; and a communication processor coupled to the first and second communication transceivers for converting data received by the first and second communication transceivers to a predetermined format and for converting data in a predetermined format to a format for transmission by a selected one of the first and second communication transceivers, wherein the communication processor is operable to initiate a test communication by the second communication transceiver and respond to the absence of receipt of a reply test communication by the first communication transceiver following initiation of a test communication by the second communication transceiver by conducting data communications with the second communication transceiver. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A communication module for use in a mobile computing device, the communication module comprising:
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a first communication transceiver comprising first operating characteristics used to conduct data communications on a first subnetwork; a second communication transceiver comprising second operating characteristics used to conduct communications on a second subnetwork, the second operating characteristics being different from the first operating characteristics and the second subnetwork being different from the first subnetwork; and a communication processor coupled to the first and second communication transceivers that converts data received by the first and second communication transceivers to a predetermined format and that converts data in the predetermined format to a format for transmission by a selected one of the first and second transceivers, the communication processor comprising a tester that initiates a test communication by the second communication transceiver and that responds to the absence of receipt of a reply test communication by the first communication transceiver following initiation of the test communication by the second communication transceiver by conducting data communications with the second communication transceiver. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification