Abstract: A hand held data entry apparatus having a body for receiving, storing and transmitting information, including a camming mechanism for quickly sealingly attaching an accessory such as a scanner to the top of a hand held data entry apparatus. Additionally, a similar camming mechanism is utilized to hold a battery pack in place with the additional feature of not only pulling the battery pack securely against the housing, but also pushing the battery pack contacts into abutment with complementary contacts disposed within the housing. A keypad is provided for permitting information to be manually entered into the hand held body and this keypad is encased in a layer of elastomeric material such as silicone. A pair of LED's are utilized, one to indicate a "good scan" and the other to indicate something else, such as a "bad scan." Additionally, these LED's can be encased in operative or dummy keys in order to save keyboard space. A mechanism is provided for pivoting the scanner about either of two perpendicular axes.

Abstract: A user-wearable docking system includes docking receptacles on a belt for receiving a plurality of electronic devices such as a hand-held personal data terminal, code reader, printer, etc. The plurality of electronic devices that are docked share power pursuant to one of several power management schemes. A power bus, disposed within a belt, connects all docks to supply power therebetween. Sharing battery power resources involves providing battery power for both device operation and for battery to battery recharging.

Abstract: A pocket-sized hand-held data processing device with a coupling system, a user interface and an optical indicia reader. The device can include a display to display alphanumeric information. The display can have a touch screen input area and a handwritten input area. The display can display information for right-handed or left-handed use. The user interface covers a major portion of the frontal side of the device. The system can be spanned by one hand when held.

Abstract: A programmable apparatus is disclosed for generating a frequency modulated signal at a selected center frequency in accordance with digital data of at least first and second data levels. The modulating apparatus comprises a modulator having an input and an output and is responsive to an input modulation signal applied to its input for generating at its output the frequency modulated signal at a center frequency dependent on a quiescent voltage appearing at its input. A circuit is provided for sampling and storing a value of the quiescent voltage. An addressable memory stores a plurality of offsets. A programmable adding circuit adds a downloaded offset voltage to the stored value of the quiescent voltage to output a high modulation voltage. A programmable subtracting circuit subtracts a downloaded offset voltage from the stored value of the quiescent voltage to provide a low modulation voltage.

Abstract: A scanner for reading two-dimensional optical information sets is described which includes a housing for supporting a photosensitive array associated with an optical string adapted to focus optical information on the array. Also provided are array and optical string controls for controlling the array and optical string such that the output of selected images on the array are processed via pattern recognition means. Images recognized to contain decodable optical information are displayed and highlighted by a display. In this fashion a user is assisted in aiming, recognizing, confirming the decodability, and decoding images of optical information incident on the array.

Abstract: A hand-held data collection terminal unit includes an elongate housing having a lower portion supportable in the hand of a user and an upper portion facing such user when the terminal is in a typical use position. The upper portion includes a keyboard and a display screen. In accordance with the invention, the hand-held terminal comprises a plurality of modules in which a base modules extend longitudinally and includes inner and outer end caps of the terminal. The inner end cap is disposed on the end of the terminal which is typically points toward a user when the terminal is in use, the out end cap being disposed on opposite end of the terminal. A keyboard module is defined as an intermediate module disposed adjacent the base module and between the end caps. A display screen module is further disposed adjacent the intermediate module and adjacent the outer end cap of the base module.

Abstract: A battery capacity monitoring system readily indicates the remaining capacity of an uninserted battery pack upon an operator's request. Such request may involve the touching of one or more contacts disposed on the battery pack. The battery pack also includes a display and a communication means for communicating capacity information to the device in which it may be installed. The communication means may also be used to display status when the battery pack is not inserted. When inserted a device, the battery pack and device participate to determine time estimates for remaining battery life based on known device loading characteristics and current battery capacity. An operator viewing such information may more adequately determine the usage value of the current battery charge. Moreover, the battery pack and corresponding device are configured to detect the beginning of the process of removing a battery pack. In response, the device saves operational states and data before losing power.

Abstract: A vehicle for transport, fork lift or delivery route operations, for example, includes on-board peripherals which are coupled through a Local Area Network (LAN) into a data system. A LAN data bus provides selective access to the peripherals or data devices such as, for example, a large area display, a keyboard, a printer and a data terminal. The data system controls or provides data on tasks executed by or in connection with the operation of the vehicle. To increase the versatility of the vehicle, the data terminal, multiple data terminals, or any of the other data devices may be removably coupled to the LAN to be operable externally of the vehicle. A mobile mount adapter provides a secure electrical connection of a respective data terminal to the LAN to removably incorporate the data terminal into the data system, and provide a common supply of both data and power to the data 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.

Abstract: A portable, hand-held data processing assembly of modular structure includes a base unit with a keyboard and a display screen. An indicia reader module is housed in a housing shell which is attachable to the base unit. The indicia reader module can contain a reflected light indicia reader for non-contact essentially instantaneous reading of bar codes of the like disposed in a spaced, non-contacting relationship to the assembly. The indicia reader module can also include a processor. Additionally, the base unit can include a battery for powering the hand-held data processing assembly. A data collection and communications module can include a stacked arrangement of a communications interface main circuit board, a radio and a laser scanner assembly which are housed in a housing shell attachable to the base unit. A support frame and a plurality of ground planes in the sandwiched main circuit board and a routing circuit board form an RF cage for shielding RF interference which may be generated by the radio.

Abstract: A docking device for a data collection terminal comprises a latch which positively retains an inserted data collection terminal in a docking position wherein communication and power contacts of the data collection terminal are communicatively coupled to complementary contacts of the docking device. The latch urges the inserted data collection terminal into a latched rest position with an optimal minimum contact engagement force, such that any shock or vibration has a tendency to increase the contact engagement force to thereby eliminate an inadvertent opening of contacts due to shock or vibration. The latch is adapted to facilitate one-handed insertion and removal of the data collection terminal into and from the docking device. The docking device includes a scanner bracket for holding a scanner operably connected to the data collection terminal wherein the scanner, inserted in the bracket, and the controls of the data collection terminal, inserted into the docking device, remain accessible to a user thereof.

Abstract: An adaptive display refresh and data compression solution for use in an RF network environment is described, where a network controller and portable terminals maintain an adaptive history of commonly used past information in order that it may be repeated quickly and communication speeds can be increased. A network controller maintains a separate history for each of the terminals in the RF network, and transmits a coded reference for the activities that are contained in the history, which is stored in the memory of both the controller and the portable terminal. Terminals and the controller additionally may negotiate to determine the data compression features which will be supported in communication between the two devices. Data is compressed according to the present invention by utilizing a hybrid run length and sliding dictionary compression scheme.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel hand-held data capture system with interchangeable modules including an autofocusing data file image reader. Several exemplary modules having various features are described. For example the invention teaches an apparatus and method for providing an interchangeable RF module, an interchangeable reflected image reader, two exemplary interchangeable non-scanning laser illuminated bar code reader/RF modules, and three exemplary interchangeable long range CCD reader/RF modules. Also disclosed for the described modular system are noise filtering means, a solid state laser illumination system, signal processing means, and filter, exposure control, and depth of field control means. An exemplary autofocusing system adjusts the lens to a position where the intensity change with respect to time or with respect to position is maximized.

Abstract: An improved data collection system utilizing at least partially integrated data collection and gathering devices and related peripherals. The system includes an at least partially wearable data collection terminal, associated peripherals, and a communication system. The data collection system may utilize a wearable data collection terminal having a computer processor, associated memory, inputs, and outputs. Associated peripheral devices may include voice inputs and outputs, an optically readable information set reader, a keyboard and/or touch-panel, intelligent-body-conforming battery packs, mass storage devices, user position and next task location device, a display, a printer, and a data communication system for both local area and wide area communication.

Abstract: A computer device for receiving and utilizing a radio card. The radio transceiver is self contained inside the radio card and has antenna contacts disposed on the radio card on one end and an electrical interface on the other. The computer device receives the radio card such that it engages the electrical interface. The computer device additionally has and cap which covers the opening into which the radio has been inserted. Antenna contacts are disposed on the cap to engage the antenna contacts on the radio card. At least one antenna is operably connected to the radio card through the cap. A band is used to attach the cap to the housing of the computer device. The antenna or antennas are embedded in the cap, in the band, or embedded in or attached to the housing of the computer device. Positioning two similar antennas in different position creates an antenna diversity scheme. Shielding can be added to the cap to help reduce the escape of electronic noise.

Abstract: A radio communication network includes at least one mobile transceiver unit in communication with at least one base transceiver unit that facilitates communicate with at least one host computer for storage and manipulation of data collected by bar code scanners or other data collectors associated with the mobile transceiver units. The radio network implemented by the mobile transceivers and base transceivers adapts to compensate for the wide range of operating conditions by adjusting its operating parameters. Such operating parameters include: the length and frequency of spreading codes employed in direct-sequence spread spectrum communications; hop frame lengths, coding and interleaving in frequency-hopping spread spectrum communications; the method of source encoding used; and the data packet size in a data segmentation communication scheme.

Abstract: In an exemplary fast charging system, a hand-held computerized terminal with rechargeable batteries therein may be bodily inserted into a charger receptacle. The terminal may have volatile memory and other components requiring load current during charging. The system may automatically identify battery type and progressively increase charging current while monitoring for an increase in battery terminal voltage to ascertain the level of load current. The battery temperature may be brought into a relationship to surrounding temperature such that by applying a suitable overcharge current value and observing any resultant temperature increase, the level of remaining battery charge can be determined. For example, if the battery is found to be relatively fully discharged, a relatively high fast-charge rate may be safely applied while monitoring battery temperature.

Abstract: A portable data collection terminal has an elongate housing with a hand grip conforming rear surface. A front surface features a numerical keyboard adjacent a lower end of the housing and an LCD screen adjacent the keyboard toward an upper end of the housing. The display screen is of elongate rectangular shape, its length extending longitudinally of the housing of the data terminal. The active area of the display screen is covered by a touch sensitive overlay screen which is configured in one mode of operation of the data terminal into an alphabetical keyboard. The orientation of the display is switchable between orientations in which the line direction of the displayed data extends across or longitudinally of the data terminal. The keys of the numerical keyboard are identified by indicia disposed on a template. The orientation of the template may be sensed to switch the orientation of the displayed data and touch sensitive key identifiers to correspond to the orientation of the indicia on the template.

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.

Abstract: An antenna for a hand-held RF transceiver terminals includes an antenna element which is encapsulated by material which does not detrimentally effect its antenna performance, but which closely conforms the antenna to the general shape of the terminal without having the antenna extend directly from the terminal.