Abstract: A transceiver which keeps circuitry associated with a receiver in a powered down state during periods when a Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) indicates that a signal being received is below a pre-determined threshold level, and which begins to power up the transmitter as soon as it is determined that a packet being received requires a response. The RSSI signal represents the strength of any signal current being received, and if the RSSI signal falls below a given threshold level, digital circuitry associated with the back-end circuitry of the receiver system is disabled. If the RSSI signal rises above the threshold level, the digital circuitry of the receiver is enabled. A control circuit within the transceiver processes the packet as it is received to determine whether the packet requires a response.

Abstract: A transceiver which begins to power up the transmitter as soon as it is determined that a packet being received requires a response. A control circuit within the transceiver processes the packet as it is received to determine whether the packet requires a response. If it is determined that a response is necessary, the control circuit provides a control signal to the transmitter to power up the transmitter from a sleep mode even before the entire packet has been received and processed. The control circuit then continues to process the remainder of the packet as it is received while the transmitter powers up from the sleep mode. In this manner, the transmitter will become stabilized much earlier. Accordingly, the transceiver is able to respond more quickly than conventional devices and is thus able to increase response times and overall data exchange rates.

Abstract: A hand-held workslate computer is disclosed. The workslate computer includes electronic circuitry including a microprocessor and a visual display screen electrically coupled to the microprocessor. The display screen includes a position sensitive contact portion. The workslate computer also includes a housing including a top face and a bottom face separated by a side wall and defining an interior region, the housing supporting the electronic circuitry and the visual display screen. A set of modular devices is provided, each device including interface circuitry. The housing further includes at least two modular device docking stations adapted to releasably engage a selected one of the set of modular devices. Interface circuitry is provided to electrically couple circuitry in the selected modular device and the microprocessor. The modular devices may be mounted to selected modular device docking stations to provide an ergonomically correct weight balance.

Abstract: A portable hand held bar code dataform reader is disclosed. The reader includes a main body portion configured to be held in an operator's hand and a bar code reader module portion rotatably secured to the main body portion. The bar code reader module portion is selectively rotated by the operator to facilitate reading bar code dataforms which are at varying orientations and heights with respect to the operator. An actuation switch is located on a surface facing the operator and is position to be actuated by the thumb of the hand holding the reader.

Abstract: A bar code dataform reader. The reader includes a housing defining an interior region and supporting an exit window. A bar code dataform reading assembly is mounted on a rotatable support within the housing interior region. The reader further includes support rotating structure coupled to the support to facilitate external rotation of the support to a selected one of a plurality of positions. The reading assembly is selectively actuatable to read a bar code dataform and includes a light source component mounted on the support such that, for each of the plurality of support positions, a light beam emitted by the light source component exits the housing through the exit window in a different direction with respect to the housing.

Abstract: A shelf tag comprising a liquid crystal display having optical states which are stable without power and an interface that allows for each character element to be programmed easily by sweeping a programming device across the character element contacts with all power and signal requirements being supplied to the shelf tag by the programming device. The programming device can be integrated with a portable transaction computer equipped with a bar code reader or can be embodied in a stand-alone apparatus capable of receiving user input, displaying information and interfacing to the shelf tags. A method of using the shelf tags, the programming device and a radio frequency computer local area network are presented which automates many typical business applications such as inventory updating and simultaneously changing prices advertised on the shelf tags.

Abstract: A portable data collection terminal including an arm mounting assembly is disclosed. The terminal includes a terminal housing having a docking base protruding from its bottom surface. The docking base is configured to snugly fit in a recess defined by a thin docking member. The docking member is secured to a sleeve overlying an operator's forearm by a flexible strap. The strength of attachment between the terminal housing and the docking member is small enough to permit the terminal housing to release from the docking member if a sufficient force is applied to the terminal housing.