Abstract: The present invention provides protection from electromagnetic interference and electrostatic discharge. The invention teaches a shielding conductor surface enclosure, an interior shielding conductor plane, a contact conductor from the shielding conductor plane and the shielding conductor surface enclosure, a path for electromagnetic signals to pass through a shielding conductor plane, a filter network, and an electrostatic voltage clamp. Protection is provided by filtering the incoming signals, electrically coupling the signals of an undesired bandwidth to a shield barrier, and electrically coupling signals of an undesired voltage to a shield barrier. The shield surface is physically differentiated from the ground plane surface.

Abstract: An electronic video display system having a video controller device, a video memory device, a video pattern file, video display driver devices, a video display panel, and a means for controlling the video refresh rate in order to improve the displayed video image are described. Redundant information in a line of the display is written simultaneously rather than sequentially. The overall contrast of the display is thereby enhanced.

Abstract: Portable measuring devices which communicate by low power transceivers through a communication controller with a printer device collect weight and size data on articles to be shipped. The collected weight and size data are combined with origin and destination data, and labels are printed bearing pertinent shipping and routing information in machine readable format. The labels are attached to the articles to be shipped and accompany the articles to their respective destinations. At transfer points the labels are read by scanner devices which also communicate by low power transceiver links with the communication controller. The wireless linking of the scanner devices promotes human safety by the absence of cords which could cause entanglement of an operator in mechanized conveying equipment. The communication controllers at each stage of the shipping process have the capability of transferring received and updated status information on the shipped articles to a central data station.

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 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 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 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 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: A computer system providing for quick removal and quick and simple installation of a disk drive unit into the system. A latching and positioning arrangement provides releasable support for the disk drive unit and achieves automatic electric connections with the installation of the disk drive unit in the computer system.

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 hand-held optically readable information set reader having one or more photosensor arrays, at least one information set illuminator, and an information set image transfer system for projecting a readable image of an information set onto the one or more photosensor arrays.

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. The base can include a light source. 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.

Abstract: An information transducing system including a data tag for digitally storing data and a tag reader for selectively activating data tags such that a terminal may at least receive the digitally stored data in a selected data tag for storage and/or transmission of the digitally stored data in the data tag. The tag reader may be operated so as to transmit a unidirectional beam of radiant energy such that it impinges on a data tag to be read. The radiant energy radiating from the tag reader activates the data tag causing the data tag to transmit its digitally stored data via radiant energy to the tag reader and/or a terminal operably coupled to the tag reader.

Abstract: Data collection apparatus includes an assemblage of a data collection terminal and a carrying case which is a combination of a printer module and a docking module which are joined and combined into a unitary structure. The carrying case has an attached handle which is preferably attached to the printer module. The carrying case further includes a holder for temporarily grasping an data collection accessory, such as a bar code scanner. The data terminal is quickly insertible and removable from the docking module. Communication connectors and communication wiring becomes coupled to the data collection terminal upon insertion of the data collection terminal into the docking module.

Abstract: A computerized system for managing freight or the like which is picked up at various points and delivered to other various destinations, and more particularly to such a system which utilizes hand-held terminals, scanners and printers which are linked together by a micro link radio to each other and by a wide area network radio link to a main area station which can receive and transmit information to a plurality of sets of terminals, printers and the like for managing an overall freight system.

Abstract: An optical indicia reader for reading information encoded in optical indicia is disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, the optical indicia reader comprises a light source positioned within the indicia reader to illuminate an imaging area containing optical indicia, an oscillatory system for scanning a light beam over the optical indicia, and a controller for controlling the oscillatory system. The controller is capable of directing the oscillatory system to position the light beam in a fixed relationship to an aiming axis of the reader. The oscillatory system may be fixed in position when the optical indicia reader is in a proximity sensing mode.

Abstract: A portable, hand-held data collection terminal unit is of modular structure including among other modules a display screen module, a keyboard module and a base module, each of which may be chosen from a plurality of modules available for assembly into the terminal unit. Consequently, a wide combination of terminal units may be assembled from a comparatively limited number of modular choices, such that the cost of assembly of a terminal unit with specific functions may be minimized A particular selected module is a scanning module including a pivotable scanning head to permit a user to adjust the scanning head to a convenient position for operating the scanning module without sacrifice of visual access to a display screen of the display screen module. The display screen module may be selected from modules of standard width equal to the width of the terminal unit, of extended width extending when assembled to a selected keyboard module beyond either or both lateral edges of the terminal unit.

Abstract: die based phased array laser scanner which utilizes electronically steerable beams. Beam steering may be utilized to control the scanner such that a phased delay in laser output produces an electronically steerable laser light source. It is possible to then preferentially control the laser light output spatial location since an an array driven at differing phases would constructively interact so as to provide a location of maximum intensity. The phased array laser light may then be utilized to read and decode indicia via a standard laser scanner means.

Abstract: A computer system providing for quick removal and quick and simple installation of a disk drive unit into the system. A latching and positioning arrangement provides releasable support for the disk drive unit and achieves automatic electric connections with the installation of the disk drive unit in the computer system.