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 method for inserting and extracting a data storage device in a computer storage system is provided. The method includes the step of providing a self-contained portable disk drive module including a complete hard disk drive unit and a plurality of conductors extending from the hard disk drive unit for carrying power, control and data signals necessary for operation of the hard disk drive unit. A carrier for receiving, and secured with, the complete hard disk drive unit to form a self-contained portable disk drive module, as well as a plurality of carrier connection contacts electrically connected to the first plurality of conductors are provided. The method also includes the step of providing a receiving unit having guide members and a plurality of receiving unit connection contacts. The guide members facilitate alignment between the carrier connection contacts and the receiving unit connection contacts as the disk drive module engages the receiving unit.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a hand-held data terminal has external electrical contact pads which mate with resilient contacts of a docking receptacle for the interchange of data and possibly the supply of charging current to the terminal. The terminal may be loaded into and removed from the docking receptacle in a single motion with one hand. Keyboard and display (user interface) of the terminal are fully accessible while in the docking receptacle. The terminal may be fully sealed and be completely free of the conventional pin and socket type electrical connector fittings at its exterior.

Abstract: A computer system providing for quick removal and quick and simple installation of a disk drive 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: 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 terminal of modular structure includes a base module with a keyboard and a display screen. A data and communications module may be selected from a number of different data and communications modules, each having different types of data communications transceivers, or including in addition data collection devices, such as shelf label readers or bar code readers. The base module includes a microprocessor-controlled data communications and control interface having a predetermined protocol. To adapt the various types of data and communications modules for selection of any one thereof to become attached to the base module and function therewith, each of the data and communications modules includes a microprocessor operable to function as an emulator to interact with the microprocessor of the base module and communicate with the microprocessor of the base module in accordance with the protocol of the data communications and control interface of the base module.

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: A compact, hand-held data terminal includes a data display and an alpha-numeric keyboard and a bar code reader provision for manual data entry. The data terminal further includes an RS 232-C data interface for downloading accumulated data into a central computer. The data terminal further includes a transceiver module which provides for an RF communications link to a central computer. An antenna for the transceiver module is contained within the a lower portion of the housing of the data terminal along side walls of a battery compartment. In operation, the data terminal may be inserted into a data transfer cradle coupled to data processing equipment, thereby coupling the data processing equipment via the RF link to the central computer.

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 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 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: A data capture system which includes both a hand-held data terminal having a pistol grip and a terminal receptacle for releasably receiving the hand held data terminal for battery recharging.

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: In an exemplary embodiment, a hand-held data terminal has external electrical contact pads which mate with resilient contacts of a docking receptacle for the interchange of data and the supply of charging current to the terminal. The terminal may be loaded into and removed from the docking receptacle in a single motion with one hand. Keyboard and display of the terminal are fully accessible while in the docking receptacle. The terminal may be fully sealed and be completely free of the conventional pin and socket type electrical connector fittings at its exterior. Electrostatic discharge protection is provided by circuit components connected to the surface contact pads so that the sensitive electronic circuitry of the terminal is protected from electrostatic discharge transients.

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: 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: An improved method and apparatus for reading optical information over a substantial range of distances provides an optical string, disposed in a housing, for refracting images of optical information of varying wavelengths to different focal points along a longitudinal axis at a predetermined reading position. Adjacent the housing, and directed along the longitudinal axis of a housing opening and the optical string, is an illumination source for illuminating optical information with light. Also included is a reading sensor having a light receiving plane disposed at a predetermined reading position behind the optical string for converting an image of optical information into an electrical signal. A control system is also provided for determining and decoding the reflected light image formed by that wavelength of light received from the illumination source which produces the best focus on the light receiving plane of the reading sensor.

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. The data terminal includes base contact areas which are contacted by spring contacts of the adapter.

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 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.