Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing shipment information, including a receiver for receiving a request to obtain information regarding at least one of a shipment and a delivery, wherein the request is received from a requesting individual, a processor for processing the request to obtain information in conjunction with information regarding at least one of a shipment assignment, a shipment job, a delivery assignment, and a delivery job, and further wherein the processor generates a report in response to the request for information, and a transmitter for transmitting the report to a communication device associated with the requesting individual.

Abstract: An electrical system for transferring data concurrently between pen based computers and a host computer includes a multiple computer receptacle device for receiving a plurality of pen based computers. The multiple computer receptacle device includes a housing, and a support frame mounted in the housing for supporting the plurality of pen based computers. The support frame includes a plurality of spaced apart parallel divider panels, where adjacent divider panels define between them a slot for receiving a respective pen based computer. The support frame includes a back panel mounted on the divider panels, a plurality of data input/output connectors mounted on the back panel, and a plurality of power connectors also mounted on the back panel. The data input/output connectors and the power connectors are positioned between adjacent divider panels and are adapted to mate with corresponding data and power connectors mounted on the pen based computers.

Abstract: A method of interfacing between data transmission systems having an unequal number of transceiver ports includes generating an information signal within a first data transmission system and compressing the information signal to provide a data packet signal and a control packet signal which are transmitted to an interface mechanism. The interface mechanism decompresses the data packet signal and control packet signal to provide a data information signal and control information signal which are separated. The control information signal is then converted to a signal format which is compatible with the transceiver ports of the second data transmission system. Thereafter, both the data information signal and converted control information signal are provided to the transceiver input port of the second data transmission system.

Abstract: A combination formed in accordance with the present invention includes a pen based computer and the like, the pen based computer having a display screen. The combination also includes a protective case and interface housing, for containing the pen based computer and the like, which includes a housing having a top wall, a bottom wall and lateral walls defining a box-like structure. The top wall of the housing has an opening so that the display screen of the pen based computer contained in the protective case can be accessed. The housing has a universal exterior dimension and a variable interior dimension to correspond to the exterior dimensions of each manufacturer's pen based computer. The protective case and interface housing includes slots in which an input/output connector and a power connector are mounted. These connectors are coupled to the input/output connector and power connector of the pen based computer by cables having mating connectors.

Abstract: An electrical system for transferring data concurrently between pen based computers and a host computer includes a multiple computer receptacle device for receiving a plurality of pen based computers. The multiple computer receptacle device includes a housing, and a support frame mounted in the housing for supporting the plurality of pen based computers. The support frame includes a plurality of spaced apart parallel divider panels, where adjacent divider panels define between them a slot for receiving a respective pen based computer. The support frame includes a back panel mounted on the divider panels, a plurality of data input/output connectors mounted on the back panel, and a plurality of power connectors also mounted on the back panel. The data input/output connectors and the power connectors are positioned between adjacent divider panels and are adapted to mate with corresponding data and power connectors mounted on the pen based computers.

Abstract: An electrical system for transferring data concurrently between pen based computers and a host computer includes a multiple computer receptacle device for receiving a plurality of pen based computers. The multiple computer receptacle device includes a housing, and a support frame mounted in the housing for supporting the plurality of pen based computers. The support frame includes a plurality of spaced apart parallel divider panels, where adjacent divider panels define between them a slot for receiving a respective pen based computer. The support frame includes a back panel mounted on the divider panels, a plurality of data input/output connectors mounted on the back panel, and a plurality of power connectors also mounted on the back panel. The data input/output connectors and the power connectors are positioned between adjacent divider panels and are adapted to mate with corresponding data and power connectors mounted on the pen based computers.