Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a power control architecture is provided wherein each one of a pair of devices controls the provision of power to the other device of the pair. In one embodiment of the invention, at least one power supply is coupled to each one of the pair of devices. The invention includes methods and apparatus that enable each device to reset the other device by signaling the power supplies to cycle power to that device. In addition, the invention includes methods and apparatus to preclude each device from erroneously cycling the power of the other device. With such an arrangement, processor reset functionality may be provided in a high availability system without the inclusion of one or more supervisory processors in the design, thereby reducing the overall cost and complexity of the supervisory functionality.

Abstract: A handheld computer system for data collection tasks includes a front housing having a first set of spaced apart ribs and a rear housing having a second set of spaced apart ribs. A logic printed circuit board is affixed to the rear housing and serves as the motherboard for the computer system. A digital camera electrically connected to the logic printed circuit board is affixed to the rear housing and provides the computer system with bar code recognition and monochrome imaging capabilities. A 2.4 Ghertz, spread spectrum radio frequency transmitter electrically connected to the logic printed circuit board is affixed to the rear housing and provides the computer system with data transmission capabilities.

Abstract: A handheld computer system for data collection tasks includes a front housing having a first set of spaced apart ribs and a rear housing having a second set of spaced apart ribs. A logic printed circuit board is affixed to the rear housing and serves as the motherboard for the computer system. A digital camera electrically connected to the logic printed circuit board is affixed to the rear housing and provides the computer system with bar code recognition and monochrome imaging capabilities. A 2.4 Ghertz, spread spectrum radio frequency transmitter electrically connected to the logic printed circuit board is affixed to the rear housing and provides the computer system with data transmission capabilities.

Abstract: An electronic device supplied power from either a single rechargeable battery or four non-rechargeable batteries. The single rechargeable battery is preferably a 4.8 volt, DURACELL DR-121 rechargeable battery which includes a first end having positive and negative terminal contacts, a pair of recharging contacts and a key. Each of the four non-rechargeable batteries are preferably AA size, lithium batteries and are configured so that a first pair of batteries in series are in parallel with a second pair of batteries in series. The electronic device comprises a housing shaped to include a battery cavity which can accept either type of battery source. The battery cavity comprises a bottom wall, a front end wall, a back end wall and a pair of sidewalls. One of the sidewalls includes a slot which is sized and shaped to accept the key of the rechargeable battery, the slot enabling the rechargeable battery to be inserted in the battery cavity only in its proper orientation relative to the battery cavity.

Abstract: A battery circuit for use in supplying power to an electronic device comprises a first battery source, a second battery source connected in parallel to the first battery source, a first auxiliary circuit for preventing the first battery source from being charged by the second battery source and for preventing a reverse voltage from being applied by the first battery source to the electronic device and a second auxiliary circuit for preventing the second battery source from being charged by the first battery source and for preventing a reverse voltage from being applied by the second battery source to the electronic device. The first auxiliary circuit includes a first MOSFET which has a first switching state and a second switching state and a first operational amplifier for controlling the switching state of the first MOSFET.