Abstract: A technique connects a module to a connector. The technique involves inserting the module into a connector base of the connector, and moving a first connector lever of the connector against the module and a second connector lever of the connector against the module. The technique further involves installing a clip onto the connector such that the clip provides a first force on the first connector lever and a second force on the second connector lever to hold the module to the connector. The presence of the clip prevents the connector levers from moving away from the module (e.g., separating from the module sides) and allowing the module to escape from the connector.

Abstract: A portable data collection terminal has an elongate housing with a hand grip conforming rear surface. A front surface features a numerical keyboard adjacent a lower end of the housing and an LCD screen adjacent the keyboard toward an upper end of the housing. The display screen is of elongate rectangular shape, its length extending longitudinally of the housing of the data terminal. The active area of the display screen is covered by a touch sensitive overlay screen which is configured in one mode of operation of the data terminal into an alphabetical keyboard. The orientation of the display is switchable between orientations in which the line direction of the displayed data extends across or longitudinally of the data terminal. The keys of the numerical keyboard are identified by indicia disposed on a template. The orientation of the template may be sensed to switch the orientation of the displayed data and touch sensitive key identifiers to correspond to the orientation of the indicia on the template.

Abstract: A customizable hand-held data terminal system employs multiple housing bases able to accommodate different components allow the manufacture of hand-held data terminals with a variety of features based on a single design. Because the system according to the present invention does not require the external mounting of components, the ergonomics and basic footprint of the unit remains unaltered. The present system also alleviates problems with moisture resistance, shielding, and survivability under harsh treatment associated with terminals employing externally mounted end cap modules or pod. The present invention employs a plurality of different sized base units which can accommodate a variety of different components and configurations, and wherein the different base units are interchangeable with a single upper surface and user interface comprising a display screen and keypad.

Abstract: A portable, hand-held data collection terminal unit is of modular structure including, among other modules, multiple endcap modules and radio frequency communications pod modules, each of which may be chosen from a plurality of modules available for assembly into the terminal unit thereby providing a plurality of modular combinations thereof. Consequently, a wide combination of terminal units may be assembled form the available modular choices in order to adapt and optimize the utility thereof for particular data collection and communications operations. The modules provide various modes of connectivity and data transfer capability.

Abstract: A portable data collection terminal has an elongate housing with a hand grip conforming rear surface. A front surface features a numerical keyboard adjacent a lower end of the housing and an LCD screen adjacent the keyboard toward an upper end of the housing. The display screen is of elongate rectangular shape, its length extending longitudinally of the housing of the data terminal. The active area of the display screen is covered by a touch sensitive overlay screen which is configured in one mode of operation of the data terminal into an alphabetical keyboard. The orientation of the display is switchable between orientations in which the line direction of the displayed data extends across or longitudinally of the data terminal. The keys of the numerical keyboard are identified by indicia disposed on a template. The orientation of the template may be sensed to switch the orientation of the displayed data and touch sensitive key identifiers to correspond to the orientation of the indicia on the template.