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 terminal for receiving and storing information and a reader for reading information and communicating the information to the terminal. A housing is provided which has the terminal and reader integrated therein and also a battery for providing necessary power thereto. A detachable handle can be attached to the housing and includes sides which extend around the sides of the housing as well as partially extending over the top of the housing. An improved mechanism is shown for selectively locking a handle to a terminal. A holster for holding the terminal and handle is also shown. A handle with a scanner integrated therein is attachable to a terminal for receiving and storing information read by the scanner.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a portable data device is insertable into a docking receptacle for communication with other devices. In route delivery operations and the like, a hand-held computerized data terminal is coupled with a docking unit for recharging of its batteries and communication e.g. with a printer. Preferably, the terminal can be loaded into the docking receptacle with a single motion. The terminal may be automatically positively locked in the receptacle as it is loaded with one hand; thus the terminal may be securely held in the receptacle of a portable printer even if the printer is dropped or subjected to a severe jolt. Removal may be accomplished by a push button-eject or by a single motion with one hand. The disclosure includes various docking configurations which may have non-critical alignment requirements, provide electrical contacts sealed against moisture, and economically accommodate different size terminals and the like.

Abstract: A portable, hand-held data collection terminal is housed in an elongate, protective housing. A frontal surface of the housing includes a display screen and a keyboard. A battery compartment of the data collection terminal has an access opening which is covered and sealed by a lid. The resiliency of a peripheral seal of the lid also absorbes impact forces directed against the terminal. The battery compartment is closed by placing an upper end of the lid under a ledge of the housing and locking an opposite end to the housing with a detented quarter-turn lock button. Detented positions of the lock button indicate the fully locked and fully unlocked positions of the lid. A hand strap on the rear of the housing is attached to the housing and to the lid to support an operator's handgrip on the terminal and to tether the lid to the terminal when the battery compartment is opened. Two types of protectors for indicia on keyboard keys are also disclosed.