Abstract: In one embodiment, a portable computerized data communication device in a data communication system may include, for example, a user interface; a computerized system controlling operation of the device; a device housing having a normal closed condition defining an interior space within the device housing, and having an interior electrical connector within the interior space; and the device having an open condition providing access to the interior space while the device housing is in the open condition to enable connection with the interior electrical connector of a peripheral device equipping the device to perform a new function.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a portable computerized data communication device in a data communication system may include, for example, a user interface; a computerized system controlling operation of the device; a device housing having a normal closed condition defining an interior space within the device housing, and having an interior electrical connector within the interior space; and the device having an open condition providing access to the interior space while the device housing is in the open condition to enable connection with the interior electrical connector of a peripheral device equipping the device to perform a new function.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a portable computerized data communication device in a data communication system may include, for example, a user interface; a computerized system controlling operation of the device; a device housing having a normal closed condition defining an interior space within the device housing, and having an interior electrical connector within the interior space; and the device having an open condition providing access to the interior space while the device housing is in the open condition to enable connection with the interior electrical connector of a peripheral device equipping the device to perform a new function.

Abstract: A portable terminal is provided with an internal connector accessible via an opening at one end of the terminal. A peripheral device is integrated with the terminal by coupling a peripheral circuit with the connector via the opening. A peripheral housing may serve to protectively cover the opening. The connector may be coupled with a terminal processor system and with the terminal power supply.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a portable computerized data communication device in a data communication system may include, for example, a user interface; a computerized system controlling operation of the device; a device housing having a normal closed condition defining an interior space within the device housing, and having an interior electrical connector within the interior space; and the device having an open condition providing access to the interior space while the device housing is in the open condition to enable connection with the interior electrical connector of a peripheral device equipping the device to perform a new function.

Abstract: A hand-held data collection device with a user interface surface that is wider than its handgrip area. Also, a hand-held data collection device with an upwardly facing surface containing a user interface and a side surface containing a plurality of actuators. The data collection device can be held in one hand with a finger reaching the actuators. An opposite side surface can also contain a plurality of actuators. The data collection device can include combinations of a marker beam generator, an indicia reader, a display, a manually actuatable selector, a voice input and a digitizer. The indicia reader can be an optical reader or a radio frequency tag reader. Some of the actuators can have different shapes. The actuators can include an indicia reader actuator or a function selector. The data collection device can collect, for example, handwritten information, including signatures.

Abstract: An improved hand-held data terminal is provided. A sensing circuit senses the presence of rechargeable batteries. A rechargeable battery pack can be used in the hand-held data terminal. The battery pack can include a short circuit element. The short circuit element comes into contact with the hand-held data terminal when the rechargeable battery pack is assembled with the hand-held data terminal. The short circuit element, when in contact with the hand-held data terminal, serves to indicate the presence of the rechargeable battery pack and to thereby enable the recharging capabilities of the hand-held data terminal. A battery pack which does not contain the short circuit element cannot be recharged by the hand-held data terminal since the recharging circuit of the data terminal would remain in a disabled state. Further, the battery pack can be shaped asymmetrically so that it can only be assembled with the hand-held data terminal in an operational orientation.

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 collection terminal unit includes an elongate housing having a lower portion supportable in the hand of a user and an upper portion facing such user when the terminal is in a typical use position. The upper portion includes a keyboard and a display screen. In accordance with the invention, the hand-held terminal comprises a plurality of modules in which a base modules extend longitudinally and includes inner and outer end caps of the terminal. The inner end cap is disposed on the end of the terminal which is typically points toward a user when the terminal is in use, the out end cap being disposed on opposite end of the terminal. A keyboard module is defined as an intermediate module disposed adjacent the base module and between the end caps. A display screen module is further disposed adjacent the intermediate module and adjacent the outer end cap of the base module.

Abstract: An antenna for a hand-held RF transceiver terminals includes an antenna element which is encapsulated by material which does not detrimentally effect its antenna performance, but which closely conforms the antenna to the general shape of the terminal without having the antenna extend directly from the terminal.

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 communication module for use with a portable terminal. The module includes a housing, mounting apparatus, a radio frequency transceiver and an indicia reader connector. The module can enable real-time, on-line communication with a remote host. The system can also include an antenna.

Abstract: An improved hand-held data terminal is provided. A sensing circuit senses the presence of rechargeable batteries. A rechargeable battery pack can be used in the hand-held data terminal. The battery pack can include a short circuit element. The short circuit element comes into contact with the hand-held data terminal when the rechargeable battery pack is assembled with the hand-held data terminal. The short circuit element, when in contact with the hand-held data terminal, serves to indicate the presence of the rechargeable battery pack and to thereby enable the recharging capabilities of the hand-held data terminal. A battery pack which does not contain the short circuit element cannot be recharged by the hand-held data terminal since the recharging circuit of the data terminal would remain in a disabled state. Further, the battery pack can be shaped asymmetrically so that it can only be assembled with the hand-held data terminal in an operational orientation.

Abstract: An antenna for a hand held RF transceiver terminals includes an antenna element which is encapsulated by material which does not detrimentally effect its antenna performance, but which closely conforms the antenna to the general shape of the terminal without having the antenna extend directly from the terminal.

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: An improved hand-held computer terminal for use in the route distribution industries. The housing of the terminal provides a keypad and sixteen line display and is molded to fit the grip of the user. Circuit boards within the terminal housing arc modular in arrangement and are connected by pin and socket and compressible interconnect strip connectors. High speed data communication between the device and external devices is available. A battery power sensing circuit disables random access memory when low power is sensed and interrupt circuitry permits the terminal to enter an inactive, sleep mode when keypad activity is absent for a predetermined period. A sensing circuit senses the presence of rechargeable batteries. Electrostatic discharge protection is provided by circuit devices integrated into signal carrying lines and no conductive sheathing is required. A removable end cap allows introduction of auxiliary memory cards or the like into a slot under the end cap.

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: The disclosure relates to battery powered hand-held data entry terminals wherein a peripheral module may contain an automatically operating full image reader and a wireless communication unit. The reader reads at least one full line of indicia and may comprise a laser bar code scanner or a flash type image reader. Preferably the reader has uniform resolution in orthogonal directions in the field of view so that an area image can be read at any arbitrary angular orientation and re-oriented as a stored digital image to a normalized orientation before decoding. The user interface may lie in a first longitudinally extended layer and the peripheral module may lie in a second longitudinally extended adjoining layer. In normal reading disposition of the automatic reader, the user interface may be close to its normal orientation for user interaction therewith to provide for smooth transitions between reading and user interaction operations.