Hand-held data capture system with interchangeable modules

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE data terminal may selectively receive a for adapting the terminal to existing as an eighty-column printer, and terminal to operate with on-line with other devices. The basic module containing a CCD image beam type reader. Preferably

A hand-held variety of modules peripheral devices such also for enabling the wireless communication terminal may be mated with a reader or a deflected laser the modules have digital interfaces with the terminal. In this way a radio frequency transceiver module, for example.

may be removed and other adjustments, completely free of electrical connector replaced without requiring tuning or The terminal may be fully sealed and be the conventional pin and socket type fittings at its exterior.

Electrostatic discharge protection is provided by circuit components connected to surface contact pads so that the sensitive electronic circuitry of the terminal is protected from electrostatic discharge transients without requiring metallic shielding of the surface contacts.

PATENT APPLICATION IN CANADA Attorney Docket No. ôôOffxx

TITLE: HAND-HELD DATA CAPTURE SYSTEM WITH INTERCHANGEABLE MODULES

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally relates to data collection systems wherein a hand-held unit is operated from battery power and functions to collect and process data by a sequence of automated and manual operations. A typical automated process is the non-contact scanning of bar code data by means of a cyclically deflected laser beam or with the use of an image photosensor of the CCD type. Once a valid bar code reading has been obtained, a keyboard may be manually operated to indicate an associated quantity. The user may then manually initiate a further operation, for example, the on-line transmission of the data to a remote host computer e.g. via a radio frequency communications link .

The presently known data capture devices which include a user interface such as a keyboard and display, and a noncontact automatic reader function have tended to be highly specialized, bulky and expensive. In a prior art device having the desired functions, it may be necessary to completely invert the device after a bar code reading, in order to view the display, and/or to actuate the keyboard.

Devices which essentially add a keyboard and display to an existing scanner design may be particularly awkward to use, for example because the keyboard and display are applied at the forward end of the scanner where they are not conveniently accessible and where manual forces applied to the keyboard are tedious to counteract with the supporting handle which is much closer to the user's body.

It would be desirable to have a basic data capture terminal which is light weight and compact, and which could be readily converted for on-line wireless communications η, -λ η η >'! .? c -. Ρ, -3 7 u ί ;, Λ y to to to 5 ··' to

-2needed. Such a versatile data particularly suitable for small cost is a major objective, and terminal unit is especially order to realize the is desirable from the and bar code scanning as capture system would be scale operations where low versatility of the advantageous. Furthermore, in benefits of mass production, it manufacturer's standpoint if a basic computerized terminal configuration can be readily adapted to the needs of diverse end users by the selective addition of low cost modules.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with an important aspect of the present invention, a light weight low cost basic terminal can be adapted for on-line RF communication with a host computer and selectively accommodate scanners of the instant type and deflected laser beam high throughput bar code such as CCD bar code scanners scanners, while essentially avoiding the deficiencies in the prior art devices.

It is highly desirable that the data capture system be compatible with existing downloading data to the recharging the terminal peripheral equipment e.g. for terminal and where applicable batteries. In a particularly advantageous embodiment a basic terminal unit has one end with external contacts compatible with existing communicating and recharging docking apparatus and an opposite end adapted to selectively receive various modular adaptor end caps. Besides a compatibility end cap providing standard overall dimensions and a standard electrical connector arrangement compatible with an existing printer docking receptacle, the terminal may be coupled with an automatic bar code scanner or other desired peripheral device. The basic terminal may receive an RF module adapting the terminal for on-line RF communications.

In accordance with preferred features, the RF module can be removed and replaced with another similar module without requiring any tuning adjustments. Further such module interchange can most preferably be carried out in — 39 P, 9 / v fa 'I P the field by the end user. Because of such capability the useful life of the basic terminal may be extended without service interruptions for return to the factory or service center, and the terminal is readily upgraded and adapted to new operating requireaents. For example different operating frequencies can be selected simply by replacing the RF module. This is achieved by stocking only the desired modules which are of low cost in comparison to the total system. Similarly, the laser scanning component may be associated with the basic terminal only as needed, the basic terminal alone being used where only this type of capability is required.

An object of the invention is to provide a basic terminal configuration of compact light weight construction but which is readily adapted to wireless data communication with other components of a data capture system such as a host computer, and which preferably retains a capability for coupling with a non-contact self scanning type bar code reader or other highly efficient data capture component.

Another object is to provide such a basic terminal configuration which can be quickly and easily associated with a wireless transceiver module without requiring special tools.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of a basic terminal configuration with modular means for providing RF communications capability or the like. Preferably the RF module can be replaced in the field without requiring any tuning adjustment.

Still another object of the invention relates to the provision of a hand-held type data capture system wherein a basic low cost light weight terminal unit can selectively receive various modules such as an RF module, but such system retaining the option of compatibility with existing communicating and /or recharging docking receptacles (e.g. of a portable printer or the like).

In an illustrated embodiment, an RF adaptor module is electrically coupled with a control microprocessor of the

4— basic terminal configuration. The control microprocessor may be installed on a peripheral circuit carrying member or control board within the terminal, and the peripheral control board in turn may have pin and socket type coupling with a host printed circuit board mounting a main computer processor. The RF adaptor module may have a standard external connector fitting and may contain electrical connector means therefor which automatically engage with mating electrical connector means on the peripheral control board as the end cap module is mechanically applied to the terminal. Radio frequency and/or scanner cabling from the peripheral control board may pass through a slot in the end wall of the terminal and may be manually connected with the receive/transait or scanner circuits and/or external connector of the RF module prior to fastening of the module to the terminal, or automatic coupling means may be provided for the RF and/or scanner circuits as well as for the standard external connector fitting.

The mating parts of the terminal are modular in the sense that they can be readily disconnected from each other. One modular part can be disconnected, removed as a unit, and replaced with a part of the same or different configuration. For example, a wireless communication module is readily disconnected from the terminal, removed as a unit, and replaced. Further in preferred form each modular part has only quick disconnect type signal coupling with the other parts, and most preferably the parts are self-guided so that the couplings are achieved as the automatic result of correct mechanical interfitting of the parts, as the parts are pressed together. In the preferred embodiment, the wireless communication module has definable performance characteristics which permit it to be tested and adjusted as a separate unit. Then the various wireless communication modules can be interchanged without requiring any further tuning or adjustment. In an embodiment within the scope of the present invention, a terminal may receive different types of modules selectively e.g. a wireless

5communication module or combined wireless communication and automatic reader module. In one basic terminal parts may comprise a such terminal, the user interface top underlying layer and approximately communication battery-containing layer a

one half of the interface layer. The module or the combined communication and reader module may be selectively interfitted with the basic terminal parts to form a highly compact light weight terminal which is particularly comfortably gripped e. g. in the vicinity of the battery containing layer.

In existing prior art units, electrostatic discharge protection is afforded by use of conductive metallic enclosures or by use of metallic sheathing applied to the inner walls of the enclosure of the devices, such sheathing or metallic enclosures being electrically connected to ground terminals of external devices when interconnection of hand-held data entry terminals with such external devices is effected. Such methods of electrostatic discharge protection are susceptible to transient signals coming into the data entry terminals over interconnection circuitry from the external devices, though affording reasonable protection from transient signals created by electrostatic discharge arising on the exterior of the uni t.

A preferred data entry terminal according to the present invention is provided with a plurality of electrically conductive pads generally coplanar with the external surface of the terminal housing and fixed thereto. Such surface contact pads may be interconnected by internal circuitry to respective connector elements of a D-type connector mounted upon a housing end cap such that recharge power and data communication pathways may be made through either or both of such contact means. The surface contact pads are positioned such that they may be engaged with mating elements of an external device, the mating elements having sufficient resilience to ensure reliable electrical contact with the conductive pads. This results in a

-6particularly rugged and facile means for interconnecting the terminal with peripheral devices.

The preferred data entry terminal is provided with integrated electrostatic discharge protection associated with the incoming signal paths of the device. Because of this, the housing of the data entry terminal may be constructed of lighter materials and molded from polymeric materials into an aesthetically pleasing and comfortably held form. The expensive application of metallic sheathing is avoided while isolation of sensitive circuit components from electrostatic discharge transients is achieved. Thus an object of the invention is to provide a hand-held data entry terminal having advantageous electrostatic discharge characteristics, even where the terminal has an array of unshielded surface contact pads embedded in a terminal casing of nonconductive material.

The electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection for the preferred terminal may be provided exclusively through transient suppressing circuit techniques and board mounted transient suppression devices arranged in such a manner as electronic circuitry of the terminal harmful effects of transient signal that introduced to the terminal connectors. The elimination of to protect the entire from the potentially phenomena, including through any external to provide protection from previous types of portable lighter, molded polymeric manufacturing process of shielding devices commonly used transient signal phenomena on computer terminals may enable materials to be used in the certain components.

The preferred terminal contains a central processing means, and control circuitry associated with the processing means and including signal carrying pathways leading from pads, the circuitry having transient elements associated with the signal the surface contact suppressing circuit carrying pathways.

Other objects, features and advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description, taken in

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connection with the accompanying drawings, and from the individual features and relationships of the respective appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a somewhat diagrammatic frontal perspective view showing a hand-held data capture terminal which may be modified as shown in FIGS. 6-10 and FIGS. 11-19, to form embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a somewhat diagrammatic exploded view of the hand-held terminal illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are schematic diagrams showing the major electronic circuits and components contained within the terminal of FIGS. 1 and 2 and the interconnections between them, FIG. 4 showing preferred circuit details for the power control components of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the interior of the end cap of the terminal shown in FIGS. 1-4.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment including the basic terminal of FIGS. 1-5 and further including provision for on-line radio frequency communications capability.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the modular adaptor end cap of the embodiment of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a block schematic diagram showing the electronic system components of the embodiment of FIG. 6.

FIG. 10 is a block schematic diagram similar to FIG. 9, but showing an improved circuit arrangement for facilitating interchangeability of the RF end cap module and in particular avoiding the need for any tuning adjustments when an RF end cap module is applied to the basic terminal in the field.

FIG. 11 is a somewhat diagrammatic perspective view showing a modular hand-held data capture device in accordance with the present invention.

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FIG. 12 is a side elevational view showing a RF data terminal in solid lines, and indicating with dash lines a scanner module which is mated therewith, to form the unitary hand-held data capture device of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a top plan view of the scanner module which forms part of the data capture device of FIG. 11.

FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of the scanner module of FIG. 13, showing the handle detached but in vertical alignment with its attachment/ position, and showing locating studs on the handle which fit into the scanner body during assembly therewith.

FIG. 15 is a bottom plan view of the scanner body, showing the sealed slots which serve to locate a handle therewith.

<td> FIG. 16 is a</td><td> front end</td><td> elevational</td><td> view</td><td> of</td><td> the data</td>

<td> capture device of</td><td> FIG. 11.</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td> FIG. 17 is a</td><td> rear end</td><td> elevational</td><td> view</td><td> of</td><td> the data</td>

<td> capture device of</td><td> FIG. 11.</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td> FIG. 18 is a</td><td> somewhat</td><td> diagrammatic</td><td> side</td><td colspan="2"> elevational</td>

view, similar to FIG. 12, but illustrating with dash lines a modification wherein the scanner module is provided with contacts at a rear end thereof for engagement with the external set of contacts of the terminal unit.

FIG. 19 is a diagrammatic view indicating an exemplary lay-out of parts within the scanner module of FIGS. 11-17 or FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is a somewhat diagrammatic exploded view of the basic terminal of FIGS. 1-8, but with a memory card controller board substituted for the peripheral controller board of FIG. 2.

FIG. 21 is a somewhat diagrammatic exploded view of the top end of the terminal of FIG. 20 showing the memory card electrical connector/receptacle, and also showing a back-up lithium battery with an associated mylar insulating strip which may be present in any of the illustrated embodiments.

Fig. 22 shows exemplary transient suppressing circuitry which may be associated with the surface contact pads of the preferred basic terminal of FIGS. 1—8 and 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGS. 1-10

FIG. 1 shows a portable hand-held data capture terminal 10 embodying aspects of the present invention. The terminal 10 has an elongated housing formed of parts 11 and 12, the back housing part 12 of which is formed in a manner so as to enable a user to hold the device comfortably in one hand for extended periods of time.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, terminal 10 may be powered by a rechargeable nickel-cadmium battery pack 28 (FIG. 2) or a plurality of AA size batteries. Enclosed within the terminal housing 11, 12 are four permanently mounted printed circuit boards 26, 37, 41, and 43, (FIG. 2), namely a host printed circuit board 37, a display printed circuit board 43, a keypad printed circuit board 41, and a peripheral controller printed circuit board 26. Interconnections between the circuit boards are accomplished through a plurality of pin and socket type connectors including pin type connectors 86 and mating receptacle type connectors 87. An exception is the interconnection between display board 43 and keypad board 41 which is accomplished through a resilient conductive pad 42. When assembled, front housing part 11 and back housing part 12 are joined together by a plurality of screws 88.

The front housing part 11 of the terminal 10 provides a mounting platform for a display 13 (FIG. 2) which may provide a visual indication of various types of information. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, display 13 is of a liquid crystal display (LCD) variety providing sixteen lines, with twenty characters per line, of display area. Optionally, the display 13 may be of a four line type. The display 13 may be mounted upon a display printed circuit board 43 which is then mounted or secured to front housing part 11 by a plurality of screws 'î*! ?

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58. In addition, the front housing part 11 may provide a mounting platform for a keypad 14 (FIG. 1), having a plurality of keys 56 thereon. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, keypad 14 is provided with either twentythree or forty keys. The control and interface circuitry for keypad 14 may be contained on keypad printed circuit board 41 (FIG. 2) which is mounted or secured to front housing part 11 by a plurality of screws 59.

Electrical interconnections between the display printed circuit board 43 and keypad printed circuit board 41 may be accomplished through a resilient, conductive pad 42, which may be located between overlapping portions of the aforementioned circuit boards and retained in this location by means of the pressure exerted upon it when the respective circuit boards are mounted in the housing part 11. Conductive pad 42 may contain a plurality of generally parallel, spaced apart conductive elements embedded within it. The overlapping portions of display printed circuit board 43 and keypad printed circuit board 41 each contain a plurality of coplanar, generally parallel, and evenly spaced apart connector elements 60 and 61, respectively. The respective conductive elements of conductive pad 42, when conductive pad 42 is mounted between the overlapping portions of keypad printed circuit board 41 and display printed circuit board 43, are in positive contact with corresponding aligned connector elements 60 and 61, and provide respective paths for the transfer of electrical signals therebetween. Alternatively, the required electrical interconnections between display printed circuit board 43 and keypad printed circuit board 41 may be accomplished through a flexible multi-conductor ribbon type cable.

The back housing part 12 of the terminal 10 may provide a mounting platform for a removable, elastic type flexible strap 15 (FIG. 2). Flexible strap 15 may allow the user of the terminal 10 to relax the user's grip on the terminal 10 for short periods of time, without actually removing the terminal flexible strap 15 may be part 12 by means of two 2). Retaining clamps 16 through the use of screws from the user's hand. The secured to the bottom of housing retaining clamps such as 16 (FIG. are secured to housing part 12 such as 57, with two screws 57 securing each retaining clamp. in the preferred embodiment of the invention, retaining clamps 16 may be removed with the flexible strap 15 to be the flexible strap 15 and clamps 16, the bottom of in such a way that, when the the user, the user's hand is (FIG. 1) in housing part 12 top end of the terminal 10 may also be mounted on and such as 24, FIG. 2, may simple hand tools, allowing easily replaced. Beneath generally between retaining housing part 12 is contoured terminal 10 is being held by placed on a recessed area 62 and beneath flexible strap 15.

Referring to FIG. 2, the may be enclosed with a removable end cap 18. End cap 18 is attached with two screws 64 to housing part 12. When installed on terminal 10, end cap 18 overlies and encloses cavity 63. Located on, and part of the end cap 18 may be a multiple pin D-sub type connector 19, which may in turn be direct or hard wired via a flexible multi-conductor ribbon type cable 20 to a connector platform 21, on which may be mounted two connector receptacles 22 and 23. Cable 20, connector platform 21 and connector receptacles 22 and 23 be part of end cap 18. Screws secure parts 21, 22, 23 in a precise location with only connectors 22, 23 projecting beyond the confines of the end cap housing. The multiple pin D-sub connector 19 may provide a communications port capable of the two-way transfer of data with other compatible devices according to the RS-232C standard as defined by the Electronic Industries Association. when end cap 18 is installed on terminal 10, receptacles 22 and 23 automatically mate with a plurality of pins 67 and 68 which protrude through connector blocks 69 and 70. Pins 67 and 68, and connector blocks 69 and 70 are each attached or connected to peripheral controller board 26. In a

-12Ο ' preferred embodiment of the invention, the end cap 18 may be removable using common hand tools. Alternatively, a plain type of end cap housing which does not contain a Dsub connector 19 or any of its associated components such as 20-23, may be used in place of end cap 18. In addition, peripheral controller board 26 provides the electronic circuitry required to interface the two-way data transfer which may occur through D-sub connector 19. In a preferred embodiment, controller board 26 may be à peripheral type device which may be exchanged or otherwise configured to enable the use of various types of end cap devices. These various end cap devices may enable terminal 10 to perform a wide variety of functions not currently possible with existing hand held data capture devices including, but in no way limited to, the two-way transfer of data through space using radio frequency waves as the data carrying medium, the two-way transfer of data over telephonic communication links, and the two-way transfer of data between the terminal and a bar code reading device.

Referring again to FIG. 2, the cavity of the housing part 12 receiving the battery pack 28 may be enclosed by a battery compartment hatch 27. The battery compartment hatch 27 may have attached to its surface a plurality of conductive metallic type contacts 30. Metallic contacts 30, in conjunction with a plurality of metallic springs located in the battery compartment, may complete the electrical path of the batteries enclosed in the battery compartment. When the battery compartment hatch 27 is properly installed on the terminal 10, it comes in contact with a conductive metallic rod which extends the length of the battery compartment and is hard wired to battery supply connector 71, FIG. 2, and completes the ground or negative potential path for the batteries. The enclosed batteries are arranged in the battery compartment in a series type configuration to provide the required voltage. The positive potential of the battery path is completed by the hard wiring of a metallic spring to battery supply «

13connector 71. Battery supply connector 71 contains a plurality of receptacles which mate with host board 37 to provide the battery power to the terminal 10. Battery compartment hatch 27 attaches to the bottom housing part 12 of terminal 10 through the interlocking and meshing of railings on both the battery compartment hatch 27 and bottom housing part 12. The battery compartment is formed by a cavity within terminal 10, with a somewhat rectangular opening on which three corners are rounded and one corner is somewhat squared.

Battery pack 28 may be constructed of a plurality of nickel-cadmium battery cells, arranged in such a way as to provide approximately six volts of direct current electrical power. In addition, battery pack 28 may contain a formed metallic plate 31 which may be attached to the nickel-cadmium batteries in such a way as to form a somewhat squared edge on one corner 86 of the battery pack 28. The somewhat squared corner 86 (FIG. 2) of the battery pack 28 may correspond with the previously described somewhat squared corner on the rectangular opening of the battery compartment, and may prevent the improper insertion of battery pack 28 into the battery compartment. In addition, metallic plate 31 may be further formed to create a conductive metallic shunt 32 (FIG. 2). When battery pack 28 is installed in computer terminal 10, metallic shunt 32 engages probes to create an electrically conductive path or short circuit between the probes. The probes may form part of the battery charging circuit of the terminal 10 and may disable this circuit when not electrically shorted together, thereby preventing the inadvertent and possibly hazardous application of recharging electrical power to non-rechargeable (e.g. alkaline) batteries.

In place of the battery arrangement 28, the batteries can be mounted in an enclosed drawer part with square and rounded edges, which slides endwise into a receiving compartment. External contacts on the drawer may be substituted for the array of external contacts as shown at —14—

322, FIG. 11. The rear external contacts at the drawer external wall may be connected with respective spring contacts at the forward end of the drawer which spring contacts engage with fixed contacts in the roof of the battery compartment as the drawer is fully inserted. A coin operated latch may be rotatable through a given angular amount in one direction to lock the battery drawer in place, and may be rotatable in the opposite direction to unlock the battery drawer.

Description of FIG._3

Referring now to FIG. 3, the terminal functional block diagram is illustrated. A central processor unit (CPU) 74 may contain program storage and reside on the host printed circuit board. CPU 74 controls all terminal functions, executes machine instructions in proper sequence, and supervises data communication with devices inside and outside the terminal 10. However, it may allow an optional auxiliary processor unit on the peripheral controller board 26 to control some external access (e.g. reading from and/or writing to an auxiliary memory card). The CPU 74 may abort all communications throughout terminal 10 should power available from the main batteries (e.g. nickelcadmium battery pack 28) drop below a predetermined level. All access to static RAM 75, the real time clock 76, the keypad 14 and keypad circuit board 41, and display 13 and display circuit board 43 are accomplished through CPU 74. The CPU 74 also controls the charging current applied to battery pack 28 by control of CHGON line 46, FIG. 4, and generates a signal on MEMON line 50 to initiate a sleep mode of the terminal. In addition, CPU 74 allows activation of the 485 circuit and watchdog timer component 77, RS232 level converter 78, and the backlight of display 13.

is decoded in the decode coupled with this circuit RAM 75 in the event the

The memory in static RAM 75 circuit 79. MEHDIS line 83 is and will inhibit access to static i

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five volt regulator 80 has dropped out of regulation, indicating the installed batteries (e.g. nickel-cadmium battery pack 28) are no longer providing the necessary voltage. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, memory in the static RAM 75 may be selectively configured in one of varying sizes.

The terminal 10 may be equipped with a battery/charge monitor circuit 81 as well as a battery charge circuit 82. The battery/charge monitor circuit 81 mdnitors the main battery and provides a signal on the LOWBATT line if battery voltage drops below a certain value. The signal on the LOWBATT line informs the CPU 74 that battery power is getting low, and CPU 74 in turn will notify the user through the display 13. The terminal 10 will continue to operate normally as long as the LOWBATT line remains in a high logical state. If the LOWBATT line goes low, the terminal 10 will switch to its inactive (sleep) state, but will be allowed to become active if a key 56 (FIG. 1) is pressed. A further output of the monitor component 81 is the DDEC line. The DDEC line provides a true indication if the five volt regulator 80 begins to drop out of regulation. When the DDEC line goes low, the terminal 10 switches to sleep mode promptly, saving all data in the static RAM 75, which will have backup power in the event that the main batteries are removed. Finally, when the output of the main batteries (through five volt regulator 80) drops to a predefined level, the MEMDis line 83 will carry a low logical signal, causing the static RAM 75 to be disabled, the CPU 74 to be reset and the transistor 54 (FIG. 4),located in the power isolation circuit 84, to switch to nonconducting mode. The CPU 74 is equipped with an analog input port which allows it to monitor several other battery/charge conditions. The signals available at this port may provide information regarding the charge level, for example. Another signal which may be monitored here is an extended duration signal emanating from the KEYINT line 85. The controller board 26 may also provide an interrupt signal on PERINT line 86, which is made available to the CPU 74 on this analog port.

The charge circuit 82 is disabled unless a shorting mechanism (conductive metallic plate 32, FIGS. 2 and 4) which is located on and part of the nickel-cadmium battery pack 28, is present and properly installed in the battery compartment as described previously. Charging of an installed nickel-cadmium battery pack 28 occurs automatically when a charge voltage of ' , a predetermined value is present on CHARGE line 87. Charging of the installed nickel—cadmium battery pack 28 may occur selectively at a rate of approximately twenty milliamps or a rate of approximately seventy-five milliamps, and is determined by the terminal software through CPU 74. The CPU 74 also monitors the ambient air temperature and, if below a predetermined level, preferably approximately five degrees Celsius, the CPU 74 causes the LOWTEMP line 88 to provide a signal, which causes constant current charge to default to the lower charge (twenty milliamps) rate. When terminal 10 is first attached or otherwise connected to a charger, the CHGDET line 89 goes active for approximately four milliseconds, then returns to its inactive state. This causes NMI generator 90 to generate a pulse to wake the terminal 10 from its sleep mode and signal that a charger is present.

A charger must be attached to terminal 10 for the 485 circuit and watchdog component 77 to function, as this circuit is powered by the charger. The 485 circuit and watchdog circuitry 77 may provide the terminal 10 with a communications port capable of synchronous two-way data communication with other compatible devices, transferring data at a rate not greater than five hundred thousand bits per second, according to the predominate RS485 standard as defined by the Electronic Industries Association. When CPU 74 detects the presence of a charger, it activates the 485 circuit and watchdog through 485ON line 91. Data may then be transmitted and received by terminal 10 on RS485 DATA+

17line 92 and RS485 DATA-line 93, these lines being connected to a pair of a number of coplanar, generally parallel and evenly spaced conductive metallic pads 322 (FIG. 11). Received data is applied to the CPU 74 from the 485 circuit and watchdog circuit 77 on 485RXD line 95, while transmitted data is applied to the 485 circuit and watchdog circuit 77, from CPU 74, on 485TXD line 96.

Five volt regulator 80 may operate from either the main battery supply or an attached charger. If both are present, the output voltage of the charger will e higher than the battery voltage, causing five volt regulator 80 to choose current from the charger supply accomplished through rather than the OR wiring of batteries. This is diodes 97 and 98.

Terminal 10 has been designed to be in an inactive state (sleep mode) for the majority of time to conserve battery power. As described previously, NMI line 55 must be pulsed for terminal 10 to wake up and begin program NMI line 55 is generated by the generated by a pulse on KEYINT pulse on RTCINT line from the simultaneous pulses on LOWBATT line and on CHGDET line 89, a pulse on PERINT execution. The pulse on NMI generator 90 and may be line from the keypad 14, a real time clock 76,

DDEC line, a pulse line 86 from peripheral controller board 26, or a pulse on the PWRUP line (from the 5V regulator 80).

Power is applied to the peripheral controller board 26 under the control of CPU 74. Once the controller board power is stable and the controller board microprocessor (212, FIGS. 9 and 10) is stable, microprocessor begins a hand shaking to establish a communication link, software support to monitor data integrity throughout the transfer of data. The controller board 26 is equipped with a pair of analog switches which isolate the data bus on the controller board 26 from the memory data bus on the host printed circuit board 37. This isolation prevents inadvertent data bus interference during the power up routine of the peripheral controller board microprocessor.

the controller board sequence with CPU 74 This link has some

-18Description of FIG, 4

Referring to FIG. 4, unique battery charging and terminal sleep mode circuits are illustrated. when terminal 10 is attached or otherwise connected to a compatible recharging device, a charging voltage may be introduced on the CHRGX line (FIG. 4). The charging voltage on CHRGX line 43 may then be applied to a voltage regulating device 44 e.g. type LP 2951 ACM- The regulated charging voltage output of regulating device 44 may be applied to a transistor switch 45 through a resistor R73. Transistor switch 45 may be software controlled, and may be activated or turned on when the signal on CHGON line 46 changes its logical state, which may cause field effect transistor 47 to change state which then may cause transistor switch 45 to change state. Transistor switch 45 may provide a constant charging current through a diode CR3, to the installed battery pack 28, for a predetermined length of time. The charging current may be applied to installed battery pack 28 through metallic terminals in the battery compartment shorted by metallic shunt 32 on the battery pack, FIG. 2.

The sleep mode circuitry of terminal 10 monitors the input activity of the terminal 10 and, when no activity is detected for a predetermined length of time, may cause the terminal 10 to shift to a stand-by or sleep mode to conserve the power supplied by the installed batteries. When in the inactive state, the memory array and real time clock circuits of terminal 10 require less power than when in an active state. In operation, when the terminal. .10 has been inactive (e.g. no keys 56 are pressed on keypad 14) for a predetermined amount of time, MEMON line 50 may pulse. This pulse may be sensed on the CLK input of flipflop integrated circuit 51, which may cause its Q output to switch levels. Resistor R140 and capacitor C96 may ensure that no false signals are received by flip-flop 51. The Q output of flip-flop 51 is designated MEMSW line 52. The state of MEMSW line 52 may cause field effect transistor 53

<img file="CA2022976A1_D0001.tif" />

to change state. MEMSW line 52 may be filtered by resistor R88 and capacitor C93. When field effect transistor 53 changes states, it greatly reduces the amount of current flowing through the base of transistor 54 by causing resistor R59 to be placed in series with resistor R60. The greatly reduced current flow through the base of transistor 54 allows the regulated supply of the terminal 10, provided by the power of the installed batteries applied through a voltage regulating device, to provide léss current, thus increasing the active life of the installed batteries.

When terminal 10 again becomes active (e.g. a key 56 is depressed on keypad 14) NMI line 55 may pulse. The pulse on NMI line 55 may be sensed by flip-flop 51, FIG. 4, at its CLR input, and may then cause the Q output of flipflop 51 to change state. The state of MEMSW line 52, FIG. 4, at the Q output of flip-flop 51 may now cause field effect transistor 53 to reset to its former state, returning current flow through the base of transistor 54 to its active level.

The terminal 10 may operate exclusively from the power supplied through a regulating device by the installed batteries (e.g. battery pack 28, FIG. 2) until the MEMDIS line 83, FIG. 4, changes state. The MEMDIS line may change state when the installed batteries or attached charger do not provide sufficient voltage to operate the terminal. When the MEMDIS line changes state, it may change the state of field effect transistor Q15. The MEMDIS line may be filtered by resistor R141 and capacitor. C94. when field effect transistor Q15 changes state it may cause interruption of current flow through the base of transistor 54, effectively removing the regulated supply of terminal 10 from the memory array. When this occurs, a standby lithium battery or a charged capacitor may supply the memory array and real time clock circuits until such time that the main power supply is returned to the level required to power the terminal 10. A charged capacitor may provide short term back-up power for the terminal 10, with

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20the lithium battery providing power when the stored charge of the capacitor is depleted. The lithium battery may provide long term back-up power. When the main power of terminal 10 is restored to an operational level, the MEHDIS line 83, FIG. 4, may return to its former state which may restore normal current flow through the base of transistor 54.

Description of FIG. 5

FIG. 5 is a view looking into the interior of end cap

18. Three screws such as 24 secure the connector platform 21 at the correct position within the end cap 18. Two guide parts 38 and 39 are precisely located so as to project into the open end 72 of housing part 11 and interfit with cooperating surfaces at the end 72 so as to insure that the connector receptacles 22, 23 are correctly aligned with pins 67, 68 as the end cap 18 is applied to the terminal. This type of mechanical guidance could also be provided for the automatic electrical interconnection of all of the various modules herein which are to be mechanically joined with each other.

Description of FIGS. 6 through 10

Referring to FIGS. 6-10, an embodiment of the invention is disclosed for providing wireless data communication with a remote receiver. In FIG. 6, it can be seen that terminal 110 includes the basic housing parts 11 and 12 of FIGS. 1-5, and is further provided with a modular adaptor end cap 118. Antenna 104 and external connector fitting 119 are attached to the end cap 118. (Corresponding reference numerals have been applied to identical parts in FIGS. 1-5 and 6-10 and such parts need not be further described). Keys 56 are depressed by the user to enter data and to control the functions of terminal 110, including causing terminal 110 to transmit or receive data by radio transmission means. Display 13 provides visual information concerning RF transmissions received by the terminal.

-21it ^r’3 -°. '^Λ . Ü ji 6 y 3

206 is coupled to antenna circuitry 208. Dashed located on radio module

From FIG. 8, it can be understood that end cap 118 may be readily removably mounted on housing parts 11 and 12. External connector fitting 119 provides for interconnection to optional peripheral devices and is electrically connected through wiring 120 to connectors 122 and 123 which are mounted to connector platform 121. Connectors 122 and 123 engage with the pins of mating connectors 67 and 68 (FIG. 2) of peripheral controller card 26 when end cap 118 applied to housing parts 11 and 12.

Radio module 106 mounts within end cap 118 by suitable mounting means such as indicted by screw 107 (FIG. 8), and is electrically coupled to peripheral controller card 26 by ribbon cable 108. Ribbon cable 108 is detachably connected to radio module 106 by a connector 109 affixed to the end of cable 108, and enters housing part 11 through opening 65 in wall 66. Ribbon cable 108 connects at 25, FIG. 2, with the peripheral controller card 26, and serves to interconnect radio module 106 and peripheral controller card 26. Adjusting elements 114 (FIG. 8) are provided on radio module 106 for frequency tuning and signal level adjustment purposes .

Referring now to FIG. 7, it can be seen that end cap 118 comprises housing members 116 and 117 which may be separated when end cap 118 is removed from housing parts 11 and 12 in order to provide access to adjusting elements 114 of radio module 106.

Referring to the block diagram of FIG. 9, it can be appreciated that radio module 106 houses transmitter 202 which is coupled to antenna 104. Transmitter 202 is coupled to transmit level adjust circuitry 204. Receiver 104 and to receive level adjust line

106 peripheral controller card 26.

communicates with main microprocessor 74, FIG. 3, of housing part 11 through coupling means 214 which is provided by connectors 86, 87, FIG. 2. Control

A separates the components from components located on Control microprocessor 212

-22microprocessor 212 is coupled to transmitter 202 and receiver 206 by coupling means 216 along which are communicated radio control signals. Data to be transmitted is received from processing unit 74, FIG. 3, and is forwarded by control microprocessor 212 over TX data line 218 to modulation generator and limiter component 220. Modulation generator and limiter component 220 is coupled to first low pass filter 222. Data received by antenna 104 is delivered to control microprocessor 212 on RX data line 223 which couples control microprocessor 212 to data recovery element 224 which is coupled to a second low pass filter 226. bines 108a and 108b and also lines 216 are part of ribbon cable 108 and serve to couple the circuitry of peripheral controller card 26 to radio module 106.

External connector fitting 119 is coupled to control microprocessor 212 by scanning interface signal lines 228 associated with connectors 67, 68, FIG. 2, and 122, 123, FIG. 8, and wiring 120, FIG. 8.

Peripheral control adjustment elements 115 are mounted to peripheral controller card 26 such that these adjustment elements 115 are accessible to the user through opening 65, thereby obviating the necessity of any disassembly of housing parts 11 and 12 in order to effectuate adjustments to the peripheral controller card 26.

In operation, the user may remove modular adaptor end cap 118 from housing parts 11 and 12 when adjustment of radio components is desired. Adjusting elements 114 (FIG. 8) may be accessed by the separation of housing members 116 and 117 (FIG. 7) while radio module 106 continues to be electrically connected with peripheral controller components on card 26 through ribbon cable 108. In addition, peripheral control adjustment elements 115 (FIG. 8) of peripheral controller card 26 (FIG. 2) may be accessed when end cap 118 is removed from housing parts 11 and 12. The user may communicate with a remote host computer in ’’real time by operation of keyboard 14 which provides signals to main microprocessor 74 (FIG. 9). Main

-23microprocessor 74 processes the signals and communicates them to control microprocessor 212 of peripheral controller card 26. Control microprocessor 212 and its associated circuitry on peripheral controller card 26 processes the signals to superimpose them upon radio transmission frequencies, and communicates the processed signals to transmitter 202 which is coupled to antenna 104 and which thereby causes their transmission through space from antenna 104 by electromagnetic radiation» A remote host computer responding to terminal 110 transmits radio frequency signals which are received by receiver 206 through antenna 104. Received signals are processed on peripheral controller card 26 and are provided to control microprocessor 212 which communicates the processed signals to main microprocessor 74. Microprocessor 74 displays the received information upon display 13 so that it can be observed by the user.

FIG. 10 shows a modification of the embodiment of FIG. 9 which enables the replacement of the RF adaptor module without requiring a tuning adjustment of the module. In this embodiment the control microprocessor 212 is on the peripheral controller card, while components 220, 222, 224 and 226 are included in the radio module 106-1 forming part of the RF modular adaptor end cap 110-1. This results in a digital interface at 250 between the peripheral controller card of the basic terminal and the radio module of the RF adaptor end cap.

Since the signals transmitted across the digital interface are at standardized logic levels, there is no need for tuning adjustment of the RF module to adapt it to a particular basic terminal. The lines 216, 218 and 223 may form part of a ribbon cable corresponding to cable 108 with a connector corresponding to connector 109 for plug-in coupling with a mating connector of radio module 106-1. Multi conductor line 228 may be implemented via mating connectors such as 67, 22 and 68, 23 (FIG.2) as in the previous embodiments. In each embodiment, power from the

-24battery pack 28 may be supplied to the circuitry of the RF end cap under the control of a radio on/off switch 252, the power supply path 254, FIG. 10, being comprised by conductors of a ribbon cable such as 108, for example. The control microprocessor 212 is coupled with switch component 252 as indicated at 256, so that all power to the RF end cap can be switched on and off as required to minimize battery drain.

Since the peripheral circuit means including 212, FIG. 10, only transmits standardized digital signals and battery power to the modular adaptor end cap, the end cap circuits can be pre-adjusted at the factory and adjustments by the end user in assembling the modular adaptor end cap with the terminal can be avoided. The peripheral circuit board 26 (FIG. 2) and end cap 18 can be replaced by peripheral controller board 126, FIG. 10, and the end cap 118-1 with radio module 106-1, without requiring any other hardware changes in the terminal. Then the end cap with radio module 106-1 can be replaced with a new identical end cap as needed without requiring any adjustments in the digital outputs from the peripheral controller board, and without requiring any tuning adjustments of the modular adaptor end cap.

To replace the modular adaptor end cap 118-1 with the RF module 106-1, the end cap is removed as in FIG. 8, and the RF section 106-1 separated at connector 109, FIG. 8. A new end cap is then coupled with ribbon cable 108 by means of connector corresponding to 109. This completes the new digital signal paths which are as represented at 216, 218, 223, 254, FIG. 10.

Example According To FIG. 10

In an exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 10, the basic hand-held terminal configuration formed from housing parts 11 and 12, FIG. 2, has peripheral adaptor circuit means 126, FIG. 10, connected therewith via peripheral connector means similar to 108, 109 (FIG. 8), accessible at

25the upper end of the terminal configuration (see FIG. 8). The basic terminal selectively receives a compatibility end cap (e.g. 18, FIG. 2) for enclosing the upper end and providing a resultant hand-held terminal of dimensions compatible with an existing terminal receptacle e.g. of a portable printer. In the portable printer the receptacle for the terminal has an electrical connector at one end for mating with connector 19, FIG. 1, and a spring-urged retainer at an opposite end for retaining the terminal in operative relation to the printer receptacle.

Where it is anticipated that the terminal configuration is to be later adapted to provide an RF link to an external transceiver, the basic terminal configuration may be provided with peripheral adapter circuit means such as represented at 126, FIG. 10. The peripheral input/output means at digital interface 250, FIG. 10, may be embodied in a cable and connector (such as 108, 109, FIG. 8) which is passively contained within a compatibility end cap module such as 18, FIG. 1, but is ready for plug—in connection with RF module 106—1, FIG. 10, of a modular adaptor end cap 118-1, FIG. 10.

DESCRIPTION OF FIGS. 11 THROUGH 19

In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS 11-19, a unitary hand-held data capture device 310 comprises housing parts 11 and 12 forming a data terminal body 311, a RF module 312 (corresponding to module 118, FIG. 9, or 118—1, FIG. 10), a scanner module body 313 and a handle 314. The data terminal formed by components 311 and 312 has a frontal face 316 with user-device input and/or output interface means such as a manual data entry keyboard 14 and a display means at 13. The frontal face may have an indentation pattern at 320 for assisting in the aiming of the device in relation to a data source such as a bar code label on a product container or the like.

In a preferred construction, the terminal body 3.11 has a set of external contacts 322 for coupling of power and data signals of various types. The RF module 312 may include a stub antenna 104 projecting in a longitudinal direction, and the scanner body 313 may include a scanner extension part 326 which serves to direct scanner energy (e.g. optical energy) obliquely to the general plane of the frontal operating panel 316. This serves to insure that under normal scanning conditions, the frontal panel 316 will be facing the user during scanning operation so that for example, the user can verify the scanner data as it appears on the display 13.

FIG. 12 shows the device 310 as having a rubber bumper 331, 332 extending about the exterior sides of the terminal body 311 and the RF module 312 to protect the device 310 against lateral impact.

A connector 334 corresponding to connector 119, FIG. 8, e.g. a standard 15-p.in D subminiature connector, may face longitudinally in a forward direction from a section 335 of the RF module 312. The connector 334 may correspond in its pin assignments with the connector commonly present on RF terminals such as the model 2210 RF terminal of Norand Corporation, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The connector has pins assigned to the transmission of scanner signals, RS232 signals, charge potential, and power out, for example. In the illustrated embodiment, the terminal body 311 may contain rechargeable batteries in a battery compartment at section 337, and battery power may be supplied from the batteries to the RF module by a direct connection and via connector 334 to the scanner module.

As shown in FIG. 13, the scanner module body 313 is provided with a connector 340 which is mated with terminal connector 334 during the assembly of the terminal parts 311 and 312 with the scanner module. A forward recess 343 of the scanner module body 313 receives terminal housing sections 335, 338, while a rearward recess 344 accommodates a transverse rib 345, FIG. 12, on the terminal body 311. The scanner module may have six alignment holes 351-356, and four screw holes 357-360 for use in securing the terminal body 311 therewith.

-279 ft 9 ϋ ^r7 k ί',ζ Y Y ·ί ν

FIG. 14 shows locating lugs 361, 362 on the handle 314 which interfit with sealed slots 371-374, FIG. 15, at the undersurface 375 of the scanner module 313. Four contacts 380 on the handle 314 mate with respective cooperating contacts 381-384 at undersurface 375, so that for example the handle 314 may optionally contain batteries and supply battery power to scanner module 313. The handle is secured to the terminal by means of an integral internally threaded nut 385 at the undersurface 375 which likewise is sealed off from the interior of the scanner module. Thus elements 371-374 and 385 all present blind holes, so that handle 314 may be omitted without the introduction of any exposed apertures leading to the interior of the scanner module. As a modification, batteries may be removed from the terminal body 311, and all operating power for the scanner and for the terminal keyboard and display and for the RF components may be supplied from batteries in the handle 314.

A slide-off battery cap 386 provides access to the battery compartment within handle 314.

The handle may have a trigger 390 for initiating a scan operation, and two of contacts 380 may serve as part of the scan trigger circuit.

As a modification which may be taken to be illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15, the terminal batteries may supply all operating power to the RF module 312 and to the scanner module 313, and in this case handle 314 may be omitted to provide a more compact unitary hand-held data capture device.

When handle 314 is omitted, scan trigger actuators may be located at each side of the RF module 312 as indicated With this palm supported at 391, 392, FIG. 16.

arrangement, the device may be left hand, and the convenient 391, 392 actuated.

FIG. 15 shows a soft rubber guard 401 surrounding a scanner window 402 which may for example serve as an exit held in either the right or one of the trigger buttons ’JM i ^J ί a

<img file="CA2022976A1_D0002.tif" />

-28window for scan energy (e.g. light energy) and as an entrance window for return scan energy (e.g. modulated reflected light produced by an incident deflected light beam, or a simultaneous reflected light image where the incident light substantially simultaneously covers the entire data source line or lines such as a complete bar code symbol representing complete product information or the like ) .

In FIG. 18, center lines 410 and 411 indicate the axes of elements 351-353, 357, 358 and 354-356, 359, 360, FIG13, and center line 412 shows the axis of the handle attachment screw which engages nut 385, FIG. 15, to secure the handle 314 in place.

In FIG. 18, the scanner module may omit connector 340 or leave it unconnected electrically. Instead, the scanner module body is provided with an upstanding end part 420having a set of spring fingers 421 which engage with the respective external contacts 322, FIG. 11, on the adjoining end of the terminal. Again the connections may supply terminal battery power to the battery power to the terminal, same scanner signals between scanner module, or handle as well as transmitting the the scanner module and the of cable connections between terminal as in present types RF terminals and scanners.

As a further alternative scanner power may be supplied by batteries located in a compartment in section 425 of the scanner module.

With batteries in the handle, the center of gravity of the data capture device 310' of FIG. 18 and of data capture device 310 of FIGS. 11-17 may be substantially as indicated at 427, FIG. 18.

By way of example, FIG. 19 illustrates a layout of parts for the case of a scanner module which illuminates a bar code label or other data source simultaneously over its entire extent, the reflected light image being stored in an image sensor array such as a CCD image sensor array for electronic conversion into a scanner data signal. For β·9 9

Χ-,ί 5 ? f \ '7 £ iii vj v example, respective elements of the reflected light image may control the generation of charge in respective sensor elements, the charge states being simultaneously transferred to a shift register for readout as a serial scanner data signal.

A scanner of the reflected light image - image sensor type is shown in U.S. Patent 4,877,949 issued Oct. 31, 1989.

The following tabulation identifies various components shown in FIG. 19 and indicates parenthetically the related reference numerals from the first and third figures of the incorporated U.S. Patent 4,877,949:

Illuminator 440 (15, first figure; 35, third figure)

Illumination Voltage Generator 441 (17, first figure)

Automatic Reading Distance Adaptation Means 442 (20, first figure; 103, 105, 102, 101, 90, third figure)

Image sensor means 443 (11, first figure) with photosensor 444 (13, first and third figures)

Control and Processing Means 445 (10, first figure)

FIG. 19 departs from the showing in the third figure of the referenced U.S. patent 4,877,949 in having the reflected image follow a single tier longitudinal path 450 in the relatively thin layer-like scanner module body 313. In this way, the thickness of the scanner module body 313 may be substantially less than the thickness of the RF data terminal, for example. The reflected image path is altered by a first mirror 451 and a second mirror 452 so that the image path 450 has a single tier path segment 450A within extension 326 and a single tier path segment 450B within the main section of the scanner module.

To further indicate an exemplary layout of parts, a flex cable 460 may extend from a main circuit board 461 to the illumination voltage generator 441. A sensor driver circuits component 463 may be located adjacent photosensor 443. Control and processing means 445 may comprise sensor control circuits 465, signal detection and shaping circuits 466 and control, communication, and decoding circuits 467.

'•’Μ &gt; &gt;

ί 3

<img file="CA2022976A1_D0003.tif" />

Ρ-30Component 467 may include host I/O buffer means and host connection means (components 121 and 122 of the first figure of U.S. Patent 4,877,949). Label guide indicator means (21, first figure), and intensity sensing means (14, first figure) are indicated at 471, 472 in FIG. 19.

As represented in FIG. 19, and as disclosed in the referenced U.S. Patent 4,877,949, a bar code label or other data source may be read while it is clear of contact with guard means 401 and e.g. at a variable distance therefrom. This is also true with cyclically deflected laser beam scanning systems which may also be contained in scanner modules of the essential configuration of scanner module 313.

In place of the flash tube of the U.S. Patent 4,877,949, a series of bright LED light sources could be used. Illuminator 440, FIG. 19, may comprise one or more flash tubes or one or more series of led sources.

Where the extension 326 is omitted, or where the extension 326 extends axially of beam path 4500, the mirror 451 is of course omitted. With use of fiber optics or the like in extension 326, the extension 326 could be adjustable e.g. from the orientation shown in FIB. 19 to an in-line orientation aligned with path 450B. A flexible extension 326 could be manually adjusted to any desired position over a range of positions e.g. from the in-line position (with path 450A in alignment with path 450B) to a sharply angled position (e.g. with path 450A forming an angle of one hundred and fifty degrees relative to path 450B).

The Preferred RF Data Terminal-Scanner Configuration of

FIGS. 10-19

The RF data terminal 311, 312 as shown in FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 generally may provide the features disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,910,794 issued March 20, 1990 and European Published Patent Application EP/0353759/A2 dated February 7, 1990. The terminal will run application programs

r. η·. 9 9 07 η

/. rs c, ÿj · ; « permanently stored in it, or

-31downloaded to it, or combinations of both.

When the radio module terminal 311, communication telecommunication hookups communication with a applications, etc.).

126, FIG. 10, is used

312, FIG. 11, is added to the is expanded from direct-wired to include real time on-line host . (e.g. a shared data base, where the peripheral control card for terminal 311, the radio module itself in the preferred embodiment contains not only the transmitter, receiver, associated level adjusts and the scanner connector 334 direct wired back to the control microprocessor of terminal 311, but also the components

220, 222, 224 and 226 as illustrated in FIG. 10.

The scanner module 313 is treated as an peripheral to terminal 311, governed by the microprocessor 212, as indicated in FIG. 10.

The handle 314 may contain additional batteries for extended operation, and to lower the center of gravity of the device 310 or 310’. An option would be to remove the batteries of the terminal to further lower the center of gravity of the device 310 or 310'.

The intensity sensing means 471, 472 (see incorporated U.S. Patent 4,877,949) may be used with a series of bright LED sources as illuminator, driven full on until a near saturation of the photosensor is detected, whereupon the LED sources could be turned off, as a single shot light source.

rigid interface module add-on control so that they are treated connection may extend 312 above the level of

A flex or between terminal 311 and RF sections 335 and 338.

The antenna 104 is offset laterally from connector 334 (FIG. 12) to avoid scanner/antenna electromagnetic interference issues, and may be formed with a right angle bend as at 324, FIG. 16. The length of antenna 104-1 beyond bend 324 may be adjusted to various desired angular positions besides the horizontal disposition shown in FIG. 16. For example antenna element 104-1 may be disposed vertically (as the data terminal is viewed in FIG. 16).

<img file="CA2022976A1_D0004.tif" />

-32The terminal control microprocessor 212, FIG. 10, controls the supply of battery power to the RF module as represented at 118-1, FIG. 10.

The signal levels transmitted at the interface between the low pass filters 222, 226 of the terminal peripheral board 26, FIG. 9, and the transmit and receive level adjusts 204, 208 of the RF module 106, e.g. if used for RF module 312, FIG. 11, may be standardized to allow terminals and modules to be assembled independently, and then mated in final production, and interchanged in the field, without re-tuning in either case.

The base-band processing circuitry could be located in the RF module as in FIG. 10, and in this case digital signals would be transmitted at the interface 250 between the terminal and the scanner module.

Exemplary scanner technologies which may be used in the scanner modules of the present disclosure include that of U.S. Patent 4,882,476 issued November 21, 1989 and that of U.S. Patent 4,877,949 issued October 31, 1989. The disclosures of U.S. Patents 4,877,949 and 4,882,476 are readily applicable to the reading of multiple line bar code indicia. For example, a two dimensional bar code of multiple lines can be envisioned occupying an area of 12.25 square centimeters, e.g. a square with sides of 3.5 centimeters. In accordance with an advantageous development of one of the inventors named herein, marker beams may delineate a field of view of square or circular configuration (e.g. by means of marker beams extending at four corners of a square cross section field of view). The multiline bar code or other area information can be at any random angular orientation within the field of view as delineated by the marker beams, and an area image of the field of view of proper resolution is recorded in a digital image memory, whereupon the digital image may be rotated to a normalized orientation for decoding, for example. While a circular flash tube configuration would be of particular advantage, it is also feasible to utilize linear flash

<img file="CA2022976A1_D0005.tif" />

-33tubes or series of pulse light sources arranged above and below a reader window of suitable configuration, e.g. a rectangular window capable of reading a single line bar code of a length such as five centimeters directly at the reading window, and because of the divergence of the marginal lines (and marker beams) defining the field of view, also capable of reading a single line bar code at any random angle providing the bar code is at a suitable distance from the reader window. The same area reader apparatus would then register a substantial number of line segments of a single bar code as a digital image made up of multiple image lines, or would provide the resolution in orthogonal directions so as to read a multiple line stacked or high density area type bar code pattern of any desired density. A particular advantage of the concepts of modular automatic reader units and modular automatic wireless communication units resides in the ability to adapt these units readily to ever more advanced technological developments, and to adapt the data terminal embodying such modules to a wide diversity of users or applications. For example, modules adapted to different size hands and to left-handed and right-handed users are conceivable. Also various user handicaps could be accommodated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGS. 20 - 21

As shown in FIG. 20, a memory card 524 may insertable into a peripheral device connector 525 of a memory card controller board 526 which replaces peripheral board 126, FIG. 2. The memory card may be used to increase the embedded memory of a basic terminal formed of housing parts 11, 12, e.g. by up to five hundred-twelve kilobytes of data storage capacity and/or may also store various application programs which may be run on the terminal. In a preferred embodiment memory card 524 may contain up to four megabytes of available memory or programming and still be compatible with a basic computer terminal such as shown in FIGS. 1 through 8. The memory card may be easily installed in or

-34C'.

i'fa

<img file="CA2022976A1_D0006.tif" />

removed from terminal by removal of end cap 18. With end cap 18 removed, memory card 24 may be inserted in or removed from peripheral device connector 525 which is shown in more detail in FIG. 21 as being mounted on and electrically connected to the memory card controller board 526. When memory card 524 is installed in the peripheral device connector 525, it occupies an area of cavity 63 and extends through the opening 65 in wall 66 so as to be manually accessible when the end cap 18 has.been removed.

Memory card controller board 526 may contain the electronic components and circuitry necessary to control the operation of memory card 524 as well as to interface the operation of memory card 524 with that of the terminal. In addition, memory card controller board 526 provides the electronic circuitry required to interface the two-way data transfer which may occur through D-sub connector 19. In a preferred embodiment, memory card controller board 526 may be a peripheral type device which may be exchanged or otherwise configured with other peripheral device controller boards such as 126, FIG. 2, to enable the use of various types of end cap devices. These various end cap devices may enable terminal to perform a wide variety of functions not currently possible with existing hand held data capture devices including, but in no way limited to, the two-way transfer of data through space using radio frequency waves as the data carrying medium, the two-way transfer of data over telephonic communication links, and the two-way transfer of data between the terminal and a bar code reading device.

Other parts shown in FIG. 20 have already been described with reference to FIG. 2 and have been given corresponding reference numerals.

Referring to FIG. 21, a lithium type battery 536 maybe mounted upon the host printed circuit board 37 and retained in position by a non-conductive type of mounting pod 572. When installed, battery 536 may provide stand-by electrical power to ensure any data stored in the memory η 9 Ο Λ .?

&amp; V /v h sj ) V

<td colspan="2"> (e.g. mylar) strip</td><td> 538</td>

<td> battery 536</td><td> and</td><td> an</td>

<td> retaining clip</td><td> 539,</td><td> may</td>

<td> battery power</td><td colspan="2"> during</td>

<td> such a time as</td><td> the</td><td> non</td>

circuits is retained should the primary power supply drop below a predetermined level, and may further maintain the operation and memory of an integrated circuit type of realtime clock during the same conditions. The lithium battery 536 may be provided with a electrically non-conductive which when installed between the electrically conductive battery prevent activation of the stand-by the aforementioned , conditions until non-conductive strip 538 is removed by the user. For ease of removal, non-conductive strip 538 may protrude through an opening 40, which may be located on the top end of computer terminal 10 and under the end cap 18 which may be attached thereto so as to be manually accessible when the end cap has been removed.

Electrostatic discharge (BSD) protection may be provided exclusively through circuit techniques and board mounted devices arranged in such a manner as to protect the entire electronic circuitry of terminal 10 from the potentially harmful effects of transient signal phenomena, to the terminal through any shown at 322, FIG. 11. The elimination of shielding devices commonly used to provide protection from said transient signal phenomena on previous types of portable data capture terminals may enable lighter, molded polymeric materials to be used in the manufacturing process of certain components.

including that introduced external connectors such as

Further Discussion of FIGS. 3 and 4

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the diagrams of FIGS. 3 and 4 are for the purpose of illustration of selected circuit features. Certain simplifications have been made. For example, standard parts such as data bus and address bus components are omitted to avoid cluttering the

-36drawings with too many lines; further, e.g. in an actual circuit according to FIG. 4, pin 4 of the regulator 44 is actually connected to ground through a parallel circuit comprised of two zener diodes type TMPZ5240 each of a ten volt value. Thus circuit point 585 is connected with the cathodes of the two zener diodes, and the anodes of the two zener diodes are connected to ground. The shunt conductor indicated at 32 in FIG. 4 may be taken as representing the shunt conductor 32 of FIG. 20. The below listed components were given the indicated circuit values in an implementation of FIG. 4:

<td> R6 3</td><td> 17.4 ohms</td><td> .125</td><td> watt</td><td> 1%</td>

<td> R64</td><td> 61.9 ohms</td><td> .125</td><td> watt</td><td> 1%</td>

<td> R61</td><td> 475 ohms</td><td> .125</td><td> watt</td><td> 1%</td>

<td> R58</td><td> one megohm</td><td> .125</td><td> watt</td><td> 1%</td>

Transistors 45 and 47 were implemented as follows :

Transistor 45 type MMBT 3906

Transistor 47 type ZVN 3306 Description of FIG. 22

FIG. 20 shows host printed circuit board 37 with twelve conductive pads generally designated 690 in FIGS. 2 and 20, and specifically designated 01-1 through Jl-12 in FIGS. 22. The surface contacts 322, FIG. 11, may be formed as a free leg of a U-shaped part. The U-shaped part embraces a grooved edge of end wall 311A, FIG. 11, e.g. with a tongue part tending to retain the U—shaped part engaged with the end wall 311A. A free end part extending from the other leg of the U-shaped part includes a deflectable contact part for pressure engagement with a respective pad 690 of printed circuit board 37.

<img file="CA2022976A1_D0007.tif" />

-37A header is indicated at 86, FIG. 20, on the host printed circuit board 37, for connecting with a receptacle 587 on the peripheral device circuit board 526. One of such headers may be associated with lines 701-706, FIG. 22, and the header positions may bear the designations as follows:

Associated Line, FIG. 22

Header Position Designation

701

702

703

704

705

706

DTR

DSR

TXD

RTS

CTS

RXD

It is found that a D type connector such as 19, FIG. 20, does not require the same electrostatic discharge protection as the surface contacts 322, FIG. 11, since when a potential source exceeding about 4000 volts is brought into proximity to the connector 19, an arc is produced to the grounded conductive shell of the D connector, even with a probe disposed at the center of the connector.

Surge protector component 710, FIG. 22, is located closely adjacent contact pads 690, and is electrically connected with pads Jl-4 through Jl-9 as illustrated in FIG. 22, the individual surge protection elements being designated SPl-1 through SPl-6 in FIG. 22. The interposed series resistors are designated 22-R4, 22-R6, 22-R8, 22-R15, 22-R16 and 22-R17, and each may have a value of one kilohm, .125 watt, 1%.

The exemplary electrostatic discharge protection for external surface contacts 322, FIG. 11, as shown in FIG. 22 provides protection to level converter 78, FIG. 3, (e.g. type MAX 236) up to 20,000 volts, for example at the following listed ports.

Τ' * / Ά ' 9

<img file="CA2022976A1_D0008.tif" />

-38Line, FIG. 22

Signal

Designation

Port of Communications Component Type MAX 236 Pin Designation

<td> 701</td><td> DTR</td><td> 2 4</td><td> T4</td><td> OUT</td>

<td> 702</td><td> DSR</td><td> 16</td><td colspan="2"> R3IN</td>

<td> 703</td><td> TXD</td><td> 2</td><td> TI</td><td> OUT</td>

<td> 704</td><td> RTS</td><td> 3</td><td> T2</td><td> OUT</td>

<td> 705</td><td> CTS</td><td> 23</td><td> R2</td><td> IN</td>

<td> 706</td><td> RXD</td><td> 4</td><td> Rl</td><td> IN</td>

Reference numerals 701-706 have correspondingly been applied to the lines connected with these ports of component 78 in FIG. 3.

The CHRG input from contact Jl-12 is connected with CHRGX line 43, FIGS. 4 and 22, via a conductor 717 having a shunt zener diode 22-TZl, type SMBG20.0A, twenty volts. An inductance 22—Ll, 270 microhenries, could be introduced in series between conductors 717 and 43 by severing the shunt conductor 718.

The circuitry associated with pads Jl-10 and J1--3, and lines 720 and 721 (designated 485+ and 485-) may comprise a differential bus transceiver type 75176B: sufficient electrostatic discharge protection is provided by series resistance and shunt capacitance networks connected in lines 720 and 721.

In FIG. 11 only dielectric material of end wall 311A, is in the vicinity of the surface contacts 322 at the exterior of the terminals. Thus there is no external conductive shield in the vicinity of the surface contacts comparable to the metal shield of the D-connector 19, FIG. 1. The external surfaces of the housings are free of such grounded shields over distances about each surface conductor which are large in comparison to the spacing between such surface conductors.

It will be apparent that many modifications and variations

-39may be effected without departing from the scope of the novel teachings and concepts of the present disclosure.

2022S7S