Patent · US Expired

Hand-held data capture system with interchangeable modules

US5218187A · kind A · utility

121Cited by
27References
10Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 25, 1991
Grant dateJun 8, 1993
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 25, 2011

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH04M7/006
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A portable, hand-held data terminal of modular structure includes a base module with a keyboard and a display screen. A data and communications module may be selected from a number of different data and communications modules, each having different types of data communications transceivers, or including in addition data collection devices, such as shelf label readers or bar code readers. The base module includes a microprocessor-controlled data communications and control interface having a predetermined protocol. To adapt the various types of data and communications modules for selection of any one thereof to become attached to the base module and function therewith, each of the data and communications modules includes a microprocessor operable to function as an emulator to interact with the microprocessor of the base module and communicate with the microprocessor of the base module in accordance with the protocol of the data communications and control interface of the base module.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.