Norand Corporation

Broadcom Corporation

Intermec IP Corporation

Other

Broadcom Corpotation

Keith K Cargin, Jr

Ronald L Mahany

George E Hanson

Arvin D Danielson

Phillip C Miller

Steven E Koenck

Darald R Schultz

Robert G Geers

Dennis A Durbin

Guy J West

Darrell L Boatwright

Stephen J Kelly

William T Gibbs

Alan G Bunte

Joseph Jay Kubler

Ronald E Luse

Charles D Gollnick

Richard C Arensdorf

Patrick H Davis

Steven H Salvay

Marvin L Sojka

John G Pavek

James D Cnossen

Mary L Detweiler

Amos D Young

Robert Charles Meier

Steven R Kunert

Jerry L Walter

Gary Neal Spiess

Gary N Spiess

Michael D Morris

Roger L Wolf

Robert J Traeger

James R Hutton

Glen S Adams

Julie Ann Miller, Legal Representative

Stephen J Kelley

Philip Miller

Portable measuring devices which communicate by low power transceivers through a communication controller with a printer device collect weight and size data on articles to be shipped. The collected weight and size data are combined with origin and destination data, and labels are printed bearing pertinent shipping and routing information in machine readable format. The labels are attached to the articles to be shipped and accompany the articles to their respective destinations. At transfer points the labels are read by scanner devices which also communicate by low power transceiver links with the communication controller. The wireless linking of the scanner devices promotes human safety by the absence of cords which could cause entanglement of an operator in mechanized conveying equipment. The communication controllers at each stage of the shipping process have the capability of transferring received and updated status information on the shipped articles to a central data station.

Multi-level hierarchical radio-frequency communication system

A mobile customer service station operating within a wireless multi-hop communication network includes a console on a wheeled chassis. The console carries and houses a number of components which are used in merchandising operations to conclude customer purchase transactions. The items supported externally on the console are a printer for printing purchase receipts, customer credit charge agreements and records of transactions, and a magnetic card reader for reading information from a magnetic stripe of a customer's credit card. In one embodiment, the operation of the printer, credit card reader and the cash drawer is controlled by a multi-function control unit located within an enclosure of the console. The control unit is electrically powered by a self-contained power source which is preferably a deep cycle rechargeable battery. The console also houses a transceiver unit which under the control of the control unit is capable of interactive communication with a premises network. In another embodiment, the mobile service station comprises an access device which participates with a variety of peripherals at the station in a lower power communication LAN, while providing higher power communication to other network devices via a premises network with routing via a wireless spanning tree configuration.

Enhanced mobility and address resolution in a wireless premises based network

Improved apparatus for a radio communication system having a multiplicity of mobile transceiver units selectively in communication with a plurality of base transceiver units which, in turn, communicate with one or more host computers for storage and manipulation of data collected by bar code scanners or other collection means associated with the mobile transceiver units. A network controller and an adapter which has a simulcast and sequential mode provide selective interface between host computers and base transceivers. A scheme for routing data through the communication system is also disclosed wherein the intermediate base stations are organized into an optimal spanning-tree network to control the routing of data to and from the RF terminals and the host computer efficiently and dynamically. Additionally, redundant network and communication protocol is disclosed wherein the network utilizes a polling communication protocol which, under heavy loaded conditions, requires that a roaming terminal wishing to initiate communication must first determine that the channel is truly clear by listing for an entire interpoll gap time. In a further embodiment, a criterion used by the roaming terminals for attaching to a given base station reduces conflicts in the overlapping RF regions of adjacent base stations.

Communication network terminal with sleep capability

Network supporting roaming, sleeping terminals

A data capture system includes a data collection terminal and a wireless communications module comprising a transceiver arranged to transmit and receive radio frequency signals to and from a remote station in the data capture system. At least one flat antenna embedded within the communications module, and a pair of flat antennas may be included. A connector is arranged to removably couple the communications module with the data collection terminal and to transmit signals. A microprocessor is coupled with the connector and is arranged to standardize the logic levels and the format of the signals transmitted over the connector such that the data collection terminal may be engaged by the communications module through the connector without adjustment of the communications module.

Hand-held data capture system with interchangeable modules

A data collection network supporting roaming terminals which may enter and exit a sleep mode to conserve power. A plurality of base stations each periodically transmit pending message indications to those roaming data collection terminals within range. Instead of requiring the transceiver within each terminal to always be active, the receiver is activated in synchrony with the transmissions of pending message indications from at least one of the base stations. Otherwise, the terminal may deactivate the transceiver (i.e., place it in a sleep state). The terminal may also sleep through pluralities of transmissions of pending message indications, and, thereafter, awake in synchrony to receive subsequent pending message indications. To minimize noise, the terminal may operate using a lower frequency system clock when not collecting data. When collecting data, especially where processing time proves critical, the system clock frequency is increased.

Low-power messaging in a network supporting roaming terminals

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.

Portable computerized data communication device

Improved apparatus for a radio communication system having a multiplicity of mobile transceiver units selectively in communication with a plurality of base transceiver units which communicate with one or two host computers for storage and manipulation of data collected by bar code scanners or other collection means associated with the mobile transceiver units. A network controller provides selective interface means to be employed between the host computers and the base transceivers whereby low data rate base transceivers may be utilized with the network controller while spread spectrum or high data rate networked base transceivers may be also utilized. The network controller may allow selection of interface means for three of its ports from its front panel with use of three input keys. The network controller is entirely external to the host computer or computers, and can couple to a variety of commonly encountered host ports. Most preferable one- or two-network controller ports can each be software configured to match any needed host port, so that the host computer(s) need not be adapted to a radio network protocol accommodating the multiple base transceiver units.

System for coupling a multiplicity of RF data collection terminals with host computer means

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.

Hand-held computerized data collection terminal

Multi-level hierarchial radio-frequency system communication system

In an exemplary embodiment, a hand-held data terminal has external electrical contact pads which mate with resilient contacts of a docking receptacle for the interchange of data and the supply of charging current to the terminal. The terminal may be loaded into and removed from the docking receptacle in a single motion with one hand. Keyboard and display of the terminal are fully accessible while in the docking receptacle. The terminal may be fully sealed and be completely free of the conventional pin and socket type electrical connector fittings at its exterior. Electrostatic discharge protection is provided by circuit components connected to the surface contact pads so that the sensitive electronic circuitry of the terminal is protected from electrostatic discharge transients.

Data capture system with communicating and recharging docking apparatus and hand-held data terminal means cooperable therewith

Growing community of inventors

Cedar Rapids, IA, United States of America

Keith K Cargin, Jr