Norand Corporation

Intermec IP Corporation

Richard A Sherman

Darald R Schultz

Robert B Jaeger

Patrick H Davis

George E Hanson

Steven H Salvay

Arvin D Danielson

Alan G Bunte

Ryan R White

Xiaonong Qian

Mark W Kubovich

A portable electronic device having a first housing member, a second housing member, and a coupling member. Elements of the coupling member provide respective electrical paths from an exterior of the first housing member to an interior of the first housing member.

Portable electronic device including coupling member with electrical supply contacts

A data collection system for use with a movable cart. The system has a portable data collection unit which may include an indicia reader, a wireless communication system or a user interface. The data collection unit can be removed from the cart and can remain operational when removed. When attached to the cart, the data collection unit can communicate with an output device contained within the boundaries of the cart. The output device can be a printer. The system can also include a mounting device which removably attaches the data collection unit to the cart. The mounting device can remain attached to the cart after removal of the data collection unit. The system can include an auxiliary device which can be removed from the cart for operation. For example, an auxiliary device can be a printer that can be removed from the cart along with the data collection unit.

Portable modular work station including printer and portable data collection terminal

A portable electronic printing system including power supply assembly is disclosed. The printing system includes a printer comprising a printer housing having first and second ends, a handle disposed at the first end of the housing for allowing a user to tote the portable electronic printing system, and a power supply foot disposed at the second end of the housing. The power supply foot includes a power supply circuit for supplying power received from an external power source to the printing system. The power supply assembly includes a sidewall and a bracket for supporting a first electronic device and for sinking heat generated by the first electronic device away from the first electronic device. The bracket is coupled to the sidewall such that heat received by the bracket from the first electronic device is transferred to the sidewall. A second electronic device is mounted to the bracket such that the bracket absorbs vibrational energy applied to the second electronic device.

Power supply system and assembly for a portable electronic printer

Data collection apparatus includes an assemblage of a data collection terminal and a carrying case which is a combination of a printer module and a docking module which are joined and combined into a unitary structure. The carrying case has an attached handle which is preferably attached to the printer module. The carrying case further includes a holder for temporarily grasping an data collection accessory, such as a bar code scanner. The data terminal is quickly insertible and removable from the docking module. Communication connectors and communication wiring becomes coupled to the data collection terminal upon insertion of the data collection terminal into the docking module. If the data collection terminal is equipped with a scanner device attached by cable to the data collection terminal, the scanner device may temporarily be stored in the holder, such that the data collection terminal, including such a scanner, and a printer within the printer module can be ported at a single unit between various use points. The data collection terminal including the scanner may be operated while disposed within the docking module of the carrying case. As an assemblage with the apparatus, a support structure in form of a formed tray includes provisions for attachment to a shopping cart. The tray also includes a support frame about a cavity of the tray. The carrying case may be placed into the support frame such that the data collection terminal may be operated from within the docking module of the carrying case while the carrying case is supported by the tray within a shopping cart.

Portable modular work station including printer and portable data

An improved device for docking a first electrical apparatus, having a first apparatus connector, such as a portable interchangeable data terminal, to a second electrical apparatus having a second apparatus connector, such as a vehicle mount. The device includes a portable dock for selectively receiving the data terminal. The dock includes a laterally extending base having a first dock connector, a second dock connector, and first guides extending transversely from each end of the base. Similarly, the second electrical apparatus has transversely extending second guides. The first guides are configured to operably guide the first dock connector to matingly connect with the first apparatus connector as the first apparatus is received by the dock and, similarly, the second guides are configured to operably guide the second dock connector to matingly connect with the second apparatus connector as the dock is received by the second electrical apparatus, such that information is processable between the first electrical apparatus and the second electrical apparatus.

Portable dock for a portable electronic device

A data system includes a portable printer unit and a portable data collection terminal. The printer unit and the data collection terminal are communicatively coupled by a data link which may be a low power radio frequency data link, or it may be a standard communications cable. The portable printer unit is distinguished over other portable printers by, among other features, having the capability of printing a check routing data block in magnetic ink and in a manner which conforms to MICR (Magnetic Ink Character Recognition) standards. Coding and decoding of data may be provided based on printer unit or printer cartridge specific data which may be transmitted from the printer unit to the data collection terminal. The portable printer unit is also adapted to receive a paper supply from either a roll paper supply cartridge or a sheet paper supply cartridge, having the capability to distinguish between the two types of cartridges. Character printing may be either in transverse rows or in landscape type printing format.

Portable compact multi-function printer with cartridge paper supply

Portable electronic device docking system

Data collection apparatus includes an assemblage of a data collection terminal and a carrying case which is a combination of a printer module and a docking module which are joined and combined into a unitary structure. The carrying case has an attached handle which is preferably attached to the printer module. The carrying case further includes a holder for temporarily grasping an data collection accessory, such as a bar code scanner. The data terminal is quickly insertible and removable from the docking module. Communication connectors and communication wiring becomes coupled to the data collection terminal upon insertion of the data collection terminal into the docking module. If the data collection terminal is equipped with a scanner device attached by cable to the data collection terminal, the scanner device may temporarily be stored in the holder, such that the data collection terminal, including such a scanner, and a printer within the printer module can be ported at a single unit between various use points. The data collection terminal including the scanner may be operated while disposed within the docking module of the carrying case. As an assemblage with the apparatus, a support structure in form of a formed tray includes provisions for attachment to a shopping cart.

An improved apparatus for portable interchangeable data terminals and peripherals includes a terminal adapted to receive information from a pen inputing device and a docking mechanism having a terminal receiver for selectively receiving the terminal. The terminal receiver includes a handle extending upwardly therefrom, a base extending laterally across the docking mechanism, and open channel members extending upwardly from each side of the base. A rear portion of each of the channel members may carry at least one roller guide and/or a central portion of each of the channel members may carry at least one roller guide disposed to contact a respective lateral edge of the terminal as the terminal is received by the docking mechanism. The base has a guide and a receiver connector configured to operably and respectively connect to a tab and a terminal connector of the terminal, as the terminal is received by the terminal receiver such that information is processable from the terminal to peripherals. The handle is inclined back from the open channel members. The base carries a spare battery charge station at a rear thereof.

Terminal and docking mechanism with open channel members and guide

Data collection apparatus includes an assemblage of a data collection terminal and a carrying case which is a combination of a printer module and a docking module which are joined and combined into a unitary structure. The carrying case has an attached handle which is preferably attached to the printer module. The carrying case further includes a holder for temporarily grasping an data collection accessory, such as a bar code scanner. The data terminal is quickly insertible and removable from the docking module. Communication connectors and communication wiring becomes coupled to the data collection terminal upon insertion of the data collection terminal into the docking module. If the data collection terminal is equipped with a scanner device attached cable to the data collection terminal, the scanner device may temporarily be stored in the holder, such that the data collection terminal, including such a scanner, and a printer within the printer module can be ported at a single unit between various use points. The data collection terminal including the scanner may be operated while disposed within the docking module of the carrying case. As an assemblage with the apparatus, a support structure in form of a formed tray includes provisions for attachment to a shopping cart. The tray also includes a support frame about a cavity of the tray. The carrying case may be placed into the support frame such that the data collection terminal may be operated from within the docking module of the carrying case while the carrying case is supported by the tray within a shopping cart.

A portable printer has a housing of impact resistant plastic material. The housing forms a printer cavity and a terminal cavity. A handle is integrally formed as part of the printer housing. Edges of housing elements forming the printer cavity are substantially sealed against each other to protect a printer mechanism, a paper supply, a battery and printer electronics within the printer cavity from water or other contaminants. The terminal cavity housing forms a receptacle for receiving a portable data entry terminal. A circuit board along an edge common to both the printer cavity and the terminal cavity of the housing carries a spring contact connector having a predetermined number of contact springs to engage a corresponding number of contact pads of such a portable data entry terminal when inserted into the receptacle. The circuit board further includes a seal in the region of the wall between the terminal cavity and the printer cavity to maintain the substantially sealed character of the printer cavity. The circuit board further is the mounting board for printer logic functions and for power and data connections to print support elements, to an optional modem and to the printer mechanism. A voltage regulator of unregulated 12 volt power from a vehicle power source includes a switching regulator element which is controlled over a first voltage range. Above the first range printing is blocked and the voltage may then follow the input voltage. A second regulation level may be provided above the first level to protect a low voltage power supply for logic and communications components.

Portable printer with receptacle for data communication terminal

A portable printing data entry terminal device includes a portable data entry terminal unit which has a display and keyboard for manual entry of data and control instructions. The data entry terminal unit is powered by a rechargeable battery pack which is housed within the terminal unit. A printer unit is mounted to one end of the data entry terminal unit. The printer unit has its own battery pack to power the printing function. An electrical and data interface between the terminal and printer units routes data to the printer unit for information to be printed. The interface also routes communication and power lines through the printer unit to external connectors disposed at one end of the printer unit. The printer power, though contained within the printer unit, is controlled by the data entry terminal unit to be selectively turned off. Controlling the printer power to be turned on only when information is to be printed tends to equalize the discharge cycle of the terminal and printer batteries.

Growing community of inventors

Toddville, IA, United States of America

Richard A Sherman