Norand Corporation

Intermec IP Corporation

Robert B Jaeger

Richard A Sherman

Darald R Schultz

Patrick H Davis

George E Hanson

Steven H Salvay

Arvin D Danielson

Alan G Bunte

William H Keehn

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

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 microprocessor circuit including a microprocessor device and pseudo-static RAM memory further includes a switching circuit which is coupled to an NMI signal port and to a RESET signal port of the microprocessor device. The switching device intercepts an NMI signal to be applied to the NMI port of the microprocessor device and converts an initial NMI signal following a power-down or sleep mode to a RESET signal and applies the RESET signal to the RESET signal port of the microprocessor device. NMI signals which occur during normal operation of the microprocessor circuit are routed through the switching device directly to the microprocessor circuit consistent with normal operations. The RESET signal after power-down or sleep mode operations causes the microprocessor device to address ROM until after the pseudo-static RAM memory has assumed an active, externally refreshed state.

Apparatus for and methods of providing a safe-stop mode for a

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.

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Swisher, IA, United States of America

Robert B Jaeger