The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 22, 1999
Filed:
Feb. 20, 1997
Robert J Grabon, Cedar Rapids, IA (US);
Norand Corporation, Cedar Rapids, IA (US);
Abstract
A user-wearable docking system includes docking receptacles on a belt for receiving a plurality of electronic devices such as a hand-held personal data terminal, code reader, printer, etc. The plurality of electronic devices that are docked share power pursuant to one of several power management schemes. A power bus, disposed within a belt, connects all docks to supply power therebetween. Sharing battery power resources involves providing battery power for both device operation and for battery to battery recharging. In some embodiments, the power management system first selects one of the available replacement batteries or the batteries of any of the docked electronic devices as the source of power for recharging purposes or for providing power on the power bus, and coordinates periodic selection of other batteries as the source to balance power consumption of the system as a whole, prolonging operational life between stationary recharging of all of the battery powered devices as an interworking system as a whole.