United States Patent
`Koencket al.
`
`119
`
`[54] MODULAR, PORTABLE DATA PROCESSING
`TERMINALFOR USEIN A RADIO
`FREQUENCY COMMUNICATION
`NETWORK
`
`[75]
`
`Inventors: Steven E. Koenck; Phillip Miller; Guy
`J. West; Ronald L. Mahany; Patrick
`W. Kinney,all of Cedar Rapids, Iowa
`
`[73] Assignee: Norand Corporation, Cedar Rapids,
`Iowa
`
`L*] Notice:
`
`The portion of the term of this patent
`subsequent
`to Jun. 8, 2010, has been
`disclaimed.
`
`AOT
`US005680633A
`
`[11] Patent Number:
`
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`5,680,633
`*Oct. 21, 1997
`
`5/1985 Krebs et al.
`......cssssssssesserssesesaes 370/82
`4,519,068
`2/1986 Sandstedt ......sscrscserscosessenserse 186/39
`4,569,421
`
`
`zoe 235/375
`4,628,193 12/1986 Blum ....
`4,680,787
`7/1987 Marry ..
`sene 379/63
`
`8/1988 Maile .........ecscsssssoesesseeesseseanse 455/82
`4,761,822
`c.rccsscerssssesserssenene 340/311.1
`4,806,906
`2/1989 Oda et dl.
`4,850,009
`7/1989 Zook et al.
`.....esscssessssecssssnseees 379/66
`4,916,441
`4/1990 Gombrich ...
`eve 340/712
`
`4,969,206 11/1990 Desrochers .......cccsssssesssseeseees 455/89
`4/1991 Fischeretal. ...
` 370/85.2
`5,008,879
`
`....scssssessessseoeeane 455/90
`5,033,109
`7/1991 Kawanoet al.
`
`
`5,055,660 10/1991 Bertagna etal. .....
`we 235/472
`......ssssscsssessseen 455/11.1
`5,117,501
`5/1992 Chidress et al.
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 114,872
`
`[22] Filed:
`
`Aug. 31, 1993
`
`Primary Examiner—Alyssa H. Bowler
`Assistant Examiner—Walter D. Davis
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Stanford & Bennett, L.L.P.
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`{63] Continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 898,908, Jun. 12, 1992,
`abandoned, Ser. No. 71,555, Jun. 4, 1993, Pat. No. 5,331,
`136, Ser. No. 107,470, Aug. 17, 1993, abandoned, Ser. No.
`97,462, Jul. 26, 1993, Pat. No. 5,428,636, and Ser. No.
`59,447, May 7, 1993, Pat. No. 5,428,636, which is a
`continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 56,827, May 3, 1993, Pat.
`No. 5,295,154, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 769,425,
`Oct. 1, 1991, abandoned, said Ser. No. 898,908, is a con-
`tinuation-in-part of Ser. No. 835,718, Feb. 12, 1992, aban-
`doned, said Ser. No. 71,555, is a continuation of Ser. No.
`660,615, filed as PCT/US90/03282, Jun. 7, 1990, Pat. No.
`5,218,187, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 467,
`096, Jan. 18, 1990, Pat. No. 5,052,020, said Ser. No.
`107,470, Aug. 17, 1993, abandoned, is a continuation-in-
`part of Ser. No. 81,411, Jun. 22, 1993, abandoned, which is
`a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 53,901, May 20, 1993,
`abandoned.
`
`P51}
`
`Uinte COS eccscccsssssessscscssssenneee G06F 1/00; HOSK 7/10;
`HOSK 7/14
`
`[527 US. C1. cccsccsssssseseccseceeee 395/800; 361/680; 361/731
`[58] Field of Search ou. 395/800; 364/DIG.1;
`455/11.1, 89, 90; 358/257; 340/712, 311.1;
`235/472, 375; 370/85.2; 379/66
`
`[56]
`
`4,058,838
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`11/1977 Crager et al. cscsssocsessccssenenee 358/257
`
` 1
`
`Modular, portable data collection terminals are disclosed for
`use in mixed wireless and hard-wired RF communication
`
`networks, wherein various radio transmitter modules and
`associated antennas may be selectively added to a base
`terminal unit to solve networking problems associated with
`specific types of business environments. Modularity exists
`in both the hardware (splitting data collection and process-
`ing control circuitry from radio transceiver control circuitry)
`and software (splitting transceiver-specific, lower level com-
`munication protocol from generic, higher level communi-
`cation protocol). The control circuitry, including associated
`microprocessors devices,
`interact
`to selectively activate
`communication circuits to perform necessary communica-
`tion or data processing functions and enter and remain in a
`power-saving dormant state during other times. To support
`such dormant or “sleeping”states, a series of communica-
`tion protocols provide for channel access to the communi-
`cation network. The disclosed modular design also provides
`for automatic selection from a variety of available built-in
`and externally mounted antennas based on the particular
`type of radio transceiver(s) selected.
`
`10 Claims, 38 Drawing Sheets
`
`SAMSUNG 1019
`
`1
`
`SAMSUNG 1019
`
`

`

`
`
`2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 21, 1997
`
`Sheet 2 of 38
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`U.S. Patent
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`Oct. 21, 1997
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`Sheet 3 of 38
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`US. Patent
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`Oct. 21, 1997
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`Sheet 5 of 38
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`US. Patent
`
`Oct. 21, 1997
`
`Sheet 6 of 38
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`

`US. Patent
`
`Oct. 21, 1997
`
`Sheet 7 of 38
`
`5,680,633
`
`T3
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`FIG.4
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 21, 1997
`
`Sheet 8 of 38
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`US. Patent
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`Oct. 21, 1997
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`Sheet 90f 38
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`
`10
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 21, 1997
`
`Sheet 10 of 38
`
`5,680,633
`
`301
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`305
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`Start
`
`309
`
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`
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`
`FIG. 9
`
`11
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 21, 1997
`
`Sheet 11 of 38
`
`5,680,633
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`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 21, 1997
`
`Sheet 12 of 38
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`5,680,633
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`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 21, 1997
`
`Sheet 13 of 38
`
`5,680,633
`
`551|Asynchronous
`Wake Up to
`Transmit
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`Time
`
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`557|wait or Sleep for
`a Fixed Time
`Transmit an RFP
`
`559
`
`FIG. 12
`
`14
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 21, 1997
`
`Sheet 14 of 38
`
`5,680,633
`
`601
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`Asynchronous
`Wake Up to
`Transmit
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`
`FIG. 13
`
`15
`
`15
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 21, 1997
`
`Sheet 15 of 38
`
`5,680,633
`
`651
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`Wake Up to Transmit
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`
`FIG. 14
`
`16
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Oct. 21, 1997
`
`Sheet 16 of 38
`
`5,680,633
`
`701
`
`703
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`
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`
`FIG. 15
`
`17
`
`17
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Oct. 21, 1997
`
`Sheet 17 of 38
`
`5,680,633
`
`751
`
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`
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`
`FIG. 16
`
`18
`
`18
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Oct. 21, 1997
`
`Sheet 18 of 38
`
`5,680,633
`
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`
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`
`19
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 21, 1997
`
`Sheet 19 of 38
`
`5,680,633
`
`815
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`
`20
`
`20
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 21, 1997
`
`Sheet 20 of 38
`
`5,680,633
`
`[we|
`
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`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Oct. 21,1997
`
`_
`
`Sheet 211 of 38
`
`5,680,633
`
` 951
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`Wake Upto
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`
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`
`FIG. 20
`
`22
`
`22
`
`

`

`Oct. 21,1997
`
`Sheet 22 of 38
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`5,680,633
`
`FIG. 22
`
`23
`
`23
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Oct. 21, 1997
`
`Sheet 23 of 38
`
`5,680,633
`
`WY forasEX7s
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`111
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`
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`
`24
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 21, 1997
`
`Sheet 24 of 38
`
`5,680,633
`
` 1140
`
`1142
`
`FIG. 25
`
`25
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 21, 1997
`
`Sheet 25 of 38
`
`5,680,633
`
`1140
`
`FIG. 26
`
`1155
`
`
`
`FIG. 27
`
`1158
`
`26
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 21, 1997
`
`Sheet 26 of 38
`
`5,680,633
`
`
`
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`
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`
`27
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Oct. 21, 1997
`
`Sheet 27 of 38
`
`5,680,633
`
`
`
`FIG. 31
`
` NSE
`
`
`
`
`
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`
`
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`
`28
`
`

`

`Oct. 21, 1997
`
`Sheet 28 of 38
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`5,680,633
`
`1162
`
`FIG. 33
`
`29
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Oct. 21, 1997
`
`Sheet 29 of 38
`
`5,680,633
`
`FIG. 34
`
`30
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 21,1997
`
`Sheet 30 of 38
`
`5,680,633
`
`1211
`
`
`
`31
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 21, 1997
`
`Sheet 31 of 38
`
`5,680,633
`
`
`
`FIG. 37
`
`
`
`32
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 21, 1997
`
`Sheet 32 of 38
`
`5,680,633
`
`39, 1224
`
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`
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`US. Patent
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`Oct. 21, 1997
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`Sheet 33 of 38
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`5,680,633
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`U.S. Patent
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`Oct. 21, 1997
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`Sheet 34 of 38
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`5,680,633
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`FIG. 43
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`U.S. Patent
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`Oct. 21, 1997
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`Sheet 35 of 38
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`5,680,633
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`U.S. Patent
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`Oct. 21, 1997
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`Sheet 36 of 38
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`5,680,633
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`FIG. 45
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`37
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`U.S. Patent
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`Oct. 21, 1997
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`Sheet 37 of 38
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`FIG. 46
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`US. Patent
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`Oct. 21, 1997
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`Sheet 38 of 38
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`5,680,633
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`5,680,633
`
`1
`MODULAR, PORTABLE DATA PROCESSING
`TERMINALFOR USEIN A RADIO
`FREQUENCY COMMUNICATION
`NETWORK
`
`This application is a continuation-in-part application of
`the following:
`1. U.S. application Ser. No. 07/898,908 (Attorney
`Docket Nos. 92 P 447 & DN36767XZAA), by Koencket al.,
`filed Jun. 12, 1992, now abandoned, which is itself a
`continuation-in-part application of U.S. application Ser. No.
`07/835,718 (Attorney Docket Nos. 92 P 148 &
`DN36767XZA), by Koencketal., filed Feb. 12, 1992, now
`abandoned.
`2. U.S. application Ser. No. 08/071,555 (Attorney
`Docket Nos. 10168US04 & DN36767XZX), by Koenck et
`al., filed Jun. 4, 1993, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,331,136, which
`is in turn a continuation application of U.S. application Ser.
`No. 07/660,615 (Attorney Docket Nos. 91 P 398 &
`DN36767XZ), by Danielsonet al., filed Feb. 25, 1991, now
`U.S. Pat. No. 5,218,187, which is itself a continuation-in-
`part of:
`a. U.S. application Ser. No. 07/467,096 (Attorney Docket
`Nos. 91 P402 & DN37139), by Koencketal., filed Jan.
`18, 1990, now issued U.S. Pat. No. 5,052,020; and
`b. PCT application Ser. No. PCT/US90/03282 (Attorney
`Docket Nos. 91 P 392 & DN36767X-PCT), by Koenck
`et al., filed Jun. 7, 1990, now abandoned, which claims
`priority from two applications:
`1) US. application Ser. No. 07/364,594 (Attorney
`Docket Nos. 91 P 859 & DN36808X), by Cargin et
`al., filed Jun. 7, 1989, now abandoned, whichis itself
`a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No.
`07/339,330 (Attorney Docket Nos. 91 P 856 &
`DN36808), by Carginet al., filed Apr. 14, 1989, now
`abandoned; and
`2) U.S. application Ser. No. 07/364,902 (Attorney
`Docket Nos. 91 P 393 & DN36767), by Danielson et
`al., filed Jun. 8, 1989, now abandoned. |
`3. U.S.application Ser. No. 08/107,470 (Attorney Docket
`Nos. 10126US03 a DN38000B), by Kinney etal., filed Aug.
`17, 1993, now abandoned, which isitself a continuation-in-
`part of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/081,411 (Attorney
`Docket Nos. 10126US02 & DN38000A), by P. Kinney, filed
`Jun. 22, 1993, now abandoned, which is in turn a
`continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/053,901
`(Attorney Docket Nos. 10126US01 & DN38000), by Kin-
`ney et al., filed May 20, 1993, now abandoned.
`4. U.S. application Ser. No. 08/097,462 (Attorney Docket
`Nos. 10222US01 & DN38017), by West etal., filed Jul. 26,
`1993, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,428,636.
`5. U.S. application Ser. No. 08/059,447 (Attorney Docket
`Nos. 10132US03 & DN37882XA), by R. Meier, filed May
`7, 1993, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,428,636 which is a
`continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/056,827
`(Attorney Docket Nos. 10127US02 & DN37882X), by R.
`Meier, filed May 3, 1993, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,295,154
`which is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser.
`No. 07/769,425 (Attorney Docket Nos. 91 P 668 &
`DN37882), by Meier et al., filed Oct. 1, 1991, now aban-
`doned.
`The following applications are hereby incorporated herein
`by reference in their entirety and made part of this applica-
`tion.
`1. U.S. application Ser. No. 07/898,908 (Attorney Docket
`Nos. 92 P 447 & DN36767XZAA), by Koencket al., filed
`Jun. 12, 1992.
`
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`2. U.S. application Serial No. 08/071,555 (Attorney
`Docket Nos. 10168US04 & DN36767XZX), by Koenck et
`al., filed Jun. 4, 1993.
`3. U.S.application Ser. No. 08/107,470 (Attorney Docket
`Nos. 10126US03 & DN38000B), by Kinney et al., filed Aug.
`17, 1993.
`4. U.S.application Ser. No. 08/097,462 (Attorney Docket
`Nos. 10222US01 & DN38017), by West etal., filed Jul. 26,
`1993.
`5. U.S. application Ser. No. 08/059,447 (Attorney Docket
`Nos. 10132US03 & DN37882XA), by R. Meier, filed May
`7, 1993.
`6. U.S. application Ser. No. 08/101,254 (Attorney Docket
`Nos. 10092US04 & DN37998C), by R. Mahany, filed Aug.
`3, 1993.
`A portion of the disclosure of this patent document
`contains material which is subject to copyright protection.
`The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile
`reproduction by anyoneof the patent documentorthe patent
`disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office
`patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright
`rights whatsoever.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`This inventionrelates generally to portable data collection
`and processing terminals for use in a Radio Frequency (RF)
`communication network, and, more specifically to portable
`terminals supporting a variety of RF transceivers and asso-
`ciated antenna systems. Additionally, this invention relates
`to methods in which a portable terminal gains access to the
`RF communication network.
`
`In particular, portable data processing terminals have
`taken an increasingly significant role in business environ-
`ments. For example, battery powered, hand-held data col-
`lection terminals are used extensively for inventory control
`in warehousing and merchandising operations. Other uses of
`such terminals include invoicing, delivery route
`management, order taking and return control operations—as
`might be found in automobile rental operations.
`In many business environments, portable data processing
`terminals often need to communicate in real-time with other
`portable terminals, peripheral devices, work stations, and
`host computers. To meet such communication needs, a
`variety of mixed hard-wired and wireless communication
`networks with associated communication protocols have
`been developed, each addressing the specific requirements
`of a given business environment. In the process of such
`development, portable terminals have undergonetailoring of
`both hardware and software to fully support a specific
`communication network and associated protocol.
`As a result of such tailoring, each type of portable data
`collection terminal is generally only capable of operating in
`a single type of business environment. Tailoring also results
`in unreasonable additional costs associated with developing,
`manufacturing, documenting, etc., each variety of portable
`data collection terminals.
`
`More specifically, each portable data collection terminal
`includesa built-in radio transceiver. The built-in transceiver
`operates pursuant to only one of a variety of types of RF
`(Radio Frequency) communication characteristics, charac-
`teristics that are dictated per FCC (Federal Communication
`Commission) specification.
`The choice of the type of radio transceiver,i.e., the type
`of RF communication characteristics, to build in is based on
`the nature of the business environment. For example, a
`digital cellular radio might be chosen in an environment
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`having great distances between the radio and the destination
`transceiver. Similarly, data might be exchanged using a
`single channel UHF (Ultra-High Frequency), direct-
`sequence spread-spectrum, or frequency-hopping spread-
`spectrum band. Each of these bands have particular charac-
`teristics which make them attractive for a given business
`environment, and each generally requiring a different trans-
`ceiver.
`
`After choosing the appropriate radio transceiver, an
`appropriate antenna must also be selected. Each type of
`transceiver often requires a different type of antenna based.
`on the corresponding RF communication characteristics, the
`shape of the portable terminal, and the business environment
`at issue.
`Thus, there is need to provide a portable data collection
`terminal capable ofeasily supporting any of the plurality of
`types of radio transceivers and associated antennas, mini-
`mizing needed modifications to the terminal’s hardware and
`software design.
`In addition, to support real-time access to a communica-
`tion network, each portable data collection terminal needs to
`establish and maintain radio connectivity to the network.
`However, portable terminals must also address conflicting
`concerns of battery power conservation, ie., maintaining
`connectivity places a substantial load on battery power.
`Moreover,
`the mobile nature of portable terminals also
`presents difficulties in maintaining connectivity. It would
`therefore be desirable to implement communication protocol
`techniques which address power saving and mobility con-
`cerns while providing virtually real-time access to the com-
`munication link.
`
`Thus, an object of the present invention is to provide a
`modular hardware and software radio design for a portable
`data collection terminal which supports multiple types of
`radio transceivers and associated antennas.
`It is also an object of the present invention to provide for
`the selection of ones of a plurality of modular radio trans-
`ceivers for use by a portable data terminal, the selection of
`which addresses the specific concerns of a given business
`environment.
`
`Another object of the present invention is to provide for
`the selection of ones of a plurality of modular radio trans-
`ceivers for use by a portable data terminal, wherein each
`modular transceiver selected isolates the data collection
`terminal from transceiver specific operations by providing
`hardware and software control over such functions.
`A further object of the present invention is to provide a
`communication protocol which addresses power saving and
`mobility concerns while providing virtually real-time access
`to the communication link.
`Another object of the present invention is to provide a
`communication protocol for use by a portable data collection
`terminal which minimizes transmission collisions while
`providing for virtually real-time access to the communica-
`tion network.
`
`Another object of the present invention is to provide a
`communication protocol for use by a portable data collection
`terminal which eliminates the need for random number
`generation and random back-off techniques.
`A further object of the present invention is to provide an
`improved computer device apparatus for connecting a
`removable card type radio to a protected, interchangeable,
`environmentally sealed antenna which uses contacts located
`on the housing of the radio card.
`An object of the present invention is to provide an
`improved antenna connector for use with radio cards which
`can be inserted into various computer devices.
`
`4
`An object of the present invention is to provide an antenna
`cap, for use with computer devices utilizing radio cards,
`which is reliable, economical and easy to use.
`A further object of the present invention is to provide an
`antenna cap whereby an appropriate antenna will be con-
`nected to a radio card by selectively positioning the antenna
`contacts on the radio card.
`
`Another object of the present invention is to provide an
`antenna cap whereby a radio card may simultaneously
`connect to and utilize more than one radio antenna, and
`where the radio card may contain more than one type of
`radio transceiver.
`
`A further object of the present invention is to provide an
`improved antenna connector whereby an appropriate
`antenna(s) will be connected. to a radio card by selectively
`positioning the antenna contacts on the radio card.
`A further object of the present invention is to provide an
`improved apparatus which utilizes only one set of contacts
`on a radio card or modem card and uses a switching matrix
`to connect the radio card or modem card to the appropriate
`antenna or telephoneline.
`Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the
`present invention will become apparent from the following
`detailed description of the invention when considered in
`conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`These and other objects of the invention are achieved in
`a portable data collection terminal comprising a first and
`second data processing unit as well as a radio transceiver
`selected from a plurality of transceivers. The first processing
`unit is capable of executing its own set of communication
`software routines. Further, each of the plurality of radio
`transceivers has different operating characteristics. The sec-
`ond processing unit is capable of isolating the first process-
`ing unit from the differences in the operating characteristics
`of the plurality of radio transceivers.
`In one embodiment of the portable data collection
`terminal, the first processing unit is contained in a base
`module while the second processing unit and the selected
`radio transceiver are located in a communication module. In
`another embodiment, antennas are connected to the base
`module, and the portable data collection terminal unit
`includes a means for selectively interconnecting one of the
`antennas to the communication module.
`In a further
`embodiment, a preinstalled antenna is connected to the base
`module. The portable data collection terminal includes an
`antenna connector capable of connecting a variety of exter-
`nal antennas as well as a meansforselectively interconnect-
`ing the preinstalled antenna or the antenna connectorto the
`selected radio transceiver.
`The objects of the invention are also achieved in a
`portable data collection terminal that operates in a commu-
`nication network having a first and second subnetwork. The
`portable data collection terminal comprises a base process-
`ing unit and a communication processor, as well as a first
`and second radio transceiver selected from a plurality of
`radio transceivers. The base processing unit is capable of
`executing its own set of communication software routines.
`Further, each of the plurality of radio transceivers has
`different operating characteristics. The communication pro-
`cessor is capable of isolating the base processing unit from
`the differences in the operating characteristics ofthefirst and
`second radio transceivers.
`In one embodiment, the base processing unit is contained.
`in a base module of the portable data collection terminal.
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`The data collection terminal also has a communication
`module that contains the communication processor and the
`first and second radio transceivers.
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`5,680,633
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`6
`FIG. 12 is a flow diagram illustrating another protocol
`embodiment used by the data processing terminal of the
`present invention for gaining access to the channel;
`FIG.13 is a flow diagram illustrating an alternate protocol
`Theobjects of the inventionare also achieved in a method
`embodiment used by the data processing terminal of the
`used by a second device for beginning a data exchange over
`present invention for channel access which includesaretry
`an RF communication link with a polling device. (The
`counter;
`polling device having an interpoll gap time.) The method
`comprises identifying that an RF communication link is
`FIG. 14 is a flow diagram illustrating an alternate protocol
`clear throughout a period which is at least as long as the
`embodiment used by the data processing terminal of the
`interpoll gap time and transmitting a request for poll frame.
`present invention for channel access which uses periodic
`In one embodiment, the method also includes generating a
`SYNC messages in roaming implementations;
`first pseudo-random time whichis alsoat least as long as the
`FIG. 15 is a flow diagram illustrating another protocol
`interpoll gap time. The channel is then sensed for a time
`embodiment used by the data processing terminal of the
`substantially shorter thanthe first pseudo-random time. Such
`present invention for channel access which includes both
`sensing is repeated until the channel is detected as being
`periodic SYNC messages and a retry counter;
`busy, or until the channel is detected as being clear at every
`FIG. 16 is a flow diagram illustrating a channel access
`sense until the first pseudo-random time is reached. If the
`protocol using a pseudo-random number generator accord-
`channel is busy, a second pseudo-random time delay back-
`ing to another embodiment of the present invention;
`off is executed and the process beginning at the generation
`FIG.17 is a diagram of the basic communication structure
`of the first pseudo-random timeis repeated. If the channel is
`used in the channel access protocol of the present invention;
`clear for the entire first pseudo-random time, a request for
`FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary commu-
`poll is transmitted.
`nication sequence according to the channel access protocol
`of the present invention;
`FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an exemplary communi-
`cation exchange and illustrating channel access using a
`channel reservation scheme;
`FIG. 20 is a flow diagram illustrating channel access using
`the channel reservation scheme of FIG. 19;
`FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a radio card and a
`corresponding port for receiving the radio card built in
`accordance with the present invention;
`FIG. 22 is a partial top plan view of a radio card and port
`for receiving the radio card with the radio card completely
`inserted in the port;
`FIG. 23 is a partial side elevational view taken along line
`3—3 showing the male/female pin connection of the radio
`card and the port of FIG. 22;
`FIG.24 is a front view taken along line d—4 showing the
`female pin connections of the radio card of FIG. 21;
`FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a computer terminal
`showing the slot for receiving the radio card;
`FIG.26 is front view taken along line 6—6 showing how
`a radio card to be inserted into the slot of the computer
`terminal of FIG. 25;
`FIG. 27 is a perspective view of another radio card and a
`corresponding port for receiving the radio card built in
`accordance with the present invention;
`PIG. 28is a front view of another computer terminal and
`end cap capable of receiving a radio card;
`FIG. 29 is a top view taken along line 9—9 of the
`computer terminal of FIG. 28;
`FIG. 34 is a bottom view taken along line 10—10 of the
`computer terminal of FIG. 28 with the end cap removed;
`FIG.31 is a side elevation view taken along line 11—11
`of the computer terminal of FIG. 28 with the slot for the
`radio card shown in dashed lines;
`FIG. 32 is a partial top view taken along line 12—12 of
`the computer terminal of FIG. 31 showing the slot for
`receiving the radio card and the antennas;
`FIG.33 is a partial top view of yet another embodiment
`of a computer terminal built in accordance with the present
`invention showing the use of a switching matrix;
`FIG. 34 is a back view of a computer device and radio
`card built in accordance with the present invention;
`
`FIG. 4 is a sequencing diagram showing schematically
`occurrences of a module-initiated communication sequence
`in accordance with features of the invention;
`FIG. 5 is a further sequencing diagram illustrating sche-
`matically occurrences of a controller-initiated communica-
`tion in accordance with features of the invention;
`FIG.6 is a schematic diagram of an alternate embodiment
`of the invention showing major functional elements and
`their interaction with a power saving microprocessor control
`circuit in accordance with the invention;.
`FIG.7 is a schematic diagram showing typical, frequency
`related current characteristics of a control microprocessor
`device of the circuit shown in FIG.6;
`FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing frequency related
`current characteristics of an application microprocessor
`device of the circuit shown in FIG. 6;
`FIG.9 is a flow diagram showing a desired interaction of
`the two microprocessor devices in FIG. 6 in accordance with
`the invention;
`FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a protocol stack used in
`the data processing terminal of the present invention;
`FIG. IL is a diagram illustrating a local area communi-
`cations network of the present invention;
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. lis a schematic pictorial representation of a modular
`data collection terminal unit to which the present invention
`applies which shows schematically a physical representation
`of modules of the data collection terminal;
`FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram of functional blocks for
`illustrating major functional elements of a base module and
`a respective data and communications module of a data
`terminal in accordance with the present invention;
`FIGS.IB and 1C are diagrams illustrating the modularity
`of the software protocol stack used by the data terminal in
`accordance with the present invention;
`FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of functional interfaces
`- among various modules of the data collection terminal
`shown in FIG. 1.
`
`FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a control
`microprocessor,illustrating data bus terminals for synchro-
`nous communications.
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`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`7
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`FIG.35 is a side elevational view taken along line 2—2
`cally do not have alphabetical key functions. Thus for many
`of FIG. 34 of the computer device and radio card;
`record keeping and merchandising operations, the keyboard
`14 having an array of twenty or twenty-four keytops may be
`FIG. 36 is a partial top view taken along line 3—3 ofFIG.
`most desirable. In another operation, a greater number of
`34 of the computer device;
`keytops 16 may be required to display the letters of the
`FIG. 37 is a partial side elevational view of another
`alphabet, numbers, and to provide for the execution of
`computer device built in accordance with the present inven-
`various functions. Thus, a keyboard 14 having an array of
`tion;
`fifty-six keytops 16 may be preferred. Numerousvariations
`FIG.38 is a top view taken along line 5—5 of FIG. 37 of
`in the arrangement of the keytops 16 within the array of the
`the computer device showing the rubber cap inserted
`keyboard 14 are additionally possible. Mechanical or touch
`therein;
`