WO1996034331A1

WO1996034331A1 - Portable data entry device with lid for contaminant proof cable connection

Info

Publication number: WO1996034331A1
Application number: PCT/US1996/005811
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rajendra Kumar
Original assignee: Khyber Technologies Corporation
Priority date: 1995-04-27
Filing date: 1996-04-26
Publication date: 1996-10-31

Abstract

A portable device (10) for data entry by an operator (15) allows substantially contaminant free electrical interconnection via cables (31, 41) to external peripherals such as a headset (30) and a scanner (40). Device (10) includes a housing (11) carrying at least one operator selectable control (24) and at least one interconnect (21, 22) selectively engageable by the operator (15) with the cable (31, 41) for the peripheral (30, 40). A lid (50) selectively openable and closeable by the operator (15) seals the control (24) and the interconnect (21, 22) from contamination external to housing (11) while the cable (31, 41) for the peripheral (30, 40) is engaged with the interconnect (21, 22). Two gaskets (51, 52) having passageways (54) and passageway covers (55) preferably formed in U-shape or other configuration to best fit the cross section geometry of cables (31, 41) allow the entrance of cables (31, 41) into housing (11) without diminishing the integrity of the seal.

Description

PORTABLEDATAENTRYDEVICEWITHLID FORCONTAMINANTPROOF CABLE CONNECTION

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates in general to data collection devices. More parti¬ cularly, the present invention pertains to portable devices for hands-free data collec¬ tion by an operator. More specifically, the present invention relates to portable data collection devices utilizing voice input from the operator.

BACKGROUND ART

Numerous businesses require portable data collection by persons who must or should use their vision and both hands in the data collection process or for other contemporaneous tasks. Devices to fulfill those needs have taken the form of a processor capable of some level of speech recognition placed in a portable housing that may be affixed to a belt or other article of clothing worn by the operator. Two such commercially available devices, the Speech Commander Portable from Verbex Voice Systems, Inc. of Edison, New Jersey, and the Talkman from Vocellet, Inc. of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, provide for a headset to be worn by the operator through which data may be audibly input and output, and the headset conductors plugged into the belt mounted processor unit.

Other portable input and output devices may be electrically interconnected to the processor unit. For example, should the application require printing of a bar code or other record, a separate printer like the microFlash Printer commercially available from O'Neil Products Development, Inc. of Irvine, California or the Portable Bar

Code Printer from Monarch Marking Systems, Inc. of Miamisburg, Ohio, may be also affixed to the operator's belt and its conductors plugged into the processor unit. Power supplies and radio frequency or other wireless communications units allowing for real-time data collection by remote data processing systems are also available for belt transport and electrical interconnection to the processor unit. Unfortunately, the likelihood of environmental contaminants invading the device and deleteriously effecting its operation is increased with each additional user control and peripheral unit conductor that must extend through the housing, notwithstanding the occasional placement of a seal around the passageways for those individual components. Indeed, wireless systems and many other applications often force the operator to employ a number of peripheral units, yielding a system that, in addition to the increased possibility of contamination, is also large, heavy and cumbersome, characteristics least desired for portability, and expensive.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a portable device for data collection that allows the operator to selectively electrically engage one or more conductors from other input/output peripherals (such as an audio headset, audio headphone, barcode scanner and display), and operate the device substantially without risk of environmental contamination entering through the point of electrical intercon¬ nection. It is another object of the present invention to provide a device, as set forth above, in which controls may extend through the housing for operator utilization sub¬ stantially without risk of environmental contamination entering through the control passageway.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a device, as set forth above, that is substantially without risk of environmental contamination from both solid and liquid contaminants.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention over existing prior art forms will become more apparent and fully understood from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In general, in accordance with the present invention a portable device for data entry by an operator using at least one peripheral external to the device having a cable requiring electrical connection to the device, includes a housing carrying at least one interconnect selectively engagable by the operator with the cable for the peripheral. A lid selectively openable and closeable by the operator seals the interconnect from contamination external to the housing while the cable for the peripheral is engaged with the interconnect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is perspective view of an exemplary device in accordance with the present invention for portable data collection showing a top end lid in a partially open position, and conductors from a headset and scanner entering the housing through a gasket in the top end lid.

Fig. 2 is an partial, enlarged perspective view of the top portion of the exemplary device depicted in Fig. 1, including the top end lid in the partially open position of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an partial, enlarged perspective view of the top portion of the exemplary device depicted in Fig. 1, including the top end lid in its closed and sealed position.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of an operator having a belt upon which the exemplary device depicted in Fig. 1 is removably mounted, scanning a bar code on a package with a wrist mounted scanner in wireless communication with the exemplary device.

Fig. 5 is a top level block diagram of an application for the exemplary device of Fig. 1 in which audible input data is modulated upon a radio frequency and trans¬ mitted to a remote processor executing the desired data collection application pro¬ gram, and audible output is transmitted in opposite direction. Fig. 6 is a top level block diagram of another application for the exemplary device of Fig. 1 in which the desired data collection application program is included within the exemplary device itself.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Fig. 1 presents a perspective view of an exemplary device in accordance with the present invention, generally indicated by the numeral 10, for portable data collec¬ tion by an operator. Portable data collection device 10 includes a housing 11 of substantially rectangular cross-section which carries a power supply 12 and a voice processor module 20 including one or more electrical jacks 21, 22 (best seen in Fig. 2) for removable, electrical interconnection with mating plugs as discussed hereinafter, and one or more controls 23, such as volume control thumbwheel 24. A shoulder strap, belt or pocket clip 25 may be also integrally formed into housing 11 to facilitate hands-free carrying of device 10 by the operator. One or more external devices, such as a headset 30 for audible input and output and a scanner 40 for optical data input removably carried by a scanner bracket 14 integrally formed with the body of housing 1 1, may be removably, electrically connected to voice processor module 20 through multiple conductor cables 31, 41, respectively, having plugs 32, 42, respectively, for selective mating with electrical jacks 21, 22 as delineated further hereinafter.

At an end of housing 1 1 which may be referred to as the top, an end lid 50 may be formed and pivotally hinged along the back edge of housing 11 for selectively covering and sealing various operator controls and cable interconnections in a closed position, as best seen in Fig. 3, and giving the operator ready and complete access to the same when in an open position, as best seen in Fig. 2. A top gasket 51 of generally rectangular cross section geometry extends along and is affixed to the underside of top end lid 50. A bottom gasket 52 extends along and is affixed to the top edge of housing 11 so as to engage and mate with top gasket 51 whenever top end lid 50 is pivoted to its closed position, thereby forming a seal and precluding entry of both solid and liquid external contaminants into housing 1 1. The sealing member provided by the combination of top gasket 51 and bottom gasket 52 may be secured in its sealing configuration by a latch 53 formed in top end lid 50 to extend down below and releasably grasp the underside of bottom gasket 52. In order to allow the entrance of cables 31, 41 into housing 11 without dimin¬ ishing the integrity of the seal provided by gaskets 51, 52, a plurality of passageways 54 are formed into bottom gasket 52, and a like plurality of passageway covers 55 are formed into top gasket 51. Passageways 54 and passageway covers 55 are preferably formed in U-shape or other configuration to best fit the cross section geometry of cables 31, 41, and top gasket 51 and bottom gasket 52 preferably made of a suitable, pliant material, such as an elastomer. Cables to be interconnected with voice processor module 20 are placed within individual passageways 54. Consequently, when top end lid 50 is pivoted into its closed position, cables 31 and 41 are tightly enveloped by the combination of bottom gasket 52 and passageway cover 55 whose pliability allows it to conform to the shape of cables 31 and 41. Passageway cover 55 seals passageway 54 not occupied by a cable.

The skilled artisan will appreciate that, if desired, a bottom end lid 58 may be provided with like structure and functionality as that of upper end lid 50. Indeed, a plurality of lids for permitting substantially contaminant free cable interconnection may be provided at locations other than the ends of housing 11.

Operation of device 10 so as to allow operator removable interconnection of external peripherals is both simple and straightforward. Initially operator 15 pivots top end lid 50 to the open position, threads the cables for all external peripherals to be interconnected through a passageway 54, and inserts each cable plug into its mating jack. Operator 15 may also adjust controls 23 as desired. Thereafter, top end lid 50 is closed and audible data collection commenced. Top end lid 50 may be opened at any time, cables removed and others inserted, controls 23 adjusted, top end lid 50 reclosed, and data collection resumed.

The present invention will work equally well with external peripherals linked to device 10 by infrared or any other of the well known wireless communication techni¬ ques, thereby further minimizing necessary cable interconnections. For example, Fig. 4 presents a perspective view of an operator 15 having a belt 16 upon which device 10 is removably mounted utilizing belt clip 25. In this example a wireless, wrist mounted scanner 43 is employed for optical data entry, scanning a bar code 44 on a container 45, and data and control commands are transmitted between housing 11 and wrist mounted scanner 43 by infrared or radio frequency communication.

Figs. 5 and 6 depict typical applications of device 10. In the configuration of Fig. 5, device 10 provides real-time data collection to a remote application processor. In this instance audible input data processed by voice processor module 20 is received by a radio frequency transceiver 60 for modulation upon a radio frequency and trans¬ mission to a remote application processing system 61. Remote application processing system 61 includes a radio frequency transceiver 62 like that of radio frequency transceiver 60, and an application processor, such as personal computer 63 executing the desired data collection application program 64. A variety of data storage and command input peripherals may be connected to application processor personal computer 63, including one or more disk drives 66, a host computer 67, a display 68 and a keyboard 69. Remote application processing system 61 may transmit audible output to the operator.

In the configuration of Fig. 6, device 10 allows batch-mode data collection within device 10 itself. In this instance application processor module 70 is included within device 10. Any of the previously noted peripheral devices may be intercon- nected directly to the application processor module 70 within device 10.

Inasmuch as the present invention is subject to variations, modifications and changes in detail, some of which have been expressly stated herein, it is intended that all matter described throughout this entire specification or shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. It should thus be evident that a device constructed according to the concept of the present invention, and reasonably equivalent thereto, will accomplish the objects of the present invention and otherwise substantially improve the art of data collection by portable devices receiving cables from peripherals.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1 1. A portable device for data entry by an operator using at least one peripheral

2 external to the device having a cable requiring electrical connection to the device, 3 comprising:

4 a housing carrying at least one interconnect selectively engagable by the

5 operator with the cable for the peripheral; and,

6 a lid sealing said interconnect from contamination external to said housing

7 while the cable for the peripheral is engaged with said interconnect, said lid 8 selectively openable and closeable by the operator.

1 2. A device, as set forth in claim 1, further including a sealing member

2 including a first gasket affixed to said housing where said housing selectively

3 engages said lid and having a plurality of passageways therein through which the 4 cable may be passed, and a second gasket affixed to said lid where said lid

5 selectively engages said housing and having a plurality of passageway covers

6 therein.

1 3. A device, as set forth in claim 2, wherein said passageways are shaped to 2 substantially conform to the cross section geometry of the cable, and said

3 passageway covers seal said passageways in the absence of a cable therein and

4 allow passage therethrough in the presence of the cable.

1 4. A device, as set forth in claim 3, further including at least one operator 2 selectable control carried by said housing, said lid sealing said control from

3 contamination external to said housing while the cable for the peripheral is

4 engaged with said interconnect.

1 5. A device, as set forth in claim 3, further including a clip for carrying the 2 device on one of a shoulder strap, belt, pocket and other article of clothing.

1 6. A device, as set forth in claim 3, wherein the peripherals are selected from

2 the group including an audio headset, audio headphone, automatic identification 3 scanner and display, and further includes a wireless communications link to at

4 least one peripheral.

1 7. A device, as set forth in claim 3, wherein said housing has a top end and a 2 bottom end, and further including a top end lid and a bottom end lid.

1 8. A device, as set forth in claim 3, further including a wireless transceiver for

2 receiving commands from and transmitting collected data to a remote application

3 processor.

1 9. A device, as set forth in claim 3, further including a processor for batch-

2 mode data collection.

1 10. A device, as set forth in claim 9, further including an application program 2 for execution by said processor.