US5996080A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Safe, virtual trigger for a portable data capture terminal
Assignee: Nytell Software LLC
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Filing: 1996-10-04
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Granted: 1999-11-30
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Expires: 2016-10-04
Abstract
Abstract A portable, hand-held data collection terminal is of modular structure including, among other modules, multiple endcap modules and radio frequency communications pod modules, each of which may be chosen from a plurality of modules available for assembly into the terminal unit therby providing a plurality of modular combinations thereof. The functions of the multiple modular combinations are activated and controlled by a virtual trigger on a touch sensitive display. The virtual trigger may be positioned anywhere on the display to ergonomically accommodate different users. The terminal evaluates touch images retrieved from the touch sensitive display to determine whether they constitute an intentional touch. Unintentional touching will not activate the virtual button. Various other safety and power saving features are provided via orientation and motion sensors placed within the terminal.
Inventors
- 👤 Dennis Silva
- 👤 Paul Beard
- 👤 Jeffry A. Howington
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 20:25
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/048; G06F3/0487; G06F3/0488; G06F3/04886; G06F1/00; G06F1/16; G06F1/1613; G06F1/1626; G06F1/1632; G06F1/1633; G06F1/1675; G06F1/1681; G06F1/26; G06F1/32; G06F1/3203; G06F2200/00; G06F2200/16; G06F2200/163; G06F2200/1632; Y; Y02; Y02D; Y02D10/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
75 words
A portable data collection terminal utilized by any of a plurality of users, the terminal comprising: a housing; a display disposed on the housing; a touch sensitive panel assembly disposed on the display; an image capture circuit; a virtual button displayed on the display used to trigger the image capture circuit; and the position of the virtual button on the display being selected by any of the plurality of users via the touch sensitive panel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
75 words
A portable data collection terminal utilized by any of a plurality of users, the terminal comprising: a housing; a display disposed on the housing; a touch sensitive panel assembly disposed on the display; an image capture circuit; a virtual button displayed on the display used to trigger the image capture circuit; and the position of the virtual button on the display being selected by any of the plurality of users via the touch sensitive panel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The portable data collection terminal of claim 1 further comprising orientation sensing circuitry that selectively disables the image capture circuit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The portable data collection terminal of claim 1 further comprising motion sensing circuitry that selectively disables the image capture circuit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The portable data collection terminal of claim 1 further comprising a second virtual button and a radio modem controllable by the second virtual button.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The portable data collection terminal of claim 1 wherein the touch sensitive panel assembly generates touch image information used in attempts to identify intentional selection of the virtual button.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The portable data collection terminal of claim 5 wherein only touch image information that is identified as intentional causes a triggering of the image capture circuit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The portable data collection terminal of claim 1 wherein the virtual button comprises two buttons requiring simultaneous depression to cause triggering of the image capture circuit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
95 words
A portable data collection terminal utilized by any of a plurality of users, the terminal comprising: a control circuit; a display coupled to the control circuit; a touch sensitive panel assembly disposed on the display which generates touch image information; a panel interface circuit coupled to the touch sensitive panel assembly; a first circuit supporting a predetermined functionality; a virtual button displayed on the display used to trigger the first circuit; and the control circuit and panel interface circuit together attempting to screen unintentional selections of the virtual button based on the touch image information.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
95 words
A portable data collection terminal utilized by any of a plurality of users, the terminal comprising: a control circuit; a display coupled to the control circuit; a touch sensitive panel assembly disposed on the display which generates touch image information; a panel interface circuit coupled to the touch sensitive panel assembly; a first circuit supporting a predetermined functionality; a virtual button displayed on the display used to trigger the first circuit; and the control circuit and panel interface circuit together attempting to screen unintentional selections of the virtual button based on the touch image information.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
The portable data collection terminal of claim 8 further comprising an orientation sensor coupled to the control circuit, and the control circuit selectively responding to the orientation sensor to attempt to screen unintentional selections of the virtual button.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
The portable data collection terminal of claim 9 further comprising a motion sensor coupled to the control circuit, and the control circuit selectively responding to the motion sensor to attempt to screen unintentional selections of the virtual button.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The portable data collection terminal of claim 10 wherein the control circuit also selectively responds to the motion sensor by entering a low power state.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The portable data collection terminal of claim 8 wherein the virtual button comprises two buttons requiring simultaneous depression to cause triggering of the first circuit.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The portable data collection terminal of claim 8 wherein the first circuit comprises an image capture circuit.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The portable data collection terminal of claim 8 wherein the first circuit comprises a radio modem.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-11-29 | 2003-05-31 | 2003-11-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-11-29 | 2007-05-31 | 2007-11-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-11-29 | 2011-05-31 | 2011-11-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |