Data processing and communications device with interchangeable modules

A data communications device comprising:

• a base unit having a first microprocessor;
• a data and communication module received by the base unit, the data and communication module having a second microprocessor and a transceiver and being selected from a plurality of data and communication modules each having different types of transceivers;
• and
• a program stored in one of the base unit and the data and communication module for controlling communication of control signals and data between the first microprocessor and the second microprocessor according to a uniform data protocol that is understandable to the base unit.

A data communications device comprising:

• a base unit comprising:
• a first microcontroller;
• a first data interface;
• and
• a first memory;
• a data and communication module received by the base unit, comprising:
• a second microcontroller;
• a second data interface communicatively coupled to the first data interface;
• a second memory storing a program for operating the second microcontroller to interact with the second data interface;
• and
• a transceiver;
• wherein the data and communication module is selected from a plurality of data and communication modules each having substantially different transceivers.

A method of coupling a data and communication module housing a transceiver to a base module in a data communication system, the method comprising:

• selecting the data and communication module from a plurality of data and communication modules each having different transceivers;
• engaging the data and communication module with the base module to establish a communication interface between a first microprocessor of the base module with a second microprocessor of the data and communication module;
• operating the first microprocessor to communicate data on the communication interface according to a first data protocol resident within the base module;
• and
• operating the second microprocessor to communicate data with the transceiver according to a second protocol specific to the transceiver and to communicate data with the communication interface according to the first data protocol.