Portable data-gathering apparatus formed by modular components having operate-standby modes

Abstract

A hand-held data-gathering unit is formed by removably connected control and power modules: The control module contains a keyboard, a display device, a data input probe, and a microprocessor. The power module contains a rechargeable battery with a converter and associated power logic, and a memory system with associated memory control logic. The hand-held unit has a normal low-power standby mode which is maintained during the absence of input data from either the keyboard or the data probe, and an operation mode which is initiated by the arrival of input data. During the operation mode, input data enters the control module and is forwarded to the memory in the power module. As data is gathered during portable operation, the memory may reach capacity or the battery voltage may drop, or both. The power module may be removed from the control module and replaced by a fresh power module with a fully charged battery and an empty memory. The expired power module is inserted into a service module for charging the battery or transmitting the data to a remote terminal, or both. The control module may also be inserted into the sevice module where it is activated by a stationary power supply and interfaced with the memory in the power module for stationary operation. In addition to transmitting the contents of the memory, the service module may receive data from the remote terminal and for storage in the memory. This received data may then be accessed and displayed through the control module.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.