Modular, portable data processing terminal for use in a communication network

A mobile computing device comprising:

• a base module comprising a base processing unit operable on data in accordance with a set of communication software routines;
• and
• a communication module comprising;
• a first communication transceiver comprising a first operating characteristic for conducting data communications on a first subnetwork;
• a second communication transceiver comprising a second operating characteristic for conducting data communications on a second subnetwork, the second operating characteristic being different from the first operating characteristic and the second subnetwork being different from the first subnetwork;
• and
• a communication processor coupled between the base processing unit and the first and second communication transceivers for converting data received by the first and second communication transceivers to a format for processing by the base processing unit in accordance with the set of communication software routines and for converting data processed by the base processing unit to a format for transmission by a selected one of the first and second communication transceivers, thereby isolating the base processing unit from differences between the first and second operating characteristics of the first and second communication transceivers,
• wherein the communication processor is operable to initiate a test communication by the second communication transceiver and respond to the absence of receipt of a reply test communication by the first communication transceiver following initiation of a test communication by the second communication transceiver by conducting data communications with the second communication transceiver.

At least one communication module for use in a mobile computing device, the at least one communication module comprising:

• a first communication transceiver comprising a first operating characteristic for conducting data communications on a first subnetwork;
• a second communication transceiver comprising a second operating characteristic for conducting data communications on a second subnetwork, the second operating characteristic being different from the first operating characteristic and the second subnetwork being different from the first subnetwork;
• and
• a communication processor coupled to the first and second communication transceivers for converting data received by the first and second communication transceivers to a predetermined format and for converting data in a predetermined format to a format for transmission by a selected one of the first and second communication transceivers,
• wherein the communication processor is operable to initiate a test communication by the second communication transceiver and respond to the absence of receipt of a reply test communication by the first communication transceiver following initiation of a test communication by the second communication transceiver by conducting data communications with the second communication transceiver.

A communication module for use in a mobile computing device, the communication module comprising:

• a first communication transceiver comprising first operating characteristics used to conduct data communications on a first subnetwork:
• a second communication transceiver comprising second operating characteristics used to conduct communications on a second subnetwork, the second operating characteristics being different from the first operating characteristics and the second subnetwork being different from the first subnetwork;
• and
• a communication processor coupled to the first and second communication transceivers that converts data received by the first and second communication transceivers to a predetermined format and that converts data in the predetermined format to a format for transmission by a selected one of the first and second transceivers, the communication processor comprising a tester that initiates a test communication by the second communication transceiver and that responds to the absence of receipt of a reply test communication by the first communication transceiver following initiation of the test communication by the second communication transceiver by conducting data communications with the second communication transceiver.