Modular, portable data processing terminal for use in a radio frequency communication

Abstract

Modular, portable data collection terminals are disclosed for use in mixed wireless and hard-wired RF communication networks, wherein various radio transmitter modules and associated antennas may be selectively added to a base terminal unit to solve networking problems associated with specific types of business environments. Modularity exists in both the hardware (splitting data collection and processing control circuitry from radio transceiver control circuitry) and software (splitting transceiver-specific, lower level communication protocol from generic, higher level communication protocol). The control circuitry, including associated microprocessors devices, interact to selectively activate communication circuits to perform necessary communication or data processing functions and enter and remain in a power-saving dormant state during other times. To support such dormant or “sleeping” states, a series of communication protocols provide for channel access to the communication network. The disclosed modular design also provides for automatic selection from a variety of available built-in and externally mounted antennas based on the particular type of radio transceiver(s) selected.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A communication device for wireless communication according to a communication protocol comprising a plurality of layers, the device comprising:
 a base processor operable to perform the functionality of a plurality of higher layers of the communication protocol; and   a communication processor operable to perform the functionality of a plurality of lower layers of the communication protocol.   
     
     
         22 . The communication device of  claim 21  wherein the communication processor is operable to perform communication protocol functionality associated with power management. 
     
     
         23 . The communication device of  claim 22  wherein the power management functionality comprises support for sleeping terminals. 
     
     
         24 . The communication device of  claim 21  wherein the base processor is operable to perform communication protocol functionality associated with power management. 
     
     
         25 . The communication device of  claim 24  wherein the power management functionality comprises support for sleeping terminals. 
     
     
         26 . The communication device of  claim 21  wherein the communication processor is operable to perform communication protocol functionality associated with support for roaming. 
     
     
         27 . The communication device of  claim 21  wherein the communication processor is operable to perform communication protocol functionality associated with support for reliable transmission. 
     
     
         28 . The communication device of  claim 21  wherein the communication processor is operable to perform the functionality of a data link layer of the communication protocol. 
     
     
         29 . The communication device of  claim 21  wherein the communication processor is operable to perform the functionality of a physical layer of the communication protocol. 
     
     
         30 . The communication device of  claim 21  wherein the base processor is operable to perform the functionality of a sessions layer of the communication protocol. 
     
     
         31 . The communication device of  claim 21  wherein the base processor is operable to perform the functionality of a transport layer of the communication protocol. 
     
     
         32 . The communication device of  claim 21  wherein the base processor is operable to perform the functionality of a network layer of the communication protocol. 
     
     
         33 . The communication device of  claim 21  wherein the base processor is operable to perform the functionality of a first portion of a network layer of the communication protocol and the communication processor is operable to perform the functionality of a second portion of a network layer of the communication protocol.