JP2014096128A - Coupling mechanism and system for electronic pairing between mobile device and related peripheral device and physical cooperation - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a physical and electronic method capable of easily and conveniently pairing a mobile terminal with a peripheral device including a bar code reader and a magnetic card reader.SOLUTION: A thread includes: attachment means; and an integral lateral rail 234 which firmly fixes a mobile device to an outer part by friction in a length direction of an integral-type thread 225 and is coupled by a sliding method to be locked. The integral lateral rail 234 is formed to be used with each single body of other peripheral devices or to be coupled and used each other with other peripheral devices. The thread includes: components, such as an illustrative bar code scan engine 220; rigger buttons 221 and 223; a 8-pin micro USB connector for charging the thread and the mobile device; a magnetic card reader module 224; a power switch; and a status display LED.

Description

  The present invention relates to an operational and physical cooperation method between a mobile phone or PDA and an associated peripheral device, and to an improved method of physically coupling and electronically connecting them.

  In recent years, mobile terminals such as mobile phones, smartphones and / or PDAs are more widely used than simple communication devices or media devices. There have been various applications for extending the functions of mobile terminals to achieve additional objectives using special purpose peripheral devices that can be coupled to such mobile terminals.

  However, when the mobile terminal is connected to the peripheral device, it becomes difficult to use the mobile terminal and the peripheral device at the same time, so that the effective operation between the mobile terminal and the peripheral device is often limited. There is a physical limitation when there is a need to maintain close electronic connectivity and when the end user tries to pick up and operate the mobile terminal and peripheral devices at the same time during the operation. In some cases, the effective operation between the mobile terminal and the peripheral device is limited.

  Until now, such a method of using the device has had to perform a troublesome physical and electronic connection necessary for simultaneously using and connecting peripheral devices to be linked by the user. In addition, a predetermined peripheral device such as a portable barcode scanning device and a magnetic card reader (MSR) is generally not easily linked or connected to a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone. .

  The present invention relates to a mobile device and a peripheral device integration system that improve interoperability between a mobile device and a peripheral device. In particular, the present invention is a system and method that substantially eliminates one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art, wherein the mobile terminal includes a peripheral device including a bar code reader and a magnetic card reader. The present invention relates to systems and methods that provide physical and electronic schemes that allow easy and convenient pairing.

  Thus, the proposed invention can be applied to a PDA, a mobile phone, and a peripheral addition device such as a small barcode scanner and a magnetic strip reader (MSR) and virtually all other small peripheral devices. And a new method for increasing the usability of smartphones. If a peripheral device (such as an exemplary portable barcode scanning device and / or a magnetic card reader) needs to be used with a PDA, mobile phone or smartphone, the present invention can be any of the devices described above. A physical electronic platform or “sled” is provided that makes it physically attachable in a modular fashion. By doing so, the system of the present invention can be used in a variety of ways, including wireless communication means such as a connection via Bluetooth®-protocol-based connection unit manufactured by Bluetooth SIG of Kirkland, Washington. In order to easily attach the portable barcode scanning device and / or magnetic card reader to the back of the mobile device while allowing electronic communication between the devices, the portable barcode scanning device and / or magnetic card reader Use a plastic housing that can be accommodated in a streamlined integrated system.

  Also, as a selective example, the user can use the hands-free trigger when the hands-free trigger connected to the portable barcode scanning device or other device is connected to the above-mentioned other devices through the Bluetooth-protocol-based connection. Means are provided to facilitate the use of. As a result, the system of the present invention is a wireless physically compact integrated system that requires little or no set-up and integration and can be used in a hands-free manner when needed. This is particularly effective in enabling smartphones and PDAs to be used with portable barcode devices, magnetic card readers or other peripheral devices.

  Accordingly, the present invention relates to providing a mobile device and peripheral device integration system that improves the interoperability between the mobile device and the peripheral device. (1) The mobile device and the peripheral device are convenient and durable physically. Provide a “sled” that includes a physical smartphone / cell phone cover that allows it to be attached to the surface, (2) provide a selective side scan button that utilizes hands-free trigger technology, (3) a small barcode reader and And / or provide the thread with the physical capacity to insert a selective peripheral device, such as a magnetic card reader, and (4) the inherent modularity for each connection of the devices described above, Through a wireless connection, such as a Bluetooth-type connection, without using a physical electronic connector (cable) Can be used to connect a mobile phone / cell phone and a peripheral device (such as a barcode reader and / or a magnetic card reader). (5) The configuration of the present invention allows the user to replace the thread of the present invention. At least, it becomes possible to change smartphones / cell phones periodically (as well as peripheral devices such as small bar code readers and / or magnetic card readers), and (6) the auxiliary battery pack in the sled By providing, the user can charge the smartphone / cell phone using the sled battery pack in the sled, (7) the first port that can wirelessly connect the sled to the smart phone / cell phone, and the sled to the Bluetooth base Provides a second port that can be wirelessly connected to other Bluetooth devices such as other printers Provide beneficial advantages such as providing wireless port, such as the exemplary dual Bluetooth port to.

  Expressed broadly, the modularity of the present invention allows the three components to be used alone with a magnetic card reader or without a magnetic card reader and / or as a stand-alone system. . This modularity allows the system to be easily and continuously used with little change when a user attempts to switch or switch a given mobile device. In addition, the actual design of the modular sled does not block the mobile device communication and / or charging port, can be used with any type of mobile device, supports all forms of basic services, and is made by Apple Inc. of Cupertino, California. It also supports services provided by specialized smart devices such as iTunes®-type devices. In order to achieve these objectives, the present invention overcomes the above and other disadvantages of the prior art.

  The technical contents realized by the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the technical contents described below, and other technical contents not mentioned in the following detailed description also belong to the present invention. Those skilled in the art will readily understand. Accordingly, additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reviewing the following description and are apparent from practice of the invention. Will. The objectives and other advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings. Accordingly, the foregoing general description of the invention and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are provided to provide further explanation of the invention as recited in the claims.

(Cross-reference of related applications)
This application is part of US patent application Ser. No. 13 / 177,465, filed Jul. 6, 2011, entitled “Linking Mechanism and System for Electronic Pairing and Physical Cooperation between Mobile Devices and Related Peripherals”. It is a continuation application and claims priority based on that application, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The accompanying drawings, which are provided to assist in further understanding of the invention and are included in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the detailed description of the invention, explain the principles of the invention. To do.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, a new operation performed between an exemplary peripheral device such as a small barcode reader and a mobile device is achieved, and the mutual physical connection between the peripheral device and the mobile device is achieved. Show. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a new operation performed between an exemplary peripheral device, such as a small barcode reader with a peripheral device trigger, and a mobile device is achieved. Show cooperative physical coupling. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a new operation performed between a peripheral device and a mobile device is achieved, and includes a mutually cooperative physical coupling hole for attaching to a basic mobile device half-open coupling structure. 1 is a top perspective view of an exemplary peripheral device such as a small barcode reader. FIG. One embodiment of the present invention achieves new operations performed between a peripheral device and a mobile terminal, such as a small barcode reader having exemplary functions for operative connection and control. 2 is a bottom perspective view of an exemplary peripheral device. FIG. An embodiment of the present invention achieves a new operation performed between a peripheral device and a mobile terminal, such as a magnetic card reader having an exemplary function for operational connection and control. 1 is a front perspective view of an exemplary peripheral device. FIG. An embodiment of the present invention achieves a new operation performed between a peripheral device and a mobile terminal, such as a magnetic card reader having an exemplary function for operational connection and control. 2 is a rear perspective view of an exemplary peripheral device. FIG. An embodiment of the present invention achieves a new operation performed between a peripheral device and a mobile terminal, such as a magnetic card reader having an exemplary function for operational connection and control. 2 is a rear perspective view of an exemplary peripheral device. FIG. FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of an exemplary peripheral device, such as a magnetic card reader, that achieves new operations performed between the peripheral device and the mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention achieves a new operation performed between a peripheral device and a mobile terminal, and an exemplary charging base having an exemplary function for operational connection and control. It is a three-dimensional side view of a peripheral device. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, two exemplary peripheral device aspects, such as a miniature barcode scanner coupled with a magnetic card reader, that achieve new actions performed between the peripheral device and the mobile terminal. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A trigger gun handle for a peripheral trigger that achieves a new operation performed between a peripheral device and a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention and has exemplary functions for operative connection and control. 3 is a three-dimensional side view of an exemplary peripheral device such as According to one embodiment of the present invention, a new operation performed between a peripheral device and a mobile device is achieved, and includes a mutually cooperative physical coupling hole for attaching to a basic mobile device half-open coupling structure. FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of an exemplary peripheral device in a modified form such as a miniature barcode reader. One embodiment of the present invention achieves new operations performed between a peripheral device and a mobile terminal, such as a small barcode reader having exemplary functions for operative connection and control. FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of an exemplary peripheral device in a modified form. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a new operation performed between a peripheral device and a mobile terminal is achieved, which has an exemplary function for operative connection and control, and includes an outer coupling rail. FIG. 6 is a front / top perspective view of an exemplary peripheral device in a modified form such as a miniature barcode reader having attachment means for attaching to a custom coupling structure. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a new operation performed between a peripheral device and a mobile terminal is achieved, which has an exemplary function for operative connection and control, and includes an outer coupling rail. FIG. 6 is a top / side perspective view of an exemplary peripheral device in a deformed form such as a miniature barcode reader having attachment means for attaching to a custom coupling structure. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a new operation is performed between a peripheral device and a mobile terminal, and a modified form achieved through a universal coupling structure for attaching the peripheral device to the mobile terminal. FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an exemplary attachment means. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a new operation is performed between a peripheral device and a mobile terminal, and a modified form achieved through a universal coupling structure for attaching the peripheral device to the mobile terminal. FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an exemplary attachment means. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a new operation performed between a peripheral device and a mobile terminal is achieved, such as a small barcode reader, a magnetic card reader, and a charging base according to an embodiment of the present invention. 5 is a flowchart showing an operational relationship between a peripheral device and a mobile terminal. FIG. 6 is an electronic schematic of the inventive USB connector configuration for charging mobile devices and / or peripheral devices when a charging base is included as part of the modular sled system of the present invention.

  It is intended to achieve the objects and other advantages of the invention as embodied and broadly described herein, and, when expressed in the broadest scope according to the purpose, the invention is a mobile device. In a mobile device and peripheral device integration system for improving interoperability between at least one peripheral device, (a) at least one of at least one of a custom coupling structure, a universal coupling structure, or a basic mobile device single-sided coupling structure Providing two robust attachment points, including attachment means for attaching the at least one peripheral device to the mobile device, and securing the mobile device in mutual cooperation so as to be in physical proximity to the mobile device (B) the modular thread is a small bar code reader, a mug Further comprising at least one of a peripheral device including a tick card reader, a charging base, an IC card reader, a peripheral device trigger, an RFID tag reader, a biometric verification module and / or a multi-threat monitor, and (c) the modular thread includes the above Peripheral device and mobile comprising said mobile device and peripheral device integration system and method further comprising electronic circuitry for providing an electronic connection such as wireless communication between said mobile device and said at least one peripheral device The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for providing improved interoperability between terminals. According to additional embodiments, the mobile device and peripheral device integration system of the present invention provides an electronic device for providing an auxiliary power connection between the at least one peripheral device and the mobile device in addition to a peripheral device trigger. A circuit is further included.

  According to another broad embodiment, the mobile device and peripheral device integration system for improving interoperability between the mobile device of the present invention and at least one peripheral device includes: (a) storing instructions in the peripheral device; And (b) executing a user command selected from the group comprising at least one of a toggle command, a wake-up process, a concatenation process, a data collection process, a synchronization process, and a transmission process. A thread providing at least one configurable key in the peripheral device and / or the mobile device, and (c) a processor coupled to the at least one key, wherein the at least one key and the processor are , (I) upon receiving a user data connection process command, the at least one peripheral device And (ii) a command to execute the data collection function of the peripheral device upon receipt of a user data collection process command, and (iii) synchronization if necessary An instruction to execute a process, and (iv) an instruction to transmit any data collected during the data collection function from the at least one peripheral device to the mobile device. The The above-described configuration can be achieved by the specific matters described in this specification, and is filed on January 31, 2011, and is named “Initialization for mobile phones and PDAs connected to peripheral devices”. And US Patent Application No. 13 / 018,286, which is an HID protocol-based soft keyboard toggle that can be synchronized, and filed on March 31, 2009, and the title of the invention is “between multiple portable devices” US patent application Ser. No. 12 / 384,022, filed Mar. 31, 2009, entitled “Improved Automatic for Data Exchange” US patent application Ser. No. 12 / 384,023, “Method and apparatus for identification of Bluetooth devices” and filed on Mar. 31, 2010 with the title “No. To achieve by selectively referring to additional details such as described in US patent application Ser. No. 12 / 798,184, entitled “Improved method and apparatus for connecting wireless devices using user programming functions” The contents of these application documents are all incorporated by reference.

  Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same or similar parts will be denoted with the same reference numerals throughout the drawings. The components and operations of the present invention shown in the drawings are merely for explaining the present invention, and the technical idea, important components and operations of the present invention are not limited to the following embodiments, and other This embodiment can also be applied.

  FIG. 1A is a diagram illustrating one exemplary embodiment of a mobile device and peripheral device integration system of the present invention for improving interoperability between a mobile device and a peripheral device. As shown, the unique part of the modular sled side of the present invention includes (at least one) peripheral device 10 that is physically integrated or connected to the mobile device 11 through the attachment means 20, as will be described below. In addition, the attachment means 20 provides an electronic connection between the at least one peripheral device and the mobile device 11 and also serves to attach the peripheral device 10 to the mobile device 11. The modular sled peripheral device 10 is a peripheral device including a small barcode reader, magnetic card reader, charging base, IC card reader, peripheral device trigger, RFID tag reader, biometric verification module and / or multi-threat monitor It can be at least one of any kind, and FIG. 1A shows a small barcode reader for the purpose of describing this embodiment. One of ordinary skill in the art can make various changes, additions, and substitutions to the described configuration, and generally the mobile device 11 is selected from the group including mobile phones, smartphones, PDAs, etc. It can be seen that this type of mobile device. In any case, the mobile device 11 may be wired (not shown) or alternatively, wirelessly to the thread peripheral device 10 of the present invention through a protocol such as the illustrated Bluetooth protocol. It may be connected.

  Hereinafter, as shown in the additional drawings, the attachment means 20 provides at least one robust attachment point and is structurally close to the peripheral device 10 so as to reciprocally secure the mobile device 11 to the mobile device 11. Provided in a manner to do. The attachment means 20 is at least a custom coupling structure (see FIGS. 7C and 7D below), a universal coupling structure (see FIG. 7E), or a basic mobile device single-piece engagement structure shown in the figure. Depending on one, a commercially available smartphone with a hole (not shown), a stop piece (not shown), or other means that can accommodate a scheme such as the click adapter system 101 as shown in FIG. 2A. It can be configured in various ways with a cover or through mounting screws and holes 205 as shown in FIG. 7A. As will be apparent, other forms of attachment means 20 such as hook and loop fastening devices, double-sided tape, and / or glue may be used for the physical fastening described above.

  FIG. 1B shows a system that is generally similar to that described above with reference to FIG. 1A, and according to one embodiment, a threaded surface (not shown) or a commercially available mobile device case (eg, the basics of attachment means 20). A selective side scan button using a peripheral device trigger that can be installed on the mobile device half-open coupling structure portion is further provided. Such a specific type of peripheral device trigger can be provided in various forms and, according to one embodiment, was filed on Jan. 6, 2011, and the title of the invention is “with non-voltage supply trigger. May be provided as described in US patent application Ser. No. 13 / 014,446, “Portable Barcode Input Device”, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. . In any case, as shown in FIG. 1B, the thread of the present invention utilizing a selective side scan button that uses a peripheral device trigger includes the illustrated mobile device case 30, trigger cable 40, trigger box 50, trigger A button 60, a peripheral device (small barcode scanner 70 shown in the figure), a trigger box mounting hole 80, and a trigger cable connector 90 for connecting to the small barcode scanner 70 in a wired manner may be included.

  FIG. 2A is a diagram illustrating one exemplary embodiment of the peripheral portion of the modular sled of the present invention, specifically, in the above case, Princeton, NJ, with a selective magnetic card reader. It is a top perspective view showing an example of a small bar code reader such as a KDC (registered trademark) 400 type unit manufactured by KoamTac (registered trademark). In this exemplary embodiment, an example of attachment means 20 that can utilize either one of a basic mobile device single-sided connection structure or a custom connection structure (e.g., using a commercially available smartphone cover with a hole (not shown)). Is shown. In both cases, locking prongs (not shown) may be provided on the coupling structure described above for locking engagement with the click adapter system 101, or a locking engagement may be provided in the mounting hole 100. It may be provided on the above-mentioned coupling structure through a mounting screw (not shown) that can be provided for screw coupling. Meanwhile, the peripheral device described above may further include a USB connector 102, a power on / off switch 103, a trigger button 104, a status display LED 105, and a barcode scan engine (1D laser and 2D imager). . FIG. 2B is a bottom perspective view showing the same peripheral device as in the above-described embodiment. As shown, the peripheral device includes a trigger button 110, an up / down button 111, and an 8-pin in addition to the above-described components. Ultra micro USB connector 112, battery case cover 113, cable guide 114, status display LED 115, guide hole 116, connector 117 to magnetic card reader and charging base, charging contact (Vcc) 117.1, trigger contact 117.2, Includes grounding 117.3, magnetic card reader base 118 with (integrated) trigger gun handle connection screw, and trigger gun handle mounting means / screw 119.

  FIG. 3A is a front / top perspective view of one exemplary embodiment of the peripheral portion of the modular sled of the present invention, which may be provided independently in the case described above, or may be a small bar as described above. An example magnetic card reader module 120 may be provided that is provided as an integral part of the code reader. As shown, the magnetic card reader module 120 includes a coupling means 121 (a coupling screw insertion hole that is part of the attachment means 20 described elsewhere in this specification), a power switch 122, and a status indicator. An LED 123 can be provided. Similarly, FIG. 3B is used with either a custom coupling structure or a basic mobile device half-open coupling structure, with a guide bar 130, a connector 131 to a barcode base, and other Rear / side perspective view showing one embodiment of a magnetic card reader module 120 provided with a magnetic card reader and bar code coupling means / screw holes 132 (which are part of the attachment means 20, as described in part). FIG. When the magnetic card reader module 120 is integrated with the small bar code reader 10 (as described elsewhere in this specification), the charging base 140 shown in FIG. Barcode and magnetic card reader base insertion hole 141 and USB connector 142 are provided for optimal connection and power supply. The bar code reader 150 and the magnetic card reader base 151 integrated by this method can be configured as shown in the side view of FIG.

  3C and 3D, on the other hand, show an embodiment of a magnetic card reader independent system 160 that is used separately from other peripheral devices such as a small barcode scanner. In the present embodiment, characteristic elements such as the illustrated power switch 161, status display LED 162, and USB connector 163 are provided in the same manner as the above-described embodiment. In the modular system of the present invention, various types of magnetic card readers that can be used as peripheral devices are possible. The system of the present invention has different interfaces when the exemplary KDC 400 is selected as a small bar code reader, especially when the peripheral devices described above are included as part of the module sled system of the present invention. Various magnetic card reader standards can be adopted and supported. This variation includes both the international triple track standard and the Japanese dual header standard (eg, single head-1 / 2/3 track magnetic card reader device as well as dual head-double track and JIS-II track). To help. In both cases, when integrated with (i) an internal DIP switch (as shown in FIG. 8 and other figures), (ii) a mobile device configuration utility, and / or (iii) the barcode base 300 described above. By providing special bar code scanning, any magnetic card reader standard can be supported.

  FIG. 6 illustrates a trigger gun handle 170 that can be used with the selective peripheral trigger device described elsewhere herein. The purpose of the trigger gun handle 170 is to allow the trigger button to be picked and pulled in a more convenient manner, with an auxiliary device that can be combined with the trigger described elsewhere herein, Available from suppliers such as Motorola® of Schaumburg, Illinois. As shown, the device features components such as a trigger button 171, a trigger gun handle mounting hole 172, a ground signal contact 173, and a trigger signal contact 174.

  7A and 7B are diagrams illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the bar code dedicated thread 206. As shown, the device includes a trigger button 200, an up / down (scroll) button 201, an 8-pin micro USB connector 202 for charging a sled and mobile device, a hand strap holder 203, a barcode scan engine (1D Laser or 2D camera) 204, 214, mobile device case mounting means / screw hole 205 (which is part of attachment means 20 for use with custom or basic mobile device half-open coupling structures), power switch 210, It is characterized by components such as a status display LED 211, a buzzer hole 212, and a trigger button 213.

  7C and 7D show an exemplary embodiment of an integrated thread 225 for a barcode reader and a magnetic card reader. The thread of this example is intended to be used in the concept of attachment means 20 and is configured to be used as a custom coupling structure rather than part of the basic mobile device coupling structure, An integrated lateral rail 234 is included that firmly fixes a mobile device (not shown) to the outer portion along the length direction of the integrated sled 225 by friction or is coupled and locked in a sliding manner. . Although the integrated sled 225 includes both a bar code reader and a magnetic card reader, the integrated outer rail 234 can be used with each of the other peripheral devices (eg, a small bar code scanner only, a magnetic (For use with card reader only, IC reader only, at least one biometric verification module only, at least one multi-threat monitor only, or other peripheral devices), or coupled to other peripheral devices It is configured to belong to the concept of the attachment means 20 for use together. In either of these cases, as shown, the apparatus includes an exemplary barcode scan engine (1D laser or 2D photographic machine) 220, trigger buttons 221, 233, up / down (scroll) button 222, sled and Features components such as an 8-pin micro USB connector 233 for charging mobile devices, magnetic card reader modules 224, 230, power switch 231, and status indicator LED 232.

  FIGS. 7E and F are also configured to be used within the concept of attachment means 20 and schematically illustrate a variation of the attachment mechanism achieved through a universal coupling structure for attaching a peripheral device to a mobile device. It shows. As shown, this embodiment is illustrative of a universal mobile device case 400, 500, mounting means / screws 410, 540 for plastic bars or elastic bands, plastic bars or elastic bands 430, 530, circular (or triangular). Features components such as corner / side holders 420, 520, elastic rubber bands 450, 550, and lower end guide bar 510. As will be apparent, such a deformed coupling structure of sleds allows virtually any type of mobile device to be easily coupled to almost any type of peripheral device in a robust physical manner.

  FIG. 8 illustrates various exemplary embodiments of the present invention that can be implemented with an exemplary miniature barcode scanner, a magnetic card reader having a magnetic card reader controller, and a peripheral device such as a charging base according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is an example of the block diagram which shows each part in the whole connection structure of a component. As shown, the threads are not only different types of USB and micro USB ports provided for operation control and connection with other components of the overall system, as well as status indicator LEDs, scans, scrolls, and It includes a barcode base board 300 that can provide features such as power buttons. According to one embodiment, the barcode base / magnetic card reader base / charging base connector 301 couples the magnetic card reader base 310 and the charging base 320 to the barcode base 300. To that end, the magnetic card reader base 310 can include features such as a magnetic card reader header controller, a magnetic card reader module, and a pin connector. A magnetic card reader controller board 330 for a magnetic card reader independent system can be connected to the magnetic card reader base 310 through a special pin connector 302. Similarly, the charging base 320, which can include features such as a power switch, status indicator LED, 7-pin DIP switch, and micro USB connector, is through the barcode base / magnetic card reader base / charging base connector 301. The bar code base board 300 and / or the magnetic card reader base 310 are connected. It is noted that the charging base 320 can also be used to charge the mobile device 11 when provided as a selective peripheral device.

In connection with the charging base being provided as a peripheral device of the sled of the present invention, the circuit can be used not only for charging the mobile device itself, but also for the KDC® 400 or the KDC® 400-type unit, etc. Can be provided for charging a peripheral device such as a small barcode reader. In the following description of the circuit, the use of the selective peripheral device trigger provided therein will also be described. In particular, if one USB port (eg, 8-pin micro USB as shown in FIG. 9) is used to charge (i) ground and the USB_VBUS pin to charge a KDC400 or KDC400-type unit, (ii) USB_DP And if the USB_DM signal is used to communicate with other USB devices such as mobile devices (or other peripheral devices), (iii) allow external trigger mechanisms such as peripheral device triggers and / or trigger gun handles Provided for their use when FINGER_TRIGGER # and GND signals are used to: (iv) GND, USB_VBUS_EXT, USB_DM_EXT, USB_DP_EXT signals are used to charge the mobile device. A custom cable can then be developed as described above to connect the 8-pin USB connector on the KDC 400 or KDC 400-type unit with the mobile device (or other peripheral device). Providing the above-described charging circuit in the illustrated KDC 400 eliminates the need to use multiple USB ports for charging. The schematic signal network for the above-described signals and operational charging elements (e.g., achieved by the above-described 8-pin micro USB pin assignment structure) can be represented as the following table: it can.

  The system of the present invention includes mobile device specific charging logic and standard USB charging logic as found in iPhone® specific charging logic (provided as described herein), provided that Support various charging logics (not necessarily limited to this). In such cases, any exemplary small bar code reader-type peripheral device, such as the KDC400-type unit described above, can select the charging logic to be matched by a specific user selection, and such a selection can be ( i) internal DIP switch (as shown in FIG. 8 and other figures), (ii) mobile device configuration utility, and / or (iii) special barcode (when integrated with the barcode base 300 described above) Made possible by providing scanning. For example, the selection of matched charging logic as described above is as if a separate menu in the exemplary KDC 400 or KDC 400-type unit automatically selects the charging logic by precise user selection of a specific Bluetooth profile. Accordingly, when a predetermined user selects an iPhone Bluetooth connection method, a mobile device circuit having an exclusive right such as an iPhone-specific charging circuit can be supported.

  As described above, the modular sled peripheral device 10 may be any type of peripheral device including a small barcode reader, magnetic card reader, charging base, IC card reader, peripheral device trigger, or RFID tag reader. At least one is sufficient. In one alternative embodiment, the modular threaded peripheral device 10 may be at least one of any type of peripheral device including a biometric verification module or a multi-threat monitor. Specifically, the portable wireless biometric matching module may include at least one of an iris reader, fingerprint reader, face recognition reader, etc. when used as a peripheral device, but other related possibilities A suitable embodiment may be included in the present invention. One such example portable wireless device may be well known, such as the same type as the HIDE® device from L-1 Identity Solutions, Billerica, Massachusetts. The multi-threat monitor may include a gas detection monitor, a radiation monitor, a man-down monitor, a volatile organic compound monitor, etc., each of which has an integrated wireless function. Non-limiting examples of the devices described above include MultiRAE® portable multi-threat monitors commercially available from RAE systems, San Jose, Calif., Instadose, registered by Global Dosimetry, Irvine, Calif. Trademark) dosimeter. One of the other alternative monitors that are intended to be included in the multi-threat monitor group described above is the available technology currently known as “Citizen's Dosimeter” of the US Department of Homeland Security (details of this). Is disclosed in US Pat. No. 7,781,747 issued to Klemic on August 24, 2010, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. This is a radiation sensitive material that is similar in size to a credit card and can be read using a card reader such as the StoreCard® reader of the StoreCard of Carmel, California.

Similarly, the mobile device 11 is a type selected from a group including a mobile phone, a smartphone, a PDA, and the like, and generally includes a display for realizing an interaction with a user. Such displays are provided with a “soft keyboard” that is often used by users for data entry. By way of example only, the peripheral barcode scanner used in the present invention is a configurable key (such as a KDC400 type unit from KoamTac, Princeton, NJ) for controlling a soft keyboard on a mobile device ( Configurable key), including a relatively small display for user interaction, and providing the user with different menu screens for the various functions described herein. Other menu images can be implemented on the display as needed, and configurable keys for controlling the mobile device without a soft keyboard can be provided. There are also a variety of multi-function keys as seen from the KDC 400 including (but not necessarily limited to) a power on / off button, scan buttons on both sides, and up / down (scroll) control buttons. May be provided for operation. When selecting a small barcode scanner as the peripheral device 10, the KTSync® type downloaded there to provide configuration options for generally any configurable key (eg, toggle key, menu, etc.) It is necessary to use a bar code scanning unit with a function that can be operated by software or a programming function. Thus, a Bluetooth-connected device may frequently disconnect abnormally due to unexpected noise in the Bluetooth spectrum in the 2.4G range or for other reasons known in the wireless connection technology field. Automatic reconnection and toggling, which are the most useful functions when known, can be provided. As described above, the exemplary KDC 400 can be automatically reconnected to the host computer by pressing the side up button, and the down button can be defined as a Bluetooth separation key or a soft keyboard toggle key when in HID mode.

In connection with providing Bluetooth profile selection, when the KDC 400 is used as a small barcode reader, for example, in the overall modular thread system of the present invention, it supports three different Bluetooth connection modes depending on the mobile device to which it is connected. It is worth noting that you can. SPP mode is available in Android (R), Blackberry (R) and Microsoft, which are included in various mobile devices.
It can be used to link host devices that support SPP or RFCOMM profiles such as Windows. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the RFCOMM profile provides a socket-based client-server paradigm for service delivery, typically when a user attempts to create a client-server-based application using Bluetooth. Used for. Similarly, SPP (Serial Port Profile) defines requirements for Bluetooth devices that are required to set up serial cable connections emulated using RFCOMM between two peer devices. Define the requirements expressed by defining the functions (elements) and procedures expressed by the services provided and necessary for interoperability between Bluetooth devices. Basically, SPP can be used by devices that use Bluetooth for RS232 (or similar) serial cable emulation, and Bluetooth as a cable replacement through virtual serial port abstraction. Define protocols and procedures that may be used with legacy applications that use. As a specific example, an exclusive mobile device such as iPhone may use iPhone mode to connect to iOS devices such as iPhone, iPad® and iPod touch®. Can be used. As another example, the HID mode can be used for host device connection supporting an HID profile. In any case, these various Bluetooth profiles can be set by the basic mobile device configuration utility or by using specific barcode scanning. Also, special Bluetooth management software such as KTSync Software from KoamTac, Princeton, NJ may be used to provide the above. Alternatively, a unit such as the exemplary KDC200 or KDC300 type unit from KoamTac of Princeton, NJ may be pre-built and utilized in Bluetooth management software (as seen in KTSync).

  In connection with providing Bluetooth sparing and connection procedures, several different schemes are supported when the exemplary KDC 400 is utilized as a small bar code reader in the overall modular thread system of the present invention. Specifically, (i) the user can set the KDC 400 to automatically enter the pairing mode when the power is turned on, and (ii) the user turns on the KDC 400 or presses a specific combination of KDC 400 buttons. Or (iii) when the pairing and connection state has been successfully achieved or the set time has elapsed, the pairing and connection mode is terminated. And / or (iv) the user can simply abort the pairing and connection procedure by pressing a particular combination of KDC 400 buttons. As described elsewhere in this specification, not only a first port that couples the sled and the mobile device, and a peripheral device that is physically separated, such as a printer with a bluetooth connected sled, A dual (Bluetooth) port composed of a second port that connects to other peripheral Bluetooth devices described herein can be provided for the connection described above.

In the above description, certain additional functions may be further exploited in the thread by the present invention as functions of peripheral devices such as the exemplary KDC 400. For example, so that the user knows operating conditions such as (i) successful or unsuccessful scanning, (ii) Bluetooth sparing and connection, (iii) Bluetooth profile, and / or (iv) battery charging or battery shortage, etc. Status indication LEDs (of different colors), vibrators, or beepers / buzzers can be provided. For possible settings of the KDC 400 (or other peripheral device) in a modular thread, a status indicator as shown in the table below can be used, which is related to the disclosure and scope of the present invention. It is not meant to limit the present invention in any way.

Although the basic concepts of the present invention have been described above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the above detailed disclosure is intended to be provided by way of example only and is not limiting. Various alternatives, improvements and modifications are intended to be suggested and all fall within the scope and spirit of the invention. In addition, the listed order of elements or sequences, or the use of numbers, letters, or other symbols, identifies the claim processing in any order except as specified in the claims. It is not intended.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Peripheral device 11 Mobile device 20 Adhering means 30 Mobile device case 40 Trigger cable 50 Trigger box 60 Trigger button 70 Small barcode scanner 80 Trigger box attachment hole 90 Trigger cable connector

Claims (12)

A mobile device and peripheral device integration system for improving physical and electronic interoperability between a mobile device and at least one peripheral device, the system comprising:
(A) a modular thread with attachment means for physically attaching the at least one peripheral device to the mobile device, the attachment means being a custom coupling structure, a universal coupling structure, or a basic mobile device For providing at least one rigid attachment point with at least one of the single-open coupling structures to attach the at least one peripheral device to the mobile device, wherein the modular sled is physically attached to the mobile device. Further comprising a coupling structure for cooperating and securing the at least one peripheral device in proximity to the module,
(B) The modular thread can be a small barcode reader, magnetic card reader (MSR), integrated circuit (IC) card reader, peripheral device trigger, radio frequency identification (RFID) tag reader, biometric matching module, or multi-threat Further comprising at least one of said at least one peripheral device selected from the group consisting of monitors;
(C) The modular device and peripheral device integration system, wherein the modular thread further includes an electronic circuit for electronic wireless communication connection between the mobile device and the at least one peripheral device.   The modular sled includes a dual wireless communication port comprising a first port coupling the modular sled with the mobile device and a second port coupling the modular sled with the at least one peripheral device. A mobile device and peripheral device integration system for improving physical and electronic interoperability between the mobile device according to Item 1 and at least one peripheral device.   The mobile device of claim 2, wherein the at least one small bar code reader includes a peripheral device trigger coupled thereto, and wherein the peripheral device trigger is selected from a group including a scan button or a trigger not supplied with voltage. And a mobile device and peripheral device integration system for improving physical and electronic interoperability between at least one peripheral device.   The mobile device and at least one peripheral device of claim 3, wherein the attachment means for attaching the at least one peripheral device to the mobile device provides the at least one rigid attachment point through a custom coupling structure. Mobile device and peripheral device integration system for improving physical and electronic interoperability between devices.   The mobile device of claim 3 and at least the attachment means for attaching the at least one peripheral device to the mobile device provides the at least one rigid attachment point through a basic mobile device canopy coupling structure. A mobile device and peripheral device integration system for improving physical and electronic interoperability between one peripheral device.   4. The mobile device and at least one peripheral device of claim 3, wherein the attachment means for attaching the at least one peripheral device to the mobile device provides the at least one rigid attachment point through a universal attachment structure. Mobile device and peripheral device integration system for improving physical and electronic interoperability between devices.   The modular sled includes a charging circuit that uses only one charging port to charge the mobile device when the mobile device is coupled to the at least one peripheral device. A mobile device and peripheral device integration system for improving physical and electronic interoperability between a mobile device and at least one peripheral device.   4. The physical and electronic connection between the mobile device and at least one peripheral device according to claim 3, wherein the at least one peripheral device includes at least one small bar code reader and at least one magnetic card reader. Mobile device and peripheral device integration system for improving interoperability.   4. The physical and electronic interaction between the mobile device and at least one peripheral device according to claim 3, wherein the at least one peripheral device includes at least one small bar code reader and at least one IC card reader. Mobile device and peripheral device integration system for improving operability.   4. The physical and electronic interoperability between a mobile device and at least one peripheral device according to claim 3, wherein the at least one peripheral device includes at least one small bar code reader and at least one RFID tag reader. Mobile device and peripheral device integration system for improving performance.   The mobile for improving physical and electronic interoperability between a mobile device and at least one peripheral device according to claim 3, wherein the at least one peripheral device includes at least one biometric matching module. Device and peripheral device integration system.   The mobile device for improving physical and electronic interoperability between a mobile device and at least one peripheral device according to claim 3, wherein the at least one peripheral device includes at least one multi-threat monitor. And peripheral device integration system.

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