Patent ID: 6031524
Filing Date: 2000-02-29
Classification: G06F,H04M

Abstract:
In a data collection system, a hand-held portable data collection terminal having electronic data processing circuitry therein, said data collection terminal comprising:(a) a housing having a display aperture and a keypad aperture;(b) a display assembly disposed in the display aperture of said housing, said display assembly comprising:(i) display means disposed in the display aperture of said housing for displaying data;(ii) a frame disposed in the display aperture of said housing, said frame being secured within the display aperture of said housing such that said frame overlays said display means;(iii) an interchangeable touch sensitive panel for tactile data input removably insertible into the display aperture of said housing and disposed within said frame such that said interchangeable touch sensitive panel overlays said display means;(iv) a bezel removably fastened to said housing and overlaying said interchangeable touch sensitive panel such that said interchangeable touch sensitive panel is removably secured within the display aperture of said housing; and(v) a gasket removably disposed between said bezel and said interchangeable touch sensitive panel for providing an environmental seal therebetween; and(c) a keypad display assembly disposed in the keypad aperture of said housing, said keypad display assembly comprising:(i) a printed circuit board having an array of electrical contacts disposed thereon, said printed circuit board being disposed in the keypad aperture of said housing;(ii) an elastomer having an array of boots corresponding to the array of electrical contacts of said printed circuit board, said elastomer being disposed in the keypad aperture of said housing such that said elastomer overlays said printed circuit board; and(iii) an interchangeable keypad comprising a keypad bezel and an array of keys corresponding to the array of boots of said elastomer, said interchangeable keypad being removably insertible into the keypad aperture of said housing such that said interchangeable keypad overlays said elastomer.