Abstract:
A data collection system for use with a movable cart. The system has a portable data collection unit which may include an indicia reader, a wireless communication system or a user interface. The data collection unit can be removed from the cart and can remain operational when removed. When attached to the cart, the data collection unit can communicate with an output device contained within the boundaries of the cart. The output device can be a printer. The system can also include a mounting device which removably attaches the data collection unit to the cart. The mounting device can remain attached to the cart after removal of the data collection unit. The system can include an auxiliary device which can be removed from the cart for operation. For example, an auxiliary device can be a printer that can be removed from the cart along with the data collection unit.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/587,192, filed Jan. 16, 1996 (now U.S. Pat. No. 5,816,725, issued Oct. 6, 1998), which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/291,305, filed Aug. 16; 1994 (now U.S. Pat. No. 5,484,991, issued Jan. 16, 1996), which is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 07/994,428, filed Dec. 21, 1992 (now U.S. Pat. No. 5,347,115, issued Sep. 14, 1994); which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 07/759,740, filed Sep. 12, 1991 (now abandoned), which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 07/634,246, filed Dec. 26, 1990 (now abandoned). 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 Related Copending Patent Applications 
               
             
          
           
               
                 U.S. Ser. No. 
                 Filing 
                 Common 
                   
               
               
                 (07 Series) 
                 Date 
                 Inventor(s) 
                 Attorney Docket 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 345,200 
                  4/28/89 
                 G. Hanson 
                 6649X 
               
               
                 426,135 
                 10/24/89  
                 G. Hanson 
                 6956 
               
               
                 549,298 
                  7/5/90 
                 D. Schultz 
                 6477XX 
               
               
                 876,776 
                  4/28/92 
                 G. Hanson 
                 92P334 
               
               
                   
                   
                 S. Salvay 
                 (36649XZB) 
               
               
                 876,629 
                  4/30/92 
                 G. Hanson 
                 6837D 
               
               
                   
                   
                 S. Salvay 
               
               
                 561,994 
                  7/31/90 
                 G. Hanson 
                 6649YX 
               
               
                 909,139 
                  7/6/92 
                 G. Hanson 
                 6649XA 
               
               
                 948,034 
                  9/21/92 
                 G. Hanson 
                 6649XXB 
               
               
                   
                   
                 D. Schultz 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Related Non-Copending Applications 
               
             
          
           
               
                 227,195 
                  8/2/88 
                 D. Schultz 
                 6477X 
               
               
                 346,771 
                  5/2/89 
                 G. Hanson 
                 6649Y 
               
               
                   
                   
                 D. Schultz 
               
               
                 347,602 
                  5/3/89 
                 G. Hanson 
                 6649XX 
               
               
                   
                   
                 D. Schultz 
               
               
                 529,353 
                  5/25/90 
                 G. Hanson 
                 6649XY 
               
               
                   
                   
                 S. Salvay 
               
               
                 558,895 
                  7/25/90 
                 G. Hanson 
                 6649XZ 
               
               
                   
                   
                 S. Salvay 
               
               
                 854,115 
                  3/18/92 
                 G. Hanson 
                 36649XZA 
               
               
                   
                   
                 S. Salvay 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Related PCT International Application 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Application 
                   
                 Common 
                   
               
               
                 No. 
                 Filed 
                 Inventors 
                 Attorney Docket 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 PCT/US91/05234 
                  7/24/91 
                 G. Hanson 
                 36649XZ(PCT) 
               
               
                   
                   
                 S. Salvay 
                 (Published W092/02084 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 on 2/6/92) 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Incorporation By Reference 
     Each of the U.S. applications and the published PCT international application WO 92/02084 listed in this CROSS-REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATIONS section is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety including Appendices and drawings. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates generally data collection apparatus including portable data terminal collection units, as, for example, hand-held data entry terminals. More particularly, the invention relates to portable data collection apparatus having printing capability. 
     Background 
     Portable data entry terminals also referred to as data collection terminals have seen ever increasing market applications in various industrial and commercial fields. Combined data collecting and data processing operations in conjunction with on-site printing operations have a potential for efficiency increases and cost reductions in the management of various types of route operations. In route operations the driver carries the data collection terminal to the customers&#39; premises and enters data relating to the customers&#39; purchases. The entered data may then be used to prepare invoices. Upon return to the vehicle, the driver returns the data collection terminal to a case housing a printer. The case includes electrical and communication connections to couple the data collection terminal to the printer. Data from the data collection terminal are then used to prepare the customers&#39; invoices as immediate records of orders taken or of delivered purchases. At the end of a route, the data collection terminals are removed from the case in the vehicle and are coupled by wired arrangements to a central data processing station, also referred to as a central or host computer. Frequent removals and replacements of the data collection terminals to effect data transfer and printing may bring about some wear and tear on the data collection terminals and also on respective connecting interfaces. 
     Other fields of use for portable data collection terminals with potential for increases in efficiency relate to store and warehouse operations including activities such as inventory controls, merchandise restocking operations, customer service operations and real time pricing and sales record keeping. In warehouse and retail store operations, the data collection terminals are provided with radio frequency (RF) transceivers to communicate during use with a corresponding transceiver of a central host computer. In this manner data may be transferred on real time basis to the central computer. The data collection terminals may optionally also be equipped with bar code scanning devices as means for collecting bar code data from merchandise. Further options include bar code label printers which may be coupled to the data collection terminal directly or by means of cables. Inherently the combination of various functions increases the bulkiness of the apparatus which in turn affect the ease of working with the apparatus in a convenient manner. 
     The use of portable or hand-held data collection apparatus is seen as becoming more widespread as the apparatus becomes more practically suited to particular operations. With respect to retail stores and their merchandising operations improved data collection apparatus featuring compactness and improved handling and operational characteristics are desirable. 
     In retail store operations numerous tasks may be simplified by data collection terminals. Such tasks include among many others stocking merchandise items, price-marking stocked items, and marking shelves with item identifications to determine restocking requirements when empty shelves leave open questions on what items are in need of restocking. Handling the portable data collection terminals becomes at times cumbersome, when at the same time merchandise items and pricing and location information sheets may need to be handled. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the invention, data collection apparatus comprises a carrying case including a combination of a printer module and a docking module arranged adjacent one another. The printer module and the docking module are rigidly attached to each other and a handle is attached to the combination for portability. The docking module receives a data collection terminal and communicatively and operatively couples the data collection terminal to the printer module for operating the printer module and the data collection terminal. The data collection terminal may be coupled to and operatively include a bar code scanner. The docking module preferably comprises cut-out end caps, such that the data collection terminal may be inserted in the docking module without need to operatively disconnect the bar code scanner from the data collection terminal while the data collection terminal is disposed within the docking module. 
     Thus, according to the invention, a portable, printing data collection apparatus comprises a portable data collection terminal and the combination of a printer module and a docking module for the portable data collection terminal. The portable data collection terminal includes a display and a keyboard and may include provisions for scanning data such as bar codes. The portable data collection terminal may also include communication means for transferring data to a data processing device. The docking module is preferably disposed adjacent and mounted to the printer module and includes electrical connections for data communication between a printer unit of the printer module and a portable data collection terminal docked in the docking module. 
     According to a particular aspect of the invention the printer module of the portable, printing data collection apparatus is an elongate substantially rectangular unit and the docking module is disposed adjacent one elongate side of the printer module. A handle is attached to the opposite elongate side of the printer module. The handle comprises means for releasably retaining data collection means such as a bar code scanner. As an alternate embodiment bar code retention means may be separately mounted to an outer side wall of the docking unit opposite to the handle attached to the printer module of the data collection apparatus. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, a data collection apparatus support includes a rectangular support frame for receiving the data collection apparatus. The support frame is supported by and part of a support structure having a bar grip stop at an underside of a first end of the support structure and a base support at an underside of a second end of the support structure. As a particular embodiment, the support structure is a plastic support tray having a rectangular main cavity, the support frame being an integrally molded rim about an upper opening of the main cavity, such that the data collection apparatus is cradled above the main cavity. 
     An advantage over prior art apparatus relates to improvements in the ability by a person to handle data collection apparatus as an assemblage forming a single unit including means for porting the apparatus as an assemblage forming a single unit between points of usage on the floor of a merchandise store. 
     Various other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent when the detailed description below is read in reference to the appended drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The detailed description refers numerically to elements of the drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a data collection apparatus including a printer module and a docking module for receiving a data collection terminal and shown with a received data collection terminal, the printer module and docking module depicting features of the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a simplified pictorial representation of an alternate data collection terminal having an antenna and connector provisions in the top end thereof; 
     FIG. 3 is an end view of the base end of the data collection terminal of FIG. 2, showing a plurality of terminal contacts in the base end; 
     FIG. 4 is a simplified pictorial view of a currently preferred data collection apparatus which includes modifications of features shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 5 is a sectional view along lines “ 5 — 5 ” shown in FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 6 is an exploded view of certain elements of the docking module shown in FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 7 is a partial foreshortened section through the docking module shown in FIG. 4, depicting a particular embodiment of a locking mechanism for retaining a data collection terminal inserted into the docking module; 
     FIG. 8 is a somewhat simplified representation of the data collection apparatus supportively cradled by a support tray, the support tray being supported in turn by a shopping cart, such as for a contemplated use of the data collection apparatus on the floor of a merchandise store; 
     FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the support the support tray of FIG. 8 taken along the lines “ 9 - 9 ”. 
     FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a functional representation of data flow and power connections relating to the operation of the data collection apparatus; and 
     FIG. 11 is a side view of the data collection apparatus. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In reference to FIG. 1, a portable data collection apparatus is designated generally by the numeral  10 . The data collection apparatus  10  is comprised generally of a terminal carrying case  12  and a data collection terminal  14 . The terminal carrying case  12  in turn is comprised of two basic modules, a printer module  16  and a dock member, namely a data collection terminal docking module  17 . The printer module  16  and the docking module  17  are both of substantially rectangular shape, having respective base ends  18  and  19  and top ends  21  and  22 . When the apparatus  10  is in use, the base ends  18  and  19  would typically face an operator or user of the apparatus, with the respective top ends  21  and  22  of the modules facing away from the user. 
     The data collection terminal  14  is of an elongate, rectangular shape, having respective top and base ends  23  and  24 , and having an upper face  26 , which is a substantially flat surface  26  intended to face the user. Thus, the upper face  26  typically has a display  28 , such as a typical LCD screen, and a keypad or keyboard  29 , which may be a flat touchpad type keyboard, as illustrated. In the alternative, the keyboard  29  may have individually depressible keys (not shown), in that the latter type keyboards are also well known in the art. The data collection terminal  14  is retained within the docking module  17  as shown, its upper face  26  with the display  28  and the keyboard  29  facing upward and the top end  23  of the data collection terminal being disposed toward the top end  19  of the docking module  19 . A base end cap  31  has a cupped recess, at the base end  22  of the docking module  17 . The recess is formed by an upper lip  32  of the base end cap  31  which overlies the upper face  26  at the base end  24  of the data collection terminal  14 , thereby cradling and retaining the base end. A top end cap  36  also features an upper lip  37  which overlies the upper face  26  at the top end  23 . 
     The data collection terminal  14  is readily removed from the docking module  17 , or re-inserted into the docking module as the case may be, by moving or displacing the top end cap  36  away from the top end  23  of the terminal  14 . Such movement causes the lip  37  to move from an overlapping position with and to release the top end  23  of the data collection terminal  14 . In furtherance of such a movement of the top end cap  36  between latching and unlatching positions, the top end cap  36  may be hingedly attached to the docking module  17 . The top end cap  36  may then lock or detent when moved into the latching or terminal enclosing position. Alternatively, the docking module  17  may be provided with a spring-loaded follower similar to the top end cap  36  with the latching lip  37 . The spring-loaded follower exerts a resilient force against the top end  23  of the data collection terminal  14  and urges the terminal  14  into a snugly abutting relationship with the base end cap  31 . 
     The top end cap  36  preferably includes, as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1, a slot or cutout  39 . The top cutout  39  may be suitably sized to accommodate extending features, such as a radio antenna  40 . The antenna  40  is typically an external element of an RF transceiver  41 , the remaining elements of the transceiver being typically disposed within the data collection terminal  14 . A similar cutout  43  may be disposed in the base end cap  31  of the docking module  17  to provide access to one or more communication or power connectors, such as a connector  44 . The connector  44  may, for example be coupled via suitable cable to a bar code scanner, such that the scanner may be operated while the data collection terminal  14  is retained within the docking module  17 . 
     The docking module  17  and the printer module  16  are by choice of equal length between the top ends  19  and  18  and the base ends  22  and  21 . The docking module  17  and the printer module  16  are mounted adjacent one another along facing side walls  46  and  47 . A data communication connector  48  in the side wall  47  of the printer module  16  is aligned with a correspondingly mating data communication connector (not visible) disposed in the facing side wall  46  of the docking module  17 . The side walls  46  and  47  are become rigidly attached to each other such as by common threaded screw fasteners through aligned mounting holes  50  disposed in both side walls  46  and  47 . With such attachment of the side walls  46  and  47  and the communications connector  48  and its mating connector, the docking module  17  has become physically and communicatively coupled to the printer module  16 . The data collection terminal  14  in turn is communicatively coupled via a plurality of external, spaced contact elements (see, for example FIG.  3 ), not shown in FIG. 1, disposed at the base end  24  of the data collection terminal  14 . Upon insertion of the data collection terminal  14  into the docking module as shown, the contact elements are urged into contact with a plurality of corresponding spring contacts disposed at the base end  22  of the docking module. The spring contacts are electrically coupled to the connector in the side wall  46  and thereby to the connector  48  which in turn is communicatively coupled to the printer mechanism  60 . 
     A reversal in the assembly of the docking module  17  and the printer module  16  is contemplated by duplicating the connectors  48  and its mating connector, such that a mating connector  51  is shown in a frontal side wall  52  of the docking terminal  17 . The mating connector  51  would then be aligned with a duplicate connector (not shown) of the connector  48 , such duplicate connector being disposed in a far side wall  53  of the printer module  16 . Such duplicate connectors are of course electrically coupled in parallel to the printer connector  48  and its mating counterpart connector. The mounting holes  50  or equivalent mounting provisions are also provided for in the respective alternately facing side walls  52  and  53  of the respective docking and printer modules  17  and 16. 
     In furtherance of an object of the invention, the terminal carrying case  12  includes a handle  55  which is preferably attached to the printer module  16  as shown. Conveniently, the mounting holes  50  may be used to attach the handle  55  to the side wall  53  of the printer module  16 . Additional mounting holes  50  may be closed off by conventional plugs (not shown). The side wall  52  of the docking module  17  may be provided with a cradle member  56  which includes a cradle or holder  57  for temporarily the scanner head or unit that may be attached by a suitable data cable to the data collection terminal  14 . Thus, the data collection apparatus  10 , including the printer module  16 , the docking module  17 , the data collection terminal  14  and optionally a bar code scanner unit may be hand-carried by a user in one hand. In that the data collection terminal  14  is operable while disposed within the docking module  17 , the user may remove the bar code scanner head from the holder  57  and operate the scanner while holding the carrying case in the other hand. It should be noted that the cradle member  56  includes a mounting base  59  which covers the alternate and unused connector  51 . In the alternative, in which the cradle member  56  is not attached to the side wall  52 , a footer molding may be attached which may include in lieu of the holder  57  typical foot members attached to the base  59  which foot members would allow the carrying case  12  to be set upon such modified mounting base  59 . 
     The printer module  16  houses a printer unit or mechanism indicated generally at  60 . Various printer mechanisms  60  are commercially available, such as dot matrix printers or thermal printers which are available in a number of desirable widths. Printed or at least fed out paper  61  is shown as exiting from a paper exit slot  62  of the printer module  16 , a supply of paper  61  being conveniently located within a housing  63  adjacent the top end  18  of the printer module  16 . A battery  65  is inserted into a battery cavity  66  having an opening  67  at the base end  21  of the printer module  16 . The battery  65  may be any one of commercially available batteries, and is preferably a rechargeable type battery, such as a lead acid battery used in various types of video camera recorders. The battery  65  desirably is suited to power the printer mechanism  60 . The data collection terminal  14  is typically self contained and portable, including its own rechargeable power source, such that control signals are provided with respect to a common ground reference communicated via the connector  48  and its mating connector in a typical manner. It is understood that modifications in size of the modules are possible, though a compactness to promote ease of handling is a desirable feature in accordance with an object of the invention. It is understood that variations in data collection terminals may result in modifications of the described carrying case  12 . 
     FIG. 2 is a simplified pictorial representation of an alternate data collection terminal which is designated generally by the numeral  70 . The data collection terminal  70  is of elongate substantially rectangular shape as the data collection terminal  14 . The upper face  26  includes the display screen  28  and the keyboard  29 . The data collection terminal  70  also includes the transceiver  41  as indicated by an antenna mounting socket  72 . Either a rigid antenna such as the antenna  40  may be mounted to the socket  72  or a flexible antenna may be preferred. The data collection terminal  70  is portable and self contained and includes typically an internal rechargeable battery (not shown). As a variation from the described data collection terminal  14 , the data collection terminal  70  features at the top end  23  in addition to the antenna mount  72  at least one and in the depicted embodiment two D-type connectors  73  and  74 . The connector  74  is contemplated to be coupled to a hand-held bar code scanner  75  via schematically shown cord  76 . The bar code scanner has a typical hand grip  77  by which the scanner is held and pointed in the direction of bar code labels to be read. In accordance with the present invention, various types of scanners, such as CCD scanners or laser scanners may be used in conjunction with a data collection terminal such as the terminal  70 . The connector  73  is contemplated to function as an alternate communications connector or as a combined communications and power connector, facilitating data transfer from the terminal  70  to other external data communications devices or power sources. The base end  24  of the data collection terminal  70  features a plurality of spaced terminal pads  78 , as shown in the end view of the terminal  70  in FIG.  3 . The terminal pads  78  are coupled internally of the data collection terminal  70  to data communication, to control and to power leads. The terminal pads  78  consequently provide the means for functionally coupling a data collection terminal, such as data collection terminals  14  or  70 , to an external data device, such as the printer mechanism  60  described with respect to FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 4 is a somewhat simplified pictorial view of a terminal carrying case designated generally by the numeral  80 . The carrying case  80  of the data collection apparatus  10  is a currently preferred embodiment of a carrying case in accordance with the invention and includes modifications over the embodiment described with respect to FIG.  1 . As with respect to the case  12  shown in FIG. 1, the carrying case shown in FIG. 4 includes a printer module  81  which is attached substantially as already described to a docking module  82 . The printer module  81  is contemplated for a preferred thermal printer  83  which is preferably disposed directly beneath a printer lid  84  of the printer module  81 . In the preferred embodiment the printer module  81  is of elongate, substantially rectangular shape. The lid  84  is pivotally mounted adjacent the top end  18  of the module  81  to pivot upward in the direction of the arrow  85  giving access to a printer cavity and paper compartment disposed directly beneath the printer  83 . A top surface of an upper wall  87  of the printer module  81  adjacent the lid  84  features printer controls which directly control the printer power via a preferred toggle switch  88  and paper feed via a push button switch  89 . An external power socket  91  may be provided for supplying the printer mechanism with external power and further for charging a battery power source which is preferably disposed in a battery compartment  92  adjacent the base end  21  of the printer module  81 . The base end  21  is preferably closed by a battery compartment door  93  which may be a molded part of shock absorbing plastic material. The battery compartment door  93  be attached by any of a number of convenient door latching or attachment means. In a preferred embodiment, the battery compartment door  93  comprises a twist knob (not shown) by which a latch bar  96  is rotatably moved into engagement with the upper wall  87  and an opposite lower wall of the printer module  81 . Because of the thickness of material of the upper wall  87  the latch bar  96  extends through a slot  97  in the upper wall  87  of the printer module  81 . Consequently, the visual presence of the latch bar  96  within the slot  97  is a positive indication that the battery compartment door  93  is firmly locking the battery compartment  92 . 
     A handle  98  is firmly attached to an outward facing lateral surface  99  or side wall of the printer module  81 . The handle  98  differs from the handle  55  described with respect to the embodiment in FIG. 1, in that the handle  98  further includes a holder socket  105  forming a transverse retainer channel  106  into which the hand grip of an accessory may be inserted. To facilitate the insertion of a hand-grip or the like into the retainer channel  106 , the material of the socket about the retainer channel  106  is preferably molded of a resilient rubber type material. Thus an outer end  107  of the socket  105  will resiliently yield and clamp over a hand grip or other implement of substantially circular cross section, when such hand grip is inserted past the outer end  107  into the channel  106 . In the preferred embodiment the printer mechanism  83  is preferably a 2.4 inch thermal printer. While such a printer is ideally suited for printing typical bar codes which may be attached to merchandise items, the printer is also capable of printing alphanumeric characters. 
     The docking module  82  differs structurally from the earlier described docking module  17  more than functionally. A top end cap  110  is fixedly attached to a top end of a longitudinal channel member  111 . The top end cap  110  includes a cutout  112  configured to maintain unrestricted access to the antenna mount  72 , and to the connectors  73  and  74  when the data collection terminal  70  is inserted into the docking module  82 . At the base end  22  of the docking module  82 , the longitudinal channel member  111  is closed off by a base end cap  115 . The base end cap  115  includes a protruding upper retainer lip  116  behind which the data collection terminal  70  is retained when inserted into the docking module and, urged toward the base end  22 . The channel member  111  and the top end base end caps  110  and  115  form a terminal receiving cavity  117 . The top end cap  110  further supports a latch lever  118  which functions to retain the inserted terminal  70  within the cavity. The latch lever is spring biased toward the base end  22  of the docking module  82 , the pivotal movement of the latch lever  118  being desirably limited between reasonable limits even when the data collection terminal  70  is not inserted within the cavity  117  of the docking module  82 . The terminal  70  may be inserted into the cavity  117  by placing the base end  24  of the terminal  70  beneath the lip  116  of the base end cap 115. When the top end  23  of the terminal  70  is then pushed downward into the cavity  117 , the underside of the terminal  70  engages a sloped camming surface  119  of the latch lever  118 , urging the latch lever against its spring bias toward the top end  19  of the docking module  70 . When the upper surface  26  of the data collection terminal  70  has passed a detenting underside  121  of the latch lever, the latch lever  118  snaps toward the base end of the docking module, the detenting underside  121  of the latch lever  118  capturing and retaining the data collection terminal. The spring bias on the latch lever further urges the top end  23  of the data collection terminal  70  toward the base end of the docking module  82 . 
     A spring contact assembly  125  is mounted to an inner surface of the base end cap  115 . The spring contact assembly is preferably comprised of a circuit board or planar support  126  to which is mounted a contact assembly of a plurality of aligned spring contact elements  127 . The spring contact elements  127  are spaced to correspond to the spacing of the terminal pads  78  in the base end  24  of the data collection terminal  70  (see FIG.  3 ). As the data collection terminal  70  is urged toward the base end  22 , the terminal pads  78  engage and are urged against the spring contact elements  127 . The spring contact elements are electrically connected through a flat cable  128  and a connector plug  129  to a connector  130 . The communicative interconnection between the docking module  82  and the printer module  81  may of course be accomplished in any number of ways. A frequently used connector is a D-type connector which one mating part, such as the connector  130  may be mounted to the side wall of the docking module  82  to become coupled to the mating part of the connector, such as the connector  48  of the printer module  81 . In this manner the data collection terminal becomes quickly coupled to the printer module  81  to communicatively control the printer mechanism  83  thereof. Electrically the data collection terminal  70  and the printer mechanism  83  function as an integral unit. The cable  128  shown in FIG. 4 is typically not visible within the cavity  117  in that it is hidden behind a liner  131  which extends the length of the cavity  117  except for the cut-way view for illustrative purposes. A leaf spring  132  disposed within the center of the cavity  117  has a normal upward bias as illustrated. A typical angle in the range of thirty to forty degrees is deemed adequate. During the insertion of the data collection terminal  70  into the docking module  82 , the terminal is pressed toward the cavity  117  and the leaf spring  132  becomes compressed. When it is desired to remove the data collection terminal  70  from the docking module  82 , the latch lever  118  is pulled toward the top end  19  of the module. As soon as the detenting underside  121  of the latch lever  118  releases the terminal  70 , the leaf spring  132  pushes the data collection terminal upward past the latch lever  118 . It is to be realized that the described terminal docking and releasing procedure is fast, simple and efficient. The carrying case  80  consequently provides a convenient manner of supporting the printer mechanism  83 , and the data collection terminal  70  and a communicatively coupled scanner  75  shown in FIG. 2, such that a person may readily port the data collection terminal, the scanner and the printer with one hand. 
     FIG. 5 illustrates the manner in which the printer module  81  and the docking module  82  are conveniently mounted to each other and shows further advantages in their respective structures. The partial end view in FIG. 5 shows a lead acid battery  133  which occupies the entire lower end of an inner cavity  135  of the printer module  81 . The printer mechanism of the preferred 2.4 inch thermal printer is conveniently disposed within the upper end of the cavity  135 . The cavity  135  is of the same width as the cavity  117  of the docking module  82 . Preferably both the printer module  81  and the docking module  82  are substantially formed of longitudinal channel members  136  and  111 , respectively. In the preferred embodiment the channel members  111  and  136  are identical aluminum extrusions which then undergo further distinguishing finishing operations. The channel member  136  of the printer module  81  is used in an inverted position with respect to the channel member  111  of the docking module  82 . A lower cover plate  137  has adjacent the top end  18  a downward depending paper tray extension  138  in the shape of a cylindrical segment. The added space within the cavity  135  provides room for a continuous strip of printer media, such as a roll of paper or label material to be maintained below the printer mechanism  83 . Typically the printer mechanism  83  would be used to print labels which are individually attached to a continuous strip of backing material. The strip is obtainable on a roll. It has been found desirable to maintain the supply of media within the confines of the printer module  81 . This is in clear contrast to typical state of the art printing calculators which provide media in rolled stock readily accessible at an upper end of such a device. While it may be convenient to store the supply of printer media externally and readily accessible, it has been found that in a typical commercial environment, the label material may get marred or otherwise damaged when externally stored, rendering it unfit for accurately displaying bar code label information. The printer module  81  is mounted to the docking module  82  spaced by a spacer plate  140 . The spacer plate  140  has a thickness to provide correct spacing for mounting the connector  48  and its mating connector  130  to the respectively adjacent side walls  141  and  142  of the printer module  81  and the docking module  82 . The spacer plate  140  with its constant thickness provides a stable mounting base for the joining of the two oppositely facing side walls  141  and  142 . The attachment of the modules  81  and  82  may conveniently be accomplished with typical threaded fasteners or similar means through centrally apertures  50  disposed centrally of the mounting plate  140 . 
     The combination of the printer module  81  and the docking module  82  is provided with a foot structure  143  mounted beneath the docking module  82  toward an outer wall  144  of the channel member  111 . The foot structure  143  provides together with the paper tray extension  143  a support base for positioning the carrying case  80  at a slight incline with an upward tilt of the case with respect to the base ends  21  and  22 . The foot structure  143  supports the docking module  82  at the same tilt as that of the printer module  81  when the carrying case  80  is placed on a flat surface with the terminal receiving cavity  117  of the docking module  82  facing up. 
     FIG. 6 shows the liner  131  of the docking module  82  separate from the docking module  82 . A guide member  150  is preferably mounted to the inside of the liner  131  adjacent the top end  19  of the docking module  82 . A lower guide member  151  is preferably mounted toward the base end  22  of the docking module  82 . The guide members  150  and  151  have surface contours to correspond to similar surface contours of an adjacent surface of the data collection terminal  70 . The corresponding surface contours help seat the data collection terminal  70  with respect to the spring contacts  127  upon insertion of the terminal  70  into the cavity  117 . A cutout  152  is provided adjacent the base end of the module to allow the spring contacts to protrude into the cavity  117 . The leaf spring  132  may be mounted by threaded fasteners  153  and respective nuts  154  or by other convenient means to the inside of the liner  131  after assembly of the liner into the cavity  117 . 
     FIG. 7 is a partial and foreshortened sectional view through the docking module  82  to show the latch lever  118  and its pivot mount in greater detail. The latch lever  118  is pivoted about a shaft  156  mounted to the top end cap  110  and a mounting bracket  157 , see also FIG. 5. A spring  158  acting between the top end cap  110  and the latch lever  118  biases the latch lever normally to the forward position as shown. When a data collection terminal  70  is docked the lever  118  is urged back and the spring  158  becomes deflected to exert a respective counter force against the latch lever  118  to urge the data collection terminal into contact with the spring contacts  127 . 
     FIG. 8 shows the carrying case  80  supported within a support frame  160  of a support structure  161 . In the preferred example depicted, the support structure is a molded support tray  161  which may be placed between the handle bar  162  and a backrest  163  of a baby&#39;s seat in a typical shopping cart  164 . The support frame  160  is in the preferred embodiment a molded rim forming a seat for the carrying case  80 . In reference to FIG. 9, showing a cross section through the preferred tray  161 , the carrying case  80  (shown in phantom lines) is supported at the rim  160  above a substantial cavity  165  for holding additional accessories for the printer module  81 , for example, such as additional rolls of paper or labels (not shown). Also, the depending paper tray extension  138  and the foot  143  extend downward into the cavity  165  when the carrying case  80  is laid flat into the frame  160 . Additionally, more shallow trays  166  may be formed adjacent the handle bar position. In a base  167  of the cavity  165  a plurality of adjacent and parallel cross grooves  168  provide for seating the cavity end  169  of the tray  161  on the backrest  163  of various differently sized shopping carts. The multiple cross grooves  168  adapt the tray  161  to most shopping carts without special adjustments or modifications. 
     FIG. 10 illustrates data flow and power management for the printer module and the data collection terminal  70 , for example. The preferred embodiment of the carrying case  80 , the printer mechanism  83  is powered by the battery  133 . However, the data collection terminal  70  carries its own portable power source, such as a rechargeable battery  171 , within the terminal  70 . Data communication between the data collection apparatus  10  as described herein and external data devices, such as a host computer via the referred to transceiver  41 , for example, or by direct connection of a cable to the communications connector  73 , is indicated by an external data communication function at  174 . The data collection terminal  70  consequently serves as data input terminal from the scanner  75 , as shown in FIG. 2, via keyboard entries by a user, or via radio frequency communications from a host computer. The data collection terminal  70  also is the data output terminal for the outgoing data flow indicated at  174 , for data display on the display screen  28  (see FIG.  2 ), or via the docking module  82  and printer module  81  (through connectors  48 ,  129  and  130  as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4) to the printer mechanism  83 . 
     FIG. 11 shows a lateral end view of the carrying case  80  from the side of the handle  98 . The carrying case is placed on a flat support surface  175  and is disposed at an incline with the top end  18  raised above the base end  21  of the printer module. The paper tray extension  138  rests against the support surface  175 . The docking module  82  is supported by the foot structure  143  which is displaced with respect to the paper tray extension  138  toward the base end  21  by a sizable distance. A distinct advantage of the foot structure  143  is that the height of the foot structure  143  is less because of the displacement, such that the foot  143  is less likely to break off when the apparatus  10  as a unit is accidentally dropped while being carried about. It has been found that the docking module  82  does not need the support of the foot  143  at the very top end of the carrying case  80 . When the data collection terminal  70  is inserted into the docking module  82 , the keyboard  29  being disposed toward the base end of the docking module, the displaced foot  143  represents part of a three contact point support together with the paper tray extension  138  and a lowermost contact edge  178  with the support surface  175 . 
     In view of the above detailed description of a preferred embodiment and modifications thereof, various other modifications will now become apparent to those skilled in the art. The claims below encompass the disclosed embodiments and all reasonable modifications and variations without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.