Abstract:
A hand-held data collection device with a user interface surface that is wider than its handgrip area. Also, a hand-held data collection device with an upwardly facing surface containing a user interface and a side surface containing a plurality of actuators. The data collection device can be held in one hand with a finger reaching the actuators. An opposite side surface can also contain a plurality of actuators. The data collection device can include combinations of a marker beam generator, an indicia reader, a display, a manually actuatable selector, a voice input and a digitizer. The indicia reader can be an optical reader or a radio frequency tag reader. Some of the actuators can have different shapes. The actuators can include an indicia reader actuator or a function selector. The data collection device can collect, for example, handwritten information, including signatures.

Description:
The present application is a continuation of application No. 08/463,334, filed Jun. 5, 1995, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,898,162, issued Apr. 27, 1999; which is a divisional of application No. 08/382,777, filed Jan. 31, 1995, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,530,619, issued Jun. 25, 1996; which is a continuation of application No. 08/192,525, filed Feb. 4, 1994, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,418,684, issued May 23, 1995; which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/017,049, filed Feb. 12, 1993, now abandoned; which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 07/633,500, filed Dec. 26, 1990, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,202,817, issued Apr. 13, 1993; which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 07/626,711, filed Dec. 12, 1990, now abandoned; which is a continuation-in-part of PCT application Ser. No. PCT/US90/03282, filed Jun. 7, 1990, which entered the U.S. national stage as application Ser. No. 07/777,393, with a filing date of Dec. 6, 1991, and an effective date of Jan. 7, 1992, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,410,141, issued Apr. 25, 1995; which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 07/364,902, filed Jun. 8, 1989, now abandoned. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to data collection systems, and more particularly to such systems wherein a hand-held unit may be operated to collect data, to selectively process, and to communicate collected data within such systems by various automated or manual operations. A typical automated process which may be included in such operations relates to collecting data by scanning bar code data with a laser scanning device. Subsequently, the collected data or information may be processed such as by becoming included in a data base. In another operation, it may be desired to communicate the information to another unit within a respective data collection system. 
     Various investigatory efforts in this area have shown that some functional applications of the data collection systems may require certain features on such hand-held units which may not at all be required in other functional applications. Going toward specialization of the units for specific tasks, the cost of operating the data collection systems tends to become more and more prohibitive as systems become configured to accommodate various specific applications. On the other hand, when data entry units are mass produced for general applications, efficiency in the application is jeopardized and compromise on various features results in less than the most efficient data handling procedures. It is consequently desirable to provide a data collection system in which hand-held units are equipped with features relating to particular needs without having a prohibitively high price tag. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The PCT application Ser. No. 90/0382, filed Jun. 7, 1990, assigned to and owned by the assignee of the present application, the descriptive matter of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, refers to a modular hand-held unit and discloses a manner of attaching one functional module to another. 
     In accordance with the present invention, a selected one of a plurality of special purpose functional modules may be attached to another module of one of a selected second functional configurations to configure a plurality of different modules of different specific functional features. Thus, according to one aspect of the invention, with a reasonable number of functional modules a great number of differently configured modules may be provided. 
     A hand-held data collection terminal unit includes an elongate housing having a lower portion supportable in the hand of a user and an upper portion facing such user when the terminal is in a typical use position. The upper portion includes a keyboard and a display screen. In accordance with the invention, the hand-held terminal comprises a plurality of modules in which a base module extends longitudinally and includes inner and outer end caps of the terminal. The inner end cap is disposed on the end of the terminal which typically points toward a user when the terminal is in use, the outer end cap being disposed on opposite end of the terminal. A keyboard module is defined as an intermediate module disposed adjacent the base module and between the end caps. A display screen module is further disposed adjacent the intermediate module and adjacent the outer end cap of the base module. 
     According to a more particular aspect of the invention, the display screen module extends from the outer end cap of the base module longitudinally toward an end intermediate of the inner and outer end caps, such that a portion of the keyboard module remains exposed and features an array of manual input keys arranged in an area between the display screen module and the inner end cap. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, a data collection terminal unit includes a base module, a keyboard module disposed adjacent the base module and substantially of the same length and width as the base module. A display screen module is disposed adjacent the keyboard module and is disposed over at least one key arrangement of the keyboard unit. The display screen module is slidably arranged to be selectively slidable outward away from a user and from such at least one key arrangement to expose such keys for user access when the terminal unit is being placed into use. 
     According to yet another aspect of the invention, it is desired to protect the modular hand-held units from damage when the units are accidentally dropped. Resilient end caps and a layered resilient interface extending peripherally beyond substantial molule portions impart shock absorbing qualities to the modular hand-held units. 
     According to a further aspect of the invention, a scanner module is attached as an end cap module to an outer end of a modular hand-held terminal unit. The scanner module includes a scanner head which is rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the modular hand-held terminal unit and selectively adjustable to one of a plurality of user positions in which the scanner may conveniently be used to collect data from, for example, bar code labels while a display screen on a display screen module remains in view of the user of the terminal unit. 
     In further describing the various features and advantages of the invention and of particular hand-held terminal units including and embodying features of the invention, the following spacial relations are being followed. Directional indications refer to a normal position of use of a hand-held data collection terminal. In such position the user would hold the terminal or terminal unit such that a display screen faces “up” into the direction of view of the user. Similarly, a keyboard, would normally face up to be visible and manually accessible to a user. Correspondingly, the upper face of a data collection terminal unit is also referred to as a frontal side or face. The opposite side or portion of the unit is referred to as the rear or bottom portion of the unit and the direction in which the rear portion faces is the “lower, bottom or down” direction, or term of similar import. Also of interest are the descriptors at opposite ends of a longitudinal axis through a terminal unit. With the keyboard and display screen facing up, the longitudinal end of the terminal unit typically facing away from the user will be referred to and denoted as an “outer” end, while an opposite end of the unit directed toward the user when the unit is in a general position as described, is referred to as an “inner” end. These references should be kept in mind when reading the following detailed description. 
     Various other features and advantages of the data collection terminal in accordance with the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which may be best understood when read with reference to the appended drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 shows a frontal view of a modular data collection terminal unit having a display screen module which is enlarged to one side of a generally elongate shape of the terminal unit; 
     FIG. 2 is a side view of the data collection terminal unit shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is an outer end view of the data collection terminal unit shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a frontal view of an alternate embodiment of a data collection terminal unit such as shown in FIG. 1, the alternate embodiment showing additional features including an RF communications capability, as indicated by an attenna extending laterally of the longitudinal body of the data collection terminal unit; 
     FIG. 5 is a side view of the data collection terminal unit shown in FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 6 is a frontal view of yet another embodiment of a data collection terminal unit in accordance with the invention, the terminal unit showing a display screen which extends laterally beyond the sic longitudinal shape of the terminal unit; 
     FIG. 7 is a frontal view of a data collection terminal unit similar to the terminal unit shown in FIG. 1, except that a display screen module is shown which is confined to the generally longitudinal shape of the data collection terminal unit; 
     FIG. 8 is a frontal view of another embodiment of a data collection terminal unit in which the display screen module of the the terminal unit in FIG. 7 has been replaced by an elongate display screen module in which function or control keys have been eliminated to afford room for added display area of the display screen; 
     FIG. 9 is a frontal view of a data collection terminal unit showing a first keyboard array adjacent an inner end of the terminal unit and a display screen module adjacent an outer end of the terminal unit; 
     FIG. 10 is a frontal view of the data collection terminal unit shown in FIG. 9, in which the display screen module has been extended outwardly away from the user to uncover a second keyboard array which is in the non-extended position of the display screen module disposed beneath such module; 
     FIG. 11 is a schematic representation of various modules and elements of the terminal unit showing a basic manner of assembling selected ones of the various modules to each other; 
     FIG. 12 is a somewhat simplified view of a data collection terminal unit in which a scanner module is mounted to an outer end of the terminal unit, the scanner module including a scanner head which is mounted to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the data collection terminal unit; 
     FIG. 13 is a side view of a scanner module, such as in FIG. 12, shown with the scanner head in a typical, laterally disposed rest position; 
     FIG. 14 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of a scanner unit, the scanner unit being fixedly attached to an outer end of the terminal unit and having a viewing direction at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the data collection terminal; 
     FIG. 15 is an end view of a display screen module of the type shown in FIG. 6, the end view showing an attachment surface of the display screen module; 
     FIG. 16 is a frontal view of the display screen module of FIG. 15 in combination with a handle and power supply module; 
     FIG. 17 is a side view of the display screen and handle and power supply modules of FIG. 16; 
     FIG. 18 is a frontal view of a data collection terminal unit showing an alternate embodiment of a keyboard module in combination with a display screen; 
     FIG. 19 is a side view of the data collection terminal unit shown in FIG. 18; 
     FIG. 20 is yet another embodiment of the data collection terminal unit shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, showing a screen display confined to the width of the keyboard module of the data collection terminal unit; and 
     FIG. 21 is an alternate frontal view of the data collection terminal unit shown in FIG. 20, showing a pivotally mounted screen display in an open position, revealing a second screen display and a second keyboard. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to the various illustrations in sequence, a data collection terminal unit which is designated generally in FIG. 1 by the numeral  10 , is shown as undergoing various changes and modifications as selected different modules may be substituted for other modules and functions and capabilities of the data collection terminal unit  10  are correspondingly altered. 
     In reference to FIG. 1, there is shown a frontal view of the data collection terminal unit  10 . In furtherance of advantages and objects of the invention, the data collection terminal unit  10  is a modular unit in that a plurality of modules become attached to each other to form the terminal unit  10 . A general shape of the terminal unit  10  is an elongate rectangular shape as can be ascertained from the drawing. The terminal unit has an inner end  11  which typically is closest to a person using the terminal unit  10  when the terminal unit is in a typical hand-held operating position in which a user exposes a keyboard and a display screen toward the line of sight. Opposite the inner end  11  an outer end  12  of the data collection terminal unit is directed away from a user when the terminal unit  10  is hand-held in a typical use position. The general shape of the terminal unit is that of an elongated rectangle, such that a hypothetical longitudinal centerline or central axis indicated at  14  can be envisioned to extend in the longitudinal inward-outward direction of the terminal unit  10 . The frontal view shows a display screen module  16  which is enlarged to one side of the terminal unit  10 . A lateral extension  18  of the display screen module is in the preferred embodiment shown to extend toward the right hand side of the central axis  14  beyond the generally elongate rectangular shape of the terminal unit  10 . The direction may be one of convenience to a user. The lateral extension, whether toward the left or right of the longitudinal axis  14  extends the line width of the viewing area of a display screen  19  of the module  16 . Such extension  18  is desired to permit an alphanumeric instruction to be contained within a single character line of display, for example. The display screen module  16  further may include a main power switch  20 , in that in various configurations of the terminal unit  10  a display screen module or its equivalent would be included. Below the display screen module  16 , and inwardly disposed, lies a keyboard module  21 . The keyboard module  21  includes a particular keyboard  22  which may typically include an arrangement  23  of numerical keys  24 . The numerical keys  24  are desirably supplemented by a cluster of cursor keys  25  and by selected function keys  26 . The keyboard module  16  may also include a cluster of further function switches  27 . It should be understood that the modules  16  and  24  are mechanically attached to and part of the terminal unit  10  and are further electrically interconnected, such as may conveniently be achieved by typical flat cables and respective connectors, not shown. It is therefore convenient to provide cursor movement keys, such as the keys  25  as part of the keyboard, in that it is typically intended for the terminal unit  10  to feature a display screen module. 
     Further in accordance with the invention, the terminal unit  10 , the unit being typically hand-held, is subject to accidentally being dropped. To protect the terminal unit  10  from damages when dropped an established height, resilient end caps  28  and  29  cover the inner end outer ends  11  and  12 , respectively. In addition, it has been found desirable to protect lateral ends of the display screen module  16  similarly with resilient strips  31  and  32 . 
     FIG. 2 is a side view of the data collection terminal unit  10 . The side view of the terminal unit  10  further illustrates the modular construction of the terminal unit  10 . A base module  34  desirably includes a central handgrip portion  35  and may further include a resilient strap  36 , such that a user may insert the hand between the handgrip portion  35  and the resilient strap. A battery compartment  38  is shown at the lower, inner end of the base module  34 . In that the terminal unit is a hand-held unit, an internally disposed electrical power source such as a battery module  39  is virtually required for desired operation of the terminal unit. In one configuration, the battery compartment comprises an opening into which the battery module  39  is inserted. The external shape of the battery module conforms to the shape of the base module to form part of it. The battery module  39  is desirably replaceable in a field exchange operation and may be removed by sliding the module  39  in the direction of the arrow  40 . To secure the battery module within the base module  34 , a locking mechanism which may be opened and closed by a coin, for example, is found to facilitate such replacement. A peripheral resilient strip or spacer  41  preferably overlies the base module  34  and functions as a shock absorber when the terminal unit  10  is accidentally dropped on its side surfaces. Adjacent the outer end of the handgrip portion  35  is disposed a function key  43 . The function key  43  may be a data entry initiation key or a scanner operation control key when the terminal unit is equipped with a scanner module. It should be noted, that the function key  43  is disposed for persons holding the terminal unit in their right hand, such that the index finger of the user&#39;s right hand may be used to operate the key  43 . The base unit may be furnished with a similar key  43 , not shown, on the opposite side of the base module  34  to allow a person holding the unit with the left hand to operate such key. The respective keys would be electrically coupled to function in parallel, such that the desired function can be initiated from either side of the terminal unit  10 . Disposed between the resilient end caps  28  and  29  and adjacent the resilient spacer  41  is the keyboard module  21 . The keyboard module  21  functions consequently as a mounting base for the display screen module  16 . A recess or step  46  in the upward facing surface  47  of the keyboard module  21  seats the display screen module  16 . The display screen module  16  is preferably attached by typical screw type fasteners through the keyboard module  21 . The keyboard module  21  in turn may be fastened in a similar manner from the bottom surface of the base module  34 . In accordance with the invention, the keyboard module  21  further comprises a recess  48  for receiving one of a number of differently configured versions of the keyboard  22 . The selected keyboard  22  is also attached through the body of the keyboard module  21  with respective fasteners, such as screws, for example. 
     FIG. 3 is an outer end view of the data collection terminal unit  10 . The need for the referred to resilient protective strip  3220  may be realized in viewing lateral extending portion  18  of the display screen module  16 . 
     FIG. 4 is a frontal view of a data collection terminal unit  50  which is an alternate embodiment of the terminal unit  10 . In particular, the terminal unit  50  comprises a display screen module  51  including an arrangement  52  of alphabetical keys  53 . The display screen module  51  further includes an arrangement of function keys  54  disposed vertically along a display screen  55 . To accommodate the key arrangement  52 , the display screen module  51  is also laterally extended as the display screen module  16 . Consequently, lateral resilient strips  56  and  57  are preferred to increase the drop resistance of the terminal unit  50  as previously discussed with respect to the terminal unit  10 . Because of the area occupied by the keys  52  and the function keys  54 , the display screen is does not extend beyond the lateral sides of the generally elongate shape other than the extended display screen display module  51 . The terminal unit  50  further shows an outwardly extending antenna  58  as part of and evidencing a radio frequency communication system  59  being part of the terminal unit  50 . As described with respect to the terminal unit  10 , the terminal unit  50  also includes the resilient end caps  28  and  29 . A keyboard  61  may be functionally different than the previously described keyboard  22 , though it may be fitted into the aforementioned recess  48  of the keyboard module  21 . In particular, the keyboard  61  shows a main power switch  62 , rather than having such switch associated with the display screen module  51 . As can be ascertained from the terminal unit  50 , modules such as the keyboard module  21  may be interchangeably used with one of a number of display screen modules, such as the modules  16  and  51 . 
     FIG. 5 is a side view of the data collection terminal unit  50 . A base module  63  may in outer dimensions be the same as the base module  34  described with respect to FIG.  2 . One difference may be noted in the configuration of a battery module  64  with respect to the configuration of the battery module  39 . The battery module  64  shows less external surface and is inserted for a substantial portion into the base module  63 . The central handgrip portion  35  of the base module is in essence identical in both base modules. Another notable difference relates to a laterally disposed outer function key  66  which preferably may include more than one function, such as an enter function and scan function. The function key may be operated to enter data and to operate a scanning module when such a scanning module is provided. To operate the enter function, an inner end  67  of the function key  66  is depressed. To operate the scanning function an outer end  68  may be depressed. The respective, inner and outer locations are assigned because of a preferred addition of a scanner module in lieu of the outer end cap  29 . As described with respect to the function key  48 , the function key may be provided on either or both sides of the respective base modules. When the function keys are not provided, they may be deleted and replaced by a plug (not shown) which would be installed in lieu of the function switch. Also to be observed is the one for one replacement of the display screen module  51  for the previously described display screen module  16  into the keyboard module  21 . 
     FIG. 6 is a frontal view of yet another terminal unit  70 , having a uniquely wide screen  71  disposed in a display screen module  72 . The display screen module  72  is mounted in the manner described with respect to the display screen module  16  to the keyboard module  21 . The display screen module  72  extends to both sides with respect to the central axis  14  of the terminal unit  70  beyond the width of the base module  34  or  66  and the keyboard module  21 . The size of the display screen  71  permits only a limited number of function keys  73  which are preferably disposed adjacent the outer edge of the of the keyboard  22 . The display screen module  72  may also include a power switch  74  when such a function is not part of the keyboard module  21  and its respective keyboard  22 . It should be realized, however, that without diminishing the width of the display screen  71 , the number of display lines thereon may be diminished to include on another display screen module an alphabetical keyboard. 
     FIGS. 7 and 8 show terminal units  75  and  76 , respectively. Both terminal units show display screen modules  77  and  78 , respectively, in which respective display screens  79  and  81  are contained within the lateral bounds of the keyboard module  21 . The display screen module  77  includes function keys  82 , arranged in an earlier referred to arrangement. In contrast, the display screen module  78  does not include the function keys  82  but is instead in the direction between the inner and outer ends  11  and  12  of the terminal unit  76 , hence in the vertical direction of the display screen enlarged. Thus, FIGS. 7 and 8 show further embodiments of the terminal unit that can be provided with only minor modifications in the assembly of the respective units. 
     FIG. 9 is a frontal view of a data collection terminal unit  85  which features a variation of the described keyboard and display screen modules. The terminal unit  85  includes a display screen module  86  and a keyboard module  87 . As in the previously described terminal units, the keyboard module  87  extends substantially between the inner and outer ends  11  and  12  of the terminal unit  85 . A first keyboard  89  is mounted into an innermost end of the keyboard module  87 . However, the display screen module  86  is outwardly slidably mounted to slide from an innermost position as shown in FIG. 9 to an outermost position shown in FIG.  10 . Sliding motion is supported by rails  91  and  92  disposed along opposite sides of the terminal unit  85 . In the outermost position of the display screen module  86 , a second keyboard  94  is uncovered, in that the second keyboard is located directly adjacent the innermost position of the display screen module  86 . The second keyboard  94  may be received by the keyboard module  87  in a recess similar to the keyboard  88 . The first and second keyboards may be of different heights between inner and outer ends, or the keyboards may be configured to be of equal height. In such a configuration the keyboard module may be provided with proper recesses which are of the same size. In the described embodiment, the first keyboard has a greater vertical height than the second keyboard, and respectively differently sized cavities for receiving the first and second keyboards  88  and  94  are provided. The differences in size may prevent an inadvertent switching of the respective keyboards  88  and  94  during assembly of the terminal unit  85 . 
     FIG. 11 is a schematic representation of various modules and elements of the described terminal units showing a basic manner of assembling selected ones of the various modules to each other. In particular, the base module  34  is shown adjacent the battery module  39 . The two modules may be combined initially or at a later time in that it is contemplated to facilitate the replacement of the battery module  39  without further disassembly of the respective terminal unit. The resilient spacer  41  is preferably a rubber compound which may be of a hardness to absorb a typical fall of the unit. The spacer  41  is assembled between the base module  34  and the keyboard module  21  or a similar keyboard module. A selected keyboard and display screen module is assembled to the selected keyboard module prior to its assembly to the base module  34  or its selected equivalent base module. The outer end cap  29  may be removed or initially deleted from the assembly and a CCD type scanner module  96  or a laser scanner type module  97  may be attached to the outer end  12  of the terminal unit. FIG. 11 shows such scanner modules  96  and  97  in phantom lines as alternative additions to the respective terminal unit. In maintaining the shock absorbing characteristics of the assembled terminal unit, such as terminal unit  10 , if a scanner module, such as shown at  96  or  97 , is included at the outer end  12  of the terminal unit  10 , the scanner modules are desirably furnished with an resilient end cap  98  or  99 , respectively. 
     FIG. 12 is a simplified view onto an outer end  12  of a data collection terminal unit  101  in which a scanner module  102  is mounted to the outer end. The scanner module  102  is shown in a rest mode in which the scanner is less likely to be operated. The scanner module  102  has a scanning head  103  including an optical opening  104  through which scanned data are acquired. In the typically inactive position of the scanner module  102 , any scanning would be done with the optical opening pointing toward one side of the terminal unit  101 . In such position a user is not able to direct the scanning operation straight ahead while at the same time viewing a display screen  105  on the upper face of the terminal unit  101 . To overcome the limitation, the scanning head  103  is rotatably or pivotably attached to the scanner module  102  to pivot about the longitudinal central axis  14  through the terminal unit  101 . Preferably, the scanning head  103  may be moved to a number of intermediate positions between the lateral positions in which the optical opening  104  points to either side of the terminal unit  101 . A particular number of positions, such at fifteen degrees increments may be preferred. Thus, between opposite extreme lateral positions, the scanning head may be pivoted through an angle of at least 180 degrees. An alternate, angularly disposed orientation of the scanning head  103  is shown in phantom lines as an example of the pivotable movement of the scanning head  103 . The pivotable movement in either direction from the alternate position shown is indicated by an arrow  106 . 
     FIG. 13 shows a side view of the data collection terminal unit  101 . The scanner module  102  may be attached to the outer end of the data terminal unit by removing the end cap  29  and attaching in its place a mounting base  108  of the scanner module  102 . Internal data communications connections which are not shown, would include a typical data bus coupled to the microprocessor control of the data collection terminal unit  101  to permit the scanner module  102  to be operated as an integral element of the data collection terminal unit  101 . The position in which the scanning head  103  is shown, is a typical rest position for the scanner module, in which the scanner would be least likely to be operated. 
     FIG. 14 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of a scanner module  110 . Contrary to the scanner module  102 , the scanner module  110  is not pivotally attached by the base  108 . Instead, a fixed scanner head  111  is shown, in which the direction of scanning may preferably at an angle in a range about 45 from the longitudinal axis of the data collection terminal unit  101  is preferred. To increase the shock absorbency of the scanner module outer surface, a window portion  112  of the scanner head  111  is protected at its outer rim with preferred rubber cushoning, a shock damper having been found supportive of preventing breakage of the data collection terminal unit  101  and particularly of the scanner head  101 . The scanner module  110  further comprises an inward extension  113  adjacent a lower surface  114  of the data collection terminal unit  101 . A threaded fastener  115  may be used to fasten the extension  113  to the underside  114  of the data collection terminal unit  101 . It should be recognized that other modifications and changes may be made with respect to the laser scanner heads attached to the outer end of the data collection terminal unit in furtherance of the objects of the invention. 
     FIG. 15 is an end view of a display screen module  120  of the type of display screen module  72  shown in FIG.  6 . The end view shows an upwards directed display screen surface  121 , also showing in profile a plurality of keys  123  which may be a combination of alphanumeric keys and function keys for implementing functions of the display screen module  120 . Also shown as an edge view or in profile is a sculptured lower surface  126  of the display screen module  120 . Preferably, a central portion  127  of the lower surface  126  is a flat surface portion of substantially the same width as an interface surface of the respective keyboard module to which the display screen module typically mounts. 
     FIG. 16 shows a frontal view of the display screen module  120 . An outer end  128  of the display screen module  120  may feature an antenna, such as the antenna  58  of the transceiver unit  59  shown in FIG. 4, for example. Adjacent an inward facing edge  131  of the display screen module  120  may be located an array of the plurality of keys  123  which may be alphanumeric, of numeric and a combination of function keys arranged in one or more rows as illustrated. Outwards adjacent the keys  123  there is a display screen  134  capable of displaying multiple rows and columns of graphic symbols or of alphanumeric information or data. A handgrip module or handle module  135  is shown as extending toward the left hand side of the display module  120  with respect to the inner edge  131  as a base line. The handle module  135  includes a grip portion  136  which also functions as a battery compartment. A strap  137  may overlie the grip portion  136 , such that a user may slip a hand between the grip portion  136  and the strap  137 . The strap  137  preferably includes two strap halves which may be attached to each other at various lengthwise displaced distances by typical hook and loop fastening materials for adjustment. 
     FIG. 17 is a side view of the display screen module  120  and handle module  135 . A battery module  138  is disposed within the hind grip portion  135 . An upper lip  140  of the grip portion  136  overlies the upper surface  121  of the display screen module  120 . The upper lip  140  preferably engages a retainer ridge  141  disposed on the upper surface. An identical retainer ridge  141  may be disposed on the other side of the display screen module  120 , such that the handle module  135  becomes reversible and may be attached to one side as shown, or to the other side of the display screen module, depending on the preference of the user. The handle module  135  has an elongate support portion  143  which extends along the lower surface  126  of the display screen module  120  and is preferably mounted to the central portion  127  of the lower surface  126 . Electrical contact between the handle module  135  and the display screen module  120  may preferably be made across an interface  144  at the central portion  127 . A plurality of spaced electrical contacts  145 , disposed substantially in the plane of the interface  144  establish electrical and communication contact between the handle module  135  and the respective display screen module  120 . A recess  146  in the support portion  143  is part of the grip portion. Adjacent the recess  146 , oppositely spaced, parallel guide tracks  147  provide for the handle module to be slidably inserted into and to become electrically coupled to an external power supply and battery charger unit (not shown). A plurality of electrical power and communication contacts  148  establish contact for electrical power and signal communication with such a power supply and battery charger unit. A transceiver module  149  may be disposed within the support portion  143  for communication between an external data device (not shown) and the display screen module  120 , such that data from the external data device may be displayed to be accessible to a user of the combination of the display screen  120  and the handle module  135 . The described combination consequently refers to an alternate use of the display screen module  120  in addition to the previously described use of such a display screen module in combination with a keyboard assembly, as, for example, with respect to the data collection terminal unit  70 . 
     FIG. 18 is a frontal view of a data collection terminal unit  150  showing a keyboard module  151 . The keyboard module  151  differs from a previously described keyboard module  87 , for example, in that a display screen module  153  is pivotally attached to an outer end  154  of the keyboard module  151 . The display screen module  153  accordingly necessarily requires a hinged attachment to a respective module, such as the keyboard module  151 . A hinge  156  includes display screen hinge members  157  and complementary hinge discs  158  of the keyboard module  150 . A hinged attachment of the display screen module  153  to the keyboard module  151  shows an interleaved disposition of the disc-like, spaced hinge members  157  with the complementary hinge discs  158  of the keyboard module  151 . The respective hinge members  157  and hinge discs  158  may include laterally disposed electrical contact members disposed on respectively facing surfaces thereof to couple electrical power and data communication from the keyboard module  151  to the display screen module  153 . It is contemplated that the display screen module be pivoted from a first, closed position to a preferred open position selected from a range of possible positions, such as may be suitable and most convenient to a user. The keyboard module  151  may include a keyboard, such as the keyboard  88  described with respect to FIG. 10, for example. Keyboards which differ in their configuration from the configuration of the keyboard  88  but which are identical in electrical contacts and interface arrangements and in physical dimensions may be inserted in lieu of the keyboard  88 . The display screen module  153  has a first display screen  161  disposed in an outer surface  162  thereof. The size of the display screen  161  is one of choice, but may preferably be chosen to accommodate a typical numerical data display, hence be of a size substantially less than one which might occupy a major portion of the outer surface  162  of the display screen module  153 . Similarly to the embodiment described in reference to FIG. 4, the data collection terminal unit  150  may include a transceiver unit  59  as indicated by the antenna  58 . 
     FIG. 19 is a side view of the data collection terminal unit  150 . The terminal unit  150  includes a typical base module  165 , similar to the base module  34  described with respect to FIG. 2 hereof. The base module  165  is shown as including the handgrip portion  35  and the strap  36 . Resilient, shock absorbing end caps  28  and  29  are desirably attached to the respective inner and outer ends  11  and  12  of the data collection terminal unit  150 . The display screen module  153  is shown in the first or closed position. The closed position is considered also the normal position in which the module  153  is disposed essentially against an outward disposed portion  167  of the keyboard module  151 . The display screen module  153  may however be pivoted into an upward or open position within a range of open positions, substantially as indicated by the alternate position of the display screen module  153  shown in phantom lines. As the display screen module is pivoted to such upward position, a second display screen  19  disposed on the normally hidden underside  168  becomes visually accessible to a user. The display screen  19  is preferably recessed within an outer rim  169  of the display screen module  153 . In the downward pivoted position the display screen module  153  may cover an auxiliary or second keyboard  171 . The additional keys  172  of the second keyboard  171  may add alphabetical keys and function keys to be accessed by the user. In achieving the advantages sought by the present invention, both the first and the second keyboards  88  and  121  are removably mounted to the keyboard module  151  and may be exchanged for keyboards of identical lateral extent and having different key arrangements on a front surface thereof. Thus, the keyboard  171  may be exchanged for another keyboard having keys for different data or control input to the respective data collection terminal unit. Also, depending on the type of operation contemplated by the user of the data collection terminal unit  150 , the user may employ the unit with the display screen module  153  in a downward position with the first keyboard  88  being the sole keyboard available for data entry and the first display screen  161  providing a corresponding visual indication of data made available to the user. In the alternative, the user may pivot the display screen module into an upward pivoted position, giving access to a second display screen  19  which is in comparison to the first display screen  161  larger in active area and capable of displaying a greater amount of information. The second keyboard  171  to which the user has gained access simultaneously with the access to the relatively larger display screen  19  desirably provides the capability of alphabetical data information. Electrical provisions in the hinge  156  may include position controlled contacts  174  which selectively activate the display screen  161  or the display screen  19  in response to an opening or closing of the display screen module  153  in the manner described. The display screen module  153  differs from the previously described display screen modules in that the display screen module  153  is hingedly attached to the respective keyboard module  151 . In this manner, the display screen module  153  is a sub-module of the keyboard module  151 . However, it is also contemplated that the display screen module  153  may be interchanged with other display screen modules having similar spaced hinge members  157  to be compatible with the hinge discs  158  of the keyboard module  151 . 
     FIG. 20 is a frontal view of such alternate embodiment, showing a data collection terminal unit  175  which includes the described keyboard module  151 . To the outer end  154  of the keyboard module  151  a display screen module  176  has been pivotally attached in lieu of the already described display screen module  153 . In clear contrast to the display screen module  153 , the display screen module  176  is laterally confined substantially to the overall width of the keyboard module  151  of the data collection terminal unit  175 . The attachment of the display screen module  176  to the keyboard module  151  is identical to the attachment of the display screen module  153  at the hinge  156  as previously described. In the closed position of the display screen module  176 , the first or outer display screen  161  may preferably be identical to the first display screen of the display screen module  153  in that in the closed position of the display screen module  176  only the first keyboard, preferably the numerical keyboard  88  is accessible to the user, and the size and display area of the display screen  161  is adapted to a desired display format commensurate with data input from the first keyboard, such as the keyboard  88 . 
     FIG. 21 is an alternate frontal view of the data collection terminal unit  175 , showing the display screen module  176  in an upward pivoted position. The pivoted position reveals the second keyboard  171  of the keyboard module  151  and makes a second display screen  178  of the display screen module  176  accessible to the user. Consequently, as shown in FIG. 21, the user may now manually enter data by manipulating any of the keys which make up the keyboards  88  and  171 . The combination of the substantially numerical keyboard  88  and the substantially alphabetical keyboard  171  results in a complete alphanumerical keyboard. As described, pivoting the display screen module  176  from a closed position, as shown in FIG. 20, to the open position of FIG. 21 would be effective in one embodiment to switch displayed information from the first display screen  161  to the second display screen  178 . 
     Various changes and modifications in the structure of the described embodiment are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.