Patent Publication Number: US-2003222142-A1

Title: Retrofit enhancement device for a hand-held data collection unit

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION  
       [0001] The present invention is directed to an electronic data collection system and, more particularly, to an enhancement apparatus for an existing hand-held electronic data collection device.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002] A conventional data collection system, as illustrated by U.S. Pat. No. 5,410,141 to Koenck et al., includes a hand-held unit operating from battery power and functioning to collect and process data by a sequence of automated and/or manual operations. A typical automated process is the non-contact scanning of bar code data by means of a cyclically deflected laser beam or an image photosensor of the CCD type. Once a valid bar code reading has been obtained, a keypad may be manually operated to indicate an associated quantity. The user may then manually initiate a further operation, for example, the on-line transmission of the data to a remote host computer by a known means such as a radio frequency communications link.  
       [0003] It would be desirable to have a basic data collection system, which is lightweight and compact, and which could be readily retrofitted with an apparatus for further on-line wireless communications and other functions, as needed. The resulting data capture system would be versatile and particularly suitable for small-scale operations where low cost is a major objective, and versatility of the system is especially advantageous. Furthermore, in order to realize the benefits of mass production, it would be desirable, from the manufacturer&#39;s standpoint, if a basic computerized system configuration could be readily adapted to the needs of diverse end users by the selective addition of a low cost apparatus retrofitted onto the existing system.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus is used with a portable data collection device and a stationary central monitoring station. The apparatus includes an electronic transmitter/receiver that communicates with the central monitoring station, a data collector that collects data, and an infrared communication port. The data is transferred to the portable data collection device through the infrared communication port. The apparatus either routes the data to the portable data collection device or to the electronic transmitter/receiver of the apparatus. The electronic transmitter/receiver of the apparatus wirelessly transfers the data to the central monitoring station.  
       [0005] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for collecting data. The method includes the steps of: providing an existing data collector; removing a power source from the existing data collector; replacing the power source with a new device, the new device including a power source and a means for collecting data; transferring data between the existing data collector and the new device through an infrared communication port; and supplying power to both the existing data collector and the new device from the power source in the new device.  
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0006] The foregoing and other features of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present invention relates upon reading the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:  
     [0007]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an apparatus in accordance with the present invention;  
     [0008]FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of several operational steps utilizing the apparatus of FIG. 1;  
     [0009]FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of an apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the apparatus of FIG. 1;  
     [0010]FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the apparatus of FIG. 3 under a different condition;  
     [0011]FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of the apparatus of FIG. 3;  
     [0012]FIG. 6 is schematic perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 3; and  
     [0013]FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of an existing part of the apparatus of FIG. 6. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF AN EXAMPLE EMBODIMENT  
     [0014] In accordance with the present invention, FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a system  10  for collecting and storing data and selectively communicating that data and other information to an existing remote communication system  50 . The system  10  comprises an existing, handheld portable part  20  and a new portable part  60  (or apparatus) retrofitted onto the existing, handheld part for communicating with the existing system  50 . A new handheld system  10  is formed by this retrofitting.  
     [0015] The handheld part  20  includes a microprocessor  22  in communication with read only memory (ROM)  24 , random access memory (RAM)  26 , fixed memory  28  for data storage, an internal communication data bus  30 , and an input/output (I/O) communication bus  32 . The handheld part  20  further includes a video display screen  34  (typically a liquid crystal display), a bar code scan engine or reader  36 , a manually operable keypad  38  or keyboard, and an existing external infrared communication port  40  for communicating with an external device (such as the remote system  50  or the new part  60  as described below).  
     [0016] When utilized alone, the existing handheld part  20  collects data through the bar code reader  36  scanning bar codes and an operator punching in information to the keypad  38 . The handheld part  20  then immediately routes that data to the input/output bus  32 . The display screen  34  provides video feedback to the user through the input/output bus  32 . The microprocessor  22  receives the collected data from the input/output bus  32  and routes it through the internal data bus  30  to the random access memory  26  and the fixed memory  28  as determined by the particular control algorithm and the particular data. A read only memory  24  provides the microprocessor  22  with information as needed.  
     [0017] At the end of a data collection cycle (i.e., the end of a work shift), the handheld part  20  may communicate the stored data to the communication system  50 . The existing communication system  50  includes a stationary docking station  52  with an existing infrared communication port  54  for receiving data directly (i.e., a “handshake” transaction) from the existing infrared communication port  40  of the handheld part  20 . The docking station  52  may then communicate the data to an existing central monitoring station  56  such as a computer through a hardwire connection. Software updates may also be uploaded to the handheld part  20  at this time through the ports  40 ,  54 . The existing handheld part  20  is limited to the batch communication described above. Also, a power source  99 , such as a battery pack, of the handheld part  20  may be recharged at this time by the docking station  52 .  
     [0018] When the new portable part  60  is retrofitted onto the existing, handheld part  20 , the combined handheld system  10  may retain the batch communication capability as well as provide additional capabilities through the new portable part. The new portable part  60  may include a magnetic stripe reader  62 , a credit card chip reader  64 , a signature capture screen  66 , an emergency pushbutton  68 , a wireless transmitter/receiver  70  such as an RF transceiver, a global positioning system (GPS) receiver  72 , an internal infrared communication port  74  for communication with the infrared communication port  40  of the existing handheld device  20 , and an external infrared communication port  76  for communication with the infrared communication port  54  of the docking station  52 . The new portable part  60  further includes an additional microprocessor  82  in communication with read only memory (ROM)  84 , random access memory (RAM)  86 , an internal communication data bus  90 , and input/output (I/O) communication bus  92 .  
     [0019] When the new portable part  60  is retrofitted onto the handheld part  20 , thereby forming the single combined unit, or handheld system  10 , the apparatus provides increased data collection capability and increased communication capability. The system  10  may now read data from a magnetic stripe (i.e., a credit card, debit card, etc.) by placing the magnetic stripe in a corresponding slot of the magnetic stripe reader  62 . The data may then be transferred through the input/output bus  92  to the microprocessor  82 . The microprocessor  82  may then determine whether to store the data in the fixed memory  28  of the handheld part  20  by transferring the data through the infrared communication ports  40 ,  74 . Alternatively, the microprocessor  82  may determine that the data should be immediately transferred to the central monitoring station  56  through the wireless transmitter/receiver  70 .  
     [0020] Further, the system  10  may now read data from an electronic chip (i.e., a credit card) by placing the chip in a corresponding slot of the chip reader  64 . The data may then be transferred through the input/output bus  92  to the microprocessor  82 . The microprocessor  82  may then determine whether to store the data in the fixed memory  28  of the handheld part  20  by transferring the data through the infrared communication ports  40 ,  74 . Alternatively, the microprocessor  82  may determine that the data should be immediately transferred to the central monitoring station  56  through the wireless transmitter/receiver  70 .  
     [0021] Also, the system  10  may now capture the signature of a person (i.e., a package recipient) when the person records their signature by running a stylus across the capture screen  66 . The data may then be transferred through the input/output bus  92  to the microprocessor  82 . The microprocessor  82  may then determine whether to store the data in the fixed memory  28  of the handheld part  20  by transferring the data through the infrared communication ports  40 ,  74 . Alternatively, the microprocessor  82  may determine that the data should be immediately transferred to the central monitoring station  56  through the wireless transmitter/receiver  70 . This signature capture feature of the retrofitted system  10  is particularly useful since the existing handheld device  20 , used alone, typically scans a bar code of a paper label that has been signed by a package recipient and both the bar code (electronically) and the paper label must be saved for end of the shift processing.  
     [0022] If the operator of the new handheld system  10  needs assistance, the operator may depress the emergency pushbutton  68 . The time and location of this occurrence may be transferred directly to the central monitoring station  56  via the wireless transmitter/receiver  70 . The time and location data may also be transferred to, and stored in, the fixed memory  28  of the handheld device  20  through the infrared communication ports  40 ,  74 .  
     [0023] Any data collected by the system  10  may be transferred, through the wireless transmitter/receiver  70 , to the central monitoring station  56  at any time depending upon the specific control algorithm of the microprocessors  22 ,  82 . This includes data collected by the data collection devices  36 ,  38  of the existing, handheld part  20  or the data collection devices  62 ,  64 ,  66 ,  68  of the new portable part  60 , as determined by the newly configured microprocessor  22  and the new microprocessor  82 . Any future reconfiguration of the microprocessors  22 ,  82  may be uploaded through the infrared communication ports  54 ,  76  when the system  10  is placed in the docking station  52 .  
     [0024] The microprocessor  82  of the new portable part  60  may also communicate directly with a cellular data network  94  through the global positioning receiver  72  for obtaining global positioning information (from a GPS network  96 ) for chronologically indexing data stored in the fixed memory  28  and/or for communicating (through the wireless transmitter/receiver  70 ) the position of the system  10  to the central monitoring station  56  at any specific time.  
     [0025] As viewed in FIG. 2, the system  10  may be utilized for several types of information and commercial operations. For a retail transaction  1100 , in step  1101 , the bar code of a package may be scanned by the bar code reader  36 . Following step  1101 , the transaction proceeds to step  1102 . In step  1102 , the data of a prospective recipient of the package may be entered into the keypad  38 . Following step  1102 , the transaction proceeds to step  1103 . In step  1103 , the magnetic stripe of a credit card may be read by the magnetic stripe reader  62  or, alternatively, if the credit card has a data chip in it, the chip may be read by the credit card chip reader  64 . Following step  1103 , the transaction proceeds to step  1104 . In step  1104 , the signature of the prospective recipient may be captured by the capture screen  66 . Following step  1104 , the transaction proceeds to step  1105 . In step  1105 , the microprocessors  22 ,  82  decide between the options of storing the collected bar code, keypad, credit card, and signature data in the fixed memory  28  (for download at the end of the shift) or wirelessly forwarding the bar code, keypad, credit card, and signature data immediately to the central monitoring station  56 .  
     [0026] Following step  1105 , if the storing option is chosen, the transaction proceeds to step  1106 . In step  1106 , the bar code, keypad, credit card, and signature data is stored in the fixed memory  28  through communication across the internal infrared communication ports  40 ,  74 . Following step  1106 , the transaction proceeds to step  1107 . In step  1107 , the collected bar code, keypad, credit card, and signature data, along with other data collected throughout the shift of the user, is downloaded into the docking station  52  through the infrared communication ports  54 ,  76 . Following (or simultaneous with) step  1107 , the transaction proceeds to step  1108 . In step  1108 , the power supply (i.e., the battery pack  99 ) of the system  10  is recharged through the docking station  52 .  
     [0027] Following step  1105 , if the wireless forwarding option is chosen, the transaction proceeds to step  1110 . In step  1110 , the wireless transmitter/receiver  70  immediately transfers (i.e., through RF transmission) the collected bar code, keypad, credit card, and signature data to the central monitoring station  56  for approval/disapproval of the credit card information.  
     [0028] For a delivery confirmation  1120  of a package, in step  1121 , the bar code of a package may be scanned by the bar code reader  36 . Following step  1121 , the confirmation proceeds to step  1122 . In step  1122 , other data of a prospective recipient of the package may be entered into the keypad  38 . Following step  1122 , the confirmation proceeds to step  1123 . In step  1123 , the signature of the prospective recipient may be captured by the capture screen  66 . Following step  1123 , the confirmation proceeds to step  1105 . In step  1105 , the microprocessors  22 ,  82  decide between the options of storing the collected bar code, keypad, and signature data in the fixed memory  28  (for download at the end of the shift) or wirelessly forwarding the bar code, keypad, and signature data immediately to the central monitoring station  56 .  
     [0029] Following step  1105 , if the storing option is chosen, the confirmation proceeds to step  1106 . In step  1106 , the bar code, keypad, and signature data is stored in the fixed memory  28  through communication across the internal infrared communication ports  40 ,  74 . Following step  1106 , the confirmation proceeds to step  1107 . In step  1107 , the collected bar code, keypad, and signature data, along with other data collected throughout the shift of the user (i.e., the above described retail transaction), is downloaded into the docking station  52  through the infrared communication ports  54 ,  76 . Following (or simultaneous with) step  1107 , the transaction proceeds to step  1108 . In step  1108 , the power supply of the system  10  is recharged through the docking station  52 .  
     [0030] Following step  1105 , if the wireless forwarding option is chosen, the transaction proceeds to step  1110 . In step  1110 , the wireless transmitter/receiver  70  immediately transfers (i.e., through RF transmission) the collected bar code, keypad, and signature data to the central monitoring station  56  for immediate confirmation of the delivery.  
     [0031] For an automated location tracking procedure  1130  for the system  10 , in step  1131 , the microprocessors  22 ,  82  cyclically decode a GPS signal received through the GPS receiver  72  for determining the geographic location of the system  10  at a specific time (i.e., a constantly updated position of the system  10 ). Following step  1131 , the tracking procedure proceeds to step  1132 . In step  1132 , the user of the system  10  determines if there is an emergency situation and, if so, indicates such by depressing the emergency push button  68 .  
     [0032] Following step  1132 , if an emergency situation does not exist, the tracking procedure proceeds to step  1105 . In step  1105 , the storing option of the location and time data is chosen. Following step  1105 , the tracking procedure proceeds to step  1106 . In step  1106 , the location and time data is stored in the fixed memory  28 . Following step  1106 , the tracking procedure proceeds to step  1107 . In step  1107 , the location and time data (i.e., an system travel log), along with other data collected throughout the shift of the user (i.e., the above described retail transaction and delivery confirmation), may be downloaded into the docking station  52  through the infrared communication ports  54 ,  76 . Following (or simultaneous with) step  1107 , the tracking procedure proceeds to step  1108 . In step  1108 , the power supply of the system  10  is recharged through the docking station  52 .  
     [0033] Following step  1132 , if an emergency situation does exist, in step  1140 , the user depresses the emergency push button  68 . Following step  1140 , the tracking procedure proceeds to step  1110 . In step  1110 , the location and time data of the emergency is transmitted to the central monitoring station  56  through the wireless transmitter/receiver  70  so that instructions may be received through the wireless transmitter/receiver  70  and the display screen  34 . The above described retail transaction, delivery confirmation, and location tracking procedure are just three examples of the multitude of operations the system  10  may perform in a wide variety of portable communication/data collection device applications.  
     [0034] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 illustrates a portable hand-held data capture terminal  100 . The terminal  100  has an elongated housing defined by a first existing part  111  and a second part  112 . The elongate housing is sized such that a user may hold the terminal  100  comfortably in one hand for extended periods of time. The first part  111  may have a curved indentation  105  so that an operator may place part of the operator&#39;s hand within it in order to comfortably hold and/or balance the terminal  100  during operation, data collection and/or communication.  
     [0035] The first part  111  may be an existing device, or unit, typically powered by a rechargeable nickel-metal-hydride battery pack  128  (FIG. 4). The first part  111  of the terminal  100  provides a mounting platform for a display screen  113  (FIGS. 3 &amp; 4) which may provide a visual indication of various types of information to a user. Typically, the video display  113  is a liquid crystal display (LCD) providing sixteen lines, with twenty characters per line, of display area. Alternatively, the display  113  may be a four-line type. The video display  113  may be mounted upon a printed circuit board (not shown) that is mounted or secured within the first part  111 . In addition, the first part  111  may provide a mounting platform for a keypad  114  (FIGS. 3 &amp; 4), having a plurality of keys  156  disposed thereon. Typically the keypad  114  is provided with either twenty-three or forty keys. The control and interface circuitry for the keypad  114  and memory for storing collected data may be contained on the printed circuit board mounted within the first part  111 . The first part  111  may include a bar code reader  116  for scanning bar codes of packages, letters, etc. The bar code reader  116  may be activated by an “ON SCAN” button  157  located on the keypad  114 .  
     [0036] The memory of the existing first part  111  may record the time, date, and bar code data of accountable mail packages; the time, date, and bar code data of printed labels signifying specific geographic locations; and/or the keypad entry of alphanumeric textual data representing a variety of logistics related information, as described above. The existing first part  111 , acting alone, employs a batch processing approach to download the bar code data and alphanumeric textual data collected during the conduction of business. This is accomplished by placing the first part  111  into a docking station located in a fixed location at the workplace at the end of a work shift. The first part  111  may download collected data using an infrared communications port  140  located on the bottom exterior portion of the first part  111 . A power source (i.e., the battery pack  128  in the first part  111 ) may be recharged during the docking period via smooth connectors  121  located on the sides of the first part  111 .  
     [0037] The second part  112  may be a retrofit device, or unit. As described above, the second part  112  may attach to the lower portion of the first part  111  and provide electrical power and the added features of position location data, pushbutton emergency alerting, signature capture data, magnetic stripe data, electronic chip card data, and a wide area wireless communications capability (i.e., an RF transceiver). The retrofit second part  112  provides electrical power to the existing first part  111  by replacing the original battery pack  128  with the entire second part.  
     [0038] Location capability may be derived from the use of a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver disposed in the second part  112 . A magnetic stripe reader  162 , electronic chip credit card reader  164 , and emergency pushbutton  168  are also disposed on the second part  112 . The second part  112  may further provide wireless communications capability with the nationwide data telecommunications infrastructure of multiple nationwide cellular data network common carriers.  
     [0039] The retrofitting of the second part  112  onto the first part  111  allows the operator of the new enhanced unit  100  to conduct normal and enhanced business transactions in real time in a manner consistent with the mobile nature of logistics operations. For example, the data capture terminal  100  may be integrated into another type of unit such as a two-wheeled, gyroscopically balanced cart for use prospectively by mail carriers (i.e., a SEGWAY).  
     [0040] One example of the use of this embodiment of the present invention is the handheld delivery confirmation communication system of postal operations. More particularly, the present invention (i.e., the combined first part  111  and second part  112 ) may be an existing delivery confirmation device (i.e., the first part  111 ) retrofitted with a new device (i.e., the second part  112 ) for the wireless exchange of delivery confirmation, two-way text, signature capture, magnetic stripe and electronic chip credit cards, emergency alerting, and position location information over a common carrier cellular data network.  
     [0041] A portable handheld data collection device for postal applications is known in the art (FIG. 7). This system collects and processes data in the form of bar coded indicia and alphanumeric text. The source data is obtained through manual scanning, automatic scanning, or image capture of printed single or multi-dimensional bar coded labels. The manual collection of alphanumeric textual information is entered into the keypad of the existing handheld data collection device.  
     [0042] The existing handheld data collection device (i.e., the first part  111 ), currently in use for postal operations, requires collected information to be downloaded from the handheld data collection device via a permanent desktop docking station. The existing device is typically placed in the docking station at the end of a workday. The information collected during the workday is then transmitted through the docking station using an infrared communication port  140  located at the bottom of the existing device. The infrared port  140 , when placed in close proximity to a complimentary infrared port in the docking station initiates the transmittal and reception of information. The battery pack  128  of the existing handheld data collection device also may be recharged when placed in the docking station.  
     [0043] The existing device is not readily capable of remotely transmitting, in real time, the data collected during the workday. Also, the existing device is not capable of capturing written signature data, magnetic stripe data, electronic chip data of a credit card, user location data, sending out an emergency alert message indicating that the operator is in need of assistance, or receiving instructions for addressing that emergency (such as may appear on the video display screen  113 ). Although this enhanced functionality may be fully integrated into a replacement device for the existing device, cost of such a replacement would be undesirable.  
     [0044] Consequently, the coupling of the existing first part  111  with the retrofit second part  112  may provide the additional functionality described above for this postal application, without excessive cost, as well as other various applications. Such a system may operate with the existing first part  111  through the existing infrared communication port  140 , and thereby not necessitate the complete replacement of the existing first part.  
     [0045] The coupling of the existing and retrofit devices is illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. The enhanced terminal  100  formed by the first part  111  and the second part  112  may include an internal infrared communication port  134  (FIG. 4), a rechargeable power source  171  (i.e., the battery pack  99  of FIG. 1) equivalent both physically and electrically to the existing battery pack  128 , a wireless transmitter/receiver with internal antenna (not shown), a GPS receiver with internal antenna (not shown), external IR docking port  176 , docking station power recharge contacts  179  (one shown) equivalent to the smooth connectors  121  of the existing first part  111 , emergency pushbutton  168 , emergency pushbutton guard  169 , signature capture screen  166 , magnetic stripe reader  162 , and electronic chip card reader  164 .  
     [0046] The second part  112  is retrofitted in the manner shown in FIG. 4 to the existing first part  111 . The existing battery pack  121  is removed from the first part  111  and used elsewhere or discarded. The second part  112  is then inserted over the bottom of the first part  111  and rotated in a forward direction until the rechargeable battery pack  171  of the second part  112  is inserted and locked with a locking tab  175  into the location on the first part  111  formerly occupied by discarded battery pack  128 . The resulting combination  100  is shown in FIG. 3.  
     [0047] The rechargeable power source  171  of the second part  112  supplies electrical power for both the second part  112  and the first part  111 . Electrical power is transferred to the first part  111  through the metallic terminals  173  on the power source  171  of the second part  112 . Electrical power to recharge the rechargeable power source  171  of the second part  112  is obtained through the mating of metallic contacts of the existing docking station with the metallic contacts  179  of the second part  112 , just as the existing battery pack  128  has been recharged through the contacts  121 . The existing docking station typically obtains electrical power from a separate hard-wired power supply.  
     [0048] Bar code and text data collected through the daily business transactions are stored within the memory (i.e., the fixed memory  28 ) of the first part  111 . Information from the memory of the first part  111  may be internally routed to the infrared port  140  of the first part  111 . The infrared port  140  (FIG. 7) of the first part  111  is in close proximity to the infrared port  134  (FIG. 4) of the second part  112  thereby enabling the transfer of information between the first part  111  and the second part  112 . The infrared port  134  of the second part  112  may be connected to the wireless transmitter/receiver, which may broadcast information transferred from the first part  111  through the antenna to a common carrier cellular data network. Conversely, information broadcast by the common carrier cellular data network destined for the first part  111  may be received by the antenna and wireless transmitter/receiver and routed to the infrared port  134  of the second part  112 , which communicates with infrared port  140  of the first part  111 . When the combination of the first part  111  and the second part  112  are docked in the existing docking station, data may be downloaded and/or uploaded to the terminal  100  via the external infrared port  176  of the second part  112 , which is in close proximity to infrared port of the existing docking station.  
     [0049] Position location information of the terminal  100  may be obtained from the Global Positioning System through the GPS antenna located within the second part  112 . Signals from the antenna may be converted to digital form in a global positioning receiver (not shown) and routed through the infrared port  134  to the first part  111  via the infrared port  140 . These signals may also be broadcast via the wireless transmitter/receiver and antenna to a remote manned or unmanned central monitoring station (i.e., the central monitoring station  56 ).  
     [0050] Emergency notification is initiated by pressing the pushbutton  158  on the second part  112 . The pushbutton  158  is protected from accidental activation by the guard ring  159 . Pressing the pushbutton  158  causes the operator&#39;s location to be captured via the global positioning receiver in the second part  112 . This information, along with user identification, is immediately broadcast via wireless transmitter/receiver and antenna to the common carrier data network where it is routed to the remote central monitoring station.  
     [0051] Written signatures may be captured on the capture screen  166  on the second part  112 . The signature may be digitized by the second part  112  and routed through the infrared ports  134 ,  140  to the first part  111 . Credit cards bearing a magnetic stripe may be captured via the magnetic stripe reader  162 . The data may be digitized by the second part  112  and routed through the infrared port  134  to the first part  111 . Electronic chips embedded in credit cards may be read using the card reader  164  on the second part  112 . The data may be digitized by the second part  112  and routed through the infrared port  134  to the first part  111 .  
     [0052] Alternatively, the terminal  100  may format and encrypt this data under the control of an existing or an updated software algorithm. The terminal  100  may route the data to the wireless transmitter/receiver for transmittal to the common carrier cellular data network.  
     [0053] A system or apparatus in accordance with the present invention provides a fully integrated device utilizing the full capability of the existing data collector with several additional functions provided by the enhanced capability of the retrofitted device. The infrared communication ports  134 ,  140  enable complete communication between the first and second parts  111 ,  112  and a fluid functioning of the parts such that the parts act as one totally integrated unit.  
     [0054] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus  112  is used with an existing data collection device  111  and a stationary central monitoring station. The apparatus  112  includes an electronic transmitter/receiver that communicates with the central monitoring station and a data collector  162 ,  164 ,  166 , or  168  that collects data. The apparatus  112  either routes the data to the existing data collection device  111  or to the electronic transmitter/receiver of the apparatus  112 . The electronic transmitter/receiver of the apparatus  112  wirelessly transfers the data to the central monitoring station.  
     [0055] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a data collecting method includes the steps of: providing an existing data collector  111 ; removing a power source  128  from the existing data collector  111 ; replacing the power source  128  with a new device  112 , the new device including a power source  171  and a means  162 ,  164 ,  166 , or  168  for collecting data; transferring data between the existing data collector  111  and the new device  112  through an infrared communication port  134 ; and supplying power to both the existing data collector  111  and the new device  112  from the power source  171  in the new device  112 .  
     [0056] In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, a system  10  electronically collects, stores and transfers data. The system  10  includes a first device  20  and second device  60 . The first device  20  electronically collects a first set of data. The second device  60  electronically collects a second set of data. The first set of data alternatively is temporarily stored by the first device  20  or immediately transferred through infrared communication to the second device  60  and transferred wirelessly from the second device to a remote central monitoring station  56 . The second set of data is alternatively transferred to the first device  20  though infrared communication and temporarily stored by the first device or immediately transferred wirelessly to the remote central monitoring station  56 .  
     [0057] From the above description of the invention, those skilled in the art will perceive improvements, changes and modifications. Such improvements, changes and modifications within the skill of the art are intended to be covered by the appended claims.