text:
|N�mero de publicaci�n
|Tipo de publicaci�n
|N�mero de solicitud
|Fecha de publicaci�n
|26 May 2009
|Fecha de presentaci�n
|19 Jun 2000
|Fecha de prioridad
|31 Ago 1993
|Tambi�n publicado como
|N�mero de publicaci�n
|Phillip Miller
|Cesionario original
|Broadcom Corporation
|Exportar cita
|BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan
|Citas de patentes (108), Otras citas (81), Citada por (6), Clasificaciones (189), Eventos legales (9)
|Enlaces externos: USPTO, Cesi�n de USPTO, Espacenet
This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/481,281 filed Jan. 11, 2000, now abandoned, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/955,345 filed Oct. 21, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,014,705 issued Jan. 11, 2000, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/114,872 filed Aug. 31, 1993, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,680,633 issued Oct. 21, 1997.
The following applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety and made part of this application.
A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
This invention relates generally to portable data collection and processing terminals for use in a Radio Frequency (RF) communication network, and, more specifically to portable terminals supporting a variety of RF transceivers and associated antenna systems. Additionally, this invention relates to methods in which a portable terminal gains access to the RF communication network.
In particular, portable data processing terminals have taken an increasingly significant role in business environments. For example, battery powered, hand-held data collection terminals are used extensively for inventory control in warehousing and merchandising operations. Other uses of such terminals include invoicing, delivery route management, order taking and return control operations—as might be found in automobile rental operations.
In many business environments, portable data processing terminals often need to communicate in real-time with other portable terminals, peripheral devices, work stations, and host computers. To meet such communication needs, a variety of mixed hard-wired and wireless communication networks with associated communication protocols have been developed, each addressing the specific requirements of a given business environment. In the process of such development, portable terminals have undergone tailoring of both hardware and software to fully support a specific communication network and associated protocol.
As a result of such tailoring, each type of portable data collection terminal is generally only capable of operating in a single type of business environment. Tailoring also results in unreasonable additional costs associated with developing, manufacturing, documenting, etc., each variety of portable data collection terminals.
More specifically, each portable data collection terminal includes a built-in radio transceiver. The built-in transceiver operates pursuant to only one of a variety of types of RF (Radio Frequency) communication characteristics, characteristics that are dictated per FCC (Federal Communication Commission) specification.
The choice of the type of radio transceiver, i.e., the type of RF communication characteristics, to build-in is based on the nature of the business environment. For example, a digital cellular radio might be chosen in a environment having great distances between the radio and the destination transceiver. Similarly, data might be exchanged using a single channel UHF (Ultra-High Frequency), direct-sequence spread-spectrum, or frequency-hopping spread-spectrum band. Each of these bands have particular characteristics which make them attractive for a given business environment, and each generally requiring a different transceiver.
After choosing the appropriate radio transceiver, an appropriate antenna must also be selected. Each type of transceiver often requires a different type of antenna based on the corresponding RF communication characteristics, the shape of the portable terminal, and the business environment at issue.
Thus, there is need to provide a portable data collection terminal capable of easily supporting any of the plurality of types of radio transceivers and associated antennas, minimizing needed modifications to the terminal's hardware and software design.
In addition, to support real-time access to a communication network, each portable data collection terminal needs to establish and maintain radio connectivity to the network. However, portable terminals must also address conflicting concerns of battery power conservation, i.e., maintaining connectivity places a substantial load on battery power. Moreover, the mobile nature of portable terminals also presents difficulties in maintaining connectivity. It would therefore be desirable to implement communication protocol techniques which address power saving and mobility concerns while providing virtually real-time access to the communication link.
Thus, an object of the present invention is to provide a modular hardware and software radio design for a portable data collection terminal which supports multiple types of radio transceivers and associated antennas.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide for the selection of ones of a plurality modular radio transceivers for use by a portable data terminal, the selection of which addresses the specific concerns of a given business environment.
Another object of the present invention is to provide for the selection of ones of a plurality of modular radio transceivers for use by a portable data terminal, wherein each modular transceiver selected isolates the data collection terminal from transceiver specific operations by providing hardware and software control over such functions.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a communication protocol which address power saving and mobility concerns while providing virtually real-time access to the communication link.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a communication protocol for use by a portable data collection terminal which minimizes transmission collisions while providing for virtually real-time access to the communication network.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a communication protocol for use by a portable data collection terminal which eliminates the need for random number generation and random back-off techniques.
A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved computer device apparatus for connecting a removable card type radio to a protected, interchangeable, environmentally sealed antenna which uses contacts located on the housing of the radio card.
An object of the present invention is to provide an improved antenna connector for use with radio cards which can be inserted into various computer devices.
An object of the present invention is to provide an antenna cap, for use with computer devices utilizing radio cards, which is reliable, economical and easy to use.
A further object of the present invention is to provide an antenna cap whereby an appropriate antenna will be connected to a radio card by selectively positioning the antenna contacts on the radio card.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an antenna cap whereby a radio card may simultaneously connect to and utilize more than one radio antenna, and where the radio card may contain more than one type of radio transceiver.
A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved antenna connector whereby an appropriate antenna(s) will be connected to a radio card by selectively positioning the antenna contacts on the radio card.
A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved apparatus which utilizes only one set of contacts on a radio card or modem card and uses a switching matrix to connect the radio card or modem card to the appropriate antenna or telephone line.
Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
These and other objects of the invention are achieved in a portable data collection terminal comprising a first and second data processing unit as well as a radio transceiver selected from a plurality of transceivers. The first processing unit is capable of operating at its own set of communication software routines. Further, each of the plurality of radio transceivers has different operating characteristics. The second processing unit is capable of isolating the first processing unit from the differences in the operating characteristics of the plurality of radio transceivers.
In one embodiment of the portable data collection terminal, the first processing unit is contained in a base module while the second processing unit and the selected radio transceiver are located in a communication module. In another embodiment, antennas are connected to the base module, and the portable data collection terminal unit includes a means for selectively interconnecting one of the antennas to the communication module. In a further embodiment, a preinstalled antenna is connected to the base module. The portable data collection terminal includes an antenna connector capable of connecting a variety of external antennas as well as a means for selectively interconnecting the preinstalled antenna or the antenna connector to the selected radio transceiver.
The objects of the invention are also achieved in a portable data collection terminal that operates in a communication network having a first and second subnetwork. The portable data collection terminal comprises a base processing unit and a communication processor, as well as a first and second radio transceiver selected from a plurality of radio transceivers. The base processing unit is capable of operating at its own set of communication software routines. Further, each of the plurality of radio transceivers has different operating characteristics. The communication processor is capable of isolating the base processing unit from the differences in the operating characteristics of the first and second radio transceivers.
In one embodiment, the base processing unit is contained in a base module of the portable data collection terminal. The data collection terminal also has a communication module that contains the communication processor and the first and second radio transceivers.
The objects of the invention are also achieved in a method used by a second device for beginning a data exchange over an RF communication link with a polling device. (The polling device having an interpoll gap time.) The method comprises identifying that an RF communication link is clear throughout a period which is at least as long as the interpoll gap time and transmitting a request for poll frame. In one embodiment, the method also includes generating a first pseudo-random time which is also at least as long as the interpoll tap time. The channel is then sensed for a time substantially shorter than the first pseudo-random time. Such sensing is repeated until the channel is detected as being busy, or until the channel is detected as being clear at every sense until the first pseudo-random time is reached. If the channel is busy, a second pseudo-random time delay backs-off is executed and the process beginning at the generation of the first pseudo-random time is repeated. If the channel is clear for the entire first pseudo-random time, a request for poll is transmitted.
Functional interconnections and power saving features of the present invention may be better understood from knowing how various building blocks or modules of a portable data collection terminal unit relate to each other.
The keyboard and display module 12 further includes an upper cavity 17 wherein a display screen 18 is disposed. The display screen 18 is preferably a state-of-the-art liquid crystal display, the liquid crystal display ("LCD") technology being well established in the art. A dot-addressable liquid crystal array screen 18 is ideal for "User friendliness" and versatility and permits the display of various alphanumeric characters and graphic symbols, as well as Chinese or Japanese character symbols. Of course, dot-addressable graphic representations are known to require a substantial level of data processing and memory storage to permit the symbols to be displayed or moved about on the display screen 18 with reasonable speed. Long delays between the time that an operator pushes a keytop 16 to obtain data and the time that the requested data are displayed is considered "user unfriendly" and is commercially undesirable. A display technology which has become a standard is referred to as VGA technology. VGA screens are capable of fine gray scale or color resolutions. The display screen 18 would be part of a selected display screen module 19 of a number of available display screen modules.
The data and communication module 200 is of particular interest in that an improved interfacing may be obtained by coupling communication between the data and communication module 200 and the base module 201 through a microprocessor 225, such as, for example an 80C51 microprocessor circuit. Typical on board ROM allows the microprocessor to be programmed to interact with a number of devices in accordance with the stored program. The microprocessor interacts with an interface circuit 226 which may be an analog or mixed analog and digital interface circuit. The program for interacting with the interface circuit 226 may also be stored within an on board ROM. The interface circuit 226 is coupled to a transceiver module 228. The microprocessor 225 may also be coupled directly to a data collection interface 229 to receive data from a scanner for reading any number of different bar codes or for providing input data from other external sources. The operation of the microprocessor 225 for coupling data to the base module 201 allows various input patterns to be processed by any of specific operational protocols controlled by the microprocessor 225, such that the data input from the data collection circuit can be made the same from any of a number of devices. Also, with respect to the operation of the transceiver, the program for operating the microprocessor 225 may include particular address codes for data retrieval and data communication via the transceiver. The data sent via a data and control bus between the microprocessors 225 and 204 can emulate a uniform data transfer protocol to the base module 201. The addition of the microprocessor 225 in a data and communication module 200 thus increases the number of communications devices that may be represented by the data communication transceiver circuit or module.
The data and communication module 200 may be removed and replaced with a number of other modules. In those modules, the transceiver 228 may be, for example, any RF radio, such as a spread spectrum, UHF, or cellular transceiver. The commonality between all communication modules is the microprocessor 225 and the associated communication protocol back to the microprocessor 205 of the base module 201. In other words, the program function represented by the interface circuit 226 and interacting with the microprocessor 225 permits the interactive control and data stream between the base module 201 and the data and communication module 200 to appear the same to the base module 201 no matter how the module 200 communicates.
The reference to the particular microprocessor circuits should not be considered limiting to the scope of the invention. The combination of two microprocessors interacting with each other, each controlling the environment of a respective one of two submodules such as the base module and the data and communication module permits an increased number of different components and functions to be used within the data system. The data collection terminal unit of the present invention is particularly designed for use in a mobile computer network. Such a network connects mobile interactive radio-equipped computers (such as the terminal unit 10) to an infrastructure of stationary computer devices.
Communication within the network is generally governed by software control through a grouping of software routines. Together, the software routines define an overall communication protocol for the network. The software groupings also define a stack of protocol layers; i.e., a protocol stack. The protocol stack divides the overall communication protocol into hierarchical layers of functionality.
The sessions layer 251 performs general login functions, such as authentication of passwords, etc.
The transport layer 253 provides end-to-end connectivity within a mobile computer network. It recovers from lost data packets, discards duplicate data packets, and fragments and reassembles logical user messages. Essentially, the transport layer 253 provides a data pipeline between access points in terminal modes.
The network layer 255 provides end-to-end delivery of data packets within a mobile computer network. For example, if a spanning tree network offers the desired good network solution, the network layer 255 would (1) organize nodes in the network into a spanning tree; (2) route data packets along branches of the spanning tree; (3) provide a service for storing data packets for sleeping terminals (i.e. power management); (4) propagate lost terminal node information throughout the spanning tree; (5) maintain spanning tree links; (6) allocate and distribute network addresses; and (7) maintain and provide diagnostic network statistics.
The data link layer 257 controls access to the communication channel and is responsible for providing reliable transmission between any two devices in the network on both wired and radio links.
The physical layer 259 performs radio modem functions and is therefore very radio transceiver dependent.
As can be appreciated, the lower the level in the protocol stack, the more radio transceiver dependent the protocol becomes. Similarly, the lower the level, the more business environment specific the protocol becomes. Thus, a good dividing line for the protocol layers that exist in the communication module 200 is at the data link layer 257. This way, any communication module 200 supporting any type of radio transceiver can communicate with the common higher levels of protocol stack existing in the base module 201.
Alternatively, the dividing line might also be drawn at a higher level, for example, at the network layer 255, or at somewhere in between. For example, referring to
Further detail regarding mobile computer networks and the above protocol is found in attached Appendix A, a Masters Thesis entitled "Mobile Computer Network Architecture" authored by Robert C. Meier, a co-inventor herein.
In an alternate embodiment,
The keyboard and display module 12 occupies most of the area of the terminal unit 10 which faces an operator when the terminal unit 10 is held and operationally used by the operator. Assembled to an underside 21 of the keyboard and display module 12 are preferably two major modules of the terminal unit 10. A first module is what is referred to as the terminal module 22. Whereas the keyboard and display module 12 is the major interface component between the operator and the terminal unit 10, the terminal module 22 is a major functional component of the terminal unit 10 itself, as will become apparent from the description herein. The terminal module 22 functionally controls the interaction of the various units or modules as described herein, and functionally is the control unit of the terminal unit 10. The terminal module 22 houses functional submodules and microprocessor circuits. A significant component is, of course, a power pack module 23. The power pack module may contain, for example, six AA type rechargeable cells which may be arranged in a convenient flat arrangement and fitted into a battery end 24 of a housing 25 of the terminal module 22. The power pack module 23 supplies the power to various modules of the terminal unit 10, thus providing the capability for portable use of the terminal unit 10.
From the above description of potential choices of the type of display on the display screen 18, and further choices among keyboard arrangements of the keyboard 14, different requirements for electronic support circuits are indicated. One of the requirements to support the economical changing of functions is a means to provide a ready change in programmability of microprocessor circuits. Some module selections of the terminal unit 10 require less memory usage and different operational protocols than others. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, a memory module 27 may be selected as one of a number of differently programmed memory modules 27. However, in addition to being differently programmed, an alternate memory module 28 may include a different memory size (in cell numbers and in configuration). The terminal module 22 may further include an exchangeable memory card 30. The memory card 30 may be used to provide additional memory capacity as well as control programs for various desired functions of the various modules as described herein. The memory card 30 is schematically shown as being insertible laterally into a slot 32 of the housing 25 of the terminal module 22. However, the shown physical arrangement is but one of a number of equally desirable arrangements. An enclosed and sealed arrangement for the memory card 30 is desirable to protect modules of the terminal unit 10 from the environment.
A peripheral I/O module 34 is shown at a lower or inner end 35 (see
A serial I/O and scan connection module 41 may be attached at a longitudinally opposite outer end 40 (see
A further functional module is a communication module 44. Again in reference to
Referring now to
Power savings are implemented by selectively using circuit functions as they are needed. Accordingly, the terminal module includes preferably first and second microprocessors 48 and 49, respectively. The first microprocessor 48 is a data processing device and is also referred to herein as an application processor 48. The application processor may be any of a number of available microprocessors available. Desirably the application microprocessor 48 has the capability of processing data with greater word length or word width than the second processor 49. The term word width refers to the number of data bits that are capable of simultaneously being processed, retrieved or stored. The application processor 48 is therefore one capable, for example, of processing a 16-bit or a 32-bit data word. The processing speed and clocking rate of the application processor 48 would desirably exceed that of the second microprocessor 49. At present, the more powerful microprocessors, such as the microprocessor 48, have higher power requirements than the second microprocessor 49. However, even with the higher power requirement during operation, power savings may be achieved by providing a rest state at which the microprocessor 48 is not clocked and thus deactivated.
The second microprocessor 49 is also referred to as a control processor 49. The second microprocessor controls the operation of the terminal module 22 and controls communication within the terminal module as well as among the various other modules of the terminal unit 10. The control processor 49 requires less power for operation than the application processor 48 for reasons that will become apparent. Control is an ongoing function. Because the operational speed of the control processor 49 is comparatively slower than that of the application processor 48, the operational power consumption of the control processor 49 is also lower than that of the application processor 48. The control processor 49 may be a Hitachi H8/330 type microprocessor device. The Hitachi H8/330 processor features on-board memory which is convenient for its intended operation as will be seen in reference to its operational modes as set forth herein. The H8 type processor is an 8-bit processor, capable of processing data in an 8-bit word length. However, the control processor 49 need not be an 8-bit processor. In general, the word width processing capacity of the control processor 49 should be chosen to be relatively less than that of the application processor 48. The control processor 49 does not require the processing speed that is desirable for the application processor 48, and, processors with relatively low word width processing capacity (considering processors in general) require less processing power. It should be understood, however, that the specification of any particular device, such as the Hitachi H8-type microprocessor for the control processor 49, is for illustrative purposes only. The features and desired functions of the invention will be helpful to one skilled in the art to select any of a number of acceptable devices to function in the desired manner as described herein.
Further with respect to
Referring again to
The peripheral I/O module 34 may, as discussed with respect to
The communication module 45, which may be a modem or any of a number of available radio frequency transceiver modules, also includes a compatible microprocessor 60 which interfaces with a respective communication device 61 of the module 45. The communication device 61 may be a modem or transceiver device, for example. To be compatible with the MBUS data format of the other described modules. The keyboard and display module 12 also preferably includes its own interfacing microprocessor device 60. The keyboard and display microprocessor 60 is coupled to control various functions which are directly associated with the keyboard and display module 12. A particular function which may be conveniently controlled via the MBUS 50 and the respective control processors 49 and 60 is a backlight drive 62 for the display screen 20. Another function is a buzzer 63. The buzzer 63 may be activated to signal an incorrect key depression by an operator. The buzzer 63 may further be used to alert an operator when a charge and power control circuit 64 detects that the power pack 23 has become discharged and a backup battery 65 is being engaged, giving a user time to recharge or replace battery pack 23. The power control 64 may function to shut down the terminal unit 10 from further operation until the power pack has been recharged. In a preferred embodiment, power from the backup battery 65 would be maintained on the control processor to permit it to determine when power from the power pack 23 has been restored. The processor 60 of the keyboard and display module 12 may also control other input or output devices that may be coupled to the keyboard and display module 12. For example, a pen 66 may be coupled to the keyboard and display module 12 for use in connection with a pen stylus sensitive keyboard module 14 or in connection with a pen stylus sensitive display screen 20. In this latter instance, the display screen module 20 becomes an input device in addition to being an output device.
The application processor 48 and the control processor 49 are preferably controlled through a timing Application Specific Integrated Circuit 67 ("clock control ASIC"). The clock control circuit 67 may be driven from a single clock signal which is then divided to provide respectively different clocking rates to each of the processors 48 and 49. The implementation of the timing circuit 67 in a single circuit function is more efficient and provides synchronization among the components and modules. A second clock signal for implementing a real time clock may also be provided.
In addition to providing better reliability as discussed above, the MBUS 50 also provides more compact physical routing of cables among the modules. Furthermore, control of the functions of the various described modules via the MBUS 50 provides power savings, as will be described more fully below in reference to
The MBUS 50 communicatively interconnects the modules of the terminal unit 10, such as the peripheral I/O module 34, the communication module 45, the keyboard and display module 12 and the terminal module 22. Other modules that may be included in the active communication network of the MBUS 50 may simply be added as described herein. For each module, one of the microprocessors 60, having the data terminals of the microprocessor 49 shown in
A normal state of the microprocessors 49 and 60 is a sub-active or dormant state. In this state, the module processors 60 and the control processor 49 are clocked at a power saving "slow" clocking speed. The sub-active or dormant operational state permits the module processors 60 and the control processor 49 to execute certain long-interval control functions. For example, the keyboard and display screen processor 60 monitors the keyboard in order to sense a keytop depression while the control processor 49 maintains the charge and power control circuit 64 in order to sense a low battery signal. Upon occurrence of an event which that affects the operation of any typical communication function that is driven over the MBUS 50, all modules and the control processor are placed into a fully activated mode. The control processor 49 queries, directs and controls communication over the MBUS 50. For example,
In the described communication events, power consumption by the terminal unit 10 is minimized by providing for a quasi dormant state for substantially all functions of the various modules, such that electrical power is used in pulses during the described query states and only in spurts by certain modules during real time performances. The power saving features in communication from and to the various modules is further present in implementing highly power intensive data processing operations in the terminal module 22.
Referring to
The term "data processing operation" is used herein in the sense of manipulating a series of binary codes according to programmed instructions to arrive at a desired result. Because of the great number of discrete binary operations required to perform many of the most common data processing functions, higher processor speeds and more complex or powerful microprocessor circuits of those typically available are more desirable for data processing operations.
In the now described embodiment, the application processor or data processing device 48 may be an "Intel 80C188EB" device which is "16-Bit" microprocessor device, operated at a preferred speed of 9.2 megahertz (MHz). At such preferred clocking speed of 9.2 MHz, the power consumption or operating current consumed by the data processing microprocessor device 48 is approximately 55 milliamps ("mA"). The control processor 49 may be a "Hitachi H8/325" device which is an "8-Bit" microprocessor, operated a speed of one-half of the speed of the data processing microprocessor 48, that is, 4.6 MHz. Because of the smaller physical size of the control processor 49 and the slower, preferred clocking speed, the power consumption or current required by the control processor 49 in its operational mode is only about 9 mA, that is less than one-fifth of the power consumed by the processor 48. In general, the control microprocessor circuit or the control microprocessor 49 desirably operates at a slower and less power consuming speed than the application microprocessor circuit or the application microprocessor 48. A one-to-two speed ratio for driving the respective microprocessors 49 and 48 is preferably chosen because of the power savings that are realized with respect to the portable terminal unit 10. Respective clocking circuits 82 and 83 ("CLCK 1 and CLCK 2") are shown as providing respective timing signal ports coupled to the respective processors 48 and 49 to drive the processors at the desired speeds as described.
Also, a functional arrangement of the separate clocking circuits 82 and 83 preferably may be replaced by the clock control circuit 67, as shown in
As will become apparent from the further description, it is within the scope of the invention to integrate the distinct functions and operational characteristics of the separately identified microprocessor devices 48 and 49 into a single integrated device. The resulting integrated device 80 desirably includes respective interface functions, as further described herein, to implement the power-saving characteristics realized by the control circuit 80. Within such integrated device 80, the function of the application processor 48 is then performed by a first microprocessor circuit block or circuit portion, and the function of the control processor 49 is performed by a second microprocessor circuit block or circuit portion. These circuit blocks, portions or modules interact essentially in the same manner within the circuit 80 as the currently used microprocessor devices 48 and 49.
The control processor 49 may include in its commercial implementation, in addition to typical microprocessor registers and an arithmetic logic unit, such functional circuit blocks as ROM, RAM and communications ports. These circuit blocks may also be included in any integrated device 80, or their functions may be supplied by peripheral devices. As shown in
The clock control ASIC function 67 shown in
Referring again to
A control signal line 98 carries a control signal generated by the control processor 49 which controls the duty cycle of the application processor 48. In reference to
Typical data processing operations performed by the application processor 48 require approximately 10 milliseconds of time and not more than 20 milliseconds on the average of all operations which are typically performed by the application processor 48. A more user friendly and practical response time may be obtained from the terminal unit 10 (and less power is required) when the application processor 48 performs substantially all data processing operations is subsequently immediately deactivated than if a single alternative microprocessor circuit were used operating at a higher rate and including sufficient computing capacity to perform all required functions in an appropriately short time. The combination of the application processor 48 and the control processor 49 amounts, only to an approximate increase in current usage of typically about ten percent, and in the extreme of no more than 20 percent, over the normal operating current level of the control processor by itself. The power required by the application processor 48 as controlled by the control processor 49 is about one fifth that required by the control processor 49 itself when it is operated continuously. However, the display speed and data manipulation speed of the terminal unit 10 essentially is the same as if the unit 10 were controlled by the more powerful application processor 48.
The operating current requirement for the application processor 48 is directly related to the number of actively switching elements in each computational operation. Though having an interrupt function, the referred to 80C188EB processor 48 does not include, in contrast to the control processor 49, any internal memory devices.
Selective activation and deactivation of the microprocessor circuit portion implemented by the data processing device or application processor 48 also provides power savings when the operating speeds of the two processors 48 and 49 are the same. However, such power savings do not appear to be as great as those realized by the embodiment described above.
The application processor 48 may also communicate with a high speed asynchronous communication interface 105 ("H.S. ASYNC INTRFCE") to support facsimile or external display screen operations. In addition, the application processor 48 may communicate data to an RS-232/RS-485 serial interface module 34 ("SERIAL INTERFACE"). However, it should be realized that certain communications operations, such as outgoing communications to a printer (not shown) for example, may occur under the control of the control processor 49. Even when the application processor 48 selects data for communication to a line printer, a typical printer speed, except in a graphics mode, would be sufficiently slow to allow the application processor 48 to operate in an intermittent, power saving mode.
The data bus 107 is further shown as being coupled via a bus extension 108 directly to the application processor 48. The data bus extension 108 is particularly provided for direct data communication between the application processor and a data scanner 109 ("SCAN"), which may, for example, be a bar code reader. Because of the high rate at which data are generated by the operation of a data scanner, the data are most reliably received, processed and stored by the application processor 48. A scanning operation may consequently involve the operation of both the application processor 48 and the control processor 49. According to one embodiment of the control circuit 80, the control processor 49 monitors the circuit function of the data scanner 109 to detect a control signal that indicates the event of a scanner trigger depression. The scanning operation results in a string of data appearing at the data bus 107 and the associated data bus 108. Since the application processor 48 is likely to be idle at the time of the occurrence of a trigger signal, the control processor places a "wake-up" signal on the control signal line 98 to activate the application processor 48. The control processor 49 further writes an 8-bit control character into the first latch 86. Upon completion of loading the control character into the data latch 86, the control processor 49 places a "one" signal on the character available line 91 to allow the application processor to read the control character from the latch 86. The application processor reads and decodes the control character in accordance with protocol instructions read from the ROM memory 56, for example. In the example of a scanner trigger indication, the decoded control character signals the forthcoming string of information to be received by the application processor 48 directly from the scanner 109 over the data bus 108. Hence, in contrast to being conditioned for the event of receiving data from the keyboard 49 or from the radio 81 (which data might preferably be received over the data latch 86), the application processor would in the event of scanned incoming data be conditioned to read the "event data" as a string of data directly from the data bus 108. The term "event data" is used to describe data relating to an event. Any time event data requires processing, such event data would be routed to the application processor 48 either directly, as described with respect to the scanner data, or between the two processors 48 and 49, such as by the circuit 67 or a similar interface circuit. It should be understood that conditioning the application processor to receive a string of data directly via the bus 108 need not be limited to the receipt of the scanner data. Such conditioning is contemplated for any use of the terminal 10 which requires a high volume of data to be received and processed within a short period of time. Upon completion of the scanning operation, a trigger release signal is loaded into the first latch and communicated from the control processor 49 to the application processor 48. Upon receipt of the signal and completion of any data processing operations remaining as a result of the receipt of data via the data bus 108, the application processor instructs the control processor to apply a "wake-up" signal to the control signal line 98 upon occurrence of any specified event requiring processing of data. Thus, in one embodiment, the control processor 49 continues to control the application processor 48 by transmitting control codes to selectively enable or disable the application processor 48 to directly receive data via the data bus 108. The receipt of data by the application processor 48 is referred to as "direct" data input, since the contemplated transfer of data via the data latches 86 and 92 is bypassed.
The random access memory 56 may be a semi-permanent static RAM type circuit. The memory may have a capacity of 512 K bytes. The preferred data storage capacity provides sufficient storage for an on-board data base related to typical inventory or delivery route type information. In view of the portability of the terminal unit 10, an unexpected loss of battery power may bring about a significant loss of information unless the stored data are protected from destruction until full battery power is restored. For example, the terminal unit 10 may be returned at an initial signal of "low battery" to a battery charger unit (not shown) for a recharging operation and any stored data may be transferred, even while the battery 23 is being recharged, from the terminal unit 10 to a host computer (not shown).
Display 20 may be a graphic display having an array of 48�100 pixels. Typical menu or special graphic screen data may be pre-established for a particular terminal unit 10 or for an application group of such units and may be stored initially in the specific ROM 56 provided for the particular unit or units 10. As previously discussed, the updating of displayed data on the screen device 20 requires a significant amount of data processing. Typically, such data processing operations involve accessing permanently stored screen display information, such as from the ROM 56 or from the flash EPROM 58, the manipulation of such information, and temporary storage of such manipulated information in the random access memory 57. As shown in
Contrast control is another function which is desirable in LCD display screen 20. In regards to
In one embodiment, the LCD display screen 20 is equipped with a backlighting drive 62. Many warehouse operations, route delivery operations and even merchandising inventory operations are often performed under sufficiently poor lighting conditions, thereby requiring a backlighting source to be supplied as a standard feature of the LCD display screen 20. A backlight drive circuit 62 may be coupled through the MBUS 50 to the control processor 49. A backlight drive circuit for use in conjunction with the exemplary terminal unit 10 is described in copending patent application by S. E. Koenck et al., Ser. No. 07/776,059, filed on Oct. 11, 1991, which application is assigned to the assignee of the present application. Both the application processor 48 and the control processor 49 may interact with the backlight drive circuit 62 to provide for an operator controlled brightness control sequence to be communicated to the backlight drive 62.
It should be realized that the control circuit 67 as an ASIC may also include, besides the timing function circuits for the real time clock and its functions, the clocking signals to each of the two processors 48 and 49. The control circuit 67 may also provide the already described data communication functions between the application processor 48 and the control processor 49, as represented in
Further in reference to
The control processor further controls an input to an audible alarm circuit 63 ("BUZZER"). An audible alarm, a slow occurring event, generates a signal to alert an operator of an alarm condition or to indicate that a processing operation has been completed. For example, when the application processor 48 has received a string of data from the scanner module 41, and has further processed the received information to verify its correctness, the application processor 48 may communicate an acceptance code to the control processor 49 and be shut down from further operation. The control processor will then routinely generate an audible signal to alert the operator that the information has been accepted. Prior to communicating the acceptance code to the control processor, the application processor may retrieve from its memory 57, for example, information relating to the bar code which has just been read and accepted, and may compile an information screen displaying such retrieved information to the operator prior to the deactivation of the application processor 48. Thus, by the time the operator is alerted by the audible signal that the respective bar code has been read and accepted, the pertinent information regarding the item represented by the bar code is already displayed on the LCD display screen 20.
Other devices which may under direct control of the control processor 49 are the radio 81 with its included radio interface ("RADIO INTERFACE"), and the power control circuit 64 ("CHARGE/POWER CONTROL") of the terminal unit 10. A serial interface 34 ("RS-232/RS-485 SERIAL INTERFACE") may optionally be controlled by the control processor 49. Because of the power savings achieved by the described interaction between the application processor 48 and the control processor 49, various other devices or functions may be added to the general operation of the terminal unit 10 without unduly limiting its operational cycle.
The interaction between the control processor 49 and the application processor 48 is described in greater detail in reference to both
Referring now to
Upon occurrence of an event at a block 315, such as a "battery low indication" or the depression of a key by an operator, the control processor 49 causes the application processor 48 to turn at a block 317. Typically the clock signal to the application processor 48 may be provided by a control signal applied to the control device 67, or the application processor may be otherwise enabled, such as by an enable signal applied to the control signal line 98. Upon being activated, the application processor 48 communicates with the control processor 49, such as via the interface circuit 24 as described above with respect to
Another typical event for activating the application processor 48 may be the detection of a low battery indication at a block 327 in response to a threshold value transferred by the application processor 48 to the control processor 49 during the described start-up procedure. The protocol may require that the application processor 48 verify the low battery indication by providing its own comparison check at a block 329. Because of an impending shutdown due to a low battery indication, the application processor may complete any operation if the low battery indication is still within tolerable limits or may suspend further data processing because of risk of errors. The application processor may further display a low battery indication on the LCD display screen 20 at a block 331 and then be shut off pending further event instruction as described above.
Another type event may be a special function key instruction such as the indication that a menu operation has been selected at a block 333. The application processor 48 proceeds to access a designated program routine corresponding to the requested menu choice ("RETRIEVE MENU DATA"). The respective program instructions are executed at a block 337, and the result or completion of the routine is displayed on the LCD display screen 20 at a block 339. The displayed result may be preceded by a repetitive interactive data transfer between the application processor 48 and the control processor 49, for example, when the menu choice requires the transmission of displayed information to a host computer. In such an event the application processor 48 may transfer the displayed information character by character to the control processor 49. The control processor 49 in turn activates the radio interface and transfers the information string to the radio interface to be transmitted in accordance with the program instructions interpreted by the application processor 48.
Further in reference to
There are two situations in which the MCD 518 becomes disconnected from the network 501. First, where the MCD roams out of the range of one access point, such as access point 512, into the range of another point, such as access point 514 as is shown by the dashed MCD 518 position. Alternatively, MCD 518 may enter a sleep mode where the radio transceiver is powered down. The sleep mode provides for power savings and is a desirable mode of operation is needed.
The MCD 518 and the access point 512 communicate in a structured manner, where the MCD 518 transmits a request-for-poll (RFP), the access point 12 responds with a poll, the MCD 518 then transmits its data, and the access point 512 responds with an acknowledge (ACK) signal if the data message is finished or with another poll if there is still more data to be transmitted. One data message from the MCD 18 to the access point 512 may consist of several POLL-DATA sequences, where each DATA transmission is a fragment of the entire data message. To initiate such communication exchange, channel access protocols must be established.
Because the MCD wakes up at some random time to send data to the host, the probability of collision with the transmission of another MCD is extremely small. By sensing the channel for a fixed period of time and waiting for a fixed period of time to retry transmission, the random nature of transmission attempts is retained even after a busy channel is sensed. For a collision to occur in this scenario, two MCDs would have to wake up at the exact same moment in time, the probability of which is extremely small.
If the channel is determined to be busy at block 757, the MCD increments a retry counter at a block 763. If the retry counter has not reached a predetermined maximum value at a block 765, the MCD waits for a pseudo-random time (e.g., 10 milliseconds) at a block 769 and then generates another pseudo-random number at block 753 and repeats the above procedure. Once the retry counter reaches the predetermined maximum value, at block 765, the MCD quits trying to transmit and goes to sleep for a longer period of time at a block 767, before reawakening at block 751 to retry the transmission.
After the timer set by unit 1 when it initially woke up expires, SYNC message 811 has been received by unit 1. Thus, unit 1 can listen to the communications channel at 841 for the maximum interpoll gap time, determine a clear channel, and begin its communications sequence at 843, all in this time interval 817. The timer initially set by unit 2 also expires during time interval 817, and unit 2 has therefore received the SYNC message 811 and senses the communications channel at 847. However, unit 1 has not yet finished its transmission when unit 2 senses the channel for the maximum interpoll gap time. Thus, unit 2 must defer transmission, and waits until time interval 819 to retry communication.
Meanwhile, also in time interval 817, unit 3 initially wakes up to transmit at 845. Unit 3 must wait for a SYNC before attempting to transmit, so it does not transmit in the time interval 817.
In time interval 819, after the SYNC message 813, unit 2 and unit 3 have both received a SYNC message and can sense the channel to attempt transmission. In this case, unit 3 listens to the channel at 861 slightly before unit 2 senses the channel at 863, such that the channel is not busy when unit 2 begins to sense the channel. However, after unit 3 has sensed the channel for the maximum interpoll gap time, it begins communication on the channel at 865. Unit 2 finishes listening to the channel, also for the maximum interpoll gap time, after unit 3 has begun its communication, so unit 2 must defer communication. Unit 3 ends its transmission at 867. Finally, after SYNC message 869 in time interval 871, unit 2 senses an idle channel at 873 and transmits its communication to the access point at 875. Unit 2 ends its transmission at 877. This sequence illustrates the interpoll gap time channel sense and the wait to transmit until after a SYNC message has been received.
The operation of the protocol of the present invention takes advantage of the inherently random wake-up time of a mobile computing device in a local area communications network. Rather, than performing a random back-off routine, the time of wake-up is used to ensure random communications attempts, thereby preventing collisions due to many terminals attempting to transmit immediately after a certain common event. This is done by preserving the random wake-up time, adding a fixed amount of time to the time of wake-up in back-off procedures. The protocol of the present invention eliminates the need for random number generation and the implementation of random back-off algorithms.
A channel reservation scheme is used to generally restrict channel access contention to RFP frames. Each frame transmitted during the communication exchange contains a channel reservation field (e.g., field 931 in POLL 907) which may indicate either the number of outstanding frames or the amount of time required to transmit the outstanding frames.
This scheme enables other terminals attempting to access the busy channel to determine the actual amount of time during which they may sleep. Sleeping, i.e., or powering-down the radio for the duration of the channel reservation period (i.e., until the channel becomes clear) conserves battery power and aids in collision avoidance. Further, channel reservation may be implemented with the other channel access embodiments discussed above during heavy communication traffic. In other words, channel reservation may supplement other channel access protocols when terminals using those protocols are continuously failing to gain access to the channel.
The radio card 1110 has a pair of antenna contacts 1115 positioned along the edge of the housing 1113. The receiving device 11 has a corresponding pair of antenna contacts 1116. As can be seen in
Referring again to
Referring to
The radio card 1110 of
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring now to
The switching matrix 1190 is connected to a plurality of antennas 1192, 1193 and 1194 and to a telephone jack 1195. The switching matrix 1190 is used to electrically and selectively connect the radio or modem card 1185 to the appropriate antenna or to a telephone line. The switching matrix 1190 is controlled by the control microprocessor 1198 of the computer terminal 1180. The control microprocessor interrogates the card 1185 to determine what kind of card it is and to determine what antenna or telephone connection it needs. The control microprocessor then signals the switching matrix 1190 which connects the card 1185 to the appropriate antenna 1192, 1193 or 1194 or to the phone jack 1195.
When the radio card 1210 is inserted into the slot 1215 in the computer device 1211 an interface between the radio card 1210 and the computer device 1211 is produced. The computer device 1211 has a plurality of pins not shown which form the male portion of a connector. The radio card 1210 has a corresponding plurality of holes not shown which form the female portion of the connector and which engage the pins. The pins are connected internally and electrically to the computer device 1211 by a series of electrical connections such as wires or electrical ribbon. The holes in the radio card 1210 are electrically connected to the radio transceiver. When the pins engage the holes, electrical signals can be exchanged between the radio transceiver inside the radio card 10 and the computer device 1211. The electrical signals can be in the form of information exchange, power supply or both. The radio card 1210 includes antenna contacts 1217 to engage corresponding radio antenna contacts that are connected to an appropriate antenna.
The computer device 1211 includes a cap 1220 which is designed to matingly engage the opening 1215 in the housing 1212 of the computer device 1211 and thereby cover the slot 1215 used to receive the radio card 1210. A flexible band 1222 attaches the cap 1222 to the housing 1212 of the computer device 1211. One end of the band 1222 is connected to the cap 1222 while the other end is attached to the housing 1212. A handle 1224 helps assist the removal of the cap 1220 from the housing 1212 of the computer device 1211.
The cap 1220 is constructed of a closed cell foam material with high air content for low dielectric losses. Alternatively, a quality dielectric material may be used to reduce the size of the antenna structure. The cap 1220 when made of a foam material helps to protect the radio card from the physical trauma typically associated with computer devices of these types. Additionally, as will be discussed in further detail below, the cap 1220 helps to environmentally seal the opening 1214 preventing harmful material from the outside such as dust or moisture from reaching the radio card 1210 and helps to reduce the escape of electronic noise from the housing 1212 created by the radio card 1210 and computer device 1211. As will be discussed below, a grounded metal shield covering a portion of the cap 1220 is used to reduce the escape of electronic noise.
While the cap 1220 helps to seal the opening, protect the radio card 1210 and hold the radio card in place, the primary function of the cap is to provide the radio card 1210 access to an appropriate antenna or antennas. The connection of the radio card 1210 to the antenna is made through the cap 1220. The antenna or antennas can be embedded in the cap 1220, embedded in the band 1222 or even attached to, mounted on, or embedded in the housing 1212 of the computer device 1211.
Referring now to
Referring now to
Embedded in the cap 1234 is an antenna 1250. The antenna 1250 is connected to the radio card 1240 through contacts 1251 and 1252 disposed on the cap 1234 and contacts 1241 and 1242 disposed on the radio card 1240. Contact 1252 is the ground contact for the antenna 1250 and is connected to the end of the antenna 1250. Contact 1242 is the ground contact for the radio card 1240. Contact 1251 is the signal contact and is connected to the antenna 1250 a short distance from the end of the antenna 1250. Contact 1241 is the signal contact for the radio card 1240.
Contact 1251 and contact 1241 are disposed on the cap 1234 and the radio card 1240, respectively, such that the contacts engage each other when the cap 1234 is inserted into or engaged with the housing 1232 of the computer device 1230. Similarly, contact 1252 and contact 1242 are disposed on the cap 1234 and the radio card 1240, respectively, such that the contacts engage each other when the cap 1234 is inserted into or engaged with the housing 1232 of the computer device 1230. The contacts shown in the present embodiment are of the metal button type wherein the connection is made when the two metal surfaces meet. Many variations of the contacts are possible including the use of male/female connections and spring type contacts.
A shield 1248 is disposed around the bottom portion of the cap 1234 and is used to reduce the escape of electronic noise. Typically in computer devices of this type, the inside of the housing of the computer device is shielded. Additionally, the area immediately surrounding the radio device such as a radio card may also be shielded. By shielding the cap 1234, the integrity of the housing and radio shields are not breached by the opening used to insert and remove the radio card. The shield 1248 is connected to the antenna ground contact 1252 on the cap 1234. A hole 1259 in the shield 1248 allows the signal contacts 1251 and 1241 to engage without being grounded.
Referring now to
The radio card 1270 as shown has three contacts 1275, 1276 and 1277. However, if the radio transceiver in the radio card 1270 is designed such that it would only be able transmit and receive signals which correspond to the first antenna 1260, then it would not need to have contact 1276 and it could be left off. Similarly, if the radio card 1270 were only going to use second antenna 1262 then contact 1275 could be omitted. Thus, standardizing contact position with respect to antenna type allows for flexibility in cap usage with various radio cards such that only appropriate antennas will be connected to the radio card.
Referring to
Referring to
The first antenna 1301 is similar to the second antenna 1302 and both are designed to transmit and receive similar radio frequency signals. When the cap 1220 is engaged in the opening of the housing 1212, the first antenna 1301 and the second antenna 1302 will be perpendicular with respect to each other. The quality of the signal received by the first antenna 1301 and the quality of the signal received by the second antenna 1302 may be greatly different since the antennas are place at right angles with respect to each other. In the present embodiment, the radio card can check the quality of each signal and use the antenna which is currently receiving the stronger signal. Additionally, it can switch to the other antenna when the conditions change such that the signal is no longer acceptable. Utilizing two similar antennas in this matter, antenna diversification, can be very important in computer terminals of this type since they are often mobile and are often subjected to a rapidly changing environment. An antenna diversification scheme of this type can be used to help eliminate the reception problems associated with signal multipath.
Referring now to
Referring to
In addition, access points 1409 and 1413 might also exist on a single network for providing multiple communication paths in case one access point fails or becomes overloaded.
To accommodate multiple radios, the communication module of MCD 1401 contains multiple transceivers, and associated protocol substacks and antennas. Specifically, the communication module might include a single processing unit which handles multiple sets of software protocol substacks, i.e., one for each of the included transmitters. Similarly, if the protocol substacks and the processing unit functionality of each radio is too different, additional separate processing units may be included. Finally, the MCD (the portable data collection terminal) might also be designed to receive multiple communication modules.
In addition, the base module may interrogate the selected ("inserted") communication module(s) to determine which antennas to interconnect. Alternatively, the communication modules may interrogate the base module and request from the available antennas. Where a suitable antenna is not available, an external antenna connector is selected. Available antennas may be installed inside or on the outside of the base unit. Of course the antennas might also be selected via the physical communication module connectors as described below.
It should be realized that various other changes and modifications in the structure of the described embodiment would be possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.
The APPENDICES B, C, and D of U.S. Pat. No. 5,680,633 issued Oct. 21, 1997, which APPENDICES are found at cols. 205–408 of said U.S. patent, are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
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|Patente citante
|Fecha de presentaci�n
|Fecha de publicaci�n
|29 Dic 2003
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|Clasificaci�n de EE.UU.
|235/472.01, 235/472.02, 455/73
|Clasificaci�n internacional
|Clasificaci�n cooperativa
|Clasificaci�n europea
|6 Feb 2003
Owner name: BROADCOM CORPORATION, CALIFORNIA
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text:
DETROIT - A Detroit-area lesbian couple says they have expanded their legal fight against Michigan's ban on adoptions by unmarried couples.
April DeBoer and Jayne Rowse, who have three special-needs children, says the lawsuit filed Friday in federal court seeks to change state laws that prevent same-sex couples from marrying and adopting children.
Attorneys for DeBoer and Rowse said they are amending an original complaint that asked to give them the right to legally adopt the children. The women now want Michigan's ban on same-sex marriage declared unconstitutional.
Attorney Dana Nessel explained DeBoer and Rowse are allowed under the law to be foster parents together for the children. They cannot, however, legally adopt the children under Michigan law.
"The adoption code coupled with the Michigan Marriage amendment creates a veritable catch-22 for gays and lesbians. No couple can adopt unless they are married, yet no same sex couple can ever marry. The combination of these laws does nothing more than destabilize otherwise loving and committed families like April and Jayne's," Nessel said.
The Hazel Park couple is the first to challenge the state's marriage amendment passed in 2004.
DeBoer and Rowse say their civil rights are being violated.
April DeBoer said the legal challenge is being undertaken not for herself and jayne Rowse, but for the sake of the children and their future.
"We've had a commitment ceremony. We might not be legally married but in our eyes we are married. We don't need a piece of paper to tell us that, but we do need a piece of paper to have rights for our children and if that is what's its going to take to give our children the same right as everybody else, then that's what we're going to do," DeBoer said.
A decision by Detroit federal Judge Bernard Friedman, who heard arguments last month, is pending.
Michigan's attorney general's office says Friedman should defer to the judgment of Michigan lawmakers and dismiss the case.
Copyright 2012 by ClickOnDetroit.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Hearing in another thread that most hotels were booked, I decided to look through the list of hotel/motels on the rally site. I noticed that some of the smaller ones were missing. So here are two very motorcycle friendly places. They are your traditional "park in front of your door" motels in a horseshoe shape. Appear to be very clean and only about four miles from the rally site. The Street Rodders stay at them during their annual show and you know how they care for their rods! I called and they don't have any bookings, yet!
Ho Hum Motel
1660 Williston Rd
S. Burlington, VT
Ethan Allen Motel
1611 Williston Rd
So. Burlington, VT
Oh, did I forget to mention that they are just down the street from Hooters?


text:
A picture is worth a thousand words ~ Proverb
Back by popular demand, the picture prompt!
Your prompt this week is to write a drabble about the following picture:
The following form must be used when submitting your drabble responses to this post -
Winners will be awarded 15, 10, and 5 points respectively.PHP Code:
[B]Word Count:[/B]
[B]Author's Notes:[/B]
All drabbles must be less than 500 words; All standard grammar rules, and MNFF submissions guidelines apply.
The challenge will be up for a week, and be closed exactly a week later (August 12th).
MithrilQuill and I will be judging them and posting results a couple of days later.
All questions should be referred to the Question Corner - Do not post questions here. Only drabbles!
Not So New Anymore for the Weekly Challenges:Due to a major lack of quality drabbles being submitted to the weeklies, Gato Loco will require that some real thoughtful, original submissions be posted from this moment on or you'll end up like this woman here. That's your one and only warning! XD
Other than that...have fun!
~Gato Loco & Mith~


text: Hey all my beauteous Tour 100 lovers. If you're here, it means you are committed to feel. You are committed to pummeling forehands up the line with supreme confidence. You are committed to hitting kick serves that almost bounce out of the court. You are committed to staring down Pure Drives with no fear in your heart. You are committed to outrageous spin that seems to bring even the most errant backhands down into the court. You are committed to progress. You are committed to a racquet that, if used properly, can feel as much a part of you as your arm itself. A racquet that we have all dreamed about but never had......until now. Welcome to the Prince EXO3 Tour 100 Club. Whether you play the 16/18 or the tighter 18/20, you are welcome here. For all of us lucky enough to have found this racquet, this will be our meeting place. Discuss anything you would like here, as long as it pertains to this beautiful racquet that has served us all together. What are your string set-ups? Grips? Dampeners? Lead? How do YOU take advantage of this beautiful frame? I will say no more. Welcome! Safin