Adapter unit having a handle grip for a personal digital assistant

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to an adapter unit for a personal digital assistant. More specifically, this invention relates to an adapter unit that has a handle grip. The adapter unit provides additional functionality, and improved ergonomics and increased ruggedness to the personal digital assistant.

1 . A system for activating a product identification module in a personal digital assistant, the system comprising: 
 an adapter unit being configured to be removeably secured to the personal digital assistant, the adapter unit having a trigger, an adapter connector and an interrupt generator; and    the personal digital assistant employing an interrupt handler.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , the personal digital assistant polling an expansion connector located in the personal digital assistant to detect the presence of one or more attached devices.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 2 , the one or more attached devices each have an associated identification code.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 3 , the associated identification codes are comprised of a portion that identifies a manufacturer and a portion that identifies the device.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , the adapter connector forms a communications link with an expansion connector on the personal digital assistant.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , the interrupt generator generates an interrupt in response to activating the trigger.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1 , the interrupt generator sends an interrupt signal to the personal digital assistant upon activation of the trigger.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1 , the interrupt handler determines whether the interrupt is associated with the product identification module, the product identification module is activated if the interrupt is associated with the product identification module.  
   
   
       9 . A method for activating a product identification module in a personal digital assistant, the method comprising: 
 configuring an adapter unit to be removeably secured to the personal digital assistant, the adapter unit having a trigger, an adapter connector and an interrupt generator; and    employing an interrupt handler in the personal digital assistant.    
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , the personal digital assistant polling an expansion connector located in the personal digital assistant to detect the presence of one or more attached devices.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , the one or more attached devices each have an associated identification code.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , the associated identification codes are comprised of a portion that identifies a manufacturer and a portion that identifies the device.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 9 , the adaptor connector forms a communications link with an expansion connector on the personal digital assistant.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 9 , the interrupt generator generates an interrupt in response to activating the trigger.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 9 , the interrupt generator sends an interrupt signal to the personal digital assistant upon activation of the trigger.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 9 , the interrupt handler determines whether the interrupt is associated with the product identification module, the product identification module is activated if the interrupt is associated with the product identification module.  
   
   
       17 . A system for activating a product identification module in a personal digital assistant, the method comprising: 
 means for configuring an adapter unit to be removeably secured to the personal digital assistant, the adapter unit having a trigger, an adapter connector and an interrupt generator; and    means for determining whether the interrupt is associated with the product identification module through the use of an interrupt handler, the product identification module is activated if the interrupt is associated with the product identification module.