Portable data entry device with a detachable host PDA

Abstract

An apparatus and method are disclosed that can adapt off-the shelf PDA devices ( 90 ) to user input/output applications such as data entry applications and cellular phone applications. The resulting apparatus ( 10 ) may be sized and shaped to be durable and facilitate handheld operation when the user is mobile during use. The apparatus provides features required for portable data entry such as key entry, barcode scanning, radio frequency identification, and wireless local area network (LAN) as well as wide area network (WAN) communications. The apparatus may be operated (a) in a slave mode with inclusion of a PDA device ( 90 ) for use in certain input/output operations that are processor intensive as well as (b) in a stand-alone mode without inclusion of a PDA device ( 90 ) for use in certain other input/output operations that are not processor intensive.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A portable computing device including a selectively removable communication apparatus provided in conjunction therewith comprising:
 a portable computing device having a housing having at least one selectable docking port associated therewith, a selectively removable communication apparatus having at least two selectable docking ports such that the communication apparatus is capable of mechanically docking and interfacing to the portable computing device in at least two operable configurations relative to the portable computing device; and 
 wherein the communication apparatus includes a keypad interface on both sides thereof, one of which is accessible when docked to the portable computing device in at least one operable configuration, and the other of which is accessible when docked to the portable computing device in at least one other operable configuration. 
 
     
     
       2. A portable computing device including a selectively removable communication apparatus provided in conjunction therewith comprising:
 a portable computing device having a housing having at least one selectable docking port associated therewith, a selectively removable communication apparatus having at least two selectable docking ports such that the communication apparatus is capable of mechanically docking and interfacing to the portable computing device in at least two operable configurations relative to the portable computing device; and 
 wherein the communication apparatus is docked to the front of the portable computing device such that a docking connector of the portable computing device mates with a docking connector on the communication apparatus, with the front of the communication apparatus facing outward and the back of the communication apparatus covering a display of the portable computing device to act as a lid for the portable computing device. 
 
     
     
       3. A portable computing device including a selectively removable communication apparatus provided in conjunction therewith comprising:
 a portable computing device having a housing having at least one selectable docking port associated therewith, a selectively removable communication apparatus having at least two selectable docking ports such that the communication apparatus is capable of mechanically docking and interfacing to the portable computing device in at least two operable configurations relative to the portable computing device; 
 wherein the communication apparatus includes a first side having at least a first interface keypad, a display and a first docking connector, and a back side having at least a second docking connector for mating with a connector associated with the portable computing device; and 
 wherein the back side of the communication apparatus further comprises a second keypad for data entry, wherein the communication apparatus may be docked with its front side or back side facing the portable computing device. 
 
     
     
       4. The portable computing device according to  claim 3 , wherein the first and second docking connectors allow the communication apparatus to be coupled to the portable computing device in different orientations. 
     
     
       5. The portable computing device according to  claim 4 , wherein one of the orientations positions the communication apparatus to cover a portion of the portable computing device, such that a display associated with the portable computing device is visible to a user, and the keypad associated with the communication apparatus is accessible. 
     
     
       6. A portable computing device, including a selectively removable user input/output apparatus having at least one of a wired connection and a wireless connection to the portable computing device for data exchange therewith, comprising:
 the portable computing device having a display and at least one selectable docking port, the selectively removable user input/output apparatus having a keyboard and at least one selectable docking port, such that the user input/output apparatus is capable of mechanically docking to the portable computing device in multiple configurations relative to the portable computing device;   wherein a first of the said configurations the display of the portable computing device and the keyboard of the user input/output apparatus face outward, and in the same general direction, enabling alpha-numeric data entry on the keyboard and display of related data on the display; and   wherein a second of the said configurations the user input/output apparatus and the portable computing device are attached together to allow one unit to be carried behind the other unit.   
     
     
       7. The portable computing device according to claim 6, wherein the said second of the said configurations the unit in the front remains operable.