CN1732669A - Portable data entry device with detachable host personal digital assistant device - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus and method are disclosed that can adapt an off-the-shelf PDA device (90) to user input/output applications, such as data entry applications and mobile phone applications. The resulting device (10) may be sized and shaped to facilitate robust and/or simplified handheld operation when the user moves during use. The unit provides features desirable for portable data entry and/or communication or imaging, such as key entry, bar code scanning, radio frequency identification, and wireless communications, such as Local Area Network (LAN) and Wide Area Network (WAN) communications. The device enables the user input/output unit to operate in a slave mode (a) in which a PDA device (90) for use in certain portable input/output operations, such as with an enhanced processor, is included, and in a stand-alone mode (b) in which a PDA device for use in certain other portable input/output operations, such as without an enhanced processor, is not included.

Description

Portable data input equipment with dismountable main frame personal digital assistant device

The related application of quoting/by quoting the list of references of introducing as proof

Here introduced the full content that the sequence number of submitting on May 29th, 2002 is the unsettled U.S. Patent application of 10/159296 examination by quoting as proof.

The sequence number that the application requires on August 15th, 2002 to submit to is the priority of 60/404104 U.S. Provisional Patent Application (attorney docket 7210-3-PRV), this by quoting as proof all in conjunction with this application.

Technical field

Some embodiment of the present invention relates to the portable set that is used for user's I/O function, and user's I/O function is for example for to import data by bar code, radio frequency identification, button input, voice or data communication and other method.Some embodiment of the present invention relates in particular to the use of PDA(Personal Digital Assistant) equipment, and it is used in combination as the portable user input-output apparatus or with this equipment.

Background technology

For instance, known the portable data input equipment and be used for automatic recognition system and use, such as bar code industry.Such as bar code scanner, radio frequency identification equipment and based on the portable data input equipment of the button input of handheld computer use such as inventory tracking, store order number, parcel transmission, sell in the application of route etc.Developed multiple special product, these products comprise bar code scanning system, radio frequency recognition system, data handling system and communication unit for this reason.Though these equipment and data obtain and communication capacity provides desired light attribute together, described equipment be costliness and be relatively-stationary in operation.

Personal electric manager and PDA(Personal Digital Assistant) equipment have also been developed.PDA equipment is the handheld device with information input equipment and personal information management (PIM) software, and described personal information management software is such as going to carry out tabulation, contact tabulation and predetermined.PDA equipment have with the function of carry out desired relevant remarkable disposal ability.

Compare with the portable data input equipment, PDA equipment has the advantage of economies of scale.Therefore by using new technology under fast speed, PDA equipment will not be very expensive, more small-sized and provide higher performance in many aspects.Therefore, it will be useful adopting PDA equipment to be used for portable data input application.Yet PDA equipment lacks uses necessary several key characteristics to multiple portable data input, such as bar code scanner, the keyboard with numeral and/or alphabetic character, wireless communication system and radio-frequency identification reader.

Another key characteristic that lacks in PDA equipment is a durability, and this is essential when the user moves during using described equipment.(opposite, between the actual operating period of PDA equipment, its user is normally motionless).In addition, PDA equipment is not configured as the style characteristic of permission simple portable data input under the multiple varying environment of using the portable data input equipment.

Some manufacturers of bar code industry by permitting PDA equipment there from its provider internal electron assembling and in the mode of conventional design it is encapsulated as and has the portable data input characteristics and attempt to address these problems.The example of these products is SPT-1500 and SPT-1700 model machines of the Symbol Technologies of Holtsville in New York.Yet this processing is consuming time and needs expensive design again that it has to repeat to have the introduction of each new PDA.In addition, because resulting equipment is with produced in smaller volumes, so lost the remarkable advantage that uses the PDA technology.

Some manufacturers provide the equipment that is used for increasing external function to PDA equipment.An example of this carriage is 6016 hand held printer model machines from the Monarch division of Paxar Corporation of White Plains in New York.Another example of equipment is the Card Expansion Pak unit that is provided by Compaq Computer Corporationof Houston, and Texas is used for its iPAQ Pocket PC unit.Though these products are will be such as printing and the special characteristics of card slot be increased to and do a good job among the PDA, but because they are not provided for the characteristic and the adaptability of use in multiple portable data input is used, so they can not make PDA equipment be applicable to the portable data input.In addition, when the user moves during the use equipment, these equipment do not provide durability degree, the size and dimension of simplifying hand-held.

Except that above-mentioned defective, prior art can not realize the requirement that formed in the industry of described equipment, and wherein equipment is wanted and can be operated at some capacity, not comprising on the independent pedestal of PDA equipment.These requirements come from some portable data input operation not to be had the processor that strengthens and does not therefore need to use the PDA unit as a part of data input solution.By in this data input operation, eliminating PDA selectively, can in remaining on other application, keep the minimize weight of hand-held scheme in the use PDA option, described other application can be the processor that relatively more strengthens.

Developed the portable phone of mobile phone, combination with mobile phones and PDA.In unit equipment, mobile phone and PDA all are integrated in the independent unit.The equipment of these combinations is will be than PDA or mobile phone self big and can be heavier than using independent equipment (just, PDA or mobile phone).

In addition, by this system with by the described the present invention of the application of reference accompanying drawing relatively, conventional, traditional and the limitation technical scheme that is proposed and shortcoming are conspicuous for one of ordinary skill in the art.

Summary of the invention

Embodiments of the invention provide a kind of makes the existing PDA equipment that uses be adapted to specific user's I/O applied unit, and this user's I/O is used such as using and mobile phone or wireless communications application for portable data input application, data-management application, image acquisition.This unit can use independently or be connected use with PDA equipment.When the user moved, the size and dimension of described unit can be specified to be convenient to the structure reinforcement and/or to simplify hand-held during use.Described unit provides for portable data input and/or communication or the desired characteristic of imaging, for example button input, bar code scanning, radio frequency identification and radio communication, for example Local Area Network is communicated by letter with wide area network (WAN), mobile communication or camera.Embodiments of the invention can make described user's I/O unit operate in subordinate pattern (a), comprising being useful on the PDA equipment that in specific portable I/O operation, uses, all if any the processor that strengthens, and operation in stand-alone mode (b), wherein do not include the PDA equipment that in other specific portable I/O operation, uses, such as the processor that does not have to strengthen.

Embodiments of the invention comprise a kind of by making the existing PDA equipment that uses and user's I/O unit to fetching the method that user's input/output capabilities is provided, and this user's input-output apparatus can comprise for example hand-held data input shell, craft port, camera or mobile phone.Described user's I/O unit is provided with at least one craft port, so that engage with the PDA choice of equipment, based on the PDA device engagement time, the treatment system of this PDA equipment can be used for the user's I/O application such as data input and mobile phone.This user's I/O unit can be with first pattern of PDA device engagement and with in second pattern of PDA device engagement do not use.In an embodiment of the present invention, this user's I/O unit comprises user interface, such as having one group of button that numeral is imported the keypad of button and/or is used for the letter input.This user's I/O unit can also comprise craft port, and such as groove, it forms is convenient to receive PDA equipment to be docked to wherein.When this PDA equipment interconnection was in described groove, butt connector was arranged in groove and matches with the input-output connector of PDA equipment.This user's I/O unit comprises interface circuit, it is connected to butt connector at least one element in user's I/O unit, and when the PDA equipment interconnection is in user's I/O unit this user's I/O unit control PDA equipment.Various aspects of the present invention and sequence number are that the invention described in the unsettled U.S. Patent application of 10/159206 examination is similar, this by quoting as proof in conjunction with this patent.

Details among these and other advantage of the present invention and novel characteristics and the embodiment will be understood from following specification and accompanying drawing more completely.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 shows the exploded view according to the user's I/O unit that comprises the portable data input equipment of the embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 shows the top view of equipment shown in Figure 1.

Fig. 3 shows the end view of equipment shown in Figure 1.

Fig. 4 shows the front view of equipment shown in Figure 1.

Fig. 5 shows the bottom view of equipment shown in Figure 1.

Fig. 6 shows the cross-sectional view along the A-A line apparatus shown inner member of Fig. 5 according to the embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 7 shows the schematic block diagram according to the electronic component that is associated with equipment shown in Figure 1 of the embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 8 shows the exploded view according to the first optional embodiment of the portable data input equipment of many aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 9 shows the front view of equipment shown in Figure 8.

Figure 10 shows the end view of equipment shown in Figure 8.

Figure 11 shows the cross-sectional view along the 11-11 line apparatus shown of Fig. 9 according to the embodiment of the invention.

Figure 12 shows the front view according to the second optional embodiment of the portable data input equipment of many aspects of the present invention.

Figure 13 shows the end view of embodiment shown in Figure 12.

Figure 14 shows the typical PDA equipment according to the embodiment of the invention.

Figure 15 shows the front and back according to the typical mobile phone of the embodiment of the invention.

Figure 16 A and 16B show two embodiment of mobile phone of Figure 15 that attaching according to many aspects of the present invention has the PDA equipment of Figure 14.

Embodiment

Usually, embodiments of the invention comprise a kind of user's I/O unit that is used to import and/or export application, input and/or output use such as be data input, data management, mobile phone communications, via image acquisition of camera or the like.In this unit between the operating period when the user moves, this unit preferably is specified to the size and dimension that is easy to hand-held.So that protection PDA (personal digital assistant) unit is not when being subjected to be compromised between the following operating period of adverse circumstances, this unit embeds or is attached on the PDA unit when butt joint.

Radio module one or more that above-mentioned user's I/O unit can also comprise the radio module that is used for radio communication and be used to read the scanner of bar code, is used for the reader of radio frequency identification and is used for radio communication.

User's I/O unit 20 can comprise the hand-held bracket unit that for example has auxiliary processor, boosting battery and other element, and these elements connect and are assembled into so that hand-held bracket unit is operated not comprising on the independent pedestal of PDA equipment.In addition, the boosting battery in hand-held bracket unit will increase the operating time of assembled unit (unit of PDA and carriage just).

Should operating handle can be installed hand-held I/O unit, to help the scanning of rifle formula.This operating handle can be equipped with the trigger switch that is used for bar code scanning and/or radio frequency identification, and same, shell also can so be provided with.Alternatively, this hand-held I/O unit can have the peripheral part that dwindles in keypad area, to allow a hand holding device comfortable between the operating period.Should can also be configured in operation, engaging between (off-the-shelf) of the existing use that is of different sizes characteristic PDA equipment by hand-held I/O unit so that allow.

In an embodiment of the present invention, this user's I/O unit provides craft port, groove for example, and PDA equipment matches with this butt connector in groove, allows the PDA equipment of multiple width to be received in wherein simultaneously.The shape of this I/O unit also helps PDA equipment to engage in the use, and resulting thus whole configuration is less, and is configured to be convenient to hand-held.These characteristics will be seen in the embodiment that after this illustrates.Perhaps, this I/O unit can comprise the part that optionally is attached to PDA equipment in another way, so that therewith or independently use.

Turn to now shown in Fig. 1 to 7 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, portabledata input equipment 10 comprises that user's I/O unit 20 (just a), optionally engages with the existingPDA equipment 90 that uses on it.PDA equipment 90 includesdisplay 91 in front and input-output connector 92 is arranged in the bottom.The cross-sectional view of Fig. 7 has illustrated the internal printed circuit board with attachingcircuit 93, theinternal cell 94 of PDA and theshell 95 of PDA.I/O unit 20 comprisescavity 21,secondary monitor 57,keypad 22 and operating handle 23.Bar code (Symbol 923 engine, Holtsville, NY) and/or RFID reader (Tiris Series 2000 Mini RFM Engine and Antenna from TexasInstruments, Dallas, TX),scan module 24, thetrigger switch 25 on being installed inhandle 23 is worked.PDA unit 90 is inserted in thegroove 21 of I/O unit 20.Optionally endcover 34 prevents thatPDA 90 from damaging in the portable data input environment.When PDA 90 was docked in thegroove 21 fully, the working portion of thedisplay 91 that this I/O unit design is thisPDA 90 at least was clearly visual.Any subregion that is arranged in theshell 95 below thedisplay 91 can be covered by I/O unit keypad 22 in frontal view.In an operator scheme, incase PDA 90 is docked in thegroove 21 fully, the console switch ofPDA unit 90 or other exciter just are capped and are rendered as and can not operate.Alternatively, I/O unit 20 is configured to can allow if desired to insert these exciters.Be associated with input/input unit 20, wireless communication module or other operational module 28 (shown in Figure 6) can be provided.Thismodule 28 can also be configured to insert by module opening 32.Thisopening 32 allows the user to insert, move or replace wireless module.PC or other data terminal thataerial lug 33 allows this unit to be recharged and to allow data flow to connect.WhenPDA unit 90 was docked in thegroove 21, the input-output connector 92 ofPDA 90 was connected to I/O unit butt connector 27 (ELCO, Molex etc.).Butt connector 27 allows being operatively connected between the internal circuit ofPDA unit 90 and I/O unit 20.This internuncial part produces via microprocessor 44.But be operatively connected permission at this between I/O unit 20 and thePDA unit 90 and using the operating characteristic that visits the PDA unit in the I/O unit 20.By this way,PDA unit 90 and its disposal ability and I/O unit 20 are combined, has typical manufacturing equipment characteristic (just to provide, data management, order input, price checking, contact data library management and data processing) the portable data input equipment of all functions, but obtained to be used for the advantage that the ratio that manufacturing provided of other use is saved by PDA equipment 90.I/O butt connector 27 all is integrated intoPDA unit 90 and is connected with I/O unit 20 electronics, makes up multiple desired characteristics in the formed portable data input equipment to be provided at by it.Notice that as Fig. 6 I/O unit 20 also comprisesmain circuit board 26, its element is described in more detail with reference to Fig. 7.Other electron component, for exampleradio interface module 28,battery 29 or the like are encapsulated in the I/O unit 20, and it can form by hard plastic material or materials similar, with the expectation durability degree in the environment that is provided at its use.

The block diagram of expression according to the electronic component of theunit 10 of present embodiment has been shown among Fig. 7.PDA unit 90 is packaged with the input-output connector 92 of PDA.Thisconnector 92 is attached toPDA battery 94 and PDA circuit board 93.PDA circuit board order is connected to theLCD display 91 of unit 90.Whenunit 90 was inserted in thegroove 21 fully,connector 92 just was connected to thebutt connector 27 of I/O unit 20.

Thebutt connector 27 of I/O unit 20 is connected to multiple electronic component so that these elements are connected with PDA unit 90.Microprocessor 44 is as the interface work that is used for some signals.For example,butt connector 27 can be connected toaudio frequency amplifier 42, and it is connected to audio converter 41 by microprocessor 44.For example when suitable reading obtained by the portable data input equipment, audio-frequency amplifier circuit 42 can be provided in the user is alarmed with the audio converter 41 that is connected.Alternatively, wireless audio communication can be provided via voicefrequency circuit by wireless module 28.Butt connector can also be connected to indicating device, such as buzzer 43, and via thekeypad 22 of microprocessor 44.Bar code/REID scanner module 24 andtrigger switch 25 also are connected toPDA 90 via microprocessor 44 and butt connector 27.Bybutt connector 27, PDA also with communication transceiver 48 interactions.This transceiver provides via the mode of aerial lug 49 with the exterior letter of I/O unit 20.

Aerial lug 49 allows the standard of PC or other data collector terminal to connect.Aerial lug 49 also allows 29 chargings of I/O unit battery.This battery charge is carried out by battery charger 53.Battery 29 can be connected to power supply 52 and above-mentioned PDA battery charger 51.By this way, for using as the portable data input equipment, I/O unit 20 can be connected to external power source so that rechargingbattery 29 andPDA battery 94 to be provided via aerial lug 49.It should be noted that, connect based on the inside between the power supply 52 ofPDA unit 90 and I/O unit 20, can provide so that to extended operation from one of battery supply as the portable data input equipment to the power supply of one of the element of I/O unit 20 orPDA unit 90 operation.

To use separately, not have under the situation ofPDA unit 90 at I/O unit 20,secondary monitor 57 will be used for coming the alarm to the user by the action that the user adopts, and may be by bar code/REID scanner module 24.Secondary monitor is by microprocessor 44 controls.

This block diagram has been described theradio interface module 28 that is connected to antenna 55.This wireless module is communicated by letter withPDA equipment 90 via butt connector 27.In the variation of this embodiment, I/O unit 20 can not comprise radio interface module 28.In this case, will there be wave point, perhaps the wave point that provides byPDA unit 90.

Alternatively, by the portable data input equipment that the combination ofPDA unit 90 and I/O unit 20 is created, can include a kind of about the embodiment of several variations of battery electric quantity of providing fromPDA unit 90 and I/O unit 20.First kind of variation will be thatunit 90 andunit 20 comprise its oneself battery, not have the transmission of battery electric quantity between the two.Second kind of variation is that I/O unit 20 comprises a battery, and this battery will be toPDA unit 90 and I/O unit 20 power supplies.The third variation is to haveunit 90 and aunit 20 that includes battery, and whereinunit 90 can be in use provides electric weight and charging to the battery of unit 20.The 4th kind of variation is to haveunit 90 and theunit 20 that includes battery, and whereinunit 20 can be in use provides electric weight and charging to the battery ofunit 90.

Turn to Fig. 8-11 now, show optional embodiment of the present invention.In embodiment formerly, the inside that is provided the existingPDA unit 90 that uses by the I/O unit of 120 marks connects, to be similar to previously described mode.ThisPDA unit 90 also comprisesdisplay 91,Docking station 92 and a series of control buttons or the analog on theplate 96 in front.The inside of portabledata input equipment 110 byPDA unit 90 and input-output unit 120 is connected and forms.In this embodiment, when with 90 combinations of PDA unit, I/O unit 120 is configured to provide the handheld portable data input device.In this embodiment, withPDA unit 90 combination in, I/O unit 120 provides the handheld unit of small-sized small section.I/O unit 120 comprisessecondary monitor 157,keyboard 122, on the portion of the handle reduced in size that is formed at I/O unit 120 that goes out as shown, so that with hand-tight holding.Groove 121 also provides and acceptPDA unit 90 in docking structure, but this groove preferably allows thePDA unit 90 of different in width to be adapted to wherein at the outer ledge of its opening.Because the size by themultiple PDA unit 90 of third party manufacturer manufacturing can change, the characteristic that adapts to different size in hand-held I/O unit 120 provides selects be most suited to specific user's application flexibility for which kind ofPDA unit 90.

Shown in invention in, can create the portable data input equipment of the function of the removable PDA with increase.When cooperating with I/O unit, this PDA unit and primary processor thereof become the master controller of whole portable data input equipment.As separate equipment, this system still can be in the function that does not have to carry out under the PDA equipment certain desired.

In this embodiment, situation about being formed bypanel 163,back cover 164 andgroove shell 165 or other similar structures athandheld unit 120 is also arranged.In the shell of formedhandheld unit 120, printed circuit board (PCB) 126,keypad 122,bar code scanner 124 and other element can be positioned over and form solid handheld portable data inputdevice.Butt connector 127 is positioned over via outconnector 92 and receives and be connected to PDA equipment 90.The shell ofhandheld unit 120 also allows to dock thisPDA unit 90, so that between as the portable data input equipment operating period,display 91 is hindered in the information of watching on it.

Among Figure 12 and 13 another embodiment of the present invention has been shown,portable input equipment 150 wherein is provided, comprised optionally connectedPDA unit 90 that closes and hand-held I/O unit 170.In this embodiment, reduced the size of this I/O unit 170,, that is to say very little and be easy to hand so that it is adapted to hand-held the use withPDA unit 90 combination the time.In this embodiment, this hand-held I/O unit 170 be configured to havefaceplate part 172,back cover part 174 and receive thegroove 175 of PDA unit 90.In this hand-held I/O unit 170, can provide and previous the relevant multiple electronic component of the embodiment that describes, comprise operation interface such as keypad, secondary monitor, radio frequency recognition system, bar code scanner or the like.WhenPDA unit 90 docked with it, this hand-held I/O unit 170 provided unique handheld unit, and it has small section and also be easy to a hand as the portable data input equipment time and uses.Back side that should hand-held I/O unit 170 is provided with the support sector toPDA unit 90, and when not requiringoperation PDA unit 90 and be easy to hold by the user.When thisPDA unit 90 was in its docking location, it was also protected by the positive ofhandheld unit 170.

Figure 14 shows theschematic PDA equipment 200 according to the embodiment of the invention.ThisPDA equipment 200 comprisesdisplay 202 and theelectric power connector 201 that is used to dock as user's I/O unit of mobile phone.This PDA equipment can also comprise that other Mechanical Contact unit is to help the fail safe of user's I/O unit toPDA equipment 200.

Figure 15 shows according to thefront side 210 of the schematicmobile phone 212 of the embodiment of the invention and rear side 211.Thefront side 210 of thismobile phone 212 comprisesuser interface keyboard 213, thedisplay 214 of schematic mobile phone and is used for andbutt connector 215 that theelectric power connector 201 of thisPDA equipment 200 cooperates.Therear side 211 of thismobile phone 212 comprises thekeypad 216 that is used for character data input and is used for andbutt connector 217 that theelectric power connector 201 of thisPDA equipment 200 cooperates.

Figure 16 A and 16B show twoembodiment 220 and 221 that dock the PDA equipment of the mobile phone of Figure 15 and Figure 14 according to many aspects of the present invention.With reference toembodiment 220,mobile phone 212 is docked to the front ofPDA equipment 200, so thatelectric power connector 201 is coupled to butt connector 217.In thisembodiment 220, the front ofmobile phone 210 outwardly, and the back side ofmobile phone 211 covers the front of PDA equipment, so thatmobile phone 212 is as the lid ofPDA equipment 200.

In this structure, the front that includes thePDA equipment 200 ofdisplay 202 is protected by mobile phone 212.And when being docked toPDA equipment 200,mobile phone 212 still can play the mobile phone of whole operation.According to embodiments of the invention, data can exchange betweenPDA equipment 200 andmobile phone 212 viaelectric power connector 201 and butt connector 217.Yet formobile phone 212 orPDA equipment 200 are used as specific installation,mobile phone 212 can take off fromPDA equipment 200.

With reference toembodiment 221,mobile phone 212 is docked to the front ofPDA equipment 200, so thatelectric power connector 201 cooperates with butt connector 215.In thisembodiment 221, the back side ofmobile phone 211 outwardly and the front ofmobile phone 210 covers the bottom in the front of PDA equipment 200.Thedisplay 202 of thisPDA equipment 200 is still visual to the user.In this structure, the user can use thekeyboard 216 input characters-numerical data ofmobile phone 212 for example to come write e-mail message.

According to embodiments of the invention, in order for example to be easy to write e-mail message, data can exchange betweenPDA equipment 200 andmobile phone 212 viaelectric power connector 201 and butt connector 215.For example, this email message can be presented in compiling procedure on thedisplay 202 of PDA equipment 200.For example for send Email message, this PDA equipment can be included in the wave point of wide area network (WAN).

Though described the present invention with reference to specific embodiment, one of ordinary skill in the art should be appreciated that not breaking away under the scope of the invention can carry out multiple change.In addition, do not breaking away under its scope, under instruction of the present invention, can adopt particular condition or material to carry out multiple modification.Therefore, the present invention is not restricted to disclosed specific embodiment, and the present invention will be included in all execution modes within the claims.

Claims (30)

1, a kind of equipment that user's I/O function is provided, described equipment comprises:

User's I/O unit, it provides at least one independently I/O function, and can mechanically dock with the existing personal digital assistant device (PDA) that uses and be connected with electronics mode interface, so that the I/O function of improvement to be provided.

2, the equipment of claim 1, wherein said user's I/O unit comprises the hand-held housing unit, it comprises:

Craft port is with the described PDA that accepts to be used to dock; With

The keypad that is used for data input and control.

3, the equipment of claim 2, wherein said user's I/O unit comprises the hand-held housing unit with secondary monitor.

4, the equipment of claim 1, at least one element below wherein said I/O unit comprises in the group, this group comprises microprocessor, trigger switch, scan module, butt connector, communication transceiver, PDA battery charger, boosting battery, power supply, secondary cell charging circuit, wireless communication module, antenna, at least one aerial lug, heating element, indicating device, audio amplifier circuit, audio converter.

5, the equipment of claim 4, wherein said wireless communication module comprise at least one in Local Area Network communication module and wide area network (WAN) communication module.

6, the equipment of claim 4, wherein said communication transceiver is connected with the standard electronic that described aerial lug provides personal computer (PC) or other data collector terminal.

7, the equipment of claim 4, wherein said scan module comprise at least one in bar code scanning module and radio frequency identification (REID) scan module.

8, the equipment of claim 1, wherein said PDA comprise standard arbitrarily, existing that use, the commercial PDA with different size property.

9, the equipment of claim 2, wherein said hand-held housing unit has the peripheral part that dwindles at described keypad place, to allow during use comfortable the holding in the hand.

10, the equipment of claim 3, wherein when described PDA when described hand-held housing unit takes off, use described secondary monitor.

11, the equipment of claim 1, wherein said user's I/O unit comprise that the equipment of small-sized small section is to be easy to hand-tight holding.

12, the equipment of claim 2, wherein said craft port comprises the outer ledge of opening, connects with PDA and the described hand-held housing unit that allows different in width.

13, the equipment of claim 1, wherein said user's I/O unit comprises mobile phone.

14, the equipment of claim 1, wherein said user's I/O unit comprises keypad devices, is used for when described keypad devices is docked to described PDA, imports text and numeral at least.

15, the equipment of claim 1, wherein said user's I/O unit comprises:

Mobile phone; With

Keypad devices is used for when described keypad devices is docked to described PDA, imports literal and numeral at least.

16, the equipment of claim 1, wherein said at least one independent I/O function comprises at least one function in following group, and this group comprises the input of key code data, bar code scanning, RF identification, transfers data to PC, obtains view data, voice or data communication, transmit data and transmit data via wide area network (WAN) via Local Area Network.

17, the equipment of claim 1, the I/O function of wherein said improvement comprises at least one function in following group, this group comprises data management, order input, price checking, contact data library management and data processing.

18, a kind of method that user's input/output capabilities is provided, described method comprises:

The existing personal digital assistant device (PDA) that uses mechanically is docked to user's I/O unit; With

As the result of described butt joint, described PDA is connected with electronics mode interface with described user's I/O unit, to form the user's input-output apparatus that improves.

19, the method for claim 18 also comprises described PDA is taken off from described user's I/O unit, so that the user's input/output capabilities that does not improve via described user's I/O unit to be provided.

20, the method for claim 19, wherein said user's I/O unit comprise hand-held data input outer cover unit, and it is when the data input function is provided when described PDA takes off.

21, the method for claim 19, wherein said user's I/O unit comprises mobile phone, its when when described PDA takes off fully as the function of mobile phone.

22, the method for claim 19 also comprises with described user's I/O unit and carries out bar code scanning.

23, the method for claim 19 also comprises with described user's I/O unit and carries out radio frequency identification.

24, the method for claim 19 also comprises with described user's I/O unit and carries out the button input.

25, the method for claim 19 also comprises via described user's I/O unit being connected to Local Area Network.

26, the method for claim 19 also comprises via described user's I/O unit being connected to wide area network (WAN).

27, the method for claim 19 also comprises via described user's I/O unit being connected to personal computer (PC).

28, the method for claim 21 also comprise front that described mobile phone is docked to described PDA protecting the described front of described PDA as the lid of described PDA, and when being docked to described PDA, described mobile phone still plays the function of mobile phone.

29, the method for claim 21 comprises that also the front that described mobile phone is docked to described PDA with the keypad input as described PDA, when described mobile phone is docked to described PDA, allows the display of described PDA visual.

30, the method for claim 18, user's input-output apparatus of wherein said improvement provides the function of improvement, comprise at least one function in following group, this group comprises data management, order input, price checking, contact data library management and data processing.

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