초록 ▼

A versatile data handling apparatus providing multiple alternatives for inputting data is disclosed. The apparatus includes an array of depressible keys, a screen-based input system that is located distinctly from the depressible keys, an optical information sensing component and a visual display to

A versatile data handling apparatus providing multiple alternatives for inputting data is disclosed. The apparatus includes an array of depressible keys, a screen-based input system that is located distinctly from the depressible keys, an optical information sensing component and a visual display to present visual information to a user. The data input activities are coordinated by a computerized data handling system communicatively coupled with the various components.

대표청구항 ▼

We claim: 1. A hand-held data handling device, comprising: a housing; a keyboard, located on a user accessible surface of said housing, comprising a plurality of individual, user-depressible keys; a screen input component, located on a user accessible surface of said housing, said screen input co

We claim: 1. A hand-held data handling device, comprising: a housing; a keyboard, located on a user accessible surface of said housing, comprising a plurality of individual, user-depressible keys; a screen input component, located on a user accessible surface of said housing, said screen input component located distinctly from said keyboard; a visual display, located at least partially at the same location occupied by said screen input component, said visual display being capable of presenting visual information to a user; an optical information sensing component, housed by said housing; capable of sensing light energy reflected from an optical indicia; and a computerized data handling system, located internally of said housing, coupled with said keyboard and said screen input component; wherein said housing is of a shape and size permitting the data handling device to be hand-held and portable such that data can be input while said housing is held in a user's hand. 2. The hand-held data handling device of claim 1, wherein said optical information sensing component comprises an optical indicia reader. 3. The hand-held data handling device of claim 2, wherein said optical indicia reader comprises a bar code scanner. 4. The hand-held data handling device of claim 1, wherein said optical information sensing component comprises an optical communication component. 5. The hand-held data handling device of claim 4, wherein said optical communication component is capable of wireless communication with a computerized device. 6. The hand-held data handling device of claim 4, wherein said optical communication component is positioned so as to communicatively couple with a docking device when docked therewith. 7. The hand-held data handling device of claim 1, further comprising a wire communication component enabling the hand-held data handling device to communicate via a wired connection. 8. The hand-held data handling device of claim 7, wherein said wire communication component enables the hand-held data handling device to communicate via a wire-linked telephonic communication system. 9. The hand-held data handling device of claim 1, wherein said housing is of a shape and size permitting the hand-held data handling device to be gripped in one band during data entry via said screen input component. 10. The hand-held data handling device of claim 1, wherein said housing is of a shape and size permitting the hand-held data handling device to be gripped in one hand during data entry via said keyboard. 11. The hand-held data handling device of claim 1, wherein said housing is of a shape and size permitting the hand-held data handling device to be gripped in one hand during use of said optical information sensing component. 12. The hand-held data handling device of claim 1, further comprising an information storage card. 13. The hand-held data handling device of claim 12, wherein said information storage card is a user-removable information storage card. 14. The hand-held data handling device of claim 1, wherein said screen input component comprises a touch screen. 15. The hand-held data handling device of claim 1, wherein said keyboard is located adjacent to said screen input component. 16. The hand-held data handling device of claim 1, wherein said optical information sensing component is structured to function both as a wireless communication component and as an optical indicia reader. 17. The hand-held data handling device of claim 16, further comprising a user-removable memory module. 18. The hand-held data handling device of claim 16, wherein said optical information sensing component is capable of communicating with a computerized device. 19. The hand-held data handling device of claim 16, wherein said optical information sensing component is positioned so as to communicatively couple with a docking device when docked therewith. 20. The hand-held data handling device of claim 16, wherein said optical information sensing component comprises a bar code reader. 21. The hand-held data handling device of claim 16, further comprising a wire communication component enabling the hand-held data handling device to communicate via a wired connection. 22. The hand-held data handling device of claim 21, wherein said wire communication component enables the hand-held data handling device to communicate via a wire-linked telephonic communication system. 23. The hand-held data handling device of claim 16, wherein said housing is of a shape and size permitting the hand-held data handling device to be gripped in one hand during data entry via said screen input component. 24. The hand-held data handling device of claim 16, wherein said housing is of a shape and size permitting the hand-held data handling device to be gripped in one hand during data entry via said keyboard. 25. The hand-held data handling device of claim 16, wherein said housing is of a shape and size permitting the hand-held data handling device to be gripped in one hand during use of said optical information sensing component. 26. An apparatus, comprising: a housing; an array of depressible keys; a screen input system, comprising an input screen area located distinctly from said array of depressible keys, said screen input system being capable of detecting a touch to said input screen area and of determining where on said input screen area that touch has occurred; a visual display, located at least partially at the same location occupied by said input screen area, said visual display being capable of presenting visual information to a user; an optical information sensing component, capable of sensing light energy reflected from an optical indicia; and a computerized processing system, communicatively coupled with said array of depressible keys, said screen input system, said visual display and said optical information sensing component; wherein said housing is of a shape and size permitting the apparatus to be hand-held and portable such that data can be input while said housing is held in a user's hand. 27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein said optical information sensing component comprises an optical indicia reader capable of reading machine-readable optical indicia. 28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein said optical indicia reader comprises a bar code scanner. 29. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein said optical information sensing component is also capable of wireless communication with a computerized device. 30. The apparatus of claim 26, further comprising a housing supporting said array of depressible keys, said screen input system, said visual display, said optical information sensing component and said computerized processing system; wherein said housing is of a shape and size permitting the apparatus to be gripped in one hand during data entry via said screen input system. 31. The apparatus of claim 26, further comprising a housing supporting said array of depressible keys, said screen input system, said visual display, said optical information sensing component and said computerized processing system; wherein said housing is of a shape and size permitting the apparatus to be gripped in one hand during data entry via said array of depressible keys. 32. The apparatus of claim 26, further comprising a housing supporting said array of depressible keys, said screen input system, said visual display, said optical information sensing component and said computerized processing system; wherein said housing is of a shape and size permitting the apparatus to be gripped in one hand during data entry via said optical information sensing component. 33. The apparatus of claim 26, further comprising a user-removable data storage module. 34. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein said screen input system comprises a touch screen capable of sensing where on said input screen area a user has touched said input screen area. 35. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein said array of depressible keys is located adjacent to said input screen area. 36. The apparatus of claim 26, further comprising a wire communication component enabling the apparatus to communicate with a computerized device via a wired connection. 37. An apparatus, comprising: means for providing a hand-held, portable housing; means for inputting data via depressible keys, located on said means for providing a hand-held, portable housing; means for inputting data via a screen, located distinctly from said means for inputting data via depressible keys, said means for inputting data via a screen being supported by said means for providing a hand-held, portable housing; means for displaying visual information, located at least partially at the same location occupied by said means for inputting data via a screen; means for sensing optical information, supported by said means for providing a hand-held, portable housing; and means for processing data, supported by said means for providing a hand-held, portable housing, said means for processing data being communicatively coupled with said means for inputting data via depressible keys, said means for inputting data via screen, said means for displaying visual information and said means for sensing optical information; wherein said means for providing a hand-held, portable housing is of a shape and size permitting the apparatus to be hand-held and portable suvh that data can be input while said means for providing a hand-held portable housing is held in a user's hand.