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A data entry system includes a hand held data entry unit having a reading sensor for sensing commands and/or data, rewritable storage for storing information relating to selectable items, a controller (a microprocessor or other processing circuitry) and a display screen for displaying a user readabl

A data entry system includes a hand held data entry unit having a reading sensor for sensing commands and/or data, rewritable storage for storing information relating to selectable items, a controller (a microprocessor or other processing circuitry) and a display screen for displaying a user readable representation of the commands and/or stored information for a selected item, and a telecommunication interface for the telephonic transmission of information relating to a selected item or items from the storage to a remote processing center and for the telephonic information relating to selectable items from the remote processing center to the storage. Preferably a telecommunications interface is provided in the hand held unit for cellular or other wireless telephony systems. The hand held unit can be configured to combine the data entry functions with those of audio telephony.

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The invention claimed is: 1. A data entry system comprising a hand held data entry unit, said hand held unit comprising: a reading sensor for sensing commands and/or data and for producing input signals in response to said sensed commands and/or data; rewritable storage programmable with informati

The invention claimed is: 1. A data entry system comprising a hand held data entry unit, said hand held unit comprising: a reading sensor for sensing commands and/or data and for producing input signals in response to said sensed commands and/or data; rewritable storage programmable with information relating to selectable items; a controller connected to receive and process said input signals from said sensor, said controller being arranged to respond to said commands to control said hand held unit and to said data to select a said item; a display screen for displaying a user readable representation of said commands and displaying information relating to said item from said rewritable storage; a telecommunications interface for telephonic transmission of information relating to a selected item or items from said storage to a remote processing center via a telecommunications network and for telephonic reception of information relating to said selectable items from said remote processing center to said storage via said telecommunications network, wherein said telecommunications interface is a telecommunications line interface integral to said hand held unit and directly connects said hand-held unit to said telecommunications network; and a carrier for a plurality of data and/or command codes for association with means for displaying a plurality of selectable items, wherein said carrier carries a plurality of codes, each for a respective one of a plurality of natural language and/or numeric characters and a plurality of commands for controlling operation of said data entry or merchandising system, each code being associated with a visual representation of the corresponding natural language or numeric character or command and/or of a graphical representation thereof. 2. A data entry system according to claim 1, wherein said codes are bar and/or dot codes and/or other product identifications. 3. A portable hand held computer, wherein said hand held computer is capable of use by a user as a data entry device and as a portable wireless telephone for voice transmission and reception, said hand held computer comprising: memory, wherein said memory is operable for retaining information input by the user, operable for retaining downloaded information, and operable for retaining information for updating downloaded information previously retained in said memory; a manually operable key switch for input of information; a display interface comprising a touch sensitive screen, wherein said display interface is operable to display user commands, operable to display information retained by said memory, and operable to display a list of user selectable items comprising merchandisable items, and to selectively display information relating to one or more of said items; an antenna; a rechargeable power supply; a sensor operable to sense and capture data wherein said sensor is a camera; a wireless telecommunications interface operable directly to connect said hand held computer via said antenna to a wireless telecommunications network and operable for transmission and reception of voice, data, and information, wherein said wireless telecommunications interface is operable to transmit data captured by said sensor; an optical interface operable to establish an optical datalink for the transmission and reception of information from and to said hand held computer; a controller coupled to said display interface, key switch, memory, rechargeable power supply, optical interface, sensor, and wireless telecommunications interface; and a speaker and a microphone configuring said hand held computer for use as a telephone handset; wherein said display interface, antenna, key switch, rechargeable power supply, wireless telecommunications interface, memory, controller, optical interface, sensor, speaker, and microphone comprise a self-contained assembly; and, wherein said hand held computer is operable: to download from a remote processing center via said antenna and at least said wireless telecommunications network information relating to one or more merchandisable items for retention in said memory; to transmit data relating to one or more of said merchandisable items from said memory to said remote processing center via said antenna and at least said wireless telecommunications network, and to download information relating to one or more of said merchandisable items from said remote processing center via said antenna and at least said wireless telecommunications network in response to a said transmission of data; to download, via said antenna and at least said wireless telecommunications network in response to entry of a user command, information from said remote processing center for retention in said memory to update information previously retained in said memory for one or more of said merchandisable items; and as a portable wireless telephone for voice reception and transmission. 4. A portable hand held computer according to claim 3 wherein said hand held computer comprises a connector interface operable to connect said hand held computer to a separate personal computer for inputting and outputting information to or from said hand held computer, said connector interface comprising a part of said self-contained assembly. 5. A portable hand held computer according to claim 3 wherein said hand held computer is operable using said wireless telecommunications interface to receive a request from a said remote processing center for the user to input user identification information for utilization by said remote processing center. 6. A portable hand held computer according to claim 5 wherein said user identification information comprises a personal identification number. 7. A portable hand held computer according to claim 5 wherein said user identification information comprises a credit card number. 8. A portable hand held computer according to claim 5 wherein said hand held computer is operable, subsequent to an initial input of user identification information after a connection to a said remote processing center, for subsequent use with said remote processing center which is dependent on the user identification information. 9. A portable hand held computer according to claim 3 wherein said hand held computer comprises a connector interface operable to connect said hand held computer to a separate personal computer for inputting and outputting information, and wherein said display interface, antenna, key switch, rechargeable power supply, wireless telecommunications interface, memory, controller, optical interface, sensor, speaker, microphone, and connector interface comprise a self-contained assembly, and wherein said hand held computer is operable using said wireless telecommunications interface to receive a request from a said remote processing center to the user to instruct the user to input user identification information for utilization by said remote processing center. 10. A portable hand held computer according to claim 9 wherein said user identification information comprises a personal identification number. 11. A portable hand held computer according to claim 9 wherein said user identification information comprises a credit card number. 12. A portable hand held computer according to claim 9 wherein said hand held computer is operable, subsequent to an initial input of user identification information after a connection to a said remote processing center, for subsequent use with said remote processing center which is dependent on the user identification information. 13. A portable hand held computer according to claim 3 wherein said computer comprises one or two manually operable switches for scrolling said display in a first and/or second direction for selectively displaying said selectable items, and wherein operation of one of said switches in predetermined operational states of said hand held computer causes predetermined functions other than scrolling to be performed. 14. A portable hand held computer according to claim 3 comprising a verification device in the form of a verification card or like carrier carrying a verification code to verify user information. 15. A portable hand held computer according to claim 3 that is operable to provide audio feedback to the user to indicate input of information via a said manually operable key switch, and further comprises a plurality of manually operable key switches arranged as a numerical keypad. 16. A portable hand held computer according to claim 4 wherein said hand held computer is operable to connect to a said separate personal computer via said connector interface or said optical interface, and said separate computer has a separate telecommunications interface. 17. A portable hand held computer according to claim 3 wherein said display interface is a reconfigurable user interface that is operable to display different information or data depending on user input. 18. A portable hand held computer according to claim 4 wherein said connector interface is also operable to connect said hand held computer to a source for recharging the rechargeable power supply. 19. A portable hand held computer according to claim 3 wherein said wireless telecommunications interface is operable to download information to update information describing one or more of said merchandisable items previously retained wherein such information has changed or has not changed. 20. A portable hand held computer according to claim 3 wherein said memory comprises one or more memory components. 21. A portable hand held computer according to claim 3 wherein said wireless telecommunications interface comprises one or more radio components. 22. A portable hand held computer according to claim 3 wherein said data captured by said sensor is one or more images. 23. A portable hand held computer according to claim 3 wherein said memory comprises rewritable storage. 24. A portable hand held computer according to claim 3 wherein said downloaded information is retained in said hand held computer at least in part by utilizing power from said rechargeable power source. 25. A portable hand held computer according to claim 4 wherein said connector interface is also operable to connect to a cradle. 26. A portable hand held computer according to claim 3 wherein said display interface displays a carrier of data and/or command codes comprising coded data in the form of alphanumeric characters, and said hand held computer is operable to read said coded data. 27. A portable hand held computer according to claim 3 wherein said optical interface is configured to connect to a printer or another hand held computer. 28. A portable hand held computer according to claim 3 wherein said hand held computer is operable by a user for initiating the purchase of one or more of said merchandisable items by means of the transmission of information from said memory via said antenna. 29. A portable hand held computer according to claim 3 further comprising a carrier for a plurality of data and/or command codes, wherein said carrier carries a plurality of command codes arranged in the format of a numerical keypad or a typewriter keyboard layout displayed via said display interface. 30. A portable hand held computer according to claim 3 wherein information retained in said memory for a list of merchandisable items is kept up to date via information downloaded from said remote processing center. 31. A portable hand held computer according to claim 3 wherein programs for use in said hand held computer are downloadable from a processing center remotely located from said hand held computer and are updateable via said wireless telecommunications interface from said processing center. 32. A portable hand held computer, wherein said hand held computer is capable of use by a user as a data entry device and configured to be held in one hand for operable use as a portable wireless telephone for voice transmission and reception, said hand held computer comprising: memory, wherein said memory is operable for retaining information in response to input by the user, operable for retaining downloaded information, and operable for retaining information for updating downloaded information previously retained in said memory; a manually operable key switch for input of information; a display interface comprising a touch sensitive screen, wherein said display interface is operable to display user commands, operable to display information retained by said memory, and operable to display a list of user selectable items comprising merchandisable items, and to selectively display information relating to one or more of said items; an antenna; a rechargeable power supply; a wireless telecommunications interface operable directly to connect via said antenna to a wireless telecommunications network and operable for transmission and reception of voice, data, and information; a controller coupled to said display interface, key switch, memory, rechargeable power supply, and wireless telecommunications interface; a speaker and a microphone permitting said hand held computer to be used as a telephone handset; wherein said display interface, antenna, key switch, rechargeable power supply, wireless telecommunications interface, memory, controller, speaker, and microphone comprise a self-contained assembly; and wherein said hand held computer is operable: to download from a remote processing center via said antenna and at least said wireless telecommunications network information relating to one or more merchandisable items for retention in said memory; to transmit data relating to one or more of said merchandisable items from said memory to said remote processing center via said antenna and at least said wireless telecommunications network, and to download information relating to one or more said merchandisable items from said remote processing center in response to a said transmission of data; to receive a request from said remote processing center to the user to input user identification information for utilization by said remote processing center; and as a portable wireless telephone for voice reception and transmission. 33. A portable hand held computer according to claim 32 wherein said hand held computer comprises a connector interface operable to connect said hand held computer to a separate personal computer for inputting and outputting data or information, and wherein said display interface, antenna, key switch, rechargeable power supply, wireless telecommunications interface, memory, controller, speaker, microphone, and connector interface comprise a self-contained assembly. 34. A portable hand held computer according to claim 32 wherein said hand held computer comprises an optical interface operable to establish an optical datalink for the transmission and reception of information from and to said hand held computer, and wherein said display interface, antenna, key switch, rechargeable power supply, wireless telecommunications interface, memory, controller, speaker, microphone, and optical interface comprise a self-contained assembly. 35. A portable hand held computer according to claim 32 wherein said hand held computer comprises a sensor operable to sense and capture data wherein said sensor is a camera, and wherein said display interface, antenna, key switch, rechargeable power supply, wireless telecommunications interface, memory, controller, speaker, microphone, and sensor comprise a self-contained assembly. 36. A portable hand held computer according to claim 32 wherein said hand held computer comprises a connector interface operable to connect said hand held computer to a separate personal computer for inputting and outputting data or information to or from said hand held computer, and comprises an optical interface operable to establish an optical datalink for the transmission and reception of information from and to said hand held computer, and wherein said display interface, antenna, key switch, rechargeable power supply, wireless telecommunications interface, memory, controller, speaker, microphone, optical interface, and connector interface comprise a self-contained assembly. 37. A portable hand held computer according to claim 32 wherein said hand held computer comprises a connector interface operable to connect said hand held computer to a separate personal computer for inputting and outputting data or information, comprises an optical interface operable to establish an optical datalink for the transmission and reception of information from and to said hand held computer, and comprises a sensor operable to sense and capture data wherein said sensor is a camera, and wherein said display interface, antenna, key switch, rechargeable power supply, wireless telecommunications interface, memory, controller, speaker, microphone, optical interface, sensor, and connector interface comprise a self-contained assembly. 38. A portable hand held computer according to claim 32 wherein said hand held computer using a said wireless telecommunications interface also is operable in response to entry of a user command to download information from said remote processing center for retention in said memory to update information previously retained in said memory for one or more of said merchandisable items. 39. A portable hand held computer according to claim 32 wherein said user identification information comprises a personal identification number. 40. A portable hand held computer according to claim 32 wherein said user identification information comprises a credit card number. 41. A portable hand held computer according to claim 32 wherein said hand held computer is operable, subsequent to an initial input of user identification information after a connection to a said remote processing center, for subsequent use with said remote processing center which is dependent on the user identification information. 42. A portable hand held computer according to claim 33 wherein said hand held computer using said antenna and at least said wireless communications network also is operable in response to entry of a user command to download information from said remote processing center for retention in said memory to update information previously retained in said memory for one or more of said merchandisable items. 43. A portable hand held computer according to claim 34 wherein said hand held computer using said antenna and at least said wireless communications network also is operable in response to entry of a user command to download information from said remote processing center for retention in said memory to update information previously retained in said memory for one or more of said merchandisable items. 44. A portable hand held computer according to claim 35 wherein said hand held computer using said antenna and at least said wireless communications network also is operable in response to entry of a user command to download information from said remote processing center for retention in said memory to update information previously retained in said memory for one or more of said merchandisable items. 45. A portable hand held computer according to claim 36 wherein said hand held computer using said antenna and at least said wireless communications network also is operable in response to entry of a user command to download information from said remote processing center for retention in said memory to update information previously retained in said memory for one or more of said merchandisable items. 46. A portable hand held computer according to claim 37 wherein said hand held computer using said antenna and at least said wireless communications network also is operable in response to entry of a user command to download information from said remote processing center for retention in said memory to update information previously retained in said memory for one or more of said merchandisable items. 47. A portable hand held computer, wherein said hand held computer is capable of use by a user as a data entry device and configured to be held in one hand for operable use as a portable wireless telephone for voice transmission and reception, said hand held computer comprising: memory, wherein said memory is operable for retaining data or information in response to input by the user, operable for retaining downloaded information, and operable for retaining information for updating downloaded information previously retained in said memory; a manually operable key switch for input of information; a display interface, wherein said display interface is operable to display user commands, operable to display information retained by said memory, and operable to display a list of user selectable items comprising merchandisable items, and to selectively display information relating to one or more of said items; an antenna; a rechargeable power supply; a sensor operable for sensing user commands or data; a wireless telecommunications interface operable directly to connect via said antenna to a wireless telecommunications network and operable for transmission and reception of voice or data, wherein said wireless telecommunications interface is operable to transmit data captured by said sensor; a controller coupled to said display interface, key switch, memory, rechargeable power supply, sensor, and wireless telecommunications interface; and, a speaker and a microphone permitting said hand held computer to be used as a telephone handset; wherein said display interface, antenna, key switch, rechargeable power supply, wireless telecommunications interface, memory, controller, sensor, speaker, and microphone comprise a self-contained assembly; and wherein said hand held computer is operable: to download from a remote processing center via said antenna and at least said wireless telecommunications network information relating to one or more merchandisable items for retention in said memory; to transmit data relating to one or more of said merchandisable items from said memory to said remote processing center via said antenna and at least said wireless telecommunications network, and to download information relating to one or more of said merchandisable items from said remote processing center via said antenna and at least said wireless telecommunications network in response to a said transmission of data; to receive a request from said remote processing center to the user to input user identification information for utilization by said remote processing center; and as a portable wireless telephone for voice reception and transmission. 48. A portable hand held computer according to claim 47 wherein said hand held computer comprises a connector interface operable to connect said hand held computer to a separate personal computer for inputting and outputting data or information, and wherein said display interface, antenna, key switch, rechargeable power supply, wireless telecommunications interface, memory, controller, sensor, speaker, microphone, and connector interface comprise a self-contained assembly. 49. A portable hand held computer according to claim 47 wherein said hand held computer comprises a optical interface operable for an optical datalink to transmit information from said hand held computer and/or to receive information, and wherein said display interface, antenna, key switch, rechargeable power supply, wireless telecommunications interface, memory, controller, sensor, speaker, microphone, and optical interface comprise a self-contained assembly. 50. A portable hand held computer according to claim 47 wherein said sensor comprises a camera operable for sensing and capturing data, and wherein said display interface, antenna, key switch, rechargeable power supply, wireless telecommunications interface, memory, controller, speaker, microphone, and sensor comprise a self-contained assembly. 51. A portable hand held computer according to claim 47 wherein said hand held computer comprises a connector interface operable to connect said hand held computer to a separate personal computer for inputting and outputting data or information, and comprises a optical interface operable for an optical datalink to transmit data or information from said hand held computer and/or to receive data or information, and wherein said display interface, antenna, key switch, rechargeable power supply, wireless telecommunications interface, memory, controller, sensor, speaker, microphone, optical interface, and connector interface comprise a self-contained assembly. 52. A portable hand held computer according to claim 47 wherein said hand held computer comprises a connector interface operable to connect said hand held computer to a separate personal computer for inputting and outputting data or information, comprises a optical interface operable for an optical datalink to transmit information from said hand held computer and/or to receive data or information, and said sensor comprises a camera operable for sensing and capturing data, and wherein said display interface, antenna, key switch, rechargeable power supply, wireless telecommunications interface, memory, controller, speaker, microphone, optical interface, sensor, and connector interface comprise a self-contained assembly. 53. A portable hand held computer according to claim 47 wherein said user identification information comprises a personal identification number. 54. A portable hand held computer according to claim 47 wherein said user identification information comprises a credit card number. 55. A portable hand held computer according to claim 47 wherein said hand held computer is operable, subsequent to an initial input of user identification information after a connection to a said remote processing center, for subsequent use with said remote processing center which is dependent on the user identification information. 56. A portable hand held computer according to claim 48 wherein said hand held computer using said antenna and at least said wireless communications network also is operable in response to entry of a user command to download information from said remote processing center for retention in said memory to update information previously retained in said memory for one or more of said merchandisable items. 57. A portable hand held computer according to claim 49 wherein said hand held computer using said antenna and at least said wireless communications network also is operable in response to entry of a user command to download information from said remote processing center for retention in said memory to update information previously retained in said memory for one or more of said merchandisable items. 58. A portable hand held computer according to claim 50 wherein said hand held computer using said antenna and at least said wireless communications network also is operable in response to entry of a user command to download information from said remote processing center for retention in said memory to update information previously retained in said memory for one or more of said merchandisable items. 59. A portable hand held computer according to claim 47 wherein said sensor is comprised of said display interface and at least one or two manually operable keys on said hand held computer for sensing user commands or data via input caused by use of one or more of said keys, wherein one or more of said keys is operable to cause scrolling through items displayed via said display interface, one or more of said keys is operable to select one or more of said items, and one or more of said keys is operable to select a said command displayed via said display interface. 60. A portable hand held computer according to claim 47 wherein said sensor is comprised of said display interface comprising a touch sensitive screen for sensing input by the user. 61. A portable hand held computer, wherein said hand held computer is capable of use by a user as a data entry device and configured to be held in one hand for operable use as a portable cellular telephone for voice transmission and reception, said hand held computer comprising: memory, wherein said memory is operable for retaining data or information in response to input by the user, operable for retaining downloaded information, and operable for retaining information for updating downloaded information previously retained in said memory; a manually operable key switch for input of information; a display interface, wherein said display interface is operable to display user commands, operable to display information retained by said memory, and operable to display a list of user selectable items comprising merchandisable items, and to selectively display information relating to one or more of said items; an antenna; a rechargeable power supply; a sensor operable for sensing user commands or data; a wireless telecommunications interface operable directly to connect via said antenna to a wireless telecommunications network and operable for transmission and reception of voice or data, wherein said wireless telecommunications interface is operable to transmit data captured by said sensor, and is a cellular telephone interface; a controller coupled to said display interface, key switch, memory, rechargeable power supply, sensor, and wireless telecommunications interface; and, a speaker and a microphone permitting said hand held computer to be used as a telephone handset; wherein said display interface, antenna, key switch, rechargeable power supply, wireless telecommunications interface, memory, controller, sensor, speaker, and microphone comprise a self-contained assembly; and wherein said hand held computer is operable: to download from a remote processing center via said antenna and at least said wireless telecommunications network information relating to one or more merchandisable items for retention in said memory; to transmit data relating to one or more of said merchandisable items from said memory to said remote processing center via said antenna and at least said wireless telecommunications network, and to download information relating to one or more of said merchandisable items from said remote processing center via said antenna and at least said wireless telecommunications network in response to a said transmission of data; to download, via said antenna and at least said wireless telecommunications network in response to entry of a user command, information from said remote processing center for retention in said memory to update information previously retained in said memory for one or more of said merchandisable items; to receive a request from said remote processing center to the user to input user identification information for utilization by said remote processing center; and as a portable cellular telephone for voice reception and transmission. 62. A portable hand held computer operable as a data entry device and a portable wireless telephone by a user, comprising: memory, wherein said memory is operable for retaining data or information in response to input by the user, operable for retaining downloaded data or information, and operable for retaining data or information for updating downloaded data or information previously retained in said memory; a manually operable key switch for input of information; a display interface, wherein said display interface is operable to display user commands, operable to display information retained by said memory, and operable to display a list of user selectable items comprising merchandisable items, and to selectively display information relating to one cc more of said items; an antenna; a rechargeable power supply; a sensor operable to sense and capture data wherein said sensor is a camera; a wireless telecommunications interface operable directly to connect via said antenna to a wireless telecommunications network and operable for transmission and reception of voice or data, wherein said wireless telecommunications interface is operable to transmit data captured by said sensor via said antenna; a controller coupled to said display interface, key switch, memory, rechargeable power supply, sensor, and wireless telecommunications interface; wherein said hand held computer is operable using said wireless telecommunications interface to download from a remote processing center information relating to one or more of said items for retention in said memory by utilizing at least said wireless telecommunications network, said hand held computer is operable using said wireless telecommunications interface to transmit data or information relating to one or more of said items from said memory to said remote processing center and to download information relating to one or more of said items from said remote processing center in response to a said transmission, said hand held computer using said wireless telecommunications interface also is operable in response to entry of a user command to download information from said remote processing center for retention in said memory to update information previously retained in said memory for one or more of said items, and said hand held computer is operable as a portable wireless telephone; wherein said display interface, antenna, key switch, rechargeable power supply, wireless telecommunications interface, memory, controller, and sensor comprise a self-contained assembly; and wherein said assembly includes a speaker and a microphone permitting said hand held computer to be used as a telephone handset.