Data entry systems

• US 7,505,785 B2
• Filed: 08/31/2006
• Issued: 03/17/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: DataQuill Limited (Dataquill BVI Limited)
• Original Assignee: DataQuill Limited (Dataquill BVI Limited)
• Inventors: Callaghan, Francis John, Robb, Gary Douglas, Doran, Paul Marshall
• Primary Examiner(s): GELIN, JEAN ALLAND
• Application Number:
  US11/515,152
• Publication Number:
  US 20070060203A1
• Time in Patent Office: 929 Days
• Field of Search: 455/422.1, 455/412.1, 455/414.1, 455/426.1, 455/426.2, 455/462, 455/465, 455/554.1, 455/554.2, 455/555, 379/100.02, 379/100.12, 379/93.12, 379/93.25, 235/462.46, 235/472.02, 235/375, 235/380
• US Class Current: 455/557
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 17/0022 arrangements or provisious for transferring data to distant stations, e.g. from a sensing device "transfer between computer elements G06F13/00 "; data-transmission H04L
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10772 Moved readers, e.g. pen, wand
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10881 constructional details of hand-held scanners
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0643 Graphical representation of items or shoppers
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/18 Input circuits, e.g. for coupling to an antenna or a transmission line coupling networks between antennas or lines and receivers independent of the nature of the receiver H03H
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0202 Portable telephone sets, e.g. cordless phones, mobile phones or bar type handsets constructional features of telephone transmitters or receivers, e.g. of speakers or microphones H04M1/03

Abstract

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.

Claims

1. A data entry system comprising a self-contained, hand held data entry unit which is a cellular telephone handset, 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 made of solid state memory and programmable with description information corresponding to each of a plurality of user selectable items, wherein said description information is from a remote processing center and is for retention by said storage for later user access;

a antenna;

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 said description information for said selected items, said description information being retrieved from retention in said storage;

a wireless interface coupled to said storage, wherein said interface is configured to establish a link to a device separate from said hand held unit to permit transfer of data from said storage to said separate device, wherein said link is a wireless link of short range radio signals; and

a wireless telecommunications interface for telephonic transmission of information relating to each of a selected item or items of said plurality of user selectable items retrieved from said storage to a remote processing center via a cellular telecommunications network for telephonic reception of description information corresponding to each of one or more of said plurality of user selectable items from said remote processing center to said storage via said telecommunications network, wherein said received description information is for retention in said storage for later user access and is to bring description information in said storage corresponding to said each of one or more of said plurality of user selectable items up to date for a user, and

wherein said wireless telecommunications interface is a cellular telecommunications interface operable for voice and data communication integral to said hand held unit and directly connects said hand-held unit to said telecommunications network via said antenna;

wherein said hand held unit includes a speaker and a microphone and a plurality of mechanical key switches, wherein one or more of said switches are operable by a user to select or deselect a mode permitting said hand held unit to be used as a telephone handset for voice communication via said cellular telecommunications network; and

wherein said storage is programmable with description information from a remote processing center corresponding to each of a plurality of user selectable items by utilizing said cellular telecommunications interface and downloading from a remote processing center via s aid antenna said description information for said storage, wherein said downloading is in response to one or more instructions transmitted to a remote processing center via said antenna, transmitted in response to entry of one or more user commands, and said description information is for retention by said storage for later user access; and

wherein said display screen, telecommunications interface and controller are operable to permit a user to select and place an order for one or more user selectable merchandisable items for the user via a remote processing center, wherein said display screen is operable to display a plurality of user selectable merchandisable items, and each of said one or more selected merchandisable items is individually selectable for ordering from said display screen from said plurality of user selectable merchandisable items by operation of a said reading sensor, and

said one or more selections are transmitted to a remote processing center via said antenna, and wherein subsequent to a said transmission said hand held device is operable to receive via said antenna information relating to said order from a remote processing center to display on said display screen.

2. A hand held unit according to claim 1, wherein said reception of description information for each of one or more of said plurality of selectable items from a remote processing center to said storage is in response to one or more instructions transmitted to a remote processing center, transmitted in response to entry of one or more user inputs.

3. A hand held unit according to claim 2, wherein said one or more user inputs includes selection of one of a plurality of visibly coded data which includes user visible text, wherein said controller is operable to process text of said visibly coded data subsequent to said selection of said visibly coded data, and wherein said visibly coded data is selected by selection of said user visible text by operation of said hand held unit.

4. A hand held unit according to claim 1, additionally comprising:

a camera, wherein said camera is operable for use to capture a plurality of data for storage by said solid state memory for later user access, wherein said data is one or more images.

5. A self-contained, multi-functional hand held cellular telephone device with a multi-lingual display capability, for use as a data entry device and to download information remotely for retention therein and later user access, comprising:

(A) a speaker and a microphone permitting said hand held device to be used as a telephone handset;

(B) rewritable storage made of solid state memory, wherein said hand held device is operable to retain information in said storage in response to user input, and operable to retain remotely downloaded description information in said storage for user selectable items for later user access;

(C) a antenna;

(D) a rechargeable power supply;

(E) a user input device, coupled to said storage, configured to sense user input, including input for user selections;

(F) a sensor coupled to said storage, operable for capture of a plurality of data for retention in said storage, wherein said sensor is a camera and said data is one or more images;

(G) a controller coupled to said storage, wherein said controller is configured for use to process code, wherein a said code includes user visible alphabetic characters and is associated with a user selectable item, and wherein, in response to user input including selection of visible alphabetic characters of a said code by use of said hand held device, a said code is processed;

(H) a display coupled to said controller, wherein subsequent to said hand held device processing a said code, said display is operable to display user readable information for said user selectable item associated with a said code;

(I) wherein further said display;

(i) is operable to display selected information retained by said storage, to display user commands, and to display a list of merchandisable items, wherein a merchandisable item from said list is individually selectable from said display by use of said user input device;

(ii) is operable to display a selected language of a number of display languages to assist a user in operating said hand held device, wherein a user is able to select a said language, and said number of display languages includes English and at least one language other than English;

(iii) is operable to display data captured via said sensor;

(J) a wireless interface coupled to said storage, wherein said wireless interface is configured to permit said hand held device to establish a link to a device separate from said hand held device to transfer data from said storage to said separate device, wherein said link is a wireless link of short range radio signals;

(K) a holder coupled to said controller, wherein said holder is configured to receive and hold a user removable memory device, wherein said hand held device is operable to access information contained in a said memory device after a said memory device is received by said holder, and wherein by use of said hand held device a user is able to cause display of selected information contained in a said memory device on said display;

(L) a cellular telecommunications interface to communicate via said antenna with a cellular telecommunications network operable for transmitting and receiving voice and data, wherein said cellular telecommunications interface also is for use to transmit captured data from said storage, wherein said captured data is one or more images captured via said camera; and

(M) said hand held device is operable for a user to select and place orders of one or more user selectable merchandisable items for the user via a remote processing center, wherein;

(i) by utilizing said antenna and at least a said cellular telecommunications network said hand held device is operable;

to download from a remote processing center at least description information for each of a plurality of user selectable merchandisable items for retention in said storage and for later user access from said storage,

(ii) said downloading is in response to one or more instructions transmitted to a remote processing center via said antenna, transmitted in response to entry of one or more user inputs,

(iii) subsequent to downloading of said description information for said plurality of user selectable merchandisable items from a remote processing center, by utilizing said antenna and at least a said cellular telecommunications network said hand held device is operable to transmit a selection for an item retrieved from said storage to a remote processing center to initiate an order for said item, after individual selection of said item from said display by user input from a display of one or more of said plurality of user selectable merchandisable items, and

(iv) in response to a said transmission said hand held device is operable to receive via said antenna and at least a said cellular telecommunications network information relating to said order from a remote processing center to display on said display; and

,

(N) by utilizing said antenna and at least a said cellular telecommunications network said hand held device is operable to receive, to display on said display, a request from a remote processing center for a user to input into said hand held device information for user identification for utilization by a remote processing center, and operable to transmit said input information for user identification to a remote processing center.

6. A hand held device according to claim 5, wherein said hand held device is operable in conjunction with a television display which is located locally with said hand held device, wherein selectable items are viewable on said television display by a user of said hand held device.

7. A hand held device according to claim 5, wherein user visible alphabetic characters of a said code:

are user visible alphabetic characters presented on a display along with images of one or more merchandisable items relating to said visible user readable characters;

or are user visible alphabetic characters presented on a display separate from said hand held device.

8. A hand held device according to claim 5, wherein user visible alphabetic characters of a said code is selectable by use of said hand held device from a list of merchandisable items, a catalog of merchandisable items, or a printed catalog of merchandisable items.

9. A hand held device according to claim 5, wherein a processing of a said code by said hand held device includes utilizing character recognition logic programmed into said hand held device, or utilizing any appropriate control logic programmed into said hand held device capable of processing any code which includes user visible alphabetic characters.

10. A hand held device according to claim 5, wherein said hand held device, utilizing said antenna and at least a said cellular telecommunications network, is operable to transmit a request to a remote processing center for downloading description information to update description information for each of one or more user selectable items, and in response to a said transmission to download information from a remote processing center for retention in said storage to bring description information retained in said storage for each of said one or more items up to date for a user, wherein said request is transmitted in response to entry of one or more user commands.

11. A hand held device according to claim 5, wherein a said user input device is a roller ball device configured to detect motion caused by a user.

12. A hand held device according to claim 5, wherein said user input device is a bar code scanner device, other optical code scanner device, or said camera.

13. A hand held device according to claim 5, wherein said user readable information relating for said user selectable item is downloadable to said hand held device from a remote processing center.

14. A hand held device according to claim 5, wherein said display comprises reconfigurable areas displayed on the display, associated with data displayed on the display, wherein one or more of said areas are selectable by a user by operation of said hand held device to input commands into said hand held device and to select one or more user selectable items displayable on the display.

15. A hand held device according to claim 5, wherein said hand held device is operable to communicate with a highly localized telephone network, or with a satellite network.

16. A hand held device according to claim 5, wherein said hand held device, utilizing said antenna and at least a said cellular telecommunications network, is operable to transmit a request to a remote processing center for downloading information to said hand held device to update description information relating to an individual item of a plurality of user selectable items, and in response to a said transmission to download information from a remote processing center for retention in said storage to have description information relating to said individual user selectable item be up to date for a user.

17. A self-contained hand held device which is a cellular telephone handset operable for voice transmission and reception by a user, comprising:

(A) rewritable storage made of solid state memory, wherein said hand held device is operable to retain data or information in said storage in response to user input, and operable to retain downloaded description information in said storage relating to user selectable items for later user access;

(B) a antenna;

(C) a rechargeable power supply;

(D) a user input device configured to sense user input, including input for user selections;

(E) a controller coupled to said storage and said user input device, wherein said hand held device is operable to process code, wherein a said code includes data visible and selectable by a user and is associated with a user selectable merchandisable item, and in response to user input including a selection of visible data of a said code by use of said hand held device, a said code is processed;

(F) a display coupled to said controller, wherein subsequent to said hand held device processing a said code, said display displays user readable information for said user selectable item associated with a said code;

(G) wherein further said display;

(i) is operable to display selected information retained by said storage, to display commands, and to display a list of merchandisable items, wherein merchandisable items from said list are individually selectable from said display by use of said user input device;

(ii) is operable to display a selected language of a number of display languages to assist a user in operating said hand held device, wherein a user is able to select a said language, and said number of display languages includes English and at least one language other than English;

(H) a wireless interface coupled to said storage, wherein said wireless interface is configured to permit said hand held device to establish a wireless link to a peripheral device separate from said hand held device to transfer data to said peripheral device, wherein said wireless link is made of short range radio signals;

(I) a holder coupled to said controller, wherein said holder is configured to receive and hold a user removable memory device, wherein said hand held device is operable to access information contained in a said memory device after a said memory device is received by said holder, and wherein by use of said hand held device a user is able to cause display of selected information contained in a said memory device on said display;

(J) a cellular telecommunications interface coupled to said antenna and operable to communicate via said antenna with a cellular telecommunications network operable for transmitting and receiving voice and data, wherein said cellular telecommunications interface also is operable to transmit from said storage data captured by use of said hand held device;

(K) wherein said hand held device by utilizing said antenna and at least a said cellular telecommunications network;

(i) is operable to download from a remote processing center at least description information corresponding to each of a plurality of user selectable items for retention in said storage for later user access from said storage, and wherein said downloading is in response to one or more instructions transmitted to a remote processing center in response to entry of one or more user commands;

(ii) is operable to transmit information from said storage corresponding to a selected item of said plurality of user selectable items to a remote processing center, wherein said selected item is individually selectable from said display from said plurality of user selectable items by use of said user input device; and

(iii) is operable to transmit a request to a remote processing center for downloading description information to said hand held device to update description information for one or more of said plurality of user selectable items, and in response to a said transmission to download information from a remote processing center for retention in said storage to have description information for said one or more user selectable items be up to date for a user;

(L) said hand held device is operable for a user to select and initiate ordering of one or more merchandisable items for the user via a remote processing center, wherein;

(i) by utilizing said antenna and at least a said cellular telecommunications network said hand held device is operable;

to receive from a remote processing center at least description information for each of a plurality of user selectable items which are merchandisable items, wherein said receiving is in response to one or more instructions transmitted to a remote processing center in response to entry of one or more user inputs,

(ii) wherein subsequent to receiving said description information, in response to user input to select a merchandisable item said display displays information relating to said selected merchandisable item,

(iii) by utilizing said antenna and at least a said cellular telecommunications network said hand held device is operable to transmit one or more selections of a plurality of selectable merchandisable items to a remote processing center to initiate an order for said one or more selected items, wherein each selected item is individually selectable from said display from a plurality of selectable merchandisable items by use of said user input device, and

(iv) in response to a said transmission said hand held device is operable to receive information relating to said order from a remote processing center to display on said display.

18. A hand held device according to claim 17, wherein said user input device includes:

(a) a sensor coupled to said storage, to sense and for capture of information for said storage, wherein said cellular telecommunications interface is operable for transmitting captured information via said antenna and at least a said cellular telecommunications network, wherein utilizing a said sensor said hand held device further is operable to;

(i) sense a code made of user understandable language, wherein said user understandable language also identifies a user selectable item and said controller is configured for use to process a said code to cause said display to display characters or an image associated with a said code,

(ii) sense a code which is made of user understandable language, wherein said user understandable language is also a command to perform a function and said controller is configured for use to process a said code to cause said display to display characters or an image associated with a said code, and to cause said hand held device to perform a function in addition to said display displaying characters or an image associated with a said code, and

(ii) said controller is configured for use to process a plurality of said codes;

or,

(b) a sensor which is a camera coupled to said storage, operable for capture of data for said storage, wherein said data is an image and wherein said cellular telecommunications interface is operable for transmitting from said storage via said antenna and at least a said cellular telecommunications network data captured by use of said camera, wherein said captured data is one or more images of a plurality of images captured by use of said camera.

19. A hand held device according to claim 17, wherein a said user input device:

includes a roller ball configured to detect motion caused by a user, and includes a plurality of mechanical key switches arranged as a keypad.

20. A hand held device according to claim 17, wherein a said user input device:

includes a roller ball configured to detect motion caused by a user and also to trace characters to produce input signals for said controller.

21. A hand held device according to claim 17, wherein a said user input device includes a bar code scanner device, or other optical code scanner device.

22. A hand held device according to claim 17, wherein a said user input device senses user touch and is configured for use with said display, and wherein by use of said input device a user is able to input user commands, and able to individually select items from said display.

23. A hand held device according to claim 17, wherein a said user input device includes a plurality of mechanical key switches arranged as a keypad, and

said hand held device further comprises a sensor which is a camera coupled to said storage, operable for capture of data for said storage, wherein said data is an image and wherein said cellular telecommunications interface is operable for transmitting via said antenna and at least a said cellular telecommunications network data captured by use of said camera, wherein said captured data is one or more images of a plurality of images captured by use of said camera.

24. A hand held device according to claim 17, wherein visible data of a said code is selectable from a display separate from said hand held device.

25. A hand held device according to claim 17, wherein said user input device is a touch sensitive screen device, or is any device operable for use to select visible data of a said code.

26. A hand held device according to claim 17, wherein said hand held device is configured to permit said rechargeable power supply to receive charging power from a power source separate from said hand held device without physical contact between said power source and said hand held device.

27. A hand held device according to claim 17, wherein said hand held device is connectable to a device separate from said hand held device wherein said separate device is able to receive data from said hand held device at a time during a said connection;

said separate device is able to transmit data to said hand held device at a time during said same connection; and

said hand held device is able to receive charging power from said separate device for said rechargeable power supply at a time during said same connection.

28. A hand held device according to claim 17, wherein said peripheral device separate from said hand held device is or includes a printer which is operable for printing out selected data or information previously captured by use of said hand held device.

29. A hand held device according to claim 17, wherein a said controller includes one or more components or circuits, a said storage comprises one or more memory components, a said description information is a product identification, and a said ordering data is a quantity.

30. A hand held device according to claim 17, wherein said display includes reconfigurable areas displayed on the display, associated with data displayed on the display, wherein one or more of said areas are selectable by a user to input commands into said hand held device and to select one or more items displayed on the display.

31. A hand held device according to claim 17, wherein said visible data is visibly encoded alphabetic letters, or is text which is visibly encoded by use of bar codes or other optical codes, or said visible data is visibly encoded by any other manner of encoding interpretable by said hand held device with appropriate control logic.

32. A hand held device according to claim 17, wherein a said user input device includes a plurality of mechanical key switches arranged as a keypad as a source of user input.

33. A hand held device according to claim 17, wherein said data visible and selectable by a user is a bar code, blob code, or other optical code unreadable by a user.

34. A hand held device according to claim 17, wherein a selection of visible data of a said code by use of said hand held device code is performed by use of said camera.

35. A hand held device according to claim 17, wherein said hand held device also is configured for use with a base unit, wherein said base unit includes a mechanical key switch operable by a user of said hand held device and also includes a cellular telecommunications interface.

36. A self-contained hand held device with integral cellular telephone capability, comprising:

(A) rewritable storage made of solid state memory, wherein said storage is;

programmable with description information corresponding to each of a plurality of user selectable items by downloading description information for said storage from a remote processing center wherein said description information is for retention by said storage for later user access from said storage; and

is operable to retain data or information in said storage in response to input by a user;

(B) a rechargeable power supply;

(C) a sensor coupled to said storage operable for use in capturing data for said storage;

(D) a user input device made of mechanical key switches, operable for a user to input information and commands, and to select an individual item of said plurality of user selectable items;

(E) a controller coupled to said storage, and said user input device, wherein said hand held device is operable to process encoded data visible by a user and visible with a representation or description of a merchandisable item, and wherein, in response to user input including selection of said encoded data by use of said hand held device, said encoded data is processed;

(F) a display coupled to said controller, wherein subsequent to said hand held device processing said encoded data, said display displays user readable characters with information relating to a said merchandisable item; and

,

(G) wherein further said display

(i) is operable to display selected data or information retained by said storage, to display user commands, and to display a list of said plurality of user selectable items, wherein items from said list are individually selectable by use of said hand held device;

(ii) is operable to display a selected language of a number of languages to assist a user in operating said hand held device, wherein a user is able to select a said language, and said number of languages includes English and at least one language other than English;

(H) a cellular telecommunications interface operable to communicate over a cellular telephone network, wherein said wireless telecommunications interface is operable to transmit captured data from said storage, captured by use of said hand held device;

(I) wherein said hand held device utilizing said wireless telecommunications interface and at least a said cellular telephone network further;

(i) is operable to download from a remote processing center at least description information for each of a plurality of user selectable merchandisable items for retention in said storage and for later user access from said storage, wherein said downloading is in response to one or more instructions transmitted to a remote processing center in response to entry of one or more user commands to program said storage,

(ii) is operable to receive a request from a remote processing center for a user to input into said hand held device user identification information for utilization by a remote processing center, and to transmit said input user identification information to a remote processing center, and

(iii) is operable subsequent to said downloading of description information for said plurality of user selectable merchandisable items to respond to one or more user commands to connect to a remote processing center in order to bring information for one or more items of said plurality of user selectable merchandisable items up to date for a user, and as a result of a said connection to download information from a remote processing center for retention in said storage to have said information in said storage for said one or more items be up to date for a user;

(J) said hand held device is operable for a user to select and initiate ordering of one or more merchandisable items for the user via a remote processing center, wherein;

(i) by utilizing at least a said cellular telephone network said hand held device is operable to transmit one or more selections retrieved from said storage for one or more selected merchandisable items to a remote processing center to initiate an order for said one or more selected merchandisable items subsequent to selection of each of said one or more selected items from said display by use of said user input device from a plurality of user selectable merchandisable items, and

(ii) is operable in response to a said transmission to receive information relating to said order from a remote processing center to display on said display.

37. A hand held device according to claim 36, wherein said visible encoded data:

is encoded text, is encoded by use of bar codes, is encoded by use of optical codes, is encoded wherein visible user readable characters are part of said encoded data, or is encoded in any manner wherein said hand held device is able to process said encoded data by use of appropriate control logic.

38. A hand held device according to claim 36, wherein said sensor is a roller ball device responsive to movement by a user.

39. A hand held device according to claim 36, wherein said sensor is a touch sensitive screen device.

40. A hand held device according to claim 36, wherein said display comprises reconfigurable areas displayed on the display, associated with data displayed on the display, wherein one or more of said areas are selectable by a user by operation of said hand held device to input commands into said hand held device and to select one or more items displayable on the display.

41. A telephone comprising, as an integral hand-holdable device:

(A) a sensor to sense commands and/or data and for producing input signals in response to said sensed commands and/or data;

(B) rewritable storage made of solid state memory and programmable to store a database of information relating to user selectable items, said memory being programmable by downloading said information from a remote processing center in response to one or more transmitted instructions;

(C) a antenna;

(D) a controller connected to receive and process said input signals from said sensor, said controller being arranged to respond to sensed commands to control said telephone and to said data to select a said item;

(E) a display screen to display a user readable representation of said commands and information from said storage for said selected item,

(F) a microphone for conversion of user speech into voice signals for transmission, and a loudspeaker for conversion of received voice signals into audio signals; and

(G) a cellular telecommunications interface operable to directly and wirelessly connect said telephone to a cellular telecommunications network via said antenna, wherein said interface is configured to permit

(i) transmission and reception of voice signals to and from said telecommunications network via said antenna,

(ii) transmission of information retrieved from said storage relating to an item or items selected from said database to a remote processing center via said antenna and a said cellular telecommunications network, wherein said item or items are individually selected from said display screen from a display of one or more of said user selectable items, and

(ii) reception of information relating to selectable items to said database from said remote processing center via said antenna and a said cellular telecommunications network.

42. A hand held data entry device which is a cellular telephone handset, said device comprising:

a antenna;

a rechargeable power supply;

a display screen;

solid state memory;

a controller, coupled to said solid state memory, said power supply, and said display screen;

a user input device including a sensor, which is configured to operate in conjunction with the display screen and operable by a user to select visible user readable text of a code associated with a merchandisable item;

a speaker and a microphone configured for voice communication;

a camera coupled to said solid state memory;

a wireless interface coupled to said solid state memory, operable to establish a link with a device separate from the hand held device via short range radio signals;

a holder, configured to receive and hold a user removable memory card; and

,

a plurality of mechanically operable key switches, coupled to said controller;

wherein, the hand held device is;

(a) operable as a telephone handset for voice communication utilizing at least a cellular telecommunications network;

(b) operable to send and receive voice or data via the antenna utilizing at least a said cellular telecommunications network;

(c) operable to receive for storage in the memory for later user access content for a list of user selectable merchandisable items, where the content comprises at least a description for each of the merchandisable items, and where such content is received from a remote processing center via the antenna utilizing at least a cellular telecommunications network;

where, subsequent to the storage of such content by the memory for a list of user selectable merchandisable items, the display screen is operable to display the content for each merchandisable item; and

a user is able to individually select a merchandisable item from the list for review of its content by utilizing the user input device;

where, also subsequent to the storage of content for a list of user selectable merchandisable items, the hand held device is operable to transmit via said antenna and a said telecommunications network to a processing remote center a request to receive information to update content for one or more merchandisable items of the list, and in response to such a transmission to receive from a remote processing center information for storage in the memory to have content for one or more merchandise items be up to date for a user;

where, also subsequent to the storage of content for a list of user selectable merchandisable items, prior to or after a request to update, a user is able to individually select from the display by utilizing the user input device one or more of the merchandisable items to imitate placing an order; and

a user is able to cause transmission of the one or more selections retrieved from the memory for the selected merchandisable items to a remote processing center for processing of the order; and

in response to such a transmission the hand held device is operable to receive information relating to the order from a remote center to display on the display screen;

(d) operable utilizing the controller to process code including visible user readable text after selection of the visible user readable text by use of the user input device, where such a code is associated with a merchandisable item; and

where after processing such a code, the display screen displays content or one or more images relating to the merchandisable item associated with such a code;

(e) operable to store in the memory data captured utilizing the camera, where the data captured is one or more images; and

is operable to transmit such captured data via the antenna utilizing at least a cellular telecommunications network;

(f) operable utilizing the wireless interface to link to a device, separate from the hand held device, which is a printer, wherein the wireless interface is operable to transfer data captured utilizing the camera to the separate device via short range radio signals; and

,

(g) operable to access information contained in a memory device after being received by the holder, and wherein by use of the hand held device a user is able to cause display of selected information contained in a said memory device on said display screen.