Data entry systems

• US 7,920,898 B2
• Filed: 01/02/2009
• Issued: 04/05/2011
• 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, Doran, Paul Marshall, Robb, Gary Douglas
• Primary Examiner(s): GELIN, JEAN ALLAND
• Application Number:
  US12/348,051
• Publication Number:
  US 20090111521A1
• Time in Patent Office: 823 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 self-contained hand held unit which is a cellular telephone handset operable for voice transmission and reception by a user, comprising:

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

(B) a plurality of mechanical key switches;

(C) rewritable storage made of solid state memory, wherein said hand held unit 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;

(D) a antenna;

(E) a rechargeable power supply;

(F) a sensor operable to sense user commands or data;

(G) a display screen coupled to said sensor, wherein said hand held unit is operable to process code wherein a said code includes data visible and selectable by a user and is associated with a user selectable item, and in response to user input including a selection of visible data of a said code by use of said hand held unit, a said code is processed, wherein subsequent to said hand held unit processing a said code, said display screen displays user readable information for said user selectable item associated with a said code;

(H) wherein further said display screen;

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

(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;

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

(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 unit;

(K) a camera coupled to said storage, wherein said camera is operable for capture of data for said storage, wherein said data is one or more images 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;

(L) wherein said hand held unit 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,

(iii) wherein said selected item is individually selectable from said display screen from said plurality of user selectable items by use of said sensor; and

(iv) is operable to transmit a request to a remote processing center for downloading description information to said hand held unit 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;

(M) said hand held unit 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 unit 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 said display screen displays information relating to a desired selectable merchandisable item,

(iii) by utilizing said antenna and at least a said cellular telecommunications network said hand held unit 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,

(iv) wherein each selected item of said one or more selections is selectable individually by selecting from a location on said display screen associated with a selected item by use of said sensor, and

(v) in response to a said transmission said hand held unit is operable to receive 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 a said sensor includes a device configured to detect motion caused by a user.

3. A hand held unit according to claim 1, wherein a said sensor includes a device configured to detect motion caused by a user and also to sense characters traced to produce input signals for said hand held unit.

4. A hand held unit according to claim 1, wherein a said sensor includes a bar code scanner device, or other optical code scanner device.

5. A hand held unit according to claim 1, wherein a said sensor senses user touch and is configured for use with said display screen, and wherein by use of said sensor a user is able to input user commands, and able to individually select items from said display screen.

6. A hand held unit according to claim 1, wherein visible data of a said code is selectable from a display separate from said hand held unit.

7. A hand held unit according to claim 1, wherein a said sensor is a touch sensitive screen device, and is configured for use with said display screen.

8. A hand held unit according to claim 1, wherein said hand held unit is configured to permit said rechargeable power supply to receive charging power from a power source separate from said hand held unit without physical contact between said power source and said hand held unit.

9. A hand held unit according to claim 1, wherein said hand held unit is connectable to a device separate from said hand held unit wherein said separate device is able to receive data from said hand held unit at a time during a said connection;

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

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

10. A hand held unit according to claim 1, wherein said peripheral device separate from said hand held unit is or includes a printer which is operable for printing out selected data or information previously captured by use of said hand held unit.

11. A hand held unit according to claim 1, wherein 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.

12. A hand held unit according to claim 1, 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 unit with appropriate control logic.

13. A hand held unit according to claim 1, wherein said hand held unit comprises a holder, wherein said holder is configured to receive and hold a user removable memory device, wherein said hand held unit 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 unit a user is able to cause display of selected information contained in a said memory device on said display screen.

14. A hand held unit according to claim 1, wherein said data visible and selectable by a user is a bar code, blob code, or other optical code unreadable by a user.

15. A hand held unit according to claim 1, wherein a selection of visible data of a said code by use of said hand held unit code is performed by use of said camera.

16. A hand held unit according to claim 1, wherein by utilizing said antenna and at least a said cellular telecommunications network said hand held unit is:

(i) operable to receive, to display on said display screen, a request from a remote processing center for a user to input into said hand held unit information for user identification for utilization by a remote processing center, and

(ii) operable to transmit said input information for user identification to a remote processing center.

17. A hand held unit according to claim 1, wherein said hand held unit is operable in conjunction with a television display which is located locally with said hand held unit, wherein selectable items are viewable by a user on said television display.

47. A hand held unit according to any of claims 1 and 33-46, wherein the hand held unit comprises a merchandising system.

69. A unit or handset according to any of claim 1, 18, 23, 26, 30, 33, 48, 56, or 66, wherein to be operable to display user selectable items, or information related thereto, in addition to receiving or downloading information or user selectable items from a remote source utilizes information other than from a remote source, such as pre-stored information and/or information from read only memory or other sources.

18. A hand held data entry unit operable for use in a data entry system, said hand held unit comprising:

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

(B) a reading sensor for sensing commands and/or data and for producing input signals in response to said sensed commands and/or data;

(C) rewritable storage remotely programmable with;

a plurality of user selectable items via downloading said user selectable items from a remote source for said rewritable storage for later user access;

wherein said plurality of user selectable items are items which are also available for accessing from a remote source by other users of other hand held units;

(D) a antenna;

(E) a plurality of mechanical switches operable by a user;

(F) a rechargeable power supply;

(G) a display screen operable for displaying representations of commands, and displaying information for user selectable items, wherein further said display screen 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 controller connected to receive and process said input signals from said sensor, said controller being arranged to respond to sensed commands to control said hand held unit, and wherein a user selectable item is individually selectable by a user from said display screen from said plurality of user selectable items via operation of said sensor wherein;

said controller is arranged to respond to data sensed by said sensor to select a said item, wherein a plurality of data is associated with said plurality of user selectable items and said data sensed is data corresponding to an individual item of said plurality;

(I) a telecommunications interface operable for;

telephonic transmission of information corresponding to a selected item or items of said plurality of user selectable items from said storage to a remote source via said antenna and at least a telecommunications network, and telephonic reception of information corresponding to one or more of said plurality of user selectable items from a remote source for said storage via said antenna and at least a telecommunications network, wherein said telecommunications interface is integral to said hand held unit and directly connects said hand held unit to a telecommunications network via said antenna; and

(J) wherein further said hand held unit is operable in response to a command, to download via said antenna and at least a wireless telecommunications network updating information from a remote source for said rewritable storage, wherein;

(i) a said command is a command to update an individual user selectable item,

(ii) said individual user selectable item;

is one of a said plurality of user selectable items remotely programmed into said rewritable storage via previously downloading each of said plurality from a remote source via said antenna and at least a telecommunications network for said rewritable storage,

(iii) said updating information brings up to date said same individual user selectable item in said rewritable storage which was previously downloaded for said storage, and

(iv) said updated individual user selectable item is available for later user access from said rewritable storage.

19. A hand held unit according to claim 18, wherein said downloading to program said storage with a said plurality of user selectable items is in response to one or more instructions transmitted to a remote source in response to entry of one or more user inputs.

20. A hand held unit according to claim 18, wherein said hand held unit additionally is operable for a user to make a shopping selection and to order a merchandisable item available for purchase for a user via a remote processing center, wherein:

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

to receive from a remote processing center at least a plurality of user selectable items which correspond to merchandisable items available for purchase by a user, wherein said receiving is subsequent to entry of one or more user inputs to said hand held unit,

(ii) wherein subsequent to said hand held unit receiving said plurality of user selectable items which correspond to merchandisable items, said display screen is operable to display one or more of said plurality of user selectable items which correspond to merchandisable items,

(iii) by utilizing said antenna and at least a telecommunications network said hand held unit is operable to transmit data from said hand held unit corresponding to a selection of a user selectable item of said plurality of user selectable items which correspond to merchandisable items to a remote processing center to for ordering a merchandisable item corresponding to said selected item,

(iv) wherein via operation of said hand held unit said selected item is individually selectable from said plurality of user selectable items which correspond to merchandisable items, and

(v) in response to a said transmission said hand held unit is operable to receive information about a said order from a remote processing center to display on said display screen.

21. A hand held unit according to claim 18, wherein said hand held unit is connectable to a device separate from said hand held unit wherein said separate unit is able to receive data from said hand held unit at a time during a said connection;

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

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

22. A hand held unit according to claim 18, wherein said display screen includes reconfigurable areas displayed on the display screen, associated with data displayed on the display screen, wherein one or more of said areas are selectable by a user for inputting commands into said hand held unit and for selecting one or more items displayed on the display screen.

23. A hand held data entry unit with integral cellular telephone capability, said hand held unit comprising:

(A) a sensor operable 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 remotely programmable with a plurality of user selectable items via downloading each of said user selectable items from a remote source for said rewritable storage for later user access;

(C) a antenna;

(D) a cellular telecommunications interface coupled to said antenna and integral to said hand held unit, permitting use of said hand held unit as a cellular telephone;

(E) a plurality of mechanical switches operable by a user;

(F) 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 hand held unit and to said data to select a said item;

(G) a display screen for displaying representations of commands, and displaying information for user selectable items from said rewritable storage;

(H) said cellular telecommunications interface is operable for;

telephonic transmission of information corresponding to a selected item or items of said plurality of user selectable items from said storage to a remote source via a telecommunications network, and telephonic reception of information relating to one or more of said plurality of user selectable items from a remote source for said storage via a telecommunications network, wherein said cellular telecommunications interface directly connects said hand held unit to a telecommunications network via said antenna; and

(I) wherein further said hand held unit is operable to sense and capture a alphabetic character via sensing writing movement caused by a user, wherein

(i) said controller is configured to cause said display screen to display said alphabetic character subsequent to said capturing;

(ii) said hand held device further is operable to sense and capture a sequence of alphabetic characters in order to build up text made up of a plurality of said alphabetic characters, wherein said controller is configured to cause said display screen to display said built up text; and

(iii) said built up text itself makes up a code which corresponds to a user selectable item, wherein said hand held unit is programmed to retrieve information for said corresponding item for display on said display screen for a user subsequent to processing a said code.

24. A hand held unit according to claim 23, wherein said hand held unit additionally is operable for a user to make a shopping selection and for ordering a merchandisable item available for purchase for a user via a remote source, wherein:

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

to receive from a remote source at least a plurality of user selectable items which correspond to merchandisable items available for purchase by a user, wherein said receiving is requested by a user via one or more user inputs to said hand held unit,

(ii) wherein subsequent to said hand held unit receiving said plurality of user selectable items corresponding to merchandisable items, said display screen is operable to display one or more of said plurality of user selectable items which correspond to merchandisable items,

(iii) by utilizing said antenna and at least a telecommunications network said hand held unit is operable to transmit data from said hand held unit corresponding to a selection of a user selectable item of said plurality of user selectable items which correspond to merchandisable items to a remote source to for ordering a merchandisable item corresponding to said selected item, and

(iv) wherein via operation of said hand held unit said selected item is individually selectable from said plurality of user selectable items which correspond to merchandisable items.

25. A hand held unit according to claim 23, wherein a said sensor is a touch sensitive screen device, or wherein a said sensor is a touch sensitive screen device and a sensor device which detects motion caused by a user.

26. A data entry system comprising a self-contained hand held unit which is a cellular telephone operable for voice transmission and reception by a user, said hand held unit comprising:

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

(B) a plurality of mechanical switches operable by a user;

(C) rewritable storage made of solid state memory, wherein said hand held unit is operable to store data or information in said storage in response to user input, and operable to store remotely downloaded information in said storage for later user access;

(D) a antenna;

(E) a rechargeable power supply;

(F) a first sensor operable to sense user commands and/or user inputs;

(G) a display screen coupled to said first sensor, wherein said hand held unit is operable to process encoded data, wherein said encoded data includes data visible and selectable by a user and is associated with a user selectable item of a plurality of user selectable items, wherein in response to user input including selection of said visible data by use of said hand held unit said encoded data is processed, and wherein said display screen displays information for said user selectable item associated with said encoded data;

(H) wherein further said display screen;

(i) is operable to display commands for a user, and to display data or information from said storage stored via user input;

(ii) is operable via operation of said first sensor to display remotely downloaded information from said storage;

(I) 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 unit;

(J) a second sensor coupled to said storage, wherein said second sensor is a camera and is operable to capture data for said storage, wherein said data is or represents an image and wherein said camera is operable to capture a plurality of data for said storage;

(K) said hand held unit additionally is operable for making a shopping selection and ordering a merchandisable item available for purchase for a user via a remote processing center, wherein;

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

to receive from a remote processing center at least a plurality of user selectable items which correspond to a plurality of merchandisable items available for purchase by a user,

(ii) wherein subsequent to said hand held unit receiving said plurality of user selectable items which correspond to merchandisable items, said display screen displays one or more of said user selectable items in response to user input,

(iii) by utilizing said antenna and at least a cellular telecommunications network said hand held unit is operable to transmit data from said hand held unit corresponding to a selection of a user selectable item of said plurality of user selectable items to a remote processing center for ordering a merchandisable item corresponding to said selected item,

(iv) wherein said selected item is individually selectable from said plurality of user selectable items by selecting encoded data by operation of said first sensor, wherein said encoded data selected is;

a selected visible location of a plurality of locations visible on said display screen wherein said selected visible location is associated with said individual selected item, and

(v) subsequent to a said transmission said hand held unit is operable to receive information relating to a said order from a remote processing center to display on said display screen.

27. A data entry system according to claim 26, wherein said hand held unit further comprises a wireless connector coupled to said storage, wherein said wireless connector is configured to permit said hand held unit to establish a wireless link to a peripheral device separate from said hand held unit, wherein said wireless link is made of short range radio signals.

28. A data entry system according to claim 26, wherein by utilizing said antenna and at least a said cellular telecommunications network said hand held unit is operable to receive, to display on said display screen, a request from a remote processing center for a user to input into said hand held unit 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.

29. A data entry system according to claim 26, wherein by utilizing said antenna and at least a cellular telecommunications network:

(i) said rewritable storage is remotely programmable with a plurality of user selectable items from a remote processing center for said storage for later user access, wherein said storage is remotely programmable with said plurality of user selectable items via downloading said items from a remote processing center for said storage,

(ii) said hand held unit is operable in response to a command to receive information from a remote processing center to said hand held unit to bring up to date a selected item of said plurality of user selectable items for a user.

32. A data entry system according to any of claims 26-31, wherein said data entry system is a merchandising system which additionally comprises a plurality of hand held units.

30. A data entry system comprising a cellular telephone handset, said telephone handset comprising:

(A) a reading 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 remotely programmable with a plurality of user selectable items from a remote processing center for said storage for later user access, wherein said storage is remotely programmable with said plurality of user selectable items via downloading said items from a remote processing center for said storage, wherein said downloading is in response to one or more instructions transmitted to a remote processing center, transmitted in response to one or more user inputs; and

(C) a antenna;

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

(E) a display screen coupled to said storage to display said selected item from said storage, and to display representations of commands;

(F) a speaker and a microphone;

(G) a plurality of mechanical switches operable by a user, wherein one or more of said plurality of mechanical switches or a said reading sensor is operable by a user to select or deselect a mode permitting use of said telephone handset for voice communication; and

(H) a wireless telecommunications interface operable for;

telephonic transmission of information corresponding to each of a selected item or items of said plurality of user selectable items from said storage to a remote processing center via a cellular telecommunications network, and

telephonic reception of information corresponding to each of one or more of said plurality of user selectable items from a remote processing center for said storage via said telecommunications network, wherein said received information is for said storage for later user access, and

wherein said wireless telecommunications interface is a cellular telecommunications interface operable for voice and data communication integral to said telephone handset and directly connects said telephone handset to said telecommunications network via said antenna;

(I) said hand held unit is operable for a user to make a shopping selection and to order a merchandisable item available for purchase for a user via a remote processing center, wherein;

said display screen is operable to display a plurality of user selectable items corresponding to merchandisable items, wherein each of one or more user selectable items corresponding to 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 telephone handset is operable to receive via said antenna information relating to a said order from a remote processing center to display on said display screen.

31. A data entry system according to claim 30, the telephone handset additionally comprising:

a camera, wherein said camera is operable for use to capture a plurality of data for said storage for later user access, wherein said data is an image or a representation of an image.

33. A hand held telephone unit, being self-contained, multi-functional and with a multi-lingual display capability, and operable to download information remotely, comprising:

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

(B) rewritable storage made of solid state memory, wherein said hand held unit is operable to store information in said storage in response to user input, and operable to store remotely downloaded 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, wherein said input device is configured to sense user input for user selections;

(F) a camera coupled to said storage, operable for capture of a plurality of data for said storage, wherein said data is an image or a representation of an image;

(G) control logic, wherein said control logic 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 unit, a said code is processed;

(H) a display screen, wherein subsequent to said hand held unit processing a said code, said display screen is operable to display user understandable information for said user selectable item associated with a said code;

(I) wherein further said display screen;

(i) is operable to display a selected language of a number of languages to assist a user in operating said hand held unit, 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;

(ii) is operable to display data captured via said camera;

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

(K) 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 data captured via said camera; and

(L) said hand held unit is operable for a user to select and order merchandisable items available for purchase by a 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 a plurality of user selectable items for user review via said display screen, wherein user selectable items of said plurality correspond to merchandisable items available for purchase,

(ii) said reception is subsequent to entry of one or more user inputs to said hand held unit,

(iii) subsequent to receiving of said user selectable items which correspond to merchandisable items from a remote processing center, by utilizing said antenna and at least a said cellular telecommunications network said hand held unit is operable to transmit a selection of an item to a remote processing center for ordering a merchandisable item, and

(iv) wherein said transmission of said selection of an item is after individual selection of said item from said display screen by user input, from a display of one or more of said user selectable items which correspond to merchandisable items.

34. A hand held unit according to claim 33, wherein said hand held unit is operable in conjunction with a television display which is located locally with said hand held unit and viewable by a user of said hand held unit.

35. A hand held unit according to claim 33, 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 user visible alphabetic characters;

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

36. A hand held unit according to claim 33, wherein user visible alphabetic characters of a said code are selectable by use of said hand held unit from a list of merchandisable items, a catalog of merchandisable items, or a printed catalog of merchandisable items.

37. A hand held unit according to claim 33, wherein a processing of a said code by said hand held unit includes utilizing character recognition logic programmed into said hand held unit, or utilizing any appropriate control logic programmed into said hand held unit capable of processing any code which includes user visible alphabetic characters.

38. A hand held unit according to claim 33, wherein said processing of a said code includes processing of alphabetic characters of a said code.

39. A hand held unit according to claim 33, wherein a said user input device is configured to detect motion caused by a user.

40. A hand held unit according to claim 33, wherein said user input device is a bar code scanner device, other optical code scanner device, or said camera.

41. A hand held unit according to claim 33, wherein said user understandable information for said user selectable item is downloadable to said hand held device from a remote source.

42. A hand held unit according to claim 33, wherein said display screen comprises reconfigurable areas displayed on the display screen, associated with data displayed on the display screen, wherein one or more of said areas are selectable by a user by operation of said hand held unit to input commands into said hand held device and/or to select one or more user selectable items displayable on the display screen.

43. A hand held unit according to claim 33, wherein said hand held unit is operable to communicate with a highly localized telephone network.

44. A hand held unit according to claim 33, wherein:

(i) said camera is operable to sense and capture data which also is a user visible code; and

wherein

(ii) a said user visible code includes corresponding user readable characters.

45. A hand held unit according to claim 33, wherein a said user input device senses user touch and is configured for use with said display screen, and wherein by use of said user input device a user is able to input user commands, and able to individually select items from said display screen.

46. A hand held unit according to claim 33, wherein a said user input device is a touch sensitive screen device, and is configured for use with said display screen.

48. A self-contained hand held unit with integral cellular telephone capability, comprising:

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

remotely programmable with a plurality of user selectable items via downloading each of said items for said storage from a remote source for later user access; and

is operable to store data or information in said storage in response to input by a user for later user access;

(B) a rechargeable power supply;

(C) a sensor coupled to said storage operable to sense commands and/or data;

(D) mechanical switches operable by a user to input user selections and/or other commands;

(E) a controller coupled to said storage, said sensor, and said mechanical key switches, wherein said hand held unit is operable to process encoded data visible by a user and associated with a user selectable item, and wherein, in response to user input including selection of said encoded data by use of said hand held unit, said encoded data is processed;

(F) a display screen coupled to said controller, wherein subsequent to said hand held unit processing said encoded data, said display screen displays user readable characters with information for a user selectable item; and

,

(G) wherein further said display screen;

(i) is operable to display selected data or information from said storage, to display user commands, and to display a said plurality of user selectable items, wherein items of a said plurality are individually selectable from said plurality via operation of said hand held unit;

(ii) is operable to display a selected language of a number of languages to assist a user in operating said hand held unit, 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 unit;

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

(i) is operable to receive from a remote processing center a plurality of user selectable items which correspond to merchandisable items, wherein said reception is in response to one or more instructions transmitted to a remote processing center,

(ii) is operable to receive a request from a remote processing center for a user to input into said hand held unit 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 reception of said plurality of user selectable items which correspond to merchandisable items to respond to one or more user inputs to connect to a remote processing center to receive information in order to have one or more items of said plurality of user selectable items which correspond to merchandisable items be brought up to date for a user;

(J) wherein said hand held unit further is operable by a user for selecting and ordering one or more merchandisable items available for purchase for a user via a remote processing center, wherein;

(i) by utilizing at least a said cellular telephone network said hand held unit is operable for ordering for one or more merchandisable items via transmitting one or more selections of a plurality of user selectable items which correspond to merchandisable items to a remote processing center subsequent to individually selecting each of said one or more selections from said display screen from a plurality of user selectable items which correspond to merchandisable items via use of said sensor and/or said mechanical key switches, and

(ii) is operable subsequent to a said transmission to receive information about a said order from a remote processing center to display on said display screen.

49. A hand held unit according to claim 48, 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 unit is able to process said encoded data by use of appropriate control logic.

50. A hand held unit according to claim 48, wherein said sensor is a roller ball device responsive to movement caused by a user, or is a touch sensitive screen device.

51. A hand held unit according to claim 48, wherein said display screen comprises reconfigurable areas displayed on the display, associated with data displayed on the display screen, wherein one or more of said areas are selectable by a user by operation of said hand held unit to input commands into said hand held unit and/or to select one or more items displayable on the display.

52. A hand held unit according to claim 48, wherein:

said mechanical switches operable to input user selections or other commands are;

two mechanical switches, and operable in conjunction with said display screen; and

wherein, said sensor is made of said mechanical switches.

53. A hand held unit according to claim 48, wherein said visible encoded data includes visible text, and further wherein said processing of said encoded data includes processing of text of said encoded data.

54. A hand held unit according to claim 48, wherein said hand held unit is operable in conjunction with a television display which is located locally with said hand held unit.

55. A hand held unit according to any of claims 48-54, wherein the hand held unit is operable as part of a merchandising system wherein said merchandising system is operable with a plurality of hand held units.

56. A merchandising system comprising:

a telephone;

wherein said telephone is an integral hand held unit comprising;

(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, wherein said storage;

(i) is remotely programmable with a database of user selectable items, said storage being programmable via downloading each of said user selectable items from a remote source in response to transmitted instructions from said hand held unit; and

(ii) said user selectable items include items which are also available for accessing from a remote source by other users of other hand held units;

(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 hand held unit and to said data to select a user selectable item of said database of user selectable items;

(E) a display screen coupled to said rewritable storage, wherein said display screen is operable;

(i) to display user understandable representations of commands, and to display information corresponding to user selectable items, and

(ii) to display a selected language of a number of languages to assist a user in operating said hand held unit, 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;

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

(G) a cellular telecommunications interface operable to directly and wirelessly connect said hand held unit 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 corresponding to an item or items selected from said database of user selectable items to a remote source via said antenna and a cellular telecommunications network, wherein each of said item or items selected is individually selectable from said database of said user selectable items from said display screen via operation of said sensor, and

(iii) reception of information corresponding to one or more of said selectable items to said database from a remote source via said antenna and a cellular telecommunications network.

57. A telephone according to claim 56, 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 an image or a representation of an image.

58. A telephone according to claim 56, wherein said user selectable items are a plurality of items available from one or more remotely located catalogues of items.

59. A telephone according to claim 56, wherein said one or more remotely located catalogues of items are one or more catalogues of merchandisable items.

60. A telephone according to claim 56, wherein said telephone is operable in conjunction with a television display which is located locally with said telephone.

61. A telephone according to claim 56, further comprising:

a wireless connector coupled to said solid state memory, operable to establish a wireless link with a peripheral device via short range radio signals; and

a plurality of mechanical switches operable by a user.

62. A telephone according to claim 57, wherein said controller, in response to user input including selection of an individual user selectable item from a plurality of user selectable items, is configured to determine if corresponding information, which is available at a remote source and is for said individual item, is displayable on said display screen from said storage:

(i) wherein said selected individual item is determined to be an item of a plurality of user selectable items for which corresponding information for said selected item is available for display for a user from said storage, said controller is configured to cause said corresponding information to display on said display screen for said item without requiring transmission of information to said hand held unit;

(ii) wherein said selected individual item is determined to be an item of a plurality of user selectable items for which corresponding information for said selected item is not available for display for a user from said storage said controller is configured to cause said hand held unit to automatically connect to a remote source via at least a said cellular telephone network to download current information corresponding to said selected item for display on said display screen, and

(iii) wherein said controller is configured to cause said automatic connection subsequent to processing a code associated with said selected item.

63. A telephone according to claim 56, wherein said telephone is operable utilizing said controller to process code which includes visible user readable text and is associated with a item;

wherein after selection of visible text of a said code by use of said sensor a said code is processed, and wherein after processing a said code, said display screen displays content or one or more images relating to said item associated with a said code.

64. A telephone according to claim 56, wherein said reception of information corresponding to selectable items to said database from a remote source via said antenna and a cellular telecommunications network is:

in response to a request transmitted via said antenna and a cellular telecommunications network to a remote source, wherein said request is to receive information to update information for one or more of said selectable items, and in response to a said transmission to receive from a remote source information to said database to have information for one or more items be up to date for a user.

65. A merchandising system comprising a telephone according to any of claims 56-64, wherein

(i) said display screen, cellular telecommunications interface and controller are operable to permit a user to shop for and order one or more merchandisable items for a user via a remote processing center, wherein said display screen is operable to display a plurality of user selectable items corresponding to merchandisable items available for purchase for a user, and

(ii) each of said one or more selected items which correspond to merchandisable items is individually selectable for ordering by selecting from a location on said display screen associated with a selected item via operation of a said sensor, and

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

66. A merchandising system comprising:

a portable data entry unit operable for use in and away from a user'"'"'s home;

said data entry unit comprising;

(A) a sensor operable by a user to input commands and/or information; and

(B) in addition to said sensor one or more mechanical switches operable by a user to input or select information in said data entry unit;

(C) a speaker;

(D) a antenna;

(E) a rechargeable power supply;

(F) said sensor coupled to a wireless communications interface to transmit command and/or data signals, said wireless communications interface coupled to said antenna and being operable to connect said data entry unit to a telecommunications network utilizing said antenna; and

(G) a display screen coupled to said sensor to display a plurality of user selectable items in response to input to said data entry unit via said sensor, and wherein said display screen, sensor, antenna, one or more mechanical switches, speaker, power supply, and wireless communications interface are part of a unitary assembly; and

wherein;

(H) said data entry unit is configured for a user to make a shopping selection and to request a product available for purchase via a remote processing center, wherein;

(i) by utilizing said communications interface said data entry unit is operable in response to user input;

to receive from a remote processing center via a telecommunications network a plurality of user selectable items which correspond to products available for purchase by a user,

(ii) wherein subsequent to said data entry unit receiving said plurality of user selectable items which correspond to products, said display screen is operable to display user selectable items which correspond to products,

(iii) wherein an item is individually selectable from said plurality of user selectable items which correspond to products via said sensor sensing coded data, wherein said coded data is;

a location of multiple locations selectable from said display screen, and said location corresponds to said individually selectable item which item is displayed along with other user selectable items,

(iv) by utilizing said wireless communications interface said data entry unit is operable to transmit via said antenna data relating to a selection of a item of said plurality of user selectable items which correspond to products to a remote processing center for requesting a product corresponding to said selected item, and

(v) subsequent to a said transmission said data entry unit is operable to receive information relating to a said request from a remote processing center via a telecommunications network to display on said display screen; and

(I) wherein further said data entry unit is configured to receive input of user readable characters including alphabetic characters via user input, wherein

(i) said display screen is operable to display a plurality of said characters in response to user input;

(ii) said data entry unit is configured to receive via user input a sequence of said characters in order to build up text which includes a plurality of alphabetic characters, wherein said display screen is operable to display said built up text; and

(iii) said built up text makes up a code which corresponds to a user selectable item, wherein said data entry unit is programmed to utilize a said code to retrieve information for said corresponding item to display on said display screen for a user.

67. A merchandising system comprising a portable data entry unit according to claim 66, wherein said sensor is a touch sensitive screen device.

68. A merchandising system comprising a portable data entry unit according to claim 66, wherein a said code corresponds to a product available for purchase.

70. A merchandising system comprising a portable data entry unit according to claim 66, additionally comprising:

a camera, wherein said camera is operable for use to capture a plurality of data for storage for later user access, wherein said data is an image or a representation of an image.

71. A merchandising system comprising a portable data entry unit according to claim 66, wherein said unit is operable in conjunction with a television display device, wherein said unit is operable to select an item of a plurality of items from a display of a television display device.