Adapter unit for a personal digital assistant having automatically configurable application buttons

1. A method for automatically changing the functionality of an application button on a personal digital assistant (PDA) from a first function to a second function, the personal digital assistant having a processor and an expansion connector, the method comprising the steps of:

a) providing an adapter unit having a housing configured to be detachably secured to the personal digital assistant and an adapter connector for engaging with said expansion connector of the personal digital assistant;

b) storing in said adapter a configuration agent containing information related to changing the functionality of the application button from the first function to the second function;

c) securing said adapter unit to the personal digital assistant, wherein said expansion connector engages said adapter connector allowing said information stored in said configuration agent to be communicated to the personal digital assistant;

d) processing in the PDA's processor said information stored in said configuration agent; and

e) automatically changing the functionality of the application button from said first function to said second function after the PDA's processor processes said information stored in said configuration agent.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said method further includes the steps of storing a polling agent on the personal digital assistant, and determining, based on said polling agent, whether said expansion connector is engaged or disengaged with said adapter connector.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein said method further includes the step of:

a) disengaging said expansion connector from said adapter connector;

b) automatically changing the functionality of the application button from said second function to said first function in response to said determining step.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein said adapter unit includes a product identification reader and wherein said second function relates to a trigger for activating said product identification reader.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein said product identification reader is a bar code reader.

6. The method of claim 4 , wherein said product identification reader is an imager.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein said adapter unit includes a wireless radio and wherein said second function relates to transmitting information over said wireless radio.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein said information stored in said configuration agent comprises a program for changing the functionality of one or more of the application buttons on the PDA.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein said program changes application button mappings within the PDA.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein said information stored in said configuration agent comprises an identification code for identifying the adapter unit.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein said information stored in said configuration agent comprises reconfiguration data for use by the PDA's processor.

12. A system for automatically configuring the functionality of an application button on a personal digital assistant from a first function to a second function, the personal digital assistant having an expansion connector, the system comprising;

a) an adapter unit having a housing configured to be detachably secured to the personal digital assistant and an adapter connector configured for engagement with said expansion connector of the personal digital assistant; and

b) a configuration agent that stores information related to changing the functionality of the application button, said configuration agent is accessible by the PDA's processor; and

c) a communications link between the personal digital assistant and the adapter unit wherein the personal digital assistant can access said information related to changing the functionality of the application button and wherein the functionality of the application button automatically changes from said first function to said second function.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the system further comprises a polling agent on the personal digital assistant for determining whether said expansion connector is engaged with said adapter connector.

14. The system of claim 12 wherein said information stored in said configuration agent comprises a program for changing the functionality of one or more of the application buttons on the PDA.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein said program changes application button mappings within the PDA.

16. The system of claim 12 , wherein said adapter unit includes a product identification reader and wherein said second function relates to a trigger for activating said product identification reader.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein said product identification reader is a bar code reader.

18. The system of claim 16 wherein said product identification reader is an imager.

19. The system of claim 12 , wherein said adapter unit includes a wireless radio and wherein said second function relates to transmitting information over said wireless radio.

20. The system of claim 12 , wherein said information stored in said configuration agent comprises an identification code for identifying the adapter unit.

21. The system of claim 12 , wherein said information stored in said configuration agent comprises reconfiguration data.

22. A method for automatically changing the functionality of an application button on a personal digital assistant, the personal digital assistant having an expansion connector for communicating with an adapter unit, said adapter unit having a housing configured to be detachably secured to the personal digital assistant and an adapter connector for engaging with said expansion connector of the personal digital assistant, the method comprising the steps of:

a) storing in said personal digital assistant a polling agent for polling said adapter unit and a configuration agent for changing the functionality of the application button;

b) storing in said adapter unit an identification code associated with said adapter unit;

c) securing said adapter unit to the personal digital assistant;

d) polling said adapter unit wherein the personal digital assistant can access said identification code;

e) automatically changing the functionality of the application button to a function associated with said identification code.

23. The method of claim 22 , wherein after the personal digital assistant determines said identification code, the personal digital assistant accesses a database for determining reconfiguration data associated with said identification code.

24. The method of claim 22 , wherein said adapter unit includes a product identification reader and wherein the changed functionality of the application button relates to a trigger for activating said product identification reader.

25. The method of claim 24 , wherein said product identification reader is a bar code reader.

26. The method of claim 24 , wherein said product identification reader is an imager.

27. The method of claim 22 , wherein said adapter unit includes a wireless radio and wherein the changed functionality of the application button relates to transmitting information over said wireless radio.

28. The method of claim 22 , further including the steps of:

a) detaching said adapter unit from the personal digital assistant;

b) determining said detachment of said adapter unit from the personal digital assistant;

c) automatically changing the functionality of the application button in response to said determining step.