Electronic device incorporating a generic user interface

1. An electronic device comprising:

a generic user interface, wherein said generic user interface includes a plurality of components and a main housing that incorporates said plurality of components;

a first module comprising a first group of components, wherein said first module is physically adapted for detachable mechanical coupling to said main housing and detachable electrical coupling to at least some of said plurality of components of said generic user interface; and

a second module comprising a second group of components, wherein said second module is physically adapted for detachable mechanical coupling to said main housing and detachable electrical coupling to at least some of said plurality of components of said generic user interface; wherein:

a. when said first module is electrically coupled to said some components, said electronic device operates in accordance with a first mode of operation;

b. when said second module is electrically coupled to said some components, said electronic device operates in accordance with a second mode of operation;

c. said generic user interface must be coupled to at least one of said first module and said second module to operate; and

d. said electronic device that is formed by coupling said generic user interface and said one module comprises a standalone device that is fully and independently operational.

2. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein said plurality of components comprises one or more components selected from the group consisting of a keypad, a speaker, a display, a battery and a microphone.

3. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein said first group of components comprises a memory device, an antenna, and a CPU.

4. The electronic device of claim 3 wherein said first mode of operation comprises operating as a wireless terminal handset.

5. The electronic device of claim 4 wherein said second group of components comprises a lens.

6. The electronic device of claim 5 wherein said second mode of operation comprises operating as a digital camera.

7. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein in said first mode of operation, said electronic device operates as a wireless terminal operating with a protocol selected from the group consisting of GSM, CDMA, TDMA, PHS, and wherein in said second mode of operation, said electronic device operates as a device selected from the group consisting of a personal digital assistant, a player of MP3 files, a cordless phone, a GPS device, a remote control, a digital camera, a digital radio, a handheld computer, a satellite receiver and a portable scanner.

8. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein in a first mode of operation, said electronic device operates as a digital camera, and wherein in said second mode of operation, said electronic device operates as a device selected from the group consisting of a personal digital assistant, a player of MP3 files, a cordless phone, a GPS device, a remote control, a digital radio, a handheld computer, a satellite receiver and a portable scanner.

9. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein said plurality of components includes a battery that is disposed within said main housing.

10. The electronic device of claim 9 wherein said first module comprises a first housing and said second module comprises a second housing, and wherein said first housing and said second housing is shaped like a detachable battery pack of a conventional wireless terminal handset.

11. The electronic device of claim 10 wherein said first housing and said second housing comprise electromagnetic shielding.

12. The electronic device of claim 1 further comprising an electrical interface by which said generic user interface electrically couples to said first module and said second module, wherein said electrical interface comprises identification pins, wherein said pins enable said generic user interface and said first module to recognize each other and enable said generic user interface and said second module to recognize each other.

13. The electronic device of claim 12 further comprising means for turning off components that are part of said generic user interface and that are not required for said first mode of operation or that are not required for said second mode of operation.

14. An electronic device comprising a first module, said first module having:

a first housing that is structured and dimensioned for detachable coupling to a generic user interface that has a plurality of components, wherein said plurality of components are used to operate said electronic device in a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation; and

a first group of components contained within said first housing, wherein, when said first housing is coupled to said generic user interface, said first group of components electrically couple to a first portion of said plurality of components; wherein:

a. when said first housing is coupled to said generic user interface, said first group of components and said portion of said plurality of components are interoperable to provide one of either said first mode of operation or said second mode of operation;

b. said electronic device cannot operate unless said first portion of said plurality of components in said generic user interface are coupled to said first group of components or a second portion of said plurality of components in said generic user interface are coupled to a second group of components that contained in a second housing of a second module; and

c. said electronic device that is formed when said first housing is coupled to said generic user interface comprises a standalone device that is fully and independently operational.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising a second module, said second module having:

a second housing that is structured and dimensioned for detachable coupling to a generic user interface, and

a second group of components contained within said second housing, wherein, when said second housing is coupled to said generic user interface, said second group of components electrically couple to a second portion of said plurality of components.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein when said first housing is coupled to said generic user interface, said electronic device operates in said first mode of operation, and when said second housing is coupled to said generic user interface, said electronic device operates in said second mode of operation.

17. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said electronic device is a non-portable electronic device.