Casing

1. A reusable casing for a personal portable communication device having an operating face carrying a user interface including a plurality of user input elements, the casing comprising:

a plurality of housing elements configured to define a cavity for receiving an engine providing the electronic functionality of the device and a battery for powering the engine;

attaching elements configured to releasably attach the housing elements one to another to provide access to the cavity for receiving the engine;

a dividing member configured to define a battery cavity accessible to the user and an engine cavity, the dividing member accommodating a connection between the battery and the engine, wherein the dividing member is replaceable to provide different respective volumes for the battery and engine cavities;

mounts configured to removably mount the engine within the engine cavity; and

mounts configured to removably mount the battery within the battery cavity.

2. A reusable casing according to claim 1 wherein the battery and the engine are displaced along the length of the casing.

3. A reusable casing according to claim 1 wherein the design of replacement housing elements configured to receive the engine and battery is dependent upon the size and shape of a second engine and battery pair.

4. A reusable casing according to claim 1 wherein the battery cavity is accessible to a user for replacing a battery.

5. A reusable casing according to claim 1 wherein the user interface comprises a display.

6. A personal portable communication device comprising an engine and a reusable casing according to claim 1 .

7. A personal portable communication device according to claim 6 wherein the casing is provided with external connectors allowing for greater capability than is provided for by the functionality of the engine.

8. A personal portable communication device according to claim 6 wherein at least one of the connectors is free from signals.

9. Use of a casing of a portable communication device having an operating face carrying a user interface including a plurality of user input elements, a first removable engine having hardware providing a predetermined processing capability for supporting electronic functionality of the device, and a dividing member configured to define a battery cavity and an engine cavity within the portable communication device, the battery cavity being accessible to a user, wherein the dividing member is replaceable to provide different respective volumes for the battery and engine cavities, the use being for housing a second engine in place of the first engine, having hardware defining a different predetermined processing capability to the first engine such that a portable communication device having different operational characteristics is produced.

10. A method of modifying a portable communication device having an operating face carrying a user interface including a plurality of user input elements, hardware providing a predetermined processing capability for supporting electronic functionality of the device, and a dividing member configured to define a battery cavity and an engine cavity within the portable communication device, the battery cavity being accessible to a user, the method comprising:

removing the engine from the casing;

replacing the dividing member to provide different respective volumes for the battery and engine cavities; and

replacing the engine with another engine having hardware providing a different predetermined processing capability.

11. A kit of parts for a reusable portable communication device comprising:

a casing having an operating face carrying a user interface including a plurality of user input elements, the casing defining a cavity for receiving an engine providing the electronic functionality of the device and a battery for powering the engine; and

a dividing member configured to define a battery cavity accessible to the user and an engine cavity, wherein the dividing member is replaceable to provide different respective volumes for the battery and engine cavities.

12. A reusable casing for a personal portable communication device having an operating face carrying a user interface including a plurality of user input elements, the casing comprising:

housing elements defining a cavity for receiving an engine providing the electronic functionality of the device and a battery for powering the engine;

attaching elements configured to releasably attach the housing elements one to another to provide access to the cavity for receiving the engine;

a dividing member configured to define a battery cavity accessible to the user and an engine cavity, the dividing member accommodating a connection between the battery and the engine, wherein the dividing member is replaceable to provide different respective volumes for the battery and engine cavities;

mounts configured to removably mount the engine within the engine cavity; and

mounts configured to removably mount the battery within the battery cavity.

13. A reusable casing for a personal portable communication device having an operating face carrying a user interface including a plurality of user input elements, the casing comprising:

housing elements defining a cavity for receiving an engine providing the electronic functionality of the device and a battery for powering the engine;

attaching elements configured to releasably attach the housing elements one to another to provide access to the cavity for receiving the engine;

a dividing member configured to define a battery cavity accessible to the user and an engine cavity, the dividing member accommodating a connection between the battery and the engine, wherein the dividing member is replaceable to provide different respective volumes for the battery and engine cavities;

mounts configured to removably mount the engine within the engine cavity; and

mounts configured to removably mount the battery within the battery cavity, wherein the battery and the engine are located in different portions along the length of the casing.

14. A reusable casing for a personal portable communication device having an operating face carrying a user interface including a plurality of user input elements, the casing comprising:

housing elements defining a cavity for receiving an engine providing the electronic functionality of the device and a cavity for receiving a battery for powering the engine;

attaching elements configured to releasably attach the housing elements to one another to provide access to the cavity for receiving the engine;

a dividing member configured to define a battery cavity accessible to the user and an engine cavity, wherein the dividing member is replaceable to provide different respective volumes for the battery and engine cavities; and

mounts configured to removably mount the battery within the battery cavity and mounts configured to removably mount the engine within the engine cavity.

15. A reusable casing according to claim 14 , wherein the housing elements defining the engine cavity permit placement of engines with predetermined processing capabilities that are different.

16. A reusable casing for a personal portable communication device having an operating face carrying a user interface including a plurality of user input elements, the casing comprising:

means for defining a cavity for receiving an engine providing the electronic functionality of the device and a battery for powering the engine;

means for releasably attaching the means for defining a cavity one to another to provide access to the cavity for receiving the engine;

dividing means for defining a battery cavity accessible to the user and an engine cavity, the dividing means accommodating a connection between the battery and the engine, wherein the dividing means is replaceable to provide different respective volumes for the battery and engine cavities;

mounting means for removably mounting the engine within the engine cavity; and

mounting means for removably mounting the battery within the battery cavity.