Detachable securement of an accessory device to a handheld computer

A portable computing assembly comprising:

• a handheld computer including a front and a back, the front providing access to a touch-screen display, a pair of opposing lateral edges defining a width of the handheld computer, and a top edge and a bottom edge defining a length of the handheld computer, the handheld computer including an opening, the handheld computer including a first connector to provide communications to and from the handheld computer;
• and
• an accessory device slideably engageable with the opening to detachably secure the accessory device to the handheld computer, a front surface and a back surface, a pair of opposing lateral sides and a top edge and a bottom edge, the pair of opposing lateral sides defining a width of the accessory device, and the top edge and the bottom edge defining a length of the accessory device, the front surface extending the length and width of the accessory device, the accessory device being dimensioned to insert at least partially into the opening of the handheld computer so that a bulk portion of the accessory device extends beyond the back of the handheld computer, the accessory device including a second connector to detachably couple the accessory device to the handheld computer.

A portable computing assembly comprising:

• a handheld computer including a front and a back, the front providing access to a touch-screen display, a pair of opposing lateral edges defining a width of the handheld computer, and a top edge and a bottom edge defining a length of the handheld computer, the handheld computer including an opening to receive at least a portion of the accessory device;
• and
• an accessory device slideably engageable with the opening to engage a coupling into the handheld computer, the accessory device being dimensioned to insert at least partially into the opening of the handheld computer so that a bulk portion of the accessory device extends beyond the back of the handheld computer.

An accessory device for a handheld computer, the handheld computer including a front face having a display, a back face, a pair of opposing lateral edges defining a width of the handheld computer, and a top edge and a bottom edge defining a length of the handheld computer, wherein the accessory device comprises:

• a housing shaped to be slideably received within an opening of the handheld computer;
• a means for detachably securing the accessory device to the handheld computer when the accessory device is slideably inserted into the recess of the handheld computer,
• wherein the housing is dimensioned so that a portion of the housing extends beyond the back face of the handheld computer.