Method and apparatus for using a software configurable connector to connect a palmtop computer having a custom port to a host having a standard port

An integrated peripheral device for a palmtop computer, said palmtop computer having a customized port for communicating with a host computer, said host computer having a standardized port and running a standardized operating system, said customized port using signal levels different from signal levels in said standardized port, said integrated peripheral device comprising:

• a connector for connecting to said customized port of said palmtop computer, said connector, using signal levels compatible with said signal levels of said customized port, being configured by software of said integrated peripheral device;
• a programmable device for storing said software in a non-volatile manner;
• means for providing storage for said integrated peripheral device, said means for providing storage using a data format compatible with said standardized operating system of said host computer;
• and
• means, coupled to said connector, said programmable device and said means for providing storage, for controlling data transfer between said means for providing storage and said palmtop computer via a connection at said connector, in accordance with said software stored in said programmable device.