Protective case and keyboard system for a handheld computer

A protective case for a handhold computer device comprising:

• a rear panel having an inner surface and an outer surface;
• a docking port coupled to a bottom edge of said rear panel and configured to receive a handhold computer device in mated relation as said handhold computer device is received and supported on said inner surface of said rear panel,
• said docking port including a first electrical connector adjacent said inner surface of said rear panel and configured to mate with a corresponding I/O connector on said handheld computer device, and a second electrical connector adjacent said outer surface of said roar panel, said docking port and said second electrical connector being configured to mate with a corresponding electrical connector on a docking cradle configured for use with said handhold computer device while said handheld computer device is received in mated relation with said docking port, said second electrical connector being in electrical communication with said first electrical connector such that said connector in said docking cradle is in electrical communication with said electrical connector on said handheld computer device;
• and
• a front panel having an inner surface and an outer surface,
• said front panel having a top edge pivotally coupled to said bottom edge of said rear panel adjacent said docking port,
• said front panel including a keyboard assembly including a plurality of keys disposed on said inner surface thereof,
• said keyboard being in electrical communication with said first electrical connector;
• said front panel being pivotally movable between a closed position wherein said inner surface thereof is received in closely spaced facing relation to a display surface of said handheld computer device, and an open position wherein said outer surface thereof is received on a supporting surface, said keyboard is oriented for data entry, and said rear panel is oriented at an angle relative to said supporting surface,
• said front and rear panels having outer peripheral edges substantially conforming to corresponding outer peripheral edges of said handheld computer device.