Abstract: A preferred embodiment of a hand-held radio frequency identification reader includes a first casing suitable for being grasped by a user, a second casing, and a transceiver housed within one of the first and second casings. The reader also includes an antenna housed within the second casing and communicatively coupled to the transceiver for communicatively coupling the reader to a radio frequency identification tag. The second casing is movably coupled to the first casing so that the second casing can be aligned with the radio frequency identification tag to substantially maximize a read distance of the reader while the first casing is held in a substantially fixed position in relation to the radio frequency identification tag.

Abstract: Embodiments of systems include a capsule that houses one or more peripheral devices, such as radios, capable of being used with hand-held computing devices such as RFID tag readers. A receptacle can be mounted on the hand-held computing device. The receptacle receives the capsule. Electrical connectors on the capsule and the receptacle mate when the receptacle is received by the receptacle, to electrically connect the peripheral device and the hand-held computing device. A seal is provided to prevent infiltration of water, dust, and other contaminates into the electrical connectors. A portion of the capsule is exposed when the capsule is located in the receptacle, to accommodate external antennas, connectors, optical ports, etc. that may be required by the peripheral device.