That's pretty similar to what I was searching for recently, and picked up the 
Kanda handleld programmer.  Difference from what you describe are:
(1) Parallel instead of USB port.
(2) Only 1 program (hex file) at a time.

For (1) adapters can be found, though it doesn't matter to me since I still 
use an older computer with a parallel port for PIC development.
For (2) I poked around and saw that it uses an Atmel EEPROM, which I assume 
holds the program.  I intend (though haven't yet tried) to build a small 
adapter board that holds 8 or 16 such EEPROMs all "paralleled" together, 
except for the chip-select pins, which I can control thru dip switches, a 
4-bit hex thumbwheel switch (with some logic) or perhaps a small PIC circuit 
to create an UP/DOWN function with 2 switches.

But if something like this were already commercially available at a fair 
price, I'd be interested.

-Neil.


On Monday 05 March 2007 15:10, Bob Axtell wrote:
> I will be busy with pure engineering tasks and won't be
> able to do much PIC stuff anymore so I wanted to pass onto my
> PIClist friends some possible ways to make a few bucks
> through the use of your PIC talents. This is one:
>
> Portable PIC Programmer
>
> Similar to what Tony Nixon was trying to do with his
> "Pocket Programmer", there is a market for a truly portable
> PIC production programmer. The market is not only production
> but also field service (to make field updates). I believe this
> market can be as large as $USD 100K the first year,  at a cost
> of $200ea, and become $USD 1M+ within 3 years.
>
> It must be able to be loaded from a USB port on a WinXP laptop,
> data stored in smaller SD card, storing at least 32 files. To be easy to
> control, it probably would need a 2 x 16 LCD display. Needs to  be NiMH
> powered, with built-in charger which can accept walwart or automotive
> charging source. Primarily ICSP but a small 40ZIF as an adaptor might
> make it easier to sell.
>
> - - -
>
> There are more.
>
> --Bob
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