Game controller for a pivotable handheld computing device

Abstract

A game controller for a handheld computing device is disclosed. The game controller includes a body portion and a cradle pivotally attached to the body portion. The cradle configured and arranged to hold a handheld computing device therein. A number of controls are located on the body portion. A circuit is included that is configured and arranged to detect the state of the controls and transmit the state to the handheld computing device.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A game controller, comprising:
 a body portion   a cradle pivotally attached to the body portion, the cradle configured and arranged to hold a handheld computing device therein;   a plurality of controls on the body portion; and   a circuit configured and arranged to detect the state of the plurality of controls and transmit the state of the plurality of controls to the handheld computing device.   
     
     
         2 . The game controller of  claim 1 , wherein the cradle is pivotable to a landscape orientation and a portrait orientation. 
     
     
         3 . The game controller of  claim 1 , wherein the cradle includes an elastic lip configured and arranged to receive a handheld computing device therein. 
     
     
         4 . The game controller of  claim 1 , wherein the cradle includes a raised mounting point surrounded by a collar and the body portion includes a seat for receiving the mounting pointing point and collar. 
     
     
         5 . The game controller of  claim 4 , wherein the collar rotates on a circular track in the seat and further includes a ball detent that engages a stop in the circular track. 
     
     
         6 . The game controller of  claim 4 , further comprising a pair of semi-circular raised lips partially surrounding the collar. 
     
     
         7 . The game controller of  claim 4 , wherein the seat further includes an annular wall received between the collar fitting and the raised mounting point. 
     
     
         8 . The game controller of  claim 1 , wherein the cradle is pivotally mounted to the body portion via an axle that is passed through an aperture on the body portion and into an aperture on the cradle. 
     
     
         9 . The game controller of  claim 1 , wherein the cradle further includes a recess configured and arranged to receive the handheld computing device therein. 
     
     
         10 . The game controller of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of controls are selected from the group consisting essentially of D-Pad, button and trigger. 
     
     
         11 . A game controller, comprising:
 a body portion   a cradle pivotally attached to the body portion wherein the cradle is pivotable to a landscape orientation and a portrait orientation; the cradle configured and arranged to hold a handheld computing device therein;   a plurality of controls on the body portion; and   a circuit configured and arranged to detect the state of the plurality of controls and transmit the state of the plurality of controls to the handheld computing device.   
     
     
         12 . The game controller of  claim 11 , wherein the cradle includes an elastic lip configured and arranged to receive a handheld computing device therein. 
     
     
         13 . The game controller of  claim 11 , wherein the cradle includes a ball detent that selectively engages a stop on the body portion to selectively lock the cradle in the portrait and the landscape orientations. 
     
     
         14 . The game controller of  claim 11 , wherein the cradle is pivotally mounted to the body portion via an axle that is passed through an aperture on the body portion and into an aperture on the cradle. 
     
     
         15 . The game controller of  claim 11 , wherein the cradle further includes a recess configured and arranged to receive the handheld computing device therein. 
     
     
         16 . A game controller, comprising:
 a body portion   a cradle pivotally attached to the body portion, the cradle including a recess surrounded by an elastic lip configured and arranged to hold a handheld computing device therein;   a plurality of controls on the body portion; and   a circuit configured and arranged to detect the state of the plurality of controls and transmit the state of the plurality of controls to the handheld computing device.   
     
     
         17 . The game controller of  claim 16 , wherein the cradle is pivotable to a landscape orientation and a portrait orientation. 
     
     
         18 . The game controller of  claim 16 , wherein the cradle is pivotally mounted to the body portion via an axle that is passed through an aperture on the body portion and into an aperture on the cradle. 
     
     
         19 . The game controller of  claim 11 , wherein the cradle includes a ball detent that selectively engages a stop on the body portion to selectively lock the cradle in the portrait and the landscape orientations.