Integrated joypad for handheld computer

Abstract

A handheld computer is disclosed. The handheld computer is configured with a housing, a display supported in the housing, and computing electronics supported in the housing and configured to communicate with the display. The handheld computer disclosed also includes an integrated input device configured to provide input to the handheld computer. The input device provides different input signals to the computing electronics dependent upon a directional movement provided by a user. The input device is configured to communicate more than four distinct directional movements from a user to the computing electronics. Further, the handheld computer disclosed may include a joystick coupler which is integrated into a joypad. The joypad coupler is configured to receive at least a portion of the stylus which is configured to act as a joystick.

1. A handheld computer, comprising:
 a housing;  
 a display supported by the housing, the display being a touch screen display configured to be used with a stylus;  
 computing electronics supported by the housing and configured to communicate with the display; and  
 an integrated input device configured to provide input to the handheld computer, the input device providing different input signals to the computing electronics dependent on a directional movement provided by a user, the input device configured to communicate more than four distinct directional movements from a user to the computing electronics;  
 wherein the integrated input device includes a receptacle for coupling a graspable portion thereto, the input device providing input signals based on movement of the graspable portion when the graspable portion is coupled in the receptacle, at least a portion of the stylus is configured to be coupled to the integrated input device and a first portion of the stylus is configured to be unscrewed from a second portion of the stylus and the first portion of the stylus is configured to be screwed into the receptacle.  
 
     
     
       2. The handheld computer of  claim 1 , wherein the integrated input device is a pad. 
     
     
       3. The handheld computer of  claim 1 , wherein the integrated input device is a button. 
     
     
       4. The handheld computer of  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle includes an aperture. 
     
     
       5. A handheld computer, comprising:
 a housing;  
 a display supported by the housing, the display being a touch screen display configured to be used with a stylus;  
 computing electronics supported by the housing and configured to communicate with the display; and  
 an integrated input device configured to provide input to the handheld computer, the input device providing different input signals to the computing electronics dependent on a directional movement provided by a user, the input device configured to communicate more than four distinct directional movements from a user to the computing electronics;  
 wherein the integrated input device includes a receptacle for coupling a graspable portion thereto, the input device providing input signals based on movement of the graspable portion when the graspable portion is coupled in the receptacle, at least a portion of the stylus is configured to be coupled to the integrated input device and a first portion of the stylus is configured to be unsnapped from a second portion of the stylus and the first portion of the stylus is configured to be snapped into the receptacle aperture.  
 
     
     
       6. A handheld computer, comprising:
 a housing;  
 data processing electronics disposed within the housing;  
 a display disposed in the housing and coupled to the data processing electronics, the display including a touch screen configured to be used with a stylus;  
 a joypad coupled to the data processing electronics and configured to communicate signals to the data processing electronics dependent on the direction in which the joypad is moved, the joypad being movably integrated into the housing; and  
 a joystick coupler integrated into the joypad, the joystick coupler configured to receive at least a portion of the stylus which is configured to act as a joystick.  
 
     
     
       7. The handheld computer of  claim 6 , wherein the joystick coupler includes a screw thread. 
     
     
       8. The handheld computer of  claim 6 , wherein the joystick coupler includes a flexible fitting. 
     
     
       9. The handheld computer of  claim 6 , wherein the joypad is configured to communicate signals corresponding to eight discrete directional user inputs. 
     
     
       10. A method of assembling a joystick for a handheld computer, comprising:
 providing a handheld computer with a joystick receptacle;  
 providing a stylus having a detachable portion;  
 detaching a detachable portion from the stylus; and  
 coupling the detachable portion to the receptacle.  
 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10 , wherein the joystick receptacle is part of a joypad integrated into the handheld computer. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 10 , wherein the receptacle includes a screw thread. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 10 , wherein the detachable portion is the stylus tip. 
     
     
       14. A handheld computer, comprising:
   a housing configured to be carried by a user while the handheld computer is in use;        data processing electronics disposed within the housing and configured to synchronize personal information management data on the handheld computer with a computer;        a display screen disposed within the housing and coupled to the data processing electronics;        a joypad coupled to the data processing electronics and configured to communicate signals to the data processing electronics dependent on the direction in which the joypad is moved, the joypad being movably integrated into the housing; and        an input device disposed in an aperture in the joypad.     
     
     
       15. The handheld computer of  claim 14 , wherein the data processing electronics further include an electronic calendar application and a word processing application. 
     
     
       16. The handheld computer of  claim 14 , wherein the input device comprises a button. 
     
     
       17. The handheld computer of  claim 14 , wherein the handheld computer comprises a cellular phone. 
     
     
       18. The handheld computer of  claim 14 , further comprising at least one input button for automatically launching an application configured to run on the data processing electronics. 
     
     
       19. The handheld computer of  claim 14 , wherein the data processing electronics are configured to download software to be run on the data processing electronics. 
     
     
       20. A handheld computer, comprising:
   a housing configured to be carried by a user while in the handheld computer is in use;        data processing electronics disposed within the housing and configured to synchronize personal information management data on the handheld computer with a computer;        a display screen disposed within the housing and coupled to the data processing electronics;        a joypad coupled to the data processing electronics and moveable in at least four directions, the joypad configured to communicate signals to the data processing electronics dependent on the direction in which the joypad is moved, the joypad being movably integrated into the housing; and        an input device disposed in an aperture in the joypad.     
     
     
       21. The handheld computer of  claim 20 , wherein the handheld computer comprises a cellular phone. 
     
     
       22. The handheld computer of  claim 20 , further comprising at least one input button for automatically launching an application configured to run on the data processing electronics. 
     
     
       23. The handheld computer of  claim 22 , wherein the application is an electronic calendar application. 
     
     
       24. The handheld computer of  claim 20 , wherein the data processing electronics are configured to download software to be run on the data processing electronics.