Mobile computing device with integrated input device

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.

What is claimed is: 
     
       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 mobile computing device comprising:
 a housing;   a display disposed within the housing;   an input device capable of being actuated and disposed within the housing, wherein the input device can be pressed in a continuum of directions to provide directional input, the continuum of directions including at least eight directions; and   computing electronics disposed within the housing and coupled to the display and the input device, the computing electronics being configured to receive signals from the input device in response to the input device being pressed in the continuum of directions, the computing electronics being further configured to run an electronic calendar application and a document viewing application,   wherein the mobile computing device comprises a cellular telephone.    
     
     
       15. The mobile computing device of claim 14, wherein the computing electronics provide inputs to the display based on the received signals.  
     
     
       16. The mobile computing device of claim 14, wherein the computing electronics are configured to synchronize personal information management data on the mobile computing device with a computer.  
     
     
       17. The mobile computing device of claim 14, wherein the display is a touch-sensitive display.  
     
     
       18. The mobile computing device of claim 14, wherein the mobile computing device is a handheld computing device.  
     
     
       19. A mobile computing device comprising:
 a housing;   an input device capable of being actuated and disposed in the housing, wherein the input device can be pressed in a continuum of directions to provide directional input, the continuum of directions including at least eight directions; and   computing electronics disposed within the housing and coupled to the input device, the computing electronics configured to receive signals from the input device in response to the input device being pressed in the continuum of directions, the computing electronics being further configured to run a plurality of applications, the plurality of applications including at least an electronic calendar application or a document viewing application.    
     
     
       20. The mobile computing device of claim 19, further comprising a display,
 wherein the computing electronics provide inputs to the display based on the received signals.    
     
     
       21. The mobile computing device of claim 19, wherein the mobile computing device comprises a cellular telephone.  
     
     
       22. The mobile computing device of claim 19, wherein the input device comprises a flat button that is circular in shape.  
     
     
       23. The mobile computing device of claim 20, wherein the display is a touch-sensitive display.  
     
     
       24. A handheld computer comprising:
 a housing;   a display disposed within the housing;   an input device capable of being actuated and disposed within the housing, wherein the input device can be depressed in a continuum of directions to provide directional input, the continuum of directions including at least eight directions; and   computing electronics disposed within the housing and coupled to the input device, the computing electronics configured to receive signals from the input device in response to the input device being pressed in the continuum of directions, the computing electronics being further configured to run an electronic calendar application and a document viewing application.    
     
     
       25. The handheld computer of claim 24, wherein the display is a touch-sensitive display.  
     
     
       26. The handheld computer of claim 24, wherein the computing electronics are configured to provide inputs to the display based on receiving signals corresponding to the continuum of directions.  
     
     
       27. The handheld computer of claim 24, wherein the input device comprises a flat button that is circular in shape.  
     
     
       28. The handheld computer of claim 24, wherein the computing electronics are further configured to run a gaming application.