Integrated joypad for handheld computer
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.
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The invention relates to input devices typically used in handheld computing devices. In particular, the invention relates to an integrated joypad for a handheld computer. The integrated joypad is configured with a receptacle for receiving a graspable portion, such as a section of the stylus used with the handheld computer. The graspable portion of the stylus connected to the joypad receptacle is configured to form a joystick.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONHandheld computing devices, “palmtops”, “palmhelds”, personal digital assistants (PDAs), or handheld computers typically weigh less than a pound and fit in a pocket. These handhelds generally provide some combination of personal information management, database functions, word processing, and spreadsheets. Because of the small size and portability of handhelds, strict adherence to hardware constraints, such as input device hardware, must be maintained. It is conventional to have buttons on the handheld computer for providing user input to the handheld computer. Further, the buttons may be configured to be used for the playing of game software and/or navigating through application software.
Other conventional implementations of input devices for handheld computers include attachable joystick devices that may be attached onto the front face of the handheld computer.
Accordingly, there is a need for an integrated joypad for a handheld computer. Further, there is a need for an integrated joypad for a handheld computer which allows for the attachability of a portion of a stylus to create a joystick device.
The teachings herein below extend to those embodiments which fall within the scope of the appended claims, regardless of whether they accomplish one or more of the above mentioned needs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAn exemplary embodiment relates to a handheld computer. The handheld computer includes a housing and a display supported by the housing. The handheld computer also includes computing electronics supported by the housing and configured to communicate with the display. The handheld computer further 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 on 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.
Another exemplary embodiment relates to a handheld computer. The handheld computer includes a housing, data processing electronics disposed within the housing, and a display disposed in the housing and coupled to the data processing electronics. The display includes a touch screen configured to be used with a stylus. The handheld computer also includes 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 is moveably integrated into the housing. Further, the handheld computer includes a joystick coupler integrated into the joypad. The joypad coupler is configured to receive at least a portion of the stylus which is configured to act as a joystick.
Further, an exemplary embodiment relates to a joystick device for a handheld computer. The handheld computer is configured to be used with a stylus. The joystick device includes an input device integrated into the handheld computer. The joystick device also includes a coupler integrated into the input device configured to couple at least a portion of the stylus to the input device.
Further still, an exemplary embodiment relates to a method of assembling a joystick for a handheld computer. The method includes providing a handheld computer with a joystick receptacle. The method also includes providing a stylus having a detachable portion. The method further includes detaching a detachable portion from the stylus. Further still, the method includes coupling the detachable portion to the receptacle.
The invention will become more fully understood from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements, in which:
Referring to
Preferably, handheld computer 100 includes interactive hardware and software that performs functions such as maintaining calendars, phone lists, task lists, notepads, calculation applications, spreadsheets, games, and other applications capable of running on a computing device. Handheld computer 100, shown in
Referring again to
Accessory device 110 may be one of several types of accessories, such as, but not limited to, a desktop synchronization cradle device for serial and/or wireless data communications, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) device, or other communication device. Accessory device 110 may include one or more ports for parallel and/or serial data transfer with other computers or data networks. Handheld computer 100 may use the accessory device 110 for the purpose of downloading and uploading software such as, but not limited to, game software and for synchronizing data on handheld computer 100 with a personal computer, for example. In an exemplary embodiment, accessory device 110 couples to handheld computer 100 through an electrical connector located at a bottom portion of handheld computer 100. Button 155 on accessory 110 may effectuate an electrical connection between accessory device 110 and handheld computer 100 when the two are connected.
In an exemplary embodiment, handheld computer 100 may include an integrated joypad 125. Integrated joypad 125 may be a finger or thumb actuated button (see
In an exemplary embodiment, joypad 125 is integrated into handheld computer 100 such that it is movably supported by housing 130 or such that is movable within an aperture in housing 130. Because joypad 125 is configured to communicate directional input by a user in a plurality of directions, joypad 125 is useful as an input device for game programs or other applications which may be running on handheld computer 100 and for navigating around display 113.
Conventionally, for gaming, users utilize a plurality of keys 117 integrated into the housing of handheld computer 100 for providing directional input. However, keys 117 do not enable a user to provide a plurality of directional inputs, nor is there a direction (or location) associated with each key that is intuitive to a user in a way that a joypad such as joypad 125 or a joystick provides. Further, conventionally, users utilize a combination of inputs on a touch screen by a stylus as well as directional inputs from a plurality of buttons such as buttons 117 (see
In an exemplary embodiment, joypad 125 also includes a receptacle 128 for coupling of a graspable portion 230 (see
Referring now to
During use, should a user wish to transition from using the stylus as a writing or pointing device for handheld computer 100, a user detaches tip 230 from stylus 200 by unscrewing tip 230 from body 210. The user then screws threaded portion 235 of tip 230 into receptacle 128. Receptacle 128 preferably has a screw thread therein configured to accept threaded portion 235.
While the detailed drawings, specific examples and particular formulations given describe exemplary embodiments, they serve the purpose of illustration only. The hardware and software configurations shown and described may differ depending on the chosen performance characteristics and physical characteristics of the computing devices. For example, the type of computing device, input device buttons, or configuration used may differ. The systems shown and described are not limited to the precise details and conditions disclosed. Furthermore, other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.
Claims
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.
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Type: Grant
Filed: Oct 18, 2006
Date of Patent: Jun 16, 2009
Assignee: Palm, Inc. (Sunnyvale, CA)
Inventors: Hatem Oueslati (Lunel), Renaud Malaval (La Grande Motte)
Primary Examiner: Ricardo L Osorio
Attorney: Foley & Lardner LLP
Application Number: 11/585,995
International Classification: G06F 3/033 (20060101); G09G 5/08 (20060101);