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 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 respond to a user input 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 user input 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.   
     
     
         2 . The mobile computing device of  claim 1 , wherein the computing electronics provide inputs to the display based on the received signals. 
     
     
         3 . The mobile computing device of  claim 1 , wherein the computing electronics are configured to synchronize personal information management data on the mobile computing device with a computer. 
     
     
         4 . The mobile computing device of  claim 1 , wherein the display is a touch-sensitive display. 
     
     
         5 . The mobile computing device of  claim 1 , wherein the mobile computing device is a handheld computing device. 
     
     
         6 . A mobile computing device comprising:
 a housing;   an input device capable of being actuated and disposed in the housing, wherein the input device can respond to a user input 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 user input 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.   
     
     
         7 . The mobile computing device of  claim 6 , further comprising a display,
 wherein the computing electronics provide inputs to the display based on the received signals.   
     
     
         8 . The mobile computing device of  claim 6 , wherein the mobile computing device comprises a cellular telephone. 
     
     
         9 . The mobile computing device of  claim 6 , wherein the input device comprises a flat button that is circular in shape. 
     
     
         10 . The mobile computing device of  claim 7 , wherein the display is a touch-sensitive display. 
     
     
         11 . 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 respond to a user input 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 user input in the continuum of directions, the computing electronics being further configured to run an electronic calendar application and a document viewing application.   
     
     
         12 . The handheld computer of  claim 11 , wherein the display is a touch-sensitive display. 
     
     
         13 . The handheld computer of  claim 11 , wherein the computing electronics are configured to provide inputs to the display based on receiving signals corresponding to the continuum of directions. 
     
     
         14 . The handheld computer of  claim 11 , wherein the input device comprises a flat button that is circular in shape. 
     
     
         15 . The handheld computer of  claim 11 , wherein the computing electronics are further configured to run a gaming application.