Patent ID: 9325817
Filing Date: 2016-04-26
CPC Classification: B60R,H04M,H04W

Claim Text:
1. An image viewing device that is matable with a smart device to enhance a user's viewing experience of multimedia content, the smart device including generally planar opposing major surfaces that define a multiple-sided perimeter, a display integral to one of the generally planar opposing major surfaces, information delivery circuitry in communication with the display, and a receptacle having a set of spaced-apart electrical conductors for communication with the image viewing device, the image viewing device comprising: a housing having an interior and containing information input circuitry that facilitates communication of information between the image viewing device and the smart device, the housing including opposing front and back major surfaces, the back major surface including an opening and a floor, the opening defined by an inner boundary sized to accept placement of the smart device, in which the display of the smart device is covered by the floor when the user places the smart device in the opening; a display screen integral to the front major surface of the housing for presentation of the multimedia content, the display screen having a display area that is larger than that of the display of the smart device, and the display screen being directly opposite the opening and the floor such that the opening is centrally located relative to the display screen; an input device supported by the housing and in communication with the information input circuitry, the input device being operable to generate user-produced command signals for transmission to the smart device when it is placed in the opening; and a connecting member having a set of spaced-apart electrical contact members, the connecting member being moveable relative to the opening to align and mate with the receptacle when the smart device is placed in the opening, so that the electrical contact members establish electrical contact with corresponding ones of the electrical conductors of the receptacle to thereby facilitate transmission of the command signals from the image viewing device to the smart device for user control of the multimedia content presented on the display screen of the image viewing device.