Abstract:
Protective carrying cases for portable and handheld electronic devices include an integrated screen cleaning apparatus. The screen cleaning apparatus may be automatically used when a device is inserted or removed from the protective case. Alternatively, the screen cleaning apparatus may be manually activated by a user as needed. The screen cleaning apparatus is self-contained and cleans the screen and optionally other portions of the electronic device as it is at least partially within the protective case.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/419,759, filed Dec. 3, 2010, and entitled “Case for Electronic Device include Screen Cleaning Apparatus,” which is incorporated by reference herein for all purposes. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The invention relates to the field of protective carrying cases for portable and handheld electronic devices. Portable and handheld electronic devices are ubiquitous. These devices include mobile telephones, smartphones, other communication devices, portable media players, electronic reading devices, tablet computers, navigation devices, and remote controls. Because these devices are subjected to a variety of conditions, many users store their devices in carrying cases to protect them from damage and to facilitate their transport. 
         [0003]    However, these devices often acquire dirt from their surroundings and from their users. This problem is especially pronounced with devices that include touchscreens. Because touchscreen devices are frequently touched by users&#39; fingers, they accumulate dirt and fingerprint oils. This dirt and oil can detract from the performance of devices, reduce the visibility of displays, and detract from the overall aesthetics of devices. 
         [0004]    The accumulation of dirt and oil can be minimized by frequent cleaning of devices. Currently, devices are typically cleaned with separate cleaning supplies such as cleaning fabrics and cleaning solutions. However, users are often hesitant to carry cleaning supplies with them in addition to their devices. Thus, devices are typically cleaned infrequently, to the detriment of the users&#39; experiences with their devices. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    Embodiments of the invention include protective carrying cases for portable and handheld electronic devices that include an integrated screen cleaning apparatus. In an embodiment, the screen cleaning apparatus may be automatically used when a device is inserted or removed from the protective case. In another embodiment, the screen cleaning apparatus may be manually activated by a user as needed. In both of these embodiments, the screen cleaning apparatus is self-contained and operated within the protective case. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    The invention will be described with reference to the drawings, in which: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1A and 1B  illustrates a sleeve-style case according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0008]      FIGS. 2A-2C  illustrate a book-style case according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0009]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  illustrate screen cleaning wiper assemblies according to embodiments of the invention; and 
           [0010]      FIGS. 4A-4C  illustrate screen cleaning wiper movement assemblies according to embodiments of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0011]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  illustrates a sleeve-style case  100  according to an embodiment of the invention. Sleeve-style case  100  is adapted to closely fit over a portable electronic device  105 . In this , the sleeve-style case  100  includes an opening  110  at the bottom to allow for device insertion and removal. In other examples, the opening  110  may be at the top or either side of the sleeve-style case  100 . The sleeve-style case  100  may be made of flexible and/or rigid materials and may include padding to support and protect the portable electronic device  105 . 
         [0012]    Sleeve-style case  100  includes a screen cleaning wiper  115  located on the inside surface of the case  100 .  FIG. 1B  illustrates a cross-section view of a sleeve-style case  100  according to an embodiment of the invention. In this , the screen cleaning wiper  115  is located near the sleeve opening  110 . As a user inserts or removes the device  105  from the case  100 , the screen of the device  105  moves into contact with and across the screen cleaning wiper  115 . As this occurs, the screen cleaning wiper  115  removes dirt, dust, oils, or any other debris from the screen of the device  105 . As described in detail below, the screen cleaning wiper  115  may optionally apply a cleaning fluid, such as water, a specialized glass cleaner, or isopropyl alcohol, to the screen of the device  105 . In a further embodiment, multiple screen cleaning wipers may be used, for example to apply a cleaning fluid to the screen and then remove excess solution from the screen. 
         [0013]      FIGS. 2A-2C  illustrate a book-style case  200  according to an embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 2A  illustrates a book-style case  200  in an open configuration according to an embodiment of the invention. The book style case  200  includes a front cover  205  that is attached via at least one hinge to the portable electronic device  210 . The hinge enables the front cover  205  to be rotated so as to cover the screen of the device  210  in a closed configuration and to allow access to the screen of the device  210  in at least one open configuration. 
         [0014]    In one embodiment, the device  210  is attached to a protective back cover or spine included in the book-style case  200 . The back cover or spine is attached to the front cover via a hinge. In another embodiment, the device  210  is attached to or includes a hinge that is attached to the front cover  205 . In further embodiments, the front cover  205  may be rotated behind the device to allow for easy handling by the user or to support the device in a more convenient orientation with respect to a user. 
         [0015]    In an embodiment, a screen cleaning wiper  215  is attached to the inside surface of the front cover  205  of the book-style case  200 , as shown in  FIG. 2A . When the book-style  200  case is in the closed configuration, the screen cleaning wiper  215  faces the screen of the device. 
         [0016]      FIG. 2B  illustrates the book-style case  200  in the closed configuration. A pull tab, cord, or other user-accessible handle  220  protrudes from the outside surface of the front cover  205 . When the book-style case  200  is in the closed configuration, a user may extend the pull tab  220  to move the screen cleaning wiper  215  across the screen of the device  210 . In an embodiment, a user pulls the pull tab  220  in a direction away from the spine of the book-style case  200  to move the screen cleaning wiper  215  over the screen of the device  210 . 
         [0017]      FIG. 2C  shows a cross-section view of the book-style case  200  according to an embodiment of the invention. In this , the screen cleaning wiper  215  has a rest position  220 A near the hinge and/or spine of the book-style case. When the pull tab is extended, the screen-cleaning wiper  215  moves across the facing surface of the device  210  to an extended position  220 B. The movement of the screen cleaning wiper  215  combined with the pressure exerted by the front cover on the device removes dirt, dust, oils, or any other debris from the screen of the device  210 . 
         [0018]    Alternate embodiments of the sleeve-style case, shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , may also incorporate a similar moving screen cleaning wiper, as opposed to the fixed screen cleaning wiper discussed above. In this alternate embodiment, the user extends a pull tab protruding from the outside of the sleeve case to move the screen cleaning wiper across the screen of the device. 
         [0019]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  illustrate screen cleaning wiper movement assemblies according to embodiments of the invention.  FIG. 3A  illustrates a first embodiment of a screen cleaning wiper movement assembly  300 . This embodiment of the screen cleaning wiper movement assembly  300  may be integrated with the front cover of an embodiment of the book-style case or an alternate embodiment of the sleeve-style case. In this embodiment of the screen cleaning wiper movement assembly  300 , the pull tab  305  is connected with the screen cleaning wiper  310 . Slots  315  in the case allow pull tab  305  to extend through to the outside surface of the case to be accessed by users and through to the inside surface of the case to connect with the screen cleaning wiper  310 . 
         [0020]    In an embodiment, an elastic cord or a spring  320  may be attached to the screen cleaning wiper  310  to return to the rest position when the pull tab  305  is released by the user. In a further embodiment, the elastic cord or spring  320  is pre-tensioned, so that the screen cleaning wiper  310  is held securely in the rest position when not in use. 
         [0021]    In an embodiment, the pull tab  305  and slots  315  in the case maintain the desired orientation and path for the screen cleaning wiper  310  as it is moved across the screen of the device. In a further embodiment, the screen cleaning wiper movement assembly  300  is further guided through the use of slots or guide rails in the inside surface of the case and corresponding guide pins on the screen cleaning wiper. 
         [0022]    It is desirable to maintain sufficient pressure on the screen cleaning wiper as it travels across the screen of the device to ensure adequate cleaning For the book-style case, the movement of the screen cleaning wiper across the screen of the device may force the front cover of the case away from the screen, thereby reducing the pressure between the screen cleaning wiper and the screen of the device. To counteract this, an embodiment of the book-style case can include a latch, closure strap, magnets, or other mechanism to hold the case in the closed configuration. By holding the case in the closed configuration, more consistent pressure is maintained between the screen cleaning wiper and the screen of the device as the wiper is moved across the screen. 
         [0023]      FIG. 3B  illustrates a second embodiment of a screen cleaning wiper movement assembly  350 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 3A , the pull tab is extended by the same amount as the desired displacement of the screen cleaning wiper. In some applications, it may be desirable to decrease the amount of extension of the pull tab needed for the screen cleaning wiper to travel across the screen of the device. For , it may be unwieldy for users to fully extend a pull tab to operate a screen cleaning wiper on larger devices. Thus, the embodiment of the invention shown in  FIG. 3B  reduces the extension of the pull tab required to move the screen cleaning wiper across the screen. 
         [0024]    As shown in  FIG. 3B , the pull tab  355 , extending through slots  357 , is attached to the screen cleaning wiper  360  by at least one cord. A cord  365  is fed around a set of pins  370  as shown, which act as a block and tackle system. In an embodiment, pins  370 A and  370 B are attached to the case and pin  370 C is attached to pull tab  355 . In the  of  FIG. 3B , the arrangement of the cord  365  around the pins  370  provides a 2:1 displacement of the screen wiper  360  relative to the displacement of the pull tab  355 . This example may be extended with additional loops of the cord around the pins to further increase the ratio of displacement. The pins may be constructed of a low friction material, such as acetal plastic, or alternatively replaced with bearings or pulleys. Multiple cords and pin sets may be used to balance the force applied to the screen cleaning wiper by the pull tab. Like example  300 , an elastic cord or a spring  375  may be attached to the screen cleaning wiper  360  to return to the rest position when the pull tab  355  is released by the user. 
         [0025]    The second embodiment of this movement assembly may implemented within a book-style or sleeve-style case in a similar manner as the first embodiment of this movement assembly and may optionally include some or all of the features described above, such as guide rails for holding the screen cleaning wiper to a path and a latch for maintaining pressure between the wiper and the screen of the device in the book-style case. 
         [0026]    As an alternative to the manually operated screen cleaning movement assemblies described above, another embodiment of the invention uses an electric motor, solenoid, or other actuator to move the screen cleaning wiper across the screen. The electrical power source for the electric motor, such as a battery, may be located in the case or provided by the device itself. 
         [0027]    In a further embodiment, the pull tab may be integrated with a closing strap and latch for securing the book-style case in the closed configuration. For , a user may extend a closing strap from the case. This closing strap actuates the movement assembly and moves the screen cleaning wiper from the rest position across the screen of the device. The user may then secure the closing strap in the extended position using a latch, clasp, snap, buckle, or other attachment system. When the closing strap is secured, the book-style case is held in the closed configuration. For , the closing strap may be located in the front cover of the case and the attachment system may be located on the back cover of the case, or vice-versa. When the user releases the closing strap from the attachment system, the force of the return spring or elastic cord moves the screen cleaning wiper back to its rest position. Simultaneously, the closing strap is at least partially retracted into the case. 
         [0028]      FIGS. 4A-4C  illustrate screen cleaning wiper assemblies according to embodiments of the invention.  FIG. 4A  illustrates a first screen cleaning wiper assembly  400  according to an embodiment of the invention. The first screen cleaning wiper assembly  400  is adapted to be used without a cleaning fluid. 
         [0029]    The first screen cleaning wiper assembly  400  includes a base  405  for attachment to the case and optionally a movement assembly, if included in the case. In further embodiment, the base  405  may be attached to the case via removable fasteners, such as snaps or hook-and-loop strips, enabling a user to remove the screen cleaning wiper from the case for cleaning or replacement. 
         [0030]    In an embodiment, the base  405  is attached with a core  410  made of foam or other compliant material. The core  410  is adapted to modulate the amount of pressure applied to the device and to conform to the surface of the device at it cleans the screen. A cleaning fabric  415  covers the outside of the core. The cleaning fabric may be constructed of one or more layers of material adapted to absorb dirt, debris, oils, and/or other liquids. Polyester and/or polyamide microfiber fabrics are one example material suitable for use with embodiments of the invention. 
         [0031]    In the example of  FIG. 4A , the screen cleaning wiper assembly  400  includes a single “blade” or contact element. In other embodiments, screen cleaning wipers with multiple blades, optionally having different shapes and/or comprised of different materials, may be used. For , an alternate screen cleaning wiper can include one or more thin rubber blades for capturing large debris and one or more compliant microfiber blades for absorbing dirt and oils. 
         [0032]      FIG. 4B  illustrates a second screen cleaning wiper assembly  420  adapted to be used with a cleaning fluid according to an embodiment of the invention. The second screen cleaning wiper assembly  420  includes a base  425  for attachment to the case and optionally a movement assembly, if included in the case. In further embodiment, the base  425  may be attached to the case via removable fasteners, such as snaps or hook-and-loop strips, enabling a user to remove the screen cleaning wiper from the case for cleaning, replacement, and/or replenishment of cleaning fluid. 
         [0033]    In an embodiment, the base  425  is attached to a reservoir  430  adapted to store cleaning fluid. In an embodiment, the reservoir  430  includes at least one inlet for adding or replenishing cleaning fluid and one or more outlets  435  for releasing cleaning fluid. In a embodiment, a core  440  including moisture absorbing material, such as a sponge, is connected with the outlets  435  of the reservoir. A cleaning fabric  445  covers the outside of the core  440 . The core  440  is adapted to modulate the amount of pressure applied to the device, to conform to the surface of the device at it cleans the screen, to distributes the cleaning fluid over the surface of the screen, and to modulate the amount of cleaning fluid applied to the screen of the device. 
         [0034]    In the example of  FIG. 4B , the screen cleaning wiper assembly  420  includes a single “blade” or contact element. In other embodiments, screen cleaning wipers with multiple blades, optionally having different shapes and/or comprised of different materials, may be used. For , an alternate screen cleaning wiper can include one or more sponge blades for applying cleaning fluid, one or more compliant microfiber blades for absorbing dirt and oils, and one or more one or more thin rubber blades for capturing large debris and removing excess solution from the screen. 
         [0035]    In a further embodiment, the reservoir is comprised of a compliant material. The spacing between the inside surface of the case and the device is designed such that the reservoir  430  is squeezed and deformed at least slightly as the wiper travels across the screen of the device. This deformation supplies pressure to the cleaning fluid in the reservoir  430  and causes some cleaning fluid to be released and applied to the screen of the device. In an alternate embodiment, a user may squeeze the reservoir  430  to manually apply cleaning fluid to the screen of the device. 
         [0036]    In still a further embodiment, the reservoir outlets  435  include valves for preventing the release of cleaning fluid when the screen cleaning wiper is in the rest position. For , the outlets  435  may be comprised of a flexible material, such as flexible plastic tubing. In this , the outlets  435  may be physically squeezed closed by a structure on the case when the wiper is in the rest position. 
         [0037]      FIG. 4C  illustrates a third screen cleaning wiper assembly  450  adapted to be used with a cleaning fluid according to an embodiment of the invention. The third screen cleaning wiper assembly  450  includes a base  455  for attachment to the case body  457  and a movement assembly. In further embodiment, the base  455  may be attached to the case body  457  via removable fasteners, such as snaps or hook-and-loop strips, enabling a user to remove the screen cleaning wiper from the case for cleaning, replacement, and/or replenishment of cleaning fluid. 
         [0038]    In an embodiment, the base  455  is attached to a reservoir  460  adapted to store cleaning fluid. In an embodiment, the reservoir  460  includes at least one inlet for adding or replenishing cleaning fluid and one or more outlets  465  for releasing cleaning fluid. In a embodiment, a core  470  including moisture absorbing material, such as a sponge, is connected with the outlets  465  of the reservoir  460 . A cleaning fabric  475  covers the outside of the core  470 . The core  470  is adapted to modulate the amount of pressure applied to the device, to conform to the surface of the device at it cleans the screen, to distributes the cleaning fluid over the surface of the screen, and to modulate the amount of cleaning fluid applied to the screen of the device. 
         [0039]    In this embodiment, one or more magnets  480  are located in the case body  457  near the rest position of the wiper may attract at least one sliding ferromagnetic plug  485  in the wiper reservoir  460 . When the wiper is in the rest position, the magnet  480  causes the plug  485  to seal the reservoir outlet, so that no cleaning fluid can escape. As the wiper is moved away from the magnet  480  in the case, the plug  485  is no longer held against the reservoir outlet  465  and cleaning fluid is permitted to exit the reservoir  460  to be applied to the screen of the device. This is illustrated by  FIG. 4C . 
         [0040]    In an additional embodiment, the screen cleaning wiper may be coupled with a source of mechanical vibration, such as an electric motor and offset counterweight or a piezoelectric actuator, to enhance its cleaning action. In this embodiment, the source of vibration may be activated as the screen cleaning wiper moves relative to the screen of the device. For , in the sleeve-style case, a motion or contact sensor may trigger the wiper vibration when the device slides into or out of the case. In an example book-style case, the pull tab may be coupled with a switch to trigger the wiper vibration as the wiper is moved across the screen of the device. 
         [0041]    Further embodiments can be envisioned to one of ordinary skill in the art. In other embodiments, combinations or sub-combinations of the above disclosed invention can be advantageously made. The block diagrams of the architecture and flow charts are grouped for ease of understanding. However it should be understood that combinations of blocks, additions of new blocks, re-arrangement of blocks, and the like are contemplated in alternative embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0042]    The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereunto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.