Electronic Device Case Capable of Performing Multiple Functions

An embodiment of the invention comprises an electronic device case including a power source and circuit board. The circuit board may be connected to the buttons allowing the electronic device case to function as a standalone device. The electronic device case includes a dedicated power source allowing the utilization of the case as a standalone device regardless of whether the electronic device is housed within the case.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With initial reference toFIGS. 1-3, numeral10generally indicates an electronic device case representing an embodiment of the present invention, and accordingly, the device case10will be described as such. It should be noted that the electronic device case10need not be configured to receive just cell phones, but rather electronic device case10may be configured to receive any suitable electronic device such as a tablet computer in addition to the phone case. It should be noted that throughout this application, the phrase electronic device, phone and tablet are used interchangeably.

Referring still toFIGS. 1-3, in the depicted embodiment, the electronic device case10is a cellular phone case. In the depicted embodiment, electronic device case10includes a body11including a front face, indicated by numeral12. Body11may be manufactured from any suitable material. In the depicted embodiment, front face12includes a phone receiving recess14and an optics opening16. It should be understood by one with ordinary skill in the art that the phone receiving recess14may be shaped to receive any type of cell phone desired. For example, in embodiments wherein electronic device case10will be utilized in conjunction with an iPhone cellular phone manufactured by Apple Inc., phone receiving recess14may be configured with a generally rectangular shape corresponding to that of an iPhone.

Electronic device case10further includes a side wall indicated by numeral20. Side wall20may include recesses, as exemplified in the depicted embodiment by recess22, in order to allow access to ports located on the side of the cellular phone to be received within the phone receiving recess14. As should be understood with one of ordinary skill in the art, the number, location and shape of the recesses22, may vary to match the same number, location and shape of recesses in the cellular phone received in the phone receiving recess14.

With reference now specifically toFIGS. 2 and 3, body11further includes a backside indicated by numeral30. Backside30includes a back surface32and a cover34. Furthermore, as shown specifically inFIG. 3, backside30further includes a recessed area36.

With reference again toFIG. 2, backside30is substantially smooth, with the exposed surface of back surface32and cover34being substantially located in a single plane. Cover34may be held in a position relative to back surface32by any suitable mechanism, such as via a snap fit or with a locking screw, as would be understood by one with ordinary skill in the art. In the depicted embodiment, cover34includes a plurality of button receiving holes, indicated by numerals38and40, respectively. As will be explained in greater detail below, holes38,40may take any shape desired.

With reference toFIG. 3, electronic device case10further includes a circuit board50, a power source52, button54, button56and optics58all generally positioned within the recessed area36. Circuit board50may be of any suitable type of circuit board configured to achieve the desired function of electronic device case10. In the depicted embodiment, electronic device case10is configured to also function as a computer mouse, in addition to protecting a cell phone received therein. The function of circuit board50in the depicted embodiment will be explained in greater detail below.

Power source52may be any type of power source sufficient capable of powering the functions of the cellular phone cover in accordance with the present invention. For example, power source52may be a disposable battery of the type AA, AAA, C, D, 9-volt or a button type or disc type battery typically utilized in watches and the like. In embodiments of the invention, however, power source52may be a rechargeable lithium ion type battery capable of being recharged while within the recessed area36or capable of being removed from the recessed area36for recharging.

Buttons54,56may be connected to circuit board50in a known manner. In addition, buttons54,56may have any shape desired, however, the shape of buttons54,56and holes38,40should be complementary thereby allowing buttons54,56to be located within holes38,40respectively.

With reference toFIGS. 1 through 3, in the depicted embodiment optics58are substantially located within recessed area36. A portion of optics58is located within optics opening16. It is desirable in the depicted embodiment that the portion of optics58located within optics opening16be substantially flush with front face12. Optics58may be retained in a desired position via any suitable mechanism known in the art.

When assembled as depicted inFIGS. 1 through 3, the depicted embodiment of electronic device case10will protect a cell phone from damage, but will also have the ability to function as a mouse for interaction with a computer. For example, the buttons54,56will allow a user to “click” in a manner consistent with a standard mouse, and circuit board50will translate and communicate that clicking to a computer wirelessly connected to electronic device case10. It should be noted that electronic device case10might be wirelessly connected to a computer via any standard protocol, such as Bluetooth. In a similar manner, optics58may read movement of the electronic device case10across a flat surface, such as the top surface of the table or desk and communicate said movement to the circuit board50. Circuit board50may then communicate the read movement to a joined computer in order to move the mouse pointer shown on the screen of the computer in a manner that corresponds to the movement of the electronic device case10across a surface. In this manner, the electronic device case10may function as a mouse. It should be noted, however, that the wireless connection of the electronic device case10and the corresponding computer may utilize the Bluetooth connectivity of the cellular phone protected by electronic device case10, where available, but embodiments of electronic device case10may rely upon the circuit board50in its entirety for wireless connection with the computer.

In other embodiments of the invention, the circuit board50may be configured to function in alternative manners. For example, the circuit board50may be connected to a radio frequency transmitter and receiver. This would allow the electronic device case10to function as a garage door opener when both buttons54,56are depressed at the same time, thereby sending a signal to a garage door coupled to the electronic device case10and causing the garage door opener to open or close a garage door in a standard manner. In this manner, the electronic device case10may function as both a mouse and a garage door opener. In embodiments, a single button may be utilized in electronic device case10, and circuit board50may be configured to send out signals capable of being received by a garage door opener. In embodiments, the radio frequency transmitter and receiver may be allow electronic device case10to interact with any radio frequency devices, such as car doors, home doors or home alarms.

Still, in embodiments of the invention, electronic device case10may have circuit board50configured to function as a glucose monitor or laser pointer, and electronic device case10may include corresponding features of such devices. In addition, in embodiments, electronic device case10may include a recess or pocket sized and configured to receive a USB thumb drive. The USB thumb drive may be separate from electronic device case10or, in embodiments, may be integral to the electronic device case10.

In embodiments of the invention, the electronic device case10includes a power source52allowing the electronic device case10to function without a cellular phone being contained therein. Accordingly, the electronic device case10need not rely on the power of a cellular phone protected therein, thereby prolonging the usable life of the cellular phone without requiring a recharge of the battery of the cellular phone. In addition, the battery of the cellular phone protected by the electronic device case10need not have any charge for the electronic device case10to function. In addition, the device case10functions without the electronic device being present within the recess14.

FIG. 4depicts a device case generally indicated by numeral100. Device case100may be sized and configured to be utilized with any suitable electronic device, such as an iPhone, iPad or iPad mini, all of which are manufactured and sold by Apple Inc. In the depicted embodiment, case100includes a body indicated by numeral111comprising a front face112and receiving recess114. In the depicted embodiment, front face112includes an indentation115. Receiving recess114is sized and configured to receive any suitable electronic device such as those described above or any similar cellular phone device or tablet computing device. Indentation115may be sized and configured to allow a user to gain leverage over the device (not shown) located within receiving recess114in order to remove the device from the case100.

Body111further includes a plurality of sidewalls each indicated by120. In the depicted embodiment, body111includes four sidewalls120. Each sidewall120may include at least one recess122. Each recess122may be sized and configured to allow connection of any cord to the device located within receiving recess114, such as, for example, power cords, speaker cords, USB connecting cords or any similar cord. In addition, recess122may be configured to allow a user to access buttons or switches located on the device located within receiving recess114.

FIG. 5depicts a rear perspective view of the device case100shown inFIG. 4. The embodiment depicted inFIG. 5includes a backside130. In the depicted embodiment, backside130includes a plurality of cavities, each type generally indicated by numerals132,134and136. In the embodiment depicted inFIG. 5, cavity132is configured to receive a first circuit module, indicated by numeral140inFIG. 6, and cavities134is configured to receive a second circuit module, indicated by numeral150inFIG. 7. Cavities136may be configured to receive any conventional battery. For example, cavities136may be configured for each to receive a standard button or disc type of battery, such as CR2032 for example. In other embodiments, the number of cavities136and size of cavities136may be configured to receive any standard type of battery “AA”, “AAA”, “C”, “D” or nine volt battery, of both the rechargeable and the disposable variety.

With reference now toFIG. 6, first circuit module140includes a housing142, a first circuit connector144and a second circuit connector146. Housing142is configured with a hollow area (not shown) configured to receive a circuit board (not shown) capable of performing a variety of functions. Housing142may be manufactured from any suitable material, and in general, any suitable insulated material such as plastic. First circuit connector144and second circuit connector146are configured to allow interaction of the circuit board housed within housing142and case100when the first circuit module140is inserted into cavity132. In the depicted embodiment, first circuit connector144and second circuit connector146are of similar shape but differ in size. In other embodiments, the connectors144,146may be of similar size but may differ in shape. In other embodiments, the connectors144,146may differ in both size and shape.

With reference now toFIG. 7, second circuit module150includes a housing152, a first circuit connector154and a second circuit connector156. Housing152is configured with a hollow area (not shown) configured to receive a circuit board (not shown) capable of performing a variety of functions. Housing152may be manufactured from any suitable material, and in general, any suitable insulated material such as plastic. First circuit connector154and second circuit connector156are configured to allow interaction of the circuit board housed within housing152and case100when the second circuit module150is inserted into cavity134. In the depicted embodiment, first circuit connector154and second circuit connector156are of similar shape but differ in size. In other embodiments, the connectors154,156may be of similar size but may differ in shape. In other embodiments, the connectors154,156may differ in both size and shape.

Referring again toFIG. 5, in the depicted embodiment of case100, the cavities132and134have similar configurations differing only in size. For example, cavity132includes a circuit module receiving area, generally indicated by numeral162and module connector receiving apertures164,166. In the depicted embodiment, apertures164and166are sized and configured to receive connectors144,146. Apertures164,166differ in size and shape in order to match the size and shape of the connectors144,146. Similarly, cavity134includes a circuit module receiving area, generally indicated by numeral172and module connector receiving apertures174,176. In the depicted embodiment, apertures174,176are sized and configured to receive connectors154,156. Apertures174,176differ in size and shape in order to match the size and shape of the connectors154,156.

In the depicted embodiment, the case100may include a variety of circuit boards (not shown) configured to interact with first circuit module140and second circuit module150. The interaction of the circuit boards and circuit modules140,150allow the device case to perform a variety of functions, such as, for example, a computer mouse, USB reader, USB Drive, pedometer, breathalyzer, accelerometer, a transmitter and receiver, a remote control, AM/FM radio, garage door opener, laser pointer, laser leveler, laser distance measurer, house lighting remote, LCD display, voice memo recorder, car key fab, car remote starter, flashlight, flexible key board, any type of blue tooth device, a hobby board (such as Arduino, Raspberry Pi, BeagleBone, or any similar type board), Blood Chemistry (such as a glucometer), speaker (both as a single mono speaker or a pair of speakers for stereo) and connection ports (such as USB, HDMI, component video, or similar connection). Moreover, due to the inclusion of the batteries within cavities136, the case100may utilize the functions of the circuit modules140,150without the presence of an electronic device in the receiving recess114. For example, a user may desire to utilize the case100as a garage door opener. Accordingly, a circuit module140may be inserted into cavity132. In addition, circuit module140may include an actuation button (not shown) and signal transmitting technology (not shown) allowing the circuit module140to utilize power from the batteries within cavities137upon actuation of the button in order to transmit a signal to a user's garage door opener instructing said opener to open the user's garage.

Referring now toFIGS. 8 and 9, another embodiment of a case representing the present invention is generally indicated by numeral200. The front side of the case200is similar to the fronts of the previously described embodiments. The case200includes a backside230and a cavity236including a plurality of batteries238. In the depicted embodiment, batteries238are “AAA” batteries, but may be any known type of battery. In the depicted embodiment, case200includes a first circuit module240and a second circuit module250. In a manner similar to that described above, the circuit modules240,250include circuit boards (not shown) and any known mechanism for actuating the circuit board, such as a button or switch242. In the depicted embodiment, module240includes a connector244and module250includes a connector254. The connectors244and254connect the modules240,250with the case200. For example, when module250is inserted into case200, connector254is located within case opening274. The connection between connector254and opening274allows the module250to access circuits (not shown) and batteries238of the case200. In the depicted embodiment, module240includes a digital display or readout indicated by numeral281. Display281is able to display information to the user as necessary and corresponding to the function of module240plugged into the case200.

Referring still toFIGS. 8 and 9, case200and includes dove tail connections generally indicated by numeral280. In the depicted embodiment, each dovetail connection280allows the backside230to be connected to modules240,250. Each dovetail connection280includes a first portion282and a second portion284. In the depicted embodiment, first portion282is a male portion and second portion284is a complementary female portion. The inclusion of dovetail connections280allows each of the modules240,250to be slidably connected to backside230.

It should be noted that in the depicted embodiment, the modules240,250form a portion of sidewall220. Accordingly, modules240,250may include functional portions that extend beyond the sidewall220. For example, module250may include a slot252that allows the module250to read a credit card (not shown). Upon reading a credit card, the module250may transmit the information obtained in reading the credit card to the device housed within the case200via Bluetooth, near field communication, WiFi or any similar communication protocol. The phone may then utilize a software application residing on the phone to verify such information and process said payment information in a standard manner.

Referring now toFIGS. 10-12, another case representing another embodiment of the invention generally indicated by numeral300. In the depicted embodiment, case300is able to function as a computer mouse and includes an upper portion302and lower portion304. Upper portion302includes an upper surface306and a side wall308. Side wall308defines a device receiving area310. In the depicted embodiment, area310is configured to receive an iPhone, but in embodiments, area310may be configured to receive any suitable device such as a cellular phone from any manufacturer of any suitable tablet device. Referring still toFIG. 10, side wall308includes a plurality of openings each indicated by numeral312. The openings312may be sized and arranged to allow a user to access buttons and switches resident upon the phone located within the area310. It should be noted that the openings312may be positioned as needed to allow access to the phone's buttons and switches after the phone has been inserted into area310. In the depicted embodiment, area310also includes an opening314positioned and located to correspond to the position of the camera location of the phone located within the area310. Upper portion302also includes an aperture316.

Referring now toFIGS. 11 and 12, lower portion304includes a back face indicated by330. Back face330includes a first button332and a second button334. The buttons332,334are configured to be depressed by the finger of a user when the user holds the case300in a manner as a user would typically hold a mouse. In addition, the buttons332,334are configured so that the buttons332,334spring back to a neutral position once the button332,334has been depressed and released by the user.

Referring specifically toFIG. 12, lower portion304includes a surface340. Surface340includes a cavity (not shown). The cavity is sized and configured to receive a circuit board344. Circuit board344includes an optical movement sensor346similar to that found in a standard mouse. The optical movement sensor346is configured to measure relative movement of the case relative to a table top (not shown) case300moves across the table.

Referring now toFIGS. 10-12, the upper portion302and lower portion304may be connected and joined in any suitable manner. For example, portion302may be connected to portion304by way of some known adhesive. In the depicted embodiment of case300, optical movement sensor346is configured to extend through opening316of upper portion302. Thus, when assembled, the case300may be used as a computer mouse, with the movement of the mouse being determined by laser projection portion346through opening316. The “clicking” of the mouse can be achieved by the user depressing the buttons332,334. Due to the inclusion of a power source350, the case300may be utilized as a mouse without the inclusion of a device in area310. Furthermore, circuit board344may allow the case300to communicate with a computer wirelessly via any standard communication protocol, such as Bluetooth, WiFi or near field communication, for example.