Abstract:
A storage device for mobile devices is disclosed herein. The mobile device may integrally attach to the mobile device and may include a battery cover panel, a back panel, and a plurality of side panels, each protruding from the battery cover panel to the back panel, the various panels forming a storage cavity therein. The storage device may attach to the mobile device using battery panel attachment mechanisms typically utilized by mobile devices for attaching battery covers. The storage device may further include a door for accessing the storage compartment.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    In general, the present invention is directed towards a storage compartment that is attachable to a mobile device. Specifically, the storage compartment is formed using a panel or portion of the body or casing of the mobile device itself, thereby making the storage compartment integral to the mobile device. 
         [0002]    The use of mobile telephone handsets and mobile devices are pervasive and widespread, with users ranging from nearly every age group and every walk of life. For most, having a mobile handset is a near necessity, due to the need for constant communication. As mobile handsets evolve into smart-phones—devices capable of performing not only telecommunication services but internet browsing, and running numerous applications—the apparent necessity for having a handset with a user has increased. 
         [0003]    Mobile devices have added to the numerous items that a typical person must carry throughout their day. Numerous apparatuses exist that attach such handsets to a user&#39;s belt, purse, or other area are well-known. Cases to protect and keep mobile devices accessible are common place. Some cases may include an additional pocket for storage. 
         [0004]    As mobile devices become more of a necessity, there is a need to reduce the amount of items that are carried by various users. For example, there are times when a user may wish to carry a mobile device, a bit of money and a key, such as when walking a pet. Another example may be when a person wishes to use a gym and would like to carry a mobile device and an identifying card or information. Yet another example may be when a business person attends a conference or meeting and wishes to carry a mobile device and numerous business cards for distribution. In 
         [0005]    However, existing cases that provide additional storage are typically bulky and fabric, and fail to protect any items stored therein. Moreover, in addition to their utility, mobile devices make a fashion statement about the user. The use of bulky cases with additional storage pockets is awkward and typically undesirable. 
         [0006]    Accordingly, there is a need for a type of storage compartment that can be used to store items often contained in a wallet—for example, cash, credit cards, business cards, etc.—that can be cleanly attached to the mobile device without destroying the utility or style of the device. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    Aspects of the present invention include a storage device for mobile devices. The mobile device may integrally attach to the mobile device and may include a battery cover panel, a back panel, and a plurality of side panels, each protruding from the battery cover panel to the back panel, the various panels forming a storage cavity therein. The storage device may attach to the mobile device using battery panel attachment mechanisms typically utilized by mobile devices for attaching battery covers. The storage device may further include a door for accessing the storage compartment. 
         [0008]    It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed. The accompanying drawings constitute a part of the specification, illustrate certain embodiments of the invention and, together with the detailed description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    In order to assist in the understanding of the invention, reference will now be made to the appended drawings, in which like reference characters refer to like elements. The drawings are exemplary only, and should not be construed as limiting the invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  depicts a mobile device as is commonly used in the prior art, without any additional storage compartments or cases. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  depicts an exploded view of the back of a mobile device and its battery compartment as is commonly used in the prior art, without any additional storage compartments or cases. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  illustrates a storage compartment in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  illustrates an exploded view of the back of a mobile device equipped with a storage compartment in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  illustrates isometric view of a mobile device equipped with a storage compartment in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  illustrates a side view of a mobile device equipped with a storage compartment in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  illustrates a mobile device equipped with a storage compartment in the open position, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 8A-8D  illustrates various opening arrangements of a storage compartment in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  depicts an exemplary latching mechanism for a storage compartment in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
         [0020]      FIG. 1  depicts a popular mobile device  100 , for example the Blackberry Curve™, sold by Research In Motion. It is evident that a case into which such a mobile device would fit and provide additional storage would be bulky and unattractive.  FIG. 2  illustrates the back of the mobile device  100 , showing the rear battery door  110  and the rear batter compartment  120 . The battery door  110  is attached to the mobile device  100  via the “L” shaped hooks  111 , which engage in slots  112  on the mobile device, as well as alignment mechanisms  113  which engage in slots  114  on the mobile device. 
         [0021]      FIG. 3  illustrates a storage compartment  200  in an open position, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. The storage compartment  200  includes a cavity  210  for storing various items, such as identification or credit cards, cash, business cards, an additional device battery, or any such item. While the storage compartment  200  is illustrated with a width approximately less than the width of the mobile device  100 , this is exemplary only and the storage compartment  200  may be any desirable width. 
         [0022]    With continued reference to  FIG. 3 , the storage compartment  200  contains a panel section  211  that is similar to the battery door  110  of the mobile device  100 . Moreover, the panel section  211  comprises attachment mechanisms similar to the battery door  110 . For example,  FIG. 3  depicts the storage compartment  200  having “L” shaped hooks  212  and alignment mechanisms  213  for attaching to the mobile device  100 . 
         [0023]    Note that while “L” shaped hooks are discussed, this is exemplary only. The attachment mechanisms for battery doors for various mobile devices differ widely, and the specific storage compartment  200  designed for each such mobile device may have identical or similar attachment mechanisms. 
         [0024]      FIG. 4  depicts an exploded view of a mobile device with a storage compartment, rather than the standard battery door, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. With reference to  FIG. 4 , it is apparent that the storage compartment  200  is attached to the mobile device  100  using “L” shaped hooks  212  and alignment mechanisms  213  inserted into the slots  112  and  114  in the mobile device intended for the battery door  110 . In this manner, the storage compartment  200  may be integral to the mobile device  100 . In other words, the rear surface of the storage compartment replaces the back panel of the mobile device  100 , thereby making the mobile device  100  and the storage compartment  200  connected. 
         [0025]    In this manner, a more aesthetic, sleek, and solid connection can be achieved. In addition, the storage compartment  200  dimensions and shapes can be tailored so that the mobile device can be used in various pre-existing clips, docking stations, and/or mounting devices. 
         [0026]      FIG. 5  illustrates a mobile device  100  with a storage compartment  200  attached, in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. It can be seen that there is no, or a negligible sized, gap between the storage compartment  200  and the mobile device  100 . Rather, the storage compartment  200  appears to be an originally designed part of the mobile device  100 . 
         [0027]      FIG. 6  depicts a side view of a mobile device  100  with a storage compartment  200  attached, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. As noted earlier, the width of the storage compartment  200  can vary, depending on the intended use and model selected. For example, a sleek and thin storage compartment  200  may be used when the intended purpose is to hold an identification card, credit card, and a bit of cash—for example when used in lieu of a purse or wallet by a female. Alternatively, the storage compartment  200  may be much thicker when the intended purpose is to hold an extra mobile device battery and numerous business cards—for example when used by a traveling business person. 
         [0028]    The types of compartments that may be attached to and used with mobile devices are numerous. For example, such compartments can be configured to hold toiletries, such as makeup (e.g., lipstick, rouge, etc), feminine necessities, cologne or perfume, gum or mints, birth control (e.g., pills, condoms, ITUs, etc.), medicine or pharmaceuticals, EpiPen™, blood sugar testing devices or strips, contacts or saline, keys, jewelry, cigarettes or other smoking accessories, photos, thumb drives or other digital media storage devices, identification badges for secured access. Several of these items may require specific storage compartment characteristics, such as being leak-proof, water proof, or preventing demagnetization of various cards or devices. 
         [0029]      FIG. 7  illustrates a mobile device  100  equipped with a storage device  200  in an open position, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. Note that the particular opening arrangement is exemplary only, and various opening arrangements may be used, all of which are anticipated by the present invention. 
         [0030]      FIG. 8A-8D  illustrate numerous opening positions that may be used in accordance with the present invention.  FIG. 8A  illustrates a sliding door  801  that opens by sliding down into a slot  802 . While  FIG. 8A  illustrates the sliding door  801  as part of the back panel, the sliding door  801  may be positioned in any of the side panels in order to gain access to the storage compartment.  FIG. 8B  illustrates a door  803  that opens with a pivot  804  in order to gain access into the storage compartment.  FIG. 8C  illustrates a different opening position, in which the cavity in the storage compartment  805  may be accessed via a drawer  806 . While the drawer  806  is depicted as sliding out of the side of the storage compartment, it could similarly slide out of the bottom or top.  FIG. 8D  illustrates a different opening position, in which a panel of the storage cavity pivots of out of the way. This panel may provide access to the storage cavity, or it may form a drawer  808  that pivots about an axis  809  to open and close into the body of the storage compartment  807 . Again, the embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 8A-8D  are exemplary only, various other methods of opening the cavity, such as spring-loaded access, magnetic access, etc. are contemplated by the present invention. 
         [0031]    Moreover, the storage compartment attached to the mobile device may take on various forms, such as a wallet attached to the mobile device, or even a variety of slots for credit and identification cards or a tubular insert running the length of the mobile device for an item such as an EpiPen™. 
         [0032]    With renewed reference to  FIG. 7 , the particular opening arrangement depicted therein will be discussed.  FIG. 7  depicts a mobile device  100  with a storage device  200  integrally attached to the back. In this exemplary embodiment, the storage device  200  opens similar to a book. The storage compartment  200  comprises a casing  220  surrounding a storage cavity  215 . The casing  220  comprises a battery cover panel  221  positioned directly against the mobile device  100 , and several panels protruding from the battery cover panel  221  away from the mobile device  100 . These panels comprise top panel  222 , bottom panel  223 , left panel  224 , and right panel  225 . The casing  220  further comprises a back panel  226  which comprises a door  227 . The door  227  may form only a portion of the back panel  226 , or the entire back panel  226  may be used as the door  227 . 
         [0033]    With continued reference to  FIG. 7 , a hinge  230  may be positioned on the left side of the back of the mobile device  100 . A latching mechanism  240  may be disposed on the right side of the back of the mobile device  100 . The door  227  may be biased into an open position, by way of a spring (coil or otherwise) or by biasing the hinge  230  in a specific direction. When the door  227  is placed into a closed position, the latching mechanism  240  may engage the door  227  with the right panel  225 . Alternatively, the latching mechanism  240  may engage the door  227  with the back panel  226 , the right panel  225 , or the battery cover panel  221 . 
         [0034]    The exemplary arrangement depicted in  FIG. 7  enables a mobile device user holding the mobile device to rotate the device in his or her hand so that the mobile device has its screen towards the user&#39;s palm, and the user may open the storage compartment using his or her thumb to release the latching mechanism  240  and open the door  227 , in order to gain access to the storage cavity  215 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 9  illustrates an exemplary latching mechanism  900  in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. Please note that the specific latching mechanism described with reference to  FIG. 9  is exemplary only, and should not be used to limit the understanding or construction of the claims. Rather, any latching mechanism (e.g., magnetic, spring-biased, mechanical latch, interference, electromagnetic, etc.) may be utilized in accordance with the present invention. 
         [0036]    With continued reference to  FIG. 9 , the latching mechanism  900  may comprise a hook  910  attached to the door  227 , and a receiving slot  920  disposed in the right panel  225 . The hook  910  may include a barb  911 . The hook  910  may be connected to a button  912 . The button  912  may be attached to the door  227  on a pivot or hinge  913 . The pivot or hinge  913  may be spring-loaded, or may be manufactured to bias the hook  910  towards the barb  911 . 
         [0037]    When inserted into the receiving slot  920 , the hook  910  may snap over opening of the receiving slot  920 , with the barb  911  positioned up against the right panel  225  so that the door  227  may be prevented from opening. In order to open the door, a force is exerted on the button  912 , which, due to the pivot or hinge  913  moves the hook  910  in a semi-radial direction away from the barb  911 . In other words, because of the pivot or hinge  913 , a force on the button  912  causes the hook  910  to move in a direction that has both an X and a Y component. This causes the barb  911  to pull away from the right panel  225  and the opening bias of the door  227  may cause the hook  910  to withdraw from the receiving slot  920 . 
         [0038]    Note that the door  227  may include one or more latching mechanisms, which may be opened using a single button or using numerous buttons. Moreover, the latching mechanism described with reference to  FIG. 9  is exemplary only. Various other mechanisms may be used to latch the door, such as a magnetic force, hook-and-loop devices, a movable piece (such as a dead-bolt) or a rotatable member that engages the door  227  with the casing. 
         [0039]    It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the method, manufacture, configuration, and/or use of the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For example, rather than a door providing access to the storage compartment, a drawer could slide out, or an entire panel may be removed or moved out of the way. Similarly, numerous opening arrangements and latching mechanisms may be utilized. It is understood that various components may be omitted from the storage device (e.g., the latching mechanism, one or more side panels, etc.) without deviating from the scope or spirit of the invention.