Abstract:
A universal track adaptor system having a shell including a portable device receiving surface arranged for receiving and detachably holding a portable electronic device, said shell further including a track facing surface, a plurality of wheels including a first wheel and a second wheel; a first track adaptor rotatably coupling said first wheel and said second wheel to said track facing surface, said first track adaptor having a specific range of motion, said first track adaptor including an adaptive mechanism operable to adjust a specific width between said first wheel and said second wheel through said specific range of motion, whereby said first wheel and said second wheel can be adapted to interface with a plurality of different sized tracks, as permitted by said specific range of motion.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
       [0001]    This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/601,977 entitled “SHELL FOR A PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE WITH A TRACK ADAPTOR,” filed on Aug. 31, 2012, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    Field of Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to toys and track adaptors for interfacing toys with tracks or track like mechanisms of various sizes found in any play environment, and a shell for a portable electronic device with an integrated track adaptor capable of adapting a portable electronic device into a toy that can be used on tracks of various sizes. 
         [0004]    Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    Many children, even a toddler like one of the inventors, are capable of creating fantasy worlds and entertaining themselves by taking a toy (like a train) and using their imagination to weave in other elements available in their immediate environment, and their imagination. For example, a child may take a toy train and the track from a sliding door, and make believe the train wheels fit and interface along the track of the sliding door. Similarly, the child may run the toy train along a metal stair banister, etc. It would be unusual for the wheel configuration of the toy train to match some element of the available environment, although play would be enhanced if this were the case. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    A universal track adaptor system having a shell including a portable electronic device receiving surface arranged for receiving and detachably holding a portable electronic device, the shell further including a track facing surface, a plurality of wheels including a first wheel and a second wheel, a first track adaptor rotatably coupling the first wheel and the second wheel to the track facing surface. The first track adaptor has a specific range of motion and an adaptive mechanism operable to adjust a specific width between the first wheel and the second wheel through the specific range of motion. In this way the first wheel and the second wheel can be adapted to interface with a plurality of different sized tracks, as permitted by the specific range of motion. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    These and other objects, features and characteristics of the present invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art from a study of the following detailed description in conjunction with the appended claims and drawings, all of which form a part of this specification. In the drawings: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  shows a universal track adaptor system for receiving the illustrated portable electronic device, the portable electronic device executing an application which enhances or facilitates play; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the universal track adaptor system according to one embodiment, the wheels or track interface mechanism folded or retracted; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the universal track adaptor system according to another embodiment, the wheels or track interface mechanism unfolded or extended; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a pictorial illustration of the underside of a universal track system with shell for portable electronic device; and 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a pictorial illustration of a universal track adaptor system adjusted to interface with a track; 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  shows a universal track adaptor adjusted to engage with a simulated monorail such as a stair banister. 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  shows a child playing with a universal track adaptor system configured as a toy for interfacing with tracks from a sliding door system; 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  shows a toy train with integrated track adapting system, and a text box; 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  shows a toy train with integrated track adapting system, and a text box; 
           [0017]      FIG. 10  shows a pictorial illustration of a universal track adaptor system that can extend its height on at least one side to serve various purposes such as a stand for a portable electronic device; 
           [0018]      FIG. 11  is a flow chart showing a method for enhanced play with a software application simulating a desired toy or effect as the electronic device is coupled with a universal track engagement system. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0019]    The present invention contemplates a variety of systems, devices, methods and paradigms for engaging with a play environment, as well as more utilitarian functionalities including effective mechanisms for making use of portable electronic devices. 
         [0020]      FIG. 1  illustrates a universal track adaptor system  100  for receiving a portable electronic device  50 . The track adaptor system  100  includes a shell  110  with a portable device receiving surface  112  arranged for receiving and detachably holding the portable electronic device  50 . 
         [0021]    As will be appreciated, in some embodiments, the shell  110  is designed to provide protection, perhaps by absorbing mechanical energy, to the portable electronic device  50  when properly utilized. The design of the shell  110  in  FIG. 1  provides that the receiving surface  112  allows for a snug fit of the electronic device  50 , making the device  50  removable, but relatively secure within the shell. The shell  110  may be designed to include through holes, mechanical and/or electrical buttons, switches, and/or interface elements that allow the shell  110  to cover and protect yet enable utilization of the various functionality of the electronic device  50 . 
         [0022]    The embodiment of  FIG. 1  includes wheels  114 - 120  (or other engagement and/or interface mechanism), shown in a folded in position where wheels  114 - 120  are substantially in the plane of the track facing surface  112 . Other track interface components (e.g., a ski or such) can be used instead of the wheels. In this embodiment, the wheels substantially within the shell  110  so that they are flush externally on a track facing surface, not shown. 
         [0023]    A display screen  52  of the portable electronic device  50  shows a train  54  or other suitable image to enhance play with the system  100 .  FIG. 1  illustrates a simple train image like one might readily find in any of a plurality of readily available mobile device applications, which applications usually come with sound and/or other features that can be utilized to enhance play and facilitate simulation and/or fantasy. The present invention further contemplates a more customized mobile application which provides a display view that might correspond to what a child or user might expect to see given the orientation of the mobile device, the type of tracks the device is engaged with, the specific toy the child wishes to simulate, etc. 
         [0024]      FIG. 2  shows a side view of the universal track adaptor system  100 , such as system  100  of  FIG. 1 . In the view of  FIG. 2 , the wheels  114 - 120  are substantially not visible because they are retracted or folded to be “inside” of the shell  110 . As will be appreciated, the wheels could be folded to be substantially parallel with the shell, and in some embodiment be substantially within the shell  110  and/or interior to the shell  110 . In other embodiments the wheels may not be retractable or unfoldable, but rather fixed in place, or removable. 
         [0025]      FIG. 3  shows a side view of the universal track adaptor system  100  with the wheels extended. Note that the wheels could fold in either direction as instantiated, or could otherwise retract or collapse into the shell  110 .  FIG. 3  further shows an optional wing component  300 . The wing component  300  could fold out for use during play, and then a proper software application on the mobile device could be executed to simulate an airplane. In other embodiments, the shell could couple with the electronic device in such a way that the electronic device could sense what combination of wheels and wings are extended, and the mobile software application could respond accordingly. However, even without coupling, most mobile devices have motion sensors, and this motion information could be tracked and suitable audio, video, and/or haptic information and/or feedback could be generated via the portable electronic device  50 . 
         [0026]      FIG. 4  illustrates an underside of a universal track adaptor system  100  showing the track facing surface  112 , and wheels  114 - 120  in an unfolded or retracted position. The universal track adaptor system  100  includes at least one control wheel or control device  130  operable to adjust a width of separation of pairs of wheels, the control device  130  acting on an adaptive mechanism  124  which is coupled and can adjust the relevant wheel pair along an axis  126 . The axis  126  could simply be abstract for in use in the present discussion, or may literally be a physical component of the universal track adaptor system  100  to which the wheels are physically attached. 
         [0027]    As will be appreciated, a variety of combinations of control devices and/or adaptive mechanisms could be utilized to accomplish the desired effect of adjusting the width between wheels in pairs. The separate pairs of wheels could adjust separation width independently (e.g., each pair has an independent adjustment mechanism). In some cases, only one wheel pair, or even one wheel may be adjustable. As will be appreciated, the adjustment mechanism could adjust wheels in many degrees of motion, so disposition of the wheels could extend further or close in with regards to the shell  110 , or change orientation, and/or a combination of all degrees of motion, in some embodiments. In another embodiment, the wheels are permanently fixed in an extended position, or perhaps removable to allow for more convenient use of the shell with respect to operation of the portable electronic device  50 . 
         [0028]    Returning to  FIG. 4 , an optional button  132  or other suitable mechanism can engage directly or via a locking mechanism, holding any combination of wheels in place depending on the desired application. There may be one or more buttons  132 , with different locking functions (height extension, width separation, etc.) depending on the desired implementation. In one particular embodiment, the device has a single button mechanism which locks the wheels in place along all available degrees of motion. 
         [0029]    Alternatively, wheels may substantially hold in place, being moved by the mechanism  130 / 124 , otherwise locked, so no “manual” locking system is necessary. In another embodiment, the adjusting mechanism is simply built in and the adjustment is made by directly manipulating the wheels, e.g., the child can push the wheels together and likewise pull them apart. In this case there may or may not be a locking mechanism. It could be that when locked the wheel separation width is not adjustable, and when unlocked, the wheels are loose and readily adjustable. A clamp or other suitable device can accomplish this purpose. 
         [0030]      FIG. 5  illustrates a toy universal track engaging system  200  adjusted to fit the sliders or rails of a sliding door system such as found in sliding glass door system of a home or shower.  FIG. 6  illustrates a toy universal track engaging system  220  adjusted to interface along a cylindrical stair banister, simulating a monorail. As will be appreciated, by “interface” the Applicant means having the wheels or other engagement mechanism(s) interacting with the track or track like mechanism found in the play environment. Whenever the term track is used herein, this could mean any available element from the play environment that can be used to simulate or create a track or sliding experience, often involving some kind of path defined by the track. Interfacing could mean width adjusting so that the wheels operate on the track similar to the operation of train wheels on a track, however a variety of ways could be accomplished, The wheels could be coupled via friction and pressure to a side of a table top so the device could run on it side, etc. 
         [0031]      FIG. 7  illustrates a child  600  playing with a toy train  601  including an integrated universal track engaging system  602 , the system  602  adjusted for operation with a sliding track or mechanism of a sliding door system. This toy train  601  may further include a mounting device to receive a portable electronic device, which may be operated as described herein to enhance play and facilitate simulation. 
         [0032]      FIG. 8  illustrates a toy train  700  with an integrated universal track engaging system  702 , and a text window  704 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 7 , rather then detachably coupling a universal track engaging system with a toy or portable electronic device, the track engaging system  702  is built into the toy train  700 , and can be implemented in any variety of ways including those described above. The text window  704  presents text relevant to the toy and in some embodiments serves an educational purpose by providing a text related to the width or disposition of the wheels or track interface of the toy train  700 .  FIG. 8  illustrates the toy train  700  with German language text “Der Zug” while  FIG. 9  illustrates the toy train with English text “train.” The text window  704  could be controlled mechanically, or could be a receiving window for the portable electronic device with the display screen visible and providing play enhancing or educational material. 
         [0033]      FIG. 10  illustrates another universal track adaptor system  900  where one or more wheels, typically a pair  902 , are extendably attached to the universal track adaptor system  900 . This wheel pair  900  can be extended and locked in place to operate as stand for a portable electronic device, in embodiments where the universal track adaptor  900  includes a shell for a portable electronic device. The extension can also enhance play, simulating a dump truck or other toy, and the play can be further enhanced by an application running on the portable electronic device that could generate relevant audio and video. 
         [0034]      FIG. 11  illustrates a method for playing with an electronic device running a toy simulation application and a universal track engagement system. In the start step, any initiation activities can be taken such in preparation, which might include installing a suitable software application in the mobile device. At  952  activity(ies) involves attaching or inserting the portable mobile device, such as an iPhone or Android device, into the universal track adaptor system. Note that in some embodiments, the device may be more fixedly connected then the snap in version with snug fit described above. 
         [0035]    At  954 , activity involves adjusting the system to engage with some rail-like element found in the immediate play environment, and interfacing the system with that rail-like element. At  956 , the software application is executed and the child can play with the toy, attached to a rail-like device, with suitable feedback and controls provided by the electronic device. 
         [0036]    In addition to the above mentioned examples, various other modifications and alterations of the invention may be made without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the above disclosure is not to be considered as limiting and the appended claims are to be interpreted as encompassing the true spirit and the entire scope of the invention.