Abstract:
Cases for portable electronic devices are described including multiple alignment elements (e.g. slugs, magnets or physical securing means) embedded in a panel, such as the back panel of the case. Various accessories, such as stands, cord spools, mounts, communication devices, speakers, displays, etc., may also have multiple corresponding alignment elements (e.g. magnets, slugs or cooperative physical securing means) in them that allow the accessories to be semi-securely attached to the case in a plurality of specific positions and/or orientations.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present subject matter relates to cases and accessories for portable devices, such as personal media players, smartphones, tablet computers, and other electronic devices. As portable devices have become increasingly more functional with increasing computing power, graphics and communications capabilities and decreasing size, there have been ongoing needs to make the devices themselves more user accessible, convenient and easy to use. Various accessories have been provided to address aspects of these and other limitations of mobile devices, such as ruggedized cases, speakers, chargers, etc. 
         [0002]    Despite the successes that have been achieved using certain accessories for certain purposes, there are still limitations in the range of solutions that individual accessories can provide. Most (perhaps all) users do not make use of the full range of capabilities that their portable devices can provide. In many cases, the user could benefit from making it easier and/or more secure to use their portable device in many different situations, e.g. by providing stands, holders and the like at various locations that support different orientations and device capabilities. In addition, there is an ongoing consumer need for accessories that improve upon the accessibility of portable devices and help to expand their usefulness in various parts of users&#39; day to day lives. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Aspects of the present invention may provide a case for a portable device, such as a personal media player, smartphone or tablet computer, with multiple alignment elements (e.g. slugs, magnets or physical securing means) embedded in a panel, such as the back panel of the case. The case may be integral with, or removable from the portable device. Various accessories, such as stands, cord spools, mounts, etc., may also have multiple corresponding alignment elements (e.g. magnets, slugs or cooperative physical securing means) in them that allow the accessories to be semi-securely attached to the case in a plurality of specific positions and/or orientations. 
         [0004]    Embodiments may include means for joining the portable device to various accessories, such as, for example, magnets, surface contours, locking mechanisms, and the like. 
         [0005]    In embodiments, a surface of the device case may include a symmetrical 3-dimensional pattern, hole patterns, perforations and/or the like. Accessories may include corresponding 3-dimensional pattern(s) that help to orient the case/device with respect to the accessory. 
         [0006]    In embodiments, accessories may include one or more of, a full size battery, a reduced size battery, a stand, a suction mount, a magnetic mount, a car mount, a folding mount, a swivel mount, a triangular mount, a multi-purpose mount, a spool, a speaker, a display, a charging station, a docking station, a communication device such as a modem, a network hub, a repeater or blaster, a wallet, a fashion plate accessory, a stylus, an input device, a physical interaction device (e.g. a touchpad or haptic feedback device), etc. Embodiments may include kits with a case and one or more of the foregoing, or other, accessories. 
         [0007]    In embodiments, the accessory may have a length and width that substantially correspond to a length and width of the case for the device. In other embodiments, the accessory may have a length and width that is less than a length and width of the case for the device. In other embodiments, the accessory may have a length and/or width that is ½, ¼, or other ratio related to the number of magnets and/or slugs included in the case and accessory, compared to a length and/or width of the case for the device. 
         [0008]    In embodiments, the case and/or accessory may include various sub-units, such as a power unit, a control unit, and/or a communication module. Communication modules may be configured to receive audio data and/or signals and to provide the audio data to a speaker, and may include, for example, wireless receivers, USB ports, audio jacks, etc. 
         [0009]    Additional features, advantages, and embodiments of the invention may be set forth or apparent from consideration of the following detailed description, drawings, and claims. Moreover, it is to be understood that both the foregoing summary of the invention and the following detailed description are exemplary and intended to provide further explanation without limiting the scope of the invention claimed. The detailed description and the specific examples, however, indicate only preferred embodiments of the invention. Various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the detailed description serve to explain the principles of the invention. No attempt is made to show structural details of the invention in more detail than may be necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention and various ways in which it may be practiced. In the drawings: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  depicts a plurality of case and accessory arrangements according to exemplary embodiments of the invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  depicts a case including a plurality of arrangement elements according to exemplary embodiments of the invention. 
           [0013]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  depict alternative configurations of magnetic arrangement elements according to exemplary embodiments of the invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  depicts a case and a full-size accessory according to exemplary embodiments of the invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  depicts a case and reduced footprint mounting accessory according to exemplary embodiments of the invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  depicts a case and reduced footprint mounting accessory according to exemplary embodiments of the invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  depicts a case and another reduced footprint mounting accessory according to exemplary embodiments of the invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  depicts additional details of a mounting accessory, such as shown in  FIG. 6 , according to exemplary embodiments of the invention. 
           [0019]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  depict a case and another mounting accessory according to exemplary embodiments of the invention. 
           [0020]      FIGS. 9A and 9B  depict a case and another reduced-footprint accessory according to exemplary embodiments of the invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  depicts a case and an accessory with corresponding physical alignment features according to exemplary embodiments of the invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  depicts a case and another accessory according to exemplary embodiments of the invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 12  depicts a plurality of mounting accessories according to exemplary embodiments of the invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 13  depicts a kit including a case and a plurality of accessories according to exemplary embodiments of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0025]    It is understood that the invention is not limited to the particular methodology, protocols, etc., described herein, as these may vary as the skilled artisan will recognize It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. It also is to be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “a flap” is a reference to one or more flaps and equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art. 
         [0026]    Unless defined otherwise, all technical terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains. The embodiments of the invention and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments and examples that are described and/or illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. It should be noted that the features illustrated in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, and features of one embodiment may be employed with other embodiments as the skilled artisan would recognize, even if not explicitly stated herein. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques may be omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments of the invention. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the invention may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments of the invention. Accordingly, the examples and embodiments herein should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, which is defined solely by the appended claims and applicable law. Moreover, it is noted that like reference numerals reference similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
         [0027]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view showing a plurality of arrangement elements on cases and accessories according to first aspects of the invention. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the case and/or accessory may include “domino” like arrangements of, for example, slugs and/or magnets, e.g. in 8 or 4 part arrangements. Accordingly, the case may be joined to the accessory in a variety of ways that fully cover, or partially cover, the accessory. In embodiments, the case surface may be substantially the same size as the accessory surface, or the case surface may be larger than the accessory surface, or vice versa. 
         [0028]    In embodiments, the arrangement elements may be disposed in a domino or other pattern on each of the case and accessory, e.g. with 8 elements on the case, and an even number of elements on the accessory, such as 2, 4, 8, 10, 12 or 16. Other embodiments may include arrangements of odd numbers of elements, such as when constrained by, or more appropriate for, the form factor of the accessory. 
         [0029]    For example, as shown in  FIG. 1 , a case  110  may include a plurality of arrangement elements  112  (in this case magnets or slugs) that may be used to attach, at least temporarily, an accessory ( 120  or  130 ) with correspondingly arranged elements  122 . Case  110  may be attached, at least temporarily, to a “full size” accessory  120  (i.e. an accessory that has a substantially similar surface area to that of the case) in a variety of ways including orienting the accessory  120  in different rotational positions, and engaging different elements  112  and  122 . It should be further understood that the case  110  may be integral with, or removable from, a portable device. 
         [0030]    Thus, as will be appreciated from  FIG. 1 , a case and accessory system for a portable electronic device may include a device case including a backing with a plurality of slugs or magnets embedded preferably symmetrically therein; an accessory including a surface with a plurality of slugs or magnets embedded therein and disposed in a complimentary pattern to the plurality of slugs or magnets embedded in the case, wherein the patterns of the slugs and/or magnets are configured to allow the case to be semi-securely mounted to the accessory in a plurality of positions and/or orientations, at least two of the plurality of positions and/or orientations including an arrangement in which the case completely overlays the accessory, and another arrangement in which the case only partially overlays the accessory. 
         [0031]    In embodiments, an accessory, like accessory  120 , may have a length and width that substantially correspond to a length and width of the case  110 . In other embodiments, the accessory, like accessory  130 , may have a length and width that is less (or greater) than a length and width of the case for the device. Preferably, the accessory may have a length and/or width that is ½, ¼, or other ratio related to the number of magnets and/or slugs included in the case and accessory, compared to a length and/or width of the case for the device. However, other dimensions and arrangements are also possible, and the accessory (or accessory mounting surface) may have a shape that is different than that of the case, e.g. circular, oval, triangular, etc. 
         [0032]    As discussed further below, accessories may include one or more of, a full size battery, a reduced size battery, a stand, a suction mount, a magnetic mount, a car mount, a folding mount, a swivel mount, a triangular mount, a multi-purpose mount, a spool, a speaker, a display, a charging station, a docking station, a communication device such as a modem, a network hub, a repeater or blaster, a wallet, a fashion plate accessory, a stylus, an input device, a physical interaction device (e.g. a touchpad or haptic feedback device), etc. 
         [0033]      FIG. 2  also shows an exemplary case (or case portion)  200  including a plurality of arrangement elements  112 . In some examples, arrangement elements  112  may include magnets, slugs, or other securing means, such as clips, hinges, hook and loop fasteners, micro/nano-suction, etc. that may be suitable to detachably secure and/or position the case and accessory. 
         [0034]    In  FIG. 2 , a domino grid pattern of arrangement elements is shown, and has been found by the inventors to be well suited to objects of the invention, and with manufacturing restrictions related to implementing the design into other products and phone types. However, it should be appreciated that other patterns are also envisioned, such as diamond-shaped, offset lines, triangular, curved, etc. 
         [0035]    It is also noted that, although some exemplary magnets and slugs may be shown and described as circular or cylindrical, other shapes are also possible including square, rectangular, elliptical, triangular, and combinations of the above. For example, “bars” of rectangular slugs or magnets may be included along an edge of the case or accessory (e.g. to facilitate interaction with certain accessories), and other cylindrical slugs or magnets may be included toward the center of the surface (e.g. to further provide adjustable semi-secure placement). 
         [0036]    The inventors have also found that, in some cases, the type and/or orientation of magnetic arrangement elements may affects detent feel. For example, specific magnet design and strengths can affect the “snappy” feel of the mount design.  FIGS. 3A and 3B  depict two specific designs that were tested. 
         [0037]    As shown in example  310  in  FIG. 3A , a case  312 , including axially magnetized magnets with field  314 , was tested in a prototype. In this case, the inventors found that the detent feel was somewhat compromised because the steel plate  316  does not have a resting state centered on the magnet. 
         [0038]    The inventors also tested with a different magnet design, e.g. example  320  where the case  322  includes a disc magnet that is diametrically magnetized with field  324 , as seen in  FIG. 3B . The magnetic field  324  was found to provide an improved interaction with plate  326  for detent and strength. 
         [0039]    For ease of description,  FIG. 3A  may be understood as showing an example of wherein magnets are arranged on the accessory or case to provide a magnetic field that is substantially perpendicular to the mounting surface, whereas  FIG. 3B  may be understood as showing an example of wherein magnets are arranged on the accessory or case to provide a magnetic field that is substantially horizontal to the mounting surface. 
         [0040]    An example where the accessory is a full size battery is shown in  FIG. 4 , e.g. the battery  420  is substantially the same length and width as the case  410  (thickness may vary). In embodiments, battery  420 , or other accessory described herein, may have additional magnets/slugs on the surface opposite the case (i.e. the full surface shown in  FIG. 4 ), e.g. to allow the battery/accessory to mount to another accessory. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the battery  420  may include a power or communication plug  422  to communicate power and/or signals to the device included in case  410 . 
         [0041]    Other accessories may also be configured with a length and width that substantially correspond to a length and width of the case for the device, or that are larger than those of the case. For example, a screen may be configured to attach to the case  410  with a viewing surface opposite the mounting surface. In some examples, the screen may be larger than one included in the device and allow for improved viewing. 
         [0042]    In other embodiments, the accessory may have a length and/or width that is less than a length and/or width of the case for the device. For example, FIG,  5  shows a hinged stand  520 , with a suction cup  528  attached to base  524 . The stand  520  has a substantially square mounting surface with the magnets or slugs, that may be about the same width as the case  510 . The case  510  may be longer than the surface of the stand  520 , so it extends beyond the surface, as also shown. The stand  520  is configured to adhere to another mounting surface via suction cup  528  by pushing on the surface facing the case  510  (i.e. the surface including the magnets or slugs). Pressing on the surface of the stand  520  engages a contoured interior surface  526  of the accessory “lid” to an extension (shown as rounded), that communicates or otherwise provides pressure to suction cup  528  on the “base” of the stand  520 . In embodiments, the base  524  may also be rotatable with respect to the suction cup  528 , e.g. via a hinge or swivel. 
         [0043]    In embodiments, the stand  520  may have a length and/or width that is ½, ¼, or other ratio related to the number of magnets and/or slugs included in the stand  520  and case  510 , compared to a length and/or width of the case for the device. 
         [0044]      FIG. 6  shows another exemplary stand  620  with an attached case  610 . Stand  620  may be, for example, configured as a stand for mounting base  622  in an automobile, or other surface. Although the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6  includes a single axial hinge  624 , other embodiments may be provided in which the accessory includes multiple hinges and/or swivels with parallel, and/or offset, axes. The embodiment shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6  advantageously allow the device/case to be tilted to a desirable viewing angle, as also shown. 
         [0045]      FIG. 7  shows additional details, including a cross sectional view, related to a stand  720  with a suction capability and release mechanism. In this embodiment, stand  720  includes a latch  726  that may be configured to, lock the stand  720  in a desirable viewing angle with respect to base  722 , to release a locking hinge or otherwise allow rotation of the stand  720  with respect to the base  722 , and/or to engage and disengage the suction cup  724 . Suction cup  724  may be secured in element  728 , which may include other attachment and/or arrangement means such as Velcro, detents, pins, etc. In some examples, batteries and/or other functional elements described herein may be included in stand  720 . 
         [0046]    In embodiments, the accessories, stands, etc. shown in  FIGS. 4-7  may include communication modules configured to receive, transmit and/or exchange audio data, video data, and/or other signals and to provide, for example, audio/video data to a speaker, a display, or other device, and may include, for example, wireless receivers, USB ports, audio jacks, etc. 
         [0047]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  show an embodiment in which the accessory  820  is substantially triangular and is configured to hold the case  810  at one (or more) angles in one orientation (e.g.  FIG. 8A ), and to hold the case  810  vertically and to hold other items, such as pens  850 , in a vertical cavity in another orientation (e.g.  FIG. 8B ). Magnets and/or slugs may be included in one or more of the sides of the triangular stand  820  as described herein. Although shown as a triangle with equal sides and angles, other examples may include triangles (or other shapes) with different side lengths and/or angles. Thus, a stand may be provided that allows for different viewing angles depending on which side is attached to the case  810 . Other 3-dimensional shapes, without limitation, are also contemplated, with magnets and/or slugs arranged on different surfaces. 
         [0048]      FIGS. 9A and 9B  show an embodiment in which as reduced footprint accessory  920  may be mounted in a variety of positions on case  910 . Accessory  920  may be, for example, a reduced size battery, with or without additional functionality embedded therein, and may include a retractable connection, such as element  422  shown in  FIG. 4 . Accessory  920  may include one or more sub-units incorporated therein, such as a display units, speaker units, power units, control units, communication modules, etc., and may be configured as, for example, a charging station, a docking station, a communication device such as a modem, a network hub, a repeater or blaster, an input device, a physical interaction device (e.g. a touchpad or haptic feedback device), a speaker, a game controller, etc. 
         [0049]      FIG. 10  shows an example of a case  1010  and accessory  1020  with a 3-dimensional surface pattern configured for aligning the case and the accessory in a plurality of positions. In the example shown in  FIG. 10 , the 3-dimensional pattern includes a plurality of holes  1022  and a plurality of plugs  1012  corresponding to matching holes. However, any surface pattern that allows the accessory to be aligned or positionally “registered” with the case may also be used, e.g. triangular, square, diamond or other surface relief patterns, etc. 
         [0050]      FIG. 11  shows additional details of an embodiment in which the accessory  1120  is a spool. In some examples, spool  1120  may include a locking swivel, which may allow the spool to rotate or be rotationally fixed, e.g. to allow easy spooling and unspooling of headphone wires, etc. As will be understood, the spool  1120  may be mounted at various locations on the case, e.g. by aligning various attachment elements of the accessory  1120  and case  1110 , as described herein . 
         [0051]      FIG. 12  shows a plurality of accessories  1220 ,  1222 ,  1224  and  1226 , which may be configured for independent use, and/or to cooperatively engage with one another, e.g. to provide additional functionality to a stand, provide additional power, to change stand height, etc. For example, angled stand  1224  may be configured with a mounting mechanism, such as a suction mount or cooperative engagement mechanism, and may rotate with respect to, one or more of elements  1220 ,  1222  and  1226 . Element  1222  may include a suction mount, and element  1220  may include an alternative mounting mechanism, such as Velcro, latches, pins, etc. Any of stands  1220 ,  1222  and  1226  may include one or more sub-units incorporated therein, such as a speaker units, power units, control units, communication modules, etc., and may be configured as, for example, a charging station, a docking station, a communication device such as a modem, a network hub, a repeater or blaster, a speaker, etc. 
         [0052]      FIG. 13  shows a kit  1300  including a case  1310  (which may include features described herein) and a variety of accessories such as a full size battery/accessory  1320 , a reduced size battery/accessory  1322 , a triangular surface stand  1324 , a suction mount  1326 , a wall mount  1328 , a suction swivel  1330 , and/or a spool  1332 . Each of accessories  1320 - 1332  may include at least one surface that is configured to engage with alignment elements included in case  1310 . 
         [0053]    Other combinations and variations, including kits with one or more of the examples described herein, are also possible. 
         [0054]    In some examples, case  1310  may include a backing and a plurality of slugs or magnets embedded preferably symmetrically therein. Each of accessories  1320 - 1332  may also include a surface with a plurality of slugs or magnets embedded therein and disposed in a complimentary pattern to the plurality of slugs or magnets embedded in the case  1310 . The patterns of the slugs and/or magnets may be configured to allow the case  1310  to be semi-securely mounted to any of the accessories  1320 - 1332  in a plurality of positions and/or orientations, and at least two of the plurality of positions and/or orientations may include arrangements in which the case  1310  completely overlays the accessory with different parts of the case. 
         [0055]    The description given above is merely illustrative and is not meant to be an exhaustive list of all possible embodiments, applications or modifications of the invention. Thus, various modifications and variations of the described methods and systems of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments.