Patent Publication Number: US-2015080053-A1

Title: Cellular device case with auxiliary device power

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to application Ser. No. 61/857,502, filed Jul. 23, 2013, titled “Cellular Device Case With Auxiliary Device Power,” which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The disclosure relates generally to accessories for cellular devices. In particular, the disclosure relates to a case for a cellular device with the capability of powering an accessory device, such as an electronic vapor device. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Cellular devices have become commonplace and many people carry such a device virtually every day. Such devices often require a case or cover to protect the cellular device from damage. 
     In addition, many jurisdictions in the United States, and elsewhere, have increasingly regulated the places where smoking is forbidden. This had led to an increase in the use of electronic cigarettes (e-cig), personal vaporizers (PV), advanced personal vaporizers (AVP), or electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), collectively referred to herein as electronic vapor devices. 
     In general, electronic vapor devices include an atomizer/heating element, a tank of liquid to be vaporized, and a power source. Various form factors are known from “cigarette-like” to “pipe-like” to “box-like” and variations in between. 
     It is often inconvenient to have to carry both a cellular device and an electronic vapor device. Existing systems do not solve the problems and inconveniences caused by the need to carry both devices. 
     SUMMARY 
     The presently disclosed apparatus addresses the problems and inconveniences of existing systems. In addition, the presently disclosed apparatus has many advantages over existing systems. 
     For example, some disclosed embodiments include a cellular device case having at least one edge to allow the mounting of a cellular device therein, a recess to house a battery, a voltage regulator to vary the output of a battery, and a power connector to allow the connection of an electronic vapor device. 
     In some embodiments the power connector is threaded, and may preferably be threaded at 7 mm×0.5. 
     In some embodiments, the voltage regulator may comprise a variable voltage regulator. In some embodiments, the variable voltage regulator varies an output voltage in increments of 0.75 volts, and may vary an output voltage from 2.0 to 6.0 volts, or preferably, from 2.75 to 5.0 volts. 
     In some embodiments, the cellular device case includes a battery. In some embodiments, the battery is a rechargeable battery, and preferably, a lithium-ion battery. 
     In some embodiments, the cellular device case may include a battery charging port. In some embodiments, the battery charging port may be a mini-USB port. 
     In some embodiments, the cellular device case may include at least one vent in the power connector. 
     In some embodiments, the cellular device case may include power management circuitry capable of electrical communication with a battery. In some embodiments, the power management circuitry provides an indication of battery charge level. In still further embodiments, the cellular device case also includes at least one indicator that provides a visible indication of battery charge level, and preferably, the at least one indicator is an LED. 
     In some embodiments, the cellular device case may include power management circuitry capable of electrical communication with a battery. In some embodiments, the power management circuitry provides a reduction in a battery charging time and/or an automatic shut off of battery power. In still further embodiments, the automatic shut off of battery power occurs after a predetermined time. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a depiction of some disclosed embodiments showing the inside of a cellular device case as modified to provide attachment for an accessory such as an electronic vapor device. 
         FIG. 2  is a depiction of some disclosed embodiments showing a cellular device case with a cellular device inside, and as modified to provide attachment for an accessory such as an electronic vapor device. 
         FIG. 3  is a partial side view of some disclosed embodiments of the cellular device case. 
         FIG. 4  is a partial back and side view of some disclosed embodiments of the cellular device case. 
         FIG. 5  is a partial top view of some disclosed embodiments of the cellular device case. 
         FIG. 6  is a partial side view of some disclosed embodiments of the cellular device case. 
     
    
    
     While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-6  embodiments of a cellular device case  100  may be provided in a suitable form factor to provide a protective cover for at least a portion of a cellular device  110 . As used herein “cellular device” encompasses any cellular telephone, smartphone, tablet, digital music player, or the like, whether the particular device is connectable to a cellular network or not. 
     As shown, various apertures, openings, or cutouts  120  and various lips, or edges  130  may be provided to secure the cellular device  110  within the cellular device case  100  while still allowing access to the various controls, ports, and buttons, on the cellular device  110 . In addition, some cutouts  120  may allow various cameras, lights, or the like, to operate without interference from the cellular device case  100 . Of course, the shapes, sizes, locations, and amount of cutouts  120  and edges  130  will vary according to, among other things, the particular locations of the features on the cellular device  110  intended to be used with the cellular device case  110 . 
     Cellular device case  100  may comprise rubber, plastic, wood, metal, polymers, foam, or any other suitable cellular device case material, as well as combinations of the foregoing. In addition, device case  100  may be textured or have other features to facilitate gripping of the case by a human hand, and/or to facilitate the comfort of the user. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , some embodiments of the cellular device case  100  may include a recess  115  or other feature inside the case  100  to house a battery  140 . Any battery suitable for use with an electronic vapor device  210  may be used. For some embodiments, the case  100  may contain an 1800-3000 mAh battery  140 . For some embodiments a 2000 mAh battery  140  may be preferable. In some embodiments, the battery  140  may be a rechargeable battery, such as a lithium-ion battery or the like. 
     In some embodiments, a cover  150  may cover the battery  140 . The cover may provide thermal, electrical, contact, and moisture protection in between the battery  140  and the cellular device  110 . In some embodiments, cover  150  may comprise a fabric or paper-like substance that includes a moisture indicating feature, such as changing color when exposed to moisture, to provide additional safety or diagnostic advantages. Other safety or diagnostic features are also possible. 
     As indicated in  FIG. 1 , power connections  155  route power from the battery  140  to a voltage regulator  160 , a switch  170 , and then to a threaded power connector  180 . In some embodiments, the voltage regulator  160  may comprise an adjustable voltage regulator. For example, voltage regulator may vary the voltage delivered from the battery  140  from 2.0-6.0 volts. The voltage regulator  160  may comprise a rotational, slidable, push button, or other selectable device to change the battery output voltage ether in discrete steps, or in a continuously variable manner. In some embodiments, it is preferable to configure voltage regulator  160  to have four slidable positions to allow the output voltage to be varied from 2.75V at a first position, to 3.5V at a second position, to 4.25V at a third position, to 5.0V at a fourth position. Other configurations are also possible. 
     In some embodiments, power from the battery  140  may be selectively triggered by a button, knob, or other switch,  170  on the case  100 . As shown in  FIGS. 1-2 , the switch  170  may be integral with voltage regulator  160 , or as shown in  FIGS. 3-6  may be a separate component located at a place different than the voltage regulator  160 . Other locations for the switch  170  and voltage regulator  160  are also possible. 
     For some embodiments, a threaded power connector  180  is included near a top edge of the case  100 . Threaded power connector  180  is capable of mating with an atomizer/heating element  190 , or a tank  200 , or some combination thereof, of an electronic vapor device  210 . Embodiments of threaded power connector  180  may also be plated (e.g., silver, nickel, stainless steel, or the like). 
     The particular threading and configuration of threaded power connector  180  may vary with the mating capabilities of the intended electronic vapor device  210 . For example, some embodiments of power connector  180  may be threaded with a 7 mm×0.5 threading to match so-called “ 510 ” threading of some electronic vapor devices  210 . Other threadings, such as “eGo” threading, as well as other mechanisms for connecting (bayonet, snap-fit, or the like) are also possible. In addition, various adapters, connectors, collars, or the like, may be provided to allow threaded power connector  180  to mate with any number of electronic vapor devices  210 . 
     As best shown in  FIG. 5 , embodiments of the cellular device case  100  may also include vents  220  at, in, or near the threaded power connector  180  to facilitate air flow to the electronic vapor device  210 . Other configurations of the vents  220  may also be used. 
     In some embodiments, and as shown in  FIGS. 5-6 , the device case  100  may also include a charging port  230  to allow recharging of the battery  140 . For example, charging port  230  may comprise a micro-USB charging port. Other charging ports are also possible. 
     In some embodiments, the device case  100  may include suitable circuitry (not shown) in electrical communication with battery  140  and/or charging port  230  to enable various power management functionalities. For example, fast-charging circuits (e.g., to reduce charging time), auto-cutoff circuits (e.g., to conserve battery during times of no use), and power level indicator circuits (e.g., to indicate a battery  140  charge level) may be included in device case  100  to facilitate battery  140  power management. Coincident with some, or all, of these power management features, some embodiments of device case  100  may include indicators  240  to indicate operation of the various power management features. For example, device case  100  may include one or more LED indicators  240  that light up, or change color or intensity, to indicate a charge level of the battery. Other uses of the indicators  240  are also possible. 
     As should be apparent from the present disclosure, the device case  100  enables the use of electronic vapor device  210  independently of the use of cellular device  110 . Likewise, electronic vapor device  210  and cellular device  110  may be used simultaneously. 
     Although various embodiments have been shown and described, the present disclosure is not so limited and will be understood to include all such modifications and variations are would be apparent to one skilled in the art.