Patent Publication Number: US-2011064401-A1

Title: Coupling and accessory system for electronic devices

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional application Ser. No. 61/234,418, filed on Sep. 11, 2009, and herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a magnetically operable coupling and attachment system for devices, and deals more particularly with a magnetically operable coupling and accessory system for the support and utilization of hand-held electronic devices, such as i-phones®, i-pod®, i-pad®, cameras, camcorders and other audio and visual recording and playback devices and the like. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     As technology and innovation march forward, electronic devices are designed to be ever smaller in both size and weight, while at the same time having an increased functionality as compared to previously known devices. 
     Examples of smaller, lighter and more advanced electronic devices, particularly hand-held electronic devices, include the increasingly popular “smart phone” and “pocket camera” product genres. These devices include integrated memory for storing data including image data, and offer ever-increasing functionality to address a variety of applications including still and live motion photography and video recordings. 
     While the quality of the pictures and/or recordings made by such devices are quite high in the abstract, their reduced size and weight do make these devices subject to the corrupting influences of ‘shake’ and other associated and oscillating human movement. 
     Moreover, their small ‘footprint’ itself makes the handling, support and utilization of such hand-held electronic devices problematic, oftentimes resulting in poor quality still pictures and/or video recordings, despite the abstract quality of their integrated components, camera elements and the like. 
     The seemingly limitless functionality of these devices often requires the device to be stably and releasably mounted to another surface—such as the windshield of an automobile to take advantage of a GPS map and direction function. Current methods either require the device to be used without a protective cover or employ a protective cover that compromises the small size and portability of the device. 
     The size of these devices and their inherent inability to provide for accessories such as handles, grips, lights, microphones, etc., have led to numerous attempts to support and augment the operation of hand-held electronic devices by way of complex and cumbersome structural clamps, screws and platforms, however these constructs suffer from excessive size and weight that detract from performance. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     With the foregoing problems and concerns in mind, it is the general object of the present invention to provide a magnetically operable coupling and accessory system for the support and utilization of electronic devices. 
     It is one object of the present invention to provide a magnetically operable coupling and accessory system for the support and utilization of hand-held electronic devices. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, a coupling and accessory system for an electronic device includes an enclosure configured to encompass at least a portion of the electronic device. The enclosure has at least one area defined thereon, which is a magnetically active region or a magnetically attractive region. This embodiment of the inventive system further includes a coupling device, which has at least one of a magnetically active region or a magnetically attractive region corresponding to the at least one area of the enclosure, such that the enclosure and the coupling device are magnetically attracted and attached to one another when the enclosure is brought into close association with the coupling device. Additionally, when brought together, the enclosure and coupling device are mechanically engaged so as to inhibit a sliding disengagement of the enclosure from the coupling device while the enclosure and the coupling device are magnetically attached to one another. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, a case for a handheld device includes an aperture for providing access to a magnetically active or attractive area formed on an enclosure of the handheld device. Via the aperture, a coupling device containing a magnetically active or attractive area may be engaged with the corresponding area formed on the enclosure of the device. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, a coupling and accessory system for an electronic device includes an enclosure configured to encompass at least a portion of the electronic device. The enclosure has at least one area defined thereon, which is a magnetically active region or a magnetically attractive region. This embodiment of the inventive system further includes a coupling device, which has at least one of a magnetically active region or a magnetically attractive region corresponding to the at least one area of the enclosure, such that the enclosure and the coupling device are magnetically attracted and attached to one another when the enclosure is brought into close association with the coupling device. Additionally, when brought together, the enclosure and coupling device are mechanically engaged so as to inhibit a sliding disengagement of the enclosure from the coupling device while the enclosure and the coupling device are magnetically attached to one another. This embodiment of the invention further includes a case interposed between the enclosure and the coupling device. The case includes an aperture aligned with the magnetically active or attractive area on the enclosure, and with the magnetically active or attractive area on the coupling device, so that the enclosure and the coupling device are mechanically engaged via the aperture of the case so as to capture the case. Optionally, the case may include a flexible member for engaging the enclosure. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided for mounting a handheld device to a support, including the following steps. The method includes a step of providing an enclosure configured to encompass at least a portion of the electronic device and having at least one area defined thereon, wherein the area is a magnetically active region or a magnetically attractive region. The method further includes steps of encompassing the device within the enclosure; providing a magnetic coupling device, which includes a mechanical attachment structure; fastening the mechanical attachment structure to the support; and magnetically attaching the enclosure to the magnetic coupling device. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, an enclosure for an electronic device includes a case configured to encompass at least a portion of the electronic device. The case includes at least one magnetically active or magnetically attractive region for magnetic attachment to a corresponding magnetically attractive region or magnetically active region of a complementary coupling device. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, a coupling device for use with a complementary enclosure includes a mechanical attachment structure and a magnetically active or magnetically attractive surface connected with the mechanical attachment structure. The magnetically active or magnetically attractive surface includes at least one enhanced engagement feature for restraining sliding motion of the complementary enclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Further objectives and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following description and claims, as from the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is an component view of a magnetically operable coupling and accessory system for the support and utilization of hand-held electronic devices, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates the mating of various components of the magnetically operable coupling and accessory system, shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 3 and 4  illustrate the attachment of a coupling device of the magnetically operable coupling and accessory system, as functionally integrated with a tripod assembly, according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 5 and 6  illustrate the mating of a hand-held electronic device with the coupling device shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is an illustrative view of the magnetically operable coupling and accessory system of  FIGS. 5 and 6 , in use; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates one possible accessory utilization of the coupling device, according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 9 and 10  illustrate tactile protuberances and surface gradients that may be embossed or otherwise formed on one or more components of the magnetically operable coupling and accessory system, in accordance with the present invention; and 
         FIG. 11  illustrates several additional and integrated accessory utilizations of the magnetically operable coupling and accessory system, in accordance with yet further alternative embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a handheld device enclosure and a magnetic coupling device, according to another embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     The base components of a magnetically operable coupling and accessory system  10  are shown in  FIG. 1 . As depicted therein,  FIG. 1  illustrates the system  10  including a case, cover, or coupling enclosure  12  and a coupling device  14  which, in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , are used with a hand-held electronic device, such as a known i-phone® device  16  shown for purposes of illustration only. 
     It should be noted that although a hand-held smart phone device may be shown in the associated drawings figures, the present invention is not so limited in this regard. Indeed, the magnetically operable coupling and accessory system  10  may be equally adapted and utilized with any electronic, or non-electronic, device, without departing from the broader aspects of the present invention. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 1 , it will be appreciated that the case  12  has been designed to conform to the outer dimension of the hand-held device  16 , including having requisite openings, e.g.  18  and  20 , to permit access to a camera lens, or data exchange and audio ports, or other controls, inputs or outputs. That is, the case or cover  12  thus at least partially encloses the device  16  without inhibiting use of the device  16 . In various embodiments, as described below, the case  12  may enhance use of the device  16  by improving stability, ergonomics, or aesthetic appearance of the device. 
     The case  12  is envisioned to be fabricated from a resilient, preferably rigid material, such as hardened plastic, or metal, so as to give additional structural support to the hand-held device  16  when coupled to the coupling device  14 , and thereafter, if desired, to any accessory device. When fabricated from a rigid material, it is considered that the case  12  should be formed as a two-piece case with two end portions  12   a,    12   b,  wherein the end portions are snapped or squeezed together from ends of the hand-held device  16 . However, within the scope of the invention it is feasible to construct the case  12  as a single piece including a substantially rigid portion integral with one or more flexible members for engaging the device  16  in a snap-on or slip-on manner. 
     A land  22  is formed in the body of the case  12 , and is preferably formed from any ferrous material, or the like, which is capable of attraction to, and by, any known magnet. It will be readily appreciated that the land  22  may be a stand-alone insert that is fixedly or removably integrated with the case  12 , or alternatively, the land  22  may be an integrally formed portion of the case  12 , or formed directly as part of the device enclosure  16 , without departing from the broader aspects of the present invention. 
     The coupling device  14  illustrated in  FIG. 1  can be made from a magnetically active material, of any type or composition, provided it is capable of attraction to, and by, the material of the land  22 . The size, shape and configuration of the coupling device  14  may also take any form provided that it is capable of magnetically coupling device with the land  22 . As will be described in more detail later, the coupling device  14  may be equipped with a mechanical attachment structure  24 , which may be a threaded port for selective attachment to various accessory devices, or the like, although other attachment structures may be provided to the coupling device  14 , as required by the particular use thereof. 
     It can readily be appreciated that the coupling device  14  can be constructed largely from non-magnetic or non-ferrous material, such as molded plastic, with the magnetic or ferrous component an integral part thereof. 
     Moreover, it can readily be appreciated that the magnetically operable coupling and accessory system may be adapted directly to the enclosure of the device itself and that the case  12  represents an aftermarket approach to an existing device. In other words, as an alternative to the exemplary embodiment presented in  FIGS. 1 through 3 , the land  22  may be formed directly on an enclosure of the hand-held device  16 . 
       FIGS. 2 through 5  illustrate steps of a method for mounting the hand-held device  16  onto a camera support  26  by way of the case or cover  12  and the coupling device  14 . In particular,  FIG. 2  illustrates a step  102  of assembling the cover  12  to encapsulate or encompass the hand-held device  16 , with opening  18  and  20  providing access to the camera lens  21 , or data exchange and audio ports, respectively. While the cover  12  shown in  FIG. 2  is a two-piece cover, a single piece snap-on or elastically deformable cover may equally serve the purpose of the present invention. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the coupling device  14  may be mounted upon a tripod head type of camera support  26 , via the threaded engagement between the mechanical attachment port  24  and a standard threaded post  28  commonly provided thereon. For example but not by way of limitation, the mechanical attachment port  24  can be ¼-20 female threaded as is common for use with commercial tripod equipment. At a step  103 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , the coupling device  14  is mounted onto the threaded post  28  by way of the mechanical attachment structure  24 . Thus, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the coupling device  14  is secured for movement by the tripod head  26  without fear of inadvertent disengagement. 
       FIGS. 5 and 6  show how the hand-held device  16  may be fastened to the coupling device  14  and the tripod head  26 , via the cover  12  and the land  22 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , at a step  105  the land  22  is brought into association with the magnetically active coupling device  14  such that the cover  12 , and the encapsulated hand-held device  16 , are themselves releasably mounted to the tripod head  26  as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates the now-mounted hand-held device  16  in use, for capturing a live-action scene for still or real-time video recording. 
     It is therefore an aspect of the present invention that the magnetically active coupling device  14 , and the attractive land  22 , may combine to form an easily releasable coupling and accessory system for supporting any known hand-held device, or hand-held electronic device, without the need for any screws, complex platforms, invasive clamps or the like. 
     It will further be readily appreciated that the present magnetically operable coupling and accessory system  10  gives an operator the ability to couple the hand-held device  16  to a support apparatus, such as the tripod head  26 , and therefore avoid the distorting effects of hand or body movement that otherwise may negatively impact the resultant still or live motion video recording accomplished by the hand-held device  16 . 
     While the present invention has been described as comprising a magnetically active coupling device  14 , and an attractive land  22 , the qualities of these components could well be interchanged with one another, without departing from the broader aspects of the present invention. Thus, the land  22  may instead be formed from a magnetically active material, with the coupling device  14  formed from a ferrous attractive material, without departing from the broader aspects of the present invention. 
     Returning to  FIG. 1 , the land  22  is preferably disposed within a depression  30 , such that the magnetic attachment of the coupling device  14  creates a smooth and substantially uninterrupted outer surface to the cover  12 . Moreover, it is within the scope of the present invention that the case  12  or the coupling device  14  may include ‘wings’, ‘pegs’, or similar enhanced engagement features which provide a structural, as well as magnetic, coupling between the case  12  and the coupling device  14 . For example, when the land  22  is disposed within a depression  30  formed on the case  12 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the edges of the depression can act as enhanced engagement features  32 . Additionally, as also shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the land  22  may include a simple curved edge  23  that is convex about one axis for cupped engagement with the coupling device  14  as further discussed below. Similarly, the entire land  22  may be convex or concave about one or two axes in a ‘dimple’, ‘bump’, ‘saddle’ or other complex shape for enhanced engagement with the coupling device  14 . As another example of an enhanced engagement feature, the land  22  may be provided with a pattern of distinct magnetically attractive regions having opposing polarities so as to oppose sliding motion of a coupling device  14  having complementary regions of opposing polarities. Also within the scope of the present invention, the land  22  may be magnetically active and substantially planar for ease of sliding disengagement from the coupling device  14 . 
       FIG. 8  illustrates one possible accessory use for the mechanical attachment port  24 , besides providing a connection to a tripod head  26 , as utilized in association with a male threaded key ring component  34 , or the like. 
       FIGS. 9 and 10  illustrate tactile protuberances  36  and surface gradients  38  that may be embossed or otherwise formed, either alone or in combination, on the cover  12 , in order to assist an operator in the handling of the device  16 , whether attached to a tripod head  26 , or not. For example, protuberances  36  may define a curved finger rest or channel adjacent to the camera lens port  18 . One purpose of the curved channel is to guide fingers away from the camera lens  21  or equivalent image or audio capturing element, thereby enhancing hand-held use of the device  16  for taking pictures. Another purpose of the finger rest is to provide for an ergonomic grip that may reduce operator fatigue and likewise enhance hand-held use of the device  16 . Grooves or stipples  38  may be formed within the curved finger rest for a sure grip on the cover  12  and on the hand-held device  16 . A linear finger grip may be formed opposite the curved finger rest to assist in two-handed grasp of the device  16  within the cover  12 . 
     As described herein, the coupling device  14  may be selectively and threadedly attached to a tripod head  26 , or other stabilizing mounts, via the mechanical attachment port  24 . The present invention is not so limited in this regard, however. That is, with reference once again to  FIG. 1 , the present invention also contemplates that the rear surface  40  of the coupling device  14  may itself support, define or otherwise evidence alternative attachment structures, for securing the hand-held device  16  for support and stabilization with other structures. 
     It will therefore be readily appreciated that instead of being smooth in contour (as shown in  FIG. 1 ), the rear surface  40  of the coupling device  14  may evidence a variety of configurations including the construct of additional attachments and devices such as lights, microphones, extensions, and batteries. 
     It is also within the scope of the present invention that the rear surface  40  of the coupling device  14  may be equipped with a suction cup appendage, a clamping mechanism or a hook and loop means for securing the hand-held device  16  to a variety of surface, such as a window, bicycle handlebars, or fabric. 
     Thus, whether it is the mechanical attachment port  24 , or other means, which are utilized, it will be readily appreciated that the magnetically operable coupling and accessory system  10  provides a quick attachment to both the hand-held device  16  as well as to any suitable supporting structure or mechanism. 
       FIG. 11  illustrates several additional and integrated accessory utilizations of the magnetically operable coupling and accessory system, in accordance with yet further alternative embodiments of the present invention. 
     As shown in  FIG. 11 , the cover  12  may itself further include one or more depressions, protrusions, and/or slots  42 . These depressions and/or slots  42  may be formed in the body of the cover  12 , in general, or (with reference to  FIG. 1 ) in the area of the land  22 , in particular. In this alternative embodiment, the coupling device  14  would magnetically couple with the land  22  as previously described, however the depressions and/or slots  42  are designed to releasably mate with a corresponding number of matching protrusions formed on the inner surface  46  of the coupling device  14  (as seen in  FIG. 1 ). 
     As will be appreciated, by forming a corresponding number of matching protrusions on the inner surface  46  of the coupling device  14 , the mechanical engagement of magnetic coupling device  14  and the land  22  (or, between the coupling device  14  and the portion of the cover  12  having the one or more depressions and/or slots  42 ) is made more secure. That is, the protrusions and matching depressions/slots  42  act as enhanced engagement features to ensure that the coupling device  14  cannot slide, shear or otherwise disengage from the land  22  (or, cover  12 ) unless the hand-held device  16  is moved in the direction of a single axis, i.e., in a direction generally orthogonal to their common mating plane. 
       FIG. 11  illustrates a particular alternative embodiment, in this regard, in which access to the one or more depressions and/or slots  42  may be effectuated through an opening  48  in an overcase  50 . As shown in  FIG. 11 , the cover  12  supports the one or more depressions and/or slots  42 , while the form-fitting, preferably silicon (or the like) overcase  50  defines the opening  48  to provide access to the same. It will be readily appreciated that access to the depressions and/or slots  42  and to the land  22  are requisite elements of any overcase  50 , so that accessories for use with the cover  12  may have unencumbered coupling device access. 
     As further shown in  FIG. 11 , the overcase  50  may also evidence graspable handles  52  to assist the operator in directing the hand-held device  16 , whether attached to a separate supporting structure or accessory, or not. 
     As discussed previously, the coupling device  14  need not have the structure as shown in  FIG. 1 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 11 , a coupling device  54  may include on its forward face  55  a plurality of matching protrusions  56  with which to selectively and releasably mate with the depressions and/or slots  42  formed on the cover  12 , either directly or via opening  48  of the overcase  50 . A mechanical attachment port  58  may also be provided in the coupling device  54 , for selective engagement with a tripod head  26 , or the like. 
     Further refinement of the present invention may also be seen in  FIG. 11 , in which an upper portion of a rear surface  59  of the coupling device  54  may support any number of useful constructs, such as a lighting module including one or more lights (LED&#39;s or the like)  60  or similar devices for providing a momentary or continuous addition to ambient light. For compactness, the upper and lower portions of the coupling device  54  may be rotationally operable with respect to one another via a biased rotation joint  62 . In this manner, not only can the hand-held device  16  be releasably affixed to the coupling device  54 , and the coupling device secured to a support structure (such as a tripod head  26 ), but the rotation of the upper and lower portions of the coupling device  54  can alternately protect and reveal the lights  60 , so as to increase the range of utility and picture quality of the hand-held device  16 . 
     Similar to the previously discussed embodiment, the rear surface  59  of the coupling device  54  may instead support, define or otherwise evidence alternative attachment structures, for securing the hand-held device  16  for support and stabilization with structures other than the primary intended support  26 . It will be readily appreciated, for example, that instead of supporting the lighting module  60 , the rear surface  59  may include a hook and loop appendage so as to enable the coupling device  54  to be mounted to any fabric or clothing, thus supporting the hand-held device  16  in that manner. It is also within the scope of the present invention that the rear surface  59  of the coupling device  54  may be equipped with a suction cup appendage  65  for securing the hand-held device  16  to a smooth surface, such as a window, car window, wall, or the like. Indeed, various appendages or accessories may be removably fastened within a part of the coupling device  54 , for example, within the hinge-connected part, so as to provide interchangeable rear surfaces  59  having distinct utility. 
     Thus, whether it is the mechanical attachment port  58 , or other means, which are utilized, it will be readily appreciated that the magnetically operable coupling and accessory system  10  provides a quick attachment to both the hand-held device  16  as well as to any suitable supporting structure  26 . 
     Moreover, it will be readily appreciated that the security of the magnetic coupling device between the coupling device  14  ( 54 ) and the land  22  (cover  12 ) is dramatically increased through the use of a mechanical interface illustrated herein by protrusions  56 , formed on the coupling device  14  ( 54 ), with which to mate with the depressions and/or slots  42 , formed on the land  22 , or cover  12 . Of course, the coupling device  14  ( 54 ) may itself define the depressions and/or slots  42 , while the land  22  (or cover  12 ) may instead define the protrusions  56 , without departing from the broader aspects of the present invention. 
     As another example, shown in  FIG. 12 , the cover  12  may include multiple protruding lands  22 , while the back surface  46  of the coupling device  14  may include multiple corresponding depressions  42 , which receive the lands  22  and encompass edges  32  of the lands  22  so as to magnetically and mechanically engage the coupling device  14  with the cover  12 . Alternatively the protruding lands  22  may be formed directly on the device  16 . Thus the lands  22 , the depressions or protrusions  42 , and the protrusions  56  need not be distinct structures but can be combined in various ways. 
     While the invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various obvious changes may be made, and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof, without departing from the essential scope of the present invention. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but that the invention includes all equivalent embodiments.