Patent Abstract:
A cover device for a portable or mobile device, in particular for mobile phones, having a section configured to allow touch identification technology—such as fingerprint identification—already built into the portable device to work properly.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is related to pending U.S. provisional patent application No. 60/880,804, filed Sep. 20, 2013, and titled “PROTECTIVE COVER FOR A PORTABLE OR MOBILE DEVICE,” the entirely of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART 
       [0002]    The invention is directed to a cover device for a portable or mobile device, in particular for mobile phones and tablets, having a section configured to allow touch identification technology—such as fingerprint identification—already built into the portable device to work properly. An independent screen protector, or a case with screen protection, is provided that features a thinner zone/area to allow for touch identification (e.g., fingerprint scanning) on portable of mobile device (e.g., a phone or tablet device). This includes inserting a thin piece of film over just the button area, applying a thin film over the entire screen protector except over the screen area, and using forming tools to thin out the button area. 
         [0003]    It is noted that citation or identification of any document in this application is not an admission that such document is available as prior art to the present invention. 
         [0004]    Some portable devices now have touch identification technology built into the device so that a user can log into, or turn on, the device without having to enter a password or passcode. For example, the iPhone 5s now has a feature built into it called Touch ID, which includes a fingerprint identity sensor. With the iPhone 5s, a user can simply put a finger on the Home button and click, and the iPhone 5s unlocks. 
         [0005]    With portable devices—especially mobile phones such as the iPhone 5s—it is advantageous to provide full coverage of the front surface of the device. Current cases with screen protection and individually sold screen protectors either feature a die cut hole around buttons (such as the Home button on an iPhone device) or they feature a formed piece of film or rubber overmold to cover the buttons. But in portable devices with touch identification technology, current films either prevent the touch identification sensors from operating properly—including films for iPhones and the like—or simply omit coverage, and thus protection from areas where sensors may be located. As such, those films and rubber coverings do not allow for features such as fingerprint scanners (such as Apple&#39;s Touch ID) to work with the devices. In the case of the iPhone 5s, when current films are placed over the fingerprint sensor prevent, the sensor is prevented from accurately reading your fingerprint. 
         [0006]    It is noted that in this disclosure and particularly in the claims and/or paragraphs, terms such as “comprises”, “comprised”, “comprising” and the like can have the meaning attributed to it in U.S. Patent law; e.g., they can mean “includes”, “included”, “including”, and the like; and that terms such as “consisting essentially of” and “consists essentially of” have the meaning ascribed to them in U.S. Patent law, e.g., they allow for elements not explicitly recited, but exclude elements that are found in the prior art or that affect a basic or novel characteristic of the invention. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    It is an object of the current invention to provide full film coverage for the front of a portable device, while still allowing any touch identification technology (e.g., a fingerprint sensor) to operate and function properly. This object has been achieved by ensuring that the portion of the protective film which covers the touch identification sensor is thin enough to allow the sensor to properly register a user&#39;s touch so that the portable device can be operated. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIGS. 1A to 1E  show one embodiment of the protective film for a portable device; 
           [0009]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  show another embodiment of the protective film for a portable device; and 
           [0010]      FIG. 2C  shows close-up and cutaway views of the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B ; 
           [0011]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  show yet another embodiment of the protective film for a portable device; and 
           [0012]      FIG. 3C  shows another embodiment of the protective film for a portable device. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0013]    It is to be understood that the figures and descriptions of the present invention have been simplified to illustrate elements that are relevant for a clear understanding of the present invention, while eliminating, for purposes of clarity, many other elements which are conventional in this art. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other elements are desirable for implementing the present invention. However, because such elements are well known in the art, and because they do not facilitate a better understanding of the present invention, a discussion of such elements is not provided herein. 
         [0014]    The present invention will now be described in detail on the basis of exemplary embodiments. 
         [0015]      FIGS. 1A to 1E  show an embodiment where a portion of a first film  10  configured to cover a portable device  20  has been cut away in a location to form an opening  12  corresponding to a touch identification sensor of the portable device. A second, thinner film  11  is then attached to the first film  10 , so that the second film  11  is located in the area  12  corresponding to the touch identification sensor of the portable device. This attachment, for example to the underside of the first film  10 , can be achieved by using an adhesive  14 —such as an acrylic adhesive (e.g., VHB™), or any other suitable adhesive  14 —between the two films. Both the thicker first film  10  and thinner second film  11  would be formed around the sensor (e.g., the Home button on an iPhone device) so that the thinner second film  11  would sit flush with the sensor  22 . 
         [0016]    Films with a thickness of 0.3 mm and greater are too thick to allow touch identification sensors to operate. Even films as thin as 0.15 mm, and some as thin as 0.12 mm, still prevent touch identification sensors from working. As such, the second film is configured with a thickness of less than 0.15 mm. Preferably the thickness of the second film is at least 0.04 mm and less than 0.12 mm. More preferably, the second film has a maximum thickness of 0.10 mm. 
         [0017]    The second film can be made of any suitable transparent or sufficiently translucent film. Examples include clear plastics, such as polyethylene terephthalate (“PET”), polycarbonate (“PC”), polypropylene (“PP”), and acetate film. 
         [0018]    PET films having thicknesses of 0.04 mm, 0.08 mm, and 0.10 mm were tested on the fingerprint identity sensor of the iPhone 5s, and all three films allowed the sensor to operate properly while still providing adequate protection for the area of the fingerprint identity sensor. 
         [0019]      FIGS. 2A to 2C  show an embodiment where a film  15  configured to cover a portable device is first formed with a thickness greater than 0.15 mm—in this case 0.3 mm. Then the protective film is compressed in an area  16  corresponding a touch identification sensor of the portable device, so that the compressed area  16  of the film has a thickness of less than 0.15 mm—in this case 0.10 mm or less. Zonal compression can be carried out by using methods such as, for example, employing a forming tool having male  17  and female compression  18  elements configured to compress the film in an area  16  corresponding a touch identification sensor of the portable device such that, for example, the compressed area  16  is flush with the sensor. This zonal compression provides a single-film cover for the portable device, as compared to the dual-film form of the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B . As such, no adhesive is needed. The benefits of both embodiments are readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0020]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  show another two-piece design for a protective film. In this embodiment, a first film which covers most of the portable device is formed. As in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , at least a portion  12  of the first film  10  corresponding to the touch identification sensor has been cut away. A second film  11  is then formed to cover the front of the portable device except for the screen area. This second film  11  is formed so that at least the portion of second film  11  corresponding to the touch identification sensor has a thickness of less than 0.15 mm—in this case 0.10 mm or less. This can be achieved by forming the second film  11  to have a single thickness of less than 0.15 mm, or by forming the second film to have multiple thicknesses using any of the procedures discussed above with respect to  FIGS. 1A-2B . The second film  11  can then be attached to either the front or the back of the first film—with  FIGS. 3A and 3B  showing the second film layered on top of the first film and  FIG. 3C  showing the second film  11  layered underneath the first film  10 . 
         [0021]    In addition, the portions  9  of the second film  11  which do not correspond to the touch identification sensor of the mobile device can be configured to be tinted or colored. For example these non-sensor areas can have a printed design or pattern—so long as a portion  13  of the second film  11  which corresponds to the sensor is clear, or sufficiently translucent to allow the touch identification sensor to function properly. 
         [0022]    The above embodiments can be used to create individual screen protector devices, or can be incorporated into mobile device cases—including waterproof cases. In terms of an individual screen protector, the above embodiments provide both screen and button/sensor protection, while also allowing any sensors—including those incorporated into buttons—to sense fingerprints. In terms of a case with screen protection, it allows the case to be waterproof and to seal off front screen side buttons while allowing activation of a button&#39;s integrated touch identification sensor. 
         [0023]    While this invention has been described in conjunction with the specific embodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the preferred embodiments of the invention as set forth above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventions as defined in the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8