Patent Abstract:
A protective case accessory with integrated Multifunction button configured for attachment to a cellular smartphone device, facilitating the initiation of embedded features or software applications, or both, when attached to the Smartphone device. The invention includes a Multifunction button integrated into a protective case accessory and preferably uses a Bluetooth transceiver to connect wirelessly to a smartphone device to send and receive audio or data communication, or both.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not Applicable 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       MICROFICHE APPENDIX 
       [0003]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0005]    The invention relates to the field of protective case accessory for cellular Smartphone devices and Software Applications running on such devices. More specifically, the invention comprises a Multi-Function button integrated into a cellular smartphone protective case accessory, using a Bluetooth transceiver also embedded in the smartphone protective case accessory that is configured to attach to a smartphone device, facilitating the initiation or activation of features or software applications running on the Smartphone device, or both and also serves as a protective case for the smartphone device. 
         [0006]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0007]    There are many known protective case devices for protecting hand-held smartphone devices. Most of these are made from plastic or rubber or a combination of both and have no interaction with the cellular phone device and serve only to protect such device and sometimes adding aesthetic value to the user. However, there are some protective cases that do interact with the cellular phone device. Some offer back up power to extend the cellular phone talk time or some may include an integrated card reader that facilitate scanning of a credit card and communicating the card information to the cellular phone that uses a software application to process the credit card information. These devices may use electrical connections such as conductive metal contacts or wireless connections such as Bluetooth, to interface to the cellular phone device. 
         [0008]    Portable smart phone devices facilitate the use of a plethora of applications available for download from any available APP store that allow the device to be used for multiple applications such as gaming, social networking, navigation and many more. There are available accessories that connects wirelessly to the Smartphone or plug into the accessory jack on the Smartphone, that when combined with a software application running on the Smartphone, serves as a multifunction button allowing the user to activate features and applications on the phone by using a series of pre-programmed presses of the multifunction button to activate each feature or software application. One such type of application is programming a short press of the multifunction button to activate the camera feature in the Smartphone to take a picture. Another application is programming a long press of the multifunction button to toggle the mute function or flashlight application on the Smartphone. There can also be a series of long and short presses of the multifunction button programmed to activate any of the embedded features or downloaded software applications on the Smartphone. By using a dedicated button to activate select features or application on the Smartphone it allows the user to quickly access and activate the feature without having to turn on the display, unlock the phone, select the feature or application and activate it. 
         [0009]    Available multifunction button accessories for Smartphone&#39;s such as those that are inserted into the accessory connector of the Smartphone prevents the use of wired accessories when plugged in and can be misplaced if removed. Alternatively, wireless multifunction buttons although still allowing access to the accessory connector on the Smartphone can also be misplaced or is designed to be mounted in a fixed location (such as in a vehicle) thus limiting the use of the multifunction button. 
         [0010]    Standard smart-phone protective case accessories, although providing variable amount of protection and sometimes interfacing with the portable smart-phone device, do not facilitate the use of a multifunction button, providing easier and quicker access to activate features and software applications on the Smartphone and providing tactical feedback to the user and ease of use when wearing gloves. Therefore, there is room for improvement within the art. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF PRESENT INVENTION 
       [0011]    The present invention integrates a multifunction button into a protective case for a smartphone device, allowing for quicker access to activate embedded features and software applications running on smartphone devices without the need to unlock the phone and access the application, which would require additional time and reduce the battery life (extended operation of display). The multifunction button, when activated, preferably sends data by means of a Bluetooth connection to the smartphone device, prompting the features or software application running on the smartphone device to activate. Having the multifunction button integrated into the Smartphone protective case accessory provides easy access to a physical button allowing the user to operate Smartphone features such as the camera, or software applications, such as Google Maps, quickly even when wearing gloves. The present invention also functions as a protective case for the smartphone device adding value for the user. 
         [0012]    The Bluetooth transceiver is embedded into the protective case and preferably powered by a rechargeable or non-rechargeable type battery and may contain a method of charging rechargeable batteries. The protective case is preferably attached to the smartphone device, preferably by the use of mechanical features similar to those used in a typical protective cases designed for such devices. 
         [0013]    The protective case may also contain a means of providing auxiliary power to the smartphone device, functioning as a battery life extender or charger for the smartphone device. This is preferably implemented with a DC to DC voltage converter that provides a fixed voltage to the smartphone device preferably by electrically conductive metal contacts interfacing with the charging contacts or jack on the smartphone device. 
         [0014]    Although the use of Bluetooth as a means of communicating to the smartphone is proposed in this invention, it should not be limited as such. Other methods such as connecting directly to existing data ports with electrically conductive metal contacts on the smartphone device such as the accessory jack or multifunction connector (also typically used for charging the smartphone device) by means of a electrical connection and sending data to the smartphone to operate the PTT application. Alternately, the Multifunction button could replace the function of any one or more of the existing buttons on the Smartphone such as the Up or Down volume buttons by making that button larger in the protective case and reassigning the function in the accompanying software application. In this case the multifunction button would have mechanical features to allow it to press the existing button on the smartphone to activate the desired feature or application and there would be no need for electrical or wireless connection between the protective case accessory and the smartphone. 
         [0015]    The invention preferably includes an audio amplifier and speaker to increase the audio output of the Smartphone. This invention is not limited for use with smartphone devices and could be used with tablets or any handheld smart devices that is capable of running software applications. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a view of the rear profile of the invention, when attached to smartphone device, showing the preferred layout of the multifunction button. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a view of the left side profile of the invention, when attached to the smartphone device. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a view of the bottom profile of the invention, when attached to the smartphone device, showing the accessory port and charging port. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram of the invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a block diagram of the invention, showing power distribution from the embedded battery in the protective case device to the smartphone device. 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is a view of the rear profile of the device showing a removable Multifunction button (MFB). 
       
    
    
     REFERENCE NUMERALS IN THE DRAWINGS 
       [0000]    
       
           101  Opening for smartphone camera lens 
           102  Volume/Scroll buttons 
           103  Multifunction button (MFB) 
           104  Protective case accessory 
           105  Opening to retain removable Multifunction button 
           301  Charging and data port 
           302  Accessory port 
           401  Battery 
           402  Audio amplifier 
           403  Bluetooth transceiver 
           404  Loudspeaker 
           501  Voltage multiplier 
           502  Voltage regulator 
           503  Smartphone device 
       
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0036]      FIG. 1  shows the rear view of the present invention in an assembled state. The protective case accessory  104  is configured to attach to a cellular smartphone device (not shown), preferably to the rear of the device. Of course, the invention includes features that would allow it to readily and securely attach as shown, though the reader should bear in mind that many other possibilities to securely attach the protective case accessory  104  to the smartphone device exists. Such methods include adhesives, form fitted rubber over-mold, screws, snaps etc. Slots  101  in the protective case accessory  104  allow access to the smartphone camera lens that is used to take pictures or video. Alternately, the slot could be sealed with a clear plastic or glass lens to prevent water and dust from getting to the smartphone device in a ruggedized or water resistant protective case. The multifunction button  103  is preferably placed at the rear of the protective case device  104  to allow for easy access but the reader should bear in mind that there are many other locations where the multifunction button could be placed in the protective case to achieve similar function. One such alternative would be to place the multifunction button  103  on the side of the protective case accessory  104 . Another alternative would be to place the multifunction button on the top of the protective case accessory  104 . The Multifunction button  103  is positioned in the housing of the protective case accessory  104  such that the user has easy access while holding the smartphone device in an assembled state. Electrical elements (not shown) embedded in the housing of the protective case accessory  104  allow initiation of the features and software applications when the multifunction button is pressed. Although not shown in the present embodiment, LED indicator(s) to show power or operating status would be preferred. 
         [0037]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of the left side of the present invention in an assembled state. The volume and scroll buttons  102  facilitates the use of the volume and scroll buttons existing on the smartphone device (not shown). 
         [0038]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of bottom of the present invention, when attached to the smartphone device, showing slots in the protective case accessory for accessing the smartphone device&#39;s accessory port  302  and charging port  301 . It is preferred that a multifunction LED is used to show power or operating status. The reader should bear in mind that although a status LED is preferred as described in the embodiment of the invention, there are many other options to provide status indication to the user such as using multiple LED&#39;s, LCD displays, vibration, audible tones etc. 
         [0039]      FIG. 4  shows the block diagram of the present invention. The multifunction button  103  when pressed completes an electrical circuit (not shown in embodiment) that signals the Bluetooth transceiver  403  to send a data command to the Smartphone device to activate the desired feature or software application on the Smartphone. Alternatively, whenever the speakerphone feature is enabled or loud audio is selected by software applications running on the Smartphone device, it sends the audio signal over the Bluetooth link to the Bluetooth transceiver  403  embedded in the protective case accessory. The audio signal is then demodulated and amplified by the audio amplifier  402  and transmitted to the speaker  404  in the protective case accessory. This allows for higher audio output when the protective case accessory is attached to the smartphone device. 
         [0040]      FIG. 5  is a block diagram of the preferred power distribution showing the transfer of power from the protective case accessory to the smartphone device  503 . Preferably, the battery  401  in the protective case accessory powers the Bluetooth transceiver  403  and the audio amplifier  402 . Additionally, it is preferred that the battery output is connected to a DC to DC voltage multiplier  501  to increase the voltage from the battery which is then regulated by the voltage regulator  502  preferably to 5.0 Volts. This voltage regulator  502  output is then connected to the smartphone device  503  charging contacts (not shown) and distributed to the charging circuit (not shown) to charge the battery (not shown) in the smartphone device  503 . All the electronic components are connected using electrical conductors. 
         [0041]      FIG. 6  shows the rear view of an alternate application of the present invention with the MFB  103  disassembled from the protective case  104 . The MFB button  103  contains all the electrical components (not shown) necessary to wirelessly connect to the smartphone device. Examples are Bluetooth wireless module, battery to power the Bluetooth module, LED and button all encased in a separate mechanical housing that forms the MFB  103 . The protective case  104  is configured with a opening to retain the MFB  103  while still allowing it to be removed if intended to be used remotely. 
         [0042]    Although the preceding description contains significant detail, it should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but rather providing illustrations of the preferred embodiments of the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 7