Abstract:
The present invention provides a system and method for creating screen protectors for electronic devices where the screen protectors may be formed from stock screen protector material to fit any of a multitude of differently sized, shaped and/or configured screens for distinct portable electronic devices. The system includes screen protector material, a cutting element, a control unit and an interface. The interface enables a user to actuate the control unit by selecting an electronic device from one of the supported devices. The system then cuts a screen protector to fit the selected device allowing a user to create new screen protectors as needed or required.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/725,777, filed on Nov. 13, 2012, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for making screen protectors, in particular for making screen protectors for touchscreen electronic devices. 
         [0003]    Electronic devices include screens that are used to enable users to interface with the devices, including touchscreens on devices such as smartphones, computer tablets, and the like that are physically contacted by users. These screens are susceptible to damage such as by scratching. Even devices having screens made from specialty high-strength materials can be broken, scratched or damaged under certain circumstances. Accordingly, it is known to apply screen protectors to the screens in order to prevent the actual screen from being scratched or damaged, or to protect against oil from a user&#39;s skin, paint, or other materials that may contact the device&#39;s screen, where the screen protector is replaceable. Due to the many different types of portable electronic devices, numerous screen protector sizes, shapes and styles must be retained, such as by retailers. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention provides systems and methods for creating screen protectors for electronic devices, where the screen protectors may be formed from stock screen protector material to create a specific screen protector as needed or required. 
         [0005]    According to an aspect of the present invention, a system for creating screen protectors for electronic devices comprises screen protector material, a cutting element, a control unit and an interface, with the control unit being programmed with a plurality of programs or profiles operable to control the cutting of the screen protector material to form a screen protector of a desired shape associated with an electronic device. The interface being operatively connected to the control unit and enabling a user to actuate the control unit to form a user selected screen protector. The screen protector material may be in the form of a sheet. 
         [0006]    According to another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for creating screen protectors for electronic devices comprises a housing, a cutting element, a control unit and an interface. The control unit is programmed with a plurality of programs or profiles to control the cutting of a screen protector material to form a screen protector of a desired shape, with the interface being operatively connected to the control unit and enabling a user to actuate the control unit to form a user selected screen protector. 
         [0007]    In yet another aspect of the present invention, a screen protector kiosk comprises a housing, screen protector material, a cutting element, a control unit and an interface. The screen protector material, cutting element and said control unit are retained within the housing, and the interface is mounted to the housing. The interface is operatively connected to the control unit and enables a user to actuate the control unit to form a user selected screen protector, where the control unit is programmed with a plurality of programs or profiles, each of which is operable to control the cutting of the screen protector material by the cutting element to form a screen protector of a desired shape associated with an electronic device. The kiosk may include a payment control system for receiving payment for a screen protector. 
         [0008]    Still further, a method of making a screen protector in accordance with an aspect of the invention comprises providing screen protector material, a cutting element, a control unit, and an interface, with the control unit being programmed with a plurality of programs or profiles that are operable to control the cutting of the screen protector material to form a screen protector of a desired shape associated with an electronic device. The interface is operatively connected to the control unit and enables a user to actuate the control unit. 
         [0009]    The present invention provides a convenient and cost effective system and method of producing customized screen protectors, such as for electronic devices including smartphones, computer tablets, and the like, thereby eliminating the need to stock multiple screen protectors for the significant number of different electronic devices that are available, and continue to evolve. This avoids difficulties associated with both running out of a particular screen protector as well as carrying obsolete inventory. Additionally, the present invention provides an interface that is intuitive and easy to use, allowing consumers to create their own screen protector. 
         [0010]    These and other objects, advantages, purposes and features of this invention will become apparent upon review of the following specification in conjunction with the drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  discloses an apparatus for making screen protectors in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  discloses a cutting element of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  cutting a screen protector sheet; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a schematic representation of a program for use with the apparatus of FIG. 
           [0014]      1  to create screen protectors; and 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is discloses an alternative embodiment of an apparatus for making screen protectors configured as a kiosk in accordance with the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0016]    The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein the numbered elements in the following written description correspond to like-numbered elements in the figures.  FIG. 1  discloses apparatus  10  used to make a customized screen protector  12  from screen protector material or blank  14 , where apparatus  10  includes a cutting element  16  ( FIG. 2 ) that is used to trim material  14  to a desired size to form screen protector  12 . Apparatus  10  includes a controller or control unit  18  that is programmed and operable to route cutting element  16  to create screen protector  12  that is shaped or configured to fit the screen of a particular portable electronic device. Control unit  18  includes multiple programs or profiles whereby apparatus  10  may be selectively used to form screen protectors  12  for any of a multitude of differently sized, shaped and/or configured screens for distinct portable electronic devices. 
         [0017]    Referring again to  FIG. 1 , apparatus  10  further includes an operator interface  20  and one or more drives or motors  22 . Interface  20 , which may be a touchscreen, keypad, or other interactive interface, is operatively connected with control unit  18  and enables a user to select a particular screen protector to be formed by apparatus  10 , as described more below. Drive  22  is also operatively connected with control unit  18  and is operable to drive cutting element  16  to form a desired pattern or shape for forming screen protector  12 . 
         [0018]    In the illustrated embodiment screen protector material  14  is formed as a sheet that is inserted into apparatus  10 . Material  14  may be manually fed into apparatus  10 , or may be retained on a tray or the like and drawn into apparatus  10 . Material  14  may include an adhesive or mastic on one side to promote adhesion to the screen of the electronic device to which screen protector  12  is to be applied. Moreover, material  14  may comprise a multilayered film material, such as including a layer that is peeled off to expose the mastic or adhesive of the material  14  prior to applying to a screen of an electronic device. Alternatively, material for forming screen protector may be retained on a roll that is fed into the internal cutting area or region of apparatus  10 . As is well understood, material  14  is see through to enable a user to view the screen of their electronic device through the material  14 . 
         [0019]    Cutting element  16  is disclosed as a moveable blade that is routed through material  14  held within apparatus  10  to form a desired screen protector  12 , where cutting element  16  is moved by drive  22 . Material  14  may be retained in a stationary manner within apparatus  10  during the cutting operation, or alternatively may be moved simultaneously with movement of cutting element  16  to obtain the desired shape. For example, cutting element  16  may be moved in two axes while material  14  is held stationary or simultaneously moved during cutting. Alternatively, cutting element  16  may be moved in a single axis while material  14  is moved during cutting. Apparatus  10  may include various rollers and grip mechanisms for holding and moving material  14  through apparatus  10 , as well as supports and guides for cutting element  16 . Still further, alternative cutting elements may be employed relative to that shown in  FIG. 2 . For example, a straight edge device, hot wire, laser, or the like. It should be appreciated that cutting element  16  may be operatively connected with and driven by drive  22  in a number of ways, including via direct or indirect connections or linkages, in order to form or define an outer profile or perimeter of a screen protector  12 . It should be understood that screen protectors may be formed to be of varying length and width, as well as have variously formed edges, such as rounded corners or other cutouts, based on the particular type of electronic device to which the desired screen protector is to be applied. 
         [0020]    As previously noted, control unit  18  is programmed to operate apparatus  10  to form any of a variety of differently sized and shaped screen protectors  12  as needed for a specific electronic device. Accordingly, control unit  18  may include multiple different programs, each of which is associated with a specific screen protector  12 , such as based on make and model for a particular electronic device. Such program would relate to the length, width and outer perimeter geometry of the desired screen protector shape. Alternatively, control unit  18  may have access to a memory or a database loaded with profiles for each of the various electronic devices, each electronic device profile containing information on the length, width and outer perimeter geometry for the desired screen protector shape for a particular electronic device. Still further, control unit  18  may alternatively or additionally be operable to receive input commands regarding the size and shape of a desired screen protector such as, for example, regarding a length and width to which the screen protector is to be made. 
         [0021]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , interface  20  is schematically represented disclosing the user selectable programming for creation of a particular screen protector  12 . As shown, an initial step  24  involves a user initiating operations by selecting or inputting a particular make and model of electronic device, or selecting or inputting a particular size or profile, for which a screen protector is desired. Initiation step  24  may involve typing a make and model into interface  20 , such as by a keypad or touchscreen. Alternatively, a list or menu  26  of available screen protectors for particular electronic devices may be provided for selection by a user. List  26  may comprise a series of screens or selectable choices provided to user. For example, an initial choice may be based on the make of the electronic device for which a screen protector is desired and, upon entry of this information to control unit  18 , the available models associated with the entered make may be presented for selection by the user of apparatus  10 . Alternatively, a selection may be based on size, such as by length and width, or selectable to set a desired length or width. Upon completion of step  24 , operations for creation of screen protector  12  may be commenced at activation step  28 , which may comprise a confirmation button that is activated by a user, or may automatically occur upon finalization of entry of the desired screen protector. 
         [0022]    As noted, control unit  18  of apparatus  10  may be programmable to retain programs or profiles for constructing screen protectors for a multitude of different types of electronic devices, with each program or profile being based on specified dimensions for a particular screen protector. Apparatus  10  may include one or more ports, such as USB connections, Ethernet connections, or the like, to enable control unit  18  to be reprogrammed, such as to download additional programs or profiles for alternative electronic devices. 
         [0023]    In the illustrated embodiment, apparatus  10  includes a housing  30  within which control unit  18  is mounted and to which interface  20  is connected. Alternatively, however, an external control unit, such as a computer or the like, may be utilized. For example, a computer may be connected via a wired or wireless connection to an apparatus housing one or more drives and a cutting element. In such an embodiment the computer may be utilized both as the control unit and the interface for selecting and initiating operation to create a screen protector. 
         [0024]    Apparatus  10  may be used in a retail facility, such as at a retailer of electronic devices. In another embodiment, apparatus  10  may be configured with an alternative housing  30  in the manner of a vending machine or kiosk, such as kiosk  100  illustrated in  FIG. 4 . Such an apparatus  100  includes an interface  120  and may further include a conventional payment structure  101  for accepting payment from a purchaser, such as by way of a credit card or depositing of coins and/or bills into the apparatus. Upon payment of the required fee, a purchaser may then proceed with the above outlined steps for obtaining a desired screen protector  12 . Such a vending machine or kiosk  100  type apparatus may be placed in malls, stores, theaters and the like to enable purchasers to obtain a new screen protector as needed. 
         [0025]    Still further, apparatus  10  may be provided with alternative types of material  14  for creation of screen protector  12 . For example, material  14  may be tinted or be configured for privacy viewing whereby information displayed on the subject electronic device is viewable when looking directly at the screen through the material, but is not viewable when viewed at an angle. Apparatus  10  may include trays or holders for retaining various types of material  14 . In such embodiments, interface  20  may be further configured to enable selection by the user of the type of material  14  to be used for the screen protector  12 , in addition to the noted selection of the type of electronic device for which the screen protector  12  is to be made. This may include, for example an additional step in the process of  FIG. 3 . 
         [0026]    Changes and modifications in the specifically described embodiments can be carried out without departing from the principles of the present invention which is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims, as interpreted according to the principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents.