Abstract:
A durable and water-resistant or water-proof communication accessory with a built-in battery for a mobile communication device capable of enclosing, powering, and protecting a mobile device and protecting it from dirt, water, weather, bumps, and scratches. The built-in battery can extend the life of mobile communication device while protecting the sensitive electronics, glass screen, and data.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/802,181, filed on Mar. 15, 2013, and titled “DURABLE PROTECTIVE BATTERY CASE.” The above-identified patent application is incorporated by reference in its entirety and made a part of this specification for all that it discloses. 
       INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE 
       [0002]    The following U.S. patents and patent applications are incorporated by reference in their entirety and made a part of this specification for all that they disclose: U.S. Design Pat. Application No. 29/406,346, titled “MULTI-PIECE CASE,” and filed Nov. 11, 2011; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/357,262, titled “BATTERY PACK, HOLSTER, AND EXTENDIBLE PROCESSING AND INTERFACE PLATFORM FOR MOBILE DEVICES,” and filed Jan. 21, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,367,235; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/768,538, titled “SWITCH COVER AND EXTERNAL CASE INCORPORATING A SWITCH COVER,” and filed Feb. 25, 2013; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/696,139, titled “WIRELESS COMMUNICATION REPEATER ANTENNA FOR A MOBILE DEVICE PERIPHERAL,” and filed Sep. 1, 2012. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0003]    Various aspects of this disclosure relate to accessories for mobile devices and, more particularly, to an external protective case for a mobile device, where the external protective case can incorporate a battery pack in a water-resistant, crush-resistant, impact-resistant external shell. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0004]    Many mobile devices (e.g., mobile phones, digital assistants, mobile communication devices, handheld computing devices, personal music/video/content players and storage devices) are often powered by battery power sources. Such battery power sources are often housed within the mobile device and may be changed and/or recharged as needed. However, as more powerful mobile devices are designed, these tend to consume power more quickly, thereby shortening the time between charges. This tends to limit the usefulness of the mobile device since the user may need to find a power source to recharge the battery source and wait until it is recharged. 
         [0005]    Additionally, such mobile devices are designed to satisfy the needs of a wide array of consumers. For instance, such mobile devices may have somewhat limited processing capabilities (e.g., to extend battery power) and limited input/output capabilities. Consequently, in some cases, users who wish to extend the capabilities of the mobile device to implement various types of solutions are prevented from doing so. 
         [0006]    Users frequently attach separate after-market cases to their mobile devices, either as a form of expression or to protect the sensitive electronics, the breakable glass, and the important information inside. Some users have to expose their mobile devices to relatively harsh conditions, such as rain, mud, sand, bumps, and frequent drops. The users frequently opt for protective cases. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    Various embodiments disclosed herein relate to a protective enclosure for a mobile device with a touch screen. The protective enclosure can include a first rigid case portion and a second rigid case portion that together form a protective shell around the mobile device, revealing the touch screen. The protective enclosure can include a first battery and an internal interface capable of electrically coupling with the mobile device when the mobile device is in the protective enclosure. The protective enclosure can include a water-resistant seal between the first rigid case portion and the second rigid case portion and a flexible sleeve configured to be stretched around the protective shell. 
         [0008]    The water-resistant seal can be a first gasket. 
         [0009]    The protective enclosure can include a plurality of openings and flexible port covers corresponding to ports and/or buttons on the mobile device. 
         [0010]    The protective enclosure can include a second gasket capable of forming a water-tight seal around the touch screen. 
         [0011]    The protective enclosure can include a membrane attached to the protective shell disposed in front of the touch screen. An input on one side of the membrane opposite the touch screen can register with the touch screen on the mobile device when the mobile device is in the protective enclosure. 
         [0012]    The protective enclosure can include a waterproof microphone port, e.g., electrically coupled to a microphone port built into the mobile device. 
         [0013]    The protective enclosure can include an external interface electrically coupled to the internal interface. 
         [0014]    The first battery and a second battery in the mobile device can be configured to be charged through the external interface. 
         [0015]    The protective enclosure can include a battery information display. 
         [0016]    The protective shell can include a third case portion. 
         [0017]    The battery can be enclosed within the first case portion. 
         [0018]    Various embodiments disclosed herein relate to a water-resistant protective enclosure for a mobile device with a touch screen. The protective enclosure can include a first rigid case portion and a second rigid case portion that together form a protective shell with a plurality of openings corresponding to the ports and/or buttons of the mobile device. The protective shell can reveal the touch screen. The protective enclosure can include a flexible sleeve configured to be stretched around the protective shell, and the flexible sleeve can include flexible port covers capable of sealing the plurality of openings. The protective enclosure can include a membrane attached to the protective shell disposed in front of the touch-screen, through which a tactile input on one side of the membrane can register with the touch screen on the mobile device. The protective enclosure can include a battery, an internal interface capable of electrically coupling with the mobile device when the mobile device is in the protective enclosure, and an external interface electrically coupled to the internal interface. The protective enclosure can include a water-resistant seal between the first rigid case portion and the second rigid case portion. 
         [0019]    Various embodiments disclosed herein can relate to a water-resistant protective enclosure for a mobile device with a touch screen. The protective enclosure can include a first case portion and a second case portion that together form a protective shell around the mobile device, revealing the touch screen. The protective enclosure can include a plurality of impact-absorbing regions fixed to the protective shell. The protective enclosure can include a battery and an internal interface capable of electrically coupling with the mobile device when the mobile device is in the protective enclosure. The protective enclosure can include a water-resistant seal between the first rigid case portion and the second rigid case portion. 
         [0020]    The water-resistant seal can be a first gasket. 
         [0021]    The protective enclosure can include a plurality of openings and flexible port covers corresponding to ports and/or buttons on the mobile device. 
         [0022]    The protective enclosure can include a second gasket capable of forming a water-tight seal around the touch-screen. 
         [0023]    The protective enclosure can include a membrane attached to the protective shell disposed in front of the touch screen. A tactile input on one side of the membrane can register with the touch screen on the mobile device. 
         [0024]    The plurality of impact-absorbing regions can be made of over-molded thermoplastic. 
         [0025]    The protective enclosure can include a flexible sleeve configured to be stretched around the protective shell. 
         [0026]    The protective enclosure can include an external interface electrically coupled to the internal interface. The external interface can be a different connection type from the internal interface. 
         [0027]    The foregoing is a summary and contains simplifications, generalization, and omissions of detail. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Other aspects, features, and advantages of the devices and/or processes and/or other subject matter described herein will become apparent in the teachings set forth herein. The summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of any subject matter described herein. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0028]    The foregoing and other features of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only some embodiments in accordance with the disclosure and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, the disclosure will be described with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings. 
           [0029]      FIG. 1  illustrates various views of an example embodiment of a protective case for a mobile device. 
           [0030]      FIG. 2  illustrates various views of an example embodiment of a protective case and a mobile device. 
           [0031]      FIG. 3  illustrates cross-sectional views of an example embodiment of a protective case and a mobile device. 
           [0032]      FIG. 4  illustrates an exploded perspective view of an example embodiment of a protective case and a mobile device. 
           [0033]      FIG. 5  illustrates an exploded perspective view of an example embodiment of a protective case and a mobile device. 
           [0034]      FIG. 6  illustrates an exploded perspective view of an example embodiment of a protective case and a mobile device. 
           [0035]      FIG. 7  illustrates an example embodiment of a belt clip and protective case for a mobile device. 
           [0036]      FIG. 8  illustrates an example embodiment of a belt clip and protective case with a mobile device. 
           [0037]      FIG. 9  illustrates an example embodiment of a belt clip and protective case for a mobile device. 
           [0038]      FIG. 10  illustrates an example embodiment of a belt clip and protective case with a mobile device. 
           [0039]      FIG. 11  illustrates an example embodiment of a belt clip and protective case for a mobile device. 
           [0040]      FIG. 12  illustrates an example embodiment of a belt clip and protective case with a mobile device. 
           [0041]      FIGS. 13-21  illustrate an example embodiment of a protective case for a mobile device. 
           [0042]      FIG. 22  illustrates an example embodiment of a protective case with a mobile device. 
           [0043]      FIG. 23  illustrates an example embodiment of a protective case for a mobile device. 
           [0044]      FIG. 24  illustrates an example embodiment of a protective case for a mobile device. 
           [0045]      FIG. 25  illustrates cross-sectional views of an example embodiment of a protective case for a mobile device. 
           [0046]      FIG. 26  illustrates an example embodiment of a protective case for a mobile device. 
           [0047]      FIG. 27  illustrates an example embodiment of a belt clip and protective case for a mobile device. 
           [0048]      FIG. 28  illustrates an example embodiment of a belt clip and protective case for a mobile device. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0049]    In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the description and drawings are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented here. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the Figures, may be arranged, substituted, combined, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated and made a part of this disclosure. 
         [0050]    Further, the following description contains, by necessity, simplifications, generalization, and omissions of detail; consequently, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the description is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. This description is not intended to identify key features or essential features of any subject matter described herein. 
         [0051]      FIGS. 1 to 28  illustrate a protective case  2  that can provide protection against harsh conditions while also extending the battery life of a mobile device  4  with a back-up battery  6  built into the case  2 . Durable protective cases  2  can have additional space to adequately protect the mobile device. This additional space can provide more than enough space to contain a rechargeable (e.g., lithium ion) battery  6  as, for example, illustrated in  FIG. 3 . The battery  6  can transmit and/or receive information and power to the mobile device  4  through an internal interface  8 , as, for example, illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . The durable protective battery case  2  can transmit and receive information or power through an external interface  10  as, for example, illustrated in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  24 , and  25 . The internal interface  8  and the external interface  10  can be different connection types. The internal and external interfaces  8 ,  10  can comply to different standards. For example, the external interface  10  could be micro-USB while the internal interface  8  could be a Lightning connector or a 30-pin connector, both of which are frequently found on devices sold by Apple computers. The external interface  10  can allow for charging of the mobile device  4  and/or battery  6  and allow syncing with other devices or applications. 
         [0052]      FIGS. 1-12  illustrate embodiments of the case  2  that include a rigid case portion  12  that provides crush-resistance surrounded by a malleable outer layer  14 . In some embodiments, the rigid case portion  12  is comprised of multiple pieces as illustrated, for example, in  FIGS. 4-6 ,  13 - 15 ,  18 - 21 , and  26 . The multiple pieces can connect including a gasket(s) (e.g., a first or main gasket)  16  as illustrated in  FIGS. 4 ,  13 , and  14  to maintain moisture resistance. As illustrated, for example, in  FIG. 26 , the case  2  can have a top cover  52  and a main housing  54 . The main housing  54  can be waterproof and can be fully sealed. The top cover  52  and the main housing  54  can form the case  2 , having a part line  56  between the top cover  52  and the main housing  54 . The part line  56  can be fully sealed with a gasket  16  (sometimes referred to as a main gasket  16 ). The main gasket  16  can be over molded onto the rigid case portion  12  (e.g., the main housing  54 ). The main housing  54  can have a camera opening  58  for a camera  59  of the mobile device  4  as shown in  FIG. 6 . The camera opening  58  can have a film/mesh over the opening  58  for water and dust resistance. Referring to  FIG. 4 , the main housing  54  may comprise the battery as, for example, illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 25 . 
         [0053]    The rigid case portion  12  can include a gasket(s) (e.g., a second gasket)  17  to form a water-tight seal around a touch screen  26  of a mobile device  4 . The gasket  17  can be over molded onto the rigid case portion  12  (e.g., the top cover  52 ). The rigid case portion  12  can include pass-through holes  18 , as for example shown in  FIG. 4 , to allow access to controls and ports on the mobile device  4  (e.g., volume control  41 , power button  51 , mute switch  46 , home button  24 , micro-USB port, and headphone jack  42 ). The malleable outer layer  14  can be stretched over the rigid case portion  12  to provide impact-resistance and to increase water-resistance. The malleable outer layer  14  can include flexible port covers  19  corresponding to ports and/or buttons on the mobile device  4 . In an embodiment, instead of a malleable outer layer, the rigid case portion  12  can include impact-absorbing regions  22 , e.g., as illustrated in  FIGS. 13-28 . These impact-absorbing regions  22  can be overmolded to directly attach to the rigid case portion  12 . 
         [0054]    The case  2  can also allow access to controls on the front of a device  4 , including buttons  24  and/or a touch screen  26 , e.g., as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . The touch screen  26  can be protected either with a waterproof gasket  17  as illustrated, for example, in  FIG. 3  or a membrane  28  as illustrated, for example, in  FIG. 4 , that allows inputs on the front of the membrane  28  to be passed through to the touch screen  26 . In some embodiments, an inductive, capacitive, or tactile touchscreen  26  will register inputs through the membrane  28  without impedance. 
         [0055]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 1-28 , the case  2  can have sensor cutouts or openings  30  for sensors of the mobile device  4 . The sensor cutouts  30  can be internally sealed with mesh/film. The mesh/film (e.g., watertight material) can be on inside surfaces of the rigid case portion  12  to seal the cutouts/openings  30  such as, for example, a speaker port  31  and audio/microphone ports  33 . The case can also have a noise canceling microphone port  37 . The case  2  can have an over molded home button  32  for depressing the home button  24  of the mobile device  4 . The case  2  can have two external interfaces  10 . For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 24 , the case  2  can have a micro USB input  34  and charge pad input  36 . The case  2  can have over mold pass through buttons  38  to access to controls and ports (e.g., the volume control  41 ) on the mobile device  4  as discussed herein. An auxiliary port  40  can provide access to a headphone jack  42  of the mobile device  4  shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0056]    As illustrated in, for example,  FIGS. 22 and 23 , the case  2  can have a thin membrane area  44  for covering, for example, a mute switch  46  of the mobile device  4 . The case  2  can have a rectangular opening  48  for the screen  26  of the mobile device  4  shown in  FIG. 4 . As illustrated in, for example,  FIGS. 7 and 24 , the case  2  can have a double injection pass through power button  50  for pressing a power button  51  of the mobile device  4  as shown in  FIG. 4 . As illustrated in  FIG. 25 , a wall of the rigid case portion  12  can be around the USB input port  34  to allow for the use of an O-ring type of gasket seal to provide water resistance as discussed herein. 
         [0057]      FIGS. 7-12 ,  27  and  28  illustrate a belt clip  60  that can keep the case  2  securely on, for example, a hip of a user. In some embodiments, the case  2  can include a standby switch  62  to allow a user to choose when the battery  6  of the case  2  charges the mobile device  2 . The case  2  can include light emitting diodes (LEDs) that indicate a remaining power of the battery  6 . In some embodiments, the battery is rechargeable for over 500 full cycles, with partial charges not counting as full cycles. In some embodiments, the dimensions of the case can be 5.26 in×2.78 in×1.02 in. The battery capacity can be 2,500 mAh. 
         [0058]    As discussed herein, the case  2  can include various features, such as a waterproof speaker cover, waterproof microphone cover, waterproof button, crush resistance, impact resistance, lithium ion batteries, LED indicators, NFC capabilities, NFC boost antenna (see e.g., U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/696,139), three-part case, and/or clam-shell case design. The impact resistance can exceed military specifications (e.g., MIL-STD 810G). The embodiments discussed herein can offer splash and rain protection, sand and dust protection, impact and drop protection, and/or vibration and shock protection. 
         [0059]    The foregoing description has set forth various embodiments of the systems and/or methods via the use of figures and/or examples. Insofar as such figures and/or examples contain one or more functions and/or operations, it will be understood by those within the art that each function and/or operation within figures or examples can be implemented individually and/or collectively. The herein described subject matter sometimes illustrates different components contained within, or connected with, different other components. It is to be understood that such depicted architectures are merely examples, and that in fact many other architectures can be implemented which achieve the same functionality. In a conceptual sense, any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality is effectively “associated” such that the desired functionality is achieved. Hence, any two components herein combined to achieve a particular functionality can be seen as “associated with” each other such that the desired functionality is achieved, irrespective of architectures or intermedial components. 
         [0060]    With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity. 
         [0061]    It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced embodiment recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the embodiment, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the disclosure may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce embodiment recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of an embodiment recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular embodiment containing such introduced embodiment recitation to embodiments containing only one such recitation, even when the same embodiment includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce embodiment recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced embodiment recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, embodiments, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.” 
         [0062]    Although the present subject matter has been described herein in terms of certain embodiments, and certain exemplary methods, it is to be understood that the scope of the subject matter is not to be limited thereby. Instead, the Applicant intends that variations on the methods and materials disclosed herein which are apparent to those of skill in the art will fall within the scope of the disclosed subject matter.