Patent ID: 8428664

Claim:
A method for manipulating a handheld electronic device such as a cell phone, mobile smart phone and the like, said method comprising the steps of: providing a thin protective case assembly for a generally thin handheld device such as a cell phone, mobile smart phone and the like, said protective case assembly comprising: a shell defining an open front and having sides and a base which adjoins said shell's sides, said shell attaching to a said handheld device by being sized and configured to fit over the backside and sides of a said handheld device; and, an elongated elastic strap which is attached at its ends to the back of the shell and positioned so that it is located against the shell's base, said strap also being sufficiently taut to enable the handheld device to be held in one hand and operated with the thumb of the same hand when up to two of the three middle fingers also of the same hand are placed under the taut strap; inserting a handheld device having real or virtual keys located on the front of the device into the shell; placing up to two of the three middle fingers of one hand under the taut strap positioned against the base of the shell; and operating the device in one hand by pressing the real or virtual keys located on the front of the device with a thumb of the same hand when up to two of the three middle fingers of the same hand are placed under the taut strap.