PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-11005515-B2
Application Number: US-201916361176-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Transparent accessory case for an electronic device

Abstract:
An accessory device for an electronic device is disclosed. The accessory device may be formed from one or more transparent materials. The accessory device may include a first transparent material coupled to a second transparent material. The first transparent material may provide a rigid structural base, while the second transparent material provides flexibility to depress buttons of the electronic device. An oleophobic coating may be applied to the outer perimeter of the accessory device in order to resist residue build-up. Also, the accessory device may include a camera opening for a camera of the electronic device. The accessory device may be raised around the camera opening, both on an internal and external surface of the accessory device. The surface defining the camera opening may undergo a polishing operation in order to increase light transmission through the transparent materials that form the accessory device.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An accessory device for an electronic device, the accessory device comprising:
 a back wall comprising a first transparent material, the back wall comprising:
 a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface; 
 a first through hole extending from the first surface to the second surface; 
 a first raised region located on the first surface and surrounding the first through hole; and 
 a second raised region located on the second surface and surrounding the first through hole; and 
 
 a sidewall that extends from the back wall, the sidewall comprising:
 a second through hole formed in the first transparent material, and 
 a second transparent material different from the first transparent material, 
 wherein 
 the second transparent material covers the through hole and defines a protrusion at a location corresponding to the through hole. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The accessory device of  claim 1 , wherein the first transparent material comprises a first rigidity, and wherein the second transparent material comprises a second rigidity less than the first rigidity. 
     
     
       3. The accessory device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an opening formed in the back wall; and 
 a raised region that surrounds the opening, the raised region comprising:
 a rounded edge; 
 a chamfered edge; and 
 a flat surface between the rounded edge and the chamfered edge. 
 
 
     
     
       4. The accessory device of  claim 1 , further comprising a third transparent material, wherein the first transparent material and the second transparent material define an outer perimeter, and wherein the third transparent material covers the outer perimeter. 
     
     
       5. The accessory device of  claim 1 , wherein the first transparent material comprises a first thickness along the back wall, and wherein the first transparent material comprises a second thickness along the sidewall, the second thickness less than the first thickness. 
     
     
       6. The accessory device of  claim 1 , wherein the first transparent material comprises a polycarbonate, and wherein the second transparent material comprises a thermoplastic polyurethane. 
     
     
       7. The accessory device of  claim 1 , wherein the back wall and the sidewall define an internal volume, and wherein when the electronic device is positioned in the internal volume, the sidewall engage the electronic device such that a gap forms between the back wall and the electronic device. 
     
     
       8. The accessory device of  claim 1 , wherein the first through hole includes a polished surface configured to permit passage of light. 
     
     
       9. The accessory device of  claim 1 , wherein the first through hole includes size and shape to receive a camera assembly. 
     
     
       10. A method for forming an accessory device for an electronic device, the method comprising:
 forming a back wall from a first transparent material; 
 forming a through hole in the first transparent material along the back wall; 
 forming a first raised region on a first surface of the back wall, the first raised region surrounding the through hole; 
 forming a second raised region on a second surface of the back wall that is opposite the first surface, the second raised region surrounding the through hole; 
 forming sidewalls that extend from the back wall, the sidewalls formed from the first transparent material and a second transparent material different from the first transparent material; and 
 covering an outer perimeter with a third transparent material, wherein the back wall and the sidewalls define the outer perimeter. 
 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 forming a through hole in the first transparent material along a sidewall of the sidewalls; and 
 covering the through hole with the second transparent material. 
 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 10 , further comprising polishing, prior to covering the outer perimeter with the third transparent material, a surface that defines the through hole.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/729,378, filed on Sep. 10, 2018, titled “TRANSPARENT ACCESSORY CASE FOR AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE,” the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The following description relates to accessory devices for use with electronic devices. In particular, the following description relates to accessory device formed from transparent materials. Some transparent materials may provide flexible properties that facilitate insertion/extraction of the electronic device, while transparent materials may provide rigid properties that protect the electronic device. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Accessory devices may include protective cases or covers for electronic devices. An accessory devices is designed to protect the housing of the electronic device. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one aspect, an accessory device for an electronic device is described. The accessory device may include a back wall formed from a first transparent material. The accessory device may further include sidewalls that extend from the back wall. The sidewalls can be formed from the first transparent material and a second transparent material different from the first transparent material. In some instances, the sidewalls include a sidewall that includes a through hole formed in the first transparent material. Also, in some instances, the second transparent material covers the through hole and defines a protrusion at a location corresponding to the through hole. The location may correspond to a button of the electronic device. 
     In another aspect, an accessory device for an electronic device is described. The accessory device may include a transparent back wall that includes a through hole. The transparent back wall further may further include a raised region that surrounds the through hole. The raised region may extend beyond a surface defined by the transparent back wall. The accessory device may further include transparent sidewalls extending from the transparent back wall. In some instances, the sidewalls engage the electronic device such that the electronic device lacks contact with the back wall. 
     In another aspect, a method for forming an accessory device for an electronic device is described. The method may include forming a back wall from a first transparent material. The method may further include forming sidewalls that extend from the back wall. The sidewalls can be formed from the first transparent material and a second transparent material different from the first transparent material. The method may further include covering an outer perimeter with a third transparent material. In some instances, the back wall and the sidewalls define the outer perimeter. 
     Other systems, methods, features and advantages of the embodiments will be, or will become, apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description and this summary, be within the scope of the embodiments, and be protected by the following claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The disclosure will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like structural elements, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an isometric front view of an embodiment of an accessory device, in accordance with some described embodiments; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an isometric rear view of the accessory device shown in  FIG. 1 , showing additional features of the accessory device; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a cross sectional view of the accessory device shown in  FIG. 1 , taken along line  3 - 3 ; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a cross sectional view of the accessory device shown in  FIG. 1 , taken along line  4 - 4 ; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a cross sectional view of the accessory device shown in  FIG. 1 , taken along line  5 - 5 ; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a cross sectional view of the accessory device, showing an electronic device positioned in the accessory device; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a cross sectional view of an alternate embodiment of an accessory device, showing an electronic device positioned in the accessory device and free of contact with the wall and a raised region that extends from the wall, in accordance with some described embodiments; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates an alternate embodiment of an accessory device, showing additional features, in accordance with some described embodiments; and 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a flowchart showing a method for forming an accessory device for an electronic device, in accordance with some described embodiments. 
     
    
    
     Those skilled in the art will appreciate and understand that, according to common practice, various features of the drawings discussed below are not necessarily drawn to scale, and that dimensions of various features and elements of the drawings may be expanded or reduced to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention described herein. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to representative embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the following descriptions are not intended to limit the embodiments to one preferred embodiment. To the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as can be included within the spirit and scope of the described embodiments as defined by the appended claims. 
     In the following detailed description, references are made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the description and in which are shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in accordance with the described embodiments. Although these embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable one skilled in the art to practice the described embodiments, it is understood that these examples are not limiting such that other embodiments may be used, and changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the described embodiments. 
     The following disclosure relates to accessory devices for use with electronic devices, such as portable electronic device including mobile wireless communication devices (also known as smartphones) and tablet computer devices. In particular, accessory devices described herein are used to provide a protective outer body for electronic devices, while also providing an aesthetic finish. Accessory devices described herein may be referred to as accessories, accessory cases, cases, protective cases, or covers. 
     In several described embodiments, an accessory device may include transparent, or optically clear, materials. For example, the accessory device may include a first transparent material, such as a transparent polycarbonate, that forms a base. The first transparent material may extend from the base to form, or at least partially form, several sidewalls designed to engage the electronic device. The accessory device may further include a second transparent material, such as a transparent thermoplastic polyurethane, that covers (or at least partially covers) the first transparent material and forms an additional section of the sidewalls. By providing an accessory device with transparent materials, the aesthetics of an electronic device (including the color and finish) are not hidden or obscured, as compared to accessory devices with an opaque material (or materials). 
     The first transparent material may provide a relatively rigid structure (as compared to the second transparent material). In this regard, the first transparent material can provide structural support and added protection for an electronic device positioned in the accessory device. The second transparent material may provide a flexible structure (as compared to the first transparent material) designed to plastically bend with respect to the first transparent material. Further, the second transparent material may form a button capable of passing through an opening of the first transparent material. The button on the second transparent material may be depressed by a user in order to depress a button of the electronic device. 
     The accessory device may include additional features. For example, the accessory device may include a camera opening for a camera of the electronic device. The camera opening may be formed in a back wall of the accessory device. The surface that defines the camera opening may undergo a polishing operation designed to increase the light transmission properties of the accessory device along the camera opening. This allows light generated from a camera flash of the electronic device to more freely pass through the transparent materials of the accessory device, rather than reflect back into the camera. Moreover, the accessory device may be raised in locations surrounding the camera opening, both internally and externally. This provides added protection to the camera. Also, at least one of the raised locations may undergo one or more processes to promote insertion of the electronic device into the accessory device. 
     The accessory device may be sized in a manner that causes the electronic device, when engaged with the sidewalls of the electronic device, to be suspended from the back wall of the accessory device. Accordingly, the electronic device may be separated from, or not in contact with, the back wall, based on the size of the accessory device. Also, the accessory device may further include a hard or rigid coating that covers the outer perimeter of the electronic device. The coating may include oleophobic properties designed to resist build-up of contaminants and other debris, as well as liquid. 
     These and other embodiments are discussed below with reference to  FIGS. 1-9 . However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these Figures is for explanatory purposes only and should not be construed as limiting. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an isometric front view of an embodiment of an accessory device  100 , in accordance with some described embodiments. The accessory device  100  may be referred to an accessory case, a case, a protective case, or the like. The accessory device  100  is designed to receive an electronic device (not shown in  FIG. 1 ), including a portable electronic device such as a mobile wireless communication device or a tablet computer device. 
     The accessory device  100  may include a wall  102 . The wall  102  may be referred to as a bottom wall or a back wall of the accessory device  100 . The accessory device  100  may further include several sidewalls that extend from the wall  102  to engage, surround, and protect the electronic device. As shown, the accessory device  100  may include a sidewall  104   a , a sidewall  104   b , a sidewall  104   c , and a sidewall  104   d . The aforementioned sidewalls may be referred to as retaining walls, and may combine with the wall  102  to define an internal volume (not labeled) that receives the electronic device. This will be shown below. 
     In some embodiments, the accessory device  100  include opaque materials with one or more features that provide an aesthetic finish to the accessory device  100 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the accessory device  100  includes a transparent accessory device. In other words, the wall  102  and the aforementioned sidewalls may be formed from one or more optically clear materials. This provides the accessory device  100  with a transparent and see-through accessory device. Accordingly, light can substantially pass through the accessory device  100 . As a result, a user that carries an electronic device in the accessory device  100  can see through the accessory device  100  when viewing the accessory device  100  through the wall  102  and/or the aforementioned sidewalls. This allows the user to view the aesthetic appearance (such as the color scheme and finish) and other features of the electronic device, even when the electronic device is positioned in the accessory device  100 . 
     In order to interact with the electronic device in the internal volume  106 , the accessory device  100  may include several modifications. For example, the sidewall  104   a  may include a protrusion  108   a , or protruding feature, that extends from the sidewall  104   a . The protrusion  108   a  may be positioned along the sidewall  104   a  in a location corresponding to a button of the electronic device (not shown in  FIG. 1 ). As a result, a depression of the protrusion  108   a  may provide a depression to the button of the electronic device that generates a command or input. The sidewall  104   a  may include a through hole  110   a , or opening, formed in the sidewall  104   a . The through hole  110   a  may be positioned along the sidewall  104   a  in a location corresponding to a switch of the electronic device (not shown in  FIG. 1 ). As a result, the switch may protrude through the through hole  110   a , thereby allowing a user to actuate the switch and generate a command. The sidewall  104   c  may also include a protrusion  108   b  that is positioned along the sidewall  104   c  in a location corresponding to an additional button of the electronic device. Although the protrusion  108   a , the protrusion  108   b , and the through hole  110   a  are shown in specific locations, these features may be located on other sidewalls, and the number of protrusion and through holes may vary in accordance with the number of buttons and switches, respectively, of an electronic device that is compatible with the accessory device  100 . 
     The sidewall  104   d  may include a cutout region  112  defined by a void or space in the sidewall  104   d . The cutout region  112  may allow user access to a data port of an electronic device. When an electronic device is positioned in the accessory device  100 , the cutout region  112  may allow acoustical energy (in the form of audible sound) to exit a speaker module of the electronic device, and/or allow acoustical energy to enter a microphone of the electronic device. 
     The wall  102  may include a through hole  110   b  in a location corresponding to a camera (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) of the electronic device. The accessory device  100  may further include a raised region  114   a  that surrounds the through hole  110   b . The raised region  114   a  represents an elevated surface, as compared to a surface  116   a  defined by the wall  102 . The surface  116   a  may be referred to an internal surface or inner surface of the accessory device  100 . The raised region  114   a  may protect the camera of the electronic device and/or promote insertion of the electronic device into the accessory device  100 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an isometric rear view of the accessory device  100  shown in  FIG. 1 , showing additional features of the accessory device  100 . As shown, the accessory device  100  may further include a raised region  114   b  that surrounds the through hole  110   b . The raised region  114   b  represents an elevated surface, as compared to a surface  116   b  of the wall  102 . The surface  116   b  may be referred to an external surface or outer surface of the accessory device  100 . It should be noted that the surface  116   b  is a surface that is opposite (and generally parallel to) the surface  116   a  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a cross sectional view of the accessory device  100  shown in  FIG. 1 , taken along line  3 - 3 . The accessory device  100  may include several transparent materials. For example, the accessory device  100  may include a transparent material  122   a . The transparent material  122   a  may include a transparent polycarbonate material. However, other transparent materials, such as a transparent polymer, plastic, or glass (as non-limiting examples), can be used. The transparent material  122   a  may extend along the wall  102 . The transparent material  122   a  may also extend, or at least partially extend, along the sidewalls. For example, as shown, the transparent material  122   a  extends along the sidewall  104   a  and the sidewall  104   c . Although not shown, the transparent material  122   a  may also extend along the sidewall  104   b  and the sidewall  104   d  (both shown in  FIG. 1 ). 
     The accessory device  100  may further include a transparent material  122   b . The transparent material  122   b  may include a transparent thermoplastic polyurethane material. However, other transparent materials, such as a transparent polymer or silicone (as a non-limiting example), can be used. The transparent material  122   b  is primarily positioned along the sidewalls, but may partially extend into the wall  102 . As shown, the transparent material  122   b  extends along the sidewall  104   a  and the sidewall  104   c . Although not shown, the transparent material  122   b  may also extend along the sidewall  104   b  and the sidewall  104   d  (both shown in  FIG. 1 ). 
     The accessory device  100  may further include a transparent material  122   c . The transparent material  122   c  may include an acrylic material. Also, the transparent material  122   c  may include an oleophobic material designed to resist residue, smudge, liquid, or other contaminants that contact the accessory device  100 . The transparent material  122   c  may undergo a curing process, including ultraviolet (“UV”) curing. As a result, the transparent material  122   c  may include a relatively rigid material, as compared to the transparent material  122   b . The transparent material  122   c  may cover an outer perimeter of the accessory device  100  include the wall  102  and the sidewalls. As shown in the enlarged view, the transparent material  122   c  surrounds the transparent material  122   a  and the transparent material  122   b . In some instances, the transparent material  122   c  fully covers the outer perimeter, including the transparent material  122   a  and the transparent material  122   b . In some instances in the detailed description and in the claims, the transparent material  122   a , the transparent material  122   b , and the transparent material  122   c  may be referred to as a first transparent material, a second transparent material, and a third transparent material, respectively. 
     It should be noted that while the transparent material  122   a , the transparent material  122   b , and the transparent material  122   c  can be optically clear materials, in some instances (not shown in  FIG. 3 ), at least one of the transparent material  122   a , the transparent material  122   b , and the transparent material  122   c  can be altered to alter the light transmission effects. For example, the transparent material  122   a , the transparent material  122   b , and/or the transparent material  122   c  may include some pigmentation or other tinting effect to alter the appearance of the accessory device  100 , in terms of color and/or light transmission. 
     The transparent material  122   a  may include a varying thickness depending upon the location. For example, along the wall  102 , the transparent material  122   a  may include a thickness  124   a . The thickness  124   a  can be approximately in the range of 1.0 to 1.4 millimeters (“mm”). In some embodiments, the thickness  124   a  is 1.2 mm. Along the sidewalls (including the sidewall  104   a  and the sidewall  104   c , as well as remaining sidewalls shown in  FIG. 1 ), the transparent material  122   a  may include a thickness  124   b . The thickness  124   b  can be approximately in the range of 0.6 to 1.0 mm. In some embodiments, the thickness  124   b  is 0.8 mm. Accordingly, the transparent material  122   a  can transition to a reduction in dimension from the thickness  124   a  in the wall  102  to the thickness  124   b  in the sidewalls. Also, along the sidewalls (including the sidewall  104   a  and the sidewall  104   c , as well as remaining sidewalls shown in  FIG. 1 ), the transparent material  122   b  may include a thickness  126  approximately in the range of 0.6 to 1.0 mm. In some embodiments, the thickness  126  is 0.8 mm. The transparent material  122   c  may include a thickness  128  approximately in the range of 10 to 30 micrometers (“μm”). In some embodiments, the thickness  128  is 20 μm. Generally, the thickness  128  of the transparent material  122   c  is consistent in all locations. Also, the thickness  128  of the transparent material  122   c  is chosen to prevent “welling,” or unwanted build-up of the transparent material  122   c  in certain locations. Further, the thickness  128  of the transparent material  122   c  is chosen to prevent “orange peel,” or unwanted texturing. 
     Although the accessory device  100  include three different types of materials, the processes or operations used to combine the materials may provide for a seamless transition between the materials. For example, a molding operation, including compression molding or injection molding (as non-limiting examples) can mold the transparent material  122   b  to the transparent material  122   a . However, the molding operation may render indiscernible, by a user of the accessory device  100 , a parting line or border between the transparent material  122   a  and the transparent material  122   b . Further, when the transparent material  122   c  is applied to the transparent material  122   a  and the transparent material  122   b , the parting line or border between the transparent material  122   c  and a combination of the transparent material  122   a  and the transparent material  122   b  may also be indiscernible by a user of the accessory device  100 . In other words, in some instances, the accessory device  100  may provide seamless transitions among its transparent materials, and may provide an appearance of a unitary material, as the borders between the materials are not visible. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a cross sectional view of the accessory device  100  shown in  FIG. 1 , taken along line  4 - 4 . As shown, transparent material  122   a  may include a through hole  130 . Also, the protrusion  108   a  is defined in part by the transparent material  122   b  and the transparent material  122   c . The transparent material  122   b  may include additional material that defines a protrusion  108   c  that extends into the through hole  130 , or at least partially into the through hole  130 . The transparent material  122   c  also covers the protrusion  108   c . When a force is applied to the protrusion  108   a  along the X-axis by, for example, a user depressing the protrusion  108   a , the protrusion  108   a  and the protrusion  108   c  can move (as denoted by the arrow and the dotted lines) relative to the sidewall  104   a , and in particular, can move relative to the transparent material  122   a . Further, when an electronic device (not shown in  FIG. 4 ) is positioned in the accessory device  100 , the relative movement causes the protrusion  108   c  to depress a button (not shown in  FIG. 4 ) of the electronic device. In some instances, the protrusion  108   c  may engage a surface of the button of the electronic device prior to being depressed by a user. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a cross sectional view of the accessory device  100  shown in  FIG. 1 , taken along line  5 - 5 . The through hole  110   a  is formed by an opening in the transparent material  122   a , the transparent material  122   b , and the transparent material  122   c , while the through hole  110   b  is formed by an opening in the transparent material  122   a  and the transparent material  122   c . Also, the transparent material  122   c  may be applied subsequent to forming the through hole  110   a  and the through hole  110   b , thereby allowing for transparent material  122   c  to pass into the through hole  110   a  and the through hole  110   b.    
     Prior to applying the transparent material  122   c , a polishing operation may be applied to the transparent material  122   a  along a surface that defines the through hole  110   b . For example, the polishing operation may alter a surface  132  of the transparent material  122   a , shown in the enlarged view, such that light transmission increases through the surface  132 . In other words, the light transmission capability of the transparent material  122   a  increases at the surface  132  of the transparent material  122   a , as compared to remaining locations of the transparent material  122   a . As a result, light generated from a flash module (not shown in  FIG. 5 ) of the electronic device may readily enter the transparent material  122   a  at the surface  132 . This will be shown below. It should be noted that the surface  132  may define a circumference around the through hole  110   b . Also, the polishing operation may occur prior to applying the transparent material  122   c.    
     The raised region  114   a  extends into an internal volume  106  of the accessory device  100 . As a result, the raised region  114   a  may engage and support the electronic device (not shown in  FIG. 5 ) when the electronic device is inserted into the internal volume  106  of the accessory device  100 . The raised region  114   a  may include varying surface geometries. For example, the raised region  114   a  may include an edge  134   a . The edge  134   a  may include a rounded edge that provides an aesthetic finish along the through hole  110   b . The raised region  114   a  may further include an edge  134   b . The edge  134   b  may include a chamfered edge that promotes insertion of an electronic device into the accessory device  100 . Rather than a perpendicular edge, the edge  134   b  defines an inclined surface such that a portion of the electronic device, including a camera assembly or a turret of the camera assembly, does not get caught on the edge  134   b  during insertion. The raised region  114   a  may further include a surface  134   c  between the edge  134   a  and the edge  134   b . The surface  134   c  may include a flat, or planar, surface that can engage an electronic device. It should be noted that the edge  134   a , the edge  134   b , and the surface  134   c  may extend around the through hole  110   b . The raised region  114   b , which extends away from the internal volume  106 , may provide additional material around the through hole  110   b  to protect the camera. The raised region  114   a  and the raised region  114   b  ensure that the camera does not extend out of the through hole  110   b  and beyond the raised region  114   b.    
       FIG. 6  illustrates a cross sectional view of the accessory device  100 , showing an electronic device  150  positioned in the accessory device  100 , accordance with some described embodiments. The electronic device  150  may include a mobile wireless communication device, such as a smartphone or a tablet computer device. Although not shown, the electronic device may include a housing, a display assembly (including touchscreen capabilities), processor circuits, memory circuits, batteries, switches, buttons, as non-limiting example, in accordance with mobile wireless communication devices known in the art. 
     As shown in the enlarged view, the electronic device  150  rests on the raised region  114   a . The electronic device  150  includes a flash module  152 , which may be positioned next to a camera module (not shown  FIG. 6 ). During an image capture event by the camera module, the flash module  152  emits light (shown as dotted lines with arrows) to enhance the image captured by the camera module. Due in part to the transparent material  122   a  undergoing a polishing operation that forms the surface  132 , light emitted from the flash module  152  passes through the transparent material  122   c , the surface  132 , and the transparent material  122   a . As a result, substantially less light, if any, reflects back into the camera module. 
     Also, a separation  162 , or gap, may form between the electronic device  150  and the wall  102 . The separation  162  may include a dimension approximately in the range of 0.1 to 0.5 mm. In some embodiments, the separation  162  defines a dimension of 0.3 mm. The raised region  114   a  may at least partially define the separation  162 . Also, the separation  162  may be due in part to the size of the accessory device  100 . For example, the sidewalls (such as the sidewall  104   a  and the sidewall  104   c ) of the accessory device  100  engage and provide a compression force to the electronic device  150  such that the electronic device  150  does not engage the wall  102 . Accordingly, both the raised region  114   a  and the sidewalls may facilitate and maintain the separation  162  between the electronic device  150  and the wall  102 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a cross sectional view of an alternate embodiment of an accessory device  200 , showing an electronic device  150  positioned in the accessory device  200  and free of contact with a wall  202  and a raised region  214  that extends from the wall  202 , in accordance with some described embodiments. The accessory device  200  may include several features described herein for an accessory device. As shown, the electronic device  150  is separated from the wall  202  and the raised region  214 . This may be due in part to the sidewalls (such as a sidewall  204   a  and a sidewall  204   c  of the accessory device  200 ) being closer to the electronic device  150  (as compared to the sidewall  104   a  and the sidewall  104   c  in  FIG. 6 ), thereby providing additional compression forces. Alternatively, or in combination, the raised region  214  may include a reduced dimension as compared to the raised region  114   a  (shown in  FIG. 6 ). 
       FIG. 8  illustrates an alternate embodiment of an accessory device  300 , showing additional features, in accordance with some described embodiments. The accessory device  300  may include several features described herein for an accessory device. As shown, the accessory device  300  includes a wall  302 . As shown in the enlarged view, the accessory device  300  may include a pattern  364 . The pattern  364  may include a pattern that is laser etched into the wall  302 , as a non-limiting example. The pattern  364  may include a serial number related to the accessory device  300 . The accessory device  300  may include multiple transparent materials, similar to the accessory device  100  (shown in  FIGS. 1-6 ). For example, the accessory device  300  may include a transparent material  322  similar to the transparent material  122   c  (shown in  FIG. 3 ) that covers the pattern  364 , in addition to providing residue-resistant properties. The pattern  364  may be inscribed into the wall  302  prior to applying the transparent material  322 . 
     The accessory device  300  may further include an indicium  366  embedded in the wall  302 . The indicium  366  may include a logo, a letter, and/or a symbol, as non-limiting examples. The indicium  366  may also be embedded prior to applying the transparent material  322 . It should be noted that the accessory device  100  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) may include several features shown and described for the accessory device  200  (shown in  FIG. 7 ) and/or the accessory device  300  (shown in  FIG. 8 ). Likewise, the accessory device  200  and the accessory device  300  may include features shown and described for the accessory device  100  (shown in  FIGS. 1-6 ). 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a flowchart  400  showing a method for forming an accessory device for an electronic device, in accordance with some described embodiments. The accessory device formed using the method described by the flowchart  400  may be implemented to create any of the accessory devices described herein. 
     In step  402 , a back wall is formed from a first transparent material. The operation to form the back wall may be performed by a molding operation, such as injection molding or compression molding. Also, the first transparent material may include a transparent polycarbonate material. 
     In step  404 , several sidewalls are formed that extend from the back wall. The sidewalls may be formed from the first transparent material and a second transparent material different from the first transparent material. The second transparent material may include a transparent thermoplastic polyurethane. Also, the second transparent material may be applied to the first transparent material through one of the aforementioned molding operations, or through an over-molding operation. 
     In step  406 , an outer perimeter of the accessory device is covered with a third transparent material. Prior to applying the third transparent material, the outer perimeter may be defined by first transparent material and the second transparent material. In some instances, the back wall and the sidewalls define the outer perimeter. The third transparent material may include an UV-cured acrylic material. Also, the third transparent material may include an oleophobic material. 
     Several different processes shown and described for the accessory devices shown in  FIGS. 1-8  may be incorporated into the flowchart  400  to form an accessory device. For example, an opening in the back wall may undergo a polishing operation to enhance light transmission properties. Also, a protrusion (or protrusions) may be formed to depress a button of the electronic device. These should be construed as non-limiting examples. 
     The various aspects, embodiments, implementations or features of the described embodiments can be used separately or in any combination. Various aspects of the described embodiments can be implemented by software, hardware or a combination of hardware and software. The described embodiments can also be embodied as computer readable code on a computer readable medium for controlling manufacturing operations or as computer readable code on a computer readable medium for controlling a manufacturing line. The computer readable medium is any data storage device that can store data which can thereafter be read by a computer system. Examples of the computer readable medium include read-only memory, random-access memory, CD-ROMs, HDDs, DVDs, magnetic tape, and optical data storage devices. The computer readable medium can also be distributed over network-coupled computer systems so that the computer readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion. 
     The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the described embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the specific details are not required in order to practice the described embodiments. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the specific embodiments described herein are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not targeted to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20190321
Publication Date: 20210511
Grant Date: 20210511
Priority Date: 20180910
Inventors: VELEZ, MICHAEL B.
WANG, COLIN M.
SCHOOLEY, STEPHEN T.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H04M1/0283", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/0283", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/185", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04B1/3888", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1626", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04B1/3888", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/0217", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1656", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04B1/3888", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/0283", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 69718864