Modular electronic device case with accessories

• US 10,341,473 B2
• Filed: 09/06/2017
• Issued: 07/02/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 07/03/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Essential Products, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Essential Products, Inc.
• Inventors: Nguyen, Anh Tuan, Evans, V, David John
• Primary Examiner(s): Huang, Wen W
• Application Number:
  US15/697,437
• Publication Number:
  US 20190007535A1
• Time in Patent Office: 664 Days
• Field of Search: 4555751
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 7/0252 PM holding devices H01F7/021, H01F7/0215, H01F7/0226 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 7/122 by permanent magnets H01F7/1615, H01F7/1646 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0256 wherein the modules are operable in the detached state, e.g. one module for the user interface and one module for the transceiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0262 for a battery compartment
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0264 for a camera module assembly
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0279 Improving the user comfort or ergonomics
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/04 Supports for telephone transmitters or receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/185 Improving the rigidity of the casing or resistance to shocks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/21 Combinations with auxiliary equipment, e.g. with clocks or memoranda pads
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/7246 by connection of exchangeable housing parts

Abstract

Introduced here is a modular electronic device case with accessories. The modular electronic device case contains at least two parts: a member surrounding four narrow sides of the electronic device, and a detachable member which can attach and detach from the member and/or the electronic device. The detachable member covers a fifth side of the electronic device, such as the backside of the electronic device. The detachable member can include a mechanical or an electronic accessory, such as a pocket, a surface attachment mechanism such as a suction cup, a camera, a battery, an audio port, etc. The accessories can communicate with the electronic device through wireless, or wired means.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a unitary member formed in a shape of a narrow, closed ribbon conforming and securing around a perimeter of an electronic device, the unitary member comprising an attachment mechanism disposed along a perimeter of the unitary member, the unitary member exposing a magnetic member to secure a detachable member to the electronic device; and

the detachable member comprising an accessory communicating wirelessly with the electronic device, the detachable member comprising a corresponding attachment mechanism disposed along a perimeter of the detachable member and securing the detachable member to the attachment mechanism of the unitary member, the unitary member and the detachable member substantially enclosing the electronic device.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, the accessory comprising at least one of a camera, a battery, a light, an audio port, a digital to analog converter, a display, or a solar cell.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, the detachable member securing the accessory at a predefined location of the electronic device and enabling wireless communication at extremely high frequencies comprising 30 GHz to 300 GHz by minimizing scattering of the extremely high electromagnetic frequencies traveling through the electronic device.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, the attachment mechanism comprising at least one of a magnet, a magnetic material, a protrusion, or a recess to receive the detachable member.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, the perimeter of the electronic device comprising narrow sides of the electronic device.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, the detachable member comprising a second attachment mechanism enabling a second detachable member to attach to the detachable member.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, the detachable member providing an additional function to the electronic device and comprising a second attachment mechanism enabling a second detachable member to attach to the detachable member, the second detachable member providing a second additional function to the electronic device, when attached the detachable member and the second detachable member providing the additional function in the second additional function to the electronic device.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, the detachable member formed into a shape exposing a predefined location of the electronic device.

9. An apparatus comprising:

a unitary member formed in a shape of a narrow, closed ribbon that securely conforms to and substantially surrounds a perimeter of an electronic device having a display so that the display of the electronic device remains viewable by a user, the unitary member having a shape corresponding to the perimeter of the electronic device, the unitary member exposing a magnetic member to secure a detachable member, and the unitary member further comprising an attachment mechanism formed thereon with which the detachable member is securely and removably attached to the electronic device.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, the detachable member comprising an accessory providing an additional function to the electronic device.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, the accessory comprising at least one of a camera, a battery, a light, an audio port, a digital to analog converter, a solar cell, a mechanism to attach the electronic device to an external surface, an additional display, a tripod, a hand strap, or a pocket.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, the accessory wirelessly communicating with the electronic device.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, the detachable member securing the accessory at a predefined location of the electronic device and enabling wireless communication at extremely high frequencies comprising 30 GHz to 300 GHz by minimizing scattering of the extremely high electromagnetic frequencies traveling through the electronic device.

14. The apparatus of claim 9, the attachment mechanism disposed along a perimeter of the unitary member and comprising at least one of a magnet, a magnetic material, a protrusion, or a recess to receive the detachable member.

15. The apparatus of claim 9, the unitary member attaching to the perimeter of the electronic device, the perimeter of the electronic device comprising narrow sides of the electronic device.

16. The apparatus of claim 9, the detachable member comprising a second attachment mechanism enabling a second detachable member to attach to the detachable member.

17. The apparatus of claim 9, the detachable member providing an additional function to the electronic device and comprising a second attachment mechanism enabling a second detachable member to attach to the detachable member, the second detachable member providing a second additional function to the electronic device, when attached the detachable member and the second detachable member providing the additional function in the second additional function to the electronic device.

18. The apparatus of claim 9, the detachable member shaped to expose a predefined location of the electronic device.

19. The apparatus of claim 9, comprising an organizing member securing a plurality of detachable members and dispensing at least one detachable member in the plurality of detachable members.

20. A method comprising:

attaching a unitary member formed in a shape of a narrow, closed ribbon to an electronic device by surrounding a perimeter the electronic device, the unitary member comprising an attachment mechanism formed thereon, the unitary member exposing a magnetic member to secure a detachable member; and

enabling, by the attachment mechanism, the detachable member comprising a corresponding attachment mechanism to attach to the unitary member, the unitary member and the detachable member substantially enclosing the electronic device when secured to the electronic device.

21. The method of claim 20, comprising providing an additional function to the electronic device by attaching the detachable member including an accessory.

22. The method of claim 21, said providing the additional function comprising attaching the accessory comprising a camera, a battery, a light, an audio port, a digital to analog converter, a solar cell, a mechanism to attach the electronic device to an external surface, a pocket, a display, a tripod, or a hand strap.

23. The method of claim 21, said providing the additional function comprising attaching the detachable member including the accessory wirelessly communicating with the electronic device.

24. The method of claim 21, comprising:

securing, by the detachable member, the accessory at a predefined location of the electronic device; and

enabling wireless communication at extremely high frequencies comprising 30 GHz to 300 GHz by minimizing scattering of the extremely high electromagnetic frequencies traveling through the electronic device.

25. The method of claim 20, the attachment mechanism comprising at least one of a magnet, a magnetic material a protrusion, or a recess to receive the detachable member.

26. The method of claim 20, the perimeter of the electronic device comprising narrow sides of the electronic device.

27. The method of claim 20, comprising attaching a second detachable member to the detachable member, wherein the unitary member, the detachable member, and the second detachable member substantially enclose the electronic device.

28. The method of claim 20, comprising:

providing an additional function to the electronic device by attaching the detachable member including an accessory; and

providing a second additional function to the electronic device by attaching a second detachable member to the detachable member, wherein the unitary member, the detachable member, and the second detachable member substantially enclose the electronic device.

29. The method of claim 20, comprising attaching the detachable member formed into a shape exposing a predefined location of the electronic device.

30. The method of claim 20, comprising:

securing, by an organizing member, a plurality of detachable members; and

dispensing, by the organizing member, at least one detachable member in the plurality of detachable members.