User interchangeable ornamental portions of electronic devices

• US 10,375,844 B2
• Filed: 06/14/2017
• Issued: 08/06/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Tahoe Research Limited (f/k/a Learndale Limited) (Vector Capital Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Inventors: Latto, Antonio T., Simpson, Isaac A., Diebel, Markus, Bradley, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Simon
• Application Number:
  US15/622,923
• Publication Number:
  US 20170285447A1
• Time in Patent Office: 783 Days
• Field of Search: 4555758
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/56 Accessories carrying-cases A45C11/38
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0283 for providing a decorative aspect, e.g. customization of casings, exchangeable faceplate
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72427 for supporting games or graphical animations
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0243 for decorative purposes
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/03 Covers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53 Means to assemble or disassemble

Abstract

A method and apparatus is disclosed for the customization of electronic equipment of which portable audio players, portable disc players, portable digital games and laptop computers are representative. The electronic equipment may be fitted with a substantially transparent faceplate that may cover removable inserts. These inserts may be customizable to provide unique decorative appearances to the electronic equipment upon which they may be fitted. Decorative designs may either be preprinted on the inserts or a user may produce a customized design.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a cover removably coupled to a portable electronic device, the cover having a non-transparent outer edge and a transparent central area; and

an insert adapted to cover at least a portion of a first side of the portable electronic device.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the non-transparent outer edge is removably coupled to an outer edge of the portable electronic device and the transparent central area to cover the first side of the portable electronic device.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein a second side of the portable electronic device is not covered when the cover is removably coupled to the portable electronic device.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the insert is adapted to fit between the cover and the electronic device when the cover is removably coupled to the electronic device.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the insert includes one or more ornamental features.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the insert is visible through the transparent central area when the insert is located between the cover and the portable electronic device while the cover is removably coupled to the portable electronic device.

7. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the cover is substantially rectangular with rounded edges.

8. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the insert is substantially rectangular with rounded edges.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the portable electronic device comprises a cellular phone.