Active electronic media device packaging

• US 10,611,523 B2
• Filed: 11/16/2018
• Issued: 04/07/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Rosenblatt, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Hai V
• Application Number:
  US16/193,922
• Publication Number:
  US 20190084723A1
• Time in Patent Office: 508 Days
• Field of Search: 455 39
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2201/00 Means or constructions for testing or controlling the contents
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 25/02 Internal fittings of containers made by folding or erecting blanks made of paper B65D5/44
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 75/52 Details
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 75/566 Hand holes or suspension apertures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 19/00 Electric signal transmission systems G08C17/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/005 Mechanical details of housing or structure aiming to accommodate the power transfer means, e.g. mechanical integration of coils, antennas or transducers into emitting or receiving devices
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/20 using microwaves or radio frequency waves
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/40 using two or more transmitting or receiving devices H02J50/50 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/80 involving the exchange of data, concerning supply or distribution of electric power, between transmitting devices and receiving devices
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/94 characterised by the way in which the control signals are generated
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/26 at least one of which is mobile

Abstract

Active packaging for supplying power, data, or both power and data to an electronic media device while the device is housed within the active packaging is provided. The active packaging may include one or more electrical traces in-molded or printed onto the packaging that couple to a suitable connector on the device. Power may also be provided via one or more wireless power techniques. Multiple active packages may be conductively stacked to transmit power, data, or both power and data to a row or stack or devices. POM sensors integrated with or attached to the device (or the active packaging itself) may detect various movement events. Coordinated and synchronized display effects may be presented while the devices are housed within the active packaging.

Claims

1. Active retail packaging for an electronic media device, the active retail packaging comprising:

a housing defining a device area for the electronic media device,

wherein the housing comprises an electrical component configured to receive power from an exterior of the housing and to transmit the power to the device area.

2. The active retail packaging of claim 1, wherein the electrical component is a wire trace.

3. The active retail packaging of claim 2, wherein the wire trace terminates at a connector at the device area.

4. The active retail packaging of claim 2, wherein the wire trace is integrated within the housing.

5. The active retail packaging of claim 1, wherein the electrical component is configured to transfer the power through a wall of the housing.

6. The active retail packaging of claim 1, wherein the electrical component is configured to power the electronic media device while the electronic media device is sealed within the active retail packaging.

7. The active retail packaging of claim 1, further comprising a radio frequency power receiver coupled to the housing.

8. The active retail packaging of claim 1, further comprising a radio frequency power receiver integrated within the housing.

9. Active retail packaging for an electronic media device, the active retail packaging comprising:

a housing defining a device area for the electronic media device,

a wire trace extending between an exterior of the housing and the device area.

10. The active retail packaging of claim 9, wherein the wire trace is integrated within the housing.

11. The active retail packaging of claim 9, wherein the housing comprises a first exterior side and a second exterior side opposite the first exterior side, and

wherein the first wire trace extends between the exterior of the housing at the first exterior side and the device area, and

wherein a second wire trace extends between the exterior of the housing at the second exterior side and the device area.

12. The active retail packaging of claim 9, wherein the housing comprises a first exterior side and a second exterior side, and

wherein the first wire trace extends between the exterior of the housing at the first exterior side and the device area,

wherein a second wire trace extends between the exterior of the housing at the second exterior side and the device area, and

wherein at least one of the first wire trace and the second wire trace comprises a power connector at the device area, the power connector configured to provide power to an electronic device in the device area.

13. The active retail packaging of claim 9, wherein the housing comprises a first exterior side and a second exterior side, and

wherein the first wire trace extends between the exterior of the housing at the first exterior side and the device area,

wherein a second wire trace extends between the exterior of the housing at the second exterior side and the device area, and

wherein at least one of the first wire trace and the second wire trace comprises a data connector at the device area, the data connector configured to provide data to an electronic device in the device area.

14. Active retail packaging for an electronic media device, the active retail packaging comprising:

backing;

a hook protruding from the backing, the hook configured to hold an electronic device to the backing;

an electrical component coupled to the hook, the electrical component configured to provide at least one of power and data to an electronic device held by the hook.

15. The active retail packaging of claim 14, wherein the electrical component is a wire trace, and wherein the wire trace is in-molded or printed on the hook.

16. The active retail packaging of claim 14, wherein the hook is configured to hold an electronic device to the backing by being inserted into an interface of the electronic device, and not extending over a face of the electronic media device.

17. A packaged electronic device, comprising:

the active retail packaging of claim 14; and

an electronic media device packaged within the active retail packaging,

wherein the hook is inserted into an interface of the electronic device and thereby;

holds the electronic device to the backing, and

provides at least one of power and data to an electronic device via the electrical component.