Casing for a mobile telephone

• US 20040077391A1
• Filed: 12/12/2003
• Published: 04/22/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Vertu Corporation Limited
• Original Assignee: Vertu Corporation Limited
• Inventors: Nuovo, Frank, Hutchison, Mark
• Application Number:
  US10/465,951
• Publication Number:
  US 20040077391A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/575.8
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0249 Details of the mechanical connection between the housing parts or relating to the method of assembly
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0283 for providing a decorative aspect, e.g. customization of casings, exchangeable faceplate
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/23 Construction or mounting of dials or of equivalent devices; Means for facilitating the use thereof by improving visibility H04M1/22

Abstract

The invention relates to the customisation of portable communication devices. The casing is formed from a number of elements capable of individual formation. The materials of the individual elements are selected from a preselected set by a commissioning party. The selected elements are utilised in manufacturing a casing.

Claims

1. A customisable casing for a portable communications device defining an internal space for accommodating an engine and including an operating face for carrying a user interface having a plurality of user input elements, a rear face, and a side frame spacing the operating and rear faces one from the other, the operating, rear and side faces providing external surfaces of the device, the casing comprising a plurality of casing elements capable of individual formation wherein the character of the individual casing elements are respectively selected by a commissioning party.

2. A customisable casing according to claim 1 wherein a character of at least one of the respective casing elements capable of individual formation is selected from a predetermined set.

3. A customisable casing according to claim 1 or 2 wherein a character of at least one of the respective casing elements capable of individual formation is fashioned to individual specification.

4. A customisable casing according to any preceding claim wherein casing elements capable of individual formation comprise respective elements of a key structure.

5. A customisable casing according to claim 4 wherein the elements of the key structure comprise bearings.

6. A customisable casing according to any preceding claim wherein casing elements capable of individual formation define the exterior surface of the casing.

7. A customisable casing according to any preceding claim wherein casing elements capable of individual formation are visible from the exterior of the casing.

8. A customisable casing according to any preceding claim wherein a character of the individually formable elements comprises a surface decoration.

9. A customisable casing according to claim 8 wherein the surface decoration comprises a veneer.

10. A customisable casing according to claim 9 wherein the veneer is selected from the group comprising leather and wood.

11. A customisable casing according to claim 9 or 10 wherein the material of the veneer is a precious metal.

12. A customisable casing according to any one of claims 9 to 11 wherein the material of the veneer is a metal.

13. A customisable casing according to any one of claims 9 to 12 wherein the veneer is formed on a substrate of plastics material.

14. A customisable casing according to any one of claims 9 to 13 wherein the surface decoration comprises an engraving.

15. A customisable casing according to any one of claims 9 to 14 wherein the surface decoration comprises encrustation.

16. A customisable casing according to claim 15 wherein the encrustation comprises precious or semi-precious stones.

17. A customisable casing according to any preceding claim wherein the material of an element comprises a character of an individually formable element.

18. A customisable casing according to claim 17 wherein the material comprises a precious stone.

19. A customisable casing according to claim 17 wherein the material comprises a mineral.

20. A customisable casing according to claim 17 wherein the material comprises a ceramic material.

21. A customisable casing according to claim 17 wherein the material comprises a crystal.

22. A customisable casing according to claim 17 wherein the material comprises a jewel.

23. A customisable casing according to claim 17 wherein the material is sapphire, diamond or glass.

24. A customisable casing according to claim 17 wherein the material comprises a metal.

25. A customisable casing according to any preceding claim wherein the casing is usable with respective engines having hardware providing respective processing functionalities.

26. A customisable casing according to any preceding claim wherein the casing is long lasting and durable.

27. A portable communication device comprising a casing according to any preceding claim.

28. A portable communication device according to claim 27 wherein the portable communication device is a radio telephone.

29. A casing substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10, 11a and 12 to 21 of the accompanying drawings.

30. A casing substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10, 11b and 12 to 21 of the accompanying drawings.

31. A portable communication device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10, 11a and 12 to 21 of the accompanying drawings.

32. A portable communication device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10, 11b and 12 to 21 of the accompanying drawings.