Cover for an electronic device and electronic device with a cover

• US 20060055677A1
• Filed: 06/27/2002
• Published: 03/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Kujala, Antti, Suurpaa, Kalle
• Granted Patent: US 9,360,890 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0416 Control or interface arrangements specially adapted for digitisers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/044 by capacitive means
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0283 for providing a decorative aspect, e.g. customization of casings, exchangeable faceplate
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/7246 by connection of exchangeable housing parts
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/22 including a touch pad, a touch sensor or a touch detector

Abstract

The invention relates to a cover comprising a decoration 11 which is visible to a user when the cover is connected to an electronic device. In order to enhance the functions provided by such a cover, it is proposed that the cover further comprises contact sensitive means 22, 23 arranged such that they generate an electrical signal when a part 12 of the decoration 11 associated to the contact sensitive means 22, 23 is touched, and connection means 24, 25 for electrically connecting the contact sensitive means 22, 23 to processing means. The invention relates equally to an electronic device with such a cover.

Claims

1. Cover for an electronic device comprising

a decoration (11) which is visible to a user when said cover is connected to an electronic device;

contact sensitive means (22,23) arranged such that they generate an electrical signal when a part (12) of said decoration (11) associated to said contact sensitive means (22,23) is touched; and

connection means (24,25) for electrically connecting said contact sensitive means (22,23) to processing means.

2. Cover according to claim 1, wherein said contact sensitive means comprise a pressure sensitive film.

3. Cover according to claim 2, wherein said pressure sensitive film is an electromechanical film.

4. Cover according to claim 2, wherein said pressure sensitive film comprises at least one force sensitive resistor.

5. Cover according to claim 1, wherein said contact sensitive means comprise at least one capacitive sensor (22).

6. Cover according to one of the preceding claims, wherein different parts (12) of said decoration (11) associated to said contact sensitive means (22,23) result in a generation of different signals by said contact sensitive means (22,23) when touched.

7. Cover according to one of the preceding claims, wherein one or more selected parts (12) of said decoration (11) are associated to one or more functions enabled by a processor to which said contact sensitive means (22,23) can be connected via said connection means (24,25).

8. Cover according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising processing means to which said contact sensitive means (22,23) are connected via said connection means (24,25).

9. Cover according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said decoration is a decoration adjustable by processing means.

10. Cover according to claim 9, wherein said adjustable decoration comprises at least one light emitting diode (LED) which is controllable by processing means.

11. Cover according to claim 9 or 10, wherein said adjustable decoration comprises at least one electro-luminance pattern which is controllable by processing means.

12. Electronic device comprising a cover according to one of claim 1 to 11.

13. Electronic device according to claim 12 comprising a data connection to said cover and processing means for processing data received by said contact sensitive means of said cover.