Direct-mounted pouch for portable electronic device

• US 20060091222A1
• Filed: 10/25/2005
• Published: 05/04/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/25/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Empower Technologies Incorporated (EMR Technology Solutions, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Empower Technologies Incorporated (EMR Technology Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Chan, Ying-Chiu, Leung, Paul C. P., Ho, Kenneth Kee
• Application Number:
  US11/258,722
• Publication Number:
  US 20060091222A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/486
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2011/001 for portable audio devices, e.g. headphones or MP3-players
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2011/002 for portable handheld communication devices, e.g. mobile phone, pager, beeper, PDA, smart phone
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/166 related to integrated arrangements for adjusting the position of the main body with respect to the supporting surface, e.g. legs for adjusting the tilt angle
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1632 Pen holder integrated in the computer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1634 Integrated protective display lid, e.g. for touch-sensitive display in handheld computer
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0208 characterized by the relative motions of the body parts
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0214 Foldable telephones, i.e. with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position combined with translation movement H04M1/0235
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0254 comprising one or a plurality of mechanically detachable modules
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/04 Supports for telephone transmitters or receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/21 Combinations with auxiliary equipment, e.g. with clocks or memoranda pads
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6058 involving the use of a headset accessory device connected to the portable telephone
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/52 including functional features of a camera

Abstract

A pouch for a portable electronic device is disclosed comprising an outer wall forming an opening secured to a portable electronic device. The outer wall includes rounded or faceted surfaces conforming to the hand of a user holding the electronic device. A compressible stylus may secure to the portable electronic device between two stops holding the stylus in a compressed position. A cover of the electronic device hingedly secures thereto and includes a catch selectively maintaining the cover in a closed position. A power switch of the electronic device is positioned proximate the catch such that substantially simultaneous release of the catch and powering on of the device are enabled.

Claims

1. A pouch for securing to a portable electronic device, the pouch comprising:

an outer shell having a lower edge adapted to conform to an external surface of the electronic device, the outer shell and external surface substantially enclosing a volume, the outer shell defining an opening and comprising a lid selectively closing the opening; and

a fastener securing the outer shell to the external surface;

2. The pouch of claim 1, wherein the outer shell comprises a rigid material.

3. The pouch of claim 1, wherein the lid hingedly secures to the outer shell.

4. The pouch of claim 1, wherein the outer shell is adapted to secure to a back surface of the portable electronic device opposite a display thereof.

5. The pouch of claim 4, wherein the outer shell is adapted to fit within the palm of a partially closed hand.

6. The pouch of claim 5, wherein the outer shell has a rectangular cross-section having two truncated corners in a plane orthogonal to the external surface.

7. The pouch of claim 5, further comprising a collapsible stand adapted to secure to the portable electronic device at a first and a second positions, a portion of the pouch being located between the first and second positions.

8. The pouch of claim 7, wherein the first position is proximate a lateral edge of the portable electronic device and the second position is proximate a bottom edge of the portable electronic device.

9. The pouch of claim 7, wherein the stand is adapted to hingedly attach to the portable electronic device.

10. A portable electronic device comprising:

a stylus comprising

first and second shaft members telescopically secured to one another, and a biasing member urging the first and second shaft members apart;

a case having first and second stops engaging the first and second shaft members, respectively, the first and second stops separated by a distance less than a sum of the lengths of the first and second shaft members.

11. The portable electronic device of claim 10, wherein the first shaft member comprises a tip adapted for contacting a touch screen and a grip portion adapted to be held by a hand of a user.

12. The portable electronic device of claim 11, wherein the first and second shaft comprise cylindrical potions and wherein the biasing member is disposed within the cylindrical portions.

13. A method for storing a stylus, the method comprising:

providing a device case having first and second stops spaced apart by a first distance;

providing a stylus comprising first and second shaft members telescopically secured to one another and a biasing member urging the first and second shaft members apart;

urging the first and second shaft members into a configuration having a length shorter than the first distance; and

positioning the stylus between the first and second stops.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising again urging the first and second shaft members into a shortened configuration and removing the stylus from between the first and second stops.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the first and second stops comprise pockets adapted to receive the first and second shaft members, respectively.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the first shaft member comprises a tip adapted for contacting a touch screen and a grip portion adapted to be held by a hand of a user.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the first and second shaft comprise cylindrical portions and wherein the biasing member is disposed within the cylindrical portions.

18. A portable electronic device comprising:

a case;

a screen for displaying graphical information mounted to a front side of the case;

a cover selectively positionable over the screen having a tab proximate the edge thereof for lifting the cover; and

an on/off switch securing to the case adjacent the tab.

19. The portable electronic device of claim 18, wherein the cover hingedly secures to the case proximate an upper end thereof, and wherein the on/off switch is positioned below the catch.

20. The portable electronic device of claim 19, wherein the cover comprises a transparent portion.

21. The portable electronic device of claim 18, wherein the cover defines at least one aperture positioned over an active portion of the screen, the active portion being touch-sensitive to activate a computing function of the portable electronic device

22. A method for using a portable electronic device, the method comprising:

providing a case;

providing a screen for displaying graphical information mounted to a front side of the case;

providing a cover selectively positionable over the screen and having a tab engageable to lift the cover;

providing an on/off switch secured to the case adjacent the catch;

pressing the on/off switch with a finger;

raising the finger from the on/off switch and lifting the tab upwardly substantially simultaneously.