COVER FOR PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE
First Claim
1. A case that enables a portable electronic device having a display and device circuitry to connect to a cellular network, the case comprising:
- a body defining a pocket for receiving the portable electronic device such that when the device is placed in the pocket, the body covers a substantial portion of the device without covering the display;
an antenna to support access to a cellular network;
case electronic circuitry integral with the body, the electronic circuitry including a transceiver and wireless circuitry operatively coupled to the antenna to enable the portable electronic device to use data services over the cellular network; and
a connection interface adapted to operatively couple the case electronic circuitry with the device circuitry.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A cover for a portable electronic device is disclosed. The cover can include at least one electrical component. For example, in one embodiment, an electrical component can be embedded in the cover. When the cover is placed on or mated with the portable electronic device, the electrical component embedded in the cover is able to interact with electrical circuitry of the portable electronic device. Advantageously, the cover can not only provide a protective and/or ornamental covering for the portable electronic device but can also augment the electrical capabilities of the portable electronic device.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A case that enables a portable electronic device having a display and device circuitry to connect to a cellular network, the case comprising:
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a body defining a pocket for receiving the portable electronic device such that when the device is placed in the pocket, the body covers a substantial portion of the device without covering the display; an antenna to support access to a cellular network; case electronic circuitry integral with the body, the electronic circuitry including a transceiver and wireless circuitry operatively coupled to the antenna to enable the portable electronic device to use data services over the cellular network; and a connection interface adapted to operatively couple the case electronic circuitry with the device circuitry. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A case that augments electrical capabilities of a portable electronic device to enable cellular phone functionality, the portable electronic device having a device display, device electronic circuitry and a device receptacle connector, the case comprising:
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a body defining a cavity for receiving the portable electronic media device, the body having a back surface, a front surface having an access opening sized to provide access to the device display, and first and second pairs of opposing side surfaces that extend between the front and back surfaces; an antenna to support access to a cellular network; case electronic circuitry integral with the body, the case electronic circuitry including a transceiver operatively coupled to the antenna to enable cellular phone functionality for the portable electronic device; a power module including a rechargeable battery; a plug connector positioned within the cavity and adapted to mate with the device receptacle connector to electrically couple the case electronic circuitry to device electronic circuitry; and a case receptacle connector electrically coupled to the plug connector and having a connector opening positioned at an outer surface of the body; wherein when the device receptacle connector and plug connector are mated, the portable electronic media device fits within the cavity and the access opening is aligned with the device display allowing the device display to be readily viewed and wherein the case receptacle connector functions to mimic and extend the device receptacle connector to outside the case body. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A case that augments electrical capabilities of a portable electronic device to enable cellular phone functionality, the portable electronic device having a housing that includes front and back surfaces, a device touch screen, a device antenna, device electronic circuitry and a device receptacle connector, the case comprising:
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a body defining a cavity for receiving the portable electronic media device, the body having a back surface, a front surface having an access opening sized to provide access to the device touch screen, and first and second pairs of opposing side surfaces that extend between the front and back surfaces; a case antenna embedded within the body to support access to a cellular network; case electronic circuitry integral with the body, the case electronic circuitry including a transceiver and chipset operatively coupled to the case antenna to enable and support cellular phone functionality and further includes circuitry associated with a SIM card; a power module including a rechargeable battery; a speaker, a microphone and an audio jack; a plug connector extending into the cavity and centered along an inner portion of a bottom side surface of the case, the plug connector being adapted to mate with the device receptacle connector to electrically couple the case electronic circuitry to device electronic circuitry; and a case receptacle connector at an outer surface of the body, wherein the case receptacle connector is spaced apart from and electrically coupled to the plug connector; wherein when the device receptacle connector and plug connector are mated, the portable electronic media device fits within the cavity and the access opening is aligned with the device touch screen allowing the device touch screen to be readily viewed and accessed, the back surface of the case body fully cases the back surface of the portable electronic device, the case receptacle connector functions to mimic and extend the device receptacle connector to outside the case body. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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24. A method of enabling cellular phone functionality on a portable electronic device having a device connector, the method comprising:
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providing a case for the portable electronic device, the case having a body defining a cavity for receiving the portable electronic device, a case antenna to support access to a cellular network;
case electronic circuitry integral with the body, the case electronic circuitry including a transceiver operatively coupled to the case antenna to enable cellular phone functionality for the portable electronic device, (iii) a connector that extends into the cavity and is adapted to mate with the device connector; andinserting the portable electronic device in the cavity and connecting the case connector to the device connector to operatively couple the case electronic circuitry to electronic circuitry in the portable electronic device. - View Dependent Claims (25)
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26. A method of manufacturing a case that enables cellular phone functionality on a portable electronic device having a device display, device electronic circuitry and a device connector, the method comprising:
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forming a case body having a back surface, a front surface and side surfaces that extend between the front and back surfaces which combine to define a cavity for receiving the portable electronic device, wherein the front surface of the case body includes an access opening sized to provide access to the device display; embedding an antenna and electronic circuitry within the case body to support transmission and reception of cellular signals; and securing a case connector adapted to mate with the device connector to the body, the case connector positioned so that when the portable electronic device is fully inserted into the cavity, the case connector can be mated with the device connector to operatively couple the electronic circuitry within the case body to electronic circuitry in the portable electronic device. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29)
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Specification