PROTECTIVE DEVICE FOR PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE

• US 20130045775A1
• Filed: 08/15/2011
• Published: 02/21/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Daniel Frederick Heywood
• Original Assignee: Daniel Frederick Heywood
• Inventors: HEYWOOD, DANIEL Frederick
• Granted Patent: US 8,644,895 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/557
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3888 Arrangements for carrying or protecting transceivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/185 Improving the rigidity of the casing or resistance to shocks

Abstract

A protective device for a portable electronic device to draw attention to the user in an emergency is disclosed. A personal protective device for a portable electronic device comprising: a case configured to fit tightly around the portable electronic device such as a smartphone; at least one sound and/or light emitting device coupled with the case; one or more means for receiving an input, the input being configured to actuate the at least one sound and/or light emitting device; whereby the at least one sound and/or light emitting device is configured to generate a high volume of sound and/or light upon actuation thereby to attracting attention during an emergency. The sound and/or light emitting device is arranged inside the case and is capable of generating a high volume of sound and/or light in an emergency situation.

Claims

1. A personal protective device for a portable electronic device comprising:

a. a case configured to fit tightly around the portable electronic device;

b. at least one sound and/or light emitting device integrated into the case;

c. one or more means for receiving an input, the input being configured to actuate the at least one sound and/or light emitting device;

whereby the at least one sound and/or light emitting device is configured to generate a high volume of sound and/or light upon actuation thereby attracting attention during an emergency.

2. The personal protective device of claim 1, further comprising a voltage increasing mechanism coupled with the sound and/or light emitting device.

3. The personal protective device of claim 2, wherein the voltage increasing mechanism comprises a boost converter.

4. The personal protective device of claim 2, wherein the voltage increasing mechanism comprises a charge pump.

5. The personal protective device of claim 1, further including a wave guide configured to amplify a sound emitted by the sound and/or light emitting device.

6. The personal protective device of claim 1, wherein the sound and/or light emitting device includes a piezo transducer.

7. The personal protective device of claim 1, wherein the sound and/or light emitting device includes an electro-magnetic transducer.

8. The personal protective device of claim 1, further including a microcontroller coupled with the sound and/or light emitting device and the means for receiving the input.

9. The personal protective device of claim 1, wherein the case includes having a front side, a back side, a top side, a bottom side, a left side and a right side, further comprising:

a. a sliding switch attached at the right side of the case to prevent unintended activation and unintended deactivation of the device;

b. an activation button positioned at the left side of the case to activate the device in a manner which reduces the risk of accidental triggering;

c. an activation button positioned at the right side of the case to activate the device in a manner which reduces the risk of accidental triggering;

d. a headphone port positioned at the top side to allow the connection of a headphone to the portable electronic device;

e. a button access port arranged at the top side for accessing a power button of the portable electronic device;

f. a button access port arranged at the left side for accessing additional buttons of the portable electronic device;

g. a battery port positioned at the front side for inserting or removing a battery;

h. a camera port arranged at the front and back sides of the device;

i. a sound port arranged at the back side of the device to produce high volume of sound; and

j. a dock connector access port arranged at the bottom side of the device for connecting the portable electronic device to an external resource;

10. The personal protective device of claim 1 wherein the portable electronic device is a smartphone.

11. The personal protective device of claim 1, wherein the personal protective device is electrically coupled to the portable electronic device.

12. The personal protective device of claim 1, wherein the personal protective device and the portable electronic device operate independently.

13. The personal protective device of claim 1, wherein the portable electronic device is removably placed inside the personal protective device.

14. The personal protective device of claim 1, wherein the personal protective device is configured to communicate with the portable electronic device by a physical electrical connection through an input/output port of the portable electronic device.

15. The personal protective device of claim 1, wherein the personal protective device may communicate with the portable electronic device by means of a wireless communication system.

16. The personal protective device of claim 1, wherein the personal protective device is powered by an energy storage medium associated with the portable electronic device.

17. The personal protective device of claim 1 wherein the personal protective device includes one or more sensors.

18. The personal protective device of claim 17 wherein the one or more sensors serve to change the activation state of the sound and/or light emitting device corresponding to an external input.

19. The personal protective device of claim 1 wherein the case is composed of a substantially rigid material.