Case and cover for an electronic device

• US 6,317,313 B1
• Filed: 02/16/2000
• Issued: 11/13/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: GE Security Incorporated (Carrier Global Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Interlogix Incorporated (General Electric Company)
• Inventors: Porter, Doug R., Larson, Wayne F., Luebeck, Jon Marc, Bellamy, Dirk L., Mosgrove, Isaac J., Hill, Matthew S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Picard, Leo P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): DUONG, HUNG V
• Application Number:
  US09/505,055
• Time in Patent Office: 636 Days
• Field of Search: 361/679-683, 341/22, 345/168-172, 345/905, 235/145, 248/917, 400/489, 400/682, 400/691-693, 312/208.1, 312/208.4, 364/708.1
• US Class Current: 361/679.3
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1634 Integrated protective display lid, e.g. for touch-sensitive display in handheld computer
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00761 with data transmission performed by connected means, e.g. mechanical contacts, plugs, connectors
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00968 shape of the data carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00944 Details of construction or manufacture

Abstract

A cover for an electronic device having a screen that includes a window and at least one device operating feature. The cover is coupleable with the electronic device such that the window of the cover overlies at least a portion of the screen and the electronic device is operable with the device operating feature of the cover.

Claims

1. A cover for an electronic device having a screen, the cover comprising a window and at least one device operating feature, the cover being coupleable with the electronic device such that the window of the cover overlies at least a portion of the screen of the electronic device, wherein the electronic device is operable with the device operating feature of the cover,

wherein the device operating feature includes a first button and a second button, and the electronic device includes respective first and second command receptive features that allow a user to operate the electronic device, wherein the first command receptive feature is a touch-sensitive portion of the screen and the second command receptive feature is a key, and wherein when the cover is coupled to the electronic device, the first button is positioned to overlie the touch-sensitive portion of the screen and the second button is positioned to overlie the key.

2. The cover of claim 1, wherein the device operating feature includes an aperture in the cover sized to receive a command actuator and the electronic device has at least one command receptive portion that allows a user to operate the electronic device, and wherein when the cover is coupled to the electronic device, the aperture is positioned adjacent the command receptive portion of the electronic device such that the command actuator can be inserted through the aperture to actuate the command receptive portion of the electronic device.

3. The cover of claim 1, wherein the cover has a keypad with a plurality of independently depressible kevs. and wherein the button is one of the keys.

4. The cover of claim 1, wherein the device is a personal digital assistant (PDA), and the key is a power key actuatable to turn the PDA on and off.

5. The cover of claim 1, wherein the key on the device protrudes from a surrounding area on the device.

6. The cover of claim 1, wherein the window of the cover is sized to allow more than half of the screen of the device to be viewed when the cover is overlying the device.

7. A cover for an electronic device having, a screen, the cover comprising:

a window and at least first and second buttons, the cover being coupleable with the electronic device such that the window of the cover overlies at least a portion of the screen of the electronic device,

wherein the screen of the electronic device is configurable to have a touch-sensitive portion and the first button is depressible into contact with the touch sensitive portion, and

wherein the electronic device has at least one physical key and the second button is depressible into contact with the key to cause the key to operate.