Carrying case for portable electronic devices

• US 6,981,085 B2
• Filed: 03/15/2001
• Issued: 12/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.), Sony Electronics Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.), Sony Electronics Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Lytel, Ronald Leroy, Tree, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Vo, Tim
• Assistant Examiner(s): King, Justin
• Application Number:
  US09/808,349
• Publication Number:
  US 20020133659A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,748 Days
• Field of Search: 710/300, 710/100, 710/301, 710/302, 710/303, 710/304, 710/2, 361/686, 361/737, 361/814, 361/142, 361/600, 379/402, 708/109, 340/539.11, 340/7.63, 340/693.5, 455/557, 455/575.1, 455/90.3, 455/128, 206/320, 206/365, 206/576, 700/17, 383/112, 150/161, 150/162, 150/165
• US Class Current: 710/300
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 11/00 Receptacles for purposes not provided for in groups A45C1/00-A45C9/00 specially adapted for toiletry or cosmetic equipment A45D29/20, A45D44/18; travelling sewing kits A45F3/48
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 11/38 Camera cases, e.g. of ever-ready type
• 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 1/1628 Carrying enclosures containing additional elements, e.g. case for a laptop and a printer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1633 Protecting arrangement for the entire housing of the computer
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/02 Cabinets; Cases; Stands; Disposition of apparatus therein or thereon
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3888 Arrangements for carrying or protecting transceivers

Abstract

A case for an electronic device, which includes a first protective material that maintains the electronic device within the case, and at least one controlling interface that is in electrical communication with said electronic device, and disposed on the first protective material. Through the controlling interface, the user can operate an electronic feature of the electronic device. Electrical communication between the controlling interface and the electronic device can be carried out, at least in part using wireless communication means. Further, a connection port can included for transferring electrical signals between the electronic device and the controlling interface. The connection port can be attached to the first protective material to avoid separation of the port from the case.

Claims

1. A case for an electronic device, comprising:

protective material for accepting said electronic device, said protective material enclosing said electronic device to maintain said electronic device within said case, the shape of said case when accepting said electronic device being different than said shape of said case when enclosing said electronic device;

a controlling interface for handling electrical signals, said controlling interface having exterior user controls disposed on said protective material for manipulation by a user of said electronic device, said electronic device maintained within said case being controllable by said electrical signals from said exterior user controls; and

user control circuitry for transferring said electrical signals between said electronic device and said controlling interface, said user control circuitry being mounted within said protective material,

wherein said electronic device has user controls and control circuitry, said exterior user controls being separate from said user controls and control circuitry.

2. A case according to claim 1, wherein said electronic device is operable separate and apart from said case.

3. A case according to claim 1, wherein said electronic device is one of an audio device, a video device, a pager, a telephone, a camera, an electronic planner, and a computer processor.

4. A case according to claim 1, wherein said electronic device is enclosed within said case using one of a hook and loop fastener member, magnetic force, and a snap device.

5. A case according to claim 1, wherein said protective material includes one of a waterproof casing, electromagnetic insulating material, and shock absorbent material.

6. A case according to claim 1, wherein said exterior user controls produce command signals that operate functions that are not operated by the user controls and control circuitry.

7. A case according to claim 1, further comprising:

a pocket portion for accepting said electronic device, said electronic device being received within said pocket portion.

8. A case according to claim 1, further comprising:

a connection port attached to said case, said connection port receiving said electronic device or being inserted into said electronic device, said electrical signals being transferred between said electronic device and said controlling interface by way of said connection port.

9. A case according to claim 1, further comprising:

at least one audio speaker, enclosed within a compartment of said case, that receives audio signals from said controlling interface.

10. A case according to claim 1, wherein said controlling interface is used as an upgraded set of controls.

11. A case according to claim 10, wherein said controlling interface produces command signals that operate functions that are not operated by the user controls and control circuitry.

12. A case according to claim 1, wherein an electrical jack is integrally provided in said case.

13. A case according to claim 12, wherein said electrical jack comprises an audio output to accommodate a cord and plug connected to a speaker.

14. A case according to claim 12, wherein said electrical jack comprises a modem output.

15. A case according to claim 12, wherein said electrical jack comprises an electrical input by which power is provided to operate said electronic device.

16. A case according to claim 12, wherein said electrical jack comprises an electrical input through which power is provided to store a charge for said electronic device.

17. A case according to claim 1, wherein said electrical signals are wirelessly transferred between said controlling interface and said electronic device.

18. A method comprising:

accepting an electronic device within a case, said electronic device having user controls and control circuitry;

enclosing said electronic device within said case, the shape of said case when accepting said electronic device being different than said shape of said case when enclosing said electronic device;

disposing exterior user controls of a controlling interface on said case;

transferring electrical signals between said electronic device and said controlling interface; and

using said electrical signals from said exterior user controls to control said electronic device enclosed within said case,

wherein said exterior user controls are for manipulation by a user of said electronic device, and

wherein said exterior user controls are separate from said user controls and control circuitry.

19. A method according to claim 18, wherein said electronic device is operable separate and apart from said case.

20. A method according to claim 18, wherein said electronic device is one of an audio device, a video device, a pager, a telephone, a camera, an electronic planner, and a computer processor.

21. A method according to claim 18, wherein said exterior user controls produce command signals that operate functions that are not operated by the user controls and control circuitry.

22. A method according to claim 18, further comprising the step of:

using said controlling interface as an upgraded set of controls.

23. A method according to claim 22, wherein said controlling interface produces command signals that operate functions that are not operated by the user controls and control circuitry.

24. A case for an electronic device, comprising:

protective material for accepting said electronic device, said protective material using a fastening device to enclose said electronic device within said case, a hook and loop fastener member being used as said fastening device to enclose said electronic device within said case;

a controlling interface for handling electrical signals, said controlling interface having exterior user controls disposed on said protective material for manipulation by a user of said electronic device, said electronic device enclosed within said case being controllable by said electrical signals from said exterior user controls; and

user control circuitry for transferring said electrical signals between said electronic device and said controlling interface, said user control circuitry being mounted within said protective material,

wherein said electronic device has user controls and control circuitry, said exterior user controls being separate from said user controls and control circuitry.

25. A case according to claim 24, wherein said electronic device is operable separate and apart from said case.