Removable customizable inserts and faceplate for electronic devices

• US 7,206,618 B2
• Filed: 01/11/2002
• Issued: 04/17/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tahoe Research Limited (f/k/a Learndale Limited) (Vector Capital Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Inventors: Diebel, Markus, Latto, Antonio T., Bradley, Paul, Simpson, Isaac A.
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, THUAN T
• Application Number:
  US10/044,613
• Publication Number:
  US 20030134613A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,922 Days
• Field of Search: 455/347, 455/348, 455/349, 455/575.1, 455/575.8, 455/90.3, 455/95, 455/342, 455/550.1, 455/556.2, 455/575.6, 455/344, 379/441, 379/447, 379/451
• US Class Current: 455/575.8
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/56 Accessories carrying-cases A45C11/38
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0283 for providing a decorative aspect, e.g. customization of casings, exchangeable faceplate
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72427 for supporting games or graphical animations
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0243 for decorative purposes
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/03 Covers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53 Means to assemble or disassemble

Abstract

A method and apparatus is disclosed for the customization of electronic equipment of which portable audio players, portable disc players, portable digital games and laptop computers are representative. The electronic equipment may be fitted with a substantially transparent faceplate that may cover removable inserts. These inserts may be customizable to provide unique decorative appearances to the electronic equipment upon which they may be fitted. Decorative designs may either be preprinted on the inserts or a user may produce a customized design.

Claims

1. An electronic device comprising:

a base having a first surface;

a substantially transparent removable faceplate coupled to the base and covering substantially all of the first surface; and

a replaceable ornamental insert positionable between the removable faceplate and the first surface of the base such that a portion of the ornamental insert is viewable through the substantially transparent section, said ornamental insert punched out of a sheet of paper after a user of the electronic device has printed an ornamental design thereon.

2. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the replaceable ornamental insert has an upper surface having an ornamental design printed thereon and the ornamental design is viewable through the substantially transparent section of the faceplate.

3. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the base is a base portion of a portable phone.

4. The electronic device of claim 3 wherein the replaceable ornamental insert has an upper surface having an ornamental design printed thereon and the ornamental design is viewable through the substantially transparent section of the faceplate.

5. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein:

the base is a base portion of a computer; and

the replaceable ornamental insert is located between the removable faceplate and the first surface of the base such that a portion of the ornamental insert is viewable through the substantially transparent section when the removable faceplate is affixed to the base.

6. The electronic device of claim 5 wherein the replaceable ornamental insert has an upper surface having an ornamental design printed thereon and the ornamental design is viewable through the substantially transparent section of the faceplate.

7. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the base is a base portion of a digital game player.

8. The electronic device of claim 7 wherein the replaceable ornamental insert has an upper surface having an ornamental design printed thereon and the ornamental design is viewable through the substantially transparent section of the faceplate.

9. A digital audio player comprising:

a base with a first surface, the first surface to include an electronic display;

a substantially transparent removable faceplate coupled to the base and covering substantially all of the first surface; and

a replaceable ornamental insert positionable between the removable faceplate and the first surface of the base, the replaceable ornamental insert includes a display aperture, an upper surface of the replaceable insert having an ornamental design printed thereon, a portion of the ornamental design viewable through the substantially transparent section of the faceplate.

10. The digital audio player of claim 9 wherein said replaceable ornamental insert is able to be printed on a sheet of paper and to be punched out of said paper for positioning between said removable faceplate and said first surface of said base.

11. A method comprising:

manufacturing an electronic device with a base having a first surface that includes a retention feature to accept an ornamental insert thereon;

manufacturing a substantially transparent removable faceplate to couple to the base and to cover substantially all of the first surface;

manufacturing a replaceable ornamental insert positionable between the removable faceplate and the first surface of the base; and

positioning the insert between the base and faceplate and coupling the faceplate to the base.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein manufacturing the electronic device includes manufacturing a digital audio player.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein manufacturing the electronic device includes manufacturing a digital game player.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein manufacturing the electronic device includes manufacturing a portable phone.

15. The method of claim 11 wherein manufacturing the electronic device includes manufacturing a computer.

16. An electronic device comprising:

a base having an upper surface;

an ornamental insert covering a portion of the upper surface; and

a faceplate coupled to the base and the faceplate covering all of the upper surface of the base and the faceplate having a substantially transparent section.

17. The electronic device as in claim 16 wherein the faceplate is substantially transparent.

18. The electronic device as in claim 17 wherein the ornamental insert covers substantially all of the upper surface.

19. The electronic device as in claim 17 wherein the base is a portion of a digital audio player.

20. The electronic device as in claim 17 wherein the base is a portion of a notebook computer.