Modular mobile accessory for mobile device

• US 8,483,758 B2
• Filed: 05/19/2011
• Issued: 07/09/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mophie Incorporated (Evercel, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Mophie Incorporated (Evercel, Inc.)
• Inventors: Huang, Daniel
• Primary Examiner(s): Gonzalez, Amancio
• Application Number:
  US13/111,845
• Publication Number:
  US 20110287808A1
• Time in Patent Office: 782 Days
• Field of Search: 455/558, 455/557, 429/96, 361/679.41, 361/679.56
• US Class Current: 455/557
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 15/00 Purses, bags, luggage or other receptacles covered by groups A45C1/00 - A45C11/00, combined with other objects or articles A45C1/08, A45C3/14, A45C11/321, A45C13/28 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2011/002 for portable handheld communication devices, e.g. mobile phone, pager, beeper, PDA, smart phone
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1633 Protecting arrangement for the entire housing of the computer
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3883 Arrangements for mounting batteries or battery chargers
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3888 Arrangements for carrying or protecting transceivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0283 for providing a decorative aspect, e.g. customization of casings, exchangeable faceplate
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/04 Supports for telephone transmitters or receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724092 Interfacing with an external cover providing additional functionalities
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces

Abstract

Accessories for mobile devices. Embodiments include an external protective case and/or holster for mobile electronic devices, where the external protective case/holster incorporates a battery pack, a payment processing device, television signal receiver, and/or a modular multi-input/output device.

Claims

1. A modular mobile accessory, comprising:

a plurality of modules mechanically coupled to each other to form a casing that defines a cavity that conforms, at least partially, to an outer shape of a mobile communication device;

a first module, from the plurality of modules, adapted to perform at least one of a first input, output, and processing task; and

a second module, from the plurality of modules, adapted to perform at least one of a second input, output, and processing task.

2. The modular mobile accessory of claim 1, further comprising:

a third module, from the plurality of modules, adapted to perform a third input, output, or processing task.

3. The modular mobile accessory of claim 1, wherein the first and second modules are communicatively coupled to each other to transfer at least one of data and power between the first module and second module.

4. The modular mobile accessory of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of modules is communicatively coupled to the mobile device and the plurality of modules are communicatively coupled to each other, thereby allowing for communication between the mobile device and each of the modules.

5. The modular mobile accessory of claim 1, wherein the plurality of modules are communicatively coupled to the mobile device by a wireless communication interface.

6. The modular mobile accessory of claim 1, wherein the plurality of mobile accessory modules are communicatively coupled to each other by induction.

7. The modular mobile accessory of claim 1, wherein the plurality of mobile accessory modules are communicatively coupled to each other by an electrical communication interface.

8. The modular mobile accessory of claim 1, wherein the first module is adapted to perform as at least one of:

a battery pack, a magnetic strip payment processing accessory, a smart card payment processing accessory, a programmable smart card mobile accessory, a television signal receiver accessory, a TV receiver accessory, a bar code reader mobile accessory, a finger print reader mobile accessory, and a medical processing unit.

9. The modular mobile accessory of claim 1, wherein the first module is adapted to perform as a battery pack while the second module is adapted to perform as at least one of a magnetic strip payment processing accessory, a smart card payment processing accessory, a programmable smart card mobile accessory, a TV receiver accessory, a bar code reader mobile accessory, a finger print reader mobile accessory, and a medical processing unit.

10. The modular mobile accessory of claim 1, wherein the first module is interchangeable with a third module that is adapted to perform at least one of a third input, output, and processing task, wherein the third module and second module mechanically couple to each other to form the casing defining the cavity that conforms, at least partially, to the outer shape of the mobile communication device.

11. The modular mobile accessory of claim 1, wherein the first module transmits electrical power to the second module.

18. The modular mobile accessory of claim 1, further comprising:

a third module, configured to mechanically and electrically couple to the first module or the second module;

the third module further comprising;

a third external interface configured to receive a third set of data; and

a third internal interface configured to communicate the third set of data with the first external interface or the second external interface.

19. The modular mobile accessory of claim 18, wherein the first module is interchangeable with third module, wherein the third module and second module mechanically couple to each other to form the casing defining the cavity that conforms, at least partially, to the outer shape of the mobile communication device.

12. A modular mobile accessory configured to couple to a mobile device, comprising:

a first module, configured to mechanically and electrically couple to the mobile device;

the first module further comprising;

a first external interface configured to receive a first set of data;

a first processor configured to manipulate the received first set of data resulting in processed data; and

a first internal interface configured to communicate the processed data to the mobile device;

a second module, configured to mechanically and electrically couple to the first module to form a casing that defines a cavity that conforms, at least partially, to the outer shape of the mobile device;

the second module further comprising;

a second external interface configured to receive a second set of data; and

a second internal interface configured to communicate the second set of data with the first external interface.

13. The modular mobile accessory of claim 12, wherein the first and second modules are communicatively coupled to each other to transfer power between the first module and second module.

14. The modular mobile accessory of claim 12, wherein either the first module or the second module communicates with the mobile device via a wireless communication interface.

15. The modular mobile accessory of claim 12, wherein the first module and the second module communicate with each other via induction.

16. The modular mobile accessory of claim 12, wherein the first module is adapted to perform as at least one of:

a battery pack, a magnetic strip payment processing accessory, a smart card payment processing accessory, a programmable smart card mobile accessory, a television signal receiver accessory, a TV receiver accessory, a bar code reader mobile accessory, a finger print reader mobile accessory, and a medical processing unit.

17. The modular mobile accessory of claim 12, wherein the first module is adapted to perform as a battery pack while the second module is adapted to perform as at least one of a magnetic strip payment processing accessory, a smart card payment processing accessory, a programmable smart card mobile accessory, a TV receiver accessory, a bar code reader mobile accessory, a finger print reader mobile accessory, and a medical processing unit.

20. The modular mobile accessory of claim 12, wherein the first module transmits electrical power to the second module.