User interchangeable ornamental portions of electronic devices

• US 8,532,720 B2
• Filed: 06/30/2010
• Issued: 09/10/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Tahoe Research Limited (f/k/a Learndale Limited) (Vector Capital Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Inventors: Latto, Antonio T., Simpson, Isaac A., Diebel, Markus, Bradley, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Simon
• Application Number:
  US12/827,934
• Publication Number:
  US 20110065487A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,168 Days
• Field of Search: 455/90.3, 455/575.1, 455/575.8
• US Class Current: 455/575.1
• 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; and

an outer portion including an ornamental design that is viewable through the outer portion wherein the outer portion is removably coupled to the base in a user interchangeable manner.

2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is a cell phone.

3. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the outer portion includes a transparent faceplate and an ornamental insert.

4. The electronic device of claim 3, wherein the ornamental insert covers a portion of a surface of the base and the transparent faceplate is coupled to the base in the user interchangeable manner.

5. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the ornamental design is a design that provides a unique appearance of the electronic device.

6. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the ornamental design is a design that provides a unique appearance of the electronic device that is easily changeable by a user.

7. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the ornamental design is a design that provides a unique appearance of the electronic device, relative to an ornamental design of a user interchangeable replacement outer portion.

8. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the outer portion provides a unique appearance of the electronic device.

9. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the outer portion provides a unique appearance of the electronic device that is easily changeable by a user.

10. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the outer portion is easily changeable by a user.

11. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the outer portion covers a substantial portion of a surface of the electronic device.

12. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the outer portion is a front of the electronic device.

13. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein an appearance of the electronic device is customizable by a user being able to interchange the outer portion of the electronic device.

14. The electronic device of claim 1, the base including an insert retention mechanism to which the outer portion is removably coupled.

15. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the ornamental design may be easily changed and customized by a user of the electronic device.

16. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the outer portion may be easily changed and customized by a user of the electronic device.