Method and apparatus for a protective case including an optical system

• US 8,840,274 B1
• Filed: 01/13/2014
• Issued: 09/23/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/2014
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: JST Performance Incorporated (Truck-Lite Holdings 2 Corp.)
• Original Assignee: JST Performance Incorporated (Truck-Lite Holdings 2 Corp.)
• Inventors: Adams, Stephen P., Anderson, Taylor W.
• Primary Examiner(s): TSO, LAURA K
• Application Number:
  US14/154,003
• Time in Patent Office: 253 Days
• Field of Search: 362/277, 362/280, 362/319, 362/236, 362/330, 362/311.02
• US Class Current: 362/280
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 15/05 Combinations of cameras with electronic flash apparatus; Electronic flash units
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2215/0567 Solid-state light source, e.g. LED, laser
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2215/0589 Diffusors, filters or refraction means

Abstract

An electronics package includes an electronic component having a light emitting diode (LED) and a protective case encapsulating the electronic component. An optical system is arranged between the electronic component and the protective case. The optical system is maneuvered to one of multiple positions via an actuator that is coupled to the optical system, where the actuator is accessible external to the protective case by the user of the electronics package. A first position of the optical system allows the light generated by the LED to be collected and/or controlled by the optical system. A second position of the optical system allows the light generated by the LED to be unaffected by the optical system. A third position of the optical system allows at least a portion of the light generated by the LED to be collected and/or controlled by the optical system and the remaining portion to be unaffected.

Claims

1. An electronics package, comprising:

an electronic component having an LED, wherein the electronic component is a cell phone; and

a case encapsulating the electronic component, the case including,

an optical system disposed between the electronic component and the case; and

an actuator coupled to the optical system, wherein the optical system is maneuvered to first and second positions via the actuator, the first position being more proximate to the LED as compared to the second position.

2. The electronics package of claim 1, wherein the optical system comprises a Fresnel lens.

3. The electronics package of claim 1, wherein the first position allows light from the LED to be collected by the optical system.

4. The electronics package of claim 1, wherein the second position allows light from the LED to be unaffected by the optical system.

5. The electronics package of claim 1, further comprising a channel formed between the electronic component and the case.

6. The electronics package of claim 1, further comprising a channel formed between the electronic component and the case, wherein the optical system is disposed within the channel.

7. The electronics package of claim 1, further comprising a channel formed between the electronic component and the case, wherein the optical system is maneuvered within the channel.

8. The electronics package of claim 1, wherein the actuator extends from the optical system to an exterior portion of the electronics package.

9. The electronics package of claim 1, wherein the actuator extends from the optical system to an exterior portion of the electronics package via a slot provided within the case.

10. The electronics package of claim 1, wherein the actuator is further maneuvered to a plurality of positions between the first and second positions.

11. A method comprising:

disposing an electronic component within a protective case,

wherein the electronic component is a cell phone;

disposing an optical system between the electronic component and the protective case;

illuminating a light source disposed within the electronic component; and

adjusting a position of the optical system relative to the light source.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising controlling at least a portion of the illumination by adjusting the position of the optical system to be proximate to the light source.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising adjusting the position of the optical system away from the light source to not affect the illumination.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising controlling at least a portion of the illumination with the optical system by focusing at least a portion of the illumination into a beam pattern having a spread lower than a spread angle of the illumination.

15. The method of claim 11, further comprising controlling substantially no portion of the illumination.

16. An electronics package, comprising:

an electronic component having an LED, wherein the electronic component is an electronic tablet; and

a case encapsulating the electronic component, the case including,

an optical system disposed between the electronic component and the case; and

an actuator coupled to the optical system, wherein the optical system is maneuvered to first and second positions via the actuator, the first position being more proximate to the LED as compared to the second position.

17. The electronics package of claim 16, wherein the optical system comprises a Fresnel lens.

18. The electronics package of claim 16, wherein the first position allows light from the LED to be collected by the optical system.

19. The electronics package of claim 16, wherein the second position allows light from the LED to be unaffected by the optical system.

20. The electronics package of claim 16, further comprising a channel formed between the electronic component and the case.

21. The electronics package of claim 16, further comprising a channel formed between the electronic component and the case, wherein the optical system is disposed within the channel.

22. The electronics package of claim 16, further comprising a channel formed between the electronic component and the case, wherein the optical system is maneuvered within the channel.

23. The electronics package of claim 16, wherein the actuator extends from the optical system to an exterior portion of the electronics package.

24. The electronics package of claim 16, wherein the actuator extends from the optical system to an exterior portion of the electronics package via a slot provided within the case.

25. The electronics package of claim 16, wherein the actuator is further maneuvered to a plurality of positions between the first and second positions.

26. A method comprising:

disposing an electronic component within a protective case,

wherein the electronic component is an electronic tablet;

disposing an optical system between the electronic component and the protective case;

illuminating a light source disposed within the electronic component; and

adjusting a position of the optical system relative to the light source.

27. The method of claim 26, further comprising controlling at least a portion of the illumination by adjusting the position of the optical system to be proximate to the light source.

28. The method of claim 26, further comprising adjusting the position of the optical system away from the light source to not affect the illumination.

29. The method of claim 26, further comprising controlling at least a portion of the illumination with the optical system by focusing at least a portion of the illumination into a beam pattern having a spread lower than a spread angle of the illumination.

30. The method of claim 26, further comprising controlling substantially no portion of the illumination.