Protective case for adding wireless functionality to a handheld electronic device
First Claim
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1. A system comprising:
- a handheld electronic device that comprises a first radio operable to communicate in accordance with a first wireless communication protocol;
a protective case mounted to said handheld electronic device, wherein said protective case comprises a second radio that is operable to communicate in accordance with a second wireless communication protocol; and
wherein said system is operable to, in response to a detection that said system is approaching another device, exchange information with said other device via said second radio, and wherein;
said information is for establishing a wireless connection between said first radio and said other device; and
at least part of said information is exchanged while said other device is out-of-range of said first radio.
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Abstract
A protective case for an electronic device may comprise a wireless adaptor for adding wireless capabilities, including support of additional wireless communication protocols, to the electronic device. The system may enable, for example, location based services functions, social networking functions, and messaging functions.
214 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A system comprising:
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a handheld electronic device that comprises a first radio operable to communicate in accordance with a first wireless communication protocol; a protective case mounted to said handheld electronic device, wherein said protective case comprises a second radio that is operable to communicate in accordance with a second wireless communication protocol; and wherein said system is operable to, in response to a detection that said system is approaching another device, exchange information with said other device via said second radio, and wherein; said information is for establishing a wireless connection between said first radio and said other device; and at least part of said information is exchanged while said other device is out-of-range of said first radio. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A method performed by a protective case that comprises a first radio and a first connector, the method comprising:
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receiving first data from said handheld electronic device via said first connector; transmitting said first data via said first radio; receiving, via said first radio, second data from another device; and communicating said second data to said handheld electronic device via said first connector; and wherein; said first data and said second data comprise information for setting up a connection between a radio of said handheld electronic device and said other device; said transmitting of said first data is in response to detecting that said case is approaching said other device; and said transmitting of said first data and receiving of said second data occur while said other device is out-of-range of said radio of said handheld electronic device. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method performed by a protective case that comprises a first radio and a first connector, the method comprising:
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receiving first data from said handheld electronic device via said first connector; transmitting said first data via said first radio; receiving, via said first radio, second data from another device; communicating said second data to said handheld electronic device via said first connector; and prior to transmitting said first data, processing said first data to make it suitable for transmission via said first radio;
wherein;said first data is received from said handheld electronic device in the form of an SMS or MMS message; and said first radio transmits said first data utilizing frequency spectrum that is unlicensed in the location in which said first radio performs said transmitting. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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Specification