Smart case for mobile communication devices

• US 8,983,560 B2
• Filed: 04/07/2014
• Issued: 03/17/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Voxer IP LLC (Voxer, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Voxer IP LLC (Voxer, Inc.)
• Inventors: Katis, Thomas E., Perelman, Igal
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Lee
• Application Number:
  US14/246,995
• Publication Number:
  US 20140221057A1
• Time in Patent Office: 344 Days
• Field of Search: 455/90.2, 455/90.3, 455/556.1, 455/556.2, 455/557, 455/569.1, 455/569.2, 455/575.1, 455/575.8
• US Class Current: 455/575.8
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3888 Arrangements for carrying or protecting transceivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/10 Push-to-Talk [PTT] or Push-On-Call services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/16 Communication-related supplementary services, e.g. call-transfer or call-hold
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/50 Service provisioning or reconfiguring
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/45 for Push-to-Talk [PTT] or Push-to-Talk over cellular [PoC] services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

A smart case configured to encapsulate a mobile communication device. The smart case includes a radio embedded in the case for selectively enabling the encapsulated mobile communication device to communicate over a wireless network using either the radio embedded in the case or the Wi-Fi and/or cellular radio in the communication device itself. In alternative embodiments, either a hard switch, a soft switch, or both, is provided for switching between either the radios(s) embedded in the smart case or the internal radio(s) in the mobile communication device.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a case including a Push-To-Talk (PTT) function which enables a mobile phone, when encapsulated in the case, to selectively operate as both a PTT communication device over a wireless network using a first radio embedded in the case and as a mobile communication device using a second radio internal to the mobile phone.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a switch for switching between the first radio embedded in the case and the second radio internal to the mobile phone.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the switch is a hard switch embedded in the case.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the switch is a soft switch that is selectively implemented when the mobile phone is encapsulated in the case.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first radio embedded in the case comprises one of the following types of radios:

(i) a cellular radio;

(ii) a mobile phone radio;

(iii) a Wi-Fi radio;

(iv) a GSM radio;

(v) a CDMA radio;

(vi) an LTE radio;

(vii) a satellite radio;

(viii) a tactical radio;

(ix) a military radio;

(x) a police radio;

(xi) a fire-fighters radio; and

(xii) a first responder radio.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first radio embedded in the case is a tactical radio that enables the mobile phone to operate on a tactical radio network.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the tactical radio comprises one of the following:

(i) a satellite radio;

(ii) a tactical radio;

(iii) a military radio;

(iv) a police radio;

(v) a fire-fighters radio; and

(vi) a first responder radio.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the case is further configured to include one or more input buttons configured to provide input information to the mobile phone when encapsulated in the case.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the case is further configured to include a scrolling wheel configured to provide input information to the mobile phone when encapsulated in the case.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the case is further configured to include up/down buttons configured to provide input information to the mobile phone when encapsulated in the case.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the case is further configured to include a memory card interface to receive a memory card.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the case is further configured to include a SIM card interface to receive a SIM card.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the case further comprises a housing for a battery.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the case further comprises an antenna.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the case further comprises a camera lens.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the case further comprises a controller configured to selectively operate the first radio embedded in the case in cooperation with the mobile phone when encapsulated in the case.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the case further comprises interface circuitry to provide an electronic interface between a controller embedded in the case and a headset jack on the mobile phone.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the case further comprises interface circuitry to provide an electronic interface between a controller embedded in the case and a dock connector on the mobile phone.

19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the case is made of a complaint material.

20. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the case is made of a protective material so as to provide a protective casing for the mobile phone when encapsulated within the case.

21. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second radio internal to the mobile phone is a cellular radio.

22. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second radio internal to the mobile phone is a Wi-Fi radio.

23. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mobile phone is a smart mobile phone capable of performing one or more of the following:

(i) running one or more applications;

(ii) conducting cellular calls;

or

(iii) communicating over a Wi-Fi network.