Device cover for accessory attachment

• US 9,685,986 B2
• Filed: 06/14/2016
• Issued: 06/20/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: HTC Corporation
• Original Assignee: HTC Corporation
• Inventors: Lin, Tsung-Peng, Lee, Cheng-Yen, Wei, Chang-Hua, Lee, Hsin-Hao, Wang, Cheng-Lin, Tien, Ernest Euan, Chen, Yin-Chou, Lin, Yu-Hui, Chang, Jen-Yang, Lee, Shih-Hsiu, Wen, Hung Chuan, Lin, Jui Hsiang, Lee, Yen-Yi, Chien, Ting-An, Lin, Sheng Cherng, Chang, Yung-Lung, Lin, Yen-Cheng, Huang, Hsin-Hui
• Primary Examiner(s): MEHRA, INDER P
• Application Number:
  US15/182,517
• Publication Number:
  US 20170134063A1
• Time in Patent Office: 371 Days
• Field of Search: 4555758, 455 111
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 11/00 Supporting arrangements specially adapted for fastening specific devices to cycles, e.g. supports for attaching maps
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 50/225 Mounting arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3877 Arrangements for enabling portable transceivers to be used in a fixed position, e.g. cradles or boosters
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3888 Arrangements for carrying or protecting transceivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/04 Supports for telephone transmitters or receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/185 Improving the rigidity of the casing or resistance to shocks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/21 Combinations with auxiliary equipment, e.g. with clocks or memoranda pads
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724092 Interfacing with an external cover providing additional functionalities
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724098 Interfacing with an on-board device of a vehicle for hands-free speaking in vehicles H04M1/6075
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/725 Cordless telephones user interfaces specially adapted therefor H04M1/724
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 19/04 the ringing-current being generated at the substations

Abstract

Aspects of the technology relate to a cover (e.g., for a handheld electronic device). The cover may include a cover body configured for securement to a handheld electronic device and comprising an accessory attachment area, wherein the accessory attachment area includes a plurality of receivers, and wherein the accessory attachment area is configured for coupling with an accessory in at least one of a plurality of orientations. In some aspects, each receiver further includes a space recessed into the cover body that is bounded, at least partially, by a recess wall, wherein each receiver includes an engagement surface configured for abutting engagement with a projection associated with an accessory when the projection is disposed in a secured configuration within a respective space. An electrical device cover and various attachment devices are also provided.

Claims

1. A cover for a handheld electronic device configured to couple with an accessory for the handheld electronic device, the cover comprising:

a cover body comprising an attachment area, the attachment area comprising a plurality of receivers, and wherein each respective receiver of the plurality of receivers comprises a space recessed into the cover body that is bounded, at least partially, by a recess wall, and wherein the attachment area has a first position at which the accessory is coupleable to the cover body via a first set of receivers of the plurality of receivers and a second position at which the accessory is coupleable to the cover body via a second set of receivers of the plurality of receivers, and wherein the first set of receivers comprises at least one receiver different from the second set of receivers, wherein the attachment area is further configured for coupling with a second accessory via a third set of receivers of the plurality of receivers, the third set of receivers being different receivers from the first set of receivers and the second set of receivers, wherein at least one of the receivers of the plurality of receivers further comprises a plurality of electrodes coupleable with the projection of the accessory.

2. The cover of claim 1, wherein the plurality of receivers is arranged in one of:

(i) a matrix of rows and columns, and (ii) a lattice pattern.

3. The cover of claim 1, further comprising an accessory coupled to the cover body, wherein the accessory comprises a plurality of projections, and wherein each respective receiver of the plurality of receivers comprises a respective engagement surface configured for adjoining a respective projection when the respective projection is disposed in a secured configuration within the respective receiver.

4. The cover of claim 3, wherein the respective engagement surface and recess wall face different directions.

5. The cover of claim 1, wherein the cover body further comprises a base and at least one sidewall extending away from the base, the at least one sidewall being shaped to substantially conform to the handheld electronic device and the at least one sidewall comprising the attachment area with the plurality of receivers.

6. The cover of claim 1, wherein the accessory further comprises a plurality of projections and wherein each respective projection of the projections is substantially circular and extends away from a surface of the accessory and has a protrusion configured to engage an engagement surface.

7. The cover of claim 1, wherein the cover body further comprises at least one circuit coupleable with the plurality of electrodes, wherein the at least one circuit is configured to be electrically coupled with the handheld electronic device.

8. A cover assembly for a handheld electronic device, the cover assembly comprising:

a cover body comprising an attachment area, the attachment area comprising a plurality of receivers, each respective receiver of the plurality of receivers comprising a space recessed into the cover body that is bounded, at least partially, by a recess wall; and

an accessory comprising a plurality of projections, the accessory configured to be coupled to the attachment area at a first position via a first set of receivers of the plurality of receivers and a first set of projections of the plurality of projections, and wherein the accessory is further configured to be coupled to the attachment area at a second position via a second set of receivers of the plurality of receivers and a second set of projections of the plurality of projections, and wherein the first set of receivers comprises at least one receiver different from the second set of receivers, wherein the attachment area is further configured to be coupled with a second accessory via a third set of receivers of the plurality of receivers, the third set of receivers comprising one or more receivers different from the first set of receivers and second set of receivers, wherein at least one respective projection of the plurality of projections further comprises a plurality of first electrodes and at least one respective receiver of the plurality of receivers further comprises a plurality of second electrodes for contacting with the plurality of first electrodes.

9. The cover assembly of claim 8, wherein the plurality of receivers is arranged in one of:

a matrix of rows and columns, or a lattice pattern; and

wherein the plurality of projections is arranged in one of;

a matrix of rows and columns, or a lattice pattern corresponding with the plurality of receivers.

10. The cover assembly of claim 8, wherein the accessory is configured to be attached to the cover body in a first orientation via the first set of receivers, and attached to the cover body in a second orientation via the second set of receivers.

11. The cover assembly of claim 8, wherein each respective receiver of the plurality of receivers comprises an engagement surface configured for adjoining with the plurality of projections associated with the accessory when the plurality of projections is disposed in a secured configuration.

12. The cover assembly of claim 11, wherein at least one respective projection of the plurality of projections is substantially circular and extends upward away from a surface of the accessory, and wherein at least one respective projection of the plurality of projections comprises a protrusion configured to abut the engagement surface.

13. The cover assembly of claim 8, wherein a total number of the plurality of projections is greater than a total number of the plurality of receivers in the attachment area.

14. The cover assembly of claim 8, wherein at least one respective projection of the plurality of projections is configured to be deformed when the at least one respective projection is pressed into the receiver.

15. The cover assembly of claim 8, wherein the accessory further comprises a power source coupled with the plurality of first electrodes, and wherein the cover body further comprises at least one circuit configured for connecting with the plurality of second electrodes, the accessory providing power via the plurality of first electrodes, the plurality of second electrodes, and the at least one circuit.

16. The cover assembly of claim 8, wherein the accessory is a kickstand, the kickstand comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the plurality of projections is disposed at the first end, and wherein the kickstand is transitionable between an extended position extending away from the attachment area at the second end, and a unextended position wherein the kickstand is substantially flush with the attachment area, and

wherein the kickstand is configured for supporting the cover body and the handheld electronic device via at least one of the plurality of projections and at least one of the plurality of receivers.

17. The cover assembly of claim 8, wherein the accessory is a bicycle mount, and wherein the plurality of projections is disposed on the bicycle mount.

18. The cover assembly of claim 8, wherein the accessory comprises an elongate coupling portion and a cover portion, the cover portion extending away from the elongate coupling portion and configured to cover a display of the handheld electronic device, the elongate coupling portion having the plurality of projections configured to facilitate a coupling between the elongate coupling portion and the cover body along an edge of the cover body.

19. A cover system comprising:

a handheld electronic device;

a cover body configured to be attached to a handheld electronic device, the cover body comprising an attachment area, the attachment area comprising a plurality of receivers, each respective receiver of the plurality of receivers comprising a space recessed into the cover body that is bounded, at least partially, by a recess wall; and

an accessory comprising a plurality of projections, wherein the accessory is configured to be coupled to the attachment area at a first position via a first set of receivers and a first set of projections, and wherein the accessory is further configured to be coupled to the attachment area at a second position via a second set of receivers, and wherein the first set of receivers comprises at least one receiver different from the second set of receivers, wherein at least one respective receiver of the plurality of receivers further comprises a plurality of first electrodes and at least one circuitry for connecting the plurality of first electrodes in the cover body to the handheld electronic device, wherein at least one respective projection of the plurality of projections of the accessory further comprises a plurality of second electrodes, the accessory configured for being connected with the handheld electronic device via the contact of the first electrode, the second electrode and the circuitry to facilitate a data transfer between the accessory and the handheld electronic device.

20. The cover system of claim 19, wherein the handheld electronic device has a first wireless module, the accessory further comprises a second wireless module and a controller, and

wherein the first wireless module and the second wireless module are configured to be wirelessly connected to facilitate a transfer of data between the handheld electronic device and the accessory.

21. The cover system of claim 19, wherein the accessory further comprises a connector for connecting the accessory with the handheld electronic device for facilitating data or power transfer between the handheld electronic device and the accessory.

22. The cover system of claim 19, wherein the cover body further comprises a connector for connecting the cover body with the handheld electronic device for facilitating data or power transfer between the handheld electronic device and the cover body.