Protective case having plurality of external connectors
First Claim
1. A protective case for use with an electronic device, the protective case comprising:
- a shell configured for covering at least a portion of the electronic device when the electronic device is installed in the shell, the shell having an interior surface and an exterior surface;
electrical circuitry contained in the shell;
an internal electrical connector accessible at the interior surface of the shell, the internal electrical connector configured for electrically engaging an electrical port of the electronic device when the electronic device is installed in the shell;
a first external electrical connector accessible at the exterior surface of the shell, the first external electrical connector configured for conducting first electrical signals between a first external electrical device electrically connected to the first external electrical connector of the protective case and the installed electronic device, the first electrical signals conducted through the first external electrical connector, the electrical circuitry, and the internal electrical connector; and
a second external electrical connector accessible at the exterior surface of the shell, the second external electrical connector configured for conducting second electrical signals between the installed electronic device and a second external electrical device electrically connected to the second external electrical connector of the protective case, the second electrical signals conducted through the internal electrical connector, the electrical circuitry, and the second external electrical connector,wherein the electrical circuitry is configured to demultiplex electrical signals received at the internal electrical connector to produce the first electrical signals and the second electrical signals.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A case for use with a portable electronic device includes a shell, an internal electrical connector, and first and second external electrical connectors. The internal electrical connector is accessible at the interior surface of the shell and adapted for electrically interfacing to a port of the portable electronic device when the portable electronic device is inserted into the shell. The first external electrical connector is accessible at the exterior surface of the shell and adapted for conducting first electrical signals from the inserted portable electronic device through the internal electrical connector and through the first external electrical connector to a first external electrical device. The second external electrical connector is accessible at the exterior surface of the shell and adapted for conducting second electrical signals from a second external electrical device to the inserted portable electronic device through the second external electrical connector and through the internal electrical connector.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A protective case for use with an electronic device, the protective case comprising:
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a shell configured for covering at least a portion of the electronic device when the electronic device is installed in the shell, the shell having an interior surface and an exterior surface; electrical circuitry contained in the shell; an internal electrical connector accessible at the interior surface of the shell, the internal electrical connector configured for electrically engaging an electrical port of the electronic device when the electronic device is installed in the shell; a first external electrical connector accessible at the exterior surface of the shell, the first external electrical connector configured for conducting first electrical signals between a first external electrical device electrically connected to the first external electrical connector of the protective case and the installed electronic device, the first electrical signals conducted through the first external electrical connector, the electrical circuitry, and the internal electrical connector; and a second external electrical connector accessible at the exterior surface of the shell, the second external electrical connector configured for conducting second electrical signals between the installed electronic device and a second external electrical device electrically connected to the second external electrical connector of the protective case, the second electrical signals conducted through the internal electrical connector, the electrical circuitry, and the second external electrical connector, wherein the electrical circuitry is configured to demultiplex electrical signals received at the internal electrical connector to produce the first electrical signals and the second electrical signals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A case for use with a portable electronic device, the case comprising:
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a shell adapted for covering at least a portion of a housing of the portable electronic device when the portable electronic device is inserted into the shell, the shell having at least an interior surface and an exterior surface; an internal electrical connector accessible at the interior surface of the shell, the internal electrical connector adapted for electrically interfacing to a port of the portable electronic device when the portable electronic device is inserted into the shell, the port accessible at an exterior surface of the housing of the portable electronic device; a first external electrical connector accessible at the exterior surface of the shell, the first external electrical connector adapted for conducting first electrical signals from the inserted portable electronic device through the internal electrical connector of the case and through the first external electrical connector of the case to a first external electrical device electrically connected to the first external electrical connector of the case, wherein the first electrical signals include audio signals transmitted from the inserted portable electronic device; and a second external electrical connector accessible at the exterior surface of the shell, the second external electrical connector adapted for conducting second electrical signals from a second external electrical device to the inserted portable electronic device through the second external electrical connector of the case and through the internal electrical connector of the case when the second external electrical device is electrically connected to the second external electrical connector of the case. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A protective cover for an electronic device, the protective cover comprising:
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a protective shell configured for covering at least a portion of the electronic device when the electronic device is installed in the protective shell, the protective shell having an interior and an exterior; electrical circuitry; an internal electrical connector positioned on the interior of the protective shell such that the internal electrical connector is configured to electrically engage an electrical port on the electronic device when the electronic device is installed into the protective shell; a first external electrical connector accessible at the exterior of the protective shell, the first external electrical connector configured for establishing a first electrical connection with the installed electronic device through the electrical circuitry of the protective shell; and a second external electrical connector accessible at the exterior of the protective shell, the second external electrical connector configured for establishing a second electrical connection with the installed electronic device through the electrical circuitry of the protective shell, wherein both the first electrical connection and the second electrical connection are routed through the internal electrical connector of the protective cover to the installed electronic device, and wherein the first external electrical connector conforms to a first industry standard interface that is different than a second industry standard interface of the second external electrical connector. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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Specification