Protective structures to provide impact protection for portable devices
First Claim
1. A portable device, comprising:
- a housing;
an accelerometer disposed in the housing, the accelerometer operable to detect acceleration of the housing;
a pressurized fluid source disposed in the housing;
a protective structure disposed on a surface of the housing, wherein the protective structure comprises;
a substrate; and
an elastomeric layer arranged on the substrate, wherein the elastomeric layer defines an inflatable region, wherein a fluid channel fluidly couples the inflatable region with the pressurized fluid source; and
a controller operable to;
trigger the pressurized fluid source upon detection of an acceleration event by the accelerometer, wherein, upon triggering, the pressurized fluid source transmits pressurized fluid to the inflatable region through the fluid channel to cause the elastomeric layer to inflatably extend away from the substrate; and
detect a powering off event of the portable device and to trigger the pressurized fluid source to transmit the pressurized fluid to the inflatable region through the channel to at least one aperture to cause the elastomeric layer to inflatably extend away from the substrate upon detecting the powering off event of the portable device.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatuses protecting a portable device from an impact are provided. An accelerometer is operable to detect acceleration of the portable device. A protective structure disposed outside of the portable device includes a substrate and an elastomeric layer arranged on the substrate. The elastomeric layer defines an inflatable region in which the elastomeric layer is not attached to the substrate. The substrate includes a fluid channel in fluid communication with a pressurized fluid source. A controller is operable to trigger the pressurized fluid source upon detection of an acceleration event, wherein the pressurized fluid source transmits pressurized fluid to the inflatable region, causing the inflatable regions to inflate. The inflatable regions provide a cushion against impacts with surfaces when the portable device is dropped or otherwise propelled toward a surface.
11 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A portable device, comprising:
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a housing; an accelerometer disposed in the housing, the accelerometer operable to detect acceleration of the housing; a pressurized fluid source disposed in the housing; a protective structure disposed on a surface of the housing, wherein the protective structure comprises; a substrate; and an elastomeric layer arranged on the substrate, wherein the elastomeric layer defines an inflatable region, wherein a fluid channel fluidly couples the inflatable region with the pressurized fluid source; and a controller operable to; trigger the pressurized fluid source upon detection of an acceleration event by the accelerometer, wherein, upon triggering, the pressurized fluid source transmits pressurized fluid to the inflatable region through the fluid channel to cause the elastomeric layer to inflatably extend away from the substrate; and detect a powering off event of the portable device and to trigger the pressurized fluid source to transmit the pressurized fluid to the inflatable region through the channel to at least one aperture to cause the elastomeric layer to inflatably extend away from the substrate upon detecting the powering off event of the portable device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A protective case for a portable electronic device, comprising:
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a housing that receives a portable electronic device; an accelerometer, the accelerometer operable to detect acceleration of the housing; a pressurized fluid source disposed in the housing; a protective structure disposed on a surface of the housing, wherein the protective structure comprises; a substrate; and an elastomeric layer arranged on the substrate, wherein the elastomeric layer defines an inflatable region, wherein a fluid channel fluidly couples the inflatable region with the pressurized fluid source; and a controller operable to; trigger the pressurized fluid source upon detection of an acceleration event by the accelerometer, wherein, upon triggering, the pressurized fluid source transmits pressurized fluid to the inflatable region through the fluid channel to cause the elastomeric layer to inflatably extend away from the substrate; and detect a powering off event of the portable electronic device and to trigger the pressurized fluid source to transmit the pressurized fluid to the inflatable region through the channel to at least one aperture to cause the elastomeric layer to inflatably extend away from the substrate upon detecting the powering off event of the portable electronic device. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method, comprising:
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providing a portable device, comprising; a housing; an accelerometer disposed in the housing, the accelerometer operable to detect acceleration of the housing; a pressurized fluid source disposed in the housing; a protective structure disposed on a surface of the housing, wherein the protective structure comprises; a substrate; and an elastomeric layer arranged on the substrate, wherein the elastomeric layer defines an inflatable region, wherein a fluid channel fluidly couples the inflatable region with the pressurized fluid source; and a controller operable to trigger the pressurized fluid source upon detection of an acceleration event by the accelerometer, wherein, upon triggering, the pressurized fluid source transmits pressurized fluid to the inflatable region through the fluid channel to cause the elastomeric layer to inflatably extend away from the substrate; detecting an acceleration event of the portable device; releasing pressurized fluid from the pressurized fluid source to inflate the elastomeric layer in the inflatable region; detecting a powering off event of the portable device; and releasing pressurized fluid from the pressurized fluid source to inflate the elastomeric layer in the inflatable region upon detecting the powering off event. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification