as) United States
`a2) Patent Application Publication 10) Pub. No.: US 2010/0124040 Al
`
`(43) Pub. Date: May 20, 2010
`Diebelet al.
`
`US 20100124040A1
`
`(54)
`
`PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE CASE
`WITH BATTERY
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors:
`
`MarkusDiebel, San Francisco, CA
`(US); David Johnson, San
`Francisco, CA (US)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`AKA CHAN LLP
`900 LAFAYETTE STREET, SUITE 710
`SANTA CLARA, CA 95050 (US)
`
`(73)
`
`Assignee:
`
`INCASE DESIGNS CORP.,
`Irwindale, CA (US)
`
`(21)
`
`Appl. No.:
`
`12/580,977
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Oct. 16, 2009
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(63)
`
`Continuation of application No. 12/464,059, filed on
`May 11, 2009, now Pat. No. 7,612,997.
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 61/115,529, filed on Nov.
`17, 2008, provisional application No. 61/157,111,
`filed on Mar. 3, 2009, provisional application No.
`61/171,455, filed on Apr. 21, 2009.
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`HOSK 5/00
`HOSK 9/00
`HOSK 13/00
`
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`
`(52) US. Cd. eecccecccccseesssees 361/816; 361/679.01; 29/428
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A casefor an electronic device protects and extendsthe bat-
`tery life of the electronic device. The case has a lower case
`portion and an uppercase portion, which assemble together to
`protect the top, side, and bottom edges of the electronic
`device. The lower case portion includesa battery to extend the
`battery life of the electronic device.
`
`
`
`152
`
`104
`
`a’ 201
`
`204
`
`APPLE 1030
`
`1
`
`APPLE 1030
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`May 20, 2010 Sheet 1 of 25
`
`US 2010/0124040 Al
`
`Obeunbi4
`
`2
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication May 20,2010 Sheet 2 of 25
`
`US 2010/0124040 Al
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Figure 2
`
`3
`
`3
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`May 20, 2010 Sheet 3 of 25
`
`US 2010/0124040 Al
`
`204
`
`i
`
`104
`
`304
`
`
`4
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`
`
`i4f4444i4i4i4i4i4i4444t
`
`US 2010/0124040 Al
`
`416
`
`108
`
`May 20, 2010 Sheet 4 of 25
`
`Lpaewn
`
`5
`
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`May 20, 2010 Sheet 5 of 25
`
`US 2010/0124040 Al
`
`
`
`Figure 6
`
`6
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication May 20,2010 Sheet 6 of 25
`
`US 2010/0124040 Al
`
`
`
`/
`
`3818
`
`
`
`7
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication May 20,2010 Sheet 7 of 25
`
`US 2010/0124040 Al
`
`164
`
`1004b
`
`1008
`
`168
`
`\as6
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`oO
`-
`©
`
`>o
`
`S
`LL
`
`N
`
`©
`p
`>
`
`&“
`
`
`
`©
`
`i,
`
`SS
`
`|
`
`Ce)
`
`ao
`8
`
`
`~
`
`
`
`ume
`
`ge
`
`LE
`
`
`
`904
`
`/108
`
`—
`2
`S
`~
`
`§
`©
`
`S
`I
`
`>
`>
`-
`
`8
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication May 20,2010 Sheet 8 of 25
`
`US 2010/0124040 Al
`
`108
`
`»1204
`
`—1209
`
`1008
`
`r1004a
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`wt
`oO
`-
`
`st
`i
`w+
`
`st
`oO
`-—
`
`——1212
`
`Figure12
`
`Figure11
`
`9
`
`

`

` Figure16
`1004b—~
`1008~
` Figure15
`
`
`
`
`
`Patent Application Publication May 20,2010 Sheet 9 of 25
`
`US 2010/0124040 Al
`
`
`
` Figure13
`
`
`
` Figure14
`
`
`
`10
`
`10
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication May 20,2010 Sheet 10 of 25
`
`US 2010/0124040 Al
`
`
`
`
`
`Figure 19
`
`11
`
`11
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication May 20,2010 Sheet 11 of 25
`
`US 2010/0124040 Al
`
`201
`
`Portable Electronic Device 101
`
`
`
`2009
`
`204
`
`2009
`
`Figure 20
`
`
`
`424
`
`Figure 21
`
`12
`
`12
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`May 20, 2010 Sheet 12 of 25
`
`US 2010/0124040 Al
`
`
`
`vol—*ozp/goez_/
`
`€zeunbi4
`
`eeeinbi+
`
`Lez Aseneg
`
`13
`
`13
`
`
`
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication May 20,2010 Sheet 13 of 25
`
`US 2010/0124040 Al
`
`*
`
`101
`
`132
`
`2404a
`
`/~ 24040
`
`2416
`
`108 ~~
`
`104 —~
`
`Figure 24
`
` 104 —~
`4108 ~~
`
`Figure 25
`
`14
`
`14
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`May 20, 2010 Sheet 14 of 25
`
`US 2010/0124040 Al
`
`
`
`SdJNOSJOEMOd
`
`9S9%
`
`Jayndwog
`
`CS9S
`
`0¢92
`
`
`
`891
`
`Asayeg
`
`LLETt
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`9zeinbi-
`
`op sBulusdo
`A‘olpny
`
`9E9S
`
`
`
`JO}@9!pul
`
`v29e
`
`8292
`
`cLIS
`
`
`
`
`
`JoyeslpulsnyejsAueyeg
`
`jUswa|9yndulJasf)
`
`JOJO9UUODBpIsino
`
`
`JOJ}O8ULODSpIsu|
`uoneziuciyoukS
`
`
`
`Anno
`
`919%
`
`\_zL9z
`
`15
`
`
`
`91U093/9s|qeyod
`
`
`
`L09¢89!A8q
`
`\Auayyeg
`
`beeee
`
`|
`
`\—go9z
`
`15
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`May20, 2010 Sheet 15 of 25
`
`US 2010/0124040 Al
`
`Zzeinbl4
`
`‘y4OmJousaopabneb
`
`janpueapowsuds
`
`
`
`
`
`JajuayouuRd“uoIOUN,
`
`aseggsnesed
`
`peaujouseapeuoud
`auoud‘sl1JIIng‘aseoUlaqOY
`s|snye|s
`
`
`
`JEUONOUNJONJBUOI]OUN)JONAuayeg“QAIJOBUISIBSED
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
` apowouAS‘(peBueyosips1)AusyeqsapowauAspue|‘eSne6any|eseo‘pebueyoAjinjst4aBnebjaneasJopysnd|jjunAsayeqeseoabieyD
`asegaseosesn 10}ploySKsepowioutspue|any|~~ersubydaBIeL9OFebnedjeny8851USNd|Kisyeq‘a6ne6
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`foveoipleseozs.°
`
`
`a}eo!pulS31Suoyngysnd
`
`
`JoJaA9]a6seyoMOUS0}
`
`
`AjayeqoseoJang]Alayeq
`pe
`
`
`
`
`JO}ployauoydseBieyoAayyeq
`Po
`},U0P)XAjaya|doDJONdaais
`
`
`AayegArayegJOYNUUOD)
`1,U0p)xX|paBieyosig|O}EUUOD|sfueyg
`
`},U0p)XxpebieyoyoaUuUaD
`auodd
`(oreo|P26reu9siq|Payeuucs|spo
`
`}uop)x|pebueyoyop)Xx
`
`(a1eoJemodaseg
`(aue9Jamod0}
`
`(a1eo(ase
`pefieuD1U0p)Xafieyd
`(ase9au0Ud
`
`
`
`snjyejSauoyd
`
`
`
`sjubrquoyng
`
`snjelsose
`
`
`
`euoydUSM|JELUJON
`
`AustinssiAueyeq
`
`peBieyo
`
`jeuwJou
`
`0}pseujousaopsuo
`SHUNGATYG
`
`
`
`JEWOUsIsnjeysouoYd
`
`SIJamod
`
`‘SIWJyng‘eseuleq
`a}e91PUlO}89u0
`
`payosuu0s
`
`Aueyeg
`
`
`
`Jj‘(peBseyoAusioiyjns
`
`seuooegqAleyeq
`
`
`
`siAuayeqauoud
`
`
`
`‘peBieyosipAjaya;dwoo
`
`
`
`3q0}Sd}NUIWGjnogeaye}AewHI
`
`
`
`‘peBueyoAusloijins
`
`auoyduoJo}yeo!pu|
`
`ayeoipulAewAejdsip
`
`
`
`‘BulBueyo
`
`JEWJON
`
`
`
`
`
`9uUOUdJoye|EWION
`
`apowsuds
`‘JaMOd0}p9}OsuU0D
`
`s|Bnidasn4spepeeu
`
`peBieuosiq
`
`
`
`JOUOps]y6I]JoyeoIpul
`
`pueuoyngAejdsip
`
`‘peBseyo
`
`
`
`siAuayyeqaseoayy
`
`
`
`Assneg
`
`16
`
`16
`
`

`

`
`
`
`
`smous‘“6'8) ouASsXeSUdU|HOSUN}G31GSspow|OFAjsnonuyjuoo
`uopajqeuesudsouAs@}291pu!
`
`Jewuousauinsalpalxsepow
`
`
`
`auoud‘(Aeidsipapouwl
`
`
`JOUSISUOUdHopsuin
`ouASUlSUDUdSUNGG37WS
`
`
`aucudJoyeo|pu]eseg
`
`snjejssyy6rq
`
`pueepowouAsUByM
`
`
`ploypueysndg‘gpowouAsBuuajueUod/
`
`
`0]spuoces¢auoudyosuuod‘(bulBseyo
`
`
`
`
`
`auAsJa]UaJauje6o]sajndwaspue ousyixeAjyeonewojne uoyingyx8OLWX9|[IMJayeAyeoyewojpneysnd|syxa(,):apowouAs ssaid(¢)‘ajqeoyosuUONSIp
`
`IMuoyngysnd
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Jojuoynq‘6'38)SAPOJBUJOIKE
`papus}xaxa
`
`ase)snjejease9
`
`
`
`Spowwalqeo“eiqeogsryBnouyy
`
`
`
`ouds(Z)‘AWANoeUIJOSPUODASOF
`
`BIAaseJOSUUCS(¢)abneb
`
`euoydejnd(1):epowdeajs
`
`UIU}IMpe}OSuU0DEqP|NoUs
`
`
`jansayeaoeyorym)uoyng
`
`
`
`jonjsoyeaoeyolym)uoyng
`
`
`aiqeojnq‘epowsusJejUe
`
`
`
`aseossoaid(z)‘aseoay)ul
`
`
`Ayayyeq$}|uleyau[JIMased
`0]Pe}99UUOD8qJOUPaau
`papus}xa1x9OL“pouad
`JIM8Se9JO‘spuozasOF
`
`AW}UlBYSO&JO}Jamod
`
`aoinosJamod0}a/qeo
`
`asnesea
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`uoljerado
`
`9zainbi4
`
`‘@pow
`
`peBaeyd
`peBieyd
`Buosuuoosiq
`
`Uxe|IIMB[qeo
`oudXA
`
`ouAs
`
`Patent Application Publication
`
`May20, 2010 Sheet 16 of 25
`
`US 2010/0124040 Al
`
`spowdesis
`
`@seoUl
`
`aseo
`
`payaauuoo
`
`uoyng
`
`auoud
`
`Asayeg
`
`ased
`
`Ayayyeg
`Joysauuog
`
`UlJOUSUC
`pebieuy
`
`JON
`
`pepus}xy
`
`
`
`2MOYSJOUSa80p
`
`
`
`auoud‘;eWJON
`
`‘ussiosBeu
`
`“‘BuiBseyo
`
`youayeolpulAew
`
`paBueyd
`peBieyD
`
`josuu0D
`
`Oo}
`
`Jayndwo9
`
`17
`
`peBreyd
`pebieyo
`
`daajs
`
`Spo
`
`yoouua)
`
`euocud
`
`JEU]
`
`17
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication May 20,2010 Sheet 17 of 25
`
`US 2010/0124040 Al
`
`2904
`
`/ 2904c
`| 2904d
`
`2904a
`
`Figure 29
`
`2004a
`
`[29040
`
`Figure 30
`
`2904b
`2904a —\
`
`\
`
`2904c
`
`|
`/
`
`yp 29040
`
`Figure 31
`
`18
`
`18
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication May 20,2010 Sheet 18 of 25
`
`US 2010/0124040 Al
`
`2904e
`
`
`
`2908
`
`Figure 32
`
`2904b
`
`2904c
`
`2904e
`
`2908
`
`Figure 33
`
`19
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`May20, 2010 Sheet 19 of 25
`
`US 2010/0124040 Al
`
`uoleausyNy
`
`YN
`
`Ove
`
`vIPE
`
`JaMOdAL'S
`
`BOVE
`
`
`sJojyesipu]G319d-91-90d
`
`Wa\skScEvEjouoy|eBnes
`
`
`joujUODqvAuayeg|jen4
`O9PeCSVE|IGE
`
`
`
`
`8OPEBDIA9QJIUOLOE/JeIGeLIOY
`
`POEJ0}99UUOD
`
`uld-O¢
`
`asn
`
` 9L-vEJaLeAUOD
`
`
`SIOISISOY
`
`BCE
`
`reeinbis
`
`
`
`verve-A/+d
`
`winiuy!y
`
`Aueneg
`
`CLVE
`
`Aseneg
`
`GulBseyd
`
`90-91-90
`
`UOISJBAUOD
`
`SPE
`
`gsn-ul
`
`O2rE
`
`20
`
`20
`
`
`
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication May 20,2010 Sheet 20 of 25
`
`US 2010/0124040 Al
`
`Battery 3524
`
`i
`
`Main PCB1
`
`Figure 35
`
`21
`
`21
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`May 20, 2010 Sheet 21 of 25
`
`US 2010/0124040 Al
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`peseAueyeg
`
`pese_/sqaq
`
`/vO9€
`
`Laddulew
`
`vOSe
`
`“pige
`
`LOL8d1NeqdIUO9a1yBIGeLWOd
`
`
`
`JOJOBUUOD9Ep!su|
`
`891
`
`oOOoman
`
`80SE
`
`\_pee
`
`22
`
`
`
`9¢ounbi-ZEOZ
`
`cS€dOd
`
`
`
`AOJDSULODJSINO
`
`22
`
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication May 20,2010 Sheet 22 of 25
`
`US 2010/0124040 Al
`
`— 1728
`
`3704 ~\
`
`y— 168
`
`/~ 3708
`3716
`
`3812
`
`3816
`
`|
`
`Figure 38
`
`23
`
`23
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication May 20,2010 Sheet 23 of 25
`
`US 2010/0124040 Al
`
`3908 ~~
`
`~ i sd
`
`/ 3904
`
`/
`
`3912
`
`4008
`——
`
`Figure 39
`
`;— 3908
`
`4006
`
`»
`— 4004
`Figure 40
`
`4108
`——
`
`f 4110
`
`~~ 4104
`— 3904
`
`LS
`
`4004
`
`Figure 41
`
`4212
`
`4215
`
`——=~ 4204
`
`- es
`
`Figure 42
`
`
`
`Figure 43
`
`24
`
`24
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication May 20,2010 Sheet 24 of 25
`
`US 2010/0124040 Al
`
`Portable Electronics Device
`Case
`
`User’s Manual
`
`Figure 44
`
`25
`
`25
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication May 20,2010 Sheet 25 of 25
`
`US 2010/0124040 Al
`
`4424
`
`4420
`
`Figure 45
`
`26
`
`26
`
`

`

`US 2010/0124040 Al
`
`May 20, 2010
`
`PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE CASE
`WITH BATTERY
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`[0001] This patent application is a continuation of U.S.
`patent application Ser. No. 12/464,059, filed May 11, 2009,
`issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,612,997 on Nov. 3, 2009, and also
`claims the benefit of U.S. provisional applications 61/115,
`529,filed Nov. 17, 2008, 61/157,111, filed Mar. 3, 2009, and
`61/171,455, filed Apr. 21, 2009, which are incorporated by
`reference along with all other references cited in this appli-
`cation.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`devices from damage.There is a need for a portable electronic
`device case that also provides additional battery life.
`
`BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`Avcasefor an electronic device protects and extends
`[0008]
`the battery life of the electronic device. The case has a lower
`case portion and an upper case portion, which assemble
`together to protect the top, side, and bottom edges of the
`electronic device. The lower case portion includesa battery to
`extend the battery life of the electronic device.
`[0009]
`To assemble the case together, the upper case por-
`tion slides onto the electronic device and the lower case
`portion. The case has openings which allow a user with fully
`access the features of the portable electronic device. A front
`opening of the case for a screen of the electronic device is
`formed by a merging of partial openings in the upper and
`lower case portions. The case also allows the electronic
`device to synchronize with another device without removing
`it from thecase.
`[0010]
`Inanimplementation, a case for an electronic device
`includes a lowercaseorfirst case portion including: a base
`surface upon which a back of the electronic device will be
`placed against, where the base surface includes a top edge; a
`battery, enclosed in the lower case portion; electronic cir-
`cuitry, connected to the battery; a lower sidewall, connected
`to the base surface at an end opposite ofthe top edge, that will
`be positioned against a bottom side edge of the electronic
`device; an inner connector, on the lower sidewall, positioned
`to connect to a connector of the electronic device, and con-
`nected through the electronic circuitry to the battery; and an
`outer connector, positioned on an outside bottom side of the
`lowercase portion, connected throughthe electronic circuitry
`to the battery and inner connector.
`[0011] The case includes an upper or second case portion
`including: an upper sidewall that will be positioned against a
`top side edge of the electronic device when the upper case
`portion is seated against the lowercase portion; and an open
`side end, opposite of the upper sidewall. The upper case
`portion slides onto the lower case portion through the open
`side end in a direction along the base surface from the top
`edge to the lower sidewall. When the upper case portion is
`seated against the lower case portion, the upper and lower
`case portions meet at and form a seam which extends across
`a back ofthe case.
`
`[0002] This invention relates to a case for portable elec-
`tronic devices, and morespecifically, to a case with a battery.
`[0003] There are manytypes of portable electronic devices
`including personal digital assistants (PDAs), computers,
`smartphones, mobile phones,
`satellite phones, cellular
`phones, pagers, music player, MP3 players, media players,
`digital cameras, video cameras, bar code scanner, global posi-
`tioning system (GPS), and portable game consoles. Typically
`these devices are battery powered, so that people can carry
`and use the devices during their daily lives (e.g., on a bus or
`train, while in flight on an airplane, at the gym onthestair
`stepper, walking downanaisle,riding a bike, or driving a car).
`[0004] These portable electronic devices allow people to
`play and record music, send and receive e-mail, send text
`messages, browse Web pages, make phonecalls, play and
`record video, take and view pictures, edit documents, and
`much more. These devices continue to revolutionize the way
`people interact, learn, connect with other people, conduct
`business, and find things. They help people manage their
`daily lives and sometimes are an entertainment source.
`[0005] Because portable electronic devices are somewhat
`fragile and usedto carry valuable personal information (e.g.
`phone numbers, financial information, private photos or vid-
`eos, and favorite music tracks), many people protect their
`portable electronic devices using cases. Depending on the
`particular case design, these cases protect the back, side, and
`front of the devices from scratches, dings, drops, and other
`In various implementations, the upper case portion
`[0012]
`physical damage. Some cases mayeven have pockets to hold
`further includes a left sidewall having an opening through
`extra batteries or memory. So, when a battery becomesdis-
`which buttons onaleft side of the electronic device will be
`charged, the person can take the used battery out of the por-
`accessible. The lower case portion further includes a back
`table electronic device and replaceit with a fresh battery from
`surface having a button, connectedto the electronic circuitry,
`the case’s pocket. Then the used battery can be recharged
`positioned on a side of the seam line closer to the outside
`using a recharger at home.
`bottom side of the lower case portion. The lowercase portion
`[0006] Also as modern portable electronic devices evolve,
`includes an opening through the base back surface against
`they continue to provide more features and greater function-
`which a camera lens opening of the electronic device will be
`ality. For example, screen sizes become larger and have
`placed. The lower and uppercase portion are made ofrigid
`greaterresolution. The devices have greater wireless range or
`plastic material. In particular, the upper and lower portions
`capabilities (e.g., 3G broadband wireless) and more numbers
`are not madeofa relatively flexible material such as rubber or
`silicone.
`of sensors (e.g., touch screen, accelerometer, proximity sen-
`sor, and ambient light sensor). Applications that run on the
`[0013] The lower case portion includes: a first group of
`devices also may use more processing power. All these
`openings, positioned on the lower sidewall onafirst side from
`improvements and changesusually are an additional drain on
`the inner connector, where a first speaker opening for the
`the battery, shortening how long these devices can be used on
`electronic will be placed against the first openings when
`electronic device is connected to the inner connector. There is
`a single charge.
`[0007] Therefore, it is desirable to increase the battery life
`a second group of openings, positioned on the lowersidewall
`on a secondside from the inner connector, where a second
`of portable electronic devices and also to protect these
`
`27
`
`27
`
`

`

`US 2010/0124040 Al
`
`May 20, 2010
`
`longer than the first time period, entering a sync mode to
`establish a data path between the inner and outer connectors.
`[0020] After entering the sync mode, pressing the button
`causes exiting of the sync mode. After entering the sync
`mode,at least one ofthe indicatorlights is used to indicate the
`circuitry is in the sync mode. A metal shield is provided
`between the electronic circuitry and the base front surface.
`[0021]
`Inanimplementation,a kit for case for an electronic
`device includes: a foam tray (e.g., black foam) including a
`first compartment and a second compartment; a cable, con-
`tained within thefirst compartment; and a case for a portable
`electronic device, contained within the second compartment.
`[0022] The case includes: a lower case portion comprising
`a base front surface and base back surface; a battery, con-
`tained between the base front surface and base back surface;
`electronic circuitry, coupled to the battery; and an upper case
`portion, attached to the lower case portion. A a first open-
`polygon opening for the lower case portion merges with a
`second open-polygon opening for the upper case portion to
`form a front openingofthe case through which a screen ofthe
`electronic device will be visible, the front opening having a
`closed-polygon shape.
`[0023] Thecableisa universalserial bus cable havinga first
`end with a USB Type A plug connector and a second end
`having USB Mini-B plug connector. When the lower case
`portion is attached to the lower case portion, the upper and
`lower case portions meet at and form a seam which extends
`across a back of the case.
`
`speaker opening for the electronic will be placed against the
`second openings when electronic device is connected to the
`inner connector. There is a third plurality of openings, posi-
`tioned on the outside bottom side, where each of the third
`openings is smaller than an opening for the outer connector.
`[0014] When the uppercase portion is seated against the
`lowercase portion,a first open-polygon openingfor the lower
`case portion merges with a second open-polygon opening for
`the upper case portion to form a front opening, having a
`closed-polygon shape, of the case through which a screen of
`the electronic device will be visible. When the upper case
`portion is seated against the lowercase portion, ona back side
`of the case, the upper case portion overlaps at least one por-
`tion of the lower case portion to hold the upper case to the
`lower case portion.
`[0015] The lowercase portion has a button, connected to
`the electronic circuitry. By using the button, the case can be
`switch from one modeto another. For example, via the button,
`the case is placed in a first mode during which synchronizing
`with the electronic device will be permitted or in a second
`mode during which charging ofthe electronic device will be
`permitted.
`[0016] The lowercase portion includes somelighting indi-
`cators (e.g., LEDs), which are connected to the electronic
`circuitry. After pressing the buttonfora first time period, the
`lighting indicators will specify a level of charge remaining for
`the battery. After pressing the button for a second timeperiod,
`longer than the first time period, the circuit enters thefirst
`mode (e.g., synchronization). When connecting a cable to the
`outer connector of the lower case portion, the cable does not
`pass through any opening of the uppercase portion.
`[0017]
`In an implementation, a method making an elec-
`tronic device case includes: providing a lowercase portion of
`the electronic device case including a base front surface and
`base back surface; enclosing a battery between the base front
`surface and base back surface; connecting electroniccircuitry
`to the battery and an inner and outer connector; and providing
`an uppercase portion forthe electronic device casethat slides
`onto the lower case portion, where when the uppercase por-
`tion is seated against the lower case portion, the upper and
`lower case portions form a seam which extendsacross a back
`of the case.
`
`Inanimplementation, a case for an electronic device
`[0024]
`includes a lower case portion and upper case portion that
`slides onto the lower case portion. The lower case portion
`includesa battery; electronic circuitry, connectedto the bat-
`tery; a lower sidewall; and an inner connector, positioned on
`the lower sidewall and connected to the battery through the
`circuitry. A first opening 1s positioned on the lower sidewall in
`a first direction (e.g., left) away from the inner connector. A
`second opening is positioned on the lower sidewall in a sec-
`ond direction (e.g., right) away from the inner connector,
`where the second direction is opposite of the first direction.
`Thefirst and second openings may be audio openings(e.g.,
`stereo sound).
`[0025] Anouter connectoris positioned on a bottom side of
`the lower case portion and connectedto the battery and inner
`In various implementations, the base back surface
`[0018]
`connectorthrough the circuitry. A third openingis positioned
`includes a base upper back surface and base lower back
`on the bottom side, wherea first line through thefirst opening,
`surface, the base back surface hasa first side, a secondside,
`andafirst thickness between the first and second sides. The
`second line through the second opening, and a third line
`through the third openingare parallel to each other. The base
`front surface may include raised cushioningstrips running a
`third direction, transverseto the first direction.
`[0026] The upper case portion includes upper, first, and
`second sidewalls, and a seam edge extends from the first
`sidewall across a back ofthe uppercase portion through to the
`second sidewall. The seam edgeis generally transverse to the
`first line. The seam edge is generally transverseto the strips.
`[0027] The back of the lower case portion can include a
`numberoflighting indicators, connected to the circuitry; and
`a button, connected to the circuitry, where after pressing the
`button for a first time period (e.g., less than 3 seconds), the
`light indicators will specify a level ofcharge remainingfor the
`battery, and after pressing the button for a second time period
`(e.g., 3 seconds or more), longer than thefirst time period, the
`circuit enters a syne mode.
`[0028] There are a numberof waysto exit the sync mode.
`After entering the sync mode, whenthe outer connectoris not
`28
`
`method further includes: enclosing the electronic circuitry
`between the base front surface and the base lower back sur-
`
`face; making a cavity in the base lower back surface, where
`the cavity extends from the second side toward, but not
`throughto thefirst side, and a second thickness from an end of
`the cavity to thefirst side is thinner than the first thickness;
`and positioning a lighting source of the electronic circuitry
`facing towardthe cavity, wherein when turnedon,the lighting
`source emits visible light that passes through the second
`thickness, but not the first thickness, to the first side.
`[0019] The methodincludes: providing a button in the base
`back surface, where the button is connected to the electronic
`circuitry and a surfaceofthe buttonis flush with a surface of
`the base back surface; providing indicator lights in the base
`back surface, where the indicator lights are connected to the
`electronic circuitry; after holding the button for a first time
`period, using the indicator lights to show a chargelevel of the
`battery; and after holding the button for a second timeperiod,
`
`28
`
`

`

`US 2010/0124040 Al
`
`May 20, 2010
`
`connected to another electronic device within a third time
`period (e.g., 30 seconds), longer than the second time period,
`the circuitry exits the sync mode. After entering the sync
`mode, whenthe button is pressed, the circuitry exits the syne
`mode. After entering sync mode, when the outer connectoris
`disconnected from another electronic device, the circuitry
`exits the syne mode.
`[0029] While in the syne mode, oneofthe lighting indica-
`tors flashes. At least one of the lighting indicators used to
`indicate a charge level of the battery is also used to indicate
`the circuitry is in the syne mode.
`[0030] The lowercase portion further includesa first cam-
`era opening on a base front surface, where the first camera
`opening is a closed polygon(e.g., circle, square, or hexagon)
`having a first area; and a second camera opening on a base
`back surface, where the second camera opening is a closed
`polygon having a secondarea, larger than thefirst area, and
`the battery is enclosed between the base front surface and
`base back surface.
`
`electronic circuitry facing toward the cavity, wherein when
`turned on, the lighting source emits visible light that passes
`through the secondthickness, but notthefirst thickness, to the
`first side.
`
`[0036] A second camera opening is provided on the base
`back surface, where the second camera opening has a closed
`polygon shape anda first area of the first camera opening is
`less than a second area of the second camera opening. The
`base back surface includes a sloped lens hood aroundthefirst
`camera opening, extending from the first camera opening to
`the second camera openingat least a thickness ofthebattery.
`[0037] The methodincludes: providing a button in the base
`back surface, where the button is connected to the electronic
`circuitry and a surfaceofthe buttonis flush with a surface of
`the base back surface; providing indicator lights in the base
`back surface, where the indicator lights are connected to the
`electronic circuitry; after holding the button for a first time
`period, using the indicator lights to show a chargelevel ofthe
`battery; and after holding the button for a second timeperiod,
`longer than the first time period, entering a sync mode to
`establish a data path between the inner and outer connectors.
`[0038] The methodincludes after entering the sync mode,
`pressing the button causes exiting the sync mode. The method
`includesafter entering the sync mode,using at least one ofthe
`indicatorlights to indicate the circuitry is in the syne mode.
`[0039]
`In an implementation, a methodincludes providing
`a lowercase portion. The lowercase portion includesa front
`side, a back side, and a lower sidewall. The lower case has no
`indicator lights on a front side. The lower case has an inner
`connector having a first width (e.g., 22 millimeters) and an
`outer connector having a second width (e.g., 8 millimeters).
`The second widthis less than the first width. Thefirst width is
`from about 2 to about 2.75 times wider than the second width.
`
`[0031] A back of the lowercase portion includes a number
`of lighting indicators (e.g., three, four, or five), connected to
`the circuitry, where a line extends betweena first and second
`of the lighting indicators. A button is connected to the cir-
`cuitry, and this button is positioned so the line (passing
`through the first and second ofthe lighting indicators) does
`not pass through the button.
`[0032] A back of the lowercase portion includes a number
`of lighting indicators, connected to the circuitry, where a line
`segment extends between a first and second of the lighting
`indicators. A button is connected to the circuitry and this
`buttonis positioned in a third direction (e.g., below) from the
`line segment, transverse to thefirst direction and is equidis-
`tant (e.g., centered between) to ends of the line segment.
`[0040] The lower case portion includes a numberofindi-
`[0033] After the upper and lowercase portions are joined, a
`cator lights (e.g., five) on a back side. A button is centered
`seam line divides the case so the lowercase portion is from
`(e.g., below a middle ofthefive indicator lights) on the back
`about 0.18 to about 0.38 of a length of the joined case. After
`side. Holding the button for more than a time period(e.g.,
`the upper and lower case portions are joined, a seam line
`three seconds or more) indicates to the circuitry to enter a
`divides the case so for a front of the case, the lower case
`synchronization mode. The lowercase portion has a battery
`portion is about X ofa length ofthe joined case andfor a back
`and circuitry to charge the battery using power input through
`ofthe case, the lowercase portion is about Y ofa length of the
`the outer connector. The battery charges a portable electronic
`joined case, where X and Y are numbers andYis greater than
`device to be connected to the inner connector.
`X. For example, X is about 0.23 and Y is about 0.27.
`[0041]Afirst camera opening(e.g., acircle) on a base front
`[0034]
`Inan implementation, a method includes: providing
`surface ofthe lower case portion hasa first diameter. A second
`a lowercase portion of an electronic device case including a
`camera opening (e.g., a circle) on a base back surface of the
`base front surface and base back surface; providingafirst
`lowercase portion has a second diameter greater than thefirst
`camera opening on the base front surface, where the first
`diameter. A first set of audio openings is positioned on the
`camera opening has a closed polygon shape; enclosing a
`lower sidewallat a first side (e.g., left) of the inner connector.
`battery betweenthe base front surface and base back surface;
`A second set of audio openings is positioned on the lower
`providing electronic circuitry connectedto the battery and an
`sidewall at a second side (e.g., right) of the inner connector A
`inner and outer connector; and providing an uppercase por-
`tion for the electronic device case that slides onto the lower
`third set of audio openings on an exterior lower side of the
`lower case portion is at a secondside of the outer connector.
`case portion, where the uppercase portion comprises a seam
`A first line passing through one of the first set of audio
`edge that extends fromafirst front corner across a back of the
`openingsis parallel to a second line passing through one of
`upper case portion through to a second front comer.
`the third set of audio openings.
`[0035] The base back surface includes a base upper back
`surface and base lower back surface. The base back surface
`[0042] The lowercase portion hasa first raised strip on the
`base front surface. The lowercase portion has a second raised
`hasa first side, a secondside, andafirst thickness between the
`strip on the base front surface. The raised strips are made of
`first and second sides. The methodfurther includes: enclosing
`the same material and provide some cushioning, compared to
`the electronic circuitry between the base front surface and the
`the base front surface.
`base lower back surface; making a cavity in the base lower
`back surface, wherein the cavity extends from the secondside
`toward, but not through tothefirst side, and a second thick-
`ness from an endofthe cavity to thefirst side is thinner than
`the first thickness; and positioning a lighting source of the
`
`In a specific implementation, when the phone is
`[0043]
`placed on the base front surface and connected to the inner
`connector, a top ofthe phone does not extend beyond an upper
`edge of the base front surface. A front opening of the
`29
`
`29
`
`

`

`US 2010/0124040 Al
`
`May 20, 2010
`
`assembled case is generally rectangular with rounded cor-
`ners. The front opening hasa first frame edge that extends in
`a vertical direction from a first seam line toward a first
`rounded comer at a bottom left of the lower case portion,
`through the first rounded corner to a second frame edge that
`extends in a horizontal direction toward a second rounded
`
`cornerat a bottom rightofthe lowercase portion, through the
`second rounded cornerto a third frame edge, parallel to the
`first frame edge to a second seam line.
`[0044]
`Thefirst seam line is inline with the second seam
`line. Thefirst seam line is transverse to the vertical direction.
`
`Thefirst seam line is positioned at from about 0.15 to about
`0.38 of a vertical length of the lower case portion. Further,
`whenthe uppercase portion is on the lower case portion, the
`first seam line is positioned at about 0.23 of a length of a
`vertical length of the assembled case. Whena portable elec-
`tronic device is inserted in the inner connector, a lower edge
`of a screen is parallel to the first seam line.
`[0045] When the uppercase portion is on the lower case
`portion, there is a third seam line for a back of the case. The
`third seam line is positioned at a different ratio (e.g., 0.27
`versus 0.23) of the vertical length of the assembled case.
`[0046] Onaleft side, the upper case hasa first slot opening.
`On a top side, the upper case has a circular opening and a
`second slot opening, smaller than thefirst slot opening. On a
`back, the upper case has a camera opening.
`[0047]
`In an implementation, a back andside surface of the
`upper case portion is coated with a soft-touch coating. A front
`inside surface ofthe uppercaseportion 1s polishedto a glossy
`finish. A front, back,and side surface ofthe lower case portion
`is coated with the soft-touch coating. The base front surface of
`the lower case portion is polished to a glossy finish.
`[0048] Other objects,
`features, and advantages of the
`present invention will become apparent upon consideration of
`the following detailed description and the accompanying
`drawings, in whichlike reference designations represent like
`features throughout the figures.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1A showsan uppercase portion for a case for
`[0049]
`a portable electronic device.
`[0050] FIG.1B showsa lowercase portion fora case for the
`portable electronic device.
`[0051]
`FIG. 1C shows an example ofa portable ele