Accessory for portable electronic device
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorsQuin C. Hoellwarth, Brett Gregory Alten
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A cover for a portable electronic device is disclosed. The cover can include at least one electrical component. For example, in one embodiment, an electrical component can be embedded in the cover. When the cover is placed on or mated with the portable electronic device, the electrical component embedded in the cover is able to interact with electrical circuitry of the portable electronic device. Advantageously, the cover can not only provide a protective and/or ornamental covering for the portable electronic device but can also augment the electrical capabilities of the portable electronic device.
Claims20
An accessory for a portable electronic device having a display, a device connector and a device housing that contains electrical circuitry, the accessory comprising:
- a body defining a cavity sized and shaped to receive the portable electronic device, the body having a plurality of access openings including a first opening to provide access to the display;
- a plurality of user input buttons carried by and accessible at an outer surface of the body to accept user input to the accessory;
- a male connector extending from the body into the cavity and configured to mate with the device connector, the male connector including at least one data pin;
- a controller integral with the body and electrically coupled to the plurality of user input buttons and the connector, the controller configured to, in response to user selection of individual ones of the plurality of user input buttons, transmit data representing the user input to the portable electronic device over the data pin.
A detachable keyboard for a portable electronic device having a display, a device connector and a device housing that contains electrical circuitry, the detachable keyboard comprising:
- a body defining a cavity sized and shaped to receive the portable electronic device, the body having an access opening to provide access to the display;
- an alphanumeric keypad carried by and accessible at an outer surface of the body, the alphanumeric keypad comprising a plurality of keys that enable a user to enter alphanumeric characters;
- a power module including a rechargeable battery;
- a male connector extending from the body into the cavity and configured to mate with the device connector, the male connector including at least one data pin;
- a controller embedded within the body and electrically coupled to the alphanumeric keypad and the connector, the controller configured to transmit entered alphanumeric characters to the portable electronic device through the male plug connector over the data pin.
An accessory for a portable electronic device having a display, a device connector and a device housing that contains electrical circuitry, the accessory comprising:
- a body configured to be placed over a substantial portion of the device housing of the electronic device, the cover body including a plurality of access openings including a first opening to provide access to the display;
- a connector integral with the body;
- at least one user input device carried by the body and accessible to accept user data input at an outer surface of the body;
- an electronic subassembly coupled to the data input device and embedded within the body, the electronic subassembly including:
- a memory configured to store machine instructions, and
- a processor operatively coupled to the memory and configured to execute the machine instructions to carry out operations associated with an exchange of data between the detachable cover and the electronic device in response to user input from the user input device;
- wherein the user input device and processor are configured to interact with the electrical circuitry within the electronic device to augment capabilities of the electronic device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.