Protective case for adding wireless functionality to a handheld electronic device
AssigneeBlackbird Technology Holdings, Inc.
InventorsJohn Peter Norair, Patrick Burns
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A protective case for an electronic device may comprise a wireless adaptor for adding wireless capabilities, including support of additional wireless communication protocols, to the electronic device. The system may enable, for example, location based services functions, social networking functions, and messaging functions.
Claims18
A protective case, the protective case comprising a first connector via which said protective case can connect to a corresponding connector of a handheld electronic device, and a first radio operable to communicate in accordance with a wireless communication protocol.
The protective case of claim comprising circuitry operable to determine a location of said system based on communications between said first radio and one or more tags.
A system comprising:
- a handheld electronic device that comprises a first radio operable to communicate in accordance with a first wireless communication protocol;
- a protective case mounted to said handheld electronic device, wherein said protective case comprises a second radio that is operable to communicate in accordance with a second wireless communication protocol.
A method performed by a protective case that comprises a first radio and a first connector, the method comprising:
- receiving first data from said handheld electronic device via said first connector;
- transmitting said first data via said first radio;
- receiving, via said first radio, second data from another device;
- and
- communicating said second data to said handheld electronic device via said first connector.
The method of 12, wherein:
- said first data and said second data comprise information for setting up a connection between a radio of said handheld electronic device and said other device;
- said transmitting of said first data is in response to detecting that said case is approaching said other device;
- said transmitting of said first data and receiving of said second data occur while said other device is out-of-range of said radio of said handheld electronic device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.