Integrated overlay system for mobile devices
AssigneeSprint Communications Company L.P.
InventorsRaymond Emilio Reeves, Ryan Alan Wick
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The invention is directed to a physical overlay that can be secured to a mobile device and that covers at least a portion of the mobile device's user interface. The overlay includes a front portion that has input areas, which may be openings or physical keys. The mobile device detects or is told that the overlay is installed, and the mobile device receives configuration data associated with the overly that tells the mobile device the locations of the input areas on the overlay so that the user interface can be adjusted accordingly. The overlay also includes side portions that allow the overlay to be secured to the mobile device.
Claims20
A physical overlay that, when secured to a mobile device, covers at least a portion of a user interface of the mobile device, the physical overlay comprising:
- a front portion having one or more input areas that allow a user to input data into the mobile device, wherein configuration data associated with the physical overlay is provided to the mobile device wherein at least a portion of the user interface of the mobile device is modified to correspond to a physical location of the one or more input areas on the front portion of the physical overlay, wherein the mobile device has a detection system that detects which physical overlay is being used and retrieves the configuration data associated with that particular physical overlay;
- and
- side portions that secure the physical overlay to the mobile device wherein the secured physical overlay stays in place relative to the mobile device.
A physical overlay that, when secured to a mobile device, covers at least a portion of a user interface of the mobile device, the physical overlay comprising:
- a frame that, when secured to the mobile device, stays in place relative to the mobile device, the frame comprising:
- (1) a front portion having one or more openings that allow a user, through the one or more openings, to make direct contact with the user interface of the mobile device, wherein the mobile device receives configuration data associated with the physical overlay, the configuration data describing a configuration of the one or more openings on the physical overlay such that a location of input regions on the user interface of the mobile device is modified to correspond to the configuration of the one or more openings on the physical overlay, and
- (2) side portions that assist in securing the physical overlay to the mobile device.
A physical overlay that, when secured to a mobile device, covers at least a portion of a user interface of the mobile device, the physical overlay comprising:
- a frame comprising:
- (1) a front portion having one or more input areas that, when touched by a user, cause data to be input into the mobile device by way of the user interface of the mobile device, and
- (2) side portions;
- and
- a securing mechanism that allows the physical overlay to be physically secured to at least a portion of the mobile device by way of the side portions such that when the mobile device is moved, the physical overlay stays in place relative to the mobile device, wherein the mobile device receives configuration data associated with the physical overlay such that when the physical overlay is secured to the mobile device, regions of input on the user interface are arranged according to the configuration data.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.