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US 9,425,847 B2Granted
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.
Claims11
A system comprising:
- a handheld electronic device that comprises a first radio operable to communicate in accordance with a first wireless communication protocol;
- and
- 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;
- wherein:
- the second wireless communication protocol is different than the first wireless communication protocol;
- and
- the second wireless communication protocol is not supported by the handheld electronic device;
- and
- wherein said system is operable to:
- in response to a detection that said system is approaching another device, exchange information with said other device via said second radio, wherein:
- said information is for establishing a wireless connection between said first radio and said other device;
- at least part of said information is exchanged while said other device is out-of-range of said first radio.
9 more elements
A method performed by a protective case that comprises a first radio and a first connector, the method comprising:
- receiving first data from a 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;
- communicating said second data to said handheld electronic device via said first connector;
- and
- prior to said transmitting said first data, processing said first data to make it suitable for transmission via said first radio;
- wherein:
- said first radio transmits and receives in accordance with a wireless communication protocol;
- the wireless communication protocol is not supported by the handheld electronic device;
- said first data is received from said handheld electronic device in a form of an SMS or MMS message;
- and
- said first radio transmits said first data utilizing a frequency spectrum that is unlicensed in a location in which said first radio performs said transmitting.
9 more elements
A method performed by a protective case that comprises a first radio and a first connector, the method comprising:
- receiving first data from a 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;
- wherein:
- said first radio transmits and receives in accordance with a wireless communication protocol;
- the wireless communication protocol is not supported by the handheld electronic device;
- 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;
- and
- 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.
9 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.