CN111526754A - Electronic equipment shell - Google Patents

Abstract

Devices and systems for an electronic cigarette are provided. An exemplary device includes a housing for an electronic device, the housing including a form factor piece having a length, a width, and a thickness greater than the electronic device. The back side of the housing has a first cavity with a first bottom formed therein, wherein the cavity is formed to flushly receive and retain the electronic device. The housing also includes a rechargeable battery housed in a battery storage cavity within the form factor member, and an electronically operated vapor-generating device movably attached along and at least partially replacing the outer edge. Mobile phones and electronically operated steam generating devices may be electrically connected to the rechargeable battery via one or more electrical conductors passing through the form element.

Description

Electronic equipment shell

Priority application

This PCT application complies with the priority of U.S. non-provisional applications 15/907, 249 filed on 27.2.2018, which claim priority of U.S. provisional applications 62/593, 658 filed on 1.12.2017 and 62/609, 293 filed on 21.12.2017, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Technical Field

The subject matter described herein relates generally to protective electronic device housings or enclosures, and more particularly to protective electronic housings for mobile phones that may include electronic vapor devices and/or other novel accessory devices. The description herein below focuses on a protective case for a tablet-type electronic device, however, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the form factor component may be configured to be applied to other types of electronic devices, such as I-pod, flip phones, and slider phones. Although described in detail for use with cell phones and other personal communication devices, the disclosure herein is not intended to be so limited, as it may be applied to a variety of other electronic devices, including medical testing devices (e.g., blood glucose meters). In some embodiments, the medical testing device may communicate with the electronic communication device via a protective electronic device housing or enclosure.

Background

Consumers enjoy what is commonly referred to as "e-cigarettes" (vaping) with e-steam cigarettes, pipes, and modified steaming devices. Electronic cigarettes are an increasingly popular market segment that has consistently and continuously gained market acceptance over the past few years.

Various types of personal vaporizers are known in the art. Generally, such vaporizers are characterized by heating the solid to a smoldering point, vaporizing the liquid by heating, or atomizing the liquid by heating and/or expanding through a nozzle. Such devices are designed to release aromatic substances in solids or liquids (also known as "e-liquid" or "tobacco tar") while avoiding high temperature combustion and the formation of tar, carbon monoxide or other harmful by-products associated therewith. The e-liquid is a water-based liquid containing nicotine or flavor components and may also contain up to 95% vegetable glycerin or propylene glycol. Other e-liquid may include health supplements such as vitamin B-12. The american association for the standards of electronic cigarette manufacture (AEMSA) has established standards for electronic cigarette liquid.

The main components of a personal vaporizer are a mouthpiece, a cartridge or canister containing the material to be vaporized, a heating element/atomizer, a microprocessor, a battery, a switch (electronic or mechanical) to close the circuit of the heating element, and one or more Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) to indicate the status of the vaporizer. The atomizer includes a small heating element or coil that vaporizes the e-liquid, and a wicking material that draws the liquid into the coil. When the user presses a button or activates a pressure sensor by inhaling, the heating element is energized and aerosolizes the e-liquid. The e-liquid reaches a temperature of about 100 ℃ to about 250 ℃ in the chamber to produce atomized vapor. In some cases, a combined atomizer and cartridge called a "Cartomizer" or "clear Cartomizer" may be used, which heats the material to be vaporized and generates the vapor to be inhaled.

Consumers often carry electronic communication devices (e.g., mobile phones) and electronic steaming devices, which require the consumer to carry and manage multiple devices throughout the day. Therefore, it is desirable to develop new technologies to integrate the steam generating device with other electronic devices (such as smartphones) through their housings.

Disclosure of Invention

Devices and systems for an electronic cigarette are provided. An exemplary device herein includes a housing for an electronic device, the housing including a rigid or semi-rigid form factor piece having an overall length, width, and thickness greater than the electronic device. The form element has a top end, a bottom end, a back side with an exterior side and an interior side, and has at least a partial front side. Each of the top and bottom ends is an "end". Each of the front and back faces is defined by an outer edge circumscribing the front and back faces. The back side of the form factor piece (or "case") also has a first cavity embedded therein having a first bottom, wherein the cavity is formed to flushly receive and hold the electronic device against the first bottom. The housing also includes a removable rechargeable battery housed in or attached to a battery storage cavity within the form element, and an electronically operated vapor-generating device movably connected along and at least partially replacing an outer edge of the form element. The mobile phone and the electronically operated steam generating device may be electrically connected to the removable rechargeable battery via one or more electrical conductors passing through different parts forming the element piece.

Another example device includes a form element piece (or "housing") for a vapor generation device or medical sensing device that is configured to be operated by a user using a thumb or finger between an open position and a closed position relative to the form element piece. The device comprises a reel, wheel, cylinder or a part thereof, which is rotatably attached to an outer edge portion of the steam generating device. The reel, wheel or cylinder may further comprise a shaft penetrating the wheel longitudinally, which may be configured to transmit electrical current from the battery to an electrical connection in the base of the steam generating device.

In other embodiments, a case for an electronic device is provided that includes a protective housing. The protective housing also includes a rechargeable battery and one or more manual actuators in electromechanical communication with the rechargeable battery. The protective enclosure also includes at least one end configured to be removably attached to the protective enclosure and temporarily secure the electronic device within the protective enclosure when attached, the at least one removable end may also include an auxiliary implement operatively connected to the rechargeable battery.

Other embodiments include a housing forming a first cavity to house an electronic device. The housing includes a protective enclosure including a rechargeable battery and one or more manual actuators in electromechanical communication with the rechargeable battery. The protective housing is configured to receive and power an electronic device therein. The protective enclosure also includes at least one end configured to be removably attached to the protective enclosure and temporarily secure the electronic device in the protective enclosure when attached. The at least one removable end may also include an auxiliary implement operatively connected to the rechargeable battery.

Yet another embodiment of a case for an electronic device includes a protective housing. The protective case includes a removable rechargeable battery, a processor powered by the removable rechargeable battery, and one or more manual actuators in electromechanical communication with the processor, wherein the protective case is configured to receive the electronic device therein. The protective enclosure also includes at least one end configured to be removably attached to the protective enclosure and temporarily secure the electronic device in the protective enclosure when attached. The at least one removable tip is operably configured to include an accessory and electronic memory in operable communication with the processor when the at least one tip is attached.

Drawings

The present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements.

FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of an embodiment of a handset housing with a handset mounted and a steam generating device extended;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a form factor and four potential ancillary devices;

FIG. 3a is a front view of an exemplary form element;

FIG. 3b is a side view of an exemplary form element;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary form element;

figure 5 is an exploded view of an exemplary electronic cigarette accessory;

figure 6a is a plan view of an exemplary e-cigarette accessory, with the e-cigarette extended;

figure 6b is an internal view of an exemplary e-cigarette accessory, with the e-cigarette retracted;

FIG. 6c is a perspective view of FIG. 6 b;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of an exemplary LED/laser assist device;

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of an exemplary cigarette lighter accessory;

fig. 9 is an exploded view of an exemplary electronic speaker system accessory;

FIG. 10 is a logic flow diagram of a method for identifying and programming a protective case for a particular auxiliary device.

Detailed Description

The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the invention or the application or uses of the disclosed subject matter. As used herein, the word "exemplary" means "serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Thus, any embodiment described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. All of the embodiments described herein are exemplary embodiments provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the invention and not to limit the scope of the invention which is defined by the claims. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well as the singular forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

New electronic device housings and apparatus configured to receive and secure a portable electronic device are discussed herein. It will be appreciated that for purposes of understanding the orientation of the various elements or components of the present invention, the terms "front" and "front" should generally be used to refer to one or more surfaces of an element or component that, when assembled in a protective mobile device housing arrangement, face the main display screen of a portable electronic device. Rather, to understand the orientation of the various elements or components of the present invention, the terms "back" and "back side" should generally be used to refer to one or more surfaces of an element or component that are away from (i.e., face away from) the main display screen of an electronic device when assembled in a protective mobile device case apparatus.

It will also be understood that the terms "right" and "left" are used merely to denote opposite sides of an element, component, or surface, and likewise, "top" and "bottom" are used merely to denote opposite sides of an element, component, or surface, and should not be construed to unnecessarily limit the position or orientation of the element, component, or surface.

In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details.

Those of skill would understand that any of the illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or combinations of both. Some embodiments and implementations are described herein in terms of functional and/or logical block components (or modules) and various processing steps. However, it should be appreciated that such block components (or modules) may be realized by any number of hardware and/or software components configured to perform the specified functions. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present invention. For example, embodiments of the system or component may employ various integrated circuit components, e.g., memory elements, digital signal processing elements, analog-to-digital converters, logic elements, look-up tables, or the like, which may carry out a variety of functions under the control of one or more microprocessors or other control devices. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the embodiments described herein are merely exemplary implementations.

The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented or performed with a general purpose processor, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices (e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor), a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration.

The steps of a method or algorithm described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be embodied directly in hardware, in a software module executed by a processor, or in a combination of the two. A software module may reside in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of digital storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor such the processor can read information from, and write information to, the storage medium. In the alternative, the storage medium may be integral to the processor. The processor and the storage medium may reside in an Application Specific Integrated Chip (ASIC).

In this document, relational terms such as first and second, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. Numerical ordinals such as "first," "second," "third," etc., simply denote different singles of a plurality and do not imply any order or sequence unless specifically defined by the claim language. The sequence of the text in any of the claims does not imply that the process steps must be performed in a temporal or logical order according to such sequence unless it is specifically defined by the language of the claim. Process steps may be interchanged in any order without departing from the scope of the invention as long as such an interchange does not contradict the claim language and is not logically nonsensical.

Further, depending on the context, words such as "connected" or "coupled to" used in describing relationships between different elements do not imply that a direct physical connection must be established between the elements. For example, two elements may be connected to each other physically, electronically, logically, or in any other manner, through one or more additional elements.

Fig. 1 is a front view of an exemplary rigid, open electronic device housing 100. The electronic device housing 100 may have any desired shape including, but not limited to, square, rectangular, circular, and spherical. However, for brevity and clarity, only the rectangular electronic device housing will be discussed further herein.

The exemplary electronic device housing 100 includes a form factor 101 having a length, width, and thickness greater than the electronic device 10 (see fig. 2). The form element 101 has a top end 102, a bottom end 103, a front face 107, and a back face 104 having an inner side 106 and an outer side 105 (see fig. 2). Each of the top end 102 and the bottom end 103 may be referred to herein as an "end".

The front face 107 may be a full or partial peripheral front side sufficient to partially enclose and secure the electronic device within the housing 100. Each of the front side 107 and the back side 104 is defined by an outer edge portion 110 circumscribing the front side 107 and the back side 104. The outer edge 110 may have a convex inner surface, and the outer edge may define a perimeter that is smaller than the perimeter of the electronic device in order to secure the electronic device in the form element 100 and conform to the shape of the perimeter sides of the electronic device. The outer surface of the outer edge portion 110 may include one or both of a concave or convex gripping surface 111 (see fig. 4 and 5b) on a portion of the outer edge portion 110. The gripping surface 111 may be constructed of a flexible, resilient material to improve the grippability of the electronic device case 100. The outer edge 101 may also accommodate a storage location, or contain space 120 (see fig. 3a) for a stylus 121 or other tool that a user may use to manipulate the electronic device.

In a preferred embodiment, the form element 101 may comprise or be constructed of a soft polymer, elastomer, rubber, or other resilient material to enhance protection of the electronic device case 100 against falls and impacts. The protective form element 101 may be integrally formed as a single unit (i.e., through a molding manufacturing process), or it may be assembled from rigid or semi-rigid components and subcomponents such as those shown in the exemplary drawings of fig. 2 and 4. In some embodiments, all or some of the form element members 101 may comprise ARTiLAGE foam, Poron foam, silicone foam, rubber foam, plastic foam, neoprene foam, latex foam rubber, polyurethane foam rubber, or an elastomeric material, such as an elastic plastic, an elastic silicone, an elastic rubber, a silicone rubber, or any other suitable elastomeric or elastic material.

In other preferred embodiments, the form element 101 may comprise a substantially rigid material, such as nylon, Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP), Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE), other substantially rigid plastics, duromers, resins, ceramics, wood, carbon fiber, glass, metals and metal alloys, or any other suitable substantially rigid material, including combinations of materials. In other preferred embodiments, the form element 101 may have portions comprising a rigid material and portions comprising a resilient material, such as the gripping surface 111.

Fig. 2 is an exploded view of an exemplary form element 101, showing a removable and interchangeable top end 102, a removable bottom end 103, a back side 104 having an exterior side 105 and an interior side 106. Fig. 2 also shows a partial front face 107 defining a first cavity 108 and a second cavity 113 or "storage recess" which may be used to store a personal item 114 such as money or a credit card, wherein the back surface of the electronic device holds the personal item in place. Second cavity 113 may have a "card holder" device 115 (see fig. 3a) that may physically secure personal item 114 when electronic device 10 is removed. Fig. 2 also shows rechargeable batteries 125, a battery compartment 124 located within the back side 104, an outer edge 110, and a stylus 121. In some embodiments, the rechargeable battery may be configured to power the electronic device and/or the removable top end 102 or bottom end 103.

The electronic device 10 and auxiliary appliance are physically removable in the tip 102 and can be electrically connected to the rechargeable battery 125 via one or more electrical conductors 126 (see fig. 3a) passing through the form element 101. It is contemplated herein that the auxiliary implement may be housed in its own form factor piece and configured to be physically and electrically removably attached to or replace the top end 102 of the form factor piece 101 as an accessory device. Other auxiliary implements may also be removably attached to tip 102, or in place of the tip. Other accessory appliances may include, but are not limited to, laser pointers, electronic speakers, flashlights, medical parameter measurement devices, or other electrical or non-electrical devices. A non-limiting list of exemplary auxiliary implements includes, but is not limited to:

oxygen sensor thermometer of pulse meter

Pulse oximeter combination hearing aid tester doppler

Portable ultrasonic diagnosis blood pressure sensor patient monitoring system

Vein detector spectrometer of respiration analyzer

Voltage meter battery tester for viewfinder/range finder

Thermal printer of infrared scanner of infrared emitter

Point-of-sale terminal of sound level monitor of recording equipment

External memory card flash light accessory LED rotary display

Swiss army knife color measuring tool of tire pressure monitor

Barometer/thermometer/moisture refractometer anemometer

Particle counter of water quality monitor carbon monoxide monitor

Carbon dioxide measuring instrument of air quality monitor of vibration measuring instrument

Spectrum radiometer combustion analyzer photometer

Electronic scale for dissolved oxygen meter of sound level meter

Volatile organic compound meter frequency meter pH tester

Thermal imaging camera of borescope inspection camera thickness gauge

Soil moisture meter HV AC constant moisture meter of laser tachometer

Humidity meter pressure gauge for illumination detector

Chlorine gas detector iron dermatoangioscope detector photometer

Flow meter Led microscope periscope

Solar energy meter ultraviolet meter of distance measuring instrument

Sonar system of dynamometer SunTan monitor

Fish detector label printer

Fig. 3a-3b show a cross-sectional plan view and an exemplary side view, respectively, of the form element piece 101 without the removable tip 102 attached. The exemplary embodiment of fig. 5a shows a second cavity 113 or storage cavity in the front side forming the back of the element part 101. The second cavity 113 may include one or more "card retainers" 115, which are fixed or twisted posts extending perpendicularly from the bottom of the second cavity and located at the terminal edges of the second cavity 113. The card holder may have a slight projection on its top for holding any card-like item in the second cavity 113 when the electronic device is not enclosed.

The form element 101 includes one or more locking posts 118 or connecting pins extending longitudinally from an open top end of the form element 101. Each locking post 118 may include a semi-spherical end that penetrates and removably secures itself into a corresponding female-type prong receptacle 119 (see, e.g., fig. 3).

The housing 100 includes an electronic circuit board 129. The electronic circuit board may include an electronic memory device, a processor, and a switch. The switch may be any type of switch or transistor known in the art or that may be developed in the future. For example, the switch may be a simple set of terminals 130 that, when connected together by a shunt or wire (not shown), close a circuit and allow current to flow. The housing 100 may also include a battery contact pin 131, and in some embodiments, the battery contact pin 131 may connect power to the rechargeable battery 125, the interchangeable tip 102, the manual actuator 134, and the charging port 135 (see fig. 4). Non-limiting examples of a charging port may include any or all of a USB port, a micro-USB port, a bi-directional USB port, or a micro-USB charging port.

Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the exemplary form element 101 of fig. 3a having a molded front module including a front face 107 and a molded rear module 112 containing a rechargeable battery (not shown) and a rear face (not shown). Both the front module 107 and the rear module 112 have peripheral edges with portions that when assembled together comprise an outer edge 110. In some embodiments, the entire form element 101 can be manufactured integrally with the removable bottom end portion 103 and the removable top portion 102. The removable bottom end 103 may also include auxiliary implements instead of or in addition to the removable top end 102.

The form element piece 101 of the protective housing may include a plurality of ports for accessing items and functions of a removable accessory (e.g., an electronic smoking device) or an electronic device (e.g., a camera, a power switch, etc.) mounted in or on the form element piece 101. For example, the form element piece 101 may include a device port to allow access to a connector port 135 of a cell phone housed in the form element piece 101. The form element 101 may include a headphone jack port to allow a headphone to be inserted into the handheld electronic device 10 via the form element or through the form element 101. Form factor piece 101 may include one or more button ports to allow access to physical buttons (not shown) of the handheld electronic device. The form element 101 may include a camera port to allow light to reach a camera of an electronic device in the form element 101. The form element 101 may also include an acoustic speaker port 138 that may be arranged so that the protective enclosure does not obstruct sound from exiting the speaker of the handheld electronic device 10 housed in the form element 101, focusing the sound. A "port" as defined herein is an opening in the form element 101 or an opening in the form element that is covered by or replaced with a flexible, resilient material that allows sound or light to pass through or allows a user to manipulate a manual actuator on the electronic device 10.

Additional ports may be included that allow access to a manually powered actuator of the steam generating apparatus and a manual actuator that controls the temperature within the steam generating apparatus. The button 134 and actuator may be a multi-function actuator to reduce the number of actuators required. Note that several of these same ports are also shown in other figures (as described above), and thus, for the sake of brevity, are not described separately for each embodiment disclosed herein.

The bottom end 103 of the form factor component 101, which may include a speaker port, may be hollow, removable, and physically comprise the acoustic amplifier 138. The inner surface forming the bottom end of the element member 101 may be shaped to maximize the volume perceived by the user to be produced by the speaker of the electronic device 10. The bottom end 103 of the form element 101 may also be internally shaped to form a second storage volume (not shown) configured to receive and securely hold a cartridge or backup canister 56 of E-liquid.

The electronic device housing 100 includes a rechargeable battery 125 housed in a battery storage cavity 124 that is attached or bonded to the back side 104 of the form element 101 between the outer side 105 of the back side and the inner side of the back side. The battery 125 may generate a current, which may be any amount of current preferably between 250 and 1500mAh and more preferably between 0 and 3000 mAh.

Fig. 5 is an exploded view of the tip 102 configured to receive an auxiliary appliance, such as the steam generating device 50. The outer edge 110 of the removable top end 102 of the form element 101 may be dimensioned to include a space for enclosing a steam generating device 50 having a first end 51 and a second end 52. The steam generating device 50 is movably connected at its second end 52 along the outer edge 107 via a body e-vaping rod 53 longitudinally attached to the electrical outlet 60. The body e-cigarette rod 53 at least partially replaces or is embedded within the outer edge 107 when in the closed or storage position (see fig. 6b-6 c).

The vapour generating device 50 may be any suitable type of e-vaping device currently existing or that may be developed in the future. Different configurations and lengths of the steam generating device and the medical device may be connected to and stored at different locations within the form element piece 101 and take on different functional configurations to suit the particular configuration. Such an exemplary steam-generating apparatus 50 may be an oil vaporizer, a condensate vaporizer, or a solids vaporizer that uses wax or other solids. The e-vapor device may be or include a nebulizer 56. Alternatively, a cartomizer or a transparent cartomizer may be used in place of such devices known in the art or developed in the future. A non-limiting exemplary electronic vapor production device 50 that can be used herein is a miniature canister vaporizer manufactured by Rokin, llc.

The first end 51 of the example vapor generation device 50 constitutes a mouthpiece 54 that is configured to move away from the outer edge 107 to an open position extending radially therefrom, as shown in fig. 1. The direction of the pivoting movement may be in the plane represented by the electronic device shown in fig. 1, or orthogonal to this plane. The electronic device 10 (see fig. 2) may be slidably removable from the form element. In some embodiments, the electronically operated steam generating device 50 may be removable from the top end 102. The electronic device and the steam generating device may be electrically connected to the rechargeable battery 125 via one or more electrical conductors 126 that variously pass through the form element 101. In other embodiments, the steam generating device 50 may be permanently concealed within its replaceable tip 102 as a replaceable or interchangeable tip 102 module.

In some equivalent alternative embodiments, the steam generating device 50 may be moved linearly away from the outer edge 107 of the form element 101 by extending in the direction of the outer edge 107, or it may be pivoted out of its storage space within the outer edge 107. The steam generating device 50 may be releasably locked in its closed position until manually released by a conventional locking mechanism (not shown) and may be spring loaded in the releasing direction by a spring 55. In other embodiments, the steam generating device 50 may be held in place by friction or by a flexible portion (not shown) of the outer rim 110.

The second end of the steam generating device 52 may be radially fixed to a wheel or wheel portion 58 (see fig. 6a-6 b). The wheel 58 replaces a portion of the outer edge 107, such as a corner between a storage portion in the tip 102 and a side of the outer edge 107. The axis of rotation about the shaft 59 thus extends perpendicularly to the plane of the electronic device. By manipulating the exposed periphery of the wheel by the user's thumb or finger, the steam generating device 50 can be rotated from its storage position to at least preferably 180 deg. from a storage position of zero degrees in the plane of the mobile phone. In some embodiments, the degree of rotation may range from zero degrees to 270 degrees. Fig. 1 and 6a show an exemplary degree of rotation of 90 °.

Alternatively, the wheel 58 may rotate about an axis 59 disposed in line with an outer edge, such as the side edge 109. Thus, the plane of rotation of the steam generating device 50 is perpendicular to the plane of the electronic device. Similarly, if the steam generating apparatus is stored in a side edge volume, the wheel 58 will pivot about an axis in line with or parallel to the top or bottom edge 109.

It should be reiterated that while the preferred storage location of the steam generating apparatus is within the top edge 109 of the form element, the disclosure herein is not so limited. It will be appreciated that the steam generating apparatus and its actuator wheel 58 may be located anywhere along the outer edge 109 as desired or appropriate for a particular purpose. The orientation of the main body e-cigarette rod 53 at this location may be limited by its location and user convenience. The e-cigarette tip 102 also includes a wire harness plug 57 that couples the e-cigarette electrical connector 127 to the electrical connector.

Referring to fig. 6b, fig. 6b shows a cross-sectional view of the tip 102, exposing the exemplary steam-producing device 50 and its main body e-cigarette rod 53 and wheel 58, which may be integral with the main body e-cigarette rod or may be fixedly attached to the main body e-cigarette rod. In some embodiments, the wheel 58 of the steam generating device may comprise a cylindrical or semi-cylindrical device having a rim or ridge with a serrated surface 61 and a shaft 59 connecting the wheel 58 perpendicularly to the removable tip 102. In other embodiments, the wheel 58 of the steam generating apparatus may be a solid cylinder. In some embodiments, the steam generating apparatus 50 is longitudinally and removably secured to the main body e-vaping rod 53. In other embodiments, the steam generating device 50 may be permanently affixed to and integrated with the main body e-vaping stem 53 or the entire tip 102.

In some equivalent embodiments, the second end 52 of the steam generating device 50 is radially attached to the steam generating device's wheel 58 or its shaft 59. In some embodiments, steam generating apparatus 50 may be attached to a socket within shaft 59. In other embodiments, the wheel 58 may be integrally formed on the steam generating apparatus as an extension thereof.

Figure 6c is a perspective view of an electronic vaping aid having an electronic harness plug 62 and accompanying electrical wires that provide power to the electronic vaping device 50 and allow electronic operation of the electronic vaping device. The e-cigarette tip 102 may also include an electronic storage device (not shown) and/or a processor (not shown) containing instructions downloaded to the processor 129 incorporated in the form factor component 101 by which the multi-function buttons 134 may operate the e-cigarette device 50.

The heat generated by the vaporization process can become uncomfortable as it vaporizes. In some embodiments, to mitigate such undesirable effects, a radiating element is included that extends radially from the shaft of the steam generating apparatus' wheel to accelerate cooling of the apparatus (not shown). Alternatively or additionally, one or more heat sinks (not shown) may be utilized to dissipate the unwanted heat.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a removable tip 102, which is a lighting system that may be used for jogging or other tasks in the dark. The top end 102 includes an upper body 72, a lower body 70, and a lighting system 75. Lighting system 75 may include an LED light panel 80 and may include a laser emitting interface 82 on one or both sides of top end 102. The illumination system 75 may also include a laser head 84.

The laser head may be a gain module, a laser module, or a pump chamber. A gain module is an assembly containing a mounted gain medium, usually together with other components for pumping and often cooling the medium. For pumping, the laser head may contain an arc or flash lamp, a laser diode, or a connection to a fiber-coupled pump source. The complete laser is obtained by placing the laser head in the resonator. The laser head (without resonator) is usually purchased separately, so that different kinds of laser resonators can be manufactured according to specific needs. The laser head may also be an assembly containing a complete optical setup (with laser resonator) possibly excluding power supply and fiber coupled pump diodes.

Fig. 8 is an exploded perspective view of another removable tip 102 for use as a cigarette lighter. The igniter tip 102 includes a lower body 70 having at least one female pin receptacle 119, a wire harness plug 57, and a set of wires connecting power from the wire harness plug 57 to an igniter coil 71 that, when energized, can ignite a combustible material. The igniter removable tip includes an upper body 72 that attaches to the lower body 70 and receives a portion of the electronic device 10. As with all removable and translatable tips 102, the tips may include a processor that receives input from the multi-function manual actuator 134 to operate the igniter coil. Alternatively or in combination, the igniter tip may include a memory device with instructions that may configure or reconfigure a programmable logic device or processor 129 within the form factor component 101 to operate the igniter via the multi-function manual actuator 134.

Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective view of another removable and interchangeable tip 102 for use as an electronic speaker. The speaker tip 102 includes a lower body 70 having at least one female pin receptacle 119, a wire harness plug 57, and a set of wires connecting power from the wire harness plug 57 to the circuit board 62, and at least one electrical speaker 65. When powered on, the speaker 65 reproduces and/or diverts audio output signals generated from the electronic device 10. The circuit board 62 also includes an audio processor 67 to control stereo acoustic parameters such as frequency, volume and relative output power between the speakers 65. The circuit board 62 may also include an electronic storage device 63 that may contain instructions for operating the speaker 65 via reuse of the manual actuator 134 and the audio processor 67.

The removable speaker tip 102 includes an upper-body 72 that is attached to the lower-body 70 and receives a portion of the electronic device 10. As with all removable and translatable tips 102, the tips may include a processor that receives input from the multi-function manual actuator 134 to operate the speaker using the speaker control circuitry. Alternatively or in combination, the speaker tip may include a memory device 63 having instructions recorded thereon that may configure or reconfigure a programmable logic device or processor 129 within the form factor component 101 to operate the speaker via the multi-function manual actuator 134.

In some embodiments, the replaceable and interchangeable tip 102 may not require power or signals to operate or control its operation. In other embodiments, the former, the latter, or both are desirable. As such, it is desirable for the protective case 100 to be able to distinguish between interchangeable tips 102 and alter the function of the manual actuator 134 to suit the function of the particular tip 102 attached and unattached.

Although one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other methods of function identification and control may be used to achieve this goal. Exemplary aspects may use a simple mechanical or electronic switch (not shown) that indicates that an interchangeable tip requiring power or communication with the form element 101 is connected to the form element. In alternative embodiments, the detection may be performed in conjunction with an ammeter or voltmeter.

In embodiments where the removable tip 102 is not present or the tip 102 requires neither power nor electronic control, the switch may remain open such that the processor 129 detects a logical zero. In the event that a logical zero is detected, the manual actuator device 134 on the form element 101 will assume a default configuration pre-programmed into the processor 129.

In embodiments where there is a connected tip 102 that requires power or a control configuration, a physical shunt or voltage may close a switch to produce a logical "1" that is detected by the processor 129. Fig. 10 is a logic flow diagram of an embodiment. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the method 200 described herein depends largely on the type of electronic components selected to perform the functions of the embodiments described herein. Accordingly, alternative and novel methods may be used without departing from the scope disclosed herein.

At process 210, a removable tip 102 requiring power and/or control is physically connected to form element piece 101. As described above, the physical connection produces a logical "1" or other electrical signal that is generated and transmitted through the electrical connector 126. The electrical connector 126 may be or may double as a communication bus. The processor 129 receives or detects the signal at process 220 and generates a download request to the processor or storage device 63 in the removable top end 102 at process 230 to download the instructions recorded on the storage device to reconfigure the processor 129 or the programmed instructions residing in the processor. To the extent that processor 129 is a field programmable gate array or other type of programmable logic device, the gates on the PLD are actually reconfigured.

At process 240, a configuration file download request is received by the storage device 63 or processor in the removable top 102. At process 250, the form element component configuration file contained therein is pushed to or invoked from the processor 129, as is known in the art.

At process 260, processor 129 is reconfigured according to the configuration file. A new programming is installed and initiated at process 270, at which point an optional confirmation signal is sent through electrical connector 126. The confirmation signal may illuminate an indicator LED on the removable tip 102.

While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description of the invention, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing an exemplary embodiment of the invention. It being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims (20)

1. A case for an electronic device, the case comprising:

a rechargeable battery;

a protective housing, the protective housing further comprising: a processor powered by the rechargeable battery, and one or more manual actuators in electromechanical communication with the processor, wherein the protective housing is configured to receive an electronic device therein; and

at least one end configured to be removably attached to the protective case and to temporarily secure the electronic device in the protective case while attached, the at least one removable end further comprising: an accessory, and an electronic memory in operable communication with the processor when the at least one end is attached.

2. The case of claim 1, wherein the processor is a programmable logic device.

3. The housing of claim 1, wherein the one or more manual actuators are multi-function buttons.

4. The housing of claim 1, wherein the accessory is an electronic vapor device.

5. The housing of claim 1, wherein the accessory is a medical parameter testing device.

6. The case of claim 1, wherein the electronic memory has downloaded instructions recorded thereon that, when executed, reprogram the processor with application instructions that operate the auxiliary appliance via the one or more manual actuators.

7. The housing of claim 1, wherein the operable communication is optical.

8. The case of claim 1, wherein the operable communication is transmitted via radio frequency.

9. A case for an electronic device, the case comprising:

a protective housing, the protective housing further comprising: a rechargeable battery, and one or more manual actuators in electromechanical communication with the rechargeable battery, wherein the protective housing is configured to receive the electronic device therein; and

at least one end configured to be removably attached to the protective case and temporarily secure the electronic device in the protective case when attached, the removable at least one end further comprising an auxiliary implement operatively connected to the rechargeable battery.

10. The housing of claim 9, further comprising a processor housed in the removable end, the processor being in operable communication with both the auxiliary appliance and the one or more manual actuators when removably attached, wherein the processor is configured to receive input from the one or more manual actuators and operate the auxiliary appliance through the input.

11. The housing of claim 9, wherein the one or more manual actuators are multi-function buttons.

12. The housing of claim 9, wherein the accessory is an electronic vapor device.

13. The housing of claim 9, wherein the accessory is a medical parameter testing device.

14. The housing of claim 9, wherein the accessory is an electronic audio speaker amplifier.

15. The case of claim 9, wherein the protective outer shell has a front face and a back face, the front and back faces having peripheral edges defined by an outer edge, at least a portion of the outer edge having a concave resilient gripping surface.

16. The housing of claim 9, wherein the second end includes an acoustic amplification chamber.

17. A case forming a first cavity to accommodate an electronic device, the case comprising:

a plurality of modules mechanically coupled to one another to form an enclosure defining a cavity that at least partially conforms to an exterior shape of an electronic device having a length;

a first module of the plurality of modules comprising a battery, electronic circuitry, and configured to perform a particular function powered by the battery by the electronic circuitry; and

a second module of the plurality of modules having no battery and configured to receive less than half of a length of the mobile communication device.

18. The case of claim 17, wherein the electronic device is a mobile phone.

19. The housing of claim 17, further comprising a storage chamber embedded within a surface of the first cavity.

20. The enclosure of claim 17, wherein the storage chamber has a length of at least 35/16 inches, a width of at least 2 and 2/16 inches, and a depth of at least 1/16 inches, wherein the depth tapers to zero at one end of the length.

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