GB2424339A

GB2424339A - Case for a mode-switchable mobile communications device

Info

Publication number: GB2424339A
Application number: GB0505194A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Sarah Marie Kyle
Original assignee: Alfred Dunhill Ltd
Current assignee: Alfred Dunhill Ltd
Priority date: 2005-03-14
Filing date: 2005-03-14
Publication date: 2006-09-20
Anticipated expiration: 2025-03-14
Also published as: GB2424339B; GB0505194D0

Abstract

The case is suitable for holding a mobile communication device such as a mobile telephone, PDA or Blackberry<(RTM)> that has an externally triggerable electromagnetic sensor system that operates an automatic mode-switching arrangement in the device. The leather case has a first case section for securely holding the device in a manner that allows a user to access input and output mechanisms on the device while the case is in a first or open position. A second case section connected to the first case section includes an electromagnetic emitter, such as a magnet 42. When the case is in the open position, the magnet 42 is positioned away from the device and so it is not sufficiently close to be detected by the device's electromagnetic sensor system. When the case is in a second or closed position the second case section is positioned about the device so that the magnet 42 close by the device's electromagnetic sensor system.

Description

CASE FOR A MODE-S WITCHABLE MOBILE COMMUNICATION DEVICE

FIELD OF INVENTION:

The present invention relates generally to cases for holding mobile communication devices such as mobile telephones and personal digital assistants.

More particularly, the invention relates to cases for devices having an operational mode switching circuit that is externally triggerable, for example, by way of a magnet.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION:

Mobile communication devices such as mobile telephones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and wireless e-mail devices have become increasingly popular for both business and personal use. Indeed, many new mobile communication devices combine several different types of communication functions. One such hybrid line of devices is the Blackberry 7100 series, manufactured by Research in Motion Limited of Waterloo, Canada. These devices provide full mobile telephone and wireless e- mail/data functionality in a single handheid machine.

Mobile communication devices are often inserted into a case for protection, to facilitate carrying the device, to facilitate access to the device (for e.g., while driving a car), and/or to provide the device with a more aesthetically pleasing look. The term "case", as used herein, refers to any type of holder, holster, or receptacle into which a mobile communication device may be removably inserted.

As is well known, mobile communication devices are generally capable of operating in several different operational modes - for example, a mobile telephone typically operates in at least a standby mode, an incoming call received mode, and a connected communication mode. A user normally places the device in and out of the different modes by pressing keys or using another input mechanism on the device. For instance, a user is typically required to press a key to accept (i.e., to answer) an incoming telephone call as well as to end a telephone call session. This practice may become more tedious for a user when the mobile communication device is carried within a case, since the user would have to first remove the device from the case and then press the required key or keys to answer a call. Similarly, to end a call, the user would normally have to press the required keys to terminate the call as well as (if desired) to place the device in a low-power standby mode before reinserting the device back into its case.

In an effort to facilitate their use, some mobile communication devices have been equipped with a mode switching system that is externally triggerable by a triggering mechanism located outside the device, in particular on the device's accompanying case. Such a mobile communication device and case are disclosed for instance in United States Patent Application Publication US 2003/0109275.

Specifically, this published patent application discloses a device with a magnet detection system and an associated case (in this instance a holster) having a magnet that is in close proximity to the device's magnet detection system when the device is stored in the holster. When the device is in placed in the holster, it enters a standby mode and when a voice call is received, the device automatically enters a "ready to receive a voice call" mode. Once the user sufficiently removes the mobile communication device from the holster so that the magnet detection system no longer detects the magnet in close proximity, the device can automatically answer the incoming voice call with no further input from the user. In addition, once the user fully reinserts the mobile communication device back into the holster so that the magnet detection system is again in close proximity to the holster's magnet, the telephone call can automatically end without any other action by the user.

In a somewhat similar vein, United States Patent No. 6,115,620 describes a receptacle for a radiotelephone. The receptacle includes a magnet and the radiotelephone includes an electromagnetic sensor that continuously scans for the presence of an electromagnetic field of a predetermined strength. When the radiotelephone is placed in the receptacle, the sensor produces an override signal that, for example, may place the radiotelephone in a speakerphone mode (once a separate activation signal is also received).

By inserting and removing a mobile communication device from an accompanying case, the above-described systems enable a user to switch between different operational modes of the device without the necessity of further user input, such as the pressing of a key. However, removing a device from its case is often undesirable for the user particularly insofar as the purpose of the case is to protect the device and/or to provide it with a more aesthetically pleasing appearance. As a result, there is a need for a case for a mobile communication device that does not require the device to be removed from the case in order to take advantage of the device's automatic mode-switching functionality.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION:

The present invention provides a case suitable for holding a mobile communication device having an externally triggerable electromagnetic sensor system. The case comprises a first case section for securely holding the device in a manner that allows a user to access input and output mechanisms on the device (such as a display screen and key pad) while the case is arranged in a first position. The case also includes a second case section connected to the first case section and comprising an electromagnetic emitter, such as a magnet. When the case is arranged in the first position, the second case section is positioned away from the device so that the electromagnetic emitter is not sufficiently close to be detected by the device's electromagnetic sensor system of the device. On the other hand, when the case is arranged in a second position the second case section is positioned about the device so that the electromagnetic emitter is sufficiently close to be detected by the device's electromagnetic sensor system.

The mobile communication device is therefore fully functional while held within the case, and the device need not be removed from the case in order to take advantage of the device's automatic mode-switching functionality. The first case section preferably covers the back face of device and, in the second case position, the second case section preferably covers the front face of the device. The electromagnetic emitter may also be fixed within the second case section in a manner that visually conceals the emitter's presence from a user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

The objects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood and more readily apparent when the following description is considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, a preferred embodiment of the invention and in which: Fig. 1 is a plan view of a mobile communication device case, in an open position, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 is a sectional side view through the centre of the case in Fig. 1; Figs. 3A and 3B are side views of a mobile communication device suitable for being held in the case; Fig. 4 is a side view of the case, in an open position, with a mobile communication device held inside; Fig. 5 is a plan view of the case, in an open position, with a mobile communication device held inside; and Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the case, in a closed position, with a mobile communication device held inside.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, Fig. I is a plan view of a case 10 suitable for holding a mobile communication device having an externally triggerable operational mode switching system. Fig. 2 is a sectional side view taken along the length of case 10 roughly through its centre. Case 10 is shown in a first or open position in Figs. I and 2.

Case 10 comprises a back cover section 12 and a front cover section 14 connected to one another by a fold-over section 16. Back cover section 12 has an interior surface 12A and an exterior surface 12B, front cover section 14 has an interior surface 14A and an exterior surface 14B, and fold-over section 16 has an interior surface 16A and an exterior surface 16B. Sections 12, 14, and 16 are preferably made from a malleable yet strong material such as leather.

In the illustrated embodiment, back cover section 12 includes two transverse slits 13 through which a device retaining mould 20 is fitted. Mould 20 includes a first end 22 having a raised concave-shaped retaining portion 24 and a second end 26 having another raised concave-shaped portion 28. A middle segment 25 of retaining mould 20 connects ends 22 and 24. Mould 20 is fitted through slits 13 such that ends 22 and 26 are located above the interior surface 12A of back cover section 12, whereas part of middle segment 25 is located below the exterior surface 12B of front cover section 12, as shown in Fig. 2. As will be appreciated, the fitting of mould 20 in this manner as part of case 10 may be carried out before the back cover section 12 is completed. Mould 20 may also be rigidly fixed to the back cover section 12 of case 10, however this is not necessary since once case 10 is complete, the shape of the retaining portions of ends 22 and 26 generally prevents any subsequent detachment.

Mould 20 is made from a flexibly resilient material such as plastic, and it is sized and shaped to accommodate a desired make of mobile communication device having an automatic mode triggering system as described above. One such possible device 50 is illustrated in plan view in Fig. I as well as in side views n Figs 3A and 3B. Device 50 may for instance be a device in the Blackberry 7100 series produced by Research In Motion Limited that provides both mobile telephone and wireless email/data functionality.

As shown in Fig. 1, mobile communication device 50 generally includes, on a main/front face thereof, a display screen 52, an alphanumeric keypad 54, a speaker 56, and a microphone 58. In addition, as shown in Figs 3A and 3B, device 50 may include various controls or access points on one or both of its side surfaces such as a headphone input 60, an AC charger/adapter input 62, and a scroll wheel 64 for allowing a user to scroll information displayed on screen 52 upwards or downwards.

As is well known, mobile communication device 50 comprises an internal electronics system (not shown) that manages and carries out all of the devices functions. Such an electronics system is described for example in United States Patent Application Publication US 2003/0 109275. As already noted, the electronics assembly of device 50 includes an electromagnetic sensor system that can trigger the device into different operational modes depending on the presence or absence of an EM emitter, such as a magnet, in close proximity to the electromagnetic sensor system. The electromagnetic sensor system may be a circuit that uses a magnetic proximity sensor based on the well-known Hall Effect to generate an electrical voltage or current signal that varies depending on whether a permanent magnet is located close by. That signal information is used by the device's system software to alter the device's operational modes, for instance by implementing different power saving and/or user notification features depending on the detected state.

The electromagnetic sensor circuit may be mounted on the main circuit board of the device's internal electronics assembly. As noted above, devices with such electromagnetic sensor systems have become increasing popular and include, for example, the Blackberry 7100 series of mobile telephone/e-mail devices. In the latter series of devices, the electromagnetic sensor system is roughly located at a point near the bottom centre of the main face of the device, as shown.

In accordance with the present invention, case 10 includes an electromagnetic emitter 40 that is located at a position 42 on or within front cover section 14 such that, when device 50 is inserted into case 10 and case 10 is subsequently arranged in a second or closed position (as shown in Fig. 6), electromagnetic emitter 40 is located in close proximity to the mobile communication device 50's electromagnetic sensor system/circuit. As mentioned above, the electromagnetic sensor system in device 50 may be a magnet detection circuit, in which case electromagnetic emitter 40 is a magnet. Electromagnetic emitter 40 is also preferably relatively flat so that it can be fixed within front cover section 14, i.e., between the interior and exterior surfaces 14A and 14B, in a manner that visually conceals emitter 40's presence from a user.

To use case 10, it is initially arranged in the open position (as shown in Figs. 1 and 2). Mobile communication device 50 is then inserted within retaining mould 20 from a side of the case, as exemplarily illustrated by arrow 70 in Fig. I. As shown in the side view of Fig. 4 and the top plan view of Fig. 5, retaining mould 20 is sized so that its concave-shaped retaining portions 24 and 28 firmly hold device 50 in place once inserted. (Note that some references numbers are not shown in Figs. 4 and 5 for clarity.) Also, as already mentioned, mould 20 is preferably made from a flexibly resilient material such as plastic making it capable of firmly holding different devices that do not vary significantly in size. In addition, due to the sturdy nature of plastic, mould 20 can provide device 50 with greater protection from damage if the device is dropped or subjected to other impacts while held in case 10.

Furthermore, because retaining portions 24 and 28 restrain device 50 at its top and bottom ends only, the input and output mechanisms on the main face and sides of device 50 are accessible to the user while the device remains in the case. Specifically, mould 20 is sized so that retaining portions 24 and 28 do not obstruct or impair access to display screen 52, keypad 54, speaker 56, microphone 58, headphone input 60, AC charger/adapter input 62, or scroll wheel 64. In this manner, mobile communication device 50 may be used while remaining within case 10 for an indefinite period.

If the configuration of the controls and access points on mobile communication device 50 is different from that shown in the illustrated embodiment, mould 20 may be modified as necessary to accommodate access to those controls and access points. In addition, instead of mould 20, other means of securing device 50 in case 10 - preferably to back cover section 12 - while still providing access to its controls and functions in the open case position may be used.

Once mobile communication device 50 is secured in case 10, when the device is not in use, case 10 may be arranged into its closed position by pivoting front cover section 14 about back cover section 12 and up and over device 50, as illustrated by arrow 80. As described above, while in the closed position, the case's electromagnetic emitter 40 is in close proximity to the location 55 of the mobile communication device 50's electromagnetic sensor system/circuit. By simply closing the case, a user can thereby trigger the device into a desired operational mode (e.g., a standby mode).

To help maintain case 10 in the closed position, the distal end of front cover section 14 has attached to it a fastener strap 30, and a press fastener 32 is fixed within strap 30 near its free end. A press stud 34 suitable for being snapped into and out of press fastener 32 is correspondingly located near the distal end of exterior surface 12B of back cover section 12. By snapping together press stud 34 and press fastener 32, case 10 is firmly maintained in the closed position.

As shown in Fig. 6, back and front cover sections 12 and 14 are preferably flat so that the control mechanisms and access points on the sides of mobile communication device 50 are also accessible when case 10 is in the closed position.

This allows, for example, the battery powering device 50 to be recharged while keeping case 10 in the closed position. Alternatively, front cover section 14 may have a side wall extending around its perimeter, so that case 10 effectively seals device 50 in the closed position. In addition, to facilitate carrying case 10 while it is in the closed position, a gap 18 (Fig. 4) between the exterior surface of back cover section 12 and the middle segment 25 of retaining mould 20 may be used to fasten the case to various devices such as a belt, clip, or clasp.

When the user wishes to use device 50, for instance to answer an incoming call, the user snaps apart press stud 34 and press fastener 32 and pivots front cover section 14 in the opposite direction to uncover the device and place case 10 again in the open position. Once open, the case's electromagnetic emitter 40 is no longer in close proximity to the location 55 of the mobile communication device 50's electromagnetic sensor system, and thereby a user can trigger the device into a further desired operational mode (for e.g., to automatically answer an incoming call) simply by opening the case.

If desired, when case 10 is in the open position and device 50 is in use, the case may be further adjusted by pivoting front cover section 14 in the opposite direction to arrow 80 to bring together exterior surfaces 12B and 14B. This is possible as long as the device's electromagnetic sensor system does not detect the electromagnetic emitter 40 in this modified open case position (i.e., emitter 40 is sufficiently far from point 55 in this position). In this modified open position, the user can also manipulate strap 30 to snap together press fastener 32 and press stud 34 and thereby hold front cover section 14 behind device 50 while the latter is being used.

While the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments, it is evident that numerous alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A case for holding a mobile communication device having an

externally triggerable electromagnetic sensor system, the case comprising: a first case section for securely holding the device in a manner that allows a user to access input and output mechanisms on the device while the case is arranged in a first position; and a second case section connected to the first case section and comprising an electromagnetic emitter; wherein when the case is arranged in the first position, the second case section is positioned away from the device so that the electromagnetic emitter is not sufficiently close to be detected by the electromagnetic sensor system of the device, and when the case is arranged in a second position the second case section is positioned about the device so that the electromagnetic emitter is sufficiently close to be detected by the electromagnetic sensor system of the device.
2. The case of claim I wherein the electromagnetic emitter is fixed within the second case section in a manner that visually conceals the presence of the emitter from a user.
3. The case of claim I or 2 wherein the first case section covers the back face of device and, when the case is arranged in the second case position, the second case section covers the front face of the device.
4. The case of any preceding claim wherein the first case section and the second case section are connected by way of a fold-over section that allows the second case section to be pivoted about the first case section.
5. The case of any preceding claim wherein the first case section and the second case section are made of leather.
6. The case of any preceding claim wherein the electromagnetic emitter is a magnet.