GB2452242A

GB2452242A - Packaging box for an electronic device

Info

Publication number: GB2452242A
Application number: GB0711231A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Matthew Falla
Original assignee: OSMOTRONIC Ltd
Current assignee: OSMOTRONIC Ltd
Priority date: 2007-06-11
Filing date: 2007-06-11
Publication date: 2009-03-04
Anticipated expiration: 2027-06-11
Also published as: GB0711231D0; WO2008152356A3; WO2008152356A2; GB2452242B

Abstract

Packaging for an electronic device, such as a mobile telephone 202, comprises an electronic circuit having at least one manually-operable switch 204, 205, 206, 207, conductive paths carried on the packaging e.g. by printing, and an electronic interface arranged to communicate with the device in response to operation of the switch. The switches may be formed by printing conductors onto the packaging and leaving a non-conducting gap. Contacting both sides of the gap with a finger may then complete a circuit (figure 3). The interface between the device and the packaging may be e.g. a USB connection or a wireless connection. The switches on the packaging may cause operations of the electronic device to occur, for example operations required for initial set up of a mobile telephone. Alternatively, the packaging box may be used as a stand for a video telephone and the buttons on the packaging can be used to control operation of the phone whilst in video call mode.

Description

I

Packaging for an Electronic Device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to packaging for an electronic device that communicates with the device.

Background of the Invention

Electronic devices, such as mobile telephones, personal digital assistants, digital cameras and digital music players, are generally sold in some form of packaging, usually a cardboard box. The packaging often contains instructions for setting up the device or exhortations for a buyer to visit a website and sign up for certain services. However, the instructions can be misread and the exhortations ignored.

Brief Summary of the Invention

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided ::. packaging for an electronic device, comprising an electronic circuit having a *:*. 15 manually-operable switch, the circuit including conductive paths camed on the packaging, and an electronic interface arranged to communicate with the device in response to operation of the switch.

Brief Description of the Several Views of the Drawings Figure 1 illustrates packaging for an electronic device; Figure 2 illustrates the box shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a representation of the contents of the box shown in Figure 2; Figure 4 details a mobile telephone shown in Figure 3; Figure 5 illustrates the contents of the memory of the mobile telephone detailed in Figure 4; Figure 6 details steps taken by the mobile telephone shown in Figure 4 during operation; Figure 7 details steps carried out during Figure 6 to load a plug-in: Figure 8 shows part of an input list in the memory shown in Figure 5; Figure 9 illustrates the interface shown in Figure 3; Figure 10 shows a schematic of the circuit used in Figure 3; Figure 11 illustrates the folding of the interface shown in Figure 9 to provide an insertion portion; Figure 12 illustrates a second input card for use with the interface shown in Figure 9; Figure 13 shows the conductive paths on the input card shown in Figure S... * 12;

Figure 14 shows another part of the input list shown in Figure 8; *.

Figure 15 illustrates an alternative input card; Figure 16 shows the conductive paths on the input card shown in Figure * ** 15; Figure 17 shows an input list for use with the input card shown in Figure 15; and Figure 18 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a switch.

Description of the Best Mode for Carrying out the Invention Figure 1 Figure 1 illustrates packaging for an electronic device, which in this example is a box 101 for a mobile telephone. The box includes a main portion 102 and a lid 103 that can be lifted up. Frequently, as in this example, mobile telephones are packaged in boxes specific to the network on which they are to be used, but this is not necessary. The invention can also be applied to packaging for any other kind of electronic device, such as digital cameras, personal digital systems, digital music players, and even computers, particularly ones without their own interface such as a tablet PC.

Figure 2 Box 101 is shown in Figure 2 with lid 102 lifted to reveal the internal packaging, including insert 201 that has a cavity in which mobile telephone 202 sits, and input card 203 which is connected at one end to insert 201 and lifts to allow access to the remaining contents of the box, such as a charger, a manual and so on.

Input card 203 carries interactive instructions on how to set up the new telephone. It is connected to the telephone via an interface, and it has four manually-operable buttons 204, 205, 206 and 207. These buttons are S..

operated by a user touching each one with his finger. Thus in the example ::::. shown here, the instructions tell the user to turn on the phone and then press button 204. When the mobile telephone 202 detects that button 204 has been pressed, it displays a screen indicating that it is communicating with the input card 203 and instructing the user to press button 205. When the telephone 202 detects that button 205 has been pressed it displays the screen on which the time and date can be set. Once the user has set the time and date he then presses button 206, upon which the mobile telephone displays the options for choosing a background wallpaper. Once the user has chosen this he presses button 207, upon which mobile telephone 202 opens its WAP browser at a particular webpage where the user may sign up for certain services, such as extra minutes or texts, use of premium Internet services, and so on. When the user is finished the mobile telephone 202 returns to a default state and displays the home screen. Thus input card 203 can help a user to perform an initial set up of his phone and also direct him to access services which he might have otherwise missed.

Figure 3 Figure 3 shows a representation of mobile telephone 202, input card 203 and the connection between them. Input card 203 cames transparent conductive paths, such as conductive paths 301, 302, 303, 304 and 305. In this embodiment, the conductive paths are printed on to the input card 203 using conductive ink. In this case it is a conductive polymer such as :. polyethylene dioxythiophene, but could be another kind of conductive ink such a metal-loaded ink. Input card 203 is attached to an interface 306 which is in turn attached to a serial cable 307. Cable 307 is connected to an appropriate * ** socket on telephone 202. Most mobile telephones use proprietary serial cables S. that have a specially-designed plug on one end to fit into the telephone, but have a standard USB A male connection at the other end in order to plug it into a computer. Thus, even though there exists a large number of different cables, the interface 306 needs only to fit into a standard USB connector.

Alternatively, if the device has a USB socket, for example the mini-USB sockets common on cameras, PDAs and digital music players, then the interface 306 may be designed to fit directly into such a socket, or again may fit into the end of the USB cable if one is supplied.

Each of conductive paths 302, 303, 304 and 305 is a printed line of transparent conductive ink that terminates in a sector of a circle of approximately 1000. Thus path 302 terminates with sector 308, path 303 terminates with sector 309, path 304 terminates with sector 310, and path 305 terminates with sector 311. Electronic path 301 has four offshoots each terminating in a similar sector of a circle, and each of these pairs of sectors makes up a switch. Thus sector 312 is opposite sector 308 and forms switch 316, sector 313 is opposite sector 309 and forms switch 317, sector 314 is opposite sector 310 and forms switch 318, and sector 315 is opposite sector 311 and forms switch 319.

Clearly this is only an example of a gap between conductive paths that can be closed by touching. Any other pattern of conductive ink that provides switches could also be used.

The transparent ink is printed over the top of the graphics and must line up. Each of the switches is printed on top of one of the buttons, for example button 204 is under switch 316 consisting of sectors 308 and 312.

* ** Each conductive path is connected to interface 306 and is part of a circuit comprising the components of interface 306 and the conductive paths.

When a conductive material is used to connect both sectors of a switch, a sub-circuit within the circuit is closed. The interface 306 detects which switch has * been pressed and communicates this via cable 307 to mobile telephone 202.

The telephone, using preloaded software, recognises the input and performs an appropriate action. Since the human body is conductive, a finger press on the switch, as shown by hand 320, is sufficient to make the connection.

Figure 4 Figure 4 details mobile telephone 202. It includes a CPU 401 with a clock speed of 400 megahertz (MHz) with memory 402 being provided by 64 megabytes (MB) of RAM. 256MB of non-volatile FLASH memory 403 is provided for program and data storage. Liquid crystal display 404 is used to display information to the user. Input/output 405 processes the input of the keys and buttons while audio input/output 406 provides a microphone and speaker interface for use with the telephone facility. Serial connection 407 is used to connect telephone 202 to a computer via cable 307. GPRSJW1F1 connection 408 and GSM connection 409 enable PDA 511 to connect to As described above, any electronic device configured to accept external input, whether serial, USB or some other input, can be connected to the packaging described herein.

Figure 5 Figure 5 illustrates the contents of memory 402 of telephone 202. An operating system 501 provides overall functionality for the device and plug-in 502 interprets input received from interface 306 and performs the appropriate action.

: .. Memory 402 also contains plug-in data 503, which includes an input list S...

504 that details the action to be taken on receipt of a specific input. Other data 505 is required by operating system 501.

Figure 6 Figure 6 details steps taken by mobile telephone 202 during the operations described with respect to Figures 2 and 3. At step 601 the phone is switched on and at step 602 its operating system is loaded from memory 402.

At step 603 the plug-in 502 is also loaded from memory 402. At step 604 external input is received from interface 306 indicating that the user has operated one of the switches, and thus at step 605 a question is asked as to whether the input is correct. For input card 203, the buttons must be pressed in a specific order and thus if an incorrect button is pressed the input wifi not be acted upon, although this is not true for all input cards. Thus if the question is answered in the negative, control is returned to step 604 to await more external input.

Alternatively, the question asked at step 605 is correct and thus at step 606 the action corresponding to the input is determined from input list 504 and camed out at step 607. At step 608 a question is asked as to whether there is another input and if this question is answered in the affirmative control is returned to step 605. However, eventually the input ceases, either because the interface 306 is unplugged or because the phone is switched off. Thus at step 609 the plug-in is exited, at 610 the operating system is exited and at step 611 S...

the phone is switched off. S...

FIgure 7 : .. Step 603 at which plug-in 502 is loaded is detailed in Figure 7. At step S...

701 a connection to interface 306 is detected which triggers the loading of the plug-in at step 702. At step 703 a handshake is received from interface 306 indicating an identification of its chip. This allows the plug-in to identify what input card is being used, or alternatively which series of input cards is being used if an interface may accept input from more than one. This will be discussed further with respect to Figure 12. Thus the chip is identified at step 704 and the correct input list for that chip is loaded at step 705. Thus at the end of step 602, the plug-in is loaded and ready to interpret any input it receives from interface 306.

Figure 8 Figure 8 details part of input list 504 at the point before input card 203 is used. In this example input I is not used and must remain off for the actions to be taken. Input 2 corresponds to the pressing of button 204, input 3 corresponds to the pressing of button 205, input 4 corresponds to the pressing of button 206, and input 5 corresponds to the pressing of button 207. The list 504 shows the input at column 801, whether the input is active at 802, and the action to be taken if it is active at column 803.

Thus, for example, when the user presses button 204 input 2 is sent to telephone 202. The plug-in 504 checks whether input 2 is active and input I is off and if this is true then it displays the initiation screen inviting the user to * press the next button, deactivates this input and activates the next. Thus when ** **** the user presses button 205 the mobile phone 202 receives input 3. This is *** accepted because it has been activated. If the telephone received input 4 with 1 off then it would not accept it because this input is not active. This ensures *..

* that the buttons are pressed in the correct order and not more than once. Thus ::::. for example the action to be taken when receiving input 3 with I off is to display the time and date Setup screen, deactivate the input and activate the next.

Thus input card 203 is an example of a card that can be used only once and the buttons are to be pressed in a particular order.

Figure 9 Figure 9 shows interlace 306 which is formed from a substrate 901 which in this example is polyethylene, although it could be another suitable plastic, for example polypropylene, a piece of card or any other suitable substrate. Substrate 901 is configured to be folded along line 902 and cut along line 903 as bounded by fold line 902. Upon substrate 901 are printed conductive paths 904, 905, 906, 907, 908 and 909. Each of these paths leads to area 910 in which components of the circuit are either printed or attached.

These components will be described further with reference to Figure 10.

At the other end of substrate 901 are printed conductive paths 911, 912, 913, 914, 915 and 916, overlaid with a strip of z-axis tape 917. Alternatives to z-axis tape are conductive adhesive, Zebra tape or any other vertically-conductive substance. Portion 918 of substrate 901 on the right-hand side of fold line 902 is slightly smaller than portion 919 of substrate 901 on the left-hand side of fold line 902. Thus when substrate 901 is folded along line 902, * portion 919 being folded over onto portion 918, the ends of conductive paths *.

s... 904 to 909 contact the strip of z-tape 917, leaving the end of portion 919 *S*I uncovered, showing a small amount of paths 911 to 916. The input card 203 is attached to interface 306 using z-tape or similar so that corresponding 5..

conductive paths are in contact. This design of interface requires printing on only one side and easily contacts an input card having conductive paths and printing on its top side only.

Thus upon assembly conductive path 301 is in electrical contact with conductive path 911, and thus and with path 904 via z-tape 917. Similarly, conductive path 302 is in electrical contact with conductive path 913, and with path 906 via z-tape 917, and so on. Since input I is not used no contact is made with conductive paths 905 and 912.

When substrate 901 is folded along fold line 902, the cut-out portion 920 defined by cut line 903 is not folded. Thus portion 910 is not covered by another piece of substrate and this allows the non-printed components to stand proud of substrate 901. Typically they are attached using conductive adhesive and a layer of non-conductive adhesive is spread over the whole area to protect it. Portion 920 includes fold lines 921.

Four further conductive paths 922, 923, 924 and 925 lead from components portion 910 to the cut-out portion 920. These are designed to contact the four connections in a male A USB connector in order to allow communication between interface 306 and mobile telephone 202.

Interface 306 is only an example of an interface that could be used. It has the advantages that it is easy to construct, requires printing only on one side and is easily connected to a USB connector. However, other designs which electrically connect conductive paths carried on packaging to the necessary components in order to communicate with an electronic device are possible.

In other embodiments the interface 306 could be integral with the input card. This would be possible if a single manufacturer could print all the necessary graphics, conductive ink and assemble the non-printed ::. components, and if only one input card were to be used. * S * S S * S.

Figure 10 Figure 10 is a schematic of the circuit 1001 used in the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 3. A chip 1002 receives input on pin I via a resistor 1003 and a capacitor 1004 from conductive path 905. Similarly, chip 1002 receives input via resistor 1005 and capacitor 1006 from conductive path 906, which is electrically connected to conductive path 302 on input card 203.

The other conductive paths on input card 203 are connected similarly, and all the capacitors are connected to ground. A battery 1007 provides power to chip 1002, although in other embodiments it is possible that it could draw its power directly from an electronic device via a USB port. Battery 1007 is connected to conductive path 904 which is connected to conductive path 301. Thus, for example, if a user operates switch 316 by touching it he closes the circuit that leads to the second input pin on chip 1002.

In this example the resistors are printed using high-impedance conductive ink but the capacitors are not. However, printed capacitors could also be used, and they can be printed using a pattern of conductive and dielectric ink.

Thus circuit 1001 comprises a plurality of RC filters, each considered to be a sub-circuit of circuit 1001. The chip 1002 cycles through its pins I to 5 * powering up each one in order. Thus for example, when chip 1002 powers up the pin I it charges capacitor 1004 through resistor 1003. Since the circuit is not connected, the capacitor will trickle discharge. The time it takes to reach 38% of its original charge is known as its RC constant. This constant is set as *** a threshold value for that pin. Since pin I is not connected to any switch on input card 203, its circuit will never be made and every time the capacitor is ** 0 charged it will discharge in the same way. Thus its state will never change and pin I will always be considered to be off.

When chip 1002 powers up pin 2 capacitor 1006 is charged through resistor 1005. Again, if the circuit is not connected then the capacitor will trickle discharge and the time it takes to discharge to 38% of its original charge is its threshold. However, if at any time the user touches switch 316, the capacitor 1006 will be connected via conductive paths 906, 302, 301 and 904 to the battery 1007 and will therefore discharge extremely quickly. When this occurs chip 1002 will detect that capacitor 1006 discharged in a time less than the threshold value on pin 2 and will register this as a change of state, and thus pin 2 is considered to be on. Upon the user ceasing to operate switch 316, the capacitor will again discharge slowly, chip 1002 will recognise this as a change of state and will consider pin 2 to be off.

In this way it is also possible for a pin to be considered as always on if a connection is permanently made, since the relevant capacitor will always discharge faster than the threshold value.

Dependent on whether it considers some or all of its pins to be on, chip 1002 will send serial input to telephone 202 via conductive paths 923 and 924.

Alternatively, the chip may include a USB chip and send USB signals, or a separate USB chip may be included within the circuit 1001.

In this example each switch is connected on one side to the chip and on the other side to the battery, and the capacitors are connected to ground. The opposite configuration is possible, where the switches are connected to ground and the capacitors are connected to a battery. In this case, the chip would measure the amount of time it takes for each capacitor to charge up rather : *. than discharge. This configuration is also possible, although a higher threshold value is necessary which may slow the circuit down.

Any other type of circuit which detects the closing of an electrical switch and outputs relevant input could also be used.

Figure 11 As discussed with reference to Figure 9, when substrate 901 is folded at fold line 902 the cut-out portion 921 is left protruding outwards. By folding it back on itself along fold lines 921 an insertion portion 1101 is created as shown in Figure 11. Depending upon the thickness of the substrate 901, more or fewer folds may be necessary. If there is not enough material to form a sufficient thickness, which typically should be about 2mm, then a piece of thickening material such as foam can be attached.

Insertion portion 1101 is designed to fit snugly in the male USB A connector shown at 1102. Thus, even though connector 1102 is male and thus configured to fit in to a socket, insertion portion 1101 is inserted inside it so that the connector in effect becomes a socket.

An alternative configuration is shown at 1103. The insertion portion 1104 of this interface is designed to fit in to a mini USB female socket 1106, such as is commonly found on electronic devices. In this example the insertion portion is cut such that it can be pulled outwards from the interface 1103, since the interface may be at a distance from the device. A small folded back portion 1105 provides enough thickness. S..

It will be appreciated that many other configurations of the insertion S...

portion can be used. Design considerations include, but are not limited to, the shape of the packaging, whether a USB cable or socket is being used, the S..

* distance from the interface to the device or cable, the area needed for the non-printed components to stand proud of the substrate, and so on.

The design of the interface shown herein is only an example of an electronic interface arranged to communicate with an electronic device. The method of inserting a cut-away portion of a substrate into a USB cable or socket is efficient but is not the only way. For a much more robust and long lasting solution a cable could be permanently attached to an interface or a USB socket could be provided. Further, the interface need not be physically connected to the device. A method of radio transmission such as Bluetooth� could be used, and in this case the interface would include a radio transponder.

Figure 12 The input card 203 is only one of a number of examples of input cards that could be described. Another input card 1201 is shown in Figure 12. This card is also designed to be used with box 101. Once the set up provided by card 203 is completed, it is envisaged that this card could be removed and replaced by card 1201. Many options are available for the attachment of an input card to interface 306 as long as electrical connection is made between all the conductive paths. Thus packaging as defined herein is considered to include input cards that are provided with the box 101 but are not necessarily always attached to it.

Input card 1201 offers the user three free ringtones and the opportunity to sign up for more. Three scratchable panels 1202, 1203 and 1204 are providecj, along with a button 1205. On scratching off any of panels 1202, 1203 or 1204 the mobile telephone 202, if it is connected to interface 306, will open its WAP browser and download a free ringtone. Upon the user pressing **1 button 1205 it will open its WAP browser to a signup page where the user may subscribe to a ringtone service.

FIgure 13 Figure 13 shows the conductive paths on input card 1201. Button 1205 is covered by a switch 1301, similar to any of the switches on input card 203.

Scratchable panel 1202 covers a similar switch except that each conductive path ends in a small rectangle. The panel 1202 is made of a layer of rub-removable ink covered with conductive material, and therefore as long as the panel is intact the switch is on. Scratching off the panel breaks the switch and it is the turning off of the switch that is considered as input by telephone 202.

As with input card 203, a conductive path 1303 that connects to the battery 1007 in interface 306 forms one side of each of the switches. A conductive track 1304 that connects to pin I on chip 1002 is connected directly to conductive path 1303, thus ensuring that pin I is always on. Since when using input card 203 input 1 is always off this allows mobile telephone 202 to distinguish between the two input cards, even though the input is coming from the same chip 1002.

Figure 14 Figure 14 continues input list 504 shown in Figure 8. It details the actions that mobile telephone 202 takes on receipt of an input 2, 3, 4 or 5 when input us on. However, for 2, 3 and 4 the required input is that the switch is off. As shown at 1401, when an input that I is on and 2 is off is received Is..

from interface 306, plug-in 502 opens the WAP browser at a specific address.

It then enters a password to receive the nngtone and finally deactivates the input. This means that a user cannot get another free ringtone simply by making and breaking the connection again. Receipt of inputs 5 and I causes the plug-in to open the WAP browser to a signup page for more nngtones. This switch is not disabled after use because it could be used again.

Another example of a switch where the input is triggered by the switch being off rather than on is a tear-off security strip having conductive ink on it.

Figure 15 Another example of an input card 1501 is shown in Figure 15. This card is designed to work with a different interface and packaging from those shown in previous figures. The interface would be substantially the same as that shown in Figure 9 except that the chip has 12 pins and the interface has 13 pairs of conductive paths. The packaging would be designed so that the mobile telephone could dock within it in an upright position suitable for making a video call. Many telephones and networks now allow video calling, but it is difficult to keep the telephone still, particularly when making key presses. By using packaging that allows the telephone to be correctly positioned and an input card such as card 1501 the user would not have to touch the phone after starting the call. Thus, input card 1501 includes a row of buttons 1502 for numbers, such as button 1506 that inputs the number 1, and a row of buttons 1503 for actions, such as button 1507 for making a call. Other buttons end a call, clear the last numeric entry, turn the volume up or down, mute the volume, and change between video calling and audio only. This provides a total of eighteen buttons, and cleaily the more inputs there are to an interface the bulkier and more expensive it gets. Thus on input card 1501 only one row p...

of buttons can be used at a time. Two additional buttons are provided to :.: 15 determine which row should be used. Pressing button 1504 allows numbers buttons 1502 to be used, while pressing numbers 1505 allows action buttons 1503 to be used. e.. a * *.

Figure 16 Figure 16 shows the printed conductive paths carried by input card 1501. Button 1504 is printed under switch 1601 and button 1505 is printed under switch 1602, and these are similar to the switches shown in Figure 3.

Thus switch 1601 links conductive path 1603 with the live path 1604 in order to provide an input to pin I on a chip, while switch 1602 connects conductive path 1605 with live path 1604 to provide an input to pin 2. However, the remaining conductive paths all have two switches, and two possibilities to be connected to the Jive path 1604. Thus for example, conductive path 1605, which provides input to pin 3, does not terminate in a sector of a circle but has two semicircles 1606 and 1607 along its length. Similarly, an offshoot of live path 1604 has two matching semicircles. The first pair of semicircles is on top of 1506 which is the number 1, while the second pair of semicircies is on button 1507, which makes a call. Thus pressing either of these buttons makes the same connection and provides input to pin 3. However this input is interpreted differently dependent upon whether button 1504 or button 1505 was last pressed.

Thus 18 buttons can be provided using a chip with only 12 inputs.

Figure 17 Figure 17 shows input list 1701 which details the actions taken by a S...

mobile telephone when receiving input from input card 1501 via an interface.

::. Column 1702 the input from ito 12 that may be received, column 1704 shows * 15 the action that should be taken if the plug-in considers itself to be in state 1, : *** while column 1705 shows action should be taken if it is in state 2. Each of the S...

inputs has a different action for each state, except for inputs I and 2 which only change the state, and inputs 11 and 12 which have numbers only.

The possibilities for this technology are many and varied. Using a combination of single and double switches, many buttons can be provided, and triple, quadruple switches and so on can be used. Indeed, on input card 1501 one fewer input would be needed if switches 1601 and 1602 were combined. More than one function could be provided for a card, wherein one button toggled between different uses for the card and an appropriate overlay showed a user what the buttons meant in that state.

Further, a matrix of switches could be assembled, where corresponding rows and columns are part of the same sub-circuit. For example, the switches in the rows could be larger circles than those in the columns, such that the column switches fitted inside the row switches. Thus the user would operate a row and column switch with a single finger press. By sensing which combination of two inputs had been operated, the interface could generate a signal. Thus, for example, a four-pin chip could detect ten different inputs. The switches need not actually be placed in straight rows and columns to produce this effect, but could be dotted about the input card. Further, in this or any other example conductive paths could overlap if a layer of dielectric (non-conductive) ink were printed between them.

Figure 18 ****. Figure 18 shows an alternative configuration of an input card 1801. It is : * manufactured from substrate 1802 which has conductive ink printed on one S...

side of it but the graphics printed on the other side. The substrate is cut in an : L-shape and a first arm of the L has pairs of conductive tracks printed on it, : : : : such as conductive tracks 1803 and 1804. Track 1803 is one side of a switch * . while track 1804 is the other side. Similarly tracks 1805 and 1806 are opposite sides of a switch. On the middle part of the L are printed blocks of conductive ink 1807 and 1808. Each block is positioned so that a reflection in fold line 1809 would take it to the ends of a pair of conductive tracks. Apertures 1809 and 1810 are cut in the other arm of the L-shape, and these are positioned such that a transformation in fold line 1810 would take each to one of the blocks. Thus, by folding first at line 1810 and then at line 1809 an input card is formed, where pressing on the card at a position indicated by graphical printing will make a switch. Thus, for example, when the user touches button 1812 the conductive tracks 1803 and 1804 contact conductive block 1807 through aperture 1809, thus making the switch.

Thus this design of switch has three layers of substrate, wherein the top layer has first conductive printing on the underside, the middle layer has an aperture defined therein and the bottom layer has second conductive printing on the topside. When pressure is applied to the switch, contact is made through the aperture between the first and second conductive printing. S. * * * ... S... * S a... * S. * S *

S *.*

I * S. * . . *IIS S* S * S S * S*

Claims

Claims 1. Packaging for an electronic device, comprising: an electronic circuit having a manually-operable switch, the circuit including conductive paths carried on the packaging, and an electronic interface arranged to communicate with the device in response to operation of the switch.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the switch is a gap between the conductive paths, and the switch is operated by a person touching both sides of the gap simultaneously.

*, 10
3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the switch is in the shape of a broken circle. * ** * * * ****

**
4. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the switch comprises : * three layers, the top layer having first conductive printing on the underside, the U...

middle layer having an aperture defined therein and the bottom layer having second conductive printing on the topside, such that when pressure is applied to the switch contact is made through said aperture between the first and second conductive printing.
5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the first conductive printing comprises two conductive paths.
6. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the three layers are formed from a single piece of folded card.
7. Apparatus according to any of claims I to 6, wherein the conductive paths include a plurality of switches, and operation of one of a plurality of switches makes the same sub-circuit.
8. Apparatus according to claim 7, including a plurality of sub-circuits each having a plurality of switches, wherein the switches are arranged in a matrix.
9. Apparatus according to any of claims I to 8, wherein the conductive paths are printed onto the packaging using conductive ink.
10. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the conductive ink is metal-loaded. S... * S *SSS
11. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the conductive ink is a conductive polymer. * S. * S * *.**
12. Apparatus according to any of claims I to 11, wherein the circuit comprises an RC filter including a resistor, a capacitor, and a chip having an output to the interface.
13. Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the chip sets a threshold based on the time it takes for the capacitor to discharge, and wherein a change of state in the capacitor that takes less time than the threshold is considered to be an input into the chip.
14. Apparatus according to either of claims 12 or 13, wherein the circuit comprises a plurality of RC filters, each including electronic paths and a manually-operable switch, and each including the same chip.
15. Apparatus according to any of claims I to 14, wherein the packaging includes a first substrate that carries the electronic paths, and a second substrate electronically attached to the first substrate that carries the interface.
16. Apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said first and second substrates are attached using a vertically-conductive substance.
17. Apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said vertically-conductive substance is conductive adhesive. * *. * * * S...
18. Apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said vertically- : *** conductive substance is conductive adhesive. * ** S S * * * .*
19. Apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said first and second substrates are integral.
20. Apparatus according to any of claims 15 to 19, wherein the resistor is printed onto the second substrate using conductive ink.
21. Apparatus according to any of claims 15 to 19, wherein the capacitor is printed onto the second substrate using conductive ink and dielectric ink.
22. Apparatus according to any of claims I to 21, wherein the circuit further comprises a battery.
23. Apparatus according to any of claims I to 22, wherein the circuit further comprises a USB chip for producing USB signals in response to serial signals produced by the chip.
24. Apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the USB chip is .. 10 integral with the chip. * * S...

: ..
25. Apparatus according to any of claims I to 24, wherein the S...

. interface is configured to be inserted into the end of a USB cable that is : ** connectable to the device. S.. S* S S*
26. Apparatus according to any of claims I to 24, wherein the interface is configured to be inserted into a USB socket on the device.
27. Apparatus according to either of claims 25 or 26, wherein the interface comprises an insertion portion having conductive strips thereon.
28. Apparatus according to any of claims 25 to 27, wherein the interface is a piece of substrate and the conductive strips are printed on the substrate using conductive ink.
29. Apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the insertion portion comprises a piece of said substrate folded at least once.
30. Apparatus according to either of claims 28 or 29, wherein the substrate is plastic.
31. Apparatus according to either of claims 28 or 29, wherein the substrate is card. * . * .e. S...
32. Apparatus according to any of claims 27 to 31, wherein the : .. insertion portion further includes a piece of foam. S..

S *

: **
33. Apparatus according to any of claims I to 32, wherein the S...

interface includes a radio transponder.
34. Apparatus according to any of claims I to 32, wherein the device is a mobile telephone.
35. Apparatus according to any of claims I to 32, wherein the device is a digital camera.
36. Apparatus according to any of claims I to 32, wherein the device is a digital music player.
37. A method of manufacturing packaging for an electronic device, comprising the steps of: printing conductive paths onto said packaging, wherein said paths define a manually operable switch; and providing an electronic interface arranged to communicate with the device in response to operation of the switch.
38. Packaging for an electronic device substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying Figures. S. S. * *.* **.. * S . * ** * * S S... *SS

S * S. * S S S... S. S * .. S *S