GB2584087A

GB2584087A - Cover for handheld computing device

Info

Publication number: GB2584087A
Application number: GB1907011.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Walker Andrew; Goodman Gary; Wetz George
Original assignee: Yumpingo Ltd
Current assignee: Yumpingo Ltd
Priority date: 2019-05-17
Filing date: 2019-05-17
Publication date: 2020-11-25
Also published as: GB201907011D0

Abstract

A cover 10 for a handheld computing device, such as a mobile phone,12 is described. The cover 10 comprises a casing 2 adapted to encase at least partially a handheld computing device 12, and at least one fascia 6,8 adapted to attach to and detach from the casing 2. The fascia 6,8 are interchangeable allowing a user to change the decorative fascia allowing a user to customise the look of the handheld computer device. The cover may include a folding part 4 located between the casing 2 and fascia 6. The fascia may include mechanical connectors 80 for releasably connecting the fascia to the folding part 4. Also disclosed is a casing 2 including a rim 22 arranged to surround the screen of a handheld computing device. The rim may include a concave profile (24, figure 3b) allowing the rim to be substantially flush with the screen; such an arrangement allows retrieval of coins placed on the screen so that the casing can be used as a bill provider.

Description

Cover for handheld computing device

Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a cover for a handheld computing device, a 5 corresponding computing device, and a method of manufacturing same.

Background

As digital technology becomes more prevalent, companies, and in particular those in the service industry, are seeking ways to engage with consumers using digital devices.

It is desirable to replace traditional methods of communication in the service industry, for example menus, catalogues, receipts and bills with digital alternatives.

Part of this transformation to digital technology is ensuring that no functionality is lost when moving from the traditional methods to digital methods.

One example where functionality is currently being lost is in the area of customisation. Traditional non-digital methods of communication (e.g. a restaurant menu) are often 15 easy, quick, and cheap to customise. For example restaurant menus commonly have a restaurant logo or other identifier printed or embossed on the outside of the cover.

Customisation is difficult for mass produced handheld electronic devices. Handheld electronic devices are typically expensive and time consuming to manufacture compared to the traditional means mentioned above, and it may be difficult for suppliers to customise batches of such electronic devices for specific customers.

Summary

Aspects and embodiments of the present invention are set out in the appended claims. These and other aspects and embodiments of the invention are also described herein.

In an aspect there is provided a cover for a handheld computing device, the cover comprising: a casing adapted to encase at least partially a handheld computing device; and at least one fascia adapted to attach to and detach from the casing.

The at least one fascia may be 3D printed.

The outer surface of the at least one fascia may be smooth such that it provides a suitable surface for customisation, preferably by printing and the edge portions of the at least one fascia may be shaped to encase at least partially the casing.

The at least one fascia may comprise one or more connectors to form a mechanical connection between the at least one fascia and the casing.

Furthermore the casing may comprise a rim arranged substantially to surround in use a screen of a handheld computing device. The rim may be arranged to project in use from a screen of a handheld computing device and may be bevelled toward the portion of the casing adapted to surround a screen of a handheld computing device. The rim may be concave in profile, preferably at least at a flank of the rim adjacent a screen of the handheld computing device in use and a foot portion of the rim may be arranged to be substantially flush with a screen of a handheld computing device in use.

The cover may further comprise a foldable part configured to connect between and with the casing and the at least one fascia.

The foldable part may comprise a flap section configured to engage in a closed configuration with the or a rim of the casing.

A shoulder of a flap section of the foldable part may be arranged to engage frictionally in a closed configuration with the or a rim of the casing, in the closed configuration, a cavity may be provided between the flap and the surface of the screen.

The foldable part may comprises a back section configured to cooperate with a rear face of the casing to form a mechanical connection.

A spine of the foldable part may be secured to a side face of the casing.

The flap section of the foldable part and/or a back section of the foldable part may comprise connectors configured to cooperate with the at least one fascia to form a mechanical connection.

The flap section and back section may be connected so as to be pivotable relative to one another and the foldable part may comprise a single piece of flexible material.

The flap part and/or a back section of the foldable part may comprise a sheet of rigid of material, preferably embedded in the flexible material.

A handheld computing device may be encased within the cover.

An aspect also provides a computing device comprising the cover as herein described.

In another aspect there is provided a bill provider comprising a handheld computing device and cover as herein described the cover configured to: provide information to a user; receive information from a user; and to facilitate a payment by a user.

In a further aspect a cover for a handheld computing device is provided, the cover comprising a rim arranged substantially to surround in use a screen of a handheld computing device wherein the rim may be arranged to project in use from a screen of a handheld computing device. Furthermore, the rim may be bevelled toward a screen of the handheld computing device and the rim may have a concave profile, preferably at least at a flank of the rim adjacent a screen of the handheld computing device and wherein a foot portion of the rim may be arranged to be substantially flush with a screen of a handheld computing device in use.

In another aspect there is provided a method of manufacturing a cover as herein described comprising customising the at least one fascia and/or attaching the at least one fascia to the casing.

Any apparatus feature as described herein may also be provided as a method feature, and vice versa. As used herein, means plus function features may be expressed alternatively in terms of their corresponding structure. Any feature in one aspect of the invention may be applied to other aspects of the invention, in any appropriate combination. In particular, method aspects may be applied to system aspects, and vice versa. Furthermore, any, some and/or all features in one aspect can be applied to any, some and/or all features in any other aspect, in any appropriate combination. It should also be appreciated that particular combinations of the various features described and defined in any aspects of the invention can be implemented and/or supplied and/or used independently.

Brief Description of Drawings

Aspects and embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings (where similar features are identified by similar reference numerals), in which: Figure 1 shows a cover encasing a handheld computing device; Figure 2 shows an exploded view of the cover encasing a handheld computing device shown in Figure 1; Figure 3a shows a detailed view of a portion of the cover and handheld computing device shown in Figure 1; s Figure 3b shows a cross-section of a portion of the cover and handheld computing device shown in Figure 3a; Figure 4a shows the cover of Figure 1 in a closed configuration; and Figure 4b shows a cross-section of parts of the cover in the closed configuration shown in Figure 4a.

Specific Description

Figure 1 shows a cover 10 encasing a handheld computing device 12. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1 the encased handheld computing device 12 and cover 10 are configured to comprise a bill provider 100 which is used to provide (or present) a bill to a customer in a restaurant. The bill provider 100, cover 10 and the encased handheld computing device 12 may be used in other contexts.

Figure 2 shows an exploded view of the cover 10 of Figure 1. The description that follows refers to both Figures 1 and Figure 2.

The cover 10 includes an inner casing part 2 and a plurality of fascia parts 6, 8. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2 the cover 10 includes a foldable part 4.

The casing 2, foldable part 4 and the fascia 6, 8 are each configured to mechanically connect to one another. The foldable part 4 is positioned between the casing 2 and the fascias 6, 8.

The structural features of the cover 10 are now described in more detail and with reference to their interconnectability.

The casing 2 is substantially cuboid in shape having six faces: a front face; four side faces; and a rear face. The front face forms four edges with the four side faces, the four side faces each form an edge with the front face, an edge with the rear face as well as two edges with adjacent side faces, and the rear face forms four edges with the four side faces.

The faces of the casing 2 are arranged such as to form a cuboidal void.

An opening is provided in the front face of the casing 2. The casing 2 is formed such that a rim 22 extends above an exposed surface of the handheld computing device 12 encased within the cover 10. The rim 22 substantially surrounds the opening.

Figure 3a shows a detailed view of a portion of the casing 2 includes the handheld computing device 12. Figure 3b shows a cross section of the device shown in Figure 3a. In the illustrated examples, the rim 22 is bevelled toward the opening. The bevel has a concave profile 26 with a curved inclination directed inwardly towards the opening of the casing 2. This can enable a foot 24 of the rim 22 to be substantially flush with the surface of handheld computing device 12 (typically the screen of the device 12).

The four side faces of the casing 2 comprise several apertures and may also comprise mechanical connectors suitable for forming a mechanical connection with foldable part 4.

Disposed on the rear face (not shown) of the casing 2 there are a plurality of mechanical connectors (not shown) that are configured to form a mechanical connection with the foldable part 4 and/or the facias 6, 8.

The casing 2 is made from a rigid and durable material such as plastic for example polycarbonate. The mechanical connectors may be made from a rigid material such as plastic.

The foldable part 4 is configured to connect mechanically to the casing 2. The foldable part 4 comprises a back section 42; a flexible spine 44 and a front flap 46.

The flexible spine 44 is connected to the flap 46 and the back section 42. A side of the flap 46 and a side of the back section 42 connect to opposing sides of the flexible spine 44 such that the flexible spine 44 is connected between the flap 46 and the back section 25 42.

The foldable part 4 is formed from a single piece of flexible durable material such as rubber or plastic. For example thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) may be used.

The flap 46 and the back section 42 of the foldable part 4 may be reinforced by embedded sheets of a rigid material such as plastic. For example polycarbonate may be 30 used.

The foldable part 4 may comprise one or more apertures to accommodate one or more reinforcing sheets.

Reinforcing sheets may also or alternatively be provided in a recess of the foldable part 4.

In the illustrated example the back section 42 includes a reinforcing sheet disposed within an aperture. The perimeter of the reinforcing sheet is substantially surrounded by the flexible material that comprises the foldable part 4 such that at least two surfaces of the reinforcing sheet remain exposed, and the flap 46 includes a reinforcing sheet disposed in a recess in the outer face (not shown). The sheet of rigid material is secured within this recess, such that one side of the rigid material is exposed.

The back section 42 of the foldable part 4 has an inner face and an outer face. Disposed on the inner face of the back section 42 (on an exposed surface of the reinforcing sheet) are a plurality of mechanical connecters 52 configured to form a mechanical connection with the mechanical connectors of the rear face of the casing 2.

The spine 44 of the foldable part 4 may comprise mechanical connectors which enable the spine 44 to form a mechanical connection with a side face of the casing 2. For example the spine may be secured to a side face of cover 2 using a/or bolt(s) or adhesive such that it is substantially flush with a side face of the casing.

On the outer face of the back section 42 of the foldable part 4 on an exposed surface of the reinforcing sheet are disposed a plurality of mechanical connectors (not shown) that are configured to form a mechanical connection with a back fascia 6.

The flap 46 of the foldable pad 4 has on its inner surface a raised area that forms a shoulder 50. The raised area and shoulder 50 are shaped such that the shoulder 50 can frictionally engage with the rim 22 of the front face of casing 2. This raised area is formed from the single piece of flexible material that comprises the foldable part 4.

On the outer face of the flap 46 on the exposed surface of the reinforcing sheet are disposed a plurality of mechanical connectors (not shown). These mechanical connectors are configured to form a mechanical connection with a front fascia 8.

The front and back fascias 8, 6 have on their inner surfaces a plurality of mechanical 30 connectors 80 that are configured to form a mechanical connection with the outer face of the flap 46 or the outer face of the back section 42 of the foldable part 4.

A pocket 48 is provided on the inner surface of the flap 46. The pocket 48 is substantially triangular in shape and in particular is a right angle triangle with the two substantially perpendicular edges arranged to be parallel to two edges of the flap 46 such that the pocket 48 is positioned in a corner of the flap 46.

The customisable fascias 6, 8 are each made from a single piece of hard, rigid and durable material such as plastic. For example polycarbonate.

The outer surface of the fascia 6, 8 is substantially smooth and has curved edges.

In addition apertures arranged to prevent the obscuration of a camera(s) of a handheld device may be provided in the casing 2, foldable part 4 and fascia 6, 8.

io The function of the structural features of Figures 1 and 2 described above will now be discussed in more detail.

The cover 10 of Figures 1 and 2 is suitable for encasing a handheld computing device 12.

The casing 2 is designed to secure the handheld computing device 12 within the cover 10. Specifically the cuboidal void provided by the casing 2 and opening positioned in the front face of the casing 2 are suitable for receiving a handheld computing device 12.

A handheld computing device 12 inserted into the opening and sitting within the cuboid void of the casing 2 is at least partially encased by the casing 2. The handheld computing device 12 is secured within the casing 2 by the side and rear faces of the casing 2 and the rim 22 of the front face of the casing 2.

An exposed surface of the handheld computing device 12, for example a touch screen, is accessible via the opening of the front face of the casing 2. The exposed surface comprises input and output means for the handheld computing device 12. The controls for the handheld computing device 12 are accessible through the opening in the front face of the casing 2. Furthermore the handheld computing device is arranged such as to able to display information through the opening of the casing 2.

The exposed surface of the handheld computing device 12 may comprise a toughened, chemically strengthened or otherwise reinforced transparent material which is suitable for use in a touch screen. For example Gorilla Glass may be used.

A portion of the rim 22 of the casing 2 is configured to sit substantially flush with the exposed surface of the handheld computing device 12 encased within the casing 2.

The exposed surface of the handheld computing device 12 cooperates with the rim 22 to provide a receptacle for currency such as coins. The rim 22 acts to retain coins or banking cards placed on the computing device.

Furthermore, the bevel of the rim 22 acts to facilitate removal of coins placed on the exposed surface of the handheld computing device 12. In particular, as a portion of the rim 22 is flush with the exposed surface of a handheld computing device 12, coins can be gripped by a user and pushed onto and up the concave profile and over the rim 22.

io The rim is formed such that in cross section a right-angled corner is avoided at the edge with the handheld computing device 12 to prevent difficulty in gripping coins on the flat surface of the handheld computing device 12. The toughened material of the exposed screen prevents items deposited on the exposed surface from damaging (e.g scratching) the screen.

The side faces of the casing 2 provide a number of apertures suitable for accessing a handheld computing device 12 encased within. For example, the apertures in the side faces may provide access to ports or outputs of the encased handheld computing device 12 such as those ports used for charging or connecting head phones and outputs such as speakers.

The rear face of the casing 2 is configured to mechanically connect to the foldable part 4. Specifically the plurality of mechanical connectors arranged on the rear face of the casing 2 are configured to mechanically connect with the plurality of mechanical connectors 52 positioned on the inner face of the back section 42 of the foldable part 4.

The flexible spine 44 of the foldable part 4 is arranged such that the flap 46 and the back section 42 of the foldable part 4 are able to pivot about the flexible spine 44 relative to each other, allowing the flap 46 and the back section 42 to be moved relative to one another between an open and a closed configuration. In embodiments wherein the flexible spine 44 is secured to a side face of casing 2, the flap 46 is able to pivot about the edge that connecting it to flexible spine 44 and is able to pivot relative to the spine 44 and the back section 42 between an open and a closed configuration.

Figure 4a shows the cover 10 of Figure 1 and Figure 2 in the closed configuration. Figure 4b shows a cross section of the flap section 46 and casing 2 in the closed configuration. In the closed configuration, the flap 46 frictionally engages with the front face of the casing 2. Specifically the shoulder 50 of the raised area of the inner surface of the flap 46 is configured to cooperate with the rim 22 of the casing 2 to secure the cover 10 in the closed configuration.

In the closed configuration a cavity 52 is formed between the surface of the raised area and the exposed surface of the handheld computing device 12, furthermore in this closed configuration the flap 46 of the foldable part 4 obscures the opening of the front face of the casing 2. In the closed configuration, coins or banking cards may be safely located within cavity 52. On the application of a separating force the frictional engagement between the shoulder 50 and the rim 22 may be broken and the flap 46 may be moved into an open configuration.

Figure 1 depicts the cover 10 in an open configuration.

In the open configuration the flap 46 of the foldable part 4 does not obscure the aperture of the front face of the casing 2 (that is, the electronic device 12 is exposed) and in addition the shoulder 50 and the rim 22 are not frictionally engaged.

The pocket 48 provided on the inner face of the flap 46 of the foldable part 4 is configured to hold items such as pieces of paper, for example restaurant bills or paper currency.

The mechanical connectors of both outer surfaces of the flap 46 and the back section 42 of the foldable part 4 are configured to cooperate with the mechanical connectors 80 positioned on the inner surfaces of the fascias 6, 8 thereby allowing fascias 6, 8 to be attached to the outer surfaces of the flap and back section 46, 42 of the foldable part 4. In such a way the fascias 6, 8 may via their inner surfaces be attached to the foldable part 4 and thereby secured to the casing 2.

The mechanical connection between the fascias 6, 8 and the foldable part 4 is configured such that the fascias 6, 8 are attachable to and detachable from the foldable part and/or the rear face of the casing 2 by hand. This can allow the fascias 6, 8 to be easily detached and/or attached to/from the cover 10.

The fascias 6, 8 are each single pieces of plastic and are easily and cheaply manufacturable. Furthermore the smooth outer surface of the fascias 6, 8 allows a number of commercial printing, etching or otherwise customising techniques to be applied to the outer surface. Using such printing techniques it is possible to customise the outer surfaces of the fascias 6, 8 to suit particular needs and situations. The ease and low cost of manufacture of the fascias 6, 8 coupled with the suitability for the application of commercial printing techniques such as 3D printing, UV printing, pad printing or inkjet printing advantageously allows customisable fascias 6, 8 to be produced.

When fascias 6, 8 are mechanically attached to the casing 2 the curved edges of the fascias 6, 8 wrap around the casing 2 such as to partially encase the casing 2 and also the handheld computing device 12 encased therein.

The bill provider 100 comprising the cover 10 and the handheld computing device 12 shown in Figures 1 and 2 will now be described in use. The bill provider 100 may be used as a means of facilitating the communication of digital information in many different contexts. In an example the bill provider 100 is used to provide digital information to a customer in a restaurant regarding their bill. Other digital information such as the restaurant menu may be provided to the customer.

The bill provider 100 comprises a handheld computing device 12 such as a suitably programed smartphone, encased in the casing 2 of the cover 10. The handheld computing device 12 is preprogramed in a number of different ways to display information and interact with customers.

The handheld computing device 12 may be provided separate to the cover 10 and in such circumstances the handheld computing device 12 may be inserted into the cover 10 through the opening on the front face of the casing 2 to form the bill provider 100. Alternatively, the handheld computing device 12 may be integrally fixed within the casing 2.

In the embodiment described here the handheld computing device comprising the bill provider 100 is a smartphone, and the at least partially encased smartphone 12 is secured in the casing 2 by the side and rear faces and rim 22 of the casing 2. The smartphone is orientated within the casing 2 such that a touch screen of the smartphone forms the exposed surface which is visible and accessible through the opening of the front face of the casing 2.

The touch screen of the at least partially encased smartphone sits flush against at least part of the rim 22 of the casing 2 as illustrated in Figure 3a and Figure 3b.

Access to the ports and speakers of the smartphone is provided through the apertures on the side walls of the casing 2.

In the context of providing data to a customer in a restaurant it is often desirable to provide a customer with information using a device or object with a branded or otherwise customised covering. Branding electronic devices is often expensive and can be difficult.

In use, the parts of the bill provider 100 that provide branding or can be otherwise customised (e.g. fascias 6, 8) can be combined with parts of the bill provider 100 that provide function (e.g. the casing 2, the foldable part 4 and the handheld computing device 12), thus enabling low cost for customisation, as only the (easily customisable) fascia 6, 8 need be customised.

The bill provider 100 may be branded or otherwise customised by attaching customised fascias 6, 8 to the outer surfaces of the flap 46 and the back section 42 of the foldable part 4. Thus the handheld computing device does not need to be customised, and most of the cover 10 (that is, the foldable part 4 and the casing 2) may be mass produced without customisation thereby reducing the costs associated with the production of the cover 10 in its entirety and also the costs associated with customisation.

In use, the bill provider 100 may be presented to the customer in the closed configuration which is a manner similar to the way in which non-digital bills have traditionally been provided to the customer i.e. a paper bill in a wallet. The customer may move the flap 46 of the foldable part 4 into an open configuration such that it does not obscure the screen of the smartphone and so reveal information displayed on the exposed screen of the smartphone. The foldable part 4 and the frictional engagement in the closed configuration provided by the cooperation between the shoulder 50 and the rim 22 of the casing 2 provides a means of providing customisable electronic information to the customer with the familiarity of a traditional non electronic restaurant bill.

Alternatively the bill provider 100 may be provided to the customer in the open configuration, which is similar to the way a dining menu is commonly offered to a customer in a restaurant i.e. in an open book configuration.

Advantageously the bill provider 100 facilitates the communication of electronic information in a manner that is familiar in the context of a restaurant.

Once the customer has received the bill provider 100 (and opened the flap if necessary) the screen of the smartphone displays an invitation to the customer to interact with the bill provider 100.

Commonly in restaurants bills are often presented to the customer either electronically via a Process Data Quickly (PDQ) machine or non-digitally on paper. PDQ machines are cumbersome and expensive and do not provide information to the customer in a customised manner whilst non-digital bills do not enable the same level of interaction or customisation as digital bills.

The bill provider 100 provides a pocket 48 on the inner surface of the flap into which a to physical bill may be inserted prior to presentation to the customer, thus allowing non-electronic bill information to be provided to the customer alongside electronic bill information.

Traditionally both non-digital and digital bills are often accompanied by a tip-tray into which cash and/or bank cards to be used for payment of the bill are deposited.

In use, the smartphone displays and asks for payment of the customer's bill. On being provided with the bill information, either digitally, non-digitally or both the customer is invited, by the encased smartphone or a physical copy of the bill secured in the pocket 48 of the bill provider 100, to pay -payment may be made electronically or with cash. The customer may pay part of or the entire bill via electronic means, for example via contactless payment, using the at least partially encased handheld computing device 12.

In use, the pocket 48 of the bill provider 100 provided on the inside face of the foldable part 4 may be used by the customer to secure notes intended for payment of the bill or as a tip. The customer can also provide cash payment or tip by depositing coins into the receptacle formed by the exposed screen of the smartphone and the rim 22 of the casing 2.

The rim 22 advantageously prevents, in both the open and closed configurations, coins deposited onto the exposed surface of the smartphone from slipping off of the front face of casing 2 when handled, for example when the bill is collected from the customer.

When the coins need to be retrieved from the exposed surface of the smartphone, for 30 example by a member of staff, they may be slid onto the rim 22 causing them to be deflected relative to the exposed surface and thus allowing them to be gripped and removed from the receptacle. The rim 22 therefore also allows for the retrieval of coins deposited onto the exposed surface of the smartphone.

Other objects such as bank cards may also be deposited onto the exposed surface, and as with the example above these objects would be retained by the rim 22. The rim 22 would also enable such objects to be easily retrieved from the exposed surface.

In use, waiting staff may carry the bill provider 100 away from the customer under their arm and may therefore wish to further secure the objects deposited onto the exposed surface of the phone, to do so the bill provider may be moved into the closed configuration.

In the closed configuration objects deposited onto the exposed surface are secured within the cavity 52 formed by the raised surface of the flap 46 and the exposed surface of the smartphone.

Providing electronic information to the customer using the bill provider 100 has several advantages: it allows the customer to be provided with a easily customisable item; it avoids the need for a separate tip tray or other means of collecting cash; and it enables both electronic presentation and physical presentation of a bill in a way that is immediately familiar to the customer.

The mechanical connections 52, 80 described above may take many forms. The different connectors may be same, similar, or dissimilar. Suitable mechanical connectors include plugs, clips, screws, snaps or other means of mechanical connection.

Mechanical connectors may also encompass slots, holes, apertures or any other structural feature that would facilitate a mechanical connection In a variant non-mechanical connectors (e.g. magnetic connectors or adhesives) may be used in place of some or all of the described mechanical connectors..

In a variant the raised area of the flap 46 described above is replaced by a lip formation on the inner face of the flap 46; this lip can provide a similar shoulder 50 as described above for forming a frictionally engaging with the rim 22 of the casing 2.

It will be appreciated that the casing 4 described above may in a variant be integral to a handheld computing device. In this variant the handheld computing device is not necessarily removable from the casing. The casing and specifically the opening of the casing allow access to the screen of the handheld computing device as above. In another variant the casing may include a protective cover for the screen of the computing device, in effect closing the opening of the casing. In this variant the protective cover for the screen permits user interaction with the computing device and provides some protection to the screen of the computing device.

In other embodiments raised area may be provided by additional material secured to the single piece of flexible material of the foldable cover.

It will be understood that the present invention has been described above purely by way of example, and modifications of detail can be made within the scope of the invention. Furthermore, reference numerals appearing in the claims are by way of illustration only and shall have no limiting effect on the scope of the claims. Each feature disclosed in the description, and (where appropriate) the claims and drawings may be provided independently or in any appropriate combination.

Claims

Claims 1. A cover for a handheld computing device, the cover comprising: a casing adapted to encase at least partially a handheld computing device; and at least one fascia adapted to attach to and detach from the casing.
2. The cover of claim 1 wherein the at least one fascia is 3D printed.
3. The cover of claim 1 or 2 wherein an outer surface of the at least one fascia is smooth such that it provides a suitable surface for customisation, preferably by printing.
4. The cover of any preceding claim wherein the edge portions of the at least one fascia are shaped to encase at least partially the casing.
5. The cover of any preceding claim wherein the casing and/or the at least one fascia comprises one or more connectors to form a mechanical connection between the at least one fascia and the casing.
6. The cover of any preceding claim wherein the casing comprises a rim arranged substantially to surround in use a screen of a handheld computing device.
7. The cover of claim 6 wherein the rim is arranged to project in use from a screen of a handheld computing device.
8. The cover of claim 6 or 7 wherein the rim is bevelled toward the portion of the casing adapted to surround a screen of a handheld computing device.
9. The cover of any of claims 6 to 8 wherein the rim is concave in profile, preferably at least at a flank of the rim adjacent a screen of the handheld computing device in use.
10. The cover of any of claims 6 to 9 wherein a foot portion of the rim is arranged to be substantially flush with a screen of a handheld computing device in use.
11. The cover of any preceding claim further comprising a foldable part configured to connect between and with the casing and the at least one fascia.
12. The cover of claim 11 wherein a flap section of the foldable part is configured to engage in a closed configuration with the or a rim of the casing.
13. The cover of claim 11 or 12 wherein a shoulder of a flap section of the foldable part is arranged to engage frictionally in a closed configuration with the or a rim of the casing.
14. The cover of any of claims 11 to 13 wherein the foldable part comprises a back section configured to cooperate with a rear face of the casing to form a mechanical connection.
15. The cover of any of claims 11 to 14 wherein a spine of the foldable part is secured to a side face of the casing.
16. The cover of any of claims 11 to 15 wherein a flap section of the foldable part and/or a back section of the foldable part comprise connectors configured to cooperate with the at least one fascia to form a mechanical connection.
17. The cover of any of claims 11 to 16 wherein the foldable part comprises a flap section and a back section that are connected so as to be pivotable relative to one another.
18. The cover of any of claims 11 to 17 wherein the foldable part comprises a single piece of flexible material.
19. The cover of claim 18 wherein a flap section of the foldable part and/or a back section of the foldable part comprises a sheet of rigid of material, preferably embedded in the flexible material.
20. The cover of any preceding claim further comprising a handheld computing device encased therewithin.
21. A handheld computing device comprising a cover according to any of claims 1 to 19.
22. A bill provider comprising a handheld computing device and cover of claim 20 configured to: provide information to a user; receive information from a user; and to facilitate a payment by a user.
23. A cover for a handheld computing device, the cover comprising a rim arranged substantially to surround in use a screen of a handheld computing device.
24. The cover of claim 23 wherein the rim is arranged to project in use from a screen of a handheld computing device.
25. The cover of claim 23 or 24 wherein the rim is bevelled toward a screen of the handheld computing device.
26. The cover of any of claims 23 to 25 wherein the rim is concave in profile, preferably at least at a flank of the rim adjacent a screen of the handheld computing 5 device.
27. The cover of any of claims 23 to 26 wherein a foot portion of the rim is arranged to be substantially flush with a screen of a handheld computing device in use.
28. A method of manufacturing the cover of any of claims 1-20 comprising customising the at least one fascia and/or attaching at least one fascia to the casing.