US20210067190A1

US20210067190A1 - Mobile device cover for use with a host mobile device

Info

Publication number: US20210067190A1
Application number: US17/026,574
Authority: US
Inventors: Thomas E. Coverstone
Original assignee: Star Co Scientific Technologies Advanced Research Co DBA Star Co LLC; Star Co Scientific Technologies Advanced Research Co Directcom DBA Buystarcasecom LLC
Current assignee: Star Co Scientific Technologies Advanced Research Co Directcom DBA Buystarcasecom LLC
Priority date: 2018-05-07
Filing date: 2020-09-21
Publication date: 2021-03-04
Also published as: WO2019217273A1; US20190341957A1; US10784916B2

Abstract

A mobile device cover for use with a host mobile device includes a front frame, a middle frame, and a back frame. The back frame includes a plate or portion that can be removed and interchanged with a second plate or portion. The second plate or portion can be designed to look different and to provide different functionality. For example, the plate or portion of the back frame can be replaced with the second interchangeable plate or portion to provide a screen that can be used by one or both of the mobile device cover and the host mobile device.

Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

Certain embodiments of the disclosure relate to systems and methods for controlling a mobile device cover for use with a mobile device.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Conventional mobile phone covers are passive accessories to mobile phones. They can have static designs and can offer some measure of protection for the mobile phone.
Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditional approaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, through comparison of such systems with the present disclosure as set forth in the remainder of the present application with reference to the drawings.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Some embodiments according to the present disclosure relate to, for example, an active cover for an electronic device or equipment as illustrated by and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims.
Various advantages, aspects and novel features of the present disclosure, as well as details of an illustrated embodiment thereof, will be more fully understood from the following description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A shows an exemplary mobile device cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1B shows a top view of an exemplary mobile device cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1C shows a partially exploded side perspective view of an exemplary mobile device cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1D shows an exploded side perspective view of an exemplary mobile device cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1E shows an exemplary mobile device cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1F shows a front side of a front portion of an exemplary mobile device cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1G shows a front side of a middle portion of an exemplary mobile device cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary circuit arrangement according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary launch screen page of a mobile application according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary front page of a mobile application according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary connection page of a mobile application according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 shows an exemplary instructions page of a mobile application according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 shows an exemplary home page of a mobile application according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 shows an exemplary lightshows page of a mobile application according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 shows an exemplary assigned contacts page of a mobile application according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 shows an exemplary icons page of a mobile application according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11A shows an exemplary scrolling text page of a mobile application according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11B shows another exemplary scrolling text page of a mobile application according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 shows an exemplary add item page of a mobile application according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 13 shows an exemplary notifications-for-applications page of a mobile application according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 shows an exemplary lighting-for-contacts page of a mobile application according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 15 shows an exemplary lightshows-for-contacts page of a mobile application according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 16 shows an exemplary icons-for-contacts page of a mobile application according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 17 shows an exemplary battery page of a mobile application according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 18 shows an exemplary lighting page of a mobile application according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 19 shows an exemplary clock page of a mobile application according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 20 shows an exemplary back design page of a mobile application according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 21 shows an exemplary settings page of a mobile application according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 22 shows an exemplary notifications-for-applications settings page of a mobile application according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 23 shows an exemplary lightshows-for-contacts settings page of a mobile application according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 24 shows an exemplary synchronization/reset page of a mobile application according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 25A shows an exemplary preview as a portion of an exemplary page of a mobile application according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 25B shows an exemplary preview page of a mobile application according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 25C shows an exemplary preview on a mobile device cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 25D shows an exemplary preview on a mobile device cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 25E shows an exemplary preview on a mobile device cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 26 shows a front view of an exemplary middle frame of a mobile device cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 27 shows a back view of an exemplary middle frame of a mobile device cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 28 shows a side view of an exemplary middle frame of a mobile device cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 29 shows a perspective view of an exemplary middle frame of a mobile device cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 30 shows a front view of an exemplary front frame of a mobile device cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 31 shows a back view of an exemplary front frame of a mobile device cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 32 shows a side view of an exemplary front frame of a mobile device cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 33 shows a perspective view of an exemplary front frame of a mobile device cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 34 shows a front view of an exemplary back frame of a mobile device cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 35 shows a back view of an exemplary back frame of a mobile device cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 36 shows a side view of an exemplary back frame of a mobile device cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 37 shows a perspective view of an exemplary back frame of a mobile device cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 38 shows a front view of an exemplary button structure of a mobile device cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 39 shows a back view of an exemplary button structure of a mobile device cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 40 shows a side view of an exemplary button structure of a mobile device cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 41 shows a perspective view of an exemplary button structure of a mobile device cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 42 shows a perspective view of an exemplary middle frame of a mobile device cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 43 shows an exemplary cushion disposed in an exemplary middle frame of a mobile device cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 44 shows an exemplary host mobile device disposed in an exemplary middle frame of a mobile device cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 45 shows an exemplary front frame mounted on an exemplary middle frame of a mobile device cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 46 shows an exemplary port connector disposed in an exemplary middle frame of a mobile device cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 47 shows an exemplary first screw screwed in an exemplary middle frame of a mobile device cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 48 shows an exemplary second screw screwed in an exemplary middle frame of a mobile device cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 49 shows an exemplary battery disposed in an exemplary middle frame of a mobile device cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 50 shows exemplary wires of an exemplary battery disposed in an exemplary middle frame of a mobile device cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 51 shows exemplary wires of an exemplary port connector disposed in an exemplary middle frame of a mobile device cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 52 shows an exemplary printed circuit board mounted over the exemplary battery in an exemplary middle frame of a mobile device cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 53 shows an exemplary printed circuit board mounted over the exemplary battery by an exemplary first screw in an exemplary middle frame of a mobile device cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 54 shows an exemplary printed circuit board mounted over the exemplary battery by an exemplary second screw in an exemplary middle frame of a mobile device cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 55 shows an exemplary button structure disposed in an exemplary middle frame of a mobile device cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 56 shows an exemplary back frame mounted on an exemplary middle frame of a mobile device cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 57 shows an exploded view of an exemplary mobile device cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 58 shows an exploded view of an exemplary mobile device cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 59 shows an exemplary USB-to-connector circuit of a mobile device cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 60 shows an exemplary push button circuit of a mobile device cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 61 shows an exemplary battery charge indicator circuit of a mobile device cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 62 shows an exemplary memory circuit of a mobile device cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 63 shows an exemplary processor circuit of a mobile device cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 64 shows an exemplary battery management circuit of a mobile device cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 65 shows an exemplary power management circuit of a mobile device cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 66 shows an exemplary off/on and/or reset circuit of a mobile device cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 67 shows an exemplary clock circuit of a mobile device cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 68 shows an exemplary Bluetooth circuit of a mobile device cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 69 shows an exemplary LED driver circuit of a mobile device cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 70A shows an exemplary LED array of a mobile device cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 70B shows an exemplary LED array of a mobile device cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 70C shows an exemplary LED array of a mobile device cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 70D shows an exemplary LED array of a mobile device cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 71 shows an exemplary multi-layer printed circuit board of a mobile device cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 72 shows an exemplary top layer of a multi-layer printed circuit board of a mobile device cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 73 shows an exemplary second layer of a multi-layer printed circuit board of a mobile device cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 74 shows an exemplary third layer of a multi-layer printed circuit board of a mobile device cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 75 shows an exemplary bottom layer of a multi-layer printed circuit board of a mobile device cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 76 shows an exemplary removable portion of a back frame of a mobile device cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 77A shows an exemplary removable portion of a back frame of a mobile device cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 77B shows an exemplary removable portion of a back frame of a mobile device cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 78A shows an exemplary removable portion of a back frame of a mobile device cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 78B shows an exemplary removable portion of a back frame of a mobile device cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 79A shows an exemplary removable portion of a back frame of a mobile device cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 79B shows an exemplary removable portion of a back frame of a mobile device cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 79C shows an exemplary removable portion of a back frame of a mobile device cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 79D shows an exemplary removable portion of a back frame of a mobile device cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 79E shows an exemplary removable portion of a back frame of a mobile device cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 79F shows an exemplary removable portion of a back frame of a mobile device cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 80A shows an exemplary removable back frame of a mobile device cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 80B shows an exemplary removable back frame of a mobile device cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 81 shows an exemplary removable back cover of a host mobile device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

As utilized herein the terms “circuit” and “circuitry” refer to physical electronic components (i.e., hardware) and any software and/or firmware (“code”) which may configure the hardware, be executed by the hardware, and/or otherwise be associated with the hardware. As utilized herein, “and/or” means any one or more of the items in the list joined by “and/or”. As an example, “x and/or y” means any element of the three-element set {(x), (y), (x, y)}. As another example, “x, y, and/or z” means any element of the seven-element set {(x), (y), (z), (x, y), (x, z), (y, z), (x, y, z)}. As utilized herein, the term “exemplary” means serving as a non-limiting example, instance, or illustration. As utilized herein, the terms “e.g.,” and “for example” set off lists of one or more non-limiting examples, instances, or illustrations.
As utilized herein the terms “circuits” and “circuitry” refer to physical electronic components (i.e., hardware) and any software and/or firmware (“code”) that may configure the hardware, be executed by the hardware, and or otherwise be associated with the hardware. As used herein, for example, a particular processor and memory (e.g., a volatile or non-volatile memory device, a general computer-readable medium, etc.) may comprise a first “circuit” when executing a first one or more lines of code and may comprise a second “circuit” when executing a second one or more lines of code. Additionally, a circuit may comprise analog and/or digital circuitry. Such circuitry may, for example, operate on analog and/or digital signals. It should be understood that a circuit may be in a single device or chip, on a single motherboard, in a single chassis, in a plurality of enclosures at a single geographical location, in a plurality of enclosures distributed over a plurality of geographical locations, etc. Similarly, the term “module” may, for example, refer to a physical electronic components (i.e., hardware) and any software and/or firmware (“code”) that may configure the hardware, be executed by the hardware, and or otherwise be associated with the hardware.
As utilized herein, circuitry is “operable” to perform a function whenever the circuitry comprises the necessary hardware and code (if any is necessary) to perform the function, regardless of whether performance of the function is disabled, or not enabled (e.g., by a user-configurable setting, factory setting or trim, etc.).
As utilized herein, “and/or” means any one or more of the items in the list joined by “and/or”. As an example, “x and/or y” means any element of the three-element set {(x), (y), (x, y)}. That is, “x and/or y” means “one or both of x and y.” As another example, “x, y, and/or z” means any element of the seven-element set {(x), (y), (z), (x, y), (x, z), (y, z), (x, y, z)}. That is, “x, y, and/or x” means “one or more of x, y, and z.” As utilized herein, the terms “e.g.,” and “for example,” “exemplary,” and the like set off lists of or provide one or more non-limiting examples, instances, or illustrations.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular examples only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “includes,” “comprising,” “including,” “has,” “have,” “having,” and the like when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. Thus, for example, a first element, a first component or a first section discussed below could be termed a second element, a second component or a second section without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure. Similarly, various spatial terms, such as “upper,” “lower,” “side,” and the like, may be used in distinguishing one element from another element in a relative manner. It should be understood, however, that components may be oriented in different manners, for example an electronic device may be turned sideways so that its “top” surface is facing horizontally and its “side” surface is facing vertically, without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure.
The drawings are of illustrative embodiments. They do not illustrate all embodiments. Other embodiments may be used in addition to or instead of the illustrative embodiments. Details that may be apparent or unnecessary may be omitted to save space or for more effective illustration. Some embodiments may be practiced with additional components or steps and/or without all of the components or steps that are illustrated.
Some embodiments according to the present disclosure provide, for example, suitable logic, circuitry, code, and/or combinations thereof that may be adapted to perform the functions or acts described herein.
Some embodiments according to the present disclosure may relate to, for example, systems and methods that provide an active cover for an electronic device or equipment. Some embodiments contemplate that the active cover and the electronic device or equipment can communicate (e.g., digitally communicate) with each other. Some embodiments contemplate that the active cover and the electronic device or equipment can power themselves, for example, via direct current (DC) power supplies (e.g., rechargeable batteries) and/or via alternating current (AC) power supplies (e.g., wall outlets). Some embodiments further contemplate that one or both of the active cover and the electronic device or equipment can power and/or recharge the other.
Some embodiments according to the present disclosure provide that the active cover can sense when the electronic device is generating an alert or receiving a message, a notification, a call, an email, and/or an indication, and can provide an enhanced alert or indication (e.g., audible and/or visual alert or indication) instead of or in addition to the generated alert or indication of the electronic device. The active cover can provide a visual display (e.g., patterns of lights, animated icons, animated emojis, lightshows, scrolling text, video, etc.), display information (e.g., a message, a notification, and/or an indication) received from the electronic device on a graphical user interface (e.g., a touch-sensitive screen), generate a sound (e.g., voice, musical note, audible tone, etc.), and/or vibrate.
Some embodiments according to the present disclosure contemplate that the active cover includes a mobile device cover for use with, for example, a host mobile device (e.g., a cellular handset, a cellular device, a smartphone, a wireless phone, a wireless device, a wireless handset, a multimode phone, a mobile phone compliant with multiple wireless communication standards, a mobile phone equipped with a global positioning system, a multiple-input-multiple-output phone, a wireless communication device, a two-way radio, a communication device with one or more antennas, etc.). The systems and methods disclosed herein can also be used with, for example, tablets, tablet computers, laptops, computers, computing devices, and other devices as well. The systems and methods can be used with stationary devices such as, for example, desktop computers and stationary monitors and/or displays as well. Some embodiments according to the present disclosure that the functionality of the active cover can be directly implemented into the host mobile device, for example, as part of the housing of the host mobile device.
Some embodiments according to the present disclosure contemplate that, during a host mobile device alert or event, an active mobile device cover can provide its own alert or indication according to signals (e.g., alert signals, indication signals, data, digital signals, etc.) received from the host mobile device. The active mobile device cover may also light in a distinct or random pattern such as, for example, any arrangement, sequence, etc. using one or more lights (e.g., illuminating devices, display devices, lighting devices, light emitting diodes (LEDs), liquid crystal displays (LCDs), etc.) in which different colors, brightness, intensities, etc. form shapes, images, icons, emojis, text, alphanumeric text, video, messages, notifications, etc. that are either static or moving (e.g., animated), for example. The lights may be individual or distinct lighting devices or may be part of or form at least a portion of a screen or a display of the active mobile device cover. In some embodiments, the distinct or random patterns can be illuminated according to the sound, sound signal, alert data, digital signal, caller, contact, notification, etc., and/or other information generated by the host mobile device, and received by the active mobile device cover, for example. In some embodiments, a distinct pattern can be assigned (e.g., manually by a user or automatically) to an associated sound, sound signal, alert, alert signal, digital signal, and/or other information. For example, a distinct pattern can be assigned to a particular ring tone, ring tone signal, contact information (e.g., telephone number, email address, etc.), etc. A random pattern can be assigned to and/or associated with particular sounds, sound signals, alerts, alert signals, digital signals, callers, contacts, notifications, etc., and/or other information. For example, a random pattern or selected pattern can be assigned to a particular ring tone or ring tone signal of the host mobile device, or to a particular source (e.g., telephone number, caller ID, email address, IP address, etc.) of a message, email, call, etc. The random pattern can also be assigned to unassigned identifiers (e.g., telephone numbers, email addresses, IP addresses, source identifiers, etc.) or unrecognized and/or unknown identifiers. In addition to enhancing the look and feel of the outside of the host mobile device, the active mobile device cover provides the user with superior sensory input over the host mobile device alone, and/or protect the host mobile device from drops, scratches, etc.
Some embodiments according to the present disclosure provide a mobile device cover with lights such as light emitting diodes (LEDs) which can be part of and/or form different types of displays (e.g., organic LED (OLED) screens, RGB LED screens, LCD displays, LED indicator lights, touch-sensitive displays, screens, etc.), or other light sources or displays.
Some embodiments according to the present disclosure provide a mobile application that runs on a host mobile device. The mobile application provides a graphical user interface including one or more graphical elements that are used to control the mobile device cover and the host mobile device.
FIG. 1A shows an exemplary mobile device cover 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1A, the mobile device cover 100 (e.g., a cover, a case, a shell, a protector, etc.) is physically and/or electrically connected to a host mobile device 110. In some embodiments, the mobile device cover 100 is wirelessly connected to the host mobile device 110. In some embodiments according to the present disclosure, the host mobile device 110 (not shown in FIG. 1A except for a camera 125 and a sensor 135 on a back side 185 of the host mobile device 110) may be slipped inside or inserted into the mobile device cover 100, or the mobile device cover 100 can be snapped on or stretched around, at least in part, or otherwise can be fit around, at least in part, the host mobile device 110. FIGS. 1F and 1G show front sides of a front portion 145 and a middle portion 153 of the mobile device cover 100 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring to FIGS. 1F and 1G, the host mobile device 110 (not shown) can be inserted or locked in between the guides 165 of the middle portion 153. Although some embodiments contemplate a via in the mobile device cover 100 through which a female connector (e.g., a female USB-type connector) of the host mobile device can be accessed, other embodiments contemplate the mobile device cover 100 with a connector 175 (e.g., a lightning connector, a USB-type connector, a data connector, a recharging connector, multi-pin connector, etc.) that mates with the female connector of the host mobile device 110 to provide a connection (e.g., a power connection, a physical connection, an electrical connection, a signal connection, a synchronization connection, etc.). In some embodiments, the connector 175 provides a connection (e.g., electrical connection, data connection, etc.) between circuits in the host mobile device 110 and the mobile device cover 100. For example, the batteries in the host mobile device 110 and the mobile device cover 100 can charge each other via the connector 175 and/or other ports, for example. In some embodiments, the connector 175 is part of a connector assembly that includes a connector element 148, a coupler 149, and a port 147. In addition to or instead of the connector 175, the host mobile device 110 and the mobile device cover 100 can communicate wirelessly (e.g., Bluetooth communication, near field communication (NFC), other radio frequency (RF) communication (e.g., Wi-Fi), infrared communication, etc.) with each other, as mentioned below. In some embodiments, the front side 145 of the mobile device cover 100 can be interlocked with the middle portion 153 of the mobile device cover 100 with the host mobile device 110 there between. As noted before, the main display of the host mobile device 110 may or may not be covered by a transparent material of the mobile device cover 100. In some embodiments, a window 195 is provided in the front portion 145 of the mobile device cover 100 so that the user can directly touch the display (e.g., touch-sensitive screen) of the host mobile device 110.
In some embodiments, the mobile device cover 100 can be an accessory to the host mobile device 110. In some embodiments, the mobile device cover 100 can be an accessory that is operable while separate from the host mobile device 110. The accessory can be in wireless communication with the host mobile device 110. In some embodiments, the mobile device cover 100 and the host mobile device 110 can be controlled via inputs (e.g., buttons, touch-sensitive screens, capacitive touch, sliders, graphical elements on graphical user interfaces, etc.) located on the mobile device cover 100, the host mobile device 110, a mobile application running on the host mobile device 110, a mobile application running on the mobile device case 100, a wired and/or wireless signal sent to the host mobile device 110, a wired and/or wireless signal sent to the mobile device cover 100, etc. The wireless signal can include, for example, Bluetooth signals, IEEE 802.11 signals, wireless local area network (WLAN) signals, wireless personal area network (PAN) signals, Zigbee signals, infrared signals, RF signals, etc. sent to the mobile device cover 100, the host mobile device 110, etc. Accordingly, the mobile device cover 100 and/or the host mobile device 110 include, for example, antennas and circuits (e.g., processors, wireless hardware, transceivers, transmitters, receivers, etc.) to support wireless communication between them 100, 110, and/or between the mobile device cover 100, the host mobile device 110, and/or other wireless devices (e.g., wireless speakers, wireless microphones, wireless headphones, wireless earbuds, wireless displays, base stations, access points, wireless networks, etc.).
Referring to FIG. 1A, a back side 158 of the back portion 155 (e.g., back cover) of an exemplary mobile device cover 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The back portion 155 of the mobile device cover 100 has lights 160. The lights 160 can form, be a part of, and/or illuminate a screen (e.g., a main screen or display, indicator lights, light patterns, etc.) and can emit different colors with different intensities at different times. The lights 160 can also form, be a part of, and/or illuminate another screen 132 or an extension of the main screen along an edge 130 (e.g., a beveled edge, a chamfered edge, a side, a lateral side, a border of the screen 162, etc.) of the mobile device cover 100. Further, the lights 160 can illuminate beads 180 with different colors as indicator lights, for example. The beads 180 can be colored or not, and can be at least partially transparent, for example. In some instances, the beads 180 can take the configuration of letters, numbers, and/or shapes and can be flat or raised in structure. The beads 180 can be used as part of a Braille reader system, for example. In some instances, the beads 180 can include, for example, LED or light covers. In some examples, the beads 180 can be flat transparent plastic windows that can be positioned over lights 160. In such an instance, the beads 180 can be colored, and/or the lights 160 can provide color through colorless, transparent beads 180. In some embodiments, the beads 180 can be disposed throughout the back cover 155 of the mobile device cover 100 so that the beads 180 can be illuminated in particular colors, patterns, and/or intensities at particular times and/or in response to certain alerts or other information (e.g., digital signals, digital data, analog signals, etc.) received from the host mobile device 110.
In some embodiments, when the host mobile device 110 and the mobile device cover 100 are operatively coupled, the mobile device cover 100 can provide indicators and/or data (e.g., digital data, video data, streaming data, etc.) from the host mobile device 110 to the user via output interfaces (e.g., lights, screens, speakers, etc.) of the mobile device cover 100. In some embodiments, when the host mobile device 110 and the mobile device cover 100 are operatively coupled, the mobile device cover 100 and the host mobile device 110 are in one- or two-way digital and/or analog data communication. The mobile device cover 100 can display information, data, and/or content (e.g., multimedia content, video content, streaming content, social media content, scrolling text, etc.) received from the host mobile device 110. Further, the host mobile device 110 can display information, data, and/or content received from the mobile device cover 100. The host mobile device 110 and/or the mobile device cover 100 can cause information, data, and/or content to be displayed on the host mobile device 110. Further, the host mobile device 110 and/or the mobile device cover 100 can cause information, data, and/or content to be displayed on the mobile device cover 100. The information, data, and/or content can be received from the host mobile device 110, the mobile device cover 100, another device, and/or a third party, such as a mobile application, a website, etc. FIG. 1E shows an embodiment of the mobile device cover 100 in which the back cover 1030 includes the lights 160 forming a touch-screen display 162 that can be similar or the same as the display that can be shown on the main display of the host mobile device 110. Thus, for example, the touch-screen display 162 of the mobile device cover 100 can operate in a same or similar manner (e.g., same or similar graphical user interface, graphical elements, touch-and-feel, etc.) as the main display of the host mobile device 110. The touch-screen display 162 of the mobile device cover 100 can provide the same or similar array of icons 164 as the main display of the host mobile device 110, for example, or can be completely different. This can be useful, for example, if the display of the host mobile device 110 is being used for another purpose (e.g., playing a video, taking a call, work use, personal use, etc.), but the user wants to access other mobile applications. For example, the host mobile device 110 can be used to operate a GPS navigation application, while the mobile device cover 100 is being used to watch a movie or to stream video. Further, since the host mobile device 110 and the mobile device cover 100 can be in wireless communication, the mobile device cover 100 can be detached from the host mobile device 110 while watching the movie or streaming video, for example.
Referring to FIG. 1A, when the host mobile device 110 is receiving an incoming call, for example, beads 180 that form the word “CALL” on the back cover 155 of the mobile device cover 100 can be illuminated, caused to flicker, flash, etc. If a calendar event notification is activated or received by the host mobile device 110, for example, the beads 180 that form the word “ALERT” can be illuminated, caused to flicker, flash, etc. If a text message is received by the host mobile device 110, for example, the beads 180 that form the word “TEXT” can be illuminated, caused to flicker, flash, etc. These events and others (e.g., social media postings or messages, changes in sports scores, news items, emails, SMS messages, etc.) can also be displayed on the touch-screen display 162. The beads 180 can also be illuminated different colors and with different intensities to indicate different degrees of urgency. For example, if the alert is urgent (e.g., an email sent with “high importance”), the beads 180 that form the word “ALERT” can flash red and/or with increased intensity to indicate urgency. In another example, if the incoming call or text message is not from an important person, which can be designated via programming, user settings, user configurations, user preferences, etc., the corresponding beads 180 can be illuminated a dim blue. In some embodiments, the mobile device cover 100 can determine the identity of the caller or the message sender via electrical signals, sound signals, acoustic signals, wireless signals, digital signals, etc. received from the host mobile device 110. In some embodiments, the host mobile device 110 can determine the identity of the caller or the message sender and send a data signal corresponding to and/or identifying the caller or the message sender to the mobile device cover 100 as well as other information (e.g., voice mail, text message, indications of importance, etc.). Further, the user may be notified as to the name, number, email address, etc. of the sender or source of the alert, text, email, or other notification via the lights 160, beads 180, or other output devices (e.g., speakers, screens, vibration, etc.) of the mobile device cover 100.
In some embodiments, the mobile device cover 100 can be configured to provide video (e.g., live streaming video, streaming video, stored video, etc.) and/or other information (e.g., digital data, messages, news, alerts, etc.) on one or more screens. The video can be provided via the host mobile device 110, for example, or some other source to which the mobile device cover 100 and/or the host mobile device 110 is operatively coupled. For example, the mobile device cover 100 can have its own wireless link with an access point (e.g., an IEEE 802.11-compliant access point) or a base station (e.g., a cellular base station, a portable base station, etc.) from which to download media content. The mobile device cover 100 can also include memory storage (e.g., non-transitory memory storage, solid state memory storage, removable memory sticks, disks, cards, etc.) on which resides media content for playing or displaying on the screen of the mobile device cover 100 and/or the host mobile device 110. The video can be, for example, stored on the host mobile device 110 or can be streamed via a wireless link (e.g., cellular link, WIFI link, IEEE 802.11 link, wireless local area network (WLAN) link, Bluetooth link, RF link, etc.) with a content provider or a third party application. In some embodiments, closed captioning or subtitles can scroll along the main screen 162 which can include and/or be supplemented with one or more screens 132 on one or more edges 130 of the mobile device cover 100. In some embodiments, the mobile device cover 100 can be configured to provide an alert of a received video message and to play the video message on the screen 162 of the mobile device cover 100. The screen 162 of the mobile device cover 100 can be substantially independent or can substantially mirror the screen of the host mobile device 110. The screens 162, 132 can be incorporated into the housing of the electronic device. Further, the screen 162 of the mobile device cover 100 can be touch-sensitive and employ graphical elements of a graphical user interface. Thus, for example, a user input via the touch-sensitive screen 162 of the mobile device cover 100 can provide a user input to the host mobile device 110 and/or the mobile device cover 100. The screen of the mobile device cover 100 can be set up to substantially mirror the screen of the host mobile device 110 or to operate independently of the screen of the host mobile device 110. Content or material can also be displayed on the mobile device cover 100 and/or the host mobile device 110 that is from an application on the host mobile device 110, for example. For example, if the user has access to a sports application running on the host mobile device 110 that shows sports videos, television channels, movie channels, or live events on the host mobile device 110, the video may be displayed on the host mobile device 110 and/or the mobile device cover 100.
Some embodiments provide that digital signals can be received or provided by the host mobile device 110 and forwarded to the mobile device cover 100 for storage, processing, and/or output (e.g., on a display, lights, a speaker, a vibrating mechanism, etc.). For example, in addition to multimedia data, some embodiments provide that data (e.g., alphanumeric data, indicators, control data, source information, etc.) can be received or provided by the host mobile device 110 and forwarded to the mobile device cover 100 for storage, processing, and/or output. For example, the edge screen 132 (or any other screen or display comprising lights 160 on the mobile device cover 100) can be configured to scroll information relating to news, sports, live or recorded events or movies, stocks, weather, calendar events, text messages, alerts, email, social media messages (e.g., messages or posts from mobile applications or websites such as Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram, etc.), etc. In some embodiments, the information can scroll around one or more edge screens 132 around the mobile device cover 100. In some embodiments, the host mobile device 110 can be set to periodically receive or retrieve sports data (e.g., scores, news items, etc.) or other types of data. The data can be from, for example, websites, mobile applications, other host mobile devices, etc. The host mobile device 110 can send sports data, for example, to the mobile device cover 100; and the mobile device cover 100 can display or scroll the data across the edge screen 132 of the mobile device cover 100 or display or scroll on the screen 162. In some embodiments, the edge screen 132 can be touch-sensitive, thereby allowing the user to tap or swipe an email notification and read a scrolling email on the edge screen 132 or on another display (e.g., the main display 162 on the back cover 155) of the mobile device cover 100. In some embodiments, the data can flow across the edge screen 132 in response to a finger sweeping motion along the edge touch-sensitive screen 132. In one embodiment, an incoming text message can be indicated by the beads 180 forming the word “TEXT” being illuminated by lights 160, the sender of the incoming text can be displayed on the edge screen 132, and the text of the text message can be displayed on the main screen 162 on the back cover 155 of the mobile device cover 100. In one embodiment, alphanumeric letters are displayed on the screen on the back cover 155 and the edge 130, either simultaneously or independently, indicating that a text message has been received and possibly displaying the sender's name, the sender's associated icon (e.g., icon, emoji, animated icon, animated emoji, etc.), the sender's associated image (e.g., sender's picture), the sender's subject, the sender's header, the sender's body text, the sender's partial or full text, etc. A text or email icon can be displayed instead of the words TEXT, for example. The display can also be a series of LEDs forming a grid to accommodate lights show, scrolling text, etc.
The edge screen 132 can be configured to scroll completely or partially around the mobile device cover 100 and/or along one or more of its edges 130. In some embodiments, the edge 130 can be segmented or partitioned so that the right edge portion is reserved for a first subject (e.g., stocks), the left edge portion is reserved for a second subject (e.g., sports), the bottom edge portion is reserved for a third subject (e.g., email), and the top edge portion is reserved for a fourth subject (e.g., calendar items, alerts, etc.), for example. Within each segment, the edge screen 132 can scroll the data. In some embodiments, the user can program and/or select which subject is displayed on each individual segment on the mobile device cover 100. In some embodiments, the user can program the mobile device cover 100 so that it decides on which segment to display a particular subject (e.g., incoming call, incoming text, incoming email, incoming message, mobile device notification, mobile device accessory notifications, music or other audio notifications, social media notifications, etc.).
FIG. 1B shows a top view of an exemplary mobile device cover 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 1C shows a partially exploded side perspective view of an exemplary mobile device cover 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Referring to FIGS. 1B and 1C, the mobile device cover 100 can be adapted, for example, to provide physical vias (e.g., access openings and windows) through which various input interfaces and output interfaces of the host mobile device 110 can be accessed without detaching the mobile device cover 100 from the host mobile device 110. In some embodiments, the mobile device cover 100 may provide a physical opening to access a display, a camera, a button, a control, other input/output (I/O) interfaces, etc. of the host mobile device 110. In some embodiments, the mobile device cover 100 does not cover the main display of the host mobile device 110 when the mobile device cover 110 is attached to the host mobile device 110. In some embodiments, the mobile device cover 100 may provide a transparent or partially transparent cover portion, for example, over a display or other portions of the host mobile device 110. The transparent cover portion can be made of materials that, for example, do not interfere with the operation of any of the touch screens, speakers, and/or buttons of the host mobile device 110. In some embodiments, the materials can be substantially transparent to wireless communication links used by the host mobile device 110 and/or the mobile device cover 100. The transparent cover portion may also protect areas of the host mobile device 110 such as touch screens from scratches or other damage.
Some embodiments according to the present disclosure may provide that the mobile device cover 100 is made of one or more of the following materials: silicone, rubber, metal, plastic, polymers, polycarbonate, composites, cloth, metal, wood, acrylic, glass, plexiglass, and/or other materials. The cover material may be, at least in part, opaque or transparent. The cover material may assist a user in gripping the host mobile device 110 and may protect the host mobile device 110. The cover material may be, for example, one or more of the following: shock resistant, shock proof, shatter proof, shatter resistant, dust resistant, dust proof, water resistant, water proof, etc. In some embodiments, the mobile device cover 100 may be made up of multiple pieces (e.g., portions 100 a, 100 b, 100 c, one or more printed circuit boards, housings, etc.), as shown in FIGS. 1B and 1C. In some embodiments, the multiple pieces of the mobile device cover 100 interlock together to house, become the back panel of the host mobile device 110, and/or to connect (e.g., physically and/or electrically connect, snap, interlock, etc.) to the host mobile device 110.
Referring to FIGS. 1B and 1C, the mobile device cover 100 can include, for example, circuitry 150 and lights 160 disposed on one or more printed circuit boards. In some embodiments, the circuitry 150 can include one or more of the following: one or more processors, one or more non-transitory memories, signal processors, light control circuitry, light drive circuitry, battery recharging circuitry, battery control circuitry, display control circuitry, sensors, input interface circuitry, output interface circuitry, digital-to-analog converters, analog-to-digital converters, wired transceivers, wireless transceivers, input/output ports, input/output interfaces, and antennas. The one or more non-transitory memories can be configured to store, for example, data (e.g., input data, data received from the host mobile device 110, stored reference data, stored configuration data, stored personal data, etc.) and processor-executable instructions or code for use with the one or more processors. The circuitry 150 can be connected, for example, to and/or can include the lights 160. Some embodiments provide that the lights can include one or more of the following: LEDs, flexible active-matrix OLEDs (AMOLEDs), OLEDs, phosphor-based LEDs, white LEDs (WLEDs), multi-color WLEDs, semiconductor LEDs, other types of LEDs, LCDs, LCD touch screens, electroluminescence, pixel displays, etc., and can be arranged or used in a specific pattern, array, sequence, etc. Some embodiments provide that the lights can be raised or provide bumpy surfaces suitable for use in a Braille system. Various components and/or elements of the circuitry 150 can be connected to each other through one or more buses, for example.
The mobile device cover 100 can also include, for example, a battery 170 (e.g., a rechargeable battery) that can be used to power, for example, the circuitry 150, the lights 160, and any other circuitry or components in the mobile device cover 100 and/or the host mobile device 110. The battery 170 can also be used to power the host mobile device 110 and/or to recharge a battery in the host mobile device 110. In some embodiments, the mobile device cover 100 does not have a battery and instead can be powered by the host mobile device 110. Some embodiments according to the present disclosure provide that the battery 170 can be rechargeable or not rechargeable. If not rechargeable, the battery 170 can be replaced. Some embodiments of the battery 170 include, for example, a lithium battery, an alkaline battery, a silver-oxide battery, nickel cadmium battery, nickel metal hydride battery, lithium ion battery, lithium ion polymer battery, etc. If rechargeable, then the battery 170 can be recharged, for example, by drawing energy from one or more interfaces of the host mobile device 110 (e.g., an audio port, an earphone jack, a docking port (e.g., a USB-type port, a lightning connector port, a power and signaling connection port, etc.), a wireless charging pad, etc.). The battery 170 can also be recharged by drawing energy separate from or independent of the host mobile device 110. Similarly, a rechargeable battery of the host mobile device 110 can be charged through one or more interfaces of the host mobile device 110 that are electrically or wirelessly connected to the mobile device cover 100. The rechargeable battery of the host mobile device 110 can also be recharged by drawing energy separate from or independent of the host mobile device 110.
For example, independent of whether the mobile device cover 100 is connected to the host mobile device 110, the mobile device cover 100 can be separately plugged into a wall outlet or wirelessly charged at a wireless charging station. The mobile device cover 100 can also be charged by plugging it into a computer, a charger bank, a generator, etc. via a USB-type connection, for example. The battery 170 of the mobile device cover 100 can be charged by a piezoelectric battery charger, for example. In some embodiments, the piezoelectric battery charger can convert force (e.g., caused by pressure, movements, mechanical forces, etc.) into electrical energy for use by the battery 170. Some embodiments contemplate converting other types of energy (e.g., sound energy, light energy, electromagnetic energy, magnetic energy, thermal energy, moving air, wireless energy, etc.) into electrical energy to charge the battery 170. In some embodiments, the mobile device cover 100 can utilize charging methods such as conductive and inductive charging.
In some embodiments, the battery 170 of the mobile device cover 100 can also be recharged when the host mobile device 110 is wirelessly or wiredly connected to a power source (e.g., AC and/or DC power source). For example, the battery 170 of the mobile device cover 100 can be recharged when the host mobile device 110 is connected to a wall outlet, for example, such as when a docking port of the host mobile device 110 is connected to a wall outlet. The battery 170 may receive energy directly from the wall outlet (e.g., via connecting the mobile device cover 100 directly to the wall outlet) or indirectly from the wall outlet through the host mobile device 110. In addition, the battery 170 may receive energy when a docking port or some other interface of the host mobile device 110 is connected to a computer while electrically or wirelessly connected to the mobile device cover 100. Some embodiments according to the present disclosure contemplate that the circuitry 150 receives power from the host mobile device 110 without using the battery 170 or in combination with the battery 170. Thus, some embodiments according to the present disclosure might not have a dedicated battery as part of the mobile device cover 100, or might use the battery 170 as a back-up power source.
In some embodiments, just as the battery 170 of the mobile device cover 100 can draw on energy from the host mobile device 110, the battery of the host mobile device 110 can draw on energy from the mobile device cover 100 to recharge the battery of the host mobile device 110 or to supplement power to the host mobile device 110. For example, as rechargeable batteries age, they are less capable of fully powering the main processor on the host mobile device 110. The aging batteries have reduced full charge capacity and provide less power, voltage, and/or current during normal operation. As a result, some processors (e.g., central processor, graphics processor, general processor, dedicate processor, etc.) will enter a power-save mode in which processor speed (e.g., clock speed) and/or load capacity (e.g., peak load) are reduced to conserve power and/or energy which is detrimental to performance and/or inconvenient to the user. In such a situation, the host mobile device 110 can supplement the power and capacity of its own battery with the battery 170 of the mobile device cover 100, thereby avoiding the power-save mode of the processor of the host mobile device 110 or vice versa. Accordingly, the processors in the host mobile device 110 can continue to operate at normal operation speeds and load capacities. Further, by supplementing power and capacity of the host mobile device 100, the battery 170 of the mobile device cover and the battery of the host mobile device 110 can be used to power a turbo mode in the processor of the host mobile device 110 or vice versa. For example, in turbo mode, the processor (e.g., a central processor, a graphics processor, a general processor, a dedicated processor, etc.) of the host mobile device 110 can operate at one or more of the following: a higher voltage, a higher current, a higher power, a higher load capacity, and/or a higher clock speed than during normal operation. During turbo mode, the host mobile device 110 and/or the mobile device cover 100 can operate with greater performance and can perform more processor-intensive applications.
In some embodiments, when the host mobile device 110 is electrically connected to the mobile device cover 100 (e.g., when the host mobile device 110 has been inserted into the mobile device cover 110) and the mobile device cover 100 is plugged into a wall outlet, for example, the battery 170 of the mobile device cover 100 and the battery of the host mobile device 110 charge at the same time. In some embodiments, the battery of the host mobile device 110 charges without a decrease in charge speed even when the host mobile device 110 and the mobile device cover 100 are charged at the same time via the electrical connection (e.g., via a port 147) of the mobile device cover 100 to the wall plug, for example.
FIG. 1D shows an exploded side perspective view of an exemplary mobile device cover 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the circuitry 150 can be embedded in the mobile device cover 100. In some embodiments, the circuitry 150 may include, for example, one or more circuit boards 150 a including, for example, one or more of the following: one or more processors, circuit elements or components, an integrated circuit, an integrated circuit chip, a system on a chip, etc. The circuitry 150 may also include, for example, one or more sensors 150 b (e.g., an audio sensor, a signal sensor, an optical sensor, a wireless signal sensor, a wireless receiver, a wireless transceiver, an electrical sensor, a power sensor, a battery sensor, an electromagnetic sensor, a vibration sensor, gyroscope sensor, iris scanner, fingerprint sensor, accelerometer, proximity sensor, barometer, hear rate sensor, a biometric sensor, etc.). Components 150 a and 150 b can be part of the same circuit board or can be part of separate circuit boards, for example, that are connected to form, in part, the mobile device cover 100. A sensor can be part of components 150 a, 150 b, or both. In some embodiments, the mobile device cover 100 can include multiple circuit boards or multiple-layered circuit boards.
FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary circuit arrangement according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 2, a simplified block diagram is shown of the circuitry 150. The circuitry 150 may include one or more of the following: a processor 200, a memory 210, an I/O device 220, a bus 230, driver circuitry 240, and lights 160. The processor 200, the memory 210, the I/O device 220, the driver circuitry 240, and the lights 160 can be coupled to each other via one or more buses 230. The circuitry 150 can include more or less than one processor 200, one memory 210, one I/O device 220, one bus 230, one driver circuit 240, and two lights 160 as illustrated in FIG. 2. Thus, some embodiments contemplate employing different numbers of various elements of the circuitry 150.
The driver circuitry 240 can include, for example, one or more of the following: light drivers, LED drivers, shift registers, constant current supply, constant voltage supply, switching supply, FET amplifier, BJT amplifier, etc. In addition, some embodiments according to the present disclosure contemplate using a plurality of sensors, processors, memories, and/or driver circuits. Some embodiments provide that the driver circuitry 240 can be part of the processor 200 and, in some embodiments, can take the place of the processor 200. Some embodiments provide that the driver circuitry 240 and other circuitry can be incorporated into a system on a chip (SOC). In some embodiments, the driver circuitry 240 can be configured to control any amount or arrangement of similar or different lights 160, including a full display (e.g., a touch-sensitive screen, LED screen, etc.). In some embodiments, the driver circuitry 240 can be configured to power any number or arrangement of similar or different lights 160.
The I/O device 220 can include, for example, one or more of the following: an input device (e.g., a button), a touch-screen display, a wired and/or wireless transceiver (e.g., cellular transceiver, Bluetooth transceiver, WLAN transceiver, etc.), a wired and/or wireless transmitter, a wired and/or wireless receiver, an antenna, a speaker, a microphone, an I/O port (e.g., earbud port, earphone port, microphone port, speaker port, etc.), an I/O interface, data connector port, power connector port, wired and/or wireless communication device, GPS receiver, a network interface, etc.
The processor 200 can include, for example, one or more of the following: a general processor, a central processing unit, a digital filter, a microprocessor, a digital processor, a digital signal processor, a microcontroller, a programmable array logic device, a complex programmable logic device, a field-programmable gate array and an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and a memory (e.g., a cache). Code, instructions, software, firmware, and/or data including, for example, a mobile application may be processed and/or executed by the processor 200 to perform any of the operations, functions, and/or features described in the present disclosure. Further, the code, instructions, software, firmware, and/or data including, for example, the mobile application may be stored in the processor 200 and/or the memory 210. The code, instructions, software, firmware, and/or data can be automatically or manually updated, upgraded, modified, replaced, overwritten, supplemented, etc. via a wireless or wired connection.
The memory 210 can include, for example, one or more of the following: a non-transitory memory, a non-transitory processor readable medium, a non-transitory computer readable medium, a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), DRAM, EPROM, EEPROM, F-RAM, FIFO, NVRAM, SRAM, a cache, a semiconductor memory, a magnetic memory, an optical memory, a flash memory, a flash card, a compact flash card, memory cards, secure digital memory cards, a microcard, a minicard, an expansion card, a smart card, a memory stick, a multimedia card, a picture card, flash storage, a subscriber identity module (SIM) card, a hard drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), etc. The memory 210 may be configured to store code, instructions, software, firmware, and data for use by the processor 200 and may be external, internal, or both with respect to the processor 200. In some embodiments, the memory 210 also stores a mobile application, settings, parameters, values, lightshows, icons (e.g., icons, emojis, graphical elements, etc.), animations, scrolling text, etc. Further, the code, instructions, software, firmware, and/or data can be automatically or manually updated, upgraded, modified, replaced, overwritten, supplemented, etc. via a wireless or wired connection.
FIGS. 26-41 show exemplary parts of an exemplary mobile device cover 100 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.
FIGS. 26-29 show different views of an exemplary middle frame 2600 of the mobile device cover 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, FIGS. 26-29 show a front view 2630, a back view 2700, a side view 2800, and a perspective view 2900, respectively, of the middle frame 2600 of the mobile device cover 100 according to the present disclosure. The middle frame 2600 and other components of the mobile device cover 100 can be made of, for example, one or more of the following: plastic, metal, composite materials, alloys, wood, cloth, fibers, glass, plexiglass, resin, rubber, etc., and/or one or more other materials. Referring to FIGS. 26-29, the front of middle frame 2600 can include, for example, guides 2620 configured to receive the host mobile device 110 into a space 2640, and an opening 2630 configured to accommodate the camera 125 and sensor 135 of the host mobile device 110 when the host mobile device 110 is placed in the space 2640 provided by the middle frame 2600. The back of the middle frame 2600 can also provide a space 2710 to accommodate a rechargeable battery 170 in which the space is delineated by guides 2730. The guides 2730 can include, for example, screw posts 2740 for receiving screws that are used to mount one or more printed screen boards. In addition, the middle frame 2600 provides a space 2720 to receive connector or port components and/or circuitry (e.g., connector element 148, coupler 149, port 147, wires, and other circuitry). The middle frame 2600 can also include, for example, a locking mechanism 2910 that can be integral with the guides 2620 and configured to lock with a locking mechanism 3310 of a front frame 3000 when the middle frame 2600 and the front frame 3000 are assembled. The locking mechanism 2910 of the middle frame 2600 can also be configured to lock with a locking mechanism of a back frame 3400. Some embodiments also contemplate that one or more of the front frame 3000, the middle frame 2600, and/or the back frame 3400 can be integral with or incorporated into the host mobile device 110.
FIGS. 30-33 show different views of an exemplary front frame 3000 of the mobile device cover 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, FIGS. 30-33 show a front view 3010, a back view 3100, a side view 3200, and a perspective view 3300, respectively, of the front frame 3000 according to the present disclosure. The front frame 3000 and other components of the mobile device cover 100 can be made of, for example, one or more of the following: plastic, metal, composite materials, alloys, wood, cloth, fibers, glass, plexiglass, resin, rubber, etc., and/or one or more other materials. In one embodiment, the front frame 300 is made up of rubber to provide shock absorption and/or vibration resistance. Further, a front frame 300 made up of rubber is also flexible for securely and easily attaching and removing the front frame 3000 to the middle frame 2600. In some instances, the front frame 300 can be stretched around the middle frame 2600 with the host mobile device 110 to attach or remove the front frame 300 to or from the middle frame 2600. Referring to FIGS. 30-33, the front frame 3000 can include, for example, an opening 3020 configured to provide access to the main screen of the host mobile device 110, and button elements 3030. The button elements 3030 are configured to receive the buttons of the host mobile device 110 and to provide buttons 3040 as part of the mobile device cover 100 that, when pressed down by the user, press down the buttons of the host mobile device 110. The front frame 3000 can also include, for example, a via 3110 that is configured to provide access to a port and/or I/O device (e.g., a headphone port, an earphone port, a headset port, an I/O port, a speaker, a microphone, a dock connector, a connector port, a USB-type port, etc.) of the host mobile device 110. In some embodiments, the middle frame 2600 can also include, for example, a via that is configured to provide access to a port and/or I/O device (e.g., a headphone port, an earphone port, a headset port, an I/O port, a speaker, a microphone, a dock connector, a connector port, a USB-type port, etc.) of the host mobile device 110. The front frame 3000 can include, for example, a via 3210 that is configured to provide access to a switch 3210 (or some other user input or output) of the host mobile device 110. The front frame 3000 also provides a locking mechanism 3310 that is configured to lock with the locking mechanism 2910 of the middle frame 2600 when the front frame 3000 and the middle frame 2600 are assembled.
The front frame 3000 can also include, for example, a via 3110 or another via that is configured to provide access to a port and/or I/O device (e.g., a headphone port, an earphone port, a headset port, an I/O port, a speaker, a microphone, a dock connector, a connector port, a USB-type port, etc.) of the mobile device cover 100. The earphone port (or headset port, headphone port, etc.) provided by the mobile device cover 100 can be used by the host mobile device 110 when, for example, the host mobile device 110 no longer provides a dedicated earphone port or when its multi-purpose port is being used for some other purpose (e.g., charging the host mobile device 110). The host mobile device 110 can use the ports of the mobile device cover 100, and the mobile device cover 100 can use the ports of the host mobile device 110. Further, I/O devices integrated with (or a part of) or connected to the host mobile device 110 can be used by the mobile device cover 100, and I/O devices integrated with (or a part of) or connected to the mobile device cover 100 can be used by the host mobile device 110.
FIGS. 34-37 show different views of an exemplary back frame 3400 of the mobile device cover 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, FIGS. 34-37 show a front view 3410, a back view 3500, a side view 3600, and a perspective view 3700, respectively, of the back frame 3400 according to the present disclosure. The back frame 3400 and other components of the mobile device cover 100 can be made of, for example, one or more of the following: plastic, metal, composite materials, alloys, wood, cloth, fibers, glass, plexiglass, resin, rubber, etc., and/or one or more other materials. Referring to FIGS. 34-37, the back frame 3400 can include, for example, an opening 3420 configured to accommodate the camera 125 and sensor 135 of the host mobile device 110 when the host mobile device 110 is placed in the space 2650 provided by the middle frame 2600 and the back frame 3400 is secured or locked onto the middle frame 2600. In some embodiments, the back frame 3400 can be unlocked, removed, and replaced with another back frames 3400 with the same or different appearance and/or functionality, for example. The back frame 3400 also includes, for example, a via 3430 configured to receive a button structure 3800, and a via 3440 configured to provide access to the port 147 of the mobile device cover 100 and/or the host mobile device 110. The back frame 3400 is also structured to provide a space 3510 to accommodate one or more printed circuit boards that can include, for example, one or more lights 160. In some embodiments, the back frame 3400 can be an integral part of a housing of the host mobile device 110.
FIGS. 38-41 show different views of an exemplary button structure 3800 of the mobile device cover 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, FIGS. 38-41 show a front view 3810, a back view 3900, a side view 4000, and a perspective view 4100, respectively, of the button structure 3800 according to the present disclosure. The button structure 3800 and other components of the mobile device cover 100 can be made of, for example, one or more of plastic, metal, composite materials, alloys, wood, cloth, fibers, glass, plexiglass, resin, rubber, etc. Referring to FIGS. 38-41, a front of the button structure 3800 includes a push button 3820 that is in mechanical communication with a spring return 3920. The sprint return 3920 includes a disc 3920 that comes nearer to and/or in contact with circuitry (e.g., a magnetic sensor, a mechanical sensor, an electrical sensor, a switch, a relay, etc.) of a printed circuit board when the push button 3820 is pressed. The printed circuit can sense when the push button 3820 is pressed and/or released, and can determine the duration of the press, for example. The push button 3820 can be used to turn the mobile device cover 100 on or off, and can be used as a single button control for the mobile device cover 100 to turn on or off or modify notifications, operations, and modes (e.g., silent mode, flashlight mode, panic mode, etc.). The button structure 3800 is configured so that the button can be inserted through the via 3430 of the back frame 3400.
FIGS. 42-58 show an embodiment of an exemplary process for assembling a mobile device cover 100 according to the present disclosure. FIG. 42 shows a perspective view of a front side of the middle frame 2600. In FIG. 43, a cushion 4310 (e.g., a foam cushion, a rubber cushion, etc.) is secured (e.g., glued, fastened, etc.) in the space 2640 of the middle frame 2600 for receiving the host mobile device 110. The cushion 4310 provides additional shock and/or vibration resistance or isolation and helps to secure the host mobile device 110 in place. In FIG. 44, an exemplary host mobile device 110 is placed (e.g., inserted, slid, etc.) facing forward in the space 2640 of the middle frame 2600 such that the back of host mobile device 110 is disposed against the cushion 4310 and guided into place by guides 2630. In FIG. 45, the front frame 3000 is mounted on the middle frame 2600 over the host mobile device 110. If made of rubber or other flexible material, the front frame 3000 is stretched over the middle frame 2600 and the host mobile 110. The front frame 3000 and the middle frame 2600 are locked together by the stretched front frame 3000 and/or the mating of the locking mechanisms 2910, 3310 of the front frame 3000 and the middle frame 2600.
The back view of the middle frame 2600 is shown in FIGS. 46-55 with the host mobile device 110 already installed between the front frame 3000 and the middle frame 2600. In FIGS. 46-48, a port connector 4610 (e.g., a USB-type connector, a lighting connector, a serial connector, a parallel connector, etc.) is mounted on the middle frame 2600. The port connector 4610 can provide, for example, a connection to the circuitry (including the battery 170) of the mobile device cover 100, a connection to the host mobile device 110 (including its circuitry and battery), and/or a connection to an external device or power supply, for example. The port connector 4610 can be configured for male and/or female connectors and includes port circuitry 4620. One or more screws 4710, 4810 or another fastening mechanism (e.g., glue, fasteners, stakes, nails, etc.) is used to secure the port connector 4610 to the middle frame 2600 as shown in FIGS. 47 and 48.
In FIG. 49, the battery 170 (e.g., rechargeable battery) of the mobile device cover 100 is installed in the space 2710 of the middle frame 2600. The battery 170 fits within guides 2730, some of which are also screw posts 2740. In FIG. 50, battery wires 5010 are added for connecting the battery 170 to the circuitry of the mobile device cover 100. In FIG. 51, the port connector wires 5110 are added for connecting the port connector 4610 including its circuitry 4620 to the rest of the circuitry of the mobile device cover 100.
An exemplary printed circuit board 5210 is installed on the middle frame 2600 of the mobile device cover 100. Referring to FIGS. 52-54, the printed circuit board 5210 is mounted on the screw posts 2740 of the middle frame 2600. The printed circuit board 5210 can include a plurality of printed circuit boards that are stacked and communicate with each other via wires and other circuitry. Both sides of the printed circuit boards can have circuitry. For example, the printed circuit board 5210 shows an array of lights 160 that are can be controlled by circuitry on the other side of the printed circuit board or by another printed circuit board underneath the printed circuit board 5210, for example. One or more screws 5310, 5410 or another fastening mechanism (e.g., glue, fasteners, stakes, nails, etc.) is used to secure the printed circuit board 5210 to the middle frame 2600 as shown in FIGS. 53 and 54. In FIG. 55, the button structure 3800 is installed such that the disk 3920 of the spring return 3910 is over a sensor 5420 of the printed circuit board 5210. The sensor 5420 is configured to sense when the button 3820 of the button structure 3800 is being pressed, held down, and/or released.
The back frame 3400 is mounted over the middle frame 2600 and covers the printed circuit board 5210 as shown in FIG. 56. The back frame 3400 can be clear, transparent, translucent, or semi-transparent. In some embodiments, the back frame 3400 is configured so that the array of lights 160 can shine through the back frame 3400. The back frame 3400 is disposed so that the button 3820 of the button structure 3800 passes through the via 3430, and the opening 3420 accommodates the camera 125 and sensor 135 of the host mobile device 110. Referring to FIG. 56, the back frame 3400 is secured to the middle frame 2600 via a locking mechanism 5610 (e.g., ridges molded into the four sides of the middle frame 2600). The locking mechanism 5610 can be configured to permanently or removably secure, without damage, the back frame 3400 to the middle frame 2600. Other types of locking mechanisms 5610 (e.g., screws, fasteners, etc.) are within the scope of the present disclosure and can provide easy removal of the back frame 3400 from the middle frame 2600.
FIGS. 57 and 58 show the assembly of the mobile device cover 100 in two exploded views according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The printed circuit board 5210 is shown in a simplified fashion and does not show all of the circuitry on the one or more boards that make up the printed circuit board 5210.
FIG. 76 shows an exemplary back frame 3400 that provides an exemplary removable plate (or removable portion) 3450 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Although shown as a plate, the removable portion of the back frame 3400 can be any shape, size, and/or material, and can include, for example, almost all of the backside 7610 of the back frame 3400. The plate 3450 can be removed and replaced with other plates with different appearances (e.g., designs, prints, level of transparency, colors, etc.), form factors (e.g., plate with disk extending from plate, shapes conducive for easy and secure handling, other shapes with or without the plate as a platform, etc.), and/or materials (e.g., metal, plastic, rubber, cloth, composite materials, alloys, etc.). The plate 3450 replacing the previous plate 3450 need not be of the same shape, size, and/or material as illustrated by the interchangeable removable plates (or removable portions) 3450 shown in FIGS. 77A-B.
FIGS. 79A-F show exemplary removable plates 3450 that are interchangeable on the back frame 3400 of the mobile device cover 100 and can enhance the design or appearance of the back frame 3400 according to the present disclosure. FIGS. 79A-B show exemplary removable plates 3450 of different colors (e.g., blue color in FIG. 79A and red color in FIG. 79B), or different levels of transparency (e.g., 25% transparency in FIG. 79A and 75% transparency in FIG. 79B). FIG. 79C shows an exemplary removable plate 3450 with a college logo, for example. FIG. 79D shows an exemplary removable plate 3450 with a sports team logo, for example. FIG. 79E-F show exemplary removable plates 3450 with a customized message and/or a customized design. The plates can be slid or inserted into and/or mounted onto the back frame 3400. Further, the mobile application that runs on the host mobile device 110, for example, that is used to configure the mobile device cover 100 can also be used to select different removable plates 3450 for purchase. In addition, a web site can be provided to select different removable plates 3450 for purchase. The mobile application and/or the web site can be used to design removable plates 3450 with personalized text (e.g., names, phrases, etc.) and/or graphics (e.g., icons, emojis, etc.) as shown in FIGS. 79E-F, for example. Once selected and/or designed, a user can order (e.g., purchase) the removable plate 3450 for delivery or pick up. Some embodiments also provide for programming the mobile device cover 100 to display the selected and/or customized designs through a transparent or semi-transparent back plate 3450 using lights 160 and/or a screen of the mobile device cover 100.
The plate 3450 can be removed and replaced with other plates that provide functionality and/or different functionality (e.g., a particular display resolution, screen, speaker, microphone, projector, camera, flashlight, laser light, additional memory, additional processing power, etc.). The functionality, which can be accessed by the mobile device cover 100 and/or the host mobile device 110, can be a new function or can provided enhanced functionality over existing functionality of the mobile device cover 100 and/or the host mobile device 110. For example, FIGS. 77A-B show side views of two exemplary removable plates (or removable portions) 3450 of the back frame 3400 of the mobile device cover 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The removable portion 3450 in FIG. 77A may be an existing plate 3450 of the back frame 3400, while the removable portion 3450 in FIG. 77B, which is interchangeable with the existing plate 3450, can have a different look, design, color, and functionality. For example, the removable portion 3450 in FIG. 77B can replace the plate 3450 in FIG. 77A on the back frame 3400 and can be used as a speaker and/or a microphone for use by the mobile device cover 100 and/or the host mobile device 110. The removable portion 3450 need not be in physical contact with the back frame 3400 to function and may wireless communicate with the back frame 3400. Thus, the removable portion 3450 can be separated from the back frame 3400 and operate as a wireless speaker.
The plate (or removable portion) 3450 can include, for example, circuitry 7710 within the plate housing 7720 as shown in FIG. 77B. The circuitry 7710 can be electrically connected and/or in wired and/or wireless communication with the rest of the circuitry of the mobile device cover 100. FIG. 78A shows an exemplary plate 3450 that houses circuitry 7710 and provides electrical contacts 7720 for connecting with the rest of the circuitry of the mobile device cover 100 when the plate 3450 is inserted into the back frame 3400. The edge of the plate 3450 may be inserted into a female electrical connector of the back frame 3400 which secures the plate 3450 in place. FIG. 78B shows another exemplary plate 3450 that houses circuitry 7710 and provides electrical contacts 7720 for connecting with the rest of the circuitry of the mobile device cover 100 when the plate 3450 is inserted into the back frame 3400. Contact can be made automatically when the plate 3450 is inserted into the back frame 3400. The electrical contacts 7720 can also include, for example, a magnet for securing the plate 3450 to the back plate 3400 and maintaining contact between the electrical contact 7720 and a corresponding electrical contact of the back frame 3400.
FIGS. 80A-B show two exemplary embodiments of interchangeable back frames 3400 of the mobile device cover 100 according to the present disclosure. Instead of or in addition to replacing a removable plate 3450, some embodiments provide for interchangeable back frames 3400. Thus, similar to the discussion with respect to interchangeable back plates 3450, a back frame 3400 can be removed and replaced by another back frame 3400 that provides a different size, shape, material, and/or functionality, for example. The back frame 3400 in FIG. 80A can be removed from the mobile device cover 100 and replaced with the back frame 3400 in FIG. 80B to provide, among other things, one or more touch screens 8010. The back frame 3400 can house circuitry to support the functionality of the interchangeable back frame and to facilitate electrically connecting and/or communicating wiredly and/or wirelessly with the rest of the circuitry of the mobile device cover 100. Just as with the back plates 3450, back frames 3400 can be selected, designed, and/or ordered using a mobile application and/or a website for pickup or delivery to the customer.
FIG. 81 shows an exemplary embodiment of a host mobile device 110 with an interchangeable back cover 8110 according to the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 81, the back cover 8110 of the host mobile device 110 can be replaced with another back cover 8110. Similar to discussions with respect to the removable plate 3450 and the interchangeable back frames 3400 of the mobile device cover 100, a back cover 8110 of the host mobile device 110 can be removed and replaced by another back cover 8110 that provides a different size, shape, material, and/or functionality, for example. The back cover 8110 of the host mobile device 110 in FIG. 81 can be removed from the host mobile device 110 and replaced with another back cover 8110 to provide, among other things, the functionality of one or more touch screens 8120 for the back of the host mobile device 110 (in addition to the main screen on the front of the host mobile device 110). The back cover 8110 can house circuitry to support the functionality of the interchangeable back cover 8110 and to facilitate electrically connecting and/or communicating wiredly and/or wirelessly with the rest of the circuitry of the host mobile device 110. Just as with the back plates 3450 and back frames 3400 of the mobile device cover 100, the back cover 8110 of the host mobile device 110 can be selected, designed, and/or ordered using a mobile application and/or a website for pickup or delivery to the customer.
FIGS. 59-70 show some exemplary circuits that are part of the printed circuit board 5210 and other circuitry of the mobile device cover 100 according to the present disclosure.
FIG. 59 shows an exemplary USB-to-lightning-connector circuit 5900 of the mobile device cover 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The circuit 5900 includes a male lightning connector 5910, a switch 5930, and a USB-type receptacle 5920. The male lightning connector 5910 is inserted into a female lightning connector of the host mobile device 110 when the host mobile device 110 is placed into the middle frame 2600. The USB-type receptacle 5920 includes, for example, a female micro-USB connector that is part of the mobile device cover 100. An embodiment of the female micro-USB connector is shown, for example, as port 147 in FIG. 1C. The USB-type receptacle 5920 can be used, for example, to connect to a wall plug to charge the host mobile device 110 and/or the mobile device cover 100, or to connect to another USB-type compatible device. In addition, the circuit 5900 also enables power transfer and synchronization between the host mobile device 110 and the mobile device cover 100.
FIG. 60 shows an exemplary battery charge indicator circuit 6000 of the mobile device cover 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The exemplary battery indicator circuit 600 is operatively coupled to one or more processors of the mobile device cover 100. The one or more processors send signals that cause the light driver circuitry 6010 to light up 0 to 4 lights 160 as an indication of battery charge of the battery 170 of the mobile device cover 100. For example, 0 lights indicates no or little charge; 1 light indicates approximately 25% battery charge; 2 lights indicate approximately 50% battery charge; 3 lights indicate approximately 75% battery charge; and 4 lights indicate full or almost full charge.
FIG. 61 shows an exemplary push button circuit 6100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The pushing or releasing of a button (e.g., button 3820) causes a switch 6110 to open or close, thereby allowing the one or more processors of the mobile device cover 600 to sense when the button has been pressed or released, as well as determine a duration of time that the button is held down. In some embodiments, the button comprises any type of input device and/or sensor (e.g., capacitive sensor, proximity sensor, heat sensor, touch sensor, pressure sensor, electromagnetic sensor, motion sensor, gesture sensor, etc.).
FIG. 62 shows an exemplary memory circuit 6200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The memory circuit 6200 can be in communication with the one or more processors of the mobile device cover 100. Referring to FIG. 62, one or more flash memories 6210 can be used to store instructions (e.g., processor-executable instructions), software, code, commands, parameters, data, etc. The flash memories 6210 can be used to store, for example, icons, light shows, contact information, settings, notifications, notification parameters, etc. in the mobile device cover 100.
FIG. 63 shows an exemplary processor circuit 6300 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The processor circuit 6300 can include one or more processors 6310. For example, processor 6310 is shown as a digital signal processor with internal memory (e.g., cache, RAM, ROM, etc.). The processor 6310 can be operatively coupled with and controls the other circuits shown in FIGS. 59-70 in addition to other circuitry of the mobile device cover 100 and/or the host mobile device 110. Processor 6310 is the main processor of the mobile device cover 100.
FIG. 64 shows an exemplary battery management circuit 6400 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 64, the battery management circuit 6400 is operatively coupled to the battery 170 of the mobile device cover 100 and/or the battery of the host mobile device 110. The battery management circuit 6400 includes a battery charger 6410 that is operatively coupled to the battery 170 of the mobile device cover 100 and/or the battery of the host mobile device 110. When the mobile device cover 100 is plugged into a wall outlet, for example, the battery charger 6410 charges one or both of the batteries of the mobile device cover 100 and the battery of the host mobile device 110 as well as powers the mobile device cover 100 and/or the host mobile device 110. The battery charger 6410 is also configured to charge the battery of the host mobile device 110 from the battery 170 of the mobile device cover 100, or vice versa, and/or to power the mobile device cover 100 and/or the host mobile device 110. The charging direction and other start- or stop-charging parameters can be set by the one or more processors of the mobile device cover 100. The battery charger 6410 in combination with the one or more processors of the mobile device cover 100 is also configured to sense the amount of battery charge in one or both of the batteries of the mobile device cover 100 and the battery of the host mobile device 110.
FIG. 65 shows an exemplary power management circuit 6500 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 65, the power management circuit 6500 provides a power distribution auto-switching power multiplexer 6510, regulator 6520, and a load switch 6530 (e.g., power rail switch) to smoothly transition between multiple power sources, such as DC power (e.g., battery operated power) and AC power (e.g., wall plug power) to power the mobile device cover 100 and/or the host mobile device 110. The regulator 6520 provides a regulated 3V output for use by system power of the mobile device cover 100.
FIG. 66 shows an exemplary off/on and/or reset circuit 6600 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 66, the circuit 6600 includes a microcontroller 6610 that causes the mobile device cover 100 to turn off and then on. For example, if the button 3820 is pressed and held down or otherwise actuated for at least a particular duration, the mobile device cover 100 is powered off and then powered on. In some embodiments, this is a power reset or power on/off of the mobile device cover 100.
FIG. 67 shows an exemplary clock circuit 6700 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 67, the clock circuit 6700 includes, for example, a clock 6710 and a crystal 6720 to provide a real-time clock for the mobile device cover 100 and/or the host mobile device 110. The clock 6710 can be set and can keep time and calendar data, and/or set an alarm. The clock 6710 can be used, for example, to display time and calendar information on the mobile device cover 100 and for synchronization purposes. Other wireless communications can used instead of or in combination with Bluetooth wireless signals including, for example, IEEE 802.11 wireless signals, WLAN signals, wireless PAN signals, Zigbee signals, infrared signals, RF signals, near-field wireless signals, etc.
FIG. 68 shows an exemplary Bluetooth circuit 6800 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 68, the Bluetooth circuit 6800 includes a Bluetooth module 6810. The Bluetooth module 6810 supports the Bluetooth standard by providing secure wireless connections. In some embodiments, the Bluetooth module 6810 includes one or more internal antennas for Bluetooth communications. However, one or more external Bluetooth antennas operatively coupled to the Bluetooth module 6810 are also within the scope of the present disclosure. The Bluetooth module 6810 of the mobile device cover 100 can be used, for example, to wirelessly communicate with the host mobile device 110 and/or with other Bluetooth-enabled wireless devices.
FIG. 69 shows an exemplary LED driver circuit 6800 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 69, the LED driver circuit 6900 includes, for example, LED drivers 6910, 6920. Each exemplary LED driver 6910, 6920 can drive up to 144 LEDs and can be programmed via an I2C compatible interface, for example. LED drivers that drive more or less than 144 LEDs are also within the scope of the present disclosure. FIGS. 70A-D show exemplary arrays of LEDs driven by the LED drivers 6910, 6920. For example, the 144 LEDs in FIGS. 70A-B can be driven by LED driver 6910, and the remaining LEDs in FIGS. 70C-D can be driven by LED drive 6920. An exemplary array of LEDs is formed from an 11×21 grid of LEDs, for example. Additional or fewer LED drivers and LEDs can be added to or removed from the mobile device cover 100 without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, screens or other types of displays with accompanying screen or display driver circuits are also within the scope of the present disclosure.
FIGS. 71-75 show exemplary printed circuit boards (or layers) that make up a printed circuit board (or multi-layer printed circuit board) 7100 as shown in FIG. 71 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 71 shows the printed circuit board 7100 when the four printed circuit boards (or layers of a multi-layer printed circuit board) 7200, 7300, 7400, 7500 are stacked and put together. FIG. 72 shows an exemplary top printed circuit board (or top layer of a multi-layer printed circuit board) 7200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 73 shows an exemplary second printed circuit board (or second layer of a multi-layer printed circuit board) 7300 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The second printed circuit board 7300 is disposed beneath the top printed circuit board 7200. FIG. 74 shows an exemplary third printed circuit board (or third layer of a multi-layer printed circuit board) 7400 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The third printed circuit board 7400 is disposed beneath the second printed circuit board 7300. FIG. 75 shows an exemplary bottom printed circuit board (or bottom layer of a multi-layer printed circuit board) 7500 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The bottom printed circuit board 7500 is disposed beneath the third printed circuit board 7400.
Some embodiments provide that a mobile application can be downloaded onto the host mobile device 110 to provide a graphical user interface that can be used, for example, to control the mobile device cover 100. The mobile application can run on the host mobile device 110 and/or the mobile device cover 100. The graphical user interface can be on the host mobile device 110 and/or the mobile device cover 100. Further, the mobile application can be automatically or manually updated, upgraded, modified, replaced, overwritten, supplemented, etc. via a wireless or wired connection.
FIGS. 3 and 4 show an exemplary launch screen page 300 and an exemplary front page 400 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The mobile application can be represented as an icon (e.g., a graphical element of a graphical user interface) on the display (e.g., screen) of the host mobile device 110 and/or the mobile device cover 100. When the icon is selected, the mobile application runs on the host mobile device 110 (and/or the mobile device cover 100) and a launch page 300 as shown in FIG. 3 is displayed by the host mobile device 110 (and/or the mobile device cover 100). Subsequently, a front page 400 as shown in FIG. 4 is displayed. While the front page 400 is being displayed, the mobile application attempts to wirelessly and/or wiredly connect the host mobile device 110 and the mobile device cover 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, the mobile application attempts to wirelessly pair the mobile device cover 100 and the host mobile device 110, which are both Bluetooth-enabled. If the mobile application is not successful in making a connection (e.g., a connection between previously paired devices 100, 110), then a connection page 500 is opened as shown in FIG. 5, or an alternative connection method can be established via, for example, a USB-type connection, WiFi connection, Bluetooth connection, Zigbee connection, etc. If a successful connection is made, then an exemplary home page 700 is opened as shown in FIG. 7. If the connection is lost, then the mobile application opens the front page 400 or the connection page 500.
By selecting the pair icon 410 (e.g., graphical button) shown in FIG. 4, an exemplary connection page 500 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure as shown in FIG. 5 is opened that allows for configuring wireless and/or network connections. The connection page 500 enables the user to select a device for pairing (e.g., a mobile device cover 100) and/or a network for connection. The list 520 of devices can be refreshed by a user gesture such as a swipe, for example, otherwise, the list is refreshed periodically. In some embodiments, selecting a particular device such as a mobile device cover 100, for example, initiates a verification process such as a pin verification process, for example. After a prompt from the mobile application, entry of the correct pin (e.g., supplied by the mobile device cover 100) within a particular time limit or by a particular number of attempts causes the mobile application to open the home page 700 shown in FIG. 7. Configuring of the mobile application and/or the mobile device cover 100 can occur based on a selection or an input of a particular model number or particular type of mobile device cover 100. Incorrect entry of the pin number within the particular time limit or after a particular number of failed attempts causes the mobile application to open the front page 400 or the connection page 500. By selecting a back icon 510, for example, the mobile application navigates to the front page 400, the connection page 500, or a previous page.
By selecting the information icon 420 (e.g., an “i” icon) in FIG. 4, an exemplary instructions page 600 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure as shown in FIG. 6 is opened which provides descriptions and helpful information about various items being displayed, for example, on a push button or element selectable menu. By tapping or toggling the back icon 610 (e.g., back graphical button), for example, by making a gesture on the screen (e.g., swiping left to right on the screen), or by moving the mobile device cover 100 and/or host mobile device 110 in a particular way, the home page 700 as shown in FIG. 7 or a previous page can be opened.
FIG. 7 shows an exemplary home page 700 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, upon successful connection and pairing, the mobile application displays a home page 700 as shown in FIG. 7. The home page 700 provides a graphical user interface by which the user can further navigate the mobile application. Referring to FIG. 7, the home page 700 includes icons or hyperlinks to open, for example, a phone page, a messages page, an email page, a notifications-for-applications page, a lighting-for-contacts page, a battery page, a lighting page, a back design page, and a settings page. In addition, the home page 700 provides for controlling a brightness (e.g., via a brightness slider 710) of a display and/or a volume for a speaker for the mobile device cover 100 and/or the host mobile device 110. In some embodiments, the home page 700 provides an icon 720 (e.g., a graphical element) that can be toggled on or off as to whether to display incoming notifications on the mobile device cover 100, for example.
In some embodiments, the mobile application enables the user with the ability to set up a particular lightshow, a particular icon (e.g., an icon, an emoji, a custom-designed graphical element), and/or a particular text (e.g., scrolling text) to be displayed for a particular type of communication (e.g., phone, message, email. etc.), a particular contact, and/or a particular type of communication (e.g., phone, message, email, etc.) for that particular contact on a contact list stored in the host mobile device 110 and/or the mobile device cover 100. The mobile application also enables the user to customize the selected lightshow, icon, text, etc.
By selecting the phone icon 730 on the home page 700, a phone page 800 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is opened as shown in FIG. 8. In some embodiments, a messages page and an email page are opened by selecting the message icon 735 and the email icon 745, respectively, of the home page 700 and operate in a similar manner as the phone page 800. In some embodiments, after the phone icon 730 is selected, a lightshows page 810 (e.g., for phone notifications) is first shown for the phone page 800 as in FIG. 8; however, other selectable options including an icons page and a scrolling text page can also be opened by selecting the corresponding icons 820, 830 (e.g., graphical buttons or tabs). Referring to FIG. 8, the lightshows page 810 provides one or more graphical elements on a graphical user interface that enable the user to select a particular lightshow (e.g., flare) from a list of lightshows that can be assigned, for example, to a particular contact. Parameters for the lightshows are also selected. For example, a speed and a duration are set (e.g., via graphical sliders 840, 850 as shown in FIG. 8) for the selected lightshow, which includes animation, for example. Other adjustable or selectable parameters can include light intensity, colors, size, pulsing, bursting, etc. The selected lightshow with any selected particular lightshow parameters is assigned to a particular contact (e.g., phone contact, phone number, etc.), and this information is sent to the mobile device cover 100, for example. The assignments are stored in the mobile device cover 100, the host mobile device 110, and/or the mobile application. The lightshows page 810 provides an icon 860 (e.g., a preview-on-case icon) that, when selected, causes the mobile device cover 100 to demonstrate the currently selected lightshow according to the selected lightshow parameters on the LEDs (or other lights or lighting devices) and/or on one or more screens of the mobile device cover 100. In some embodiments, the lightshows page 810 can provide an icon (e.g., a preview-in-the-mobile application icon) or can automatically display in a portion 870 of the lightshows page 810 or in a separate page of the mobile application, a preview of the selected lightshow according to the set lightshow parameters. For example, the mobile application can provide a separate preview page or preview section 870 as shown in FIG. 8 of the lightshows page 810 that shows the selected lightshow according to the selected settings (e.g., with any selected animation at a particular speed for a particular duration) on an image of the mobile device cover 100 according to the selected model and/or other characteristics (e.g., a blue back design or color). The preview in the mobile application can provide the user with a preview of the selected lightshow and lightshow options (e.g., on the host mobile device 110) without necessarily demonstrating the lightshow on the LEDs and/or screen of the mobile device cover 100. However, the preview in the mobile application (e.g., on the host mobile device 110) can also be played concurrently or separately from with a preview on the case (e.g., a preview using the LEDs and/or screen of the mobile device cover 100). In some embodiments, the lightshows page 810 provides an icon that, when selected, enables a user to download or purchase (e.g., as part of an in-application purchases page) additional lightshows or features. In some embodiments, clicking on a share icon enables the user to share the particular lightshow, icon, and/or scrolling text with others (e.g., friends, selected individuals, contacts, etc.). The sharing can be facilitated via a wired and/or wireless communication or transfer, a text, an email, a social media post or communication, etc. as text, a file, a graphics interchange format (GIF) file, an image, a video, a picture, a file stored in camera roll, etc. Selecting the back button 880 (or other actions such as backwards swipes) brings back the home page 700 or a previous page. Selecting (e.g., tapping or some other user input) on the assigned contacts button or link 890 causes an assigned contacts page 900 to open as shown in FIG. 9.
FIG. 9 shows an exemplary assigned contacts page 900 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The assigned contacts page 900 enables the user to view and select a particular lightshow (e.g., light pattern, lightshow, animation, etc.) for assignment (e.g., assignment or re-assignment). In some embodiments, a lightshow includes a series of images that are displayed on the mobile device cover 100 and/or the mobile application. The assigned contacts page 900 also enables the user to view the currently assigned lightshow for a particular notification category (e.g., email, message, phone, etc.). Further, the assigned contacts page 900 can also identify duplicate lightshow assignments. Colors or other indicators enable the user to easily see duplicate assignments. Referring to FIG. 9, the Halo lightshow, which is shown as a red button 910, is assigned both to contacts Adam Fee and Abc Xyz. The particular colors used are merely exemplary. The Star lightshow, which is shown as a blue button 920, is uniquely assigned to Amanda Bee. The email icon, the message icon, the phone icon, and the Happy icon, which are shown as green buttons 930, indicate uniquely assigned icons for emails generally, messages, phone calls generally, and Ally Arm. Selecting the back button 940 (or other actions such as backwards swipes) brings back a previous page (e.g., the lightshows page 810).
Selecting the icons button 820 (e.g., graphical tab) at the top of the phone page 800 shown in FIG. 8 opens an exemplary icons page 1000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure as shown in FIG. 10. The icons page 800 of the mobile application enables the user to select a particular icon, icon parameters, and/or animation for assignment (e.g., assignment or re-assignment). Selecting a particular icon such as, for example, the phone icon 1010 as shown in FIG. 10, causes the mobile application to display the phone icon as it would look when displayed on the mobile device cover 100 on a portion 1020 of the page 1000 or on a separate page. Information relating to the selection of the phone icon 1010 including any icon parameters and assignments is sent to the mobile device cover 100. By selecting the animations button 1030, different types of animations are listed for application to the phone icon, for example. In some embodiments, the list includes only those animations that are applicable for the selected icon. In some embodiments, the animations can include moving across the screen, pulsating, bursting, dynamically changing colors, rotating, dynamically changing in size, etc. Selecting an icon parameter such as, for example, an animation, causes the mobile application to display the selected icon on a portion 1020 of the display according to the selected animations and/or icon parameters, and to send the icon-related information to the mobile device cover 100. Icon parameters such as a speed and a duration are set (e.g., via graphical sliders 1040, 1050 as shown in FIG. 10) for the selected icon and the applied animation. In some embodiments, the icons page 1000 provides an icon 1060 (e.g., a preview-on-case icon) that, when selected, causes the mobile device cover 100 to demonstrate the currently selected icon according to the selected parameters and/or animations on the mobile device cover 100 as shown in FIG. 25C, for example. For example, the lights 160 (e.g., LEDs, screens, etc.) of the mobile device cover 100 light up according to the selected icon, animations, and/or parameters to preview the response of the mobile device cover 100 for the particular assignment (e.g., a particular contact, type of communication, type of notification, alert, etc.). In some embodiments, the icons page 1000 can provide an icon (e.g., a preview-in-the-mobile application icon) or can automatically display in a portion 1020 of the icons page 1000 as in FIG. 10 or 25A, or in a separate page 2500 of the mobile application as in FIG. 25B, a preview of the selected lightshow according to the set lightshow parameters. The preview changes as the user makes changes. The mobile application can also provide a separate preview page 2500 as shown in FIG. 25B or preview section 1020 as shown in FIG. 10 (or FIG. 25A) of the icons page 1000 that shows the selected icon according to the selected settings (e.g., with any selected animation at a particular speed for a particular duration) on an image of the mobile device cover 100 according to the selected model and/or other characteristics (e.g., a blue back design or color). The preview in the mobile application can provide the user with a preview of the selected icon and icon options (e.g., on the host mobile device 110) without necessarily demonstrating the icon on the LEDs and/or screen of the mobile device cover 100. However, the preview in the mobile application (e.g., on the host mobile device 110) can also be played concurrently with a preview on the case (e.g., a preview using the LEDs and/or screen of the mobile device cover 100) as shown in FIG. 25C. In some embodiments, clicking on a share icon enables the user to share the particular lightshow, icon, and/or scrolling text with others (e.g., friends, selected individuals, contacts, etc.). The sharing can be facilitated via a wired and/or wireless communication or transfer, a text, an email, a social media post or communication, etc. as text, a file, a graphics interchange format (GIF) file, an image, a video, a picture, a file stored in camera roll, etc. Selecting the back button 880 (or other actions such as backwards swipes) brings back the home page 700 or a previous page.
In some embodiments, the icons page 1000 provides an icon that, when selected, enables a user to download or purchase (e.g., as part of an in-application purchases page) additional icons or features. Selecting the back button 1070 (or other actions such as backwards swipes) brings back the home page 700 or a previous page.
Selecting the scrolling text button 830 (e.g., graphical tab, graphical element, etc.) at the top of the phone page 800 shown in FIG. 8 or the scrolling text button 1080 at the top the icons page 1000 shown in FIG. 10 opens an exemplary scrolling text page 1100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure as shown in FIG. 11A. The scrolling text page 1100 enables the user to select a text and/or a scrolling text and/or scrolling text parameters for assignment (e.g., assignment or re-assignment). Selecting text, scrolling text, and/or scrolling text parameters causes the mobile application to send the selected text, scrolling text, and/or scrolling text parameters to the mobile device cover 100. Referring to FIG. 11B, an exemplary scrolling text page 1105 is shown with a preview pane 1115 that enables the viewing of the scrolling text (e.g., customized scrolling text, preset scrolling text, etc.). The speed and text can be changed using the scrolling text page 1105. Further, as will be explained below with respect to FIGS. 25D-E, for example, the font and the orientation of the scrolling text can be changed and previewed. The preview changes as the user makes changes to the scrolling text. The preview pane 1115 can also be a pop-up window or a separate page. The previewed pane 1115 can also illustrate various changes in the scrolling text on a representation of a selected model of the mobile device cover 100. Further, the previewed display can also be actually displayed on the mobile device cover 100 to view the display (e.g., scrolling text display) in view of any scrolling text changes, for example. In some embodiments, clicking on a share icon 1125 enables the user to share the scrolling text (and/or particular lightshow, icon, etc.,) with others (e.g., friends, selected individuals, contacts, etc.). The sharing can be facilitated via a wired and/or wireless communication or transfer, a text, an email, a social media post or communication, etc. as text, a file, a graphics interchange format (GIF) file, an image, a video, a picture, a file stored in camera roll, etc.
By selecting an icon 1110 (e.g., a plus icon), an exemplary add item page 1200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is opened as shown in FIG. 12. The add item page enables a user to select text options for scrolling on the mobile device cover 100. Referring to FIG. 12, a user can add words, symbols, names, a phone type, and/or a phone character for scrolling. A user can cause the word “Call” to scroll across the mobile device cover 100 as part of a phone call notification or as part of a calendar alert, for example. In addition, different options for scrolling the name of the caller are available such as the full name, first name, first name and remaining name in initials, all initials, etc. Furthermore, the user can add a phone type, a phone character, or some other customized graphics for scrolling across the mobile device cover 100 as part of a notification, for example. Selecting the back button 1210 (or other actions such as backwards swipes) brings back the scrolling text page 1100.
Referring back to FIG. 11, further options for scrolling include changing the order and appearance of words, names, phone type, phone character, and/or icon for scrolling. The order of these options can be changed, for example, by moving the particular category of information being scrolled into a different position in the display order 1120 by selecting and moving the three lined icon 1130. The scrolling text page 1100 enables, via one or more graphical elements 1140, a user to display the icon before or after the scrolling text, or not at all. The scrolling text page 1100 further enables the user to select a type of separator, via a selection menu 1150, between different categories (e.g., name, phone character, phone type, etc.) for scrolling. For example, the separator can be one or more lines or spaces between different categories (e.g., phone character, name, phone type, icon, etc.). In addition, the scrolling text page 1100 provides for the user to determine, via selection menus 1160, 1170, the number of display repetitions (e.g., one, two, three, etc.) of the scrolling message and a scroll speed. In some embodiments, the scrolling text page 1100 provides an icon 1180 (e.g., a preview-on-case icon) that, when selected, causes the mobile device cover 100 to demonstrate the currently selected scrolling text and/or icon according to the selected scrolling text parameters and/or animations on the mobile device cover 100. In some embodiments, the mobile application can preview the scrolling text on the host mobile device 110, for example, as part of the lightshows page 810, the icons page 1000, the scrolling text page 1100, or a separate page, the selected scrolling text with or without accompanying icons or lightshows according to the scrolling text parameters and/or other parameters as it would appear on the mobile device cover 100. For example, the mobile application can provide a preview page that includes an image of the mobile device cover 100 (e.g., the selected model including color and other characteristics of that model of the mobile device cover 100) with the scrolling text as it would appear on the mobile device cover 100 during a notification or other display, for example. Selecting the back button 1190 (or other actions such as backwards swipes) brings back the home page 700 or a previous page.
In some embodiments, by selecting a notifications-for-applications button or link 740 (e.g., graphical element in a graphical user interface, the text “Notifications for App,” etc.) on the home page 700 as shown in FIG. 7, an exemplary notifications-for-applications page 1300 is opened as shown in FIG. 13. The notifications-for-applications page 1300 enables users to view and change settings for applications for which the mobile application and the mobile device cover 100 support custom notifications. Referring to FIG. 13, a list of applications 1310 is shown for which the mobile application and the mobile device cover 100 support notifications. Some embodiments provide that the list of mobile applications include the mobile application installed on the host mobile device 110, any of the user's other host mobile devices or mobile devices, the mobile device cover 100, etc. For each listed application, the user can select (e.g., tap, toggle, etc.) various options. In some embodiments, a button or icon (e.g., a graphical element of a graphical user interface) is provided to turn on or off a particular notification parameter. Referring to FIG. 13, for each listed application, a graphical button 1320 is provided to turn on or off the displaying of notifications from the calendar application on the mobile device cover 100, for example. A graphical button 1330 is also provided for each listed application to turn on or off the displaying of the respective application name (e.g., Amazon, Calendar, etc.) on the mobile device cover 100 when the mobile application receives a notification for the respective application. A graphical button 1340 is provided for each listed application to turn on or off the displaying of a particular icon (e.g., application icon, customized icon, emoji, etc.) corresponding to the respective application when the mobile application receives a notification for the respective application. In addition, a graphic button 1350 is provided for each listed application to turn on or off the displaying of the contents of a notification (e.g., scrolling the contents of a notification on the mobile device cover 100, text or media from an email, a message, a textual alert, a sound, a transcription of a voicemail, etc.) when the mobile application receives the notification for the respective application. The notifications-for-applications page also provides a search bar 1360 for searching for applications by name, for example. Selecting the back button 1370 (or other actions such as backwards swipes) brings back the home page 700 or a previous page.
In some embodiments, by selecting a lighting-for-contacts button or link 750 (e.g., graphical element in a graphical user interface, the text “Lighting for Contacts,” etc.) on the home page 700 as shown in FIG. 7, an exemplary lighting-for-contacts page 1400 is opened as shown in FIG. 14. The lighting-for-contacts page 1400 enables users to view and assign lightshows, icons, scrolling text, etc. for display on the mobile device cover 100, for example. Referring to FIG. 14, by selecting (e.g., tapping or some other user input) a contact name 1410 or a graphical button 1420 indicating an assigned lightshow, icon, etc., a lightshows-for-contacts page 1500 or an icon-for-contacts page 1600 is opened as shown in FIG. 15 or 16, respectively. In some embodiments, swiping left to right or right to left on the contact name 1410 or the graphical button 1420 indicating an assigned lightshow or icon, for example, causes the removal of the particular contact and/or the lightshow or icon assignment for a particular contact. The screen including the data displayed on the screen can be refreshed continuously, periodically, or aperiodically by a gesture (e.g., a swipe up or down, selecting a graphical element, etc.) on the screen. Selecting the back button 1430 (or other actions such as backwards swipes) brings back the home page 700 or a previous page.
FIG. 15 shows an exemplary lightshows-for-contacts page 1500 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, by selecting the contact name, e.g., Hank Williams, or a graphical button indicating a lightshow assigned to Hank Williams on the lighting-for-contacts page 1400, the exemplary lightshows-for-Hank-Williams page 1510 opens as shown in FIG. 15. The lightshows-for-contacts page 1500 enables a user to change the lightshow and lightshow parameters assigned to a particular contact. The current lightshow for Hank Williams is listed as the Star lightshow 1520; however, other lightshows can be selected (e.g., by tapping or toggling on the lightshow name such as “Nova”) from the lightshows list 1530 for assignment to Hank Williams. Parameters for the selected lightshow such as a speed (e.g., speed of an animation of the lightshow) and a duration of the lightshow care are controlled by sliding controls 1540, 1550 (e.g., graphical sliders). Data relating to the selected lightshow and lightshow parameters is sent to the mobile device cover 100. The selected lightshow is shown or previewed on a portion 1560 of the lighting-for-contacts page 1500 including any selected animations in accordance with any selected lightshow parameters. The preview also reflects the selected model including color or other characteristics (e.g., arrangement of LEDs or screens, resolution, etc.) of the selected model of the mobile device cover 100 so that the user can see how the lightshow looks on the selected model of the mobile device cover 100. The lightshows-for-contacts page 1500 also provides an icon 1570 (e.g., a preview-on-case icon) that, when selected, causes the mobile device cover 100 to demonstrate (e.g., actually display on the mobile device cover 100, cause LEDs of the mobile device cover 100 to light according to the lightshow, animations, and parameters, cause screens of the mobile device cover 100 to display according to the lightshow, animations, and parameters, etc.) the currently selected lightshow including any selected animations according to any selected lightshow parameters. Selecting (e.g., tapping or some other user input) on the assigned contacts button or link 1580 causes the assigned contacts page 900 to open. In some embodiments, the lightshows-for-contact page 1500 provides an icon that, when selected, enables a user to download or purchase (e.g., as part of an in-application purchases page) additional lightshows or features. Selecting the back button 1590 (or other actions such as backwards swipes) brings back the home page 700 or a previous page.
FIG. 16 shows an exemplary icons-for-contacts page 1600 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, by selecting the contact name, e.g., Hank Williams, or a graphical button indicating an icon assigned to Hank Williams on the lighting-for-contacts page 1400, the icons-for-Hank-Williams page 1610 opens as shown in FIG. 16. Alternatively, if the lightshows-for-Hank-Williams page 1510 is already opened as shown in FIG. 15, then selecting the icons button 1595 (e.g., graphical tab) also opens the icons-for-Hank-Williams page 1610. The icons-for-contacts page 1600 enables a user to change the icon (e.g., an icon, an emoji, a graphical element, a custom-designed graphical element, a downloaded graphical element, a stored graphical element, etc.) and icon parameters assigned to a particular contact and/or for a particular type of notification for the particular contact. For example, in addition to speed and duration parameters, the icons-for-contacts page 1600 can also add animation to the icon. Other parameters that can be changed include, for example, parameters that change the color, size, intensity, pulsating, bursting, etc. of the icon. The information indicating the selected icon and icon parameters is sent to the mobile device cover 100. The selected icon is shown or previewed on a portion 1620 of the icons-for-contacts page 1600 (or on a separate page) including any selected animations in accordance with any selected icon parameters. The preview also reflects the selected model including color or other characteristics (e.g., arrangement of LEDs or screens, resolution, etc.) of the selected model of the mobile device cover 100 so that the user can see how the displayed icon looks on the selected model of the mobile device cover 100. The icons-for-contacts page 1600 also provides an icon 1630 (e.g., a preview-on-case icon) that, when selected, causes the mobile device cover 100 to demonstrate (e.g., actually display on the mobile device cover 100, cause LEDs of the mobile device cover 100 to light according to the icon, animations, and parameters, cause screens of the mobile device cover 100 to display according to the icon, animations, and parameters, etc.) the currently selected icon with any selected animations according to any selected icon parameters. Selecting (e.g., tapping or some other user input) on the assigned contacts button or link 1640 causes the assigned contacts page 900 to open. In some embodiments, the lightshows-for-contact page provides an icon that, when selected, enables a user to download or purchase (e.g., as part of an in-application purchases page) additional icons or features. Selecting the back button (or other actions such as backwards swipes) brings back the home page 700 or a previous page (e.g., the lightshows-for-contacts page).
FIG. 17 shows an exemplary battery page 1700 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure that is opened, for example, when the battery icon or link 760 on the home page 700 is selected. The battery page 1700 enables a user to view and change the battery settings of mobile device cover 100 and/or the host mobile device 110. For example, the battery page 1700 enables a user to turn on an autocharging feature of the mobile application. The user can set a start automatic charging parameter and a stop automatic charging parameter. The parameters can be, for example, battery charge percentages of the mobile device cover 100 battery or the host mobile device 110 battery. In an exemplary embodiment, a full battery charge is 100% and an exhausted battery charge is 0%, for example. In addition to battery charge percentages, the parameters can be in units of energy, charge, power, capacity, etc. Each parameter is set by selecting (e.g., tapping, toggling, or some other user input) the increase (“+”) or decrease (“−”) graphical buttons 1710 which incrementally increases or decreases the respective parameter accordingly. In some embodiments, when the mobile application senses that the battery charge percentage of the host mobile device 110 battery has dropped to or below the start automatic charging parameter, then the mobile application causes the mobile device cover 100 battery to charge the host mobile device 100 battery until the stop automatic charging parameter is reached. In some embodiments, similar automatic charging parameters are used by the mobile application to also cause the host mobile device 110 battery to charge the mobile device cover 100 battery. The parameters and information relating to whether the automatic charging feature enabled is sent by the mobile application to the mobile device cover 100 and/or the host mobile device 110. By selecting the manual tab 1770, the battery page 1700 also enables to user to initiate manual battery charging by selecting one battery (e.g., the mobile device cover 100 battery) to charge another battery (e.g., the host mobile device 110 battery) according to a selectable condition (e.g., battery charge, duration, etc.). The battery page 1700 also displays the battery charge or battery charge percentages 1720, 1730 of the batteries of the mobile device cover 100 and the host mobile device 110, respectively. When either battery is being charged, a charging icon 1740 is displayed over the battery FIG. 1750 or over the portion 1760 of the battery FIG. 1750 representing the battery that is being charged. Selecting the back button 1780 (or other actions such as backwards swipes) brings back the home page 700 or a previous page.
FIG. 18 shows an exemplary lighting page 1800 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure that is opened, for example, when the lighting icon or link 770 on the home page 700 is selected. The lighting page 1800 enables a user to set lighting settings for the mobile application and the mobile device cover 100. The lighting page lists a number of lighting options 1810 (e.g., flashlight, softlight, reading light, strobe light, panic light, etc.), the order of which can be changed by dragging the respective three lines icon 1820 corresponding to the lighting option to the appropriate place in the list. By selecting one of the lighting options (e.g., flashlight, softlight, panic light, etc.), the respective light parameters 1830 (e.g., brightness via slider 1840, duration via incremental adjustment buttons 1850, 1855, etc.) of the selected lighting option is viewed and can be modified. The mobile device cover 100 and/or the mobile application can operate according to one or more light options for a select time and/or duration, the one or more light options provided by the mobile device cover 100 including: a flashlight; a soft light; a panic light (e.g., a bright bursting light that may accompany a piercing sound); a selfie light (e.g., a soft ring of light to naturally illuminate a face during a selfie and used in conjunction, for example, with a camera of the host mobile device 110 or an external camera); a reading light (e.g., an adjustable light for reading); a strobe light; icons (e.g., static or animated icons including emojis displayed by one or more LEDs or on one or more screens); light shows; light patterns; scrolling text (e.g., favorite proverb or saying); and a clock. By selecting a respective icon (e.g., an “i” icon 1860), a corresponding page (e.g., clock page, lightshows page, icons page, etc.) opens. Referring to FIG. 18, when the flashlight option is selected, the mobile device cover 100 operates as a flashlight by one or both of turning on selected LEDs or turning on one or more screens to a particular brightness and/or hue, for example. The “on” and “off” tabs 1870, 1875 (e.g., icons, graphical elements, etc.) turn the flashlight on or off, respectively. The brightness and duration of the flashlight option can be set by a graphical slider 1840 or incremental adjustment icons (e.g., “+” icon 1850 and “−” icon 1855). The various options of the lighting page 1800 can be previewed in the mobile application (e.g., a portion of the lighting page 1800 or a separate page) and/or on the mobile device cover 100 (and host mobile device 110). As with all features described in the present disclosure, the mobile device cover 100 operates whether physically connected to host mobile device 110 or physically separated from the host mobile device 110. Selecting the back button 1880 (or other actions such as backwards swipes) brings back the home page 700 or a previous page.
In some embodiments, the lighting page 1800 provides the setup of a panic light, panic alert, hazards, blinkers, etc. For example, for use in an emergency situation, a user can enable the lighting page to set up a panic alert. The panic alert can be activated by a graphical button on the lighting page 1800 or on a home screen of the host mobile device 110, or a physical button on the host mobile device 110. The panic alert can also be activated by a graphical button on a screen or a physical button on the mobile device cover 100. The panic alert can include, for example, a panic light that is a light pattern at the highest intensities in a pattern (e.g., bursting light pattern, full LED on/off blue or other light pattern) configured to draw the most attention to the user and/or to disorient an attacker of the user, for example. Further, the panic alert can be accompanied with a loud sound or voice that is broadcast over the speakers of the mobile device cover 100 and/or the host mobile device 110. The sound or voice is configured to draw the most attention to the user and/or to disorient an attacker of the user, for example. The panic alert can also include, with or without a prompt, the dialing of an emergency phone number (e.g., police department, security system, emergency contact, etc.) and other configurations such as turning on the speaker phone. Other options of the panic alert can include, for example, the sending of text messages to various contacts notifying the various contacts of the emergency situation. The messages and/or phone call can include location information (e.g., via a satellite-based location determining system such as GPS and/or a ground-based location determining system) or other data to direct responders to the user location. The camera on the host mobile device 110 can be activated during a panic alert to take pictures at selected intervals and/or to take one or more movies, which can be sent automatically and/or stored. These options can be set up for the panic light link on the lighting page 1800 that can open up a menu or a separate page for these panic alert settings and/or parameters.
FIG. 19 shows an exemplary clock page 1900 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure that is opened, for example, when the clock icon or link 1885 (e.g., the “Clock” link) on the lighting page 1800 is selected. The clock page 1900 enables a user to set clock settings for display by the mobile device cover 100. Referring to FIG. 19, different clock faces 1910 can be selected, for example, by swiping the clock face menu options (e.g., vertical view, horizontal view, portrait view, landscape view, stop watch view, etc.). Different parameters 1920 can be set by corresponding icons (e.g., graphical toggle switches 1930). For example, the following parameters can be set to affect the clock display on the mobile device cover 100: 12-hour time format, 24-hour time format, displaying leading zeroes, blinking colon, etc. Further, custom fields can be selected and/or set. For example, custom fields can be used to further display and/or set calendar information, time zone information, additional time zone information times, highlighted world time zone map, etc. In some embodiments, the clock page provides an icon 1940 (e.g., a preview-on-case icon) that, when selected, causes the mobile device cover 100 to demonstrate the currently selected clock according to the selected clock face and other clock parameters on the mobile device cover 100. Selecting the back button 1950 (or other actions such as backwards swipes) brings back the home page 700 or a previous page (e.g., the lighting page 1800).
FIG. 20 shows an exemplary back design page 2000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure that is opened, for example, when the back design icon or link 780 (e.g., icon and/or “Lighting” link) on the home page 700 is selected. The back design page 2000 enables a user to select a particular back design and/or mobile device cover 100 model. Referring to FIG. 20, a listing 2010 of back designs can be viewed by swiping up or down, for example, on a touch-sensitive screen of the host mobile device 110. Selection of a particular back design occurs by selecting (e.g., tapping, toggling, or some other user input) the particular back design graphic 2020 or the back design description 2030 (e.g., the “Blue” link). The selection of the particular back design and/or mobile device cover 100 model affects the available lightshows, icons, animations, etc. that are adjustable for the selected back design and/or mobile device cover 100 model. For example, each mobile device cover 100 model and/or particular back design can have its own arrangement of lights (e.g., LEDs, indicators, etc.), screens, and/or features. Accordingly, the available lightshows, icons, animations, etc. available for display on the light arrangements and/or screens of the selected mobile device cover 100 model and/or back design vary according to the selected mobile device cover 100 model and/or back design. Further, the mobile application uses the selected mobile device cover 100 model and/back design when displaying selected lightshows, icons, animations, etc. during a preview, for example. For example, when the mobile application is running on the host mobile device 110, the host mobile device 110 can preview the selected lightshow, icons, animations, etc. using a page (e.g., lightshows page, lightshows-for-contacts page, icons page, a preview page, etc.) of the mobile application. The graphical preview provided by a page of the mobile application incorporates the selected mobile device cover 100 model and/or back design (e.g., structural features, colors, etc.). Selecting the back button 2040 (or other actions such as backwards swipes) brings back the home page 700 or a previous page.
FIG. 21 shows an exemplary settings page 2100 that is opened, for example, when the settings icon or link 790 (e.g., settings icon or “Settings” link”) on the home page 700 is selected. The settings page 2100 enables a user to view and change general settings and other settings. For example, the settings page 2100 can be used to change fonts, languages, display orientation, etc. via its graphical user interface. Referring to FIG. 25D, an exemplary scrolling text fonts page 2530 is shown with a preview pane 2535 that enables the viewing and/or selection of different fonts such as, for example, rounded, condensed, boxed, and other font choices that are not shown. By a swipe or other gesture on a screen, for example, other font choices can be viewed. Further, the option of all text being in capitals is provided. The preview pane 2535 can also be a pop-up window or a separate page. The previewed pane 2535 can also illustrate various changes in fonts on a representation of a selected model of the mobile device cover 100. Further, the previewed display can also be actually displayed on the mobile device cover 100 to view the display (e.g., scrolling text display) in view of any font changes, for example. Referring to FIG. 25E, an exemplary scrolling orientation page 2550 is shown with a preview pane 2555 that enables the viewing and/or selection of different orientations (e.g., whether the text scrolls up, down, left, right, whether the text is in landscape or portrait format, etc.) for the scrolling text. The preview pane 2555 can also be a pop-up window or a separate page. The previewed pane 2555 can also illustrate various changes in orientation on a representation of a selected model of the mobile device cover 100. Further, the previewed display can also be actually displayed on the mobile device cover 100 to view the display (e.g., scrolling text display) in view of any orientation changes, for example. Some embodiments provide that the host mobile device 110 and/or the mobile device cover 100 can determine, for example, whether the host mobile device 110 and/or the mobile device cover 100 is upside down or some other orientation, for example, via an internal gyroscope and/or accelerometer, for example, and automatically re-orient the displayed information accordingly so that the displayed information is easily read by a user.
Referring back to FIG. 21, respective icons 2110 (e.g., graphical switches or graphical elements that can be selected or toggled) are selected to turn on or off corresponding categories of notifications. For example, phone notifications, message notifications, email notifications, alerts, application notifications, or other notifications supported and displayed on the mobile device cover 100 and/or the host mobile device 110 can be turned on or off. Further, by selecting an icon or link 2120, 2130, 2140 on the settings page 2100, a notifications-for-applications page 2200, a lightshows-for-contacts page 2300, a synchronization/reset page 2400, etc. can be opened. The settings page 2100 also provides icons or links 2150, 2160 that open an about page, a test functions page, and other settings pages. The about page enables the user to view model or version details of the mobile application and/or the mobile device cover 100. In addition, an icon or link 2170 is provided to facilitate the update of the mobile application on the host mobile device 110 and/or the mobile device cover 100, and the software and/or circuitry on the mobile device cover 100. Selecting the back button 2180 (or other actions such as backwards swipes) brings back the home page 700 or a previous page.
FIG. 22 shows an exemplary notifications-for-applications settings page 2200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure that is opened, for example, when the notifications-for-applications icon or link 2120 on the settings page 2100 is selected. The notifications-for-applications settings page 2200 enables a user to view and make changes (e.g., generally or specifically) to parameters governing the display of application notifications on the mobile device cover 100. Referring to FIG. 22, various parameters can be set by the user. For example, the user can generally (or specifically) enable or disable, via a graphical switch 2210, the application notifications being shown on the mobile device cover 100 for phone notifications, message notifications, email notifications, application notifications, etc. When enabled, the user can then set other general or specific parameters for the application notifications. The notifications-for-applications settings page 2200 provides the user with an icon 2220 (e.g., graphical switch or graphical element that can be tapped or toggled) that causes icons (e.g., icons, emojis, graphical designs, animations, lightshows, light icons, scrolling text, etc.) to be included or not included during an application notification displayed on the mobile device cover 100. Other parameters for general or specific application notifications that a user can view and modify include turning on/off animations 2230 and/or text scrolling, and setting a scroll speed 2240, a type of separator 2250 between text and/or icons, a number of repeat times 2260, etc. Selecting the back button 2270 (or other actions such as backwards swipes) brings back the home page 700 or a previous page (e.g., the settings page 2100).
FIG. 23 shows an exemplary lightshows-for-contacts settings page 2300 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure that is opened, for example, when the lightshows-for-contacts icon or link 2130 on the settings page 2100 is selected. The lightshows-for-contacts settings page 2300 enables a user to view and make changes (e.g., generally or specifically) to parameters governing the display of contact lightshows on the mobile device cover 100. Referring to FIG. 23, various parameters can be set by the user. For example, the lightshows-for-contacts settings page 2300 provides a sort order icon or link 2310 (e.g., that provides a pop up menu) that is selected to set a sorting parameter for contacts (e.g., a list of contacts) in the mobile application, and a display order icon or link 2320 that is selected to set a display parameter for contacts (e.g., first name before last name when a contact is displayed on the mobile device cover 100). Further, the lightshows, icons (e.g., light icons), scrolling text, etc. for the phone, message, email, etc. are enabled or disabled by icons 2330 (e.g., graphical switches or graphical elements that can be selected or toggled). In addition, content can be displayed on the mobile device cover 100 including, for example, phone numbers, email addresses, transcriptions of voice mails, the body of emails, the body of texts, attachments to the emails or texts, etc. Different parameters can be generally be set for the different types of communication, for example, to distinguish them from each other. For example, once a particular category of application notification has been enabled, animations can be turned on or off (e.g., via graphical switch 2340), particular animations can be chosen, and other animation characteristics (e.g., blink, fade, etc.) of the animations can be set (e.g., via menus links 2450, 2460) for the general categories such as notifications for phone, messages, emails, etc. or for specific phone numbers, messages/emails from specific senders, etc. In some embodiments, animations and animation parameters can be set for groups (e.g., subsets) of contacts depending upon the type of communication. Selecting the back button 2470 (or other actions such as backwards swipes) brings back the home page 700 or a previous page (e.g., the settings page 2100).
FIG. 24 shows an exemplary synchronization/reset page 2400 that is opened, for example, when the synchronization/reset icon or link 2140 on the settings page 2100 is selected. By selecting the reset-to-default icon or link 2410, the synchronization/reset page 2400 enables the user to reset the mobile application settings to original default values and clear contact lists and other information in the mobile application. The default values and other information are sent to and/or stored in the mobile device cover 100 and/or the host mobile device 110. By selecting the sync-settings-with-case icon or link 2420, the synchronization/reset page 2400 enables the user to synchronize the mobile application with the mobile device cover 100, for example, by sending present values/settings and other present information (e.g., present settings, contact lists, selected animations, icons, parameters, etc.) to the mobile device cover 100 or vice versa. Further, by selecting the repair-LED-grid icon or link 2430, the synchronization/reset page enables a rewrite of all sectors for the mobile device cover 100, including sectors that store light patterns, light shows, fonts, icons, animations, clock faces, graphical elements, graphical designs, etc. The synchronization/reset page 2400 also provides an icon or link 2440 for backing up settings and/or other information to a cloud network. The mobile application also provides an icon 2450 for restoring settings and/or other information of the mobile application and/or mobile device cover 100 from settings and/or other information stored on the cloud network. In some embodiments, selections made on the synchronization/reset page 2400 include warnings about the information being lost if the user proceeds with the synchronization, reset, repair, and/or restore. For example, resetting or synchronizing the mobile application and/or the mobile device cover 100 can cause the settings and lookup tables (or other types of memory or storage) in the mobile device cover 100 to be overwritten. Selecting the back button 2460 (or other actions such as backwards swipes) brings back the home page 700 or a previous page (e.g., the settings page 2100).
Other embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a non-transitory computer readable medium and/or storage medium, and/or a non-transitory machine readable medium and/or storage medium, having stored thereon, a machine code and/or a computer program having at least one code section executable by a machine and/or a computer, thereby causing the machine and/or computer to perform the steps as described herein.
Accordingly, aspects of the present disclosure may be realized in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. The present disclosure may be realized in a centralized fashion in at least one computer system or in a distributed fashion where different elements are spread across several interconnected computer systems. Any kind of computer system or other apparatus adapted for carrying out the methods described herein is suited. A typical combination of hardware and software may be a general-purpose computer system with a computer program that, when being loaded and executed, controls the computer system such that it carries out the methods described herein.
Aspects of the present disclosure may also be embedded in a computer program product, which comprises all the features enabling the implementation of the methods described herein, and which when loaded in a computer system is able to carry out these methods. Computer program in the present context means any expression, in any language, code or notation, of a set of instructions intended to cause a system having an information processing capability to perform a particular function either directly or after either or both of the following: a) conversion to another language, code or notation; b) reproduction in a different material form.
While the present disclosure has been described with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the present disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1-20. (canceled)

21. A mobile phone cover for use with a mobile phone, comprising:

a housing configured to enclose the mobile phone, wherein a front side of the housing comprises an opening through which a screen of the mobile phone can be viewed; and

a removable portion operably coupled to a backside of the housing.

22. The mobile phone cover according to claim 21, wherein the removable portion is interchangeable with a different removable portion.

23. The mobile phone cover according to claim 21, wherein the removable portion is configured to house circuitry to support functionality.

24. The mobile phone cover according to claim 21, wherein the mobile phone cover comprises circuitry, and wherein the removable portion comprises electrical contacts configured to electrically connect to the circuitry of the mobile phone cover.

25. The mobile phone cover according to claim 21, wherein the mobile phone cover comprises wireless transceiver circuitry, and wherein the removable portion is configured to wirelessly connect to the mobile phone cover.

26. The mobile phone cover according to claim 21, wherein the removable portion comprises a plate.

27. The mobile phone cover according to claim 26, wherein the removable portion is interchangeable with a different removable portion comprising a different plate with a different appearance.

28. The mobile phone cover according to claim 21, wherein the removable portion is interchangeable with a different removable portion with a different physical shape or size.

29. The mobile phone cover according to claim 21, wherein the removable portion forms part of an external side of the housing.

30. The mobile phone cover according to claim 21, wherein the removable portion is magnetically secured to the housing.

31. The mobile phone cover according to claim 21, wherein the removable portion comprises an output device that can be used by one or both of the mobile phone cover and the mobile device.

32. The mobile phone cover according to claim 21, wherein the removable portion comprises a screen.

33. The mobile phone cover according to claim 21, wherein the removable portion comprises a projector.

34. The mobile phone cover according to claim 21, wherein the housing comprises a plurality of connected frames.

35. A mobile device comprising:

a mobile phone;

a mobile phone cover configured to enclose the mobile phone, wherein a front side of the housing comprises an opening through which a screen of the mobile phone can be viewed; and

a removable portion operably coupled to a backside of the mobile phone cover, wherein the removable portion comprises circuitry operably coupled to the mobile phone.

36. The mobile device according to claim 35, wherein the removable portion is wirelessly coupled to the mobile phone.

37. The mobile device according to claim 35, wherein the removable portion comprises a display.

38. The mobile device according to claim 35, wherein the removable portion comprises a projector.

39. The mobile device according to claim 35, wherein the removable portion is configured to be magnetically coupled to the mobile phone cover.

40. The mobile device according to claim 35, wherein the mobile phone cover comprises a plurality of connected frames.