Device case with added functionality

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9696756-B1
Application number	US-201414333096-A
Country	US
Kind code	B1
Filing date	Jul 16, 2014
Priority date	Mar 21, 2012
Publication date	Jul 4, 2017
Grant date	Jul 4, 2017

Abstract

A case for a device includes a plurality of walls defining a cavity and an opening to the cavity. A first one of the walls is opposite the opening and is configured as a support surface to support a portion of a first housing of the device and also has a first recess therein configured to receive a portion of at least a first end of a band of the device. A second one of the walls defines an edge of the opening that is configured to extend along a center support of the band with the optical element of the device being positioned between the second one of the walls and the support surface when the device is received in the cavity. The case also includes a lid configured to cover the opening and to selectively enclose the interior cavity.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A case for an electronic device, the case comprising:
a support wall configured to provide at least partial support to the electronic device when the electronic device is received within the case, the support wall having a first end and a second end opposite the first end;
first and second sidewalls arranged along opposite sides of the support wall;
an end wall spanning between the first and second sidewalls and adjacent to the first end of the support wall, the end wall having an edge extending between the first and second sidewalls that is generally curved;
a first electrical contact positioned on the support wall closer to the second end of the support wall than the first end of the support wall, the first electrical contact being configured to operatively connect to a second electrical contact of the electronic device when the electronic device is received within the case; and
a case power source electrically coupled to the second electrical contact, the case power source being configured to recharge the power supply of the electronic device via the first and second electrical contacts.

2. The case of claim 1 , further including a connection port and electronic circuitry to facilitate a connection between the case and an external source.

3. The case of claim 1 , further including means for connecting the electronic device with an external source.

4. The case of claim 1 , further including a magnet configured to provide a retention force to secure the electronic device to the support wall.

5. The case of claim 1 , further including electrical circuitry configured to send a signal to the electronic device indicating a connection between the electronic device and the case.

6. The case of claim 1 , wherein the case power source includes a battery.

7. The case of claim 1 , wherein the case power source includes a photovoltaic panel.

8. A case for an electronic device, the electronic device including a band and a first housing, the band including first and second side arms coupled to a central portion therebetween, the first side arm including a power supply and a first electrical contact coupled to the power supply, the first housing being coupled to a first side of the first side arm adjacent to the central portion, the first housing supporting an optical element adjacent the central portion, the case comprising:
a support wall configured to provide at least partial support to the electronic device when the electronic device is received within the case;
first and second sidewalls arranged along opposite sides of the support wall;
a second electrical contact configured to connect to the first electrical contact of the first side arm; and
a case power source electrically coupled to the second electrical contact that includes a kinetic charging structure that charges a battery of the case or the electronic device via motion of the case, the case power source being configured to recharge the power supply of the electronic device via the first and second electrical contacts.

9. The case of claim 8 , wherein the kinetic charging structure includes a weighted piston or cam that charges the battery or the electronic device during movement thereof.

10. The case of claim 1 , wherein the case power source is disposed in an internal compartment within the case.

11. The case of claim 10 , wherein the case power source is concealed within the internal compartment, the internal compartment defined as being between the support wall and an end wall of the case.

12. The case of claim 1 , further including at least one indicator light that indicates a connection status between the electronic device and the case.

13. The case of claim 12 , wherein the at least one indicator light indicates a charging status of the electronic device.

14. The case of claim 12 , wherein the at least one indicator light is located along an interior surface of the case.

Assignees

• Google Inc

Inventors

• Olsson Maj Isabelle
• Martin Matthew Wyatt
• Hebenstreit Joseph John
• Cazalet Peter Michael

Classifications

• H02J7/70

  characterised by the mechanical construction · CPC title

• G06F1/189

  Power distribution · CPC title

• G06F1/1628 Primary

  Enclosures for carrying portable computers with peripheral devices, e.g. cases for a laptop and a printer · CPC title

• A45C11/00 Primary

  Receptacles for purposes not provided for in groups A45C1/00-A45C9/00 (specially adapted for toiletry or cosmetic equipment A45D29/20, A45D44/18; travelling sewing kits A45F3/48) · CPC title

• G08B5/36

  using visible light sources · CPC title