Abstract: A protective case for an electronic device includes a cover, a rechargeable battery, first and second electrical connectors, and electrical circuitry. The first electrical connector is accessible at an outer surface of the cover for electrically connecting to an external power source. The second electrical connector is accessible at an inner surface of the cover for electrically connecting the protective case to the electronic device. The electrical circuitry distributes the received electrical power to the electronic device and to the rechargeable battery. The electrical circuitry also distributes stored electrical power from the rechargeable battery to the electronic device. Distribution of the stored electrical power to the electronic device is conditioned upon an input received from the electronic device, a mode of the protective case, and or a signal received at the protective case.

Abstract: A connection mechanism between two components may use one or more metallic pins that are magnetically extended when the components are engaged, the pins extending into one or more slots. The components are attached in place by the pins extended into the slots during attachment. The connection mechanism may include one or more magnets mounted on either or both components. The magnets may be arranged to attract the components when the components are in the locking orientation and to repel the components when the components are in an unlocked position. The connection mechanism may include electrical connections between the components.

Abstract: A protective case for an electronic device includes a cover, a rechargeable battery, first and second electrical connectors, and electrical circuitry. The first electrical connector is accessible at an outer surface of the cover for electrically connecting to an external power source. The second electrical connector is accessible at an inner surface of the cover for electrically connecting the protective case to the electronic device. The electrical circuitry distributes the received electrical power to the electronic device and to the rechargeable battery. The electrical circuitry also distributes stored electrical power from the rechargeable battery to the electronic device. Distribution of the stored electrical power to the electronic device is conditioned upon an input received from the electronic device, a mode of the protective case, and or a signal received at the protective case.

Abstract: A protective case for an electronic device includes first and second case portions, a rechargeable battery, first and second electrical connectors, a switch, and electrical circuitry. The second case portion is removably attachable to the first case portion. The first electrical connector is accessible at an outer surface of the second case portion for electrically connecting to an external power source. The second electrical connector is accessible at an inner surface of the second case portion for electrically connecting the protective case to the electronic device. The switch is accessible on the second case portion and is user operable. The electrical circuitry distributes the received electrical power to the electronic device and to the rechargeable battery. The electrical circuitry also distributes stored electrical power from the rechargeable battery to the electronic device. Distribution of the stored electrical power to the electronic device is conditioned upon a state of the switch.

Abstract: A protective case for an electronic device includes first and second case portions, a rechargeable battery, first and second electrical connectors, a switch, and electrical circuitry. The second case portion is removably attachable to the first case portion. The first electrical connector is accessible at an outer surface of the second case portion for electrically connecting to an external power source. The second electrical connector is accessible at an inner surface of the second case portion for electrically connecting the protective case to the electronic device. The switch is accessible on the second case portion and is user operable. The electrical circuitry distributes the received electrical power to the electronic device and to the rechargeable battery. The electrical circuitry also distributes stored electrical power from the rechargeable battery to the electronic device. Distribution of the stored electrical power to the electronic device is conditioned upon a state of the switch.

Abstract: A method of performing power management in a protective case for a mobile computing device is provided. The method includes receiving electrical current from a power source connected to the protective case. The methods also includes commanding the mobile computing device to consume no more than a specified amount of the received electrical current by transmitting a data communication from the protective case to the mobile computing device indicating the specified amount of the received electrical current. The method further includes monitoring an amount of the received electrical current consumed by the mobile computing device and distributing at least a portion of the received electrical current not consumed by the mobile computing device to a rechargeable battery of the protective case.

Abstract: A connection mechanism between two components may use one or more metallic pins that are magnetically extended when the components are engaged, the pins extending into one or more slots. The components are attached in place by the pins extended into the slots during attachment. The connection mechanism may include one or more magnets mounted on either or both components. The magnets may be arranged to attract the components when the components are in the locking orientation and to repel the components when the components are in an unlocked position. The connection mechanism may include electrical connections between the components.

Abstract: A connection mechanism between two components may use one or more metallic pins that are magnetically extended when the components are engaged, and a sloped groove that retracts and unlocks the pins when the components are rotated. The components are locked in place by the pins during engagement. Disengagement may be performed by rotating the two components with respect to each other. The connection mechanism may include one or more magnets mounted on either or both components. The magnets may be arranged to attract the components when the components are in the locking orientation and to repel the components when the components are rotated to an unlocked position. The connection mechanism may include electrical connections between the components.

Abstract: A method of performing power management in a protective case for a mobile computing device is provided. The method includes receiving electrical current from a power source connected to the protective case. The methods also includes commanding the mobile computing device to consume no more than a specified amount of the received electrical current by transmitting a data communication from the protective case to the mobile computing device indicating the specified amount of the received electrical current. The method further includes monitoring an amount of the received electrical current consumed by the mobile computing device and distributing at least a portion of the received electrical current not consumed by the mobile computing device to a rechargeable battery of the protective case.

Abstract: A protective enclosure for an electronic device can include a waveguide to direct and enhance sound waves emanating from a speaker of an electronic device when installed in the protective enclosure. The waveguide can include a first end and a second end. The first end of the waveguide can be located proximate the speaker of the electronic device. The waveguide can increase in cross-sectional area between the first end and the second end. The second end of the waveguide can be located proximate a front surface of the protective enclosure and can direct sound waves toward a user of the electronic device.

Abstract: A protective enclosure for an electronic device can include a waveguide to direct and enhance sound waves emanating from a speaker of an electronic device when installed in the protective enclosure. The waveguide can include a first end and a second end. The first end of the waveguide can be located proximate the speaker of the electronic device. The waveguide can increase in cross-sectional area between the first end and the second end.

Abstract: A transponder for facilitating financial transaction communications is provided. The transponder includes a detector, a processing module, and a magnetic field source. The detector detects a first time varying magnetic field generated by a mobile electronic device. The first time varying magnetic field is encoded with financial account information. The processing module decodes the detected time varying magnetic field to recover the financial account information. The magnetic field source generates a second time varying magnetic field for detection by a magnetic read head of a point-of-sale terminal. The second time varying magnetic field is modulated with the recovered financial account information according to a sequence that corresponds to a standardized format for encoding a magnetic strip of a credit card readable by the magnetic read head of the point-of-sale terminal.

Abstract: A protective enclosure for an electronic device can include a waveguide to direct and enhance sound waves emanating from a speaker of an electronic device when installed in the protective enclosure. The waveguide can include a first end and a second end. The first end of the waveguide can be located proximate the speaker of the electronic device. The waveguide can increase in cross-sectional area between the first end and the second end.

Abstract: A case for an electronic device is provided. The case includes a battery, an interface to receive electrical power from an external power source, a payment device reader, a product information input device, and a computer processor configured to execute computer-readable instructions. The computer processor executes the instructions to conduct communications with the electronic device, limit an amount of current of the received electrical power consumed by the case, allocate the amount of current among the battery and the electronic device based on the communications, read product information from a product using the product information input device, and read a payment device using the payment device reader, where the payment device is used to pay for the product.

Abstract: A case for an electronic device is provided. The case includes a battery, an interface to receive electrical power from an external power source, a payment device reader, a product information input device, and a computer processor configured to execute computer-readable instructions. The computer processor executes the instructions to conduct communications with the electronic device, limit an amount of current of the received electrical power consumed by the case, allocate the amount of current among the battery and the electronic device based on the communications, read product information from a product using the product information input device, and read a payment device using the payment device reader, where the payment device is used to pay for the product.

Abstract: A protective enclosure for an electronic device is provided. The protective enclosure includes a hard shell that includes a front shell formed to a rigid shape of a front portion of the electronic device and a back shell formed to a rigid shape of a rear portion of the electronic device. The protective enclosure also includes a stretchable cushion layer over the hard shell that has a sufficient elasticity to conform to the hard shell and provide cushioning to the protective enclosure. The protective enclosure also includes a battery and electrical circuitry configured to receive electronic communications from the electronic device and distribute electrical current received from an external power source among the battery and the electronic device based on the received electronic communications.

Abstract: A protective enclosure for an electronic device can include a waveguide to direct and enhance sound waves emanating from a speaker of an electronic device when installed in the protective enclosure. The waveguide can include a first end and a second end. The first end of the waveguide can be located proximate the speaker of the electronic device. The waveguide can increase in cross-sectional area between the first end and the second end. The second end of the waveguide can be located proximate a front surface of the protective enclosure and can direct sound waves toward a user of the electronic device.

Abstract: A connection mechanism between two components may use one or more metallic pins that are magnetically extended when the components are engaged, and a sloped groove that retracts and unlocks the pins when the components are rotated. The components are locked in place by the pins during engagement. Disengagement may be performed by rotating the two components with respect to each other. The connection mechanism may include one or more magnets mounted on either or both components. The magnets may be arranged to attract the components when the components are in the locking orientation and to repel the components when the components are rotated to an unlocked position. The connection mechanism may include electrical connections between the components.

Abstract: A connection mechanism between two components may use one or metallic pins that are magnetically extended when the components are engaged, and a sloped groove that retracts and unlocks the pins when the components are rotated. The components are locked in place by the pins during engagement. Disengagement may be performed by rotating the two components with respect to each other. The connection mechanism may include one or more magnets mounted on either or both components. The magnets may be arranged to attract the components when the components are in the locking orientation and to repel the components when the components are rotated to an unlocked position. The connection mechanism may include electrical connections between the components.

Abstract: A connection mechanism between two components may use one or metallic pins that are magnetically extended when the components are engaged, and a sloped groove that retracts and unlocks the pins when the components are rotated. The components are locked in place by the pins during engagement. Disengagement may be performed by rotating the two components with respect to each other. The conncection mechanism may include one or more magnets mounted on either or both components. The magnets may be arranged to attract the components when the components are in the locking orientation and to repel the components when the components are rotated to an unlocked position. The connection mechanism may include electrical connections between the components.