Protective devices for a mobile terminal
This invention describes a protective device and associated method for protecting (including the protection from water and dust) a mobile terminal whether or not the terminal is in use, and for providing a hands-free operation of the mobile terminal, wherein the mobile terminal can be a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a pager, a MP3 player, or any similar portable communication device or a mobile electronic device.
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This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/540,899, filed Jan. 30, 2004 and from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/881,898 filed on Jun. 30, 2004. This application is a divisional application of and claims priority from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/046,556, filed Jan. 28, 2005.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to protective enclosures for mobile terminals (e.g., mobile phones), and more specifically to protective devices for mobile terminals that allow using the mobile terminals while they are protected within the sealed enclosure of the protective device including the protection from water and dust.
BACKGROUND ARTWireless communication has advanced significantly over the past few decades. Today, mobile terminals (such as mobile phones, pagers, personal digital assistants, and similar devices) play an important role in society. An increasingly large percentage of the population carries some sort of mobile terminal. People of all ages and walks of life use these mobile terminals to communicate, access the internet, play games, store information, and organize their calendars. People often rely on having easy access to their mobile terminals at all times.
One of the most important characteristics of a mobile terminal is its portability. Consumers constantly demand smaller and lighter mobile terminals that are easier to carry around on a day-to-day basis. In response to consumer demand, today's mobile terminals are often designed to be easily carried in a pocket or handbag or attached to a belt. To achieve smaller sizes and weights, today's mobile devices often lack any kind of significant protection from the elements. Most of the mobile terminals today are highly susceptible to water, dust, and dirt, and few have any significant shock protection.
As consumers increasingly rely on their mobile terminals, they desire to take their mobile terminals everywhere they go and have access to them at any time of day. As a result, today's mobile devices are frequently used in environments hostile to the mobile terminal's electronics. For example, a person who takes a cell phone, PDA, or similar device, to the beach risks harming the device by getting the device sandy or wet. Likewise, someone who works outdoors and is exposed to the elements may desire to have a mobile terminal that is water, dirt, and shock resistant. Even, sitting by the pool or on a boat talking on a mobile phone could be disastrous if the phone is splashed or accidentally dropped in the water. Countless other situations exist, like jogging, hiking, camping, or attending sporting events, where a person may desire to have their mobile device handy but at the same time may not wish to risk exposing the device to potentially harmful environments.
Since a mobile terminal is often a significant investment for the user and would, at the least, be inconvenient to replace, a means of adequately protecting the terminal is needed. Typical protective cases that are currently available consist of flexible leather or plastic jackets that fit snuggly over the terminal. In order for the mobile terminal to be useable with these protective covers in place, these covers generally have cutouts that expose the input and output components of the terminal, such as the keypads, speakers, and microphones. As a result, such covers provide little protection from water, sand, and dirt, and provide almost no added shock protection if the terminal is dropped.
Hard plastic cases that exist in the art, such as that described by U.S. Pat. No. 6,456,487, are generally not waterproof and may require covers to be sealed against the elements. Also, some cases require that the terminal be removed from the case prior to use. Similarly, a person could wrap their terminal in a waterproof plastic bag, but again this would require removal of the terminal prior to use. As a result, cases that require the terminal to be removed for use provide no protection to the terminal during use, when the terminal is often most vulnerable.
Wireless headsets can be used to access a mobile phone while the phone is stored in a secure location. These headsets generally communicate with the mobile terminal using BLUETOOTH wireless technology. BLUETOOTH wireless technology enables cable-free connections by using radio frequency signals to communicate with the mobile terminal. For the headsets to work, the mobile terminal must be in close proximity to the headset. As a result, the mobile terminal must typically be with the user anyway and, therefore, will still need some means of protection. The small size of the headset limits the input, output, and power components that can be placed on the headset. Furthermore, a person using a headset with a mobile phone while the phone is protected in a handbag or backpack cannot see the display on the phone. To see the phone, the person would have to take it out of the bag, thus exposing it to the harsh environment from which the person was protecting it. Finally, these headsets are not waterproof themselves.
Accordingly, a device is needed that allows consumers the ability to use their small, lightweight, mobile terminals in all kinds of environments without worrying about harming or destroying the terminal. Ideally, the protective device should be waterproof, buoyant, and able to absorb the shock associated with dropping the mobile terminal. At the same time, it would be beneficial to be able to easily use a mobile device and enjoy much of its rich functionality while it is protected.
The mobile telephone is the most commonly used mobile terminal. Mobile telephones are in every day use in many different settings including home, automobiles, bicycles, carried on the person in pocket, and in various recreational activities, many of which are outdoors. Some of these outdoor activities can involve proximity to the beach and other water-related activities such as boating, water skiing, etc. Other outdoor activities may involve proximity to dirt and dust and from which it may be desirable to protect one's mobile, phone. It is also desirable in some outdoor activities to be able to carry the mobile phone on the person without having to use one's hands so that operation may be conducted in a “hands-free” manner. Mobile phones are now equipped with many different functionalities and may include functions beyond simple voice telephony. Such may include music downloads, radio, multimedia messaging, etc. It would be desirable to have a means for protecting a mobile phone in harsh outdoor environments while still being able to use the phone in a hand-free manner and utilize many of the new functionalities besides voice telephony.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTIONThe object of the present invention is to provide a protective device and associated method, for environmentally protecting (including the protection from water and dust) a mobile terminal whether or not the terminal is in use, and to provide a hands-free operation of the mobile terminal, wherein the mobile terminal can be a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a pager, a MP3 player, or any similar portable communication device or a mobile electronic device.
According to a first aspect of the invention, a protective device for encapsulating a mobile terminal, comprises: a housing adapted to define an opened position for receiving a mobile terminal and further adapted to define a closed position for securing the mobile terminal therein, the housing comprised at least partially of a waterproof material and being sealed in the closed position so as to protect the mobile terminal from an incursion of water and dust; at least one of: an input component carried by the housing for receiving user input from a user of the mobile terminal and an output component carried by the housing for providing output to the user; and a signal processor carried by the housing for converting at least one of: (i) the input received by the input component to at least one signal that the mobile terminal is capable of processing prior to provision of the at least one signal to the mobile terminal, and (ii) at least one further signal received from the mobile terminal to at least one additional signal that the output component is capable of processing prior to presentation to the output component for providing the output to the user.
According further to the first aspect of the invention, the signal processor may be capable of transmitting radio frequency signals to the mobile terminal and the signal processor may be further capable of receiving radio frequency signals from the mobile terminal.
Further according to the first aspect of the invention, the protective device may further comprise an electrical connection between the signal processor and the mobile terminal, the electrical connection may be capable of transmitting signals from the signal processor to the mobile terminal and from the mobile terminal to the signal processor.
Still further according to the first aspect of the invention, the input component may comprise of at least one of a microphone and a keypad having at least one key.
According further to the first aspect of the invention, the output component may comprise of at least one of a speaker and a visual display.
According still further to the first aspect of the invention, the protective device may comprise: a fastener for securing the mobile terminal within the protective device, wherein optionally the fastener may comprise of at least one strap for at least partially encircling the mobile terminal.
According further still to the first aspect of the invention, the housing may comprise of at least two portions mechanically coupled to each other and, when in the closed position, the two portions may be firmly secured relative to each other.
According yet further still to the first aspect of the invention, the housing may comprise of all waterproof materials and further may comprise at least one gasket between the portions of the housing to create a hermetic seal and secure a waterproof operation in the closed position.
Yet still further according to the first aspect of the invention, the housing may be at least partially comprised of an at least partially transparent material.
Still yet further according to the first aspect of the invention, the protective device may comprise: a power supply carried by the housing for providing power to the input/output component and signal processor.
Still further still according to the first aspect of the invention, the protective device may further comprise: a strap attached to the housing to aid in the carrying of the protective device.
Further according to the first aspect of the invention, the input and output components and the signal processor may be removable from the housing while still being capable of communicating with the mobile terminal. Still further, the input component, the output component and the processor may form a headset, and wherein transmitting signals between the headset and the mobile terminal may comprise transmitting radio frequency signals between the headset and the mobile terminal or wherein transmitting signals between the headset and the mobile terminal may comprise transmitting electrical signals between the headset and the mobile terminal.
According still further to the first aspect of the invention, the input component may be a microphone and the output component may be a speaker to provide a hands-free operation of the terminal device.
According further still to the first aspect of the invention, the housing may be buoyant with the mobile terminal secured therein while in the closed position.
According yet further still to the first aspect of the invention, at least one operational function of the mobile terminal inserted into the protective device may be actuated using at least one corresponding button or at least one corresponding key of the protective device.
According to a second aspect of the invention, a mobile terminal assembly comprises: a mobile terminal; and a protective device in which the mobile terminal is removably disposed; the protective device comprises: a housing adapted to define an opened position for receiving a mobile terminal and further adapted to define a closed position for securing the mobile terminal therein, the housing comprised at least partially of a waterproof material and being sealed in the closed position so as to protect the mobile terminal from an incursion of water and dust; at least one of: an input component carried by the housing for receiving user input from a user of the mobile terminal and an output component carried by the housing for providing output to the user; and a signal processor carried by the housing for converting at least one of: (i) the input received by the input component to at least one signal that the mobile terminal is capable of processing prior to provision of the at least one signal to the mobile terminal, and (ii) at least one further signal received from the mobile terminal to at least one additional signal that the output component is capable of processing prior to presentation to the output component for providing the output to the user.
According to a third aspect of the invention, a method for using a protective device with a mobile terminal, comprises the steps of: securing the mobile terminal with a housing of the protective device; receiving input from a user of the mobile terminal by an input component carried by the housing or providing output to the user by an output component carried by the housing; and converting by a signal processor carried by the housing at least one of: (i) the input received by the input component to at least one signal that the mobile terminal is capable of processing prior to provision of the at least one signal to the mobile terminal, and (ii) at least one further signal received from the mobile terminal to at least one additional signal that the output component is capable of processing prior to presentation to the output component for providing the output to the user.
According further to the third aspect of the invention, the signal processor may be capable of transmitting radio frequency signals to the mobile terminal and the signal processor may be further capable of receiving radio frequency signals from the mobile terminal.
Further according to the third aspect of the invention, there may be an electrical connection between the signal processor and the mobile terminal, the electrical connection being capable of transmitting signals from the signal processor to the mobile terminal and from the mobile terminal to the signal processor.
Still further according to the third aspect of the invention, the protective device may further comprise: a fastener for securing the mobile terminal within the protective device, wherein optionally the fastener may comprise of at least one strap for at least partially encircling the mobile terminal.
According further to the third aspect of the invention, the housing may be comprised of at least two portions mechanically coupled to each other and, when in the closed position, the two portions may be firmly secured relative to each other.
According still further to the third aspect of the invention, the housing may comprise of all waterproof materials and further may comprise at least one gasket between the portions of the housing to create a hermetic seal and secure a waterproof operation in the closed position.
According yet further still to the third aspect of the invention, the housing may be at least partially comprised of an at least partially transparent material.
According further still to the third aspect of the invention, the protective device may further comprise: a power supply carried by the housing for providing power to the input/output component and signal processor.
Yet still further according to the third aspect of the invention, the input and output components and the signal processor may be removable from the housing while still being capable of communicating with the mobile terminal.
Still yet further according to the third aspect of the invention, the input component, the output component and the processor may form a headset, and wherein transmitting signals between the headset and the mobile terminal may comprise transmitting radio frequency signals between the headset and the mobile terminal or wherein transmitting signals between the headset and the mobile terminal may comprise transmitting electrical signals between the headset and the mobile terminal. Further, the invention may further comprise the step of: removing the mobile terminal and the headset from the housing such that the mobile terminal and the headset are capable of subsequently being utilized apart from the housing.
According to a fourth aspect of the invention, a protective device for use with a mobile phone, comprises: a housing for a mobile phone within which the mobile phone is insertable and protected against water splash and dust when the housing is in a closed position; and a microphone and a speaker built-in to the housing to enable hands-free operation of the mobile phone when inserted in the housing.
According further to the fourth aspect of the invention, the housing may have a transparent window and at least one key of the mobile phone inserted into the protective device may be actuated by a user of the mobile phone by pressing the at least one key through the transparent window.
Further according to the fourth aspect of the invention, the mobile phone inserted into the protective device may be electrically charged using a corresponding jack port of the protective device without interrupting a normal operation of the mobile phone.
Still further according to the fourth aspect of the invention, at least one operational function of the mobile phone inserted into the protective device may be actuated using at least one corresponding button or at least one key of the protective device.
According further to the fourth aspect of the invention, the protective device may have a build-in flashlight.
According still further to the fourth aspect of the invention, the mobile phone inserted into the protective device may be connected to the protective device using a corresponding electrical connector.
According further still to the fourth aspect of the invention, the mobile phone inserted into the protective device may be switched using the protective device between a hands-free operation utilizing the speaker of the protective device and a privacy mode with a reduced auto gain of the speaker.
For a better understanding of the nature and objects of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:
The present invention provides a protective device, a mobile terminal assembly, and associated method for protecting (including the protection from water and dust) a mobile terminal whether or not the terminal is in use, and for providing a hands-free operation of the mobile terminal, wherein the mobile terminal can be a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a pager, a MP3 player, or any similar portable communication device or a mobile electronic device.
The present invention is directed to a protective device designed to protect a mobile terminal therein. The protective device comprises a housing adapted to define an opened position for receiving a mobile terminal and a closed position for securing the mobile terminal therein. Advantageously, the housing is preferably formed of a waterproof material and is sealed in the closed position so as to protect the mobile terminal from the incursion of water or other environmental contaminants. The housing may carry input component(s), such as a microphone and/or keypad, for receiving user input (or the input from a user of said protective device). The housing also carries a signal processor which converts the user input received by the input components to signals that the mobile terminal is capable of processing. Similarly, the housing may carry output component(s), such as a speaker, for providing user output (or the output to the user of said protective device). The signal processor converts signals received from the mobile terminal to signals that the output component is capable of processing.
The present inventions now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, these inventions may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.
Referring now to
The material that forms the housing, such as polycarbonate, may be selected to be at least partially transparent to enable the user to view the mobile terminal and any display of the mobile terminal while it is secured within the housing. It should be understood, however, that the housing 9 does not have to be made of a polycarbonate material, nor does the protective device 1 have to be clear. The protective device 1 could be partially transparent so that only portions of the mobile terminal or the interior components of the protective device 1 are visible from the outside. For example, the housing could provide a window through which the mobile terminal's display can be seen. Such a design may be desirable if the protective device 1 is to carry a decorative design or if the protective device 1 is designed to be a reflective color to protect the mobile terminal from the sun. Alternatively, for some uses or mobile terminals, the housing may not be transparent at all and is opaque instead.
The housing may be comprised of at least two portions. In the embodiment shown in
The embodiment of the protective device 1 shown further comprises a backing 12 and a fastener, such as one or more straps 13, for securing the mobile terminal within the housing 9. In the preferred embodiment, the backing comprises soft foam and is applied to the interior of the back portion 11 of the housing. While three straps 13 are shown in the
The embodiment of the protective device 1 shown in
Although not shown in the figures, alternative embodiments of the protective device 1 would have components designed to aid in the carrying of the protective device 1. In one embodiment, the protective device 1 would have a loop formed into the housing to allow a line, cord, carabineer, or similar item to be attached to the protective device 1 for securing it to other items, such as a wrist, belt, bag, or chair. Alternative embodiments may have belt loops, clips, or other fasteners attached to or formed in the housing.
Referring now to
The input components of the embodiment shown by
The input/output components generally extend through and are accessible via corresponding apertures defined by the housing 9, such as the back portion of the housing 11. To protect the mobile terminal from the incursion of water and other contaminants, gaskets may also line the apertures defined by the housing so as to form a waterproof seal with the input/output component disposed therein. Additionally or alternatively, the apertures and the input/output components disposed therein may be covered by a thin, typically flexible waterproof material, such as plastic or rubber. Preferably, the speaker is waterproof and the microphone exterior is water-resistant. Additionally, all of the buttons, keys, or keypads on the exterior of the protective device 1 are typically waterproof or, at least, water-resistant.
The protective device 1 also carries electronics 50. The electronics contains a signal processor, such as a microprocessor or other computing device for communicating between the mobile terminal and the input/output components carried by the protective device 1. The signal processor may be capable of converting signals received by the input components carried by the housing to signals that the mobile terminal is capable of processing. The signal processor would then be capable of transmitting these converted signals from the protective device 1 to the mobile terminal therein. Additionally or alternatively, the signal processor may be capable of receiving signals from the mobile terminal secured within the housing. The signal processor could then convert these received signals to signals that the output components carried by the housing are capable of processing.
In one embodiment, the signal processor may communicate with the mobile terminal therein using radio frequency signals. In such an embodiment the signal processor would generally include an antenna for transmitting and/or receiving radio frequency signals to and/or from the mobile terminal secured within the housing. The signal processor may use BLUETOOTH wireless technology to communicate with the mobile terminal. BLUETOOTH is an open radio-frequency standard that enables cable-free voice and data communication between devices through short-range two-way radio (in the radio frequency range of 2.45 gigahertz). Many mobile electronic devices are already BLUETOOTH enabled.
In an alternative embodiment the mobile terminal may be hardwired to the protective device 1 so that the protective device 1 and the mobile terminal can communicate using electronic signals. The electronic connection between the mobile terminal and the signal processor can comprise an electrical wire, fiber optic cable, a pin, or a direct serial or parallel connection. It should be noted, however, that the present invention is not limited to any specific type of link or frequency for communicating between the signal processor and the mobile terminal secured within the housing. For example, in another embodiment of the present invention, beams of light, such as infrared waves, could also be used to communicate between the mobile terminal and the case components.
The present invention may also contain a power supply, such as a battery 51, carried by the protective device 1, for powering the case electronics and input/output components. In particular, the battery could be useful for providing power sufficient to amplify the output signals provided by the output component(s) so that the output signals are more perceptible in noisy, bright, dark, or other harsh environments. Additionally or alternatively, a battery carried by the protective device 1 could provide power to the mobile terminal secured within the protective device 1 so as to run the mobile terminal or extend the life of the mobile terminal battery. The protective device 1 may also contain a power port 52 for connecting a power cable for charging the case's battery 51 or powering the case electronics 50 and input/output components. The power port could be located inside the housing, as shown in
In one advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the input/output components and the signal processor carried by the protective device 1 are removable from the protective device 1 while still being capable of communicating with the mobile terminal secured within the protective device 1. For example, in one embodiment of the present invention, a protective device 1 designed for a mobile phone has a removable speaker, microphone, and signal processor. The speaker, microphone, and signal processor form a wireless headset that can be used to communicate to the mobile terminal, both while secured within the protective housing and once the headset and the mobile terminal have been removed from the housing. In order to protect the mobile terminal and the headset, such as in instances in which the mobile terminal is to be used near water, the mobile terminal and the headset could be inserted into the protective housing and the protective housing sealed, with the microphone and speaker positioned within respective apertures defined by the protective device 1 so as to permit two-way communication with the user. Thereafter, the protective device 1 may be opened and the mobile terminal and the headset removed therefrom to permit use of the mobile terminal and the headset apart from the protective device 1 in a conventional manner. Such an embodiment would provide for a particularly economical protective device 1 by allowing the user to use a wireless headset both as a hands-free device and as input/output and electronic components of the protective device 1.
As was pointed out above, the mobile telephone is the most commonly used mobile terminal. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention among others, the protective device can be specifically designed for the mobile telephone.
Referring first to
Referring to both
Regarding the battery compartment shown in
The protective device of the present invention shown in
The protective device 1a of the present invention shown in
The weight of the protective device 1a can be made very light, for instance on the order of 160 grams excluding fixtures and without batteries. The length might be on the order of 200 millimeters and its width e.g. around 70 millimeters. A good thickness might be 42 millimeters for example. With suitable battery power an operation time of 4½ hours would be suitable but this can of course vary depending on availability of batteries, weight, size, etc. An operating temperature of −30 degrees C. to +70 degrees C. would be appropriate.
The device's own operation voltage can be regulated from the battery voltage. When the protective device 1a is connected to the phone without a battery, the phone will not recognize the accessory. After the batteries are inserted in the device 1a will be recognized as a hand-free device. In case the battery becomes drained, the main-parts of the electronics are switched off and the connection to the phone is disabled. When the protective device 1a is recognized and is operating, the user can adjust the speaker volume by the up and down button 72c and 72a. While making a call, using a tuner or MP3-playback-function the uplink and downlink will be established, otherwise all the amplifiers in the protective device 1a are muted or in a shutdown mode.
A built-in FM-antenna (not shown in
A short description of usage of the phone with the protective device 1a presented in
To answer a call, where automatic call answering is disabled, the user will see the incoming call information on the phone display through the transparent window 64a. The user can press the send/end button 72b on the outside of the case to pick up the call. The user can also press on the phone's keypad through the transparent window 64a. The carrying case device of the present invention will then provide hands-free service. Of course, if automatic call answering is enabled, there is no need to press any key and the call is picked up automatically. To end a call, a user can press the send/end button 72b. If the phone supports voice dialing, the user can hold the send/end button 72b to initiate voice dialing. This serves as a short cut to initiate voice dialing, and the user can follow normal voice dialing procedures, thus providing hands-free service. The volume up and down buttons 72c and 72c, respectively control the audio gain of the carrying case only, which means it only increases the volume of the speaker 62 and does not effect the volume setting in the mobile phone itself.
If a user is listening to the radio, pressing the send/end button 72b once will change the radio to the next preset radio channel. The skipping is done in the circular way and if it has reached the end of the preset radio channel list, it will loop back to the first one on the list. If the user has not saved any radio channel, a default channel frequency will be used. To skip to a next music track if a user is listening to the music player, pressing the send/end button 72b once will skip the music to the next track. The skipping is done in a circular way and if it has reached the end of the music track list, it will loop back to the first one in the list. The skipping only has effect when there is more than one music track.
Whenever the carrying case 1a of the present invention is connected with a phone in use, it will provide a hands-free feature, and the audio can be heard within an open area. Sometimes the user might want to have a private conversation and a privacy mode can be selected or deselected by pressing the privacy button 70c shown in
The phone can be charged even if it is connected to the protective device 1a of the present invention. There is a DC jack 74 provided on the side of the protective device 1a as shown in
The Pop-Port connector 85 is a primary interface connector for use particularly in future phones. It has been designed for the mobile environment and supports advance functionalities such as digital accessory identification, stereo audio or fast data connectivity with compatible devices. Pop-Port™ is a trademark of the Assignee hereof. The main functionalities of the Pop-Port connector 85 are: digital enhancement identification, stereo audio, fast data connectivity, power output for enhancement. (“Power output support” means enhancements can utilize the phone's battery). Some of the mechanical properties of the Pop-Port connector 85 are different from current interfaces. The charger connector interfaces are the same as the current Nokia 3.5 millimeter DC plug.
It is to be understood that the above-described arrangements are only illustrative of the application of the principles of the present invention. Numerous modifications and alternative arrangements may be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention, and the appended claims are intended to cover such modifications and arrangements.
Claims
1. A protective device for encapsulating a mobile terminal, comprising:
- a housing adapted to define an opened position for receiving a mobile terminal and further adapted to define a closed position for securing the mobile terminal therein, said housing is comprised at least partially of a waterproof material and being sealed in the closed position so as to protect the mobile terminal from an incursion of water and dust;
- at least one of: an input component carried by said housing for receiving an input from a user of said mobile terminal, and an output component carried by said housing for providing an output to said user; and
- a signal processor carried by said housing for converting at least one of: said input received by said input component to at least one signal for providing said at least one signal to the mobile terminal for processing, and at least one further signal received from the mobile terminal to at least one additional signal that said output component is configured to process for providing said output to said user.
2. The protective device of claim 1, wherein said signal processor is configured to transmit to and receive from the mobile terminal radio frequency signals.
3. The protective device of claim 1, further comprising an electrical connection between said signal processor and the mobile terminal, wherein said electrical connection is for transmitting signals from said signal processor to the mobile terminal and from the mobile terminal to said signal processor.
4. The protective device of claim 1, wherein said input component is comprised of at least one of: a microphone, and a keypad having at least one key.
5. The protective device of claim 1, wherein said output component is comprised of at least one of: a speaker, and a visual display.
6. The protective device of claim 1, further comprising a fastener for securing the mobile terminal within the protective device.
7. The protective device of claim 1, wherein said housing is comprised of at least two portions mechanically coupled to each other and, when in said closed position, said two portions are firmly secured relative to each other.
8. The protective device of claim 7, wherein said housing comprises all waterproof materials and further comprises at least one gasket between said at least two portions of said housing to create a hermetic seal and secure a waterproof operation in said closed position.
9. The protective device of claim 1, wherein said housing is at least partially comprised of a transparent material.
10. The protective device of claim 1, further comprising a power supply carried by said housing for providing power to said input component, said output component and said signal processor.
11. The protective device of claim 1, further comprising a strap attached to the housing for carrying the protective device.
12. The protective device of claim 1, wherein said input and output components and said signal processor are removable from said housing while still being capable of communicating with the mobile terminal secured within the protective device.
13. The protective device of claim 12, wherein said input component, said output component and said processor form a headset, and wherein transmitting signals between the headset and the mobile terminal comprises transmitting radio frequency signals or electrical signals between the headset and the mobile terminal.
14. The protective device of claim 1, wherein said input component is a microphone and said output component is a speaker for providing a hands-free operation of the terminal device.
15. The protective device of claim 1, wherein the housing is buoyant with the mobile terminal secured therein while in the closed position.
16. The protective device of the claim 1, wherein at least one operational function of said mobile terminal inserted into said protective device is actuated using at least one corresponding button or at least one corresponding key of said protective device.
17. A mobile terminal assembly comprising:
- a mobile terminal; and
- a protective device in which said mobile terminal is removably disposed; said protective device comprises:
- a housing adapted to define an opened position for receiving a mobile terminal and further adapted to define a closed position for securing the mobile terminal therein, said housing is comprised at least partially of a waterproof material and being sealed in the closed position so as to protect the mobile terminal from an incursion of water and dust;
- at least one of: an input component carried by said housing for receiving an input from a user of said mobile terminal, and an output component carried by said housing for providing an output to said user; and
- a signal processor carried by said housing for converting at least one of: said input received by said input component to at least one signal for providing said at least one signal to the mobile terminal for processing, and at least one further signal received from the mobile terminal to at least one additional signal that said output component is configured to process for providing said output to said user.
18. A method, comprising:
- securing a mobile terminal in a housing of a protective device, wherein said housing is adapted to define an opened position for receiving the mobile terminal and further adapted to define a closed position for said securing the mobile terminal therein, said housing is comprised at least partially of a waterproof material and being sealed in the closed position for protecting the mobile terminal from an incursion of water and dust;
- receiving an input from a user of said mobile terminal by an input component carried by said housing or providing an output to said user by an output component carried by said housing; and
- converting by a signal processor carried by said housing at least one of: said input received by said input component to at least one signal for providing said at least one signal to the mobile terminal for processing, and at least one further signal received from the mobile terminal to at least one additional signal that said output component is configured to process for providing said output to said user.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein said signal processor is configured to transmit to and receive from the mobile terminal radio frequency signals.
20. The method of claim 18, wherein transmitting signals from said signal processor to the mobile terminal and from the mobile terminal to said signal processor is provided using an electrical connection between said signal processor and the mobile terminal.
21. The method of claim 18, wherein said securing of the mobile terminal within the protective device is provided using a fastener.
22. The method of claim 18, wherein said housing comprises at least two portions mechanically coupled to each other and, when in said closed position, said two portions are firmly secured relative to each other for providing said protecting.
23. The method of claim 22, wherein said housing comprises all waterproof materials and further comprises at least one gasket between said at least two portions of said housing to create a hermetic seal and secure a waterproof operation in said closed position for providing said protecting.
24. (canceled)
25. (canceled)
26. (canceled)
27. The method of claim 26, wherein said input component, said output component and said processor form a headset, and wherein transmitting signals between the headset and the mobile terminal comprises transmitting radio frequency signals or electrical signals between the headset and the mobile terminal.
28. The method of claim 27, further comprising:
- removing the mobile terminal and the headset from the housing such that the mobile terminal and the headset are configured to be utilized apart from the housing.
29-35. (canceled)
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 25, 2008
Publication Date: Dec 17, 2009
Applicant:
Inventors: Joseph Wood (Burlington, MA), Valtteri Eroma (Helsinki), Jamie Yung (Hong Kong), Dicky Wong (Hong Kong)
Application Number: 12/011,146
International Classification: H04M 1/05 (20060101); H04M 1/00 (20060101);