Functional flip cover protective case with physical keypad for smart phone devices

Abstract

A functional flip cover protective case having a physical keypad and a transparent viewing window for touch-based smart phone device is being disclosed. The functional flip cover protective case comprising an integral flip cover attached a protective case; the flip cover includes a built in physical keypad device and a transparent viewing window on the front side of the flip cover when the flip cover is in closed position; wherein the flip cover further comprising a sensor to detect opening and closing actions; wherein the protective case may comprising a data/power connector, and/or a Bluetooth device, and/or a NFC (Near Field Communication) device for corresponding between the physical keypad and the smart phone device; wherein upon closing the flip cover, the physical keypad will be activated to take over the input controls of the smart phone device. In addition, the display output on touch screen of the smart phone device will be limited within the boundary of the transparent viewing window; wherein upon the opening the flip cover, the physical keypad will be deactivated and return the input controls to the smart phone device; wherein further comprising a software module to be installed in the smart phone device to correspondence with the censor and physical keypad of the flip cover.

Claims

1. A functional flip cover protective case device for a touch-based smart phone device, comprising: a protective case to hold and protect the smart phone device and a flip cover attached to a protective case device to protect the touch screen of the smart phone device; a built in physical keypad device on the front side of the flip cover when the flip cover is in a closed position; a transparent viewing window on the flip cover to view a display output on the smart phone device's touch screen when using the physical keypad device on a flip cover as an input device for the smart phone device; wherein upon the flip cover being moved to the closed position, the display output on the touch screen of the smart phone device will limit the display proximate to be within the boundary of the transparent viewing window.

2. The functional flip cover protective case device of claim 1, wherein a censor device is built into the flip cover to detect the opening and closing action of the flip cover.

3. The functional flip cover protective case device of claim 1, wherein when the flip cover is in the closed position, the physical device is activated to take over the input controls of the smart phone device.

4. The functional flip cover protective case device of claim 1, wherein when the flip cover is in the open position, the physical device will be deactivated and the input controls will be released to the smart phone device.

5. The functional flip cover protective case device of claim 1, further comprising a software module installed in the smart phone device to ensure correspondence with the censor and physical device of the flip cover.

6. The functional flip cover protective case device of claim 1, wherein the flip cover covers the entire surface of the touch screen on the front side of the smart phone device.

7. The functional flip cover protective case device of claim 1, wherein the positioning of the physical device may be left or right align for bigger size smart phones.

8. The functional flip cover protective case device of claim 1, wherein the flip cover may be attached to any side of the protective case.

9. The functional flip cover protective case device of claim 8, wherein the physical keypad device is a numeric type keypad with a variety of design, layout and function keys.

10. The functional flip cover protective case device of claim 9, wherein the physical keypad device excludes a QWERTY keyboard type of keypad.

11. The functional flip cover protective case device of claim 8, wherein the physical keypad device is of a super thin keypad type such as, one of, an emboss or 3D tactile membrane keypad or equivalents in terms of thickness and tactile input feel.

12. The functional flip cover protective case device of claim 1, wherein the physical keypad device is built into a front side of the flip cover.

13. The functional flip cover protective case device of claim 1, wherein a specialized software module is implemented in the smart phone device for correspondence with at least one of, the physical device and the sensor of the flip cover.

14. The functional flip cover protective case device of claim 1, wherein the flip cover is of transparent type material.

15. A functional flip cover protective case device for a touch-based smart phone device, comprising: a protective case to hold and protect the smart phone device and a transparent flip cover attached to the protective case to protect the touch screen of the smart phone device; a built in physical keypad device on the front side of the flip cover when the flip cover is in a closed position; the transparent flip cover permitting viewing a display output on the smart phone device's touch screen when using the physical keypad device on a flip cover as an input device for the smart phone device; wherein upon the flip cover being moved to the closed position, the display output on the touch screen of the smart phone device will limit the display proximate to be within the boundary of the transparent flip cover.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a flip cover protective case device with physical keypad where the flip cover is in a partially closed position and illustrating a state in which a smart phone device is being placed into the protective case, with arrows showing direction of movement, according to a 1.sup.st exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

(2) FIG. 2 is a front view and showing the bottom view of a flip cover protective case device with physical keypad where the flip cover is in a fully closed position.

(3) FIG. 3 is a front view of a flip cover protective case device with physical keypad in a fully open position showing both the front of the flip cover and back of the protective case.

(4) FIG. 4 is showing a bottom view of FIG. 3 with a smart phone device shown in phantom lines and illustrating by the direction of the arrows a smart phone device being placed into the protective case of FIG. 4.

(5) FIG. 5 is a flip cover protective case device with physical keypad in a fully open position showing the inside of both the front of the flip cover and the rear of the protective case.

(6) FIG. 6 is a bottom view of FIG. 5 with a smart phone device shown in phantom lines and illustrating by the direction of the arrows a smart phone device being placed into the protective case of FIG. 6.

(7) FIG. 7 is a flip cover protective case device with physical keypad with a different flip cover opening direction, from bottom to top instead of from left to right, according to the 2.sup.nd exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

(8) FIG. 8 is a right side view of FIG. 7.

(9) FIG. 9 is another version of a flip cover protective case device with physical keypad similar to FIG. 5 in which the protective case is a frame type case according to a 3.sup.rd exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

(10) FIG. 10 is a bottom view of FIG. 9 and illustrating a state in which a smart phone device (shown in phantom lines) is being placed by the direction of the arrows into the protective case of FIG. 10.

(11) FIG. 11 is a flip cover protective case device with physical keypad with a different keypad layout design according to a 4.sup.th exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

(12) FIG. 12 is a flip cover protective case device with physical keypad with a different dial keys design according to a 5.sup.th exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

(13) FIG. 13 is a flip cover protective case device with physical keypad with additional function keys according to a 6.sup.th exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

(14) FIG. 14 is a flip cover protective case device with physical dial pad of the present invention showing the right alignment of the dial pad for a bigger size of smart phone devices according to a 7.sup.th exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

(15) FIG. 15 is a flip cover protective case device with physical keypad showing the right alignment of the keypad for a bigger size of smart phone device according to an 8.sup.th exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

(16) FIG. 16 is a flip cover protective case device with physical keypad showing the left alignment of the keypad for a smart phone tablet device according to a 9.sup.th exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

(17) FIG. 17 is a flip cover protective case device with physical keypad showing 2 keypads on the lower left and the lower right of a smart phone tablet device according to a 10.sup.th exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(18) The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of exemplary embodiments of the invention as defined by the claims and their equivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in that understanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Also, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions are omitted for clarity and conciseness.

(19) The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used by the inventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the invention. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention are provided for illustration purpose only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

(20) The present invention refers a smart phone device as a touch input/output-based smart phone or smart phone tablet in which a larger area of the front side of the smart phone device is occupied by a touch screen device, and there is no built in physical keypad for the smart phone device. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a functional flip cover protective case device with physical keypad where the flip cover 1 is in a partially closed position, and illustrating a state in which a smart phone device 31 is being placed (by the direction of the arrows) into the protective case 11 with the touch screen 34 facing the inside of the front cover 1. The arrow 21 is the closing direction of the flip cover 1. There is a physical keypad 2 with dial keys 3 and function keys 4 occupying the lower portion of front of the flip cover 1. In addition, there is also a transparent viewing window 5 occupying an upper portion of the flip cover 1. The through slot hole 6 on the flip cover 1 is the relief hole for the built in speaker of the smart phone device.

(21) Referring to FIG. 1, label 11 is the protective case or protective back cover for the smart phone device in which there is a relief through hole 12 for the build in camera device of the smart phone device, a relief through hole 13 for the build in flash light of the smart phone device, a relief through hole 14 for the back speaker of the smart phone device, and a power/data port 15 to allow a connection through the protective case to the power/data port of the smart phone device. The position of through holes 12, 13 and 14 may be varied depending on the model of smart phone device to which the protective case is attached. The location and type of power/data port 15 may also be different depending on to which smart phone device it is attached.

(22) FIG. 2 are combined views illustrating a functional flip cover protective case with physical keypad in which the flip cover is in a fully closed position. The direction arrow 21 illustrates the closing direction of the flip cover front 1.

(23) FIG. 3 is a front view of a functional flip cover protective case device with the built in physical keypad in a fully open position showing both the front of the flip cover 1 and back of the protective case 11. FIG. 4 shows the front of FIG. 3 illustrating a state in which a smart phone device 31 is placed into the protective case back 11, where the label 32 is the front of the smart phone device 31 where the touch screen of the smart phone device is located, and the label 33 is the back of the smart phone device 31. Label 21 shows the closing direction of the flip cover after the smart phone device 31 is placed in to the protective case back 11.

(24) FIG. 5 is a front view of a flip cover protective case device with built in physical keypad in a fully open position showing both the inner sides of the flip cover 1 and protective case 11. FIG. 6 is the bottom view of the FIG. 5 illustrating a state in which a smart phone device 31 is being placed into the protective case 11 in the direction of the arrows, where the label 32 is the front of the smart phone device 31 where the touch screen of the smart phone device is located, and the label 33 is the back of the smart phone device 31. Label 21 shows the closing direction of the flip cover after the smart phone device 31 is placed into the back of the protective case 11.

(25) Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, as well as FIGS. 5 and 6, a smart phone device 31 is placed into the inside of the back of a protective case 11 to decorate the exterior thereof or improve a grip feel and to protect the surrounding edge and/or back of smart phone device 31. After the device 31 is placed into the inside of the back of protective case 11, the flip cover 1 can then be closed in direction of arrow 21 to provide protection to the front of the smart phone device 31 where the touch screen is located.

(26) The exemplary smart phone device 31 depicted in FIGS. 4, 6 and 10 is a touch input/output-based smart phone. Although not shown, there will be a touch screen display device which occupies a greater part of a front 32 of the smart phone device 31, an ear piece speaker for receiving a voice of a peer user is placed at an upper portion of the front 32 of the smart phone device 31, and a microphone for transmitting a voice to the peer user is placed at a lower portion of the smart phone device 31. In addition thereto, although still not shown, such a smart phone may further include various sensors, such as a well-known digital camera module, an ambient light sensor, etc., to improve a function of smart phone device 31.

(27) Referring to FIGS. 1 to 17, there is at least one physical keypad device 2 on the front of flip cover 1. When a smart phone device 31 is placed into the back of the protective cover 11, as illustrated in FIGS. 2, 4 and 10 by the direction of the arrows, and when the user closes the front flip cover 1 over the front of the smart phone device 31, the built in physical keypad on the front of the flip cover will be activated to take over the input controls of the smart phone device so that the user can use the physical keypad on the front side of the flip cover to do all of the telephony operations, including but not limited to making a call, receiving a call, text messaging, etc. In addition, the user can also use the physical keypad to operate all of the smart phone functions possible to operate with the physical keypad when the flip cover is in the closed position.

(28) Although it is shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 10 that there is a power/data port 15 on the bottom of the protective case 11 which may be used as the power and communication port between the physical keypad 2 and the smart phone device 31, the present invention is not limited thereto, and thus the communication between the physical keypad and the smart phone device may be accomplished using one or a combination of the following methods: 1) having a compatible connector to plug into the power/data port of the smart phone device, including but not limited to a mini USB port, etc., 2) having a built in Bluetooth communication device in the flip cover or protective case, 3) having a NFC communication device in the flip cover or protective case, and/or 4) via the smart phone's touch screen by using a touch-enabled keypad. As options 1, 2 and 3 require power sources to function, such options can obtain the power through connection with the power port of the smart phone or by using an internal build in rechargeable battery, or both. The internal built in battery may be stored in the protective case or in the flip cover.

(29) Although it is shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 to 17 that there is at least a transparent viewing window 5 on the flip cover 1, the present invention is not limited thereto, and thus, the flip cover may be formed by transparent material, so that a transparent viewing window 2 is not required.

(30) In addition, although is shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 to 17 that the flip cover 1 is covering approximately the whole area or surface of the front of a smart phone device, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the flip cover may cover a smaller area or surface of the front of the smart phone device, but will always at least cover the whole surface area of the touch screen on the front of the smart phone device.

(31) FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate another variant of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, where the flip cover with physical keypad is attached at the top or bottom of the protective case instead of left or right side of the protective case. FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate another protective case embodiment where the protective case is formed by a frame in which the U shaped frame portion 11a will combine with U shaped frame portion 11b in direction of arrow 16 over the edge of the smart phone device, to hold and protect the smart phone device. The type of protective case to be used is not limited to the above-mentioned designs; it may also use the battery cover type, etc. of a protective case to replace the original battery cover of the smart phone device if the smart phone device has a removable battery cover, etc.

(32) FIGS. 11, 12 and 13 show a variety of types of physical keypad layout designs, dial key designs and function key designs, although the present invention is not limited thereto, and thus, may use different physical keypad designs and layouts to provide better keypad input functionality and experience.

(33) FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate the positioning of the physical keypad to be right and/or left aligned on the flip cover. It is necessary for a bigger size smart phone device to make the one-handed operation easy.

(34) FIGS. 16 and 17 illustrate the physical keypad on the flip cover of a smart phone tablet device. As the smart phone tablet device is much bigger, there may be two physical keypads, one on left side and one on the right side of the flip cover as shown in FIG. 17, so that the user can use either the left or right hand to do the input.

(35) In addition, although not shown, a sensor may be built into the flip cover 1 to detect the closing and opening action actions. The same may be achieved for a smart phone device that has a light sensor in the front of the smart phone and therefore, for such type of smart phone device, the sensor on the flip cover is not necessary.

(36) In addition, when the flip cover 1 is in the closed position, the output on the touch screen of the smart phone device will be displayed within the boundary of the transparent viewing window 5 so that the user can view the display output or content via the transparent window.

(37) Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a protective case, shell or frame which can always be used to hold and protect the smart phone device and the back of the protective case 11 or frame 11a and 11b have an integral functional flip cover 1 to protect the touch screen of the smart phone device by covering the front of the smart phone device.

(38) In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the physical keypad 2 herein refers to a numerical type of a traditional cell phone's keypad. The physical keypad herein is not referring to a physical QWERTY keyboard or other variant of physical keyboard for the smart phone device.

(39) In addition, the protective case may have an electric circuit device built in, and a power and data connector to connect to the smart phone device's power and data connector to obtain electrical power for the physical keypad 2 of the flip cover 1 and to communicate with the smart phone device.

(40) In addition, although not shown, the protective case 11 or the flip cover 1 may have a Bluetooth communication device or a NFC communication device built in for communicating the physical keypad 2 with the smart phone device.

(41) In addition, in order to minimize the overall thickness and weight of the flip cover while maintaining good tactile input feel, the physical keypad 2 of the flip cover 1 may be implemented using an embossed tactile membrane keypad or equivalents in terms of thickness, tactile input feel and durability.

(42) In addition, the physical keypad's design, individual dial key design and layout might be varied and subject to further improvement from time to time for better input experiences.

(43) In addition, the protective case 11 or frame 11a, 11b may be formed by at least one of the materials including, but not limited to, rubber, silicone, urethane, polyurethane, synthetic resin, aluminium, plastic, PVC, synthetic leather or composition material, etc.

(44) In addition, the physical keypad 2 may be implemented using a touch-enabled keypad that is formed of touch sensitive material to provide touch input directly to the touch screen of the smart phone device when the user presses any key on the touch-enabled keypad to touch the surface of the touch screen. Such a method requires key layout and positioning synchronisation between the physical keypad and the touch screen of the smart phone.

(45) In addition, the flip cover 1 may be formed of at least one of the materials including, but not limited to, rubber, silicone, urethane, polyurethane, synthetic resin, plastic, PVC, synthetic leather or composition material, etc.

(46) In addition, the transparent viewing window 5 may be formed of transparent materials including, but not limited to, polystyrene, nylon, silicone, high tensile glasses, etc. that are suitable and durable. Additional treatment and coating may be applied to the transparent viewing window to improve its transparent visual effect and scratch resistance.

(47) In addition, a software module may be implemented in the smart phone device to correspond to the physical keypad and/or sensor of the flip cover 1.

(48) The advantage of the present invention is to add physical keypad functionalities to the smart phone device that the physical keypad does not presently contain. The present invention not only serves the original purpose of protecting and decorating the smart phone devices, but also allows a user to continue to use a majority of functions of the smart device when the flip cover is closed via the physical keypad on the front of the flip cover. The physical keypad on the flip cover also makes one-handed operations possible to make a call, receive a call, use text messaging etc. This is particularly crucial when there is a need to make an urgent call whilst only one hand is free for safety purposes.

(49) As would be seen by one skilled in the art, there are various methods capable of modifying these embodiments without departing from the scope of claims in the present invention. In other words, there may be many other methods by which the present invention can be implemented without departing from the scope of the claims.

(50) Although the invention has been shown and described with reference to certain exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the above-described embodiments but should be determined by not only the appended claims but also the equivalents thereof.