Case For A Tablet Shaped Device
Patent No. US12259753 (titled "Case For A Tablet Shaped Device") was filed by Stm Management Pty Ltd on Oct 22, 2024.
What is this patent about?
’753 is related to the field of protective cases for tablet-shaped devices, specifically those that integrate a peripheral device like a keyboard. The background acknowledges the increasing use of tablets and the desire to connect them with accessories like keyboards, highlighting a need for convenient and protective solutions.
The underlying idea behind ’753 is to integrate a conductor within the case's peripheral wall to route power and/or signals between a connector for the tablet and a peripheral device, such as a keyboard, attached to a hinged closure. This allows for a direct electrical connection without external wires, simplifying the setup and improving the user experience.
The claims of ’753 focus on a case for a tablet that includes a protective body with a peripheral wall defining a receiving area for the tablet. The case incorporates a plug connector for interfacing with the tablet, a conductor routed within the peripheral wall to connect the plug to a peripheral device (like a keyboard) on a hinged closure, and a specific arrangement where the conductor passes through apertures in the wall, allowing the plug portion to removably penetrate the wall.
In practice, the case provides both physical protection and a seamless electrical connection between the tablet and the integrated keyboard. The conductor, routed through a channel within the case's wall, allows the keyboard to communicate with the tablet once the plug connector is inserted. The plug connector's ability to be stowed within a cavity in the case wall when not in use prevents damage and snagging.
This design differentiates itself from prior approaches by embedding the electrical connection within the case structure. Instead of relying on external cables or wireless connections, ’753 offers a streamlined solution where the electrical pathway is integrated into the case itself. The removable plug connector and the internal routing of the conductor contribute to a cleaner and more robust connection between the tablet and its accessories.
How does this patent fit in bigger picture?
Technical landscape at the time
In the early 2020s when ’753 was filed, tablet computers were ubiquitous, at a time when connecting peripherals to tablets was typically implemented using wired or wireless connections. When hardware or software constraints made reliable and efficient power and signal transmission between a tablet and its accessories non-trivial, systems commonly relied on standardized connectors and communication protocols.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The examiner approved the application because the prior art of record does not teach a case for a tablet shaped device that includes a conductor routed through a passageway defined by the peripheral wall, where the conductor passes from an interior to an exterior via an aperture defined by the wall portion, and a plug portion of the plug connector removably penetrates the wall portion from the exterior to the interior via another aperture defined by the wall portion. The examiner also stated that the prior art does not teach a conductor extending within the channel along at least two sides of the peripheral wall, the conductor being routed from an inside to an outside through an exit aperture defined by the peripheral wall and terminating at a first connector portion, the first connector portion conforming to a recess in an exterior of the peripheral wall, the first connector portion comprising a plug portion removably extendable from the outside to the inside through a plug aperture within the recess and defined by the peripheral wall.
Claims
There are 17 claims in total. Claims 1, 6, and 11 are independent. The independent claims generally focus on a case for a tablet device, detailing the structure and connectivity features of the case, including a protective body, peripheral walls, a closure with a keyboard, and a conductor for power and signal transmission. The dependent claims elaborate on specific features and variations of the independent claims, such as the attachment of the keyboard, the type of conductor used, and the configuration of the stand.
Key Claim Terms New
Definitions of key terms used in the patent claims.
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Date
Description
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US12259753
- Application Number
- US18923084
- Filing Date
- Oct 22, 2024
- Status
- Granted
- Expiry Date
- Jun 8, 2044
- External Links
- Slate, USPTO, Google Patents