Patent · US Expired

Protective enclosure and watertight adapter for an interactive flat-panel controlled device

US7180735B2 · kind B2 · utility

424Cited by
61References
6Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 10, 2005
Grant dateFeb 20, 2007
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 18, 2025

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG06F2200/1633
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A protective enclosure is disclosed for an interactive flat-panel control device. The protective enclosure is watertight, crush-resistant, and impact-resistant. An electrical adapter may disposed within the protective enclosure and covered with an elastomeric covering that permits a connector of the adapter to flex with respect to the lower shell of the enclosure so that the connector may easily be inserted into an interface jack of the electronic device. The elastomeric covering also provides a watertight seal that enables the protective enclosure to be submersibly watertight. While providing protection, the protective enclosure simultaneously allows smooth and accurate interaction with the interactive flat-panel controlled device. The protective enclosure has a protective membrane that permits RF and touch screen stylus inputs, as well as capacitance, such as from a finger, to be transmitted accurately to the flat-panel control. The hardness and texture of the protective membrane allows a stylus or finger to glide smoothly along the surface of the membrane without catching or sticking. The protective enclosure is further adapted to allow infrared and other communication signals w…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.