IP Library Granted Patent US 8,548,541
Granted Patent B2
US 8,548,541 · App. 13/689,691 · Granted Oct 1, 2013

Housing for encasing an object having a proximity sensor

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,548,541
App. No.
13/689,691
Granted
Oct 1, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

This disclosure relates generally to an apparatus and/or system for covering at least part of a mobile computing device having a touch screen display and a proximity sensor, the proximity sensor having an infrared transmitter and an infrared receiver. The apparatus includes an encasement that covers at least part of the mobile computing device and enables operation of the touch screen display, an optically transmissive member coupled with the encasement and positioned to overlay the proximity sensor; and a gasket having at least one transecting element to control an angle of light transmission through the optically transmissive member and to or from the proximity sensor, and to inhibit light from the infrared transmitter from being received by the infrared receiver prior to transmission through the optically transmissive member.

Claims (43)

1. An apparatus for covering at least part of a mobile computing device having a touch screen display and a proximity sensor, the proximity sensor having an infrared transmitter and an infrared receiver, the apparatus comprising:

an encasement that covers at least part of the mobile computing device and enables operation of the touch screen display;

an optically transmissive member coupled with the encasement and positioned to overlay the proximity sensor; and

a gasket having at least one transecting element to control an angle of light transmission through the optically transmissive member and to or from the proximity sensor, and to inhibit light from the infrared transmitter from being received by the infrared receiver prior to transmission through the optically transmissive member.

2. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the at least one transecting element will be aligned perpendicular to an axis through the proximity sensor from opposing sides of the mobile computing device.

3. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the at least one transecting element will be aligned in parallel to an axis through the proximity sensor from opposing sides of the mobile computing device.

4. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the at least one transecting element includes a plurality of transecting elements.

5. The apparatus in accordance with claim 4 , wherein the plurality of transecting elements form a transecting region.

6. The apparatus in accordance with claim 5 , wherein at least one of the plurality of transecting elements in the transecting region will be perpendicular to an axis through the proximity sensor from opposing sides of the mobile computing device.

7. The apparatus in accordance with claim 5 , wherein at least one of the plurality of transecting elements in the transecting region will be aligned in parallel to an axis through the proximity sensor from opposing sides of the mobile computing device.

8. An apparatus for covering at least part of a mobile computing device having a touch screen display and a proximity sensor, the proximity sensor having an infrared transmitter and an infrared receiver, the apparatus comprising:

an encasement that covers at least part of the mobile computing device and enables operation of the touch screen display;

an optically transmissive member coupled with the encasement and positioned to overlay the proximity sensor; and

a gasket having at least one transecting element to inhibit light from the infrared transmitter from being received by the infrared receiver prior to transmission through the optically transmissive member.

9. The apparatus in accordance with claim 8 , wherein the gasket includes a light transmissive layer that will be disposed between the mobile computing device and the optically transmissive member and proximate the proximity sensor.

10. The apparatus in accordance with claim 8 , wherein the at least one transecting element will be aligned perpendicular to an axis through the proximity sensor from opposing sides of the mobile computing device.

11. The apparatus in accordance with claim 8 , wherein the at least one transecting element will be aligned in parallel to an axis through the proximity sensor from opposing sides of the mobile computing device.

12. The apparatus in accordance with claim 8 , wherein the at least one transecting element includes a plurality of transecting elements.

13. The apparatus in accordance with claim 12 , wherein the plurality of transecting elements form a transecting region.

14. The apparatus in accordance with claim 13 , wherein at least one of the plurality of transecting elements in the transecting region will be perpendicular to an axis through the proximity sensor from opposing sides of the mobile computing device.

15. The apparatus in accordance with claim 13 , wherein at least one of the plurality of transecting elements in the transecting region will be aligned in parallel to an axis through the proximity sensor from opposing sides of the mobile computing device.

16. The apparatus in accordance with claim 8 , wherein the gasket includes a light transmissive layer disposed between the mobile computing device and the optically transmissive member and proximate the proximity sensor.

17. An apparatus for covering at least part of a mobile computing device having a touch screen display and a proximity sensor, the proximity sensor having an infrared transmitter and an infrared receiver, the apparatus comprising:

an encasement having a bottom member to cover at least a first portion of the mobile computing device, and a top member to cover at least a second portion of the mobile computing device, the top member configured to allow touch access to the touch screen display;

a coupling mechanism to couple the top member with the bottom member to cover the first and second portions of the mobile computing device, the coupling mechanism including a first seal to seal the top member with the bottom member;

an optically transmissive member coupled with the encasement and positioned to overlay the proximity sensor; and

a gasket having at least one transecting element to inhibit light from the infrared transmitter from being received by the infrared receiver prior to transmission through the optically transmissive member.

18. The apparatus in accordance with claim 17 , wherein the at least one transecting element will be aligned perpendicular to an axis through the proximity sensor from opposing sides of the mobile computing device.

19. The apparatus in accordance with claim 17 , wherein the at least one transecting element will be aligned in parallel to an axis through the proximity sensor from opposing sides of the mobile computing device.

20. The apparatus in accordance with claim 17 , wherein the at least one transecting element includes a plurality of transecting elements.

21. The apparatus in accordance with claim 20 , wherein the plurality of transecting elements form a transecting region.

22. The apparatus in accordance with claim 21 , wherein at least one of the plurality of transecting elements in the transecting region will be perpendicular to an axis through the proximity sensor from opposing sides of the mobile computing device.

23. The apparatus in accordance with claim 21 , wherein at least one of the plurality of transecting elements in the transecting region will be aligned in parallel to an axis through the proximity sensor from opposing sides of the mobile computing device.

24. The apparatus in accordance with claim 17 , wherein the gasket includes a light transmissive layer disposed between the mobile computing device and the optically transmissive member and proximate the proximity sensor.

25. The apparatus in accordance with claim 17 , wherein the optically transmissive member is formed in a membrane that defines a top surface of the top member.

26. The apparatus in accordance with claim 17 , wherein the gasket is formed of a compressive material.

27. The apparatus in accordance with claim 26 , wherein the compressive material is adhesively coupled with an inner surface of the top member of the encasement.

28. An apparatus for covering at least part of a mobile computing device having a touch screen display and a proximity sensor, the proximity sensor having an infrared transmitter and an infrared receiver, the apparatus comprising:

an encasement having a bottom member to cover at least a first portion of the mobile computing device, and a top member to cover at least a second portion of the mobile computing device, the top member configured to allow touch access to the touch screen display;

a coupling mechanism to couple the top member with the bottom member to cover the first and second portions of the mobile computing device, the coupling mechanism including a first seal to seal the top member with the bottom member;

a first optically transmissive region of the top member positioned to overlay the touch screen display;

a second optically transmissive region of the top member positioned to overlay the proximity sensor; and

a gasket having at least one transecting element to inhibit light from the infrared transmitter from being received by the infrared receiver prior to transmission through the second optically transmissive region of the top member.

Assignments (14)
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 20, 2026
From: TREEFROG DEVELOPMENTS, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 075585/0298 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AT REEL/FRAME NO. 59555/0030 Recorded May 20, 2026
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: TREEFROG DEVELOPMENTS, INC.
Reel/Frame 075613/0217 →
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 31, 2022
From: TREEFROG DEVELOPMENTS, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 059555/0030 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AT REEL/FRAME NO. 51693/0693 Recorded Mar 30, 2022
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: TREEFROG DEVELOPMENTS, INC.
Reel/Frame 059554/0825 →
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jan 24, 2020
From: TREEFROG DEVELOPMENTS, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 051693/0693 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AT REEL/FRAME NO. 43681/0754 Recorded Jan 24, 2020
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: TREEFROG DEVELOPMENTS, INC.
Reel/Frame 051693/0450 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AT REEL/FRAME NO. 33084/0596 Recorded Aug 28, 2017
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: OTTER PRODUCTS, LLC; TREEFROG DEVELOPMENTS, INC.
Reel/Frame 043700/0028 →
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 27, 2017
From: TREEFROG DEVELOPMENTS, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 043681/0754 →
RELEASE OF IP SECURITY AGREEMENT IN REEL/FRAME NO. 030574/0079 Recorded Jul 8, 2014
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: TREEFROG DEVELOPMENTS, INC.
Reel/Frame 033281/0344 →
RELEASE OF IP SECURITY AGREEMENT IN REEL/FRAME NO. 030573/0546 Recorded Jul 8, 2014
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: TREEFROG DEVELOPMENTS, INC.
Reel/Frame 033281/0419 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 4, 2014
From: OTTER PRODUCTS, LLC; TREEFROG DEVELOPMENTS, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 033084/0596 →
TERM LOAN IP SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 6, 2013
From: TREEFROG DEVELOPMENTS, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 030573/0546 →
REVOLVING FACILITY IP SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 6, 2013
From: TREEFROG DEVELOPMENTS, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 030574/0079 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 16, 2013
From: RAYNER, GARY
To: TREEFROG DEVELOPMENTS, INC.
Reel/Frame 029820/0495 →