IP Library Granted Patent US 11,706,326
Granted Patent B2
US 11,706,326 · App. 18/046,841 · Granted Jul 18, 2023

Handheld device case with activatable shield to block wireless signals

Inventors: Gary Anderson (San Mateo, CA); Jason Sean Gagne-Keats (Cupertino, CA); David John Evans, V (Portola Valley, CA)
Assignee: OSOM PRODUCTS, INC.
H04M1/19A45C11/00H05K9/002A45C2011/002
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,706,326
App. No.
18/046,841
Granted
Jul 18, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

A technique for selectively configuring a case of a handheld device to shield an antenna from receiving or transmitting wireless signals is disclosed. The technique includes moving a blocking element on the case between a first position and a second position. The blocking element is a physical structure that is rotatable, slidable, or removable to switch between the first position and the second position. In response to moving the blocking element to the first position, the blocking element blocks wireless signals received or transmitted by the antenna of the handheld device. In response to moving the blocking element to the second position, wireless signals can be received or transmitted through the case by the antenna.

Claims (49)

1. A case of a handheld device, the case comprising:

a movable element configured to move between a first position and a second position; and

a blocking element coupled to the movable element and configured to:

block propagation of a first protocol of wireless signal and allow propagation of a second protocol of wireless signal at an antenna of the handheld device when the movable element is in the first position; and

allow propagation of the first protocol of wireless signal and block propagation of the second protocol of wireless signal at the antenna when the movable element is in the second position.

2. The case of claim 1 , wherein the first protocol of wireless signal corresponds to a first range of wireless signal frequency, power, or waveform, and

wherein the second protocol of wireless signal corresponds to a second range of wireless signal frequency, power, or waveform.

3. The case of claim 1 , wherein the case is integrated in the handheld device and forms a surface of the handheld device.

4. The case of claim 1 , wherein the case is configured to:

be removable from the handheld device; and

physically protect the handheld device when the handheld device is disposed in the case.

5. The case of claim 1 , wherein the movable element is rotatable, slidable, or removable between the first position and the second position.

6. The case of claim 1 , comprising:

a switch configured to toggle between the first position and the second position,

wherein the blocking element is integrated into the switch.

7. The case of claim 1 , comprising:

a switch configured to toggle between a first state and a second state,

wherein the blocking element is distinct from the switch,

wherein toggling the switch to the first state causes the blocking element to move to the first position, and

wherein toggling the switch to the second state causes the blocking element to move to the second position.

8. The case of claim 1 , wherein the blocking element is configured to be activated in response to an interaction by a user at the handheld device.

9. The case of claim 1 , wherein the blocking element is configured to be deactivated in response to an interaction by a user at the handheld device.

10. The case of claim 1 , wherein the movable element is movable in response to actuation of a graphic control displayed on a display screen of the handheld device.

11. A case comprising:

a plurality of actuatable elements, each configured to move between a first and a second position; and

multiple blocking elements coupled to the plurality of actuatable elements,

wherein propagation of a first protocol of wireless signal at a first corresponding antenna is allowed when a first actuatable element of the plurality of actuatable elements is configured in a second state, and

wherein propagation of a second protocol of wireless signal at a second corresponding antenna is allowed when a second actuatable element of the plurality of actuatable elements is configured in a second state.

12. The case of claim 11 , wherein the first protocol of wireless signal corresponds to a first range of wireless signal frequency, power, or waveform and

wherein the second protocol of wireless signal corresponds to a second range of wireless signal frequency, power, or waveform.

13. The case of claim 11 , comprising:

multiple switches, each including a blocking element configured to allow propagation of the first and second protocol of wireless signal to or from corresponding antennas.

14. The case of claim 11 , comprising:

multiple switches, each including a blocking element configured to block propagation of the first and second protocol of wireless signal to or from corresponding antennas.

15. The case of claim 11 , wherein each of the multiple blocking elements is independently configurable using a software program to switch between states to allow propagation of the first and second protocol of wireless signal at corresponding antennas.

16. The case of claim 11 , wherein each of the multiple blocking elements is independently configurable using a software program to switch between states to block propagation of the first and second protocol of wireless signal at corresponding antennas.

17. The case of claim 11 , wherein the multiple blocking elements are disposed in the case between corresponding antennas and an environment exterior to the case, and

wherein the multiple blocking elements are at least partially visible to the environment.

18. A method for configuring a case of a handheld device to block wireless signals at an antenna, the method comprising:

moving a blocking element on the case between a first and a second position, wherein the blocking element is a physical structure that is rotatable, slidable, or removable between the first and second positions;

in response to moving the blocking element to the first position, allowing propagation of a first protocol of wireless signal at the antenna; and

in response to moving the blocking element to the second position, allowing propagation of a second protocol of wireless signal at the antenna.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the first protocol of wireless signal corresponds to a first range of wireless signal frequency, power, or waveform, and

wherein the second protocol of wireless signal corresponds to a second range of wireless signal frequency, power, or waveform.

20. The method of claim 18 , comprising:

prior to blocking or unblocking propagation of the first and second protocol of wireless signal through the case:

toggling a switch between a first state and a second state,

wherein toggling the switch to the first state causes the blocking element to move to the first position, and

wherein toggling the switch to the second state causes the blocking element to move to the second position.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 31, 2025
From: OSOM PRODUCTS INC
To: ENSIGHT LLC
Reel/Frame 072743/0051 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 1, 2023
From: ANDERSON, GARY; GAGNE-KEATS, JASON SEAN; EVANS, DAVID JOHN, V
To: OSOM PRODUCTS, INC.
Reel/Frame 062844/0603 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation 17660989 · Apr 27, 2022
Provisional Application 63180572 · Apr 27, 2021
Related Publication 20230115018A1 · Apr 13, 2023