Cases for mobile devices incorporating a light within the case and methods of making and using
A case for a mobile device includes a cover defining a cavity for receiving and holding the mobile device; an adapter disposed at least partially within the cover; and a light arrangement disposed within or adjacent to the cover. The adapter includes first contacts disposed on an exterior of the case, a male plug extending into the cavity for insertion into a female socket of the mobile device, and second contacts disposed on the male plug and electrically coupled to the first contacts. The light arrangement includes a light and a light actuator for manually turning the light on or off. The light is electrically coupled to at least one of the first contacts or the second contacts to obtain power from the mobile device received in the cover or from an external device electrically coupled to the first contacts.
1. A case for a mobile device, the case comprising
a cover defining a cavity configured for receiving and holding the mobile device;
an adapter disposed at least partially within the cover, the adapter comprising a plurality of first contacts disposed on an exterior of the case, a male plug extending into the cavity defined by the cover and configured for insertion into a female socket of the mobile device, and a plurality of second contacts disposed on the male plug and electrically coupled to the first contacts of the adapter; and
a light arrangement disposed within or adjacent to the cover, the light arrangement comprising a light and a light actuator configured for manually turning the light on or off, wherein the light is electrically coupled to at least one of the first contacts or the second contacts to obtain power for the light from the mobile device received in the cover and electrically coupled to the second contacts or from an external device electrically coupled to the first contacts.
2. The case of claim 1 , wherein the light is a light-emitting diode.
3. The case of claim 1 , wherein the light is a white light or a red light.
4. The case of claim 1 , wherein the light actuator is a push button.
5. The case of claim 1 , wherein the light actuator is a touch-sensitive actuator.
6. The case of claim 1 , wherein the light actuator is a slide switch or a toggle switch.
7. The case of claim 1 , wherein the case is configured so that actuation of the light actuator turns the light on or off and the light remains on or off, respectively, until a second operation of the light actuator.
8. The case of claim 1 , wherein the case is configured so that actuation of the light actuator turns the light on, and release of the light actuator turns the light off.
9. The case of claim 1 , wherein the case is configured so that actuation of the light actuator turns the light on and the case is configured to turn the light off after a predetermined amount of time if the light has not been turned off manually.
10. The case of claim 9 , further comprising a timer coupled to the light and configured to turn the light off after the predetermined amount of time.
11. The case of claim 1 , wherein the light actuator and light are coupled to the adapter.
12. The case of claim 1 , wherein the light actuator and an emission surface of the light are disposed on opposite sides of the case.
13. The case of claim 12 , wherein the light actuator and the emission surface of the light are disposed opposite each other.
14. The case of claim 1 , wherein the light actuator and an emission surface of the light are disposed on a same side of the case.
15. The case of claim 1 , wherein the adapter further comprises conductors electrically coupling the first contacts to the second contacts, wherein the light is electrically coupled or coupleable to at least two of the conductors.
16. The case of claim 1 , wherein the cover and the adapter of the case form a male structure that extends from a remainder of the case, wherein the first contacts are disposed on the male structure.
17. The case of claim 1 , wherein the cover of the case is flexible and made from at least one elastomeric polymer.
18. The case of claim 1 , wherein the cover of the case comprises a flexible covering and a rigid frame disposed at least partially within the flexible covering.
19. An arrangement, comprising:
the case of claim 1 ; and
the mobile device receivable within the case and comprising the female socket configured to receive the male plug of the adapter of the case.
20. An arrangement, comprising:
the case of claim 1 ; and
the external device comprising contacts configured to electrically couple to the first contacts of the case.