Electronic device case

Abstract

Certain embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus for a portable electronic device case including: a sheath portion capable of sheathing a portable electronic device, wherein the sheath portion includes at least one window that allows a user to interact with the portable electronic device; and a cord-winding portion capable of being integrated with the sheath portion, the cord-winding portion capable of receiving a cord portion of an accessory for the portable electronic device, wherein the cord-winding portion is capable of maintaining the cord portion in a substantially stable and a substantially tangle-free disposition, and wherein the user may continue interaction with the portable electronic device while the cord portion is stored in the cord-winding portion. Thus, cord storage encasement of the electronic device, and interaction with electronic devices are achieved in a convenient manner, which simplifies rather than complicates portable electronic device operation.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] Embodiments of the present application relate generally to an electronic device case. Particularly, certain embodiments relate to a portable electronic device case capable of accommodating an electronic cord. [0002] In recent years, portable electronic devices have proliferated in terms of both quantity and variety. There are numerous portable electronic devices available to consumers, a few of which include cellular phones, handheld computers, personal digital assistants (“PDA”), digital audio players, digital MP3 players, digital cameras, digital video recorders, digital video players, global positioning satellite (“GPS”) devices, navigation devices, portable video players (“PVP”), handheld video game consoles, and the like. Of course, as data types (such as audio, video, and text) become integrated, portable electronic devices may include aspects of various traditional electronic devices. For example, a cellular phone may include aspects of digi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] Certain embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus for a portable electronic device case including: a sheath portion capable of sheathing a portable electronic device, wherein the sheath portion includes at least one window that allows a user to interact with the portable electronic device; and a cord-winding portion capable of being integrated with the sheath portion, the cord-winding portion capable of receiving a cord portion of an accessory for the portable electronic device, wherein the cord-winding portion is capable of maintaining the cord portion in a substantially stable and a substantially tangle-free disposition, and wherein the user may continue interaction with the portable electronic device while the cord portion is stored in the cord-winding portion. In an embodiment, the user may readily retrieve the cord portion stored in the cord-winding portion. In an embodiment, the apparatus further includes at least one fastening portion capable of facilitating substantially stable and substantially tangle-free disposition of the cord portion by receiving a portion of the accessory. In an embodiment, the fastening portion is integrated into the cord-winding portion. In an embodiment, the cord-winding portion includes an axial portion. In an embodiment, the cord-winding portion further includes a guide portion. In an embodiment, the window includes an aperture. In an embodiment, the apparatus further includes an opening portion for accommodating insertion and removal of the portable electronic device into the electronic device case. In an embodiment, the portable electronic device includes at least one of: a digital audio player; a digital video player; a cellular phone; and a personal digital assistant. In an embodiment, the accessory includes headphones. In an embodiment, one of the at least one window allows a user to interact with controls of the portable electronic device. In an embodiment, one of the at least one window allows a user to access at least one of: a data port of the portable electronic device; an input port of the portable electronic device; and an output port of the portable electronic device. In an embodiment, the cord-winding portion includes a winding mechanism. In an embodiment, the winding mechanism is lockable. In an embodiment, the winding mechanism includes an automatic retraction mechanism. In an embodiment, the automatic retraction mechanism is lockable.

Problems solved by technology

By limiting slack in a cord portion, the cord may be less likely to be snagged, which may lead to injury to the device, the user, or otherwise.

However, a pouch may tend to store cords in a relatively unstable manner, because the cord may be able to substantially move within the pouch.

Such movement may lead to entanglement.

Additionally, pouches may be difficult to clean.

Furthermore, pouches may not promote a user to store the cord in an organized manner.

For example, a pouch may encourage a user to stuff an accessory having a cord in an unorganized manner into the pouch, thereby increasing the risk of entanglement and premature failure of the accessory.

These devices, however, are not integrated into either the case or the device.

These devices create additional problems in that they may be bulky, clumsy, and encourage entanglement.

Furthermore, such devices may not be easily stored, because they must be detached from the electronic device and stowed in an additional location that has not been provided.

In the end, use of such devices may complicate, rather than simplify use of an electronic device.

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