US7221559B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multipurpose bumper system for a data processing apparatus
Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC
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Filing: 2004-08-18
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Granted: 2007-05-22
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Expires: 2024-08-18
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus is described comprising: a bumper for attaching to and protecting a data processing device, the bumper including one or more input elements formed thereon, the input elements, when selected by a user, to cause the data processing device to perform a plurality of defined functions; and one or more attachment elements configured to interface with portions of the data processing device, the attachment elements thereby fixedly coupling the bumper to the data processing device.
Inventors
- 👤 Matias Duarte
- 👤 Todd Lewis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 20:30
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/16; G06F1/1613; G06F1/1626; G06F1/1615; G06F1/1624; G06F1/1633; G06F1/1656; G06F1/1662; G06F1/1671; G06F1/1684; G06F1/1686; G06F2200/00; G06F2200/16; G06F2200/163; G06F2200/1633; H; H04; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/02; H04M1/18; H04M1/185
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
An apparatus comprising: a bumper for attaching to and protecting a data processing device, the bumper including one or more input elements formed thereon, the input elements, when selected by a user, to cause the data processing device to perform a plurality of defined functions; one or more attachment elements configured to interface with portions of the data processing device, the attachment elements thereby coupling the bumper to the data processing device; and a contact element associated with each of the input elements, each contact element to interface with contact surfaces on the data processing device, thereby triggering a predefined operation on the data processing device.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
106 words
An apparatus comprising: a bumper for attaching to and protecting a data processing device, the bumper including one or more input elements formed thereon, the input elements, when selected by a user, to cause the data processing device to perform a plurality of defined functions; one or more attachment elements configured to interface with portions of the data processing device, the attachment elements thereby coupling the bumper to the data processing device; and a contact element associated with each of the input elements, each contact element to interface with contact surfaces on the data processing device, thereby triggering a predefined operation on the data processing device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The bumper as in claim 1 wherein the predefined operation is changing the volume of a speaker on the data processing device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The bumper as in claim 1 wherein the predefined operation is activating a camera shutter on the data processing device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The bumper as in claim 1 wherein the contact surfaces comprise actuator bumps configured on the data processing device.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
102 words
An apparatus comprising: a bumper for attaching to and protecting a data processing device, the bumper including one or more input elements formed thereon, the input elements, when selected by a user, to cause the data processing device to perform a plurality of defined functions; and one or more attachment elements configured to interface with portions of the data processing device, the attachment elements thereby coupling the bumper to the data processing device; wherein one or more of the attachment elements comprise a hook for engaging with one of a plurality of holes formed on a body of the data processing device.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
102 words
An apparatus comprising: a bumper for attaching to and protecting a data processing device, the bumper including one or more input elements formed thereon, the input elements, when selected by a user, to cause the data processing device to perform a plurality of defined functions; and one or more attachment elements configured to interface with portions of the data processing device, the attachment elements thereby coupling the bumper to the data processing device; wherein one or more of the attachment elements comprise a hook for engaging with one of a plurality of holes formed on a body of the data processing device.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
104 words
An apparatus comprising: a bumper for attaching to and protecting a data processing device, the bumper including input element means formed thereon, the input element means, when selected by a user, to cause the data processing device to perform a plurality of defined functions; attachment means configured to interface with portions of the data processing device, the attachment means thereby fixedly coupling the bumper to the data processing device; and contact element means associated with each of the input elements, each contact element means to interface with contact surfaces on the data processing device, thereby triggering a predefined operation on the data processing device.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
104 words
An apparatus comprising: a bumper for attaching to and protecting a data processing device, the bumper including input element means formed thereon, the input element means, when selected by a user, to cause the data processing device to perform a plurality of defined functions; attachment means configured to interface with portions of the data processing device, the attachment means thereby fixedly coupling the bumper to the data processing device; and contact element means associated with each of the input elements, each contact element means to interface with contact surfaces on the data processing device, thereby triggering a predefined operation on the data processing device.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The bumper as in claim 6 wherein one or more of the attachment means comprise a hook for engaging with one of a plurality of holes formed on a body of the data processing device.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The bumper as in claim 6 wherein the predefined operation is changing the volume of a speaker on the data processing device.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The bumper as in claim 6 wherein the predefined operation is activating a camera shutter on the data processing device.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The bumper as in claim 6 wherein the contact surface means comprise actuator bumps configured on the data processing device.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
118 words
A system comprising: a data processing device to perform one or more data processing and or communications operations; a detachable bumper for attaching to and protecting the data processing device, the bumper including one or more input elements formed thereon, the input elements, when selected by a user, to cause the data processing device to perform a plurality of defined functions; and one or more attachment elements configured to interface with portions of the data processing device, the attachment elements thereby coupling the bumper to the data processing device; wherein one or more of the attachment elements comprise a hook for engaging with one of a plurality of holes formed on a body of the data processing device.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
118 words
A system comprising: a data processing device to perform one or more data processing and or communications operations; a detachable bumper for attaching to and protecting the data processing device, the bumper including one or more input elements formed thereon, the input elements, when selected by a user, to cause the data processing device to perform a plurality of defined functions; and one or more attachment elements configured to interface with portions of the data processing device, the attachment elements thereby coupling the bumper to the data processing device; wherein one or more of the attachment elements comprise a hook for engaging with one of a plurality of holes formed on a body of the data processing device.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
122 words
A system comprising: a data processing device to perform one or more data processing and or communications operations; a detachable bumper for attaching to and protecting the data processing device, the bumper including one or more input elements formed thereon, the input elements, when selected by a user, to cause the data processing device to perform a plurality of defined functions; one or more attachment elements configured to interface with portions of the data processing device, the attachment elements thereby coupling the bumper to the data processing device; and a contact element associated with each of the input elements, each contact element to interface with contact surfaces on the data processing device, thereby triggering a predefined operation on the data processing device.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
122 words
A system comprising: a data processing device to perform one or more data processing and or communications operations; a detachable bumper for attaching to and protecting the data processing device, the bumper including one or more input elements formed thereon, the input elements, when selected by a user, to cause the data processing device to perform a plurality of defined functions; one or more attachment elements configured to interface with portions of the data processing device, the attachment elements thereby coupling the bumper to the data processing device; and a contact element associated with each of the input elements, each contact element to interface with contact surfaces on the data processing device, thereby triggering a predefined operation on the data processing device.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system as in claim 12 wherein the predefined operation is changing the volume of a speaker on the data processing device.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system as in claim 12 wherein the predefined operation is activating a camera shutter on the data processing device.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system as in claim 12 wherein the contact surfaces comprise actuator bumps configured on the data processing device.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2010-05-21 | 2010-11-20 | 2011-05-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2014-05-21 | 2014-11-20 | 2015-05-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2018-05-21 | 2018-11-20 | 2019-05-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |