SKIN-DEPENDENT DEVICE COMPONENTS

摘要

Additional components or functionality can be provided for a computing device by coupling the device with one or more device skins. Each device skin can include one or more components that can be utilized by the computing device, such that a user of the computing device can obtain desired functionality by selecting an appropriate skin. The components of the skin can be powered by the computing device, such as through wired or wireless power coupling. The computing device can determine an appropriate control scheme for the skin when the skin is coupled with the device, enabling a user to utilize the various components of the skin as if those components were part of the computing device.

主权项

1. A system for expanding the capability of a portable computing device, comprising:
a portable computing device including a device processor and at least one memory device storing instructions capable of being executed by the processor to perform any of a set of device instructions, the portable computing device further including a power source operable to power the processor; and a device skin including at least one functional device component, the device skin having an inner surface shaped to match at least a portion of an outer surface of the portable computing device and an outer surface shaped to substantially track a shape of the portable computing device, the device skin configured such that, when the computing device is at least partially contained in, and coupled with, the device skin, the device skin is operable to:
communicate with the portable computing device using at least one communication mechanism of the device skin; andobtain power for the at least one functional device component using at least one power transmission mechanism of the device skin, wherein the portable computing device is operable to, when coupled with the device skin, utilize the at least one functional device component as if the at least one functional device component is part of the portable computing device.