Shell for a portable electronic device with a track adaptor

Abstract

A universal track adaptor system having a shell including a portable device receiving surface arranged for receiving and detachably holding a portable electronic device, said shell further including a track facing surface, a plurality of wheels including a first wheel and a second wheel; a first track adaptor rotatably coupling said first wheel and said second wheel to said track facing surface, said first track adaptor having a specific range of motion, said first track adaptor including an adaptive mechanism operable to adjust a specific width between said first wheel and said second wheel through said specific range of motion, whereby said first wheel and said second wheel can be adapted to interface with a plurality of different sized tracks, as permitted by said specific range of motion.

1 . A universal track adaptor system, said universal track adaptor system comprising:
 a shell including a portable device receiving surface arranged for receiving and detachably holding a portable electronic device, said shell further including a track facing surface;   a plurality of wheels including a first wheel and a second wheel;   a first track adaptor rotatably coupling said first wheel and said second wheel to said track facing surface, said first track adaptor having a specific range of motion, said first track adaptor including an adaptive mechanism operable to adjust a specific width between said first wheel and said second wheel through said specific range of motion, whereby said first wheel and said second wheel can be adapted to interface with a plurality of different sized tracks, as permitted by said specific range of motion.   
     
     
         2 . A universal track adaptor system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said universal track adaptor further comprises:
 a wheel retracting mechanism operable to move said first wheel and said second wheel between a track engaging position suitable for interfacing said first wheel and said second wheel, and a retracted position.   
     
     
         3 . A universal track adaptor system for interfacing a toy with a plurality of different sized tracks, said universal track adaptor system comprising:
 a base including a toy receiving surface arranged for receiving and detachably holding said toy, said base further including a track facing surface;   a plurality of wheels including a first wheel and a second wheel;   a first track adaptor rotatably coupling said first wheel and said second wheel to said track facing surface, said first track adaptor having a specific range of motion, said first track adaptor including an adaptive mechanism operable to adjust a specific width between said first wheel and said second wheel through said specific range of motion, whereby said first wheel and said second wheel can be adapted to interface with a plurality of different sized tracks, as permitted by said specific range of motion.   
     
     
         4 . A toy train with integral track adaptor system comprising:
 a train module;   a plurality of wheels including a first wheel and a second wheel;   a first track adaptor rotatably coupling said first wheel and said second wheel to said track facing surface, said first track adaptor having a specific range of motion, said first track adaptor including an adaptive mechanism operable to adjust a specific width between said first wheel and said second wheel through said specific range of motion, whereby said first wheel and said second wheel can be adapted to interface with a plurality of different sized tracks, as permitted by said specific range of motion.   
     
     
         5 . A universal track adaptor system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said shell is formed including material providing protection to said portable electronic device. 
     
     
         6 . A universal track adaptor system as recited in  claim 5 , wherein said shell absorbs at least a portion of mechanical energy applied thereto, thus protecting said portable electronic device. 
     
     
         7 . A universal track adaptor system as recited in  claim 5 , wherein said shell includes a section arranged to cover and protect a display screen of said portable electronic device. 
     
     
         8 . A universal track adaptor system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said shell is formed to receive said portable electronic device such that a display screen of said portable electronic device is visible when engaged with said universal track adaptor system. 
     
     
         9 . A universal track adaptor system as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said first track adaptor is formed such that when said wheel retracting mechanism is in said retracted position, said track facing surface is substantially flat. 
     
     
         10 . A universal track adaptor system as recited in  claim 1  wherein said shell includes at least one additional component suitable for enhancing an intended operation of said universal track adaptor system. 
     
     
         11 . A universal track adaptor system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said universal track adaptor system is intended to facilitate play as a toy airplane, said universal track adaptor system further including retractable wing components formed into said shell. 
     
     
         12 . A universal track adaptor system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said shell couples electronically with said portable electronic device and is operable to provide information to said portable electronic device about a state configuration of said universal track adaptor system. 
     
     
         13 . A universal track adaptor system as recited in  claim 2  further comprising a first locking mechanism operable to lock said first track adaptor in a first desired position. 
     
     
         14 . A universal track adaptor system as recited in  claim 2  further comprising a second locking mechanism operable to lock said wheel retracting mechanism in a second desired position. 
     
     
         15 . A method
 physically coupling a portable electronic device to a portable electronic device receptacle of a toy;   on said portable electronic device, executing a software application operable to respond to user control and/or manipulation of said toy to facilitate play via feedback from said portable electronic device.   
     
     
         16 . A method as recited in  claim 15 , wherein said toy is a toy train, further comprising:
 generating and displaying on a display screen of said portable electronic device, visual feedback responsive to motion of said toy, said visual feedback simulating a suitable perspective of a train in motion.   
     
     
         17 . A method as recited in  claim 15 , wherein said toy is a toy airplane, further comprising:
 generating and displaying on a display screen of said portable electronic device, visual feedback responsive to motion of said toy, said visual feedback simulating a suitable perspective of an airplane in motion.   
     
     
         18 . A method as recited in  claim 15 , further comprising:
 coupling said toy to a rail or other receiving mechanism such said toy is substantially limited to move along said rail or other receiving mechanism.   
     
     
         19 . A method as recited in  claim 18 , further comprising:
 generating and displaying on a display screen of said portable electronic device, visual feedback responsive to motion of said toy along said rail or other receiving mechanism, said visual feedback simulating a suitable perspective of the toy in motion.