Protective case for adding wireless functionality to a handheld electronic device

Abstract

A protective case for an electronic device may comprise a wireless adaptor for adding wireless capabilities, including support of additional wireless communication protocols, to the electronic device. The system may enable, for example, location based services functions, social networking functions, and messaging functions.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A protective case, the protective case comprising a first connector via which said protective case can connect to a corresponding connector of a handheld electronic device, and a first radio operable to communicate in accordance with a wireless communication protocol. 
     
     
         2 . The protective case of  claim 1  comprising a second connector via which said protective case can connect to a third device while said protective case is connected to said handheld electronic device via said first connector. 
     
     
         3 . The protective case of  claim 1 , wherein said first radio is operable to broadcast user profile information associated with a user of said handheld electronic device. 
     
     
         4 . The protective case of  claim 3 , wherein said user profile information comprises one or more of:
 affiliations of a user of said handheld electronic device;   items currently being worn and/or used by said user of said handheld electronic device is;   products recommended by said user of said handheld electronic device;   a URL of an online profile of said user.   
     
     
         5 . The protective case of  claim 1  comprising comprises flash memory that is operable to function as a USB mass storage device. 
     
     
         6 . The protective case of claim comprising circuitry operable to determine a location of said system based on communications between said first radio and one or more tags. 
     
     
         7 . The protective case of  claim 1 , wherein said system comprises a rubber or plastic body with an antenna and circuitry embedded therein. 
     
     
         8 . A system comprising:
 a handheld electronic device that comprises a first radio operable to communicate in accordance with a first wireless communication protocol;   a protective case mounted to said handheld electronic device, wherein said protective case comprises a second radio that is operable to communicate in accordance with a second wireless communication protocol.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein said system is operable to:
 in response to a detection that said system is approaching another device, exchange information with said other device via said second radio, wherein:
 said information is for establishing a wireless connection between said first radio and said other device; 
 at least part of said information is exchanged while said other device is out-of-range of said first radio. 
   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein said first radio is a Bluetooth radio. 
     
     
         11 . The system  claim 8 , wherein said system is operable to:
 determine whether a destination device for which said MMS or SMS message is destined is within range of said second radio;   choose which of said first radio and said second radio to use for transmitting said MMS or SMS based on said determination; and   transmit said MMS or SMS message via said chosen radio.   
     
     
         12 . A method performed by a protective case that comprises a first radio and a first connector, the method comprising:
 receiving first data from said handheld electronic device via said first connector;   transmitting said first data via said first radio;   receiving, via said first radio, second data from another device; and   communicating said second data to said handheld electronic device via said first connector.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , comprising determining a location of said protective case based on said second data. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said second data is received from one or more tags operable to communicate in accordance with ISO-18000-7 protocols. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , comprising, prior to said transmitting said first data, processing said first data to make it suitable for transmission via said first radio. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein:
 said first data is received from said handheld electronic device in the form of an SMS or MMS message; and   said first radio transmits said first data utilizing frequency spectrum that is unlicensed in the location in which said first radio performs said transmitting.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  12 , wherein:
 said first data and said second data comprise information for setting up a connection between a radio of said handheld electronic device and said other device;   said transmitting of said first data is in response to detecting that said case is approaching said other device;   said transmitting of said first data and receiving of said second data occur while said other device is out-of-range of said radio of said handheld electronic device.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said radio of said handheld electronic device is a Bluetooth radio.