Encasements for an electronic device having a biometric scanner

Abstract

This disclosure relates to apparatuses for housing an electronic device with a biometric scanner. In various instances, the apparatuses are waterproof housings or encasements. This disclosure also relates to protective films for electronic devices with biometric scanners. The housings and protective films may be separate units from the electronic device or part of the electronic device itself. In various instances, the housing is a separate unit from the electronic device, within which the electronic device is fitted. In certain instances, the housing or protective film for the electronic device is adapted for protecting the device from shock, liquid, dust, dirt, or snow while also permitting the biometric scanner on the electronic device to be used. The electronic device may be any suitable electronic device, such as a smartphone, computer, mobile computer, notebook computer, personal media player, tablet computer, or personal digital assistant.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A waterproof protective case for an electronic device having a fingerprint scanner and an interactive touchscreen, the waterproof protective case comprising:
 a first member including a surface and a first perimeter portion surrounding the surface, the first perimeter portion being defined by a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and opposing side portions, the proximal end portion, the distal end portion, and the opposing side portions defining an interior portion of the first member to receive the electronic device, the first perimeter portion having a first clasping mechanism;   a second member for removably coupling to the first member to form the waterproof protective case, the second member including a second surface and a second perimeter portion, the second perimeter portion having a shape corresponding to a shape of the first perimeter portion of the first member, the second perimeter portion of the second member having a second clasping mechanism for interfacing with the first clasping mechanism of the first member to couple the second member to the first member to enclose the electronic device inside the protective case; and   a membrane in the first surface of the first member or the second surface of the second membrane to facilitate user interaction with the fingerprint scanner of the electronic device inside the waterproof protective case, the membrane allowing the user interaction with the fingerprint scanner of the electronic device through the membrane.   
     
     
         2 . The waterproof protective case of  claim 1 , wherein the membrane has a thickness that is sufficiently thin to permit a fingerprint of a user to be scanned by the fingerprint scanner through the membrane. 
     
     
         3 . The waterproof protective case of  claim 2 , wherein the thickness of the membrane is about 0.001 in. to about 0.006 in. 
     
     
         4 . The waterproof protective case of  claim 1 , wherein the membrane comprises a polyurethane film. 
     
     
         5 . The waterproof protective case of  claim 4 , wherein the polyurethane film comprises an aliphatic polycaprolactone polyurethane film. 
     
     
         6 . The waterproof protective case of  claim 1 , wherein the membrane comprises a thermoplastic polymer. 
     
     
         7 . The waterproof protective case of  claim 1 , wherein the membrane comprises polyethylene terephthalate. 
     
     
         8 . The waterproof protective case of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second clasping mechanisms of the respective first and the second members extend along the respective first perimeter portion and second perimeter portion. 
     
     
         9 . The waterproof protective case of  claim 1 , wherein one of the first perimeter portion and the second perimeter portion comprises a channel and a gasket for engaging the other of the first portion and the second perimeter portion to couple the top member to the bottom member. 
     
     
         10 . The waterproof protective case of  claim 9 , wherein the channel includes a groove in a side of the channel, and wherein the other of the first perimeter portion and the second perimeter portion includes a lip for engaging the groove when the top member and bottom member are coupled. 
     
     
         11 . A housing for an electronic device having a biometric scanning device and an interactive touchscreen, the housing comprising:
 a top member having a front surface surrounded by a perimeter portion, the perimeter portion defined by a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and opposing side portions, wherein the proximal end portion, the distal end portion, and the opposing side portions define an interior portion of the top member configured to receive the electronic device, the perimeter portion having a first clasping mechanism;   a bottom member for removably coupling to the top member to form the housing, the bottom member having a bottom member perimeter portion corresponding to a shape of the perimeter portion of the top member, the bottom member perimeter portion having a second clasping mechanism for interfacing with first clasping mechanism of the top member to couple the bottom member to the top member to enclose the electronic device within the housing;   a first membrane in the housing, the first membrane configured to permit interaction with the interactive touchscreen of the electronic device from outside the housing when the electronic device is enclosed in the housing; and   a second membrane in the housing, the second membrane configured to permit interaction with the biometric scanning device of the electronic device from outside the housing when the electronic device is enclosed in the housing, the second membrane having a thickness that is less than a thickness of the first membrane.   
     
     
         12 . The housing of  claim 11 , wherein the biometric scanning device comprises a fingerprint scanner, and wherein the thickness of the second membrane is sufficiently thin to permit a fingerprint of a user to be scanned by the fingerprint scanner through the membrane. 
     
     
         13 . The housing of  claim 12 , wherein the thickness of the second membrane is about 0.001 in. to about 0.006 in. 
     
     
         14 . The housing of  claim 11 , wherein the second membrane comprises a polyurethane film. 
     
     
         15 . The housing of  claim 14 , wherein the polyurethane film comprises an aliphatic polycaprolactone polyurethane film. 
     
     
         16 . The housing of  claim 11 , wherein the second membrane comprises a thermoplastic polymer. 
     
     
         17 . The housing of  claim 11 , wherein the second membrane comprises polyethylene terephthalate. 
     
     
         18 . The housing of  claim 11 , wherein the first and second clasping mechanisms of the respective top and the bottom members extend along the respective top member perimeter portion and bottom member perimeter portion. 
     
     
         19 . The housing of  claim 11 , wherein one of the top member perimeter portion and the bottom member perimeter portion comprises a channel and a gasket for engaging the other of the top member perimeter portion and the bottom member perimeter portion to couple the top member to the bottom member. 
     
     
         20 . The housing of  claim 19 , wherein the channel includes a groove in a side of the channel, and wherein the other of the top member perimeter portion and the bottom member perimeter portion includes a lip for engaging the groove when the top member and bottom member are coupled. 
     
     
         21 . A water resistant housing for an electronic device having an interactive touchscreen and a biometric scanner, the water resistant housing comprising:
 a top member having a front surface surrounded by a top member perimeter portion, the top member perimeter portion defined by a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and opposing side portions, wherein the proximal end portion, the distal end portion, and the opposing side portions define an interior portion of the top member to receive the electronic device, the top member perimeter portion having a first clasping mechanism;   a bottom member for removably coupling with the top member to form the water resistant housing, the bottom member having a bottom member perimeter portion corresponding to a shape of the top member perimeter portion, the bottom member perimeter portion having a second clasping mechanism for interfacing with the first clasping mechanism of the top member to couple the bottom member to the top member to enclose the electronic device within the water resistant housing; and   a membrane in the water resistant housing, the membrane having a biometric scanning portion adapted to cover the biometric scanner of the electronic device when the electronic device is enclosed in the water resistant housing, the biometric scanning portion having a thickness that is sufficiently thin to permit the biometric scanner of the electronic device to scan through the biometric scanning portion when the electronic device is enclosed in the water resistant housing.   
     
     
         22 . The water resistant housing of  claim 21 , wherein the biometric scanner comprises a fingerprint scanner, and wherein the thickness of the biometric scanner portion permits a fingerprint of a user to be scanned by the fingerprint scanner through the biometric scanning portion of the membrane. 
     
     
         23 . The water resistant housing of  claim 22 , wherein the thickness of the biometric scanning portion is about 0.001 in. to about 0.006 in. 
     
     
         24 . The water resistant housing of  claim 21 , wherein the biometric scanning portion comprises a polyurethane film. 
     
     
         25 . The water resistant housing of  claim 24 , wherein the polyurethane film comprises an aliphatic polycaprolactone polyurethane film. 
     
     
         26 . The water resistant housing of  claim 21 , wherein the biometric scanning portion comprises a thermoplastic polymer. 
     
     
         27 . The water resistant housing of  claim 21 , wherein the biometric scanning portion comprises polyethylene terephthalate. 
     
     
         28 . The water resistant housing of  claim 21 , wherein the first and second clasping mechanisms of the respective top and the bottom members extend along the respective top member perimeter portion and bottom member perimeter portion. 
     
     
         29 . The water resistant housing of  claim 21 , wherein one of the top member perimeter portion and the bottom member perimeter portion comprises a channel and a gasket for engaging the other of the top member perimeter portion and the bottom member perimeter portion to couple the top member to the bottom member. 
     
     
         30 . The water resistant housing of  claim 29 , wherein the channel includes a groove in a side of the channel, and wherein the other of the top member perimeter portion and the bottom member perimeter portion includes a lip for engaging the groove when the top member and bottom member are coupled.