Magnetic attachment unit

• US 10,037,054 B2
• Filed: 08/31/2016
• Issued: 07/31/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Corbin, Sean S., Lauder, Andrew D.
• Primary Examiner(s): LEA EDMONDS, LISA S
• Application Number:
  US15/253,629
• Publication Number:
  US 20170010633A1
• Time in Patent Office: 699 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 11/00 Receptacles for purposes not provided for in groups A45C1/00-A45C9/00 specially adapted for toiletry or cosmetic equipment A45D29/20, A45D44/18; travelling sewing kits A45F3/48
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/002 Protective covers
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 15/00 Purses, bags, luggage or other receptacles covered by groups A45C1/00 - A45C11/00, combined with other objects or articles A45C1/08, A45C3/14, A45C11/321, A45C13/28 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2011/003 for portable computing devices, e.g. laptop, tablet, netbook, game boy, navigation system, calculator
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2200/15 Articles convertible into a stand, e.g. for displaying purposes
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0658 Position or arrangement of display
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0252 for personal computers, e.g. laptops, notebooks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0005 Dashboard
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0017 Head-rests
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0057 using magnetic means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1643 the display being associated to a digitizer, e.g. laptops that can be used as penpads details related to the relative motion of the display enclosure with respect to the body enclosure, e.g. to move between laptop and tablet PC configuration G06F1/1615
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1647 including at least an additional display G06F1/1692 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1652 the display being flexible, e.g. mimicking a sheet of paper, or rollable
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1654 the display being detachable, e.g. for remote use
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1673 Arrangements for projecting a virtual keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1681 : Details related solely to hinges hinge details related to the transmission of signals or power are classified in G06F1/1683
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 : Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 : Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 : for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1446 : display composed of modules, e.g. video walls
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3822 : specially adapted for use in vehicles H04B1/3827 takes precedence

Abstract

A magnetic attachment mechanism and method is described. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach at least two objects together in a preferred configuration without fasteners and without external intervention. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach an accessory device to an electronic device. The accessory device can be used to augment the functionality of usefulness of the electronic device.

Claims

1. An accessory device for a portable electronic device, comprising:

an attachment mechanism suitable for magnetically securing the portable electronic device to a dashboard of a motor vehicle; and

a communication module arranged to provide a communication channel between the motor vehicle and the portable electronic device in response to the portable electronic device receiving an indication that the portable electronic device is secured to the dashboard by way of the attachment mechanism.

2. The accessory device as recited in claim 1, wherein the communication module is further arranged to provide a communication channel with another electronic device.

3. The accessory device as recited in claim 1, wherein the communication module is further arranged to provide a communication channel with an electronic service that includes a Global Positioning System (GPS) service that is used in conjunction with a navigation application that is executed by the portable electronic device.

5. The accessory device as recited in claim 1, wherein the communication channel is wireless.

4. The accessory device as recited in 1, wherein an operation of the motor vehicle is controllable by the portable electronic device by way of the communication module, and wherein the portable electronic device is arranged to present vehicle information related to the operation of the motor vehicle by way of the communication module.

6. A method operable by a portable electronic device, comprising:

receiving an indication that the portable electronic device is mounted to a dashboard of a motor vehicle by way of a magnetic attachment mechanism;

establishing a communication channel with the motor vehicle in response to receiving the indication; and

transferring data to/from the motor vehicle using the communication channel.

7. The method as recited in claim 6, wherein the magnetic attachment mechanism comprises a communication module arranged to provide the communication channel.

8. The method as recited in claim 7, wherein the communication module is further arranged to provide a communication channel with an electronic service.

9. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein the electronic service comprises a Global Positioning System (GPS) service that is used in conjunction with a navigation application that is executable by the portable electronic device.

10. A portable electronic device, comprising:

a housing; and

a processor carried by the housing, the processor capable of (i) receiving an indication that the housing is magnetically mounted to a dashboard of a motor vehicle, (ii) causing an establishment of a communication channel with the motor vehicle in response to receiving the indication, and (iii) transferring data to/from the motor vehicle by using the communication channel.

11. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 10, wherein the processor is capable of establishing a communication channel with an electronic service.

12. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 11, wherein the electronic service comprises a Global Positioning System (GPS) service that is used in conjunction with a navigation application.

13. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 10, wherein operation of the motor vehicle is controllable by using the processor that sends operation instructions to the motor vehicle by way of the communication channel.

14. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 13, wherein information related to the operation of the motor vehicle is communicated to the processor by way of a communication module and is presentable by a display carried by the housing.

15. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 10, wherein the housing is magnetically mounted to a dashboard of the motor vehicle by way of an accessory device.

16. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 15, wherein the accessory device includes a data storage unit capable of storing data.

17. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 16, wherein the data stored in the data storage unit includes information used to identify an individual authorized to operate the motor vehicle.

18. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 17, wherein the portable electronic device is arranged to receive user input for altering an operating characteristic of the motor vehicle.

19. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 18, wherein the portable electronic device is arranged to utilize a navigation application to send operating instructions to the motor vehicle.

20. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 10, wherein the portable electronic device is at least one of a portable communication device, a tablet device, or a smart phone.