Cover for an electronic device

• US 10,236,106 B2
• Filed: 08/15/2017
• Issued: 03/19/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Lauder, Andrew D., Rohrbach, Matthew Dean, Coster, Daniel J., Stringer, Christopher J., Ow, Florence W., Ai, Jiang, Ive, Jonathan P., Kibiti, Elvis M., Ternus, John P., Lubner, Sean D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Musleh, Mohamad
• Application Number:
  US15/677,214
• Publication Number:
  US 20180012691A1
• Time in Patent Office: 581 Days
• Field of Search: 335219, 335285, 335302-306, 335205-207, 439 38, 439218, 439217, 439 39, 24303, 361807, 36167901, 361600, 206 452, 206 4523, 206 4524, 206305, 206320, 206764, 206765, 345111
• 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: G06F 1/1601 Constructional details related to the housing of computer displays, e.g. of CRT monitors, of flat displays constructional details related to flat displays integrated in a portable computer, e.g. laptop, handheld computer G06F1/1637; constructional details related to television receivers H04N5/64
• 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 1/1637 Details related to the display arrangement, including those related to the mounting of the display in the housing
• 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 1/1662 Details related to the integrated keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 7/0205 Magnetic circuits with PM in general
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 7/04 Means for releasing the attractive force
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/32 having magnetic fastener

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 capable of magnetically attaching with a separate portable electronic device, the portable electronic device having a housing capable of carrying a first magnetic element and a first electronic component that is capable of providing a first electronic function, the accessory device comprising:

a body that carries a second magnetic element and a second electronic component that is capable of providing a second electronic function, wherein a cooperating electronic system comprises the first and second magnetic elements attracted to each other such that the body and the housing are attached to each other in a pre-determined orientation and a pre-determined alignment, wherein the pre-determined orientation and the pre-determined alignment allows forming of a communication channel over which the first and second electronic components are capable of communicating with each other in order to provide a third electronic function that the first and the second electronic components are incapable of providing individually.

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

3. The accessory device as recited in claim 1, wherein the accessory device further comprises a single piece flap pivotally attached to the body.

4. The accessory device as recited in claim 2, the single piece flap further comprising an input device.

5. The accessory device as recited in claim 1, wherein the portable electronic device is a handheld personal communication device.

6. A method operable by a portable electronic device having a housing that carries a first electronic component capable of providing a first electronic function, a display coupled to a processor, a sensor, a battery, a protective layer having a size and a shape of a front side of the portable electronic device and overlaying the display, the method comprising:

detecting, by the sensor, when a body portion of an accessory device is magnetically attached to the portable electronic device by a magnetic element carried by the body portion, the body portion further carrying a second electronic component capable of providing a second electronic function;

forming, based upon the detecting, a communication channel between the first and second electronic components, wherein the communication channel enables the first and second electronic components to cooperate with each other; and

providing, in accordance with the cooperation of the first and second components, a third electronic function (i) that is different than the first and second electronic functions, and (ii) that the first and second electronic components, individually, are incapable of providing.

7. The method as recited in claim 6, wherein the communication channel is wireless.

8. The method as recited in claim 6, wherein the sensor is a magnetic sensor.

9. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein the magnetic sensor is a Hall Effect Sensor.

10. The method as recited in claim 6, wherein the battery is capable of receiving power by way of the communication channel.

11. The method as recited in claim 6, wherein the accessory unit includes an input device.

12. A cooperative electronic system, comprising:

a portable electronic device; and

an accessory device magnetically and separably attached to the portable electronic device, the accessory device comprising;

a body that defines an internal cavity in which is carried;

a magnetic element capable of magnetically attaching the body to a a housing of the portable electronic device in a pre-determined orientation and alignment, wherein the magnetic attachment is such that the portable electronic device and the accessory device form the cooperative electronic system that (i) is portable and (ii) is capable of performing operations and providing functions that cannot be provided by the accessory device and the portable electronic device individually.

13. The cooperative electronic system as recited in claim 12, wherein the portable electronic device includes a charge storage device.

14. The cooperative electronic system as recited in claim 13, wherein the accessory device further includes a single piece flap attached to the body.

15. The cooperative electronic system as recited in claim 13, the body further comprising:

an external power connector suitable for receiving external power from an external power supply and passing at least some of the external power to the charge storage device.

16. The cooperative electronic system as recited in claim 15, wherein the cooperative electronic system is capable of receiving power from the external power supply.

17. The cooperative electronic system as recited in claim 12, wherein the portable electronic device is a portable communication device.

18. The cooperative electronic system as recited in claim 12, wherein power is wirelessly transmitted between the accessory device and the portable electronic device.

19. The cooperative electronic system as recited in claim 12, wherein the portable electronic device is a tablet device.

20. The cooperative electronic system as recited in claim 12, wherein the accessory device includes a single piece flap attached to the body and that includes an input device.