MAGNETIC ATTACHMENT UNIT

• US 20140049911A1
• Filed: 01/27/2012
• Published: 02/20/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Corbin, Sean S., Lauder, Andrew D.
• Granted Patent: US 8,988,876 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/679.58
• 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. A magnetic attachment unit for magnetically attaching together at least individual first electronic and second electronic devices each having an associated magnetic attachment feature, comprising:

a body comprising;

a first side, a second side opposite the first side, electronic circuitry arranged to at least provide a communication channel between the first and second electronic devices and processing resources, and a data storage unit arranged to store data;

a first magnetic attachment system at a first side of the body comprising at least a first magnet arranged to provide a first activation force for activating the corresponding magnetic attachment feature in the first electronic device; and

a second magnetic attachment system at a second side of the body comprising at least a second magnet arranged to provide a second activation force for activating the corresponding magnetic attachment feature in the second electronic device, wherein a magnetic attachment force generated between the activated first and second magnetic systems and the corresponding magnets in the magnetic attachment unit causes the first and second individual electronic devices to operate together as a cooperating electronic device.

2. The magnetic attachment unit as recited in claim 1, wherein substantially all of the body is flexible.

4. The magnetic attachment unit as recited in claim 1, wherein the data storage unit stores programming code executed by the cooperating electronic device.

5. The magnetic attachment unit as recited in claim 1, wherein the data storage unit stores programming code executed by at least a portion of the electronic circuit for output by the cooperating electronic device.

6. The magnetic attachment unit as recited in claim 1, wherein the cooperating electronic device is an electronic book.

7. The magnetic attachment unit as recited in claim 1, wherein the body further comprises:

a first portion, the first portion incorporating the first magnetic attachment system;

a second portion, the second portion incorporating the second magnetic attachment system; and

a flexible portion attached to the first and second portions such that the first electronic device and the second electronic device pivot with respect to the flexible portion independent of each other.

8. The magnetic attachment unit as recited in claim 7, wherein the first portion and the second portion are each formed of a rigid material.

9. The magnetic attachment unit as recited in claim 8, wherein the flexible portion is a clutch assembly.

10. The magnetic attachment unit as recited in claim 9, wherein the clutch assembly is a locking clutch assembly arranged to lock the first and second electronic devices in positions approximately 90°

apart.

44. The magnetic attachment unit as recited in claim 1, further comprising

a communication link arranged to provide a communication channel between the first and second electronic devices.

45. The magnetic attachment unit as recited in claim 44, wherein the communication link comprises a wired connection disposed in the body.

46. The magnetic attachment unit as recited in claim 44, wherein the communication link is a wireless connection.

47. The magnetic attachment unit as recited in claim 1, wherein the first electronic device further comprises a display arranged for presentation of visual content.

48. The magnetic attachment unit as recited in claim 47 wherein the body forms a support structure that is used to position the display at about a 75°

angle in relation to a horizontal supporting surface.

49. The magnetic attachment unit as recited in claim 1, wherein the first electronic device is a tablet computer.

50. The magnetic attachment unit as recited in claim 6, wherein the data storage unit stores content at least some of which is visually presented by the display.

3. (canceled)

11-43. -43. (canceled)