Flexible keyboard accessory for a portable electronic device

• US 9,946,295 B2
• Filed: 09/02/2016
• Issued: 04/17/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Smith, Samuel Gilkison, Coster, Daniel J., Corbin, Sean S., Kuna, Melody L., Hegde, Siddhartha, Cousins, Benjamin A., Murphy, Robert Sean
• Primary Examiner(s): THAKER, NIDHI VIVEK
• Application Number:
  US15/256,433
• Publication Number:
  US 20170068281A1
• Time in Patent Office: 592 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1615 with several enclosures having relative motions, each enclosure supporting at least one I/O or computing function constructional details of portable telephones comprising a plurality of mechanically joined movable body parts H04M1/0206
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1628 Carrying enclosures containing additional elements, e.g. case for a laptop and a printer
• 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 1/1669 Detachable keyboards
• 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 1/20 Cooling means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1633 Protecting arrangement for the entire housing of the computer

Abstract

An accessory device for use with an electronic device is disclosed. The accessory device may include a cover configured to overlay an electronic device (or device) or fold to form a support structure for the electronic device. The cover may include an attachment feature that electrically couples with the device, and a keyboard foldable with respect to the cover. Further, the keyboard may include a retention feature designed to receive the attachment feature in a folded configuration of the cover. The accessory device may further include an electrically conductive fabric that folds with the cover. The accessory device may include an array of magnets throughout the attachment feature, the cover, and the keyboard. The magnets may be used to magnetically couple together 1) segments of the cover, 2) the cover and the keyboard assembly, 3) and/or the device with the cover.

Claims

1. An accessory device suitable for use with an electronic device that includes device magnets and device contact, the accessory device comprising:

a foldable cover comprising an attachment feature configured to couple with the electronic device, the attachment feature comprising an electrical contact positioned between a first magnetic element and a second magnetic element;

a keyboard assembly hingedly coupled with the foldable cover allowing the keyboard assembly to rotate with respect to the foldable cover;

a retention feature extending from the keyboard assembly and providing a structural support for the attachment feature when the attachment feature is at least partially positioned in the retention feature; and

an electrically conductive fabric extending from the attachment feature to the keyboard assembly, the electrically conductive fabric providing an electrical communication path between the electrical contact and the keyboard assembly, wherein the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element magnetically interact with the device magnets to align and secure the device contact with the electrical contact.

2. The accessory device of claim 1, further comprising an embedded support layer that extends into the keyboard assembly and the foldable cover, wherein the embedded support layer allows the keyboard assembly to i) fold over and onto the foldable cover and ii) extend away from the foldable cover to a predetermined angle with respect to the foldable cover.

3. The accessory device of claim 1, wherein the foldable cover further comprises a first segment and a second segment, the second segment raised with respect to the first segment such that when the keyboard assembly is folded over and onto the first segment, the keyboard assembly is co-planar with respect to the second segment.

4. The accessory device of claim 1, wherein the foldable cover further comprises a cover layer extending along an exterior surface of the foldable cover and folds over the attachment feature to define a top surface of the attachment feature.

5. The accessory device of claim 4, wherein:

the cover layer comprises an opening,

the electrical contact is in a location corresponding to the opening and electrically coupled with the electrically conductive fabric, the electrical contact configured to electrically couple with the electronic device; and

the cover comprises a layer disposed that extends from the cover and wraps over the top surface of the attachment feature, the layer comprising a first coefficient of friction, and wherein the top surface comprising a second coefficient of friction greater than the first coefficient of friction.

6. The accessory device of claim 1, wherein the keyboard assembly comprises a vent system, the vent system comprises:

an opening that provides the keyboard assembly with air; and

a channel coupled with the opening and to a key of the keyboard assembly thereby allowing the air to pass from a location corresponding to the key and exit the opening.

7. The accessory device of claim 6, wherein the channel opens to all keys of the keyboard assembly.

8. An accessory device suitable for use with an electronic device having a display assembly, a first device magnet, a second device magnet, and an electrical contact, the accessory device comprising:

a cover having a size and shape to overlay the display assembly, the cover including a first end and a second end opposite the first end;

a keyboard rotatably coupled with the cover at the first end;

an attachment feature rotatably coupled with the cover at the second end, the attachment feature comprising;

a first magnet capable of magnetically coupling with the first device magnet, a second magnet capable of magnetically coupling with the second device magnet, and a contact capable of electrically coupling with the electrical contact to place the electronic device in electrical communication with the keyboard; and

a retention feature positioned on the keyboard, wherein the cover is rotatable with respect to the keyboard such that the attachment feature is positioned in the retention feature.

9. The accessory device of claim 8, wherein the keyboard comprises a keyboard magnet, and wherein the cover comprises a detection mechanism configured to detect an external magnetic field from the keyboard magnet when the keyboard is folded over and onto the cover, the detection mechanism generating an electrical signal in response to detecting the external magnetic field, causing the keyboard to power down.

10. The accessory device of claim 8, wherein the cover comprises an outer layer that extends across the cover, and wherein the attachment feature comprises:

a shunt; and

a protective component formed from a metal, the protective component receiving the shunt, the first magnet, and the second magnet, wherein the outer layer extends over the protective component, the first magnet, the second magnet, and the shunt.

11. The accessory device of claim 10, further comprising a coating that covers the protective component, wherein the outer layer is adhesively secured with the coating such that the attachment feature is capable of rotating with respect to the outer layer.

12. The accessory device of claim 11, further comprising an electrically conductive fabric electrically coupled with the contact and the keyboard, the electrically conductive fabric extending along the protective component.

13. The accessory device of claim 8, wherein the cover comprises a support layer prevents the keyboard from folding away from the cover at an angle no greater than 180 degrees.

14. The accessory device of claim 8, wherein the cover comprises a foldable cover that folds to define a support structure that supports the electronic device and the keyboard such that the keyboard is positioned between the electronic device and the support structure.

15. An accessory device suitable for use with an electronic device, the accessory device comprising:

a cover that releasably couples with the electronic device, the cover comprising at least a first segment, a second segment, and a third segment, the second segment between the first segment and the third segment;

an attachment feature coupled to the cover, the attachment feature comprising a first magnet capable of magnetically coupling with the electronic device;

a keyboard assembly secured with the cover, the keyboard assembly comprising keys located on a planar surface, the keyboard assembly further comprising a retention feature that forms a ring that is elevated with respect to the planar surface; and

a second magnet embedded in the keyboard assembly, the second magnet being sub-flush with respect to the planar surface and in a location corresponding to the retention feature such that the second magnet is capable of magnetically coupling with the first magnet when the retention feature receives the attachment feature, wherein each of the first segment, the second segment, and the third segment includes a uniform thickness, and wherein when the keyboard assembly is folded onto the cover, the keyboard assembly is co-planar with respect to the third segment.

16. The accessory device of claim 15, further comprising a support layer that is embedded in the cover, the keyboard assembly, and a hinge connecting the cover and the keyboard, wherein:

the keyboard assembly is coupled to the cover by a hinge,

when the keyboard assembly is folded in a first direction onto the cover, the keyboard assembly is co-planar with respect to the cover, and

when the keyboard assembly is folded in a second direction opposite the first direction, the support layer limits movement of the keyboard assembly with respect to the cover by a predetermined angle.

17. The accessory device of claim 15, wherein the cover comprises a foldable cover that forms a support structure for the electronic device.

18. The accessory device of claim 17, wherein the keyboard assembly is foldable with respect to the foldable cover to fold onto the foldable cover such that the support structure is positioned to support the electronic device and the keyboard assembly.

19. The accessory device of claim 15, wherein the ring is capable of surrounding the attachment feature.