Magnetic stand for tablet device

• US 8,824,166 B2
• Filed: 08/31/2011
• Issued: 09/02/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Rohrbach, Matthew D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Phillips, Forrest M
• Application Number:
  US13/223,110
• Publication Number:
  US 20130050973A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,098 Days
• Field of Search: 361/816, 248/683, 248/467, 248/206.5, 248/309.4
• US Class Current: 361/816
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0252 for personal computers, e.g. laptops, notebooks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0028 Ceiling, e.g. roof rails
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/041 Allowing quick release of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/22 with approximately constant height, e.g. with constant length of column or of legs F16M11/42 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/242 by spreading of the legs F16M11/32 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/00 Other supports for positioning apparatus or articles heads thereof F16M11/02 ; undercarriages thereof F16M11/20 ; adapted to be stuck in the ground A45F3/44 ; sockets or holders for poles or posts E04H12/22; Means for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles supports for measuring instruments G01D11/30; supports for casings of remote control switching devices H01H9/025
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/022 repositionable
• 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 1/1633 Constructional details or arrangements of portable computers not specific to the type of enclosures covered by groups G06F1/1615 - G06F1/1626
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 7/0252 PM holding devices H01F7/021, H01F7/0215, H01F7/0226 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3877 Arrangements for enabling portable transceivers to be used in a fixed position, e.g. cradles or boosters
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/04 Supports for telephone transmitters or receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/0216 Reduction of cross-talk, noise or electromagnetic interference grounding H05K1/0215
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/0298 Multilayer circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/0707 Shielding
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0204 Mounting supporting structures on the outside of casings
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 9/002 with localised screening

Abstract

A magnetic stand for a tablet device is disclosed. The magnetic stand is configured to rigidly hold a portion of the tablet device in place and to shield the magnetic field from adversely affecting nearby devices susceptible to strong magnetic fields. The shielding portion of the magnetic stand allows for significant increases in magnetic field strength when compared to similarly configured, unshielded products.

Claims

1. A stand for magnetically securing a tablet device, the tablet device having a magnetic attachment system disposed within a first portion of a tablet device housing, the stand comprising:

a cupped portion, comprising;

an interior having a size and shape arranged to accommodate the first portion of the tablet device by providing a friction force to an exterior surface of the tablet device housing; and

a magnetic attachment mechanism, comprising;

a magnetic element for magnetically interacting with the magnetic attachment system, the magnetic interaction causing the cupped portion to secure the tablet device.

2. The magnetic stand of claim 1, further comprising:

a metallic shunt portion attached to an exterior surface of the magnetic element for redirecting a portion of a magnetic field emanating from the magnetic element towards the interior of the cupped portion thereby increasing the magnetic interaction, the magnetic shunt portion securing the magnetic element within the cupped portion, wherein the metallic shunt portion includes a mounting connector.

3. The magnetic stand of claim 2, wherein the magnetic stand further comprises:

a cupped portion door which prevents inadvertent insertion of objects into the cupped portion of the magnetic stand.

4. The magnetic stand of claim 2, wherein the magnetic element is a rare-earth magnet.

5. The magnetic stand of claim 4, wherein the mounting connector is a clip.

6. The magnetic stand of claim 4, wherein the mounting connector is compatible with a tripod mount.

7. The magnetic stand of claim 1, wherein the magnetic stand further comprises:

a hinge portion which attaches to another metallic shunt portion which attaches to another cupped portion, wherein the magnetic stand is configured to attach two tablet devices together.

8. The magnetic stand of claim 7, wherein the magnetic stand further comprises:

a data connector disposed on the inside surface of each cupped portion, wherein the tablet device has a corresponding data connector which enables wired communications between the two tablet devices.

9. A magnetic mount for releasably securing a tablet device to a vehicle console, the magnetic mount comprising:

a mounting connector compatible with a vehicle attachment point on the vehicle console;

a metallic shunt portion which positions a plurality of permanent magnets within the magnetic mount, and prevents a magnetic field emanating from the permanent magnets from leaking energy out of the back or sides of the magnetic stand;

a cupped portion arranged to provide a friction force for rigidly supporting at least one side of the tablet device, and a structure for shielding the magnetic field emanating from the permanent magnets while the magnetic stand is not in use,

wherein the metallic shunt is mechanically attached to a bottom outer surface of the cupped portion and further wherein the magnetic field acts to hold a portion of the tablet device securely within the cupped portion.

10. The magnetic mount of claim 9, wherein the mounting connector is hingedly attached to the vehicle attachment point.

11. The magnetic mount of claim 10, wherein when a display side surface of the tablet device is rotated against the vehicle console, the hinge attachment lines up a magnetic field sensor within the tablet device with a magnet in the vehicle console and deactivates the tablet device.

12. The magnetic mount of claim 11, wherein when a display side surface of the tablet device is rotated away from the vehicle console, a decrease in the magnetic field strength sensed by the magnetic field sensor within the tablet activates the tablet device.

13. The magnetic mount of claim 9, wherein recognition of the specific magnetic signature by the tablet device sensor directs the tablet device to activate a vehicle mode for initiating interaction and communication between the tablet device and the vehicle.

14. A detachable motor vehicle communication system, comprising:

a tablet device comprising;

a display for presenting visual information,

a wireless communication interface, and

a magnetic attachment mechanism; and

a stand for detachably securing the tablet device to an interior surface of the motor vehicle, the stand comprising;

a magnetic attachment unit that interacts with the magnetic attachment mechanism to secure the tablet device and the stand, wherein a sensor in the tablet device senses that the tablet device is secured to the stand causing the tablet device to automatically interact with the motor vehicle in a wireless mode.

15. The detachable motor vehicle communication system as recited in claim 14, wherein in the wireless mode, a microphone built in to the tablet device is activated for receiving audible commands, the audible commands directing the operation of the tablet device.

16. The detachable motor vehicle communication system as recited in claim 15, wherein the audible commands for changing the configuration of the car are passed from the tablet to the car.

17. The detachable motor vehicle communication system as recited in claim 15, the tablet device further comprising a navigation system operable to provide current navigation information, the navigation system responsive to at least one audible command.

18. The detachable motor vehicle communication system as recited in claim 14, wherein in the wireless mode the tablet device can display car status information.

19. The detachable motor vehicle communication system as recited in claim 15, wherein in the wireless mode the tablet device can transmit audio information to the motor vehicle stereo system.

20. The detachable motor vehicle communication system as recited in claim 15, wherein in the wireless mode the tablet device can display video information from a backup camera mounted on the motor vehicle.