Flux fountain

• US 9,176,901 B2
• Filed: 08/12/2014
• Issued: 11/03/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Inventors: Whitt, David Otto III, McLaughlin, Robyn Rebecca Reed, Schneider, Summer L., Wahl, Eric Joseph, Wise, James H., Leon, Camilo, Aagaard, Karsten, Oliver, Thomas Charles
• Primary Examiner(s): HAUGHTON, ANTHONY MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US14/457,881
• Publication Number:
  US 20140362506A1
• Time in Patent Office: 448 Days
• Field of Search: 361/679.02, 361/679.55, 361/679.56
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 11/1064 with a coil spring perpendicular to the pivot axis
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 5/08 with springs
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/46 Magnets
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/38 by folding , e.g. pivoting or scissors tong mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 11/01 electric
• 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 1/1618 the display being foldable up to the back of the other housing with a single degree of freedom, e.g. by 360° rotation over the axis defined by the rear edge of the base enclosure
• 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 1/1654 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 1/166 related to integrated arrangements for adjusting the position of the main body with respect to the supporting surface, e.g. legs for adjusting the tilt angle
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1662 Details related to the integrated keyboard
• 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 1/1683 for the transmission of signal or power between the different housings, e.g. details of wired or wireless communication, passage of cabling
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1684 Constructional details or arrangements related to integrated I/O peripherals not covered by groups G06F1/1635 - G06F1/1675
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1686 the I/O peripheral being an integrated camera
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/3089 Monitoring arrangements determined by the means or processing involved in sensing the monitored data, e.g. interfaces, connectors, sensors, probes, agents software debugging using additional hardware using a specific debug interface G06F11/3656; performance evaluation by tracing or monitoring G06F11/3466
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/102 where the programme performs an interfacing function, e.g. device driver G06F13/105 takes precedence; scheduling within device drivers G06F9/52; contention policies within device drivers G06F9/4881
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/002 Specific input/output arrangements not covered by G06F3/01 - G06F3/16 other optical apparatus G02B27/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/01 : Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer G06F3/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/02 : Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 : Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0219 : Special purpose keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/023 : Arrangements for converting discrete items of information into a coded form, e.g. arrangements for interpreting keyboard generated codes as alphanumeric codes, operand codes or instruction codes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0233 : Character input methods
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0414 : using force sensing means to determine a position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0416 : Control or interface arrangements specially adapted for digitisers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0487 : using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 : using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04886 : by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/541 : via adapters, e.g. between incompatible applications
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 11/00 : Apparatus or processes specially adapted for the manufacture of electric switches processes specially adapted for manufacture of rectilinearly movable switches having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboards, H01H13/88
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/14 : Operating parts, e.g. push-button
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/702 : with contacts carried by or formed from layers in a multilayer structure, e.g. membrane switches
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/703 : characterised by spacers between contact carrying layers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/704 : characterised by the layers, e.g. by their material or structure H01H13/703 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/78 : characterised by the contacts or the contact sites
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/785 : characterised by the material of the contacts, e.g. conductive polymers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/79 : characterised by the form of the contacts, e.g. interspersed fingers or helical networks
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/807 : characterised by the spatial arrangement of the contact sites, e.g. superimposed sites
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/82 : characterised by contact space venting means
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2201/036 : Variable resistance
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2203/02 : Interspersed fingers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2203/036 : to solve particular problems
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2203/058 : Contact area function of position on layered keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2205/006 : mounted on spacer
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2211/004 : Adhesive
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2211/006 : Individual areas
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2213/016 : in adhesive layer
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/004 : Larger or different actuating area
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/006 : Different feeling for different switch sites
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/01 : Off centre actuation
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2227/032 : Operating force
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/26 : for interlocking two or more switches H01H13/568 takes precedence; by a detachable member H01H9/28 ; for electromagnetic relays H01H50/323
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0216 : Foldable in one direction, i.e. using a one degree of freedom hinge
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0245 : using open/close detection
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0254 : comprising one or a plurality of mechanically detachable modules
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72409 : by interfacing with external accessories hands-free H04M1/60
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0226 : Hinges
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0234 : Feet; Stands; Pedestals, e.g. wheels for moving casing on floor
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 10/00 : Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 : Assembling or joining

Abstract

Flux fountain techniques are described. In one or more implementations, an apparatus includes a cover configured to be disposed over at least a portion of a display device of a computing device that is configured as a tablet and a connection portion attached to the cover using a flexible hinge. The connection portion is configured to be physically coupled to the computing device using a magnetic coupling device. The magnetic coupling device includes a first magnet that is disposed in the connection portion such that a magnetic field is aligned along an axis and second and third magnets are disposed in the connection portion at opposing sides of the first magnet from each other. The second and third magnets have respective magnetic fields that are aligned along a respective axis that is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the magnetic field of the first magnet.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a cover configured to be disposed over at least a portion of a display device of a computing device that is configured as a tablet; and

a connection portion attached to the cover, the connection portion configured to be physically coupled to the computing device using a magnetic coupling device that includes a plurality of magnets arranged, one to another, to implement a flux fountain that steers magnetic fields of at least one of the magnets using one or more other ones of the magnets.

2. An apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the plurality of magnets are disposed such that the respective magnetic fields cause the magnetic field of the at least one magnet to extend further away from the connection portion than the magnetic field of the at least one magnet absent an effect of the respective magnetic fields of the one or more other ones of the magnets.

3. An apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein a strength of the magnetic field of the at least one magnet is stronger than a strength of the respective magnetic fields of the one or more other ones of the magnets, individually.

4. An apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the plurality of magnets is configured such that:

the at least one magnet is a first said magnet that is disposed in the connection portion such that a magnetic field is aligned along an axis; and

the one or more other ones of the magnets include second and third said magnets are disposed in the connection portion at opposing sides of the first said magnet from each other, each having a respective magnetic field that is aligned along an axis that is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the magnetic field of the first said magnet.

5. An apparatus as described in claim 4, wherein the second and third said magnets are disposed in the magnetic coupling device to have the respective magnetic fields arranged in substantially opposite directions.

6. An apparatus as described in claim 4, wherein the magnetic coupling device includes fourth and fifth said magnets that together with the first, second, and third said magnets form the flux fountain.

7. An apparatus as described in claim 6, wherein:

the fourth said magnet has a magnetic field that is aligned as substantially opposite to the magnetic field of the first said magnet;

the fifth said magnet has a magnetic field that substantially corresponds to the magnetic field of the second said magnet and is substantially opposite to the magnetic field of the third said magnet; and

the fourth said magnet is disposed between the third and fifth said magnets in the magnetic coupling device.

8. An apparatus as described in claim 6, wherein:

the fourth and fifth said magnets have magnetic fields that are aligned as substantially opposite to the magnetic field of the first magnet;

the second said magnet is disposed between the first and fourth said magnets in the magnetic coupling device; and

the third said magnet is disposed between the first and fifth magnets in the magnetic coupling device.

9. An apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the cover further includes an input portion that is communicatively coupled a plurality of communication contact of the connection portion, the input device configured to provide one or more inputs to the computing device.

10. An apparatus as described in claim 9, wherein the input portion is configured to implement a keyboard.

11. A computing device comprising:

a housing;

one or more modules disposed within the housing and implemented at least partially in hardware to perform one or more operations; and

one or more communication contacts disposed on the housing and configured to form a communicative coupling with an input device; and

a magnetic coupling device that is configured to form a magnetic and physical coupling to a device, the magnetic coupling device including a plurality of magnets arranged, one to another, to implement a flux fountain that steers magnetic fields of at least one of the magnets using one or more other ones of the magnets.

12. A computing device as described in claim 11, wherein the plurality of magnets are disposed such that the respective magnetic fields cause the magnetic field of the at least one magnet to extend further away from the housing than the magnetic field of the at least one magnet absent an effect of the respective magnetic fields of the one or more other ones of the magnets.

13. A computing device as described in claim 11, wherein a strength of the magnetic field of the at least one magnet is stronger than a strength of the respective magnetic fields of the one or more other ones of the magnets, individually.

14. A computing device as described in claim 11, wherein the plurality of magnets are configured such that:

the at least one magnet is a first said magnet that is disposed in the connection portion such that a magnetic field is aligned along an axis; and

the one or more other ones of the magnets include second and third said magnets are disposed in the connection portion at opposing sides of the first said magnet from each other, each having a respective magnetic field that is aligned along an axis that is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the magnetic field of the first said magnet.

15. A computing device as described in claim 14, wherein the second and third said magnets are disposed in the magnetic coupling device to have the respective magnetic fields arranged in substantially opposite directions.

16. A computing device as described in claim 13, wherein the magnetic coupling device includes fourth and fifth said magnets that together with the first, second, and third said magnets form the flux fountain.

17. A computing device as described in claim 16, wherein:

the fourth said magnet has a magnetic field that is aligned as substantially opposite to the magnetic field of the first said magnet;

the fifth said magnet has a magnetic field that substantially corresponds to the magnetic field of the second said magnet and is substantially opposite to the magnetic field of the third said magnet; and

the fourth said magnet is disposed between the third and fifth said magnets in the magnetic coupling device.

18. A computing device as described in claim 16, wherein:

the fourth and fifth said magnets have magnetic fields that are aligned as substantially opposite to the magnetic field of the first magnet;

the second said magnet is disposed between the first and fourth said magnets in the magnetic coupling device; and

the third said magnet is disposed between the first and fifth magnets in the magnetic coupling device.

19. A system comprising:

an apparatus comprising a cover configured to cover at least a portion of a display device of a computing device and a connection portion attached to the cover;

the computing device comprising a housing and one or more modules disposed within the housing and implemented at least partially in hardware to perform one or more operations; and

a magnetic coupling device disposed on the apparatus or the computing device that includes a plurality of magnets arranged, one to another, to implement a flux fountain that steers magnetic fields of at least one of the magnets using one or more other ones of the magnets thereby forming a magnetic and physical connection between the apparatus and the computing device.

20. A system as described in claim 19, wherein the plurality of magnets are disposed such that the respective magnetic fields cause the magnetic field of the at least one magnet to have increased range than the magnetic field of the at least one magnet absent an effect of the respective magnetic fields of the one or more other ones of the magnets.