Patent Application
20200363840
The present disclosure relates to enhancing, covering, protecting, and positioning portable electronic devices.
Hundreds of millions of portable electronic devices have been sold and are in use today. One of the largest complaints from owners of these devices is their susceptibility to damage to the intricate circuitry within and to the exterior of the device principally due to the device impacting a hard surface such as when the device is accidentally dropped.
Some existing solutions to this problem that have been proposed and developed include slight variations of a cover having a four-part construction: 1) a soft felt on the interior, 2) a rigid middle layer, 3) a durable exterior with aesthetic design elements, and 4) a flexible crease or spine that connects the cover to a side edge of the portable electronic device or a side edge of a rear component that protects the back of the portable electronic device. However, some of these solutions can make portable electronic devices bulky and cumbersome to use. Others may be less cumbersome to use but fail to completely protect the devices from damage and wear. Further, some of these protective solutions may require several steps to be performed to remove them from the devices they protect, thereby resulting in an inconvenient user experience.
Some existing solutions also provide users the ability to prop up their screens at various specific angles for more convenient viewing. However, these angles are generally preset and not customizable by the users, and thus restrict how users can situate their screens. Further, some existing solutions may incorporate magnets in their cover component to allow for automatically turning on and turn off the device when opened and closed, respectively.
Novel technology for covering, protecting, and positioning portable electronic devices is described. In one innovative aspect, a system includes a display cover having an outside surface and an inside surface, a keyboard disposed on the inside surface, and a magnetic region extending through at least a portion of the keyboard. The system may include a retrofit magnetic adapter that includes a magnetic fastener configured to detachably couple to the magnetic region. The retrofit magnetic adapter is attachable to a display of a portable electronic device such that the magnetic fastener of the retrofit magnetic adapter is positioned along a portion of a first edge of the display.
It should be understood that this Summary is only illustrative and not limiting of the aspects of the technology disclosed herein, and numerous other embodiments and examples are described and encompassed hereby.
This application discloses innovative peripheral computing device technology. The technology may include various apparatuses, systems, methods, processes, and other aspects.
In a non-limiting example, the technology may comprise a keyboard with strategically magnetized keys or magnetized regions between the keys. The magnetic keys and/or regions around the keys are capable of magnetically attaching to a portable electronic device (e.g., phone, tablet, computer edge) to provide a sturdy prop for multiple viewing angles. Some or all of the keys, or regions therebetween, may be magnetic. For instance, one or more magnetic strips may be spaced such that they provide support for the edge of a display.
In some embodiments, the magnetic areas can overlay the keys, such that all keys are magnetic, a portion in strips, single keys, or multiple, etc. are magnetic. The magnetic areas of the keyboard may align with magnetic areas embedded in or included on a portable electronic device (e.g., a tablet computer, phone, protective case for the same, etc.)
One such example system 100 is depicted in
As shown in
The magnetic fasteners 108 on the display 102 may be situated such that they align with corresponding magnetic regions 110 situated on a display cover 114. A magnetic region may extend along at least a portion of the display cover 114. A magnetic region 110 may be configured to couple to one or more magnetic fasteners situated along an edge of a display of a portable electronic device when situated in a viewing position. The length, size, and/or shape of a magnetic region 110 may also vary. In the depicted embodiment, two magnetic fasteners 110 are included, although any suitable number (1+) may be used.
The display cover 114 has an outside surface 115 (e.g., see
As shown in
The display cover 114 may include a hinge or flap 760 that wraps around to the backside of the computing device 101. In some embodiments, the flap 760 may include one or more detachable fasteners that are configured to couple to the device 101. For example, the flap may be an articulating member that has a magnetic fastener configured to magnetically detachably fasten to compatible magnetic component(s) located on a backside of the portable electronic device. The compatible magnetic component(s) may be integrated into the device 101 or included in a device 101 cover, such as a protective case. For instance, the display protector portion of the display cover 114 is positionable via the flap 460 in a protective position to substantially cover a display of the portable electronic device and can be articulated to a position (referred to herein in some cases as a viewing position) underneath whatever side of the portable electronic device is facing downward. In the viewing position, the flap 760 and the display protector 766 cooperatively prop up the portable electronic device at a desired viewing angle in a portrait, landscape, etc., orientation. One advantage of attaching the flap 760 magnetically to the corresponding surface, which is also compatibly magnetic, is that the flap 760 can be rotated around relative to the surface without coming detached and/or can be slid around within the magnetic area of the surface without coming detached.
In further embodiments, the fastener 762 may be fixedly coupled to the device or an intermediate surface, such as a case surrounding the device 101. Other variations are also possible.
While continuous magnetic fastener regions 110 extending from the first side to the second side of the keyboard display cover 114 are shown in
By way of further example, the edge 103a of a tablet screen can hold to any point on the surface where the keys are located (e.g., in single or multiple magnetic strips, entire or partial surface, via keys that are magnetic themselves, or the surface between them, or the entire surface, a combination of the foregoing, etc.).
For instance, magnetic fastener(s) 110 can be fastened to a magnetic region 110 between two or more keys 113 of the keyboard 112, one or more keys 113 of the keyboard 112 may be magnetized and comprise a portion of a magnetic region 110, one or more magnetic fasteners 110 can be fastened to the one or more keys 113, one or more keys 113 of the keyboard 112 can be magnetized and comprise a portion of the magnetic region 110, and/or a touchpad 118 of the keyboard 112 may be magnetized and comprise a portion of the magnetic region 110.
Similarly, in
By way of further example, the embodiment depicted in
In some cases, when a screen edge 103 slides to cover some of the keys 113 and/or is on top of some of the keys 113, the technology described herein may be configured to signal to the keyboard electronics to power off the keyboard 112, and when the edge 103 slides to an area above, below it, or is otherwise removed, the electronics may be configured to power on the keyboard 112.
In some embodiments, the display cover 114 may include such electronics, which may be configured to electronically couple the keyboard to the computing device 101, control the keyboard, and supply power. For example, the display cover 114 may include a computing unit 750 comprising a processor/controller 754 and one or more sensors 752. Other suitable components may also be included in the computing unit 750 and coupled to the processing unit 754 and sensor(s) 752, such as a power supply (e.g., battery, charging unit, etc.), non-transitory memory, input or output devices (e.g., buttons, LEDs, etc.), etc.
The controller 754 is electronically coupled to the sensor(s) 752 to send and receive electronic signals. One example sensor 752 may be configured to wirelessly or wiredly communicate with the computing device 104 and/or a computer network (e.g., the Internet, etc.). Another example sensor 752 may be configured to detect a position of an edge of a display 102 of a portable electronic device 101, and the controller may be coupled to the sensor and configured to activate and deactivate the keyboard based on signals received from the sensor. For example, the sensor 752 may be a proximity sensor that detects the position of the display 102 (e.g., tilt angle, position of the lower edge of the display 102, etc.). In another example, the sensor 752 may be a capacitive touch sensor, weight sensor, or another contact-based sensor. In another example, the sensor 752 may be a light-based sensor. In another example, the device 101 may communicate data reflecting the position of the display 102, such as a single from a gyroscope of the device 101, etc., to a transceiver of the display cover 114, which may communicate the signals to the controller 754. It should be understood that any type of sensor capable of detecting a position of the display 102 is contemplated and encompassed hereby.
Responsive to receiving one or more signals from the sensor(s) 752, the controller 754 may activate or deactivate the keyboard 112. For example, upon detecting, based on the proximity, touch-based, light-based, or other signals that an edge of the display 102 is resting on the key(s) 113 of the keyboard 112, the controller 754 may deactivate the keyboard 112 to prevent inadvertent key presses. Then, once the controller 754 detects, based on further such signals, that the edge of the display 102 has been moved off of the key(s) 113, the controller 754 may reactivate the keyboard 112.
In yet another example, if an entire row of keys 113, or several keys 113 (e.g., 4 or more) in the same row, register to the controller that they are being simultaneously pressed, the controller 754 may determine that an edge of the display 102 is resting on the keys 113 and deactivate the keyboard, and may reactivate the keyboard once the controller 754 detects that the keys have been released. In this example, the keys 113 themselves act as a sensor 752.
In some embodiments, the area 130 above the keys may be magnetic also to hold a finite area of micro angle adjustments for when the keyboard is in use, such as where the screen would be propped while in “typing mode”. Alternatively, when the screen/display 102 is transitioned to the space below this area and directly above any of the keys, it could be considered to be in “non-typing mode” for unlimited viewing angles.
In
In some implementations, a retrofit attachment may include at least one magnetic fastener 108 and an attachment mechanism. The attachment mechanism may include (e.g., be connected to, incorporate, be integral with, etc.) the magnetic fastener(s) 108 and be configured to attach to a display 102 of a portable electronic device 101 such that the magnetic fastener(s) 108 are positioned along a portion of a lower edge of the display 102. For instance, clips, grippers, adhesive members, or other attachments may attach to the edge(s) of the display 102. These attachments could include and/or house the magnet fasteners 108 that are capable of coupling to the keyboard display cover 114. In a further example, the attachment(s) could be magnetic sticker(s) that could be applied to the edge(s) and/or back of the display 102.
The first display attachment device 908 of the first end 904 may be configured to clip/grab and retain/hold a first edge 103a of the display device 102, and the second display attachment device 907 of the second end 902 may be configured to clip/grab and retain/hold a second edge 103b of the display device 102.
The connector 903 connecting the first and second display attachment devices 908 and 907/ends 904 and 902 may be configured to be flexible so that the display magnet apparatus 900 may be applied easily, conveniently, and securely by a user to the display 102. For example, the connector 903 may be bendable (in some embodiments reversibly so it doesn't permanently deform when applied) and configured to be flexed for application to the display. For instance, as depicted in
In an example, the housing 1206 may include an inner portion 1202, such as a rubber component, with an embedded magnet, and an outer shell 1204 that encases the inner portion 1202, although other variations in terms of materials and configurations are possible. For example, the inner portion 1202 and the outer shell/surface 1204 may be combined as a single component, or make have further layers or sub-components.
In an example, the inner portion 1202 may comprise a rubber component or other suitable grippy material (e.g., synthetic membrane, cork, silicon, etc.) that is pliable and/or stretchable as it slides onto the edge of the display with the necessary memory tension to hold it in place. The adapter 1200 could attach/clip onto any edge of the display and be shorter or longer in length depending on the configuration, as shown in
In some embodiments, in addition to retrofit devices, such as a case that attaches to the display that includes the magnetic fasteners 108 of the display and/or apparatuses comprising the clips as shown and described, the magnetic fasteners 108 may be integrated into the display itself (e.g., embedded in the tablet, etc.).
The magnetic materials (e.g., 108, 110, 762, etc.) discussed herein mean ferromagnetic metal, a ferromagnetic material, or any similar materials exhibiting magnet-like properties. However, it should be understood that other equivalent fasteners could be used, such as hook/loop, friction, micro-suction, non-slide material, etc.
The elasticity of the material(s) used in the apparatuses 900, 1200, 1200′, etc., and/or any variations thereof may vary depending on the material used and/or the application for the apparatus. For instance, a particular material having a particular Young's modulus may be selected for a given application depending on the aggressiveness of that application in terms of the device being equipped, the amount of use and force to be used during operation of the device 101, etc. Non-limiting example materials that may be used include thermoplastics, nylon, wood or other similar natural materials, other suitable synthetic materials, steel, aluminum, other suitable metals, 3D printable materials, etc.
The foregoing description, for purpose of explanation, has been described with reference to various embodiments and examples. However, the illustrative discussions above are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The various embodiments and examples were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to utilize the innovative technology with various modifications as may be suited to the particular use contemplated.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62849153 | May 2019 | US |
