Flexible keyboard accessory for a portable electronic device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10303209-B2
Application number	US-201815913724-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 6, 2018
Priority date	Sep 4, 2015
Publication date	May 28, 2019
Grant date	May 28, 2019

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.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An accessory for an electronic device, the accessory comprising: a cover having a size and shape to cover a device display of the electronic device, the cover having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; a body connected to the cover at the first end, the body rotatably coupled to the cover at the first end, the body comprising a display assembly; an attachment feature that is capable of releasably coupling with the electronic device, the attachment feature connected to the cover at the second end, wherein the display assembly is in communication with the electronic device when the attachment feature is coupled with the electronic device; and a retention feature that is integrated with the body and supports the attachment feature when the attachment feature is at least partially engaged with the retention feature.

2. The accessory of claim 1 , wherein the display assembly comprises a touch input mechanism.

3. The accessory of claim 2 , wherein the display assembly is capable of presenting a keyboard that uses the touch input mechanism.

4. The accessory of claim 1 , further comprising an electrical contact capable of electrically coupling with the electronic device.

5. The accessory of claim 4 , further comprising:
a first magnetic element carried by the attachment feature;
a second magnetic element carried by the attachment feature, wherein the electrical contact is positioned between the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element; and
a third magnetic element embedded in the body at a location corresponding to the retention feature, wherein the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element magnetically interact with i) device magnets of the electronic device to align and secure a device contact of the electronic device with the electrical contact, and ii) the third magnetic element to secure the attachment feature with the retention feature.

6. The accessory of claim 1 , further comprising a cover layer that at least partially covers the cover and the body, the cover layer securing the attachment feature with the cover.

7. The accessory of claim 1 , wherein the retention feature defines a ring that protrudes from the body.

8. An accessory for an electronic device that includes a device display, the accessory comprising: a body that carries a display assembly that is capable of presenting visual information; a first magnet embedded in the body; a foldable cover coupled with the body, the foldable cover capable of covering the device display; an attachment feature coupled with the foldable cover; and a second magnet carried by the attachment feature and capable of magnetically coupling with the electronic device, wherein the foldable cover is capable of folding with respect to the body such that the second magnet magnetically couples with the first magnet and combines with the body to retain and support the electronic device.

9. The accessory of claim 8 , further comprising a retention feature that protrudes from the body, wherein the first magnet is embedded in the body in a location corresponding to the retention feature.

10. The accessory of claim 9 , wherein the retention feature defines a ring on the body.

11. The accessory of claim 10 , wherein when the second magnet magnetically couples with the first magnet, the attachment feature is at least partially positioned in the ring.

12. The accessory of claim 8 , wherein the foldable cover comprises:
a first segment coupled with the body; and
a second segment coupled with the attachment feature.

13. The accessory of claim 8 , wherein the visual information includes a keyboard, and wherein the display assembly comprises a touch input display that is used by the keyboard.

14. The accessory of claim 8 , wherein the device display defines a first display of a dual display system, and wherein the display assembly defines a second display of the dual display system.

15. An accessory for use with an electronic device, the accessory comprising:
an attachment feature that includes a first magnet capable of magnetically coupling with the electronic device;
a cover having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the cover secured with the attachment feature at the first end, the cover including:
a first segment,
a second segment separated from the first segment by a first foldable region, and
a third segment separated from the second segment by a second foldable region; and

a body secured with the cover at the second end, the body including a second magnet, wherein when the cover folds at the first foldable region and the second foldable region to define a support structure, the first magnet is positioned on the body such that the first magnet magnetically couples with the second magnet and the support structure supports the electronic device.

16. The accessory of claim 15 , wherein the body comprises a display assembly.

17. The accessory of claim 16 , wherein the display assembly comprises a touch input display.

18. The accessory of claim 16 , wherein the display assembly presents a keyboard.

19. The accessory of claim 16 , wherein the display assembly presents multiple applications.

20. The accessory of claim 15 , wherein the cover includes a size and shape capable of covering a display of the electronic device.

Assignees

• Apple Inc

Inventors

• Smith Samuel Gilkison
• Coster Daniel J
• Corbin Sean S
• Kuna Melody L
• Hegde Siddhartha
• Cousins Benjamin A
• Murphy Robert Sean

Classifications

• G06F1/1681

  Details related solely to hinges (hinge details related to the transmission of signals or power are classified in G06F1/1683) · CPC title

• G06F2200/1633

  Protecting arrangement for the entire housing of the computer · CPC title

• G06F1/1656

  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 title

• G06F1/1628 Primary

  Enclosures for carrying portable computers with peripheral devices, e.g. cases for a laptop and a printer · CPC title

• G06F1/1669 Primary

  Detachable keyboards · CPC title