Patent Publication Number: US-2019198212-A1

Title: Personal electronic device case and mounting system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This non-provisional patent application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/610,002, titled “PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICE CASE AND MOUNTING SYSTEM” and filed Dec. 22, 2017, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference thereto. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present technology relates generally to personal electronic device cases and mounting systems. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Smart phones, tablets, and other portable electronic devices are common pieces of technology used by many. Typically, using the portable electronic device (PED) requires that a person devote at least one of their hands to holding and manipulating the device, which may inhibit the person&#39;s ability to perform other functions while using the device. As an example, people use the modern PED while working at a desk, studying, exercising, moving from place to place, etc. The PEDs often include telephone functionality and/or navigation software designed to help users navigate to a desired destination. Many people often use the PED while operating a vehicle. Many state laws only allow hands-free use of the PED while operating a vehicle to help ensure that the operator&#39;s attention remains focused on the task of operating the vehicle. In another example, a person wishing to view the screen of their PED while using a personal computer may be unable to securely arrange the device such that the screen remains constantly visible without the person having to move their hands away from the personal computer to re-orient the device. 
     Many modern PEDs include inductive wireless charging circuitry positioned in the device and adjacent to the rear surface of the device. When the device is placed on a wireless charging pad, current flowing through the charging pad interacts with wireless charging circuitry to charge the device&#39;s battery. The wireless charging circuitry must be arranged in close proximity to the charging pad area near the conductive coil and the space between the PED and charging pad must be free of conductive material for proper and efficient conductive charging. 
     Various conventional mounting accessories have been developed to aid in the hands-free use of PEDs. Some of these mounting accessories utilize clamping mechanisms to hold onto the edges of the personal electronic device. Other mounting accessories incorporate specialized cases for the device that mate with a mounting apparatus, relying on expensive, finely machined features and surfaces to ensure that the case and mounting apparatus remain securely fastened to each other. However, these mounting accessories are often not easy to use, and they sometimes require both hands to securely attach the device to the mounting accessory. Furthermore, the mounting accessories are typically only usable for a single situation. For example, a mounting accessory used to enable the hands-free use of a device while a person operates a vehicle may not be also used to enable the hands-free use of the device while the person rides a bicycle or sits at a desk. Moreover, mounting accessories that incorporate cases for the personal electronic device are often too thick or include conductive materials which impede/block the wireless charging circuitry, preventing the device from being wirelessly charged while coupled to the mounting accessory. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is an isometric view of a PED received within a case and a mounting structure configured in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present technology. 
         FIG. 1B  is a front elevation view of the case of  FIG. 1A  with the PED removed from the case. 
         FIG. 2A  is an isometric view of a mounting structure having a wireless charging pad configured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology. 
         FIG. 2B  is a top cut-away view of the wireless charging pad of  FIG. 2A , in accordance with embodiments of the present technology. 
         FIG. 3  is an isometric view of a vehicle mount having a wireless charging pad configured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology. 
         FIG. 4A  is an isometric view of an arm mount configured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology. 
         FIG. 4B  is a partially exploded top isometric view of the arm mount of  FIG. 4A . 
         FIG. 4C  is a partially exploded bottom isometric view of the arm mount of  FIG. 4A . 
         FIG. 5A  is top plan view of a handlebar mount configured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology. 
         FIG. 5B  is a side elevation view of the handlebar mount of  FIG. 5A . 
         FIG. 5C  is a partially exploded isometric view of the bicycle handlebar mount of  FIG. 5A . 
         FIG. 6A  is a front elevation view of a clip mount configured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology. 
         FIG. 6B  is an isometric view of the clip mount of  FIG. 6A . 
         FIG. 7A  is a top plan view of a strap mount configured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology. 
         FIG. 7B  is an isometric view of the strap mount of  FIG. 7A . 
         FIG. 8A  is a front elevation view of a PED case having arrays of magnets configured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology. 
         FIG. 8B  is an enlarged isometric view of a portion of the case of  FIG. 8A . 
         FIG. 9A  is a front elevation view of a PED case having arrays of magnets configured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology. 
         FIG. 9B  is an enlarged isometric view of a portion of the case of  FIG. 9A . 
         FIG. 10A  is an isometric view of a mount that includes a clamping mechanism configured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology. 
         FIG. 10B  is an isometric view of a case received within the mount of  FIG. 10A . 
         FIG. 11  is an isometric view of an interface plate configured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology. 
         FIG. 12A  is a top plan view of an interface plate configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology. 
         FIG. 12B  is a top plan view of an interface plate configured in accordance with another embodiment of the present technology. 
         FIG. 12C  is a top plan view of an interface plate configured in accordance with another embodiment of the present technology. 
         FIG. 12D  is a top plan view of an interface plate configured in accordance with another embodiment of the present technology. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present technology is directed to a personal electronic device (PED) case and mounting system and associated systems and methods. Several embodiments of the present technology are related to PED cases having magnets configured to couple to magnets on a mounting apparatus and having an opening configured to mate with a protrusion on the mounting apparatus. One aspect of the present technology provides a mounting assembly for a personal electronic device, comprising a case having a back wall and sidewalls connected to the backwall to define an interior area configured to receive the personal electronic device. The back wall has opposing front and rear surfaces, with the front surface facing toward the interior area and being configured to be positioned adjacent to the personal electronic device when the personal electronic device is received within the interior area. A recess is formed in the rear surface. The recess has a central portion and a plurality of registration recesses spaced radially apart from each other. A case magnet is positioned adjacent to the recess and spaced apart from the central portion. A mounting structure is releasably engageable with the case at a selected radial orientation. The mounting structure comprises a receiving surface configured to be positioned adjacent to the rear surface when the case is engaged with the mounting structure. A protrusion extends away from the receiving surface and is configured to be securely received in the recess when the case is coupled to the mounting structure. The protrusion has a central protuberance that fits closely in the central portion of the recess, and one or more radial registration protuberances is positioned to fit in selected registration recess to control a selected radial orientation of the case relative to the mounting structure. A mount magnet is positioned adjacent to the protrusion and is arranged to align with the case magnet when the case is coupled to the mounting structure in the selected radial orientation. The case is mechanically and magnetically restricted from rotating when the case is engaged with the mounting structure. 
     Another aspect of the technology provides a mounting assembly for a personal electronic device. The mounting assembly has a case configured to securely receive the personal electronic device. The case comprises a recess formed in a rear surface of the case, a first plurality of case magnets arranged to form a first array positioned adjacent to the recess such that each of the first plurality of case magnets does not overlap with the recess. A second plurality of case magnets is arranged to form a second array, wherein the second array is positioned adjacent to the recess such that each of the second plurality of case magnets does not overlap with the recess. A mounting structure is releasably couplable to the case with the case in a selected orientation. The mounting structure has a protrusion extending away from a receiving surface and configured to closely fit in the recess when the case is coupled to the mounting structure. A first plurality of mount magnets arranged to form a third array is positioned adjacent to the protrusion such that each of the first plurality of mount magnets does not overlap with the protrusion. A second plurality of mount magnets is arranged to form a fourth array positioned adjacent to the protrusion such that each of the second plurality of mount magnets does not overlap with the protrusion. When the case is coupled to the mounting structure in the selected orientation, selected first case magnets are positioned over and magnetically coupled to the selected mount magnets, and selected second case magnets are positioned over and magnetically coupled to selected mount magnets. 
     Another aspect of the technology provides a mounting assembly for a personal electronic device. The mounting assembly has a case with an interior area configured to receive the personal electronic device. The case has a recess formed therein with a central portion and a plurality of registration recesses spaced apart from each other. A case magnet is positioned adjacent to the recess and spaced apart from the central portion. A mounting structure is releasably engageable with the case at a selected orientation. The mounting structure has a protrusion configured to be securely received in the recess when the case is engaged with the mounting structure. The protrusion has a central protuberance that fits closely in the central portion of the recess. One or more registration protuberances is adjacent to the central protuberance and is positioned to fit in selected ones of the registration recesses to control a selected orientation of the case relative to the mounting structure. A mount magnet is positioned adjacent to the protrusion and is arranged to align with the case magnet when the case is engaged with the mounting structure in the selected orientation. The case is mechanically and magnetically restricted from rotating when the case is engaged with the mounting structure. 
     Specific details of several embodiments of the present technology are described herein with reference to  FIGS. 1A-12D . Although many of the embodiments are described with respect to devices, systems, and methods for mounting a personal electronic device, it should be noted that other applications and embodiments in addition to those disclosed herein are within the scope of the present technology. Further, embodiments of the present technology can have different configurations, components, and/or procedures than those shown or described herein. Moreover, a person of ordinary skill in the art will understand that embodiments of the present technology can have configurations, components, and/or procedures in addition to those shown or described herein and that these and other embodiments can be without several of the configurations, components, and/or procedures shown or described herein without deviating from the present technology. 
       FIGS. 1A and 1B  illustrate a mounting system  100  in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology. The mounting system  100  has a case  104  that receives a personal electronic device  102  (also referred to as a “device”) and a mounting apparatus  106  (also referred to as a “mount”) configured to be securely and releasably coupled to the case  104  ( FIG. 1A ) illustrating the features on the rear surface  110  of the case  104 . The device  102  is received within the case  104  such that a front surface  108  of the device  102  remains exposed while the edges and rear surface of the device  102  are enclosed within the case  104 . The mount  106  may be a desk (or table) mounting apparatus having a base portion  107  configured to be placed against a flat surface (e.g., a desk or a table) and having a receiving surface  109  on which the case  104  is received. 
     To ensure that the case  104  remains properly oriented relative to the mount  106  and is restrained from moving when the case  104  is coupled to the mount  106 , the mount  106  and the case  104  include mating alignment features. For example, the mount  106  includes a shaped protrusion  112  formed on the receiving surface  109  ( FIG. 1A ), and the case  104  includes a similarly shaped recess  114  ( FIG. 1B ). The protrusion  112  extends away from the receiving surface  109  of the mount  106 , and the mating recess  114  is formed in the rear surface  110  of the case  104 . The recess  114  is configured to receive the protrusion  112  when the case  104  and the mount  106  are securely mated to each other. The recess  114  and protrusion  112  are sized and shaped such that the protrusion  112  fits snugly within the recess  114 , thereby limiting any translational movement of the case  104  relative to the mount  106 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the protrusion  112  has a generally circular shape and a plurality of alignment and anti-rotation tabs  118  spaced around the perimeter of the protrusion  112 . Similarly, the recess  114  has a generally circular shape and a plurality of cut-outs  116  ( FIG. 1B ) spaced around the perimeter of the recess  114  so as to receive the tabs of the protrusion  112  when the protrusion  112  is mated in the recess  114 . The size, number, and position of the tabs  118  and cut-outs  116  are such that, when the case  104  is removably engaged with the mount  106 , the protrusion  112  is securely received within the recess  114 , and each of the tabs  118  is positioned within a given one of the cut-outs  116 . Arranging the tabs  118  within the cut-outs  116  limits the ability of the protrusion  112  to rotate within the recess  114 , thereby restricting the undesired rotation of the case  104  relative to the mount  106 . 
     The case  104  also includes a plurality of case magnets  120   a - d  disposed in the inner surface  126  and arranged adjacent to and radially outward of the recess  114 . Similarly, the mount  106  includes a plurality of mount magnets  122   a - d  disposed in the receiving surface  109  and arranged adjacent to and radially outward of the protrusion  112 . In the illustrated embodiment, four case magnets  120   a - d  are positioned such that, when the case  104  is coupled to the mount  106 , each of the four case magnets  120   a - d  is adjacent to one of the corresponding one of the four mount magnets  122   a - d . Although the illustrated embodiment has four case magnets  120   a - d  and four corresponding mount magnets  122   a - d , other embodiments can have different numbers of mating magnets. In addition, the number of case magnets  120  can be different than the number of mount magnets  122 . 
     The illustrated case magnets  120   a - d  are disk-shaped permanent magnets having fixed north and south poles, where all four of the case magnets  120   a - d  are oriented such that their north poles are aligned along a common direction relative to the inner surface  126 . Similarly, the mount magnets  122   a - d  are disk-shaped permanent magnets having fixed single north poles and fixed south poles, where all four of the mount magnets  122   a - d  are oriented such that their north poles are aligned along a common direction relative to the receiving surface  109 . When the case  104  is securely positioned onto the mount  106  with the protrusion positioned in the recess  114 , the case magnets  120   a - d  and the mount magnets  122   a - d  are oriented such that each of the case magnets  120   a - d  is magnetically coupled to a corresponding one of the mount magnet  122   a - d  with alignment of the respective north and south poles, such that the protrusion  112  is securely and magnetically retained in the recess  114  with the case  104  in the selected orientation relative to the mount  106 . Because of this arrangement, the case magnets  120   a - d  and mount magnets  122   a - d  act together to provide a compressive force between the case  104  and the mount  106 . Additionally, when the user brings the case  104  near the mount  106 , the magnets prevent the case  104  but being partially or improperly engaged in the mount  106  and in fact guide the components together for quick and easy attachment and retention in the correct position and orientation. 
     In some embodiments, all four of the case magnets  120   a - d  are oriented such that the south poles face away from the device  102  while all four of the mount magnets  122   a - d  are oriented such that their south poles face away from the receiving surface  109  (i.e., toward the case  104  when the case  104  is coupled to the mount  106 ). Because each of the case magnets  120   a - d  is arranged directly over a given one of the mount magnets  122   a - d  and because the south poles of a case magnet  120   a - d  are magnetically attracted to the north poles of a mount magnet  122   a - d , each of the case magnets  120   a - d  magnetically couple to a corresponding mount magnet  122   a - d . In other embodiments, however, all four of the case magnets  120   a - d  can be oriented such that their north poles are all directed away from the device  102  while all four of the mount magnets  122   a - d  are oriented such that their south poles are directed away from the receiving surface  109 . Because the north pole of a case magnet  120  is magnetically attracted to the south pole of a mount magnet  122   a - d , each of the case magnets  120  magnetically couple to a corresponding mount magnet  122   a - d.    
     In the illustrated embodiment, the four cut-outs  116  and the four case magnets  120   a - d  are symmetrically arranged around a central point of the recess  114 . Similarly, the four mount magnets  122   a - d  and the four tabs  118  are symmetrically arranged around a central point of the protrusion  112  such that the case  104  can be releasably retained on the mount  106  in four different orientations. Furthermore, because each of the case magnets  120   a - d  have north poles facing a common direction and each of the mount magnets  122   a - d  have south poles facing an opposite direction, each of the case magnets  120   a - d  is magnetically couplable to a respective one of the mount magnets  122   a - d  over which it is arranged when the case  104  is coupled to the mount  106  in any of the four different mounted orientations. In other words, the magnetic orientations of the case magnets  120   a - d  and the mount magnets  122   a - d , along with the positions of the magnets  120   a - d  and  122   a - d  and the positions of the tabs  118  and cut-outs  116 , ensure that the case  106  remains securely coupled to the mount  106  when the case  104  and mount  106  are in any of the four different mounted orientations. In the illustrated embodiment, the mounted orientation of the case corresponds to a ±90° rotation from the next rotational position. These mounted orientations can correspond to portrait or landscape orientations of the device  102  relative to the mount  106  and/or the structure on which the mount  106  is supported. 
     For example, if the user desires for the device  102  to operate in a portrait mode, the case  104  is coupled to the mount  106  such that the top edge of the case  104  is facing upward. In this configuration, the case magnet  120   a  is aligned with and magnetically coupled to the mount magnet  122   a , the case magnet  120   b  is aligned with and magnetically coupled to the mount magnet  122   b , the case magnet  120   c  is aligned with and magnetically coupled to the mount magnet  122   c , and the case magnet  120   a  is aligned with and magnetically coupled to the mount magnet  122   d . If the user desires to switch the orientation of the device so it operates in a landscape mode, the user may switch the orientation of the device by separating the case  104  from the mount  106 , rotating the case  104  by 90° and inserting the protrusion  112  into the recess  114 , thereby switching the rotational orientation of the device  102 . In this landscape arrangement, the case magnet  120   a  is aligned with and magnetically coupled to the mount magnet  122   b , the case magnet  120   b  is aligned with and magnetically coupled to the mount magnet  122   c , the case magnet  120   c  is aligned with and magnetically coupled to the mount magnet  122   d , and the case magnet  120   d  is aligned with and magnetically coupled to the mount magnet  122   a . Alternatively, the case  102  can be positioned in an inverted landscape position with case magnets  120   a ,  120   b ,  120   c , and  120   d  aligned with mount magnets  122   d ,  122   a ,  122   b ,  122   c , respectively. The case  102  can also be positioned in an inverted portrait position with case magnets  120   a ,  120   b ,  120   c , and  120   d  aligned with mount magnets  122   c ,  122   d ,  122   a , and  122   b , respectively. 
     As described above, the case  104  of the illustrated embodiment may be couplable to the mount  106  in four different orientations. In other embodiments, however, the case  104  may be couplable to the mount  106  in a different number of configurations. For example, in some embodiments, the case  104  may be couplable to the mount  106  in any desired number of orientations. In these other embodiments, the recess may include any desired number of cut-outs and case magnets while the protrusion may include any desired number of tabs and mount magnets to ensure that the case is couplable to the mount in the desired number of orientations. In the illustrated embodiment, the tabs  118  on the protrusion  112  extend radially outward, and the cutouts  116  on the recess  114  extend radially outward. In other embodiments, the tabs  118  and cut outs  116  may extend radially inward, although such a configuration would decrease the area within the recess  114 , which may impact space available to accommodate wireless charging features, as discussed in greater detail below. 
     In the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1A-B , the case and mount magnets are disk-shaped magnets. In other embodiments, however, the case magnets and mount magnets may have different shapes. For example, in some embodiments, the case and mount magnets have a generally triangular shape (see  FIG. 12B ). Triangle-shaped magnets can better conform to the outer edges of the protrusion  112  and recess  114 , allowing for a larger recess and protrusion relative to the mount  106  and case  104 , respectively (i.e., larger diameter or area). Increasing the size of the recess and protrusion can help ensure that the wireless charging capabilities of the device are not inhibited by the case. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1B , the recess  114  extends completely through the rear surface  110  of the case  104  so that the rear surface of the device  102  is exposed and accessible via the recess  114 . As a result, when the case  104  is mounted onto the mount  106  and the protrusion  112  is received within the recess  114 , the surface of the protrusion  112  is immediately adjacent to or in direct contact with the rear surface of the device  102 . In other embodiments, however, the recess  114  does not extend all the way through the rear surface  110  of the case  104 . In these embodiments, the portion of the rear surface of the device  102  adjacent to the recess  114  remains covered and protected by a thin layer of the case material (e.g., plastic). As a result, when the case  104  is coupled to the mount  106  and the protrusion  112  is received within the recess  114 , a thin layer of the case material remains interposed between the protrusion  112  and the rear surface of the device  102 . The thin layer, however, is configured to minimize any substantive interference with wireless charging of the device  102 . 
     To facilitate wireless charging, many modern devices  102  include a wireless charging receiver within and positioned adjacent to the rear surface of the device  102 . When the device  102  is placed on a wireless charging pad, current flowing through an inductive coil in the pad interacts with the wireless charging receiver in the device, causing current to flow within the receiver, thereby charging the device&#39;s battery. However, if the distance between the wireless charging receiver and the wireless charging pad is too large, or if conductive material (e.g., metal) is located between the wireless charging receiver and the wireless charging pad, wireless charging of the device may be prevented or inhibited. In addition, if the wireless charging receiver and the wireless charging pad are positioned relative to each other so that the respective coils are misaligned, the result is a less efficient power transfer to the PED&#39;s battery. The case  104  and mount  106  configuration of the illustrated embodiments helps insure proper alignment easily and quickly every time so as to reliably provide efficient power transfer to the PED. 
     The wireless charging receiver is typically formed from a conductive coil arranged in the center of the rear surface of the device  102 . To ensure that the case  104  does not limit the wireless charging capabilities of the device  102 , the recess  114  is configured to be positioned directly over the conductive coil. Similarly, the case magnets  120   a - d  are configured to be positioned away from the wireless charging circuitry so as not to interfere with the conductive coil. In embodiments where the recess  114  extends completely through the rear surface  110 , the rear surface of the device  102  is exposed, allowing a wireless charging pad received within the recess  114  to be placed in direct contact with the rear surface of the device, thereby enabling wireless charging of the device  102 . In embodiments where the recess  114  does not extend completely through the rear surface  110 , the remaining layer of case material that covers the rear surface of the device  102  is sufficiently thin so a wireless charging pad received within the recess  114  is close enough to the conductive coil that wireless charging through the remaining layer is enabled. 
     To allow the device  102  to be wirelessly charged while the case is coupled to the mount, the mount may incorporate a wireless charging pad.  FIG. 2A  is an isometric view of a mount  206  that includes a wireless charging pad  228  coupled to the receiving surface  209  of the mount  206  and  FIG. 2B  is a top cut-away view of the wireless charging pad  228 . The wireless charging pad  228  includes a coil  229  configured to receive a current from a power source coupled to the wireless charging pad  228 . The coil  229  is positioned within the protrusion  212  such that it is closely adjacent to the surface of the protrusion  212 . In this way, the current from the coil  229  can pass through the protrusion  212 , thereby enabling the wireless charging of a device coupled to the mount  206  due to the proximity of the wireless charging receiver in the device and the coil  229  when the protrusion  212  is received within the recess of the case. The mount  206  also includes a plurality of mount magnets  222  positioned around the protrusion  212  and the coil  229  such that the mount magnets  222  are configured to magnetically couple to case magnets (e.g., case magnets  120   a - d    FIG. 1B ) when the case is coupled to the mount  206  without significantly interfering with the wireless charging ability of the wireless charging pad  228 . Tabs  218  formed as part of the protrusion  212  act as alignment and anti-rotation features when received within cut-outs in the device case (e.g., cut-outs  116  of  FIG. 1B ). 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1A and 2A , the mounts  106  and  206  are desk mounting apparatuses configured to be used on a flat and stationary surface. In other embodiments, however, the mount may be a car mount configured to securely hold and align a device for a user when the user is operating a vehicle.  FIG. 3  shows an isometric view of a mount  306  having a wireless charging pad  328  coupled to an adjustable support arm  334 . The mount  306  includes an attachment apparatus, such as suction cup  332 , that securely couples the mount  306  to a surface of the car (e.g., the inside of the windshield, the dashboard, etc.), ensuring that the mount  306  does not move during operation of the car. The support arm  334  may be an adjustable support arm having a latch  338  that enables a user to adjust the length of the support arm  334  and a knob  340  may be used to adjust the angle of the wireless charging pad  328  to improve the visibility of the received device. The support arm  334  is coupled to the suction cup  332  with an adjustable hinge  342  and a knob  343  coupled to the adjustable hinge  342  is used to secure the support arm  334  and hinge at a desired angle. The wireless charging pad  328  can be coupled to a power source (e.g., the cigarette lighter receptacle in the vehicle) to enable wireless charging between the mount  306  and a coupled device. The mount  306  may also include a plurality of mount magnets adjacent to the protrusion  312  and configured to be magnetically coupled to the case magnets (e.g., case magnets  120   a - d ) in the case  104  ( FIG. 1B ). 
     In other embodiments, the mount may be an arm-strap mounting apparatus configured to be removably coupled to a user&#39;s arm.  FIGS. 4A-4C  show a mount  406  having an arm strap portion  444  and a receiving plate portion  446 . The receiving plate portion  446  includes a protrusion  412  configured to be received in a recess on a PED case (e.g., case  104  of  FIGS. 1A and 1B ), and tabs  418  on the protrusion  412  are configured to be received within cut-outs  116  in the recess  114  ( FIG. 1B ). The mount  406  also includes a plurality of mount magnets  422  disposed within holes  448  in the mounting plate  446  and configured to be magnetically coupled to case magnets in the case when the mount  406  receives the case. The arm mounting apparatus enables a user to have quick access to a device coupled to the mount  406  without having to use a hand to hold the device while ensuring that the device remains securely coupled to the mount  406 . While this embodiment is described with a strap that can be worn on an arm of the user, the strap can be configured to be worn on other portions of the user&#39;s body or for use with other support structures to which the strap can be attached. 
     In other embodiments, the mount may be a handlebar mounting apparatus configured to attach to the handlebars of, as an example, a bicycle, motorcycle, scooter, etc.  FIGS. 5A-5C  show a mount  506  formed from a receiving plate  546  and a bracket that includes an upper bracket portion  550  coupled to the receiving plate  546  and a lower bracket portion  552  releasably coupled to the upper bracket portion  550  and the receiving plate  546 . The upper and lower bracket portions  550  and  552  define a handlebar opening  553  configured to receive the handlebars of a bicycle or similar bar-type support structure. To ensure that the mount  506  remains securely attached to the handlebars, the receiving plate  546  and the upper bracket portion  550  are securely coupled to the lower bracket portion  552  with a hinge shaft  554  coupled between the upper and lower bracket portions  550  and  552 . A screw  556  or other fastener passes through an opening in the receiving plate  546  and is removably received within a fastener hole in the lower bracket portion  552 . The receiving plate  546  also includes a protrusion  512  having tabs  518  and a plurality of mount magnets  522 , all of which act as alignment and/or anti-rotation features configured to securely couple the mount  506  to a device case  104  ( FIG. 1B ). 
     In an alternative embodiment, the mount may be a clip apparatus configured to be fastened, for example, to a user&#39;s belt or other analogous support structure.  FIGS. 6A and 6B  show a mount  606  having a clip portion  660  rotatably coupled to a receiving plate  646  with a hinge  659 . A spring  658 , which is coupled between the clip portion  660  and a rear surface of the receiving plate  646  and positioned adjacent to the hinge  659 , applies a restoring force on the clip portion  660  to rotate the clip portion  660  about the hinge  659  towards the rear surface of the receiving plate  646 . The force applied by the spring  658  on the clip portion  660  securely fastens the mount  606  to a support structure, such as a user&#39;s belt, waistband, pocket, purse, bag, or other similar type of mounting structure when the support structure is positioned between the clip portion  660  and the back surface of the receiving plate  646 . The mount  606  also includes a protrusion  612  having tabs  618  formed at an opposite end of the mount  606  from the clip portion  660 , where the protrusion  612  and tabs  618  act as alignment and/or anti-rotation features configured to securely couple the mount  606  to a device case  104  ( FIG. 1B ). In the illustrated embodiment, the central portion of the protrusion  612  is hollow, which results in a lighter weight unit requiring less material during manufacture. 
     In still other embodiments, the mount may be a hand strap apparatus configured to be removably coupled to a user&#39;s hand.  FIGS. 7A and 7B  show a mount  706  having a receiving plate  746  coupled to a hand strap portion  762 . The hand strap portion  762  is formed from a flexible material and is configured to securely receive a user&#39;s hand. The mount  706  also includes a protrusion  712  having tabs  718 , where the protrusion  712  and tabs  718  act as alignment and/or anti-rotation features configured to securely couple the mount  706  to a device case  104  ( FIG. 1B ). In the illustrated embodiment, the central portion of the protrusion  712  can also be hollow. In other embodiments, however, the mount  706  includes a wireless charging pad position in and/or adjacent to the protrusion  712 . Accordingly, when the device  102  and the case  104  ( FIG. 1A ) are releasably attached to the mount, wireless charging of the device  102  is enabled, while still allowing the device  102 , the case  104 , and the mount  706  with its integral charging pad, to be carried and used, such as by attaching the hand strap portion  762  to the user&#39;s hand, while the device  102  continues to charge. The mount  706  may be coupled to a power source via a power cable or other electrical line, or a portable power source (e.g., a battery) may be included in the mount  706  and used to provide power to a coupled device via the wireless charging pad in the mount  706  while maintaining the mobility of the charging device. 
     In the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 6A-7B , the mounts  606 ,  706  can be manufactured of a ferrous-based material, such that mount magnets may not be needed around the protrusions  612 ,  712  (e.g., case magnets  120  of  FIG. 1B ). In other embodiments, however, the mounts  606 ,  706  do include mount magnets spaced around the protrusions  612 ,  712  and configured to magnetically couple to case magnets in a device case when the mounts  606 ,  706  are coupled to the device case  104  ( FIG. 1B ). 
     In the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the case  104  and the mount  106  include disk-shaped permanent magnets having a single north pole and a single south pole. In other embodiments, however, the case and mount include multiple arrays of magnets.  FIG. 8A  shows a front elevation view of a case  804  having four arrays  864   a - d  of case magnets  866  and  FIG. 8B  shows an enlarged isometric view of one of the arrays  864   d . The arrays  864   a - d  are disposed in an inner surface  826  of the case  804  and are symmetrically arranged around a central point in a recess  814 , which extends through the case  804 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, each of the four case magnets  866  in a given array  864  is a wedge-shaped permanent magnet having a single north pole and single south pole, where two of the case magnets  866  in a given array have north poles facing a first direction while the other two case magnets  866  have north poles facing an opposite direction. The four case magnets  866  within a given array  864  are arranged into a circular arrangement such that the array  864  is disk-shaped. In the array  864   d  shown in  FIG. 8B , the north poles of the first and fourth case magnets  866   a  and  866   d  face the device received within the case  804  (e.g., device  102  shown in  FIG. 1A ) while the north poles of the second and third case magnets  866   b  and  866   c  face away from the device. 
     The case  804  is configured to be securely coupled to a mount having a protrusion and mount magnets, where the recess  814  is configured to receive the protrusion and the case magnets  866  are configured to magnetically couple to the mount magnets. In order to maximize the strength of magnetic coupling between the mount magnets and the case magnets  866 , the mount magnets may be wedge-shaped permanent magnets arranged in a circular arrangement to form disk-shaped arrays. The arrays of mount magnets are symmetrically positioned around a central point on the protrusion such that, when the case  804  is coupled to the mount, each of the case magnets  866  is positioned directly over one of the mount magnets. The mount magnets may be oriented such that each of the case magnets  866  is magnetically attracted to the mount magnet over which the case magnet  866  is arranged. For example, when the case  804  is coupled to the mount, the wedge-shaped mount magnets positioned directly below the first and fourth case magnets  866   a  and  866   d  have south poles facing the mount (and north poles facing away from the mount) while the mount magnets positioned directly below the first and fourth case magnets  866   a  and  866   d  have north poles facing the case  804  (and south poles facing away from the case  804 ). Similarly, the second and third case magnets  866   b  and  866   c  have north poles facing the mount (and south poles facing away from the mount) while the mount magnets positioned directly below the second and third case magnets  866   b  and  866   c  have south poles facing the case  804  (and north poles facing away from the case  804 ). In this way, each of the case magnets  866  are magnetically attracted to the corresponding mount magnets positioned below the case magnets  866 . 
     The arrays  864  of case magnets  866  are rotationally symmetric about a center point in the recess  814 . For example, each of the case magnets  866  within a given one of the arrays  864  has a given position and orientation when the case  804  is in a first orientation (e.g., a portrait orientation). Rotating the case  804  by 90° about a center point in the recess  814  causes the case  804  to transition from the first orientation to a second orientation (e.g., a landscape orientation). In the second orientation, each of the case magnets  866  within the given one of the arrays  864  is in the same position and has the same orientation as a case magnet  866  in a different one of the arrays  864  when the case  804  was in the first orientation. This arrangement enables the case  804  to be couplable to the mount in four different configurations. 
     For example, if the user desires for the device to operate in portrait mode, the user may couple the case  804  to the mount such that a top edge of the case  804  faces upwards. In this orientation, each of the case magnets  866  having south poles facing the mount (e.g., case magnets  866   a  and  866   d ) are arranged over a mount magnet having a south pole facing the case  804  and each of the case magnets  866  having north poles facing the mount (e.g., case magnets  866   b  and  866   d ) are arranged over a mount magnet having a south pole facing the case  804 . However, if the user desires for the device to operate in landscape mode, the user may couple the case  804  to the mount such that the top edge of the case  804  is facing to the right. In this configuration, each of the case magnets  866  having south poles facing the mount will still be positioned over a mount magnet having a north pole facing the case  804  and each of the case magnets  866  having north poles facing the mount will be still be positioned over a mount magnet having a south pole facing the case  804 . In this way, each of the case magnets  866  is magnetically attracted to the corresponding mount magnet over which the case magnet  866  is positioned regardless of the orientation in which the case  804  is coupled to the mount. 
     In other embodiments, the device case includes case magnets arranged in triangle-shaped arrays.  FIGS. 9A and 9B  show views of an alternative embodiment of a personal electronic device case having multiple arrays of magnets.  FIG. 9A  shows a front elevation view of a case  904  having four arrays  964   a - d  of case magnets  966  and  FIG. 9B  shows an enlarged isometric view of one of the arrays  964   d . The arrays  964   a - d  are disposed in an inner surface  926  of the case  904  and are symmetrically arranged around a central point in a recess  914 , which extends through the case  904 . In this embodiment, each of the four case magnets  966  is a triangle-shaped permanent magnet having a single north pole and a single south pole. In each array  964 , the two case magnets  966  have north poles facing a first direction while the other two case magnets  966  have north poles facing an opposite direction. The four case magnets  966  within a given array  964  are arranged into a triangular arrangement such that the array  964  is also triangle-shaped. In the array  964   d  shown in  FIG. 9B , the north poles of the first and fourth case magnets  966   a  and the  966   d  face the device received within the case  904  (e.g., device  102  shown in  FIG. 1A ) while the north poles of the second and third case magnets  966   b  and  966   d  face away from the device. 
     As in the embodiments described above in connection with  FIGS. 8A and 8B , the case  904  is configured to be securely coupled to a mount having mount magnets, where the recess  914  is configured to receive the protrusion and the case magnets  966  are configured to magnetically couple to the mount magnets. The mount magnets may be triangle-shaped permanent magnets arranged into a triangular arrangement to form triangle-shaped arrays and symmetrically positioned around a central point on the protrusion such that, when the case  904  is coupled to the mount, each of the case magnets  966  is positioned directly over one of the mount magnets. The mount magnets may be oriented such that each of the case magnets  966  is magnetically attracted to the corresponding mount magnet over which the case magnets  966  is arranged. In this way, the arrays  964  of case magnets  966  are rotationally symmetric about a center point in the recess  914  such that the case  904  is couplable to the mount in four different orientations, where each of the case magnets  966  is magnetically attracted to the corresponding mount magnet over which the case magnet  966  is positioned regardless of the orientation in which the case  904  is coupled to the mount. 
     In the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 8A-9B , the arrays of case magnets (and the corresponding arrays of mount magnets) include magnets having north poles facing either a first direction or an opposing second direction opposite the first direction. In other embodiments, however, the arrays of magnets also include magnets having north poles facing a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions and a fourth direction opposite the third direction such that the magnets form a shape similar to a Halbach array. When an array of magnets is arranged in a Halbach array, the strength of a magnetic field from the array is greater in a first direction than in an opposing direction. As a result, the strength of the magnetic field for the arrays  864 ,  964  of case magnets  866 ,  966  may be stronger in the direction facing away from a received device than in the direction facing the received device. Similarly, the strength of the magnetic field for the arrays of mount magnets may be stronger in the direction facing the cases  804 ,  904  than in the direction facing away from the cases  804 ,  904 . This arrangement can increase the effective strength of the magnetic coupling between the case and the mount while limiting any potential magnetic interference between the case magnets  866 ,  966  and the received device. 
     In some embodiments, the mount may also include a clamping mechanism that functions as an additional alignment and anti-rotation feature.  FIG. 10A  is an isometric view of a mount  1006  having a clamping mechanism and  FIG. 10B  is an isometric view of a case  1004  received within the mount  1006 . The mount  1006  includes a protrusion  1012  configured to be received within a recess in the case  1004  and mount magnets  1022  configured to magnetically couple to case magnets  1020  on the case  1004 . The mount  1006  also includes clamps  1068  having ends  1070  configured to be received in openings  1074  formed along the edges of the case  1004  and grips  1072  operatively coupled to the clamps  1068  and configured to be used to adjust the position of the ends  1070  of the clamps  1068 . When coupling the case  1004  to the mount  1006 , a user may use the grips  1072  to adjust the position of the clamps  1068  to ensure that the ends  1070  are securely positioned within the openings  1074 . In this way, the clamps  1070  act as an additional alignment and anti-rotation feature that prevents the case  1004  from pulling away from the mount  1006 . The clamp also resists rotation of the case  1004  relative to the mount  1006 . 
     In the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1A-B ,  8 A-B, and  9 A-B, the alignment and anti-rotation features (e.g., the recess  114 , cut-outs  116 , and case magnets  120 ) are formed as part of a case configured to receive a PED. In other embodiments, however, the alignment and anti-rotation features may be formed as part of an interface plate configured to be attached to the rear surface of a personal electronic device or to the rear surface of a case in which the personal electronic device is already received.  FIG. 11  is an isometric view of an interface plate  1176  having a recess  1114  that includes cut-outs  1116  and configured to receive a protrusion having tabs formed as part of a mount (e.g., protrusion  112  having tabs  118  on mount  106  of  FIG. 1A ) when the interface plate  1176  is coupled to the mount. 
     The recess  1114  is sized and shaped such that, when the interface plate  1176  is properly coupled to the device (or case), the recess  1114  is positioned directly over wireless charging circuitry within the device and does not inhibit the wireless charging capabilities of the device when the device is coupled to a mount having a wireless charging capabilities (e.g., mount  206  of  FIG. 2A  or mount  306  of  FIG. 3 ). An adhesive or other attachment mechanism can be applied to a rear surface  1178  of the interface plate  1176  is configured to adhere the interface plate  1176  to the rear surface of the device or device case. Attaching the interface plate  1176  to a device (or a case) enables a user to securely couple the device to a mount (e.g., mount  106  of  FIG. 1A ) without having to utilize a case specifically configured to be coupled to the mount. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 11 , the interface plate  1176  includes a generally circular recess  1114  having tabs and embedded case magnets (e.g., case magnets  120 ). In other embodiments, however, the interface plate may include a recess having a different shape and may include case magnets configured to magnetically couple to mount magnets on a mount. For example,  FIG. 12A  shows an interface plate  1276   a  having a generally circular recess  1214   a  and circular case magnets  1220   a  distributed around the recess  1214   a . On the other hand,  FIG. 12B  shows an interface plate  1276   b  having a generally circular recess  1214   b  and generally triangular case magnets  1220   b  distributed around the recess  1214   b . The triangular case magnets  1220   b  have a curved edge that conforms to the curvature of the recess  1214   b . As discussed above in connection with  FIGS. 1A and 1B , using generally triangular case magnets allows for a larger recess  1214   b  while the size of the case magnets is unchanged or increased. This further ensures that the wireless charging capabilities of the device are not inhibited. 
       FIG. 12C  shows an interface plate  1276   c  having a recess  1214   c  formed from a 24-sided polygon in the shape of a star having 12 points. The interface plate  1276   c  may also include four case magnets  1220   c  distributed around the recess  1214   c . The shape of the recess  1214   c  enables the interface plate  1276   c  to be coupled a mount having a similarly-shaped protrusion in 12 different orientations with some magnetic retention due to the proximity of the magnets in each position. The strongest magnetic coupling between the case magnets  1220   c  and mount magnets on the mount, however, will occur when the interface plate  1276   c  is oriented in four of the orientations with direct magnetic alignment. 
       FIG. 12D  shows an interface plate  1276   d  having a recess  1214   d  and case magnets  1220   d . The recess  1214   d  is generally circular shaped but has notches adjacent to each of the case magnets  1220   d  to accommodate the case magnets  1220   d . This increases the size of the recess  1214   d , thereby ensuring that the wireless charging capabilities of the device are not inhibited by the interface plate  1276   d.    
     From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, but that various modifications may be made without deviating from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appended claims.