Patent Publication Number: US-2022231721-A1

Title: Magnetic case and folio for portable personal computing device

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Technical Field 
     The present invention generally relates to a case and folio for a portable personal computing device (e.g., smartphone, tablet, phablet, etc.), and more particularly to a separable magnetic case and folio for a portable personal computing device. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     Various types of portable personal electronic devices are currently used for communication and entertainment purposes. Such devices include, for example, smartphones, tablet computers, laptop computers, electronic readers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), phablets, cameras, etc. These devices often include touchscreens, scroll wheels, switches, and other interactive control components. Such components are sensitive, and the devices are priced at a high cost, and thus, it is desirable to protect such devices from physical damage. 
     Conventional cases for protecting such devices include, for example, snap on cases and folio cases which cover the front and back of the device for protection. However, it is difficult to change orientation of the devices (e.g., smartphones) for viewing when placing the device on a surface (e.g., table, desk, counter, workout mat, etc.) as conventional devices often require complicated folding of a folio to change orientation and snap on cases which use a “kickstand” device are not sturdy and are easily knocked over with may cause damage to the personal electronic devices intended to be protected. Furthermore, such cases only are capable of two configurations (e.g., portrait and landscape), and thus, limit the placement/viewing field when they are placed on a surface for viewing. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for securing a personal computing device is provided. The apparatus includes a folio with one or more folio magnetic connections, and a personal computing device case including one or more case magnetic connections for magnetically attaching the case to the folio in any of a plurality of positions. 
     In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a magnetic personal computing device case and folio is provided. The folio includes an upper magnet array and a lower magnet array disposed on a front side of the folio, and the case includes a case magnet array disposed on a center portion of the case. The case magnet array is configured for magnetic attachment to the folio in any of a plurality of positions. The folio includes a link-hinge mechanism connecting the front side and the back side of the folio to facilitate opening and closing of the folio. 
     In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a method for attaching and positioning a magnetic portable computing device case on a magnetic folio is provided. The method includes attaching the case to the folio using guided magnetic seating. A position of the case on the magnetic folio can be adjusted by slidingly changing a position of the case relative to the folio by sliding the case up or down a front side of the folio into a different position than an original position. A position of the case on the magnetic folio can be adjusted by rotationally changing a position of the case relative to the folio by rotating the case around a central axis of the folio into a differently rotated position than the original position. 
     These and other features and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments thereof, which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The following description will provide details of preferred embodiments with reference to the following figures wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a high-level perspective view showing a separable magnetic personal computing device case and folio, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing assembled components of a separable magnetic personal computing device case and folio with a portable personal computing device positioned in portrait mode, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing assembled components of a separable magnetic personal computing device case and folio with a portable personal computing device positioned in landscape mode, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view showing assembled components of a separable magnetic personal computing device case and folio with a portable personal computing device positioned in display mode, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing opened and closed views of assembled components of a separable magnetic personal computing device case and folio with a portable personal computing device, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view showing assembled components of a separable magnetic personal computing device case and folio with a portable personal computing device configured for slidingly and/or rotationally changing position of a phone in the case relative to the folio, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view showing magnet arrays in a separable magnetic personal computing device case and folio, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8A  is a perspective view showing assembled components of a folio hinge for a separable magnetic personal computing device case and folio with a portable personal computing device, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8B  is a perspective view showing assembled components of a folio hinge including a link-hinge mechanism for a separable magnetic personal computing device case and folio with a portable personal computing device, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is an exploded perspective view showing components of a separable magnetic personal computing device case and folio with a portable personal computing device, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is an exploded perspective view showing components of a separable magnetic personal computing device case and folio including a link-hinge mechanism with a portable personal computing device, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view showing various configurations of link-hinge mechanisms for a separable magnetic personal computing device case and folio, in accordance with aspects of the present invention; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view showing various configurations of folio magnet arrays for a separable magnetic case and folio, in accordance with aspects of the present invention; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view showing a closed view of assembled components of a separable magnetic personal computing device case and folio including a magnetic closure mechanism with a portable personal computing device, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention; 
         FIG. 14A  is a perspective view showing a device and method for magnetic guided seating of a separable magnetic personal computing device case and folio with a portable personal computing device in a disconnected state, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention; 
         FIG. 14B  is a perspective view showing a separable magnetic personal computing device case and folio in a connected state secured using magnetic guided seating, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention; 
         FIG. 14C  is a perspective view showing a separable magnetic personal computing device case and folio in a connected state in call mode position secured using magnetic guided seating, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention; 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a separable magnetic personal computing device case and folio with a portable personal computing device in charging mode position, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention; 
         FIG. 16A  is a front perspective view showing exemplary attachment and usage configurations for a separable magnetic personal computing device case and folio with a portable personal computing device, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention; 
         FIG. 16B  is an angled perspective view showing exemplary attachment and usage configurations for a separable magnetic personal computing device case and folio with a portable personal computing device, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention; 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view showing a separable magnetic personal computing device case and folio including an integrated battery and charger for a portable personal computing device, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 18  is a high-level perspective view showing a separable magnetic personal computing device case and magnetic device holder with a kickstand, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention generally relates to a case and folio for a portable personal computing device (e.g., smartphone, tablet, phablet, personal digital assistant (PDA), etc.), and more particularly to a separable magnetic case and folio for a portable personal computing device. 
     The present disclosure may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of the disclosure taken in connection with the accompanying drawing figures, which form a part of this disclosure. It is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the specific devices, methods, conditions or parameters described and/or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting of the claimed disclosure. Also, as used in the specification and including the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural, and reference to a particular numerical value can include at least that particular value, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” or “approximately” one particular value and/or to “about” or “approximately” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment can include from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. It is also understood that all spatial references, such as, for example, horizontal, vertical, top, upper, lower, bottom, left and right, are for illustrative purposes only and can be varied within the scope of the disclosure. For example, the references “upper” and “lower” are relative and used only in the context to the other, and are not necessarily “superior” and “inferior”. 
     Reference in the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” of the present invention, as well as other variations thereof, means that a particular feature, structure, characteristic, and so forth described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment”, as well any other variations, appearing in various places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. 
     It is to be appreciated that the use of any of the following “/”, “and/or”, and “at least one of”, for example, in the cases of “A/B”, “A and/or B” and “at least one of A and B”, is intended to encompass the selection of the first listed option (A) only, or the selection of the second listed option (B) only, or the selection of both options (A and B). As a further example, in the cases of “A, B, and/or C” and “at least one of A, B, and C”, such phrasing is intended to encompass the selection of the first listed option (A) only, or the selection of the second listed option (B) only, or the selection of the third listed option (C) only, or the selection of the first and the second listed options (A and B) only, or the selection of the first and third listed options (A and C) only, or the selection of the second and third listed options (B and C) only, or the selection of all three options (A and B and C). This may be extended, as readily apparent by one of ordinary skill in this and related arts, for as many items listed. 
     Referring now to the drawings, in which like numerals represent the same or similar elements, and initially to  FIG. 1  a high-level perspective view  100  showing a separable magnetic personal computing device case and folio is illustratively depicted in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, components of the magnetic personal computing device case  104  and folio  108  can be fabricated from any material suitable for a personal computing device case and/or folio, including, for example, plastics, metals, polymers, ceramics, semi-rigid/rigid materials, rubbers, silicone, Styrofoam, fabric, etc., as readily understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Of course, in accordance with various embodiments, the magnetic personal computing device case  104  and folio  108  may also include other elements (not shown), and may be formed from any suitable materials, as readily contemplated by one of skill in the art, as well as omit certain elements. 
     In some embodiments, a personal computing device  102  (e.g., smartphone, PDA, tablet, laptop, phablet, camera, etc.) (referred to herein below as a “phone” for ease of illustration) can be inserted securely into a personal computing device case  104  configured to snugly fit any of a plurality of devices. The shape and configuration of the case  104  can be configured to fit any of a plurality of types of devices (e.g., iPhone®, Windows® phone, Samsung® phone, tablet, phablet, etc.) in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. The phone  102  can be inserted into the case  104 , as shown in block  106  with the phone  102  positioned in the case  104 . 
     The phone positioned in the case  106  can be magnetically attached to a folio  108  by a folio magnetic connection (e.g., magnet array, described in further detail herein below with reference to elements  602  and  604  of  FIG. 6 ) and a case magnetic connection  101  (e.g., magnet array). The folio magnet arrays  602 ,  604  and the case magnet array  101  can be in any of a plurality of configurations, examples of which are described in further detail hereinbelow with reference to  FIG. 12 . The attachment positioning can be any of a plurality of configurations (e.g., portrait mode, landscape mode, display mode, viewing mode, charging mode, etc.), with one such configuration (e.g., portrait mode) being shown in block  110  with the phone  102  positioned in the case  106  magnetically attached to the folio  108  in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a perspective view  200  showing assembled components of a separable magnetic personal computing device case and folio with a portable personal computing device positioned in portrait mode  201  is illustratively depicted in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     In one embodiment, the phone  102 , case,  104 , and folio  108  can be magnetically connected to each other using, for example, a magnet array, in portrait mode  201  (e.g., screen positioned such that the screen while viewing is taller than it is wide). The phone  102  can be attached (e.g., snapped-in) to the case  104 , and the case  104  can be magnetically attached and detached from the folio  108  in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a perspective view  300  showing assembled components of a separable magnetic personal computing device case and folio with a portable personal computing device positioned in landscape mode  301  is illustratively depicted in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     In one embodiment, the phone  102 , case,  104 , and folio  108  can be magnetically connected to each other using, for example, a magnet array, in landscape mode  301  (e.g., screen positioned such that the screen while viewing is wider than it is tall). The phone  102  can be attached (e.g., snapped-in) to the case  104 , and the case  104  can be magnetically attached and detached from the folio  108  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The folio  108  can include a magnetic connection (e.g., magnet array) positioned at and/or proximate to the center of the folio  108  to facilitate attachment in landscape mode  301  such that the phone  102  and case  104  are substantially centered on the folio  108  when magnetically connected in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a perspective view  400  showing assembled components of a separable magnetic portable computing device case and folio with a portable personal computing device positioned in display mode is illustratively depicted in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     In one embodiment, the phone  102 , case,  104 , and folio  108  can be connected to each other in accordance with aspects of the present invention in display mode  401  (e.g., phone  102  and case  104  positioned at or near the top of the folio  108  with the screen of the phone  102  positioned such that the screen while viewing is wider than it is tall). The phone  102  can be attached (e.g., snapped-in) to the case  104 , and the case  104  can be magnetically attached and detached from the folio  108  in accordance with aspects of the present invention. The folio  108  can include a magnetic connection (e.g., magnet array) (not shown) at or near the top of the folio  108  in display mode  401  such that the phone  102  and case  104  are positioned at, near, or partially above the top of the folio  108  when magnetically connected in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a perspective view  500  showing opened and closed views of assembled components of a separable magnetic personal computing device case and folio with a portable personal computing device is illustratively depicted in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     In some embodiments (e.g., portrait mode) the phone in case  106  can be protected on the front and back sides by a folio  108 . In the open state, the screen of the phone in case  106  can be viewed by flipping the folio front cover  502  over the top of the phone in case  106  to provide access to the phone in case  106  for a user. In the closed state, the folio front cover  502  covers the screen of the phone in case  106  for protection from damage, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , a perspective view  600  showing assembled components of a separable magnetic personal computing device case and folio with a portable personal computing device configured for slidingly and/or rotationally changing position of a phone in the case relative to the folio is illustratively depicted in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     In some embodiments, the folio  108  can include a front plate upper magnet array  602  and a front plate lower magnet array  604  for attaching the phone in case  106  for viewing in any of a variety of attachment configurations. Some examples of different attachment configurations are portrait mode  201  (e.g., attached using upper magnet array  602  and/or lower magnet array  604 ), display mode  401  (e.g., using the front plate upper magnet array  602 ) and landscape mode  301  (e.g., using the front plate lower magnet array  604 ) in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Further examples of the different attachment modes are described in further detail herein below with reference to  FIGS. 16A and 16B , in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
     The phone in case  106  can be moved up and down on the folio  108  between the magnet arrays  602 ,  604  using a facilitated sliding action  606  to adjust from the positioning shown in element  301  (e.g., attached to lower magnet array  604 ) to the positioning shown in element  401  (e.g., attached to upper magnet array  602  in display mode) and vice versa. The phone in case  106  can be removed from the folio  108  and repositioned by placing the phone in case  106  onto the magnet arrays  602 ,  604 , and can be rotated using a facilitated rotating action  608  to adjust from the positioning shown in element  301  and/or  401  to the positioning shown in element  201  (e.g., portrait mode), in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , a perspective view  700  showing magnet arrays in a separable magnetic personal computing device case and folio for a portable personal computing device is illustratively depicted in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     In some embodiments, the phone in case  106  can be connected to the folio  108  using a case magnet array  702  configured to magnetically connect to the front plate lower magnet array  604  or the front plate upper magnet array  602  in accordance with aspects of the present invention. The case magnet array  702  can be arranged in any of a plurality of configurations, including, for example, an exposed cross pattern with five (5) magnets (e.g., as depicted in  FIG. 7 ), but it is to be appreciated that the case magnet array  702  can be hidden from view (e.g., positioned below a top layer of the case) and can include other configuration positions and numbers of magnets in the case magnet array  702  in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8A , a perspective view  800  showing assembled components of a folio hinge mechanism  802  for a separable magnetic personal computing device case and folio with a portable personal computing device is illustratively depicted in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. 
     In some embodiments the folio  108  can be configured to support the phone in case  106 , and can be opened and closed using a folio hinge mechanism  802 . The hinge mechanism  802  can include a hinge spacing mechanism  804  for providing space to close over the phone in case  106 , and can further include a hinge attachment mechanism  806  (e.g., pin) for securing each side of the folio  108  to the hinge mechanism  802  in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8B , a perspective view  801  showing assembled components of a link-hinge mechanism  803  for a separable magnetic personal computing device case and folio with a portable personal computing device is illustratively depicted in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     In some embodiments the folio  108  can be configured to support the phone in case  106  and can be opened and closed using a link-hinge folio hinge mechanism  803 . The link-hinge mechanism  803  can include any of a plurality of different configurations of links, which are described in further detail herein below with reference to  FIG. 11 , and the link-hinge mechanism  803  is configured for securing the two sides of the folio  108  together. The link-hinge mechanism  803  can be fabricated from any material suitable for forming a link-hinge, including, for example, plastics, metals, polymers, ceramics, semi-rigid/rigid materials, rubbers, silicone, Styrofoam, fabric, etc., as readily understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 9 , an exploded perspective view  900  showing components of a separable magnetic personal computing device case and folio with a portable personal computing device is illustratively depicted in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
     In some embodiments, a phone  102  can be inserted securely into a personal computing device case  104  configured to snugly fit any of a plurality of devices. The shape and configuration of the case  104  can be configured to fit any of a plurality of types of devices (e.g., iPhone®, Windows® phone, Samsung® phone, tablet, etc.) in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. In accordance with some aspects of the present invention, customized cases (e.g., different sizes, cutouts for button/charging access, etc.) can be configured to fit particular individual devices (e.g., iPhone10®, iPad®, Samsung Galaxy®, Motorola®, etc.). The case  104  can include a case magnet array  702 , which can be utilized to be magnetically connected to a folio front plate  902  using a front plate upper magnet array  602  and/or a front plate lower magnet array  604 , in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
     In some embodiments, the folio front plate  902  can be connected to a folio back plate  904  using a folio hinge  802 , and the folio front plate  902  and the folio back plate  904  can be covered (e.g., for aesthetic appeal, covering magnets from view, improved grip, etc.) using a folio cover  906 , with the folio cover  906  being made from any of a plurality of appropriate materials for holding, covering, and/or securing a phone  102  (e.g., plastic, fabric, polymer, rubber, etc.) in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 10 , an exploded perspective view  1000  showing components of a separable magnetic personal computing device case and folio including a link-hinge mechanism with a portable personal computing device is illustratively depicted in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. 
     In some embodiments, a phone  102  can be inserted securely into a personal computing device case  104  configured to snugly fit any of a plurality of devices. The shape and configuration of the case  104  can be configured to fit any of a plurality of types of devices (e.g., iPhone®, Windows® phone, Samsung® phone, tablet, etc.) in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. In accordance with some aspects of the present invention, customized cases (e.g., different sizes, cutouts for button/charging access, etc.) can be configured to fit individual devices (e.g., iPhone10®, iPad®, Samsung Galaxy®, Motorola®, etc.). The case  104  can include a case magnet array  702 , which can be utilized to be magnetically connected to a front plate upper magnet array  602  and/or a front plate lower magnet array  604 . The magnet arrays  602 ,  604  can be positioned in cutouts of a molded interior panel  1002 , and can be attached to a molded exterior panel  1004  using any of a plurality of suitable attachment means (e.g., glue, hook and loop fastener, welding, tape, snap-fit, etc.) in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
     In accordance with aspects of the present invention, the molded exterior panel  1004  can include a link-hinge mechanism  803  connecting the two sides of the molded exterior panel  1004 , and the molded exterior panel can be made from any of a plurality of appropriate materials for holding, covering, and/or securing a phone  102  (e.g., plastic, fabric, polymer, rubber, etc.). In some embodiments, the magnet arrays  602 ,  604 ,  702  can be exposed (e.g., visible), and in other embodiments the magnet arrays  602 ,  604 ,  702  can be hidden (e.g., not visible), in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 11 , a perspective view  1100  showing various configurations of link-hinge mechanisms for a separable magnetic personal computing device case and folio is illustratively depicted in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
     In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, the link-hinge mechanism  803  can include any of a plurality of components and configurations. For example, in one embodiment, the link-hinge mechanism  803  can include a plurality of equivalently and/or differently sized separate individual links, as shown in block  1102 , which are configured to be attached to and to connect the two sides of the folio  108 . In another embodiment, the link-hinge mechanism  803  can include a plurality of equivalently sized connected links with sharp squared-off edges, as shown in block  1104 , which are configured to be attached to and to connect the two sides of the folio  108 . In another embodiment, the link-hinge mechanism  803  can include equivalently and/or differently sized separate individual links with rounded edges, as show in block  1106 , which are configured to be attached to and to connect the two sides of the folio  108  in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
     In another embodiment, the link-hinge mechanism  803  can include a substantially planar flexible material (e.g., fabric, plastic, rubber, etc.), as shown in block  1108 , which is configured to be attached to and to connect the two sides of the folio  108 . In another embodiment, the link-hinge mechanism  803  can include a plurality of equivalently and/or differently sized separate individual pins, as shown in block  1110 , which are configured to be attached to and to connect the two sides of the folio  108 . In another embodiment, the link-hinge mechanism  803  can include differently sized connected links assembled such that the smaller links are connected to two (2) larger links, as shown in block  1112 , which are configured to be attached to and to connect the two sides of the folio  108  in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 12 , a perspective view  1200  showing various configurations of folio magnet arrays for a separable magnetic personal computing device case and folio is illustratively depicted in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
     In various embodiments of the present invention, the folio  108  can include one or more magnetic connections  602 ,  604 , which can be a single magnet or a magnet array, in accordance with aspects of the present invention. The upper magnet array  602  and the lower magnet array  604  can include any of a plurality of components and configurations in accordance with aspects of the present invention. For example, the upper magnet array  602  and/or the lower magnet array  604  can be configured as a single disc magnet  1202 , a bar magnet array  1204 , a uniformly sized multiple disc magnet array  1206 , a ring magnet array  1208 , a cross magnet array  1210 , a differently sized multiple disc magnet array  1212 , a ring and disc magnet array  1214 , a differently sized and shaped multiple disc and bar magnet array  1216 , and a stacked magnet array  1218  in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. 
     The upper magnet array  602  and the lower magnet array  604  can be made from any suitable magnetic material, and may be hidden from view or exposed in accordance with aspects of the present invention. The case magnet array  702  (described above with reference to  FIG. 7 ) can include any of a plurality of the above-discussed components and/or configurations  1202 ,  1204 ,  1206 ,  1208 ,  1210 ,  1212 ,  1214 ,  1216 , and/or  1218 , can be made from any suitable magnetic material, and can be hidden from view or exposed, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 13 , a perspective view  1300  showing a closed view of assembled components of a separable magnetic personal computing device case and folio including a magnetic closure mechanism with a portable personal computing device is illustratively depicted in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. 
     In some embodiments, a phone in case  106  can be magnetically attached to a folio  108  including one or more magnet arrays (e.g.,  602 ,  604  of  FIG. 6 ), and the folio  108  can include a magnetic closure mechanism  1302 . The magnetic closure mechanism  1302  can include a magnetic connection on a bottom side of a lower edge of one or both sides of the folio  108 , and is configured to magnetically secure the sides of the folio  108  in a closed position to prevent the folio  108  from opening without user interaction, in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 14A , a perspective view  1400  showing a device and method for magnetic guided seating of a separable magnetic personal computing device case and folio with a portable personal computing device in a disconnected state is illustratively depicted in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. 
     In accordance with aspects of the present invention, a phone in case  106  can be secured and positioned to the upper magnet array  602  and/or the lower magnet array  604  of a folio  108  using automatic guided magnetic seating  1402 . The guided magnetic seating  1402  can be utilized to position the phone in case  106  in an appropriate position relative to the folio  108  such that, for example, the folio  108  can be closed over the phone in case  106  to equally cover and protect both sides of the phone in case  106  in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 14B , a perspective view  1401  showing a separable magnetic personal computing device case and folio in a connected state secured using magnetic guided seating is illustratively depicted in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. 
     In accordance with aspects of the present invention, a phone in case  106  can be secured and positioned to the upper magnet array  602  and/or the lower magnet array  604  of a folio  108 , such that the phone in case  106  is positioned as shown in element  1404 . The connected position using magnetic guided seating  1404  is achieved using the automatic guided magnetic seating  1402 , as described with reference to  FIG. 14A , and the connected position using magnetic guided seating  1404  enables the folio  108  to be closed over the phone in case  106  such that, for example, the folio  108  can be closed over the phone in case  106  to equally cover and protect both sides of the phone in case  106  in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 14C , a perspective view  1403  showing a separable magnetic personal computing device case and folio in a connected state in call mode position secured using magnetic guided seating is illustratively depicted in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. 
     In accordance with aspects of the present invention, a phone in case  106  can be secured and positioned to the upper magnet array  602  and/or the lower magnet array  604  of a folio  108 , such that the phone in case  106  is positioned in call mode position  1406  exposing a front side of the phone in case  106 . In some embodiments, the folio  108  can be opened by moving (e.g., flipping) a front side of the folio  108  away from a front side of the phone in case  106  such that the two sides of the folio  108  can be magnetically secured using a magnetic folio panel connection  1408 . The magnetic folio panel connection  1408  can include a magnetic connection including one or more magnets and/or magnet arrays positioned on a lower edge of one or both sides of the folio  108 , and is configured to magnetically secure the sides of the folio  108  in an opened position to prevent the folio  108  from closing without user interaction in call mode position  1406 , in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 15 , a perspective view  1500  of a separable magnetic personal computing device case and folio with a portable personal computing device in charging mode position is illustratively depicted in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. 
     In accordance with aspects of the present invention, a phone in case  106  can be secured and positioned to the upper magnet array  602  (described above with reference to  FIG. 6 ), and/or the lower magnet array  604  (described above with reference to  FIG. 6 ), of a folio  108  using the case magnet array  702  (described above with reference to  FIG. 7 ), such that the phone in case  106  is positioned in charging mode position  1510 . The charging mode position  1510  secures the phone in case  106  to the folio  108  such that a height-adjustable charging cable clearance space  1502  is formed to provide sufficient clearance space for a charging cable  1504  to be plugged into a charging port on the phone in case  106  in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 16A , a front perspective view  1600  showing exemplary attachment and usage configurations for a separable magnetic personal computing device case and folio for a portable personal computing device is illustratively depicted in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, the phone in case  106  can be magnetically attached to a folio  108  in any of a plurality of configurations/positions. These positions can include, but are not limited to a closed folio position  1602 , a portrait mode position  201  (described above with reference to  FIG. 2 ), a call mode position  1406  (described above with reference to  FIG. 14 ), a display mode position  401  (described above with reference to  FIG. 4 ), and a charging mode position  1510  (described above with reference to  FIG. 15 ), in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 16B , an angled perspective view  1601  showing exemplary attachment and usage configurations for a separable magnetic personal computing device case and folio for a portable personal computing device is illustratively depicted in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, the phone in case  106  can be magnetically attached to a folio  108  in any of a plurality of configurations/positions. These positions can include, but are not limited to a closed folio position  1602 , a portrait mode position  201  (described above with reference to  FIG. 2 ), a call mode position  1406  (described above with reference to  FIG. 14 ), a display mode position  401  (described above with reference to  FIG. 4 ), and a charging mode position  1510  (described above with reference to  FIG. 15 ), in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. 
     In accordance with various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the phone in case  106  can be utilized in any of a plurality of environments, activities, configurations, and/or positions. Exemplary uses include, but are not limited to, utilizing the folio  108  in any viewing position (e.g., portrait, landscape, display) as a stand for any of a plurality of activities (e.g., charging, viewing the screen, etc.). Such uses include, for example, utilizing the phone in the case  106  while attached to the folio as a remote display of a computer screen (e.g., by placing on a desk, table, etc.) while using a connected computer; as a training aide to analyze, for example, a golf, tennis, baseball, etc. swing, yoga positions, a user&#39;s stance, etc. (e.g., by placing on a table, bench, ground next to a user, etc.) such that the sensors (e.g., camera, microphone, etc.) of a phone  102  capture the users movement, stance, and/or position; as a stand for watching a video in any viewing position (e.g., by placing on a desk, table, etc.); as a stand for use while cooking (e.g., by placing on kitchen counter to view recipes while cooking); and as a stand for video capturing (e.g., by placing on desk, table, etc.) for hands-free video calls, video filming, etc. in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 17 , a perspective view  1700  showing a separable magnetic personal computing device case and folio including an integrated battery and charger for a portable personal computing device is illustratively depicted in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, as described above, the folio  108  can be configured to be magnetically attached to a phone in case  106  using magnetic connections (e.g.,  602 ,  604  of  FIG. 6, and 702  of  FIG. 7 ). In another embodiment of the present invention, the phone in case  106  can be similarly magnetically attached to a battery-charging folio  1702  configured to charge the phone in case  106  using a wired and/or wireless charging connection to the battery  1704 . The battery-charging folio  1702  can include a battery life indicator  1706  and a charging port  1708  configured for charging the battery  1704  and for providing charge from the charging port  1708  for charging the battery  1704 , and the charging port  1708  can be utilized to charge any of a plurality of devices using a charging cable (not shown) plugged into the charging port to provide power to any of a plurality of devices in accordance with aspects of the present invention. In some embodiments, the battery  1704  can be charged wirelessly by placing the phone in case  1702  on a wireless charging pad or other appropriate wireless charging device. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 18 , high-level perspective views  1800  showing multiple configurations of a separable magnetic personal computing device case and magnetic device holder with a kickstand are illustratively depicted in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. 
     In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, the magnetic device holders front support plates  1807 ,  1816 ,  1817 ,  1818 ,  1819  can include a front plate upper magnet array  602  and a front plate lower magnet array  604  for attaching the phone in case  106  for viewing in any of a variety of attachment configurations, as described in further detail with regard to the magnetic arrays of  FIGS. 9, 10, and 12 . It is to be appreciated that the magnetic device holders front support plates  1807 ,  1816 ,  1817 ,  1818 ,  1819  function similarly with the folio  108  and can be used with the magnetic phone case  104  in any of the embodiments described with regard to the folio  108  in accordance with aspects of the present invention. In one embodiment, the kickstand  1804  can be secured to the magnetic device holder front support plate  1807  using a magnetic closure mechanism  1805 . 
     In some embodiments, the magnetic device holders  1802 ,  1808 ,  1810 ,  1812 ,  1814  can include a kickstand support structure  1804 ,  1809 ,  1811 ,  1813 ,  1815 , respectively, in accordance with aspects of the present invention. In one embodiment, the kickstand  1804  can include a battery backup  1803 , which can be charged wirelessly or by a wired charging connection, and which further charges the phone in case  106  wirelessly while the phone in case  106  is connected to the magnetic device holder front support plate  1807 . Although the kickstand support structures  1804 ,  1809 ,  1811 ,  1813 ,  1815  are shown as particular shapes and sizes for illustrative purposes, it is to be appreciated that any suitable kickstand structure can be utilized with the magnetic device holders front support plates  1807 ,  1816 ,  1817 ,  1818 ,  1819  in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
     It is to be appreciated that while the above non-limiting uses of the present invention are presented as examples for clarity, the present invention can be utilized for any of a plurality of other environments, activities, and/or positions in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. 
     It will be understood that various modifications may be made to the embodiments disclosed herein. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplification of the various embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto. 
     Having described preferred embodiments of a system and method for a separable magnetic personal computing device case and folio (which are intended to be illustrative and not limiting), it is noted that modifications and variations can be made by persons skilled in the art in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that changes may be made in the particular embodiments disclosed which are within the scope of the invention as outlined by the appended claims. Having thus described aspects of the invention, with the details and particularity required by the patent laws, what is claimed and desired protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims.