Patent Publication Number: US-2016246333-A1

Title: Stand for Supporting Device in a Plurality of Viewing Angles

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The emergence and popularity of mobile computing has made portable computing devices, due to their compact design and light weight, a staple in today&#39;s marketplace. Tablet computers are examples of portable computing devices that are widely used. Tablet computers are single units generally employing a touchscreen on a display surface of the tablet that may be used for both viewing and input. Users of tablets may interact with the touchscreen via finger or stylus gestures. While handling the tablet in their hands, a user may have the flexibility to view the display surface in a plurality of viewing angles, according to user preference. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an accessory for a portable computing device such as a tablet computer, according to an example; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates detachable stand for a portable computing device with a removable power source, according to an example; and 
         FIGS. 3A-C  illustrate different views of a system including a portable computing device used with the detachable stand, according to an example. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     While using a portable computing device, such as a tablet computer, there may be instances when users may desire to have their hands free bile using the device, particularly when the device is used for a prolonged period of time (e.g., for media consumption, such as watching a movie). Laying the tablet computer flat on a surface, such as a table, may not provide a desirable viewing angle of the display surface for a user. Accessories are available for tablet computers that allow users to have their hands free and view the display surface of the tablet at an appropriate viewing angle. Such accessories may be fitted to a tablet computer in various form factors. 
     When designing such accessories, factors that may be considered include at east aesthetics and ease of use. When choosing a tablet accessory, users may consider the overall appearance of the tablet computer when fitted with the accessory. With regards to ease of use, users may consider the ease of adding and removing the accessory from the tablet, and the ease of using the accessory while it is fitted to the tablet. For example, users may consider whether the system including the accessory fitted to the tablet is stable and sturdy for use on various surfaces (e.g., on the lap of a user or a level surface, such as a desk or table). 
       37  Examples disclosed herein provide an accessory for a portable computing device such as a tablet computer. The accessory may function as a detachable stand by supporting the tablet in a plurality of viewing angles. 
     In one example, a system can include a portable computing device, including a display surface and a back surface opposite the display surface, and a stand to support the device in a plurality of viewing angles. The stand can include a first portion, including a power source, and a second portion pivotally attached to the first portion and detachably coupled to a sidewall of the device. 
     In another example, a detachable stand is included for supporting a device in a plurality of viewing angles. The stand can include a first portion, including a power source, and a second portion pivotally attached to the first portion and detachably coupled to a sidewall of the device. The second portion can include protrusions to occupy cavities within the sidewall of the device when the device is coupled to the stand. 
     In yet another example, a system can include a portable computing device, including a display surface and a back surface opposite, the display surface, and a stand to support the device in a plurality of viewing angles. The stand can include a first portion, including a power source, and a second portion pivotally attached to the first portion and detachably coupled to a sidewall of the device, wherein the first portion is rotatable towards the back surface of the device. The stand can include a hinge mechanism to pivotally attach the second portion to the first portion, wherein the hinge mechanism is to support the device in the plurality of viewing angles. 
     With reference to the figures.  FIG. 1  illustrates an accessory  100  for a portable computing device such as a tablet computer, according to an example. The accessory  100  may function as a detachable stand by supporting the tablet in a plurality of viewing angles, as will be further described. The stand  100  may include a first portion  102  and a second portion  104  pivotally attached to the first portion  102  sharing a common axis at  106 ). The thickness and shape of the stand  100  may vary. For example, the thickness of the stand  100  may depend on internal components disposed within the stand  100  (e.g., a power source, such as a rechargeable battery). 
     The second portion  104  of the stand  100  may be detachably coupled to a sidewall of the tablet (e.g., see  FIG. 3B ). As an example, the second portion  104  of the stand  100  may include one or more protrusions  108  to occupy cavities within a bottom sidewall of the tablet when the tablet is coupled to the stand  100 . By occupying the cavities within the bottom sidewall of the tablet, the protrusions  108  may secure the tablet to the stand  100 , and provide an appropriate level of stability and sturdiness while handling the tablet when it is coupled to the stand  100 . As an example, the stand  100  may include a latching mechanism (not shown) to secure one or more of the protrusions (e.g., protrusions  108   a ,  108   c ) within the cavities of the tablet. The latching mechanism may be released, for example, by a re/easing mechanism  110  when it is desirable to detach the tablet from the stand  100 . Although  FIG. 1  illustrates the releasing mechanism  110  for controlling the latching mechanism, the tablet may be secured to the stand  100  in a number of other ways. As an example, the tablet may be magnetically coupled to the stand  100  via the protrusions  108 , as will be further described. 
     As an example, the tablet may be communicatively and/or electrically coupled to the stand  100  via one or more of the protrusions  108  (e.g., conductive connector  108   b ). As an example, the first portion  102  of the stand  100  may include a power source, such as, but not limited to, a rechargeable battery. When connecting the connector  108   b  with a charging port located on the bottom sidewall of the tablet, the connector  108   b  may electrically couple the power source with the tablet. By supplementing an internal power source that may be disposed within the tablet (e.g., one or more rechargeable batteries), the power source included in the stand  100  may provide additional power for operating the tablet. As tablet computers may have a reduced size and/or thickness in order to make it practical for users to handle tablets in their hands, the capacity of the battery disposed within the tablet may also be limited, due to the limitation in space. As a result, the supplemental power source included in the stand  100  may extend the use time of the tablet in between charges. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates detachable stand  100  with a removable power source  202 , according to an example. As an example, the removable power source  202  may be a rechargeable battery that is detachably coupled to the first portion  102  of the stand  100  according to various methods. As an example, an end of the first portion  102  may include an electrical connector  206  to electrically connect the power source  202  to provide a power signal to the stand  100 . As an example, the electrical connector  206  may include electrical contacts, pogo pins, and the like. 
     The power source  202  may be secured to the first portion  102  of the stand  100  via protrusions  204  according to various methods such as, but not limited to, via a latching mechanism and/or magnetic coupling. With regards to a latching mechanism, a releasing mechanism  208  may be included for releasing the latching mechanism when it is desirable to detach the power source  202  from the first portion  102 . With regards to magnetic coupling, one or more of the protrusions  204  may include magnetically active components that provide an associated magnetic field to cooperatively interact with the magnetic fields generated by magnetically active components included in one or more cavities of the power source  202  for receiving the protrusions  204 . 
     Although  FIG. 2  illustrates that the stand  100  includes a power source  202  that is removable, the power source  202  may also be irremovable. As an example, the entire first portion  102  of the stand  100  may be a power source (e.g., see  FIG. 1 ), or the power source may be disposed within the first portion  102 . As an example, the power source may be removable from the first portion  102  via an access door (not shown). The stand  100  may include a port  112  for powering or charging the power source  202 , for example, via an AC power plug. As an example, the weight of the first portion  102  including the power source may be sufficient to function,as a base while operating the tablet in the plurality of viewing angles. As a result, a system including the stand  100  and the tablet may be stable and sturdy for a use on a surface in the plurality of viewing angles. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 1 , the second portion  104  of the stand  100  may be pivotally attached to the first portion  102  via a hinge mechanism indicated by dashed line  106 . In order to support a tablet in a plurality of viewing angles when coupled to the stand  100 , the hinge mechanism  106  may provide a level of resistance when rotating the second portion  104  with respect to the first portion  102  that may only be overcome by sufficient force (e.g., torque). As an example, the hinge mechanism  106  may include a friction hinge, which is a device with torque between the first portion  102  and the second portion  104  on a common axis, such as a shaft of the hinge mechanism  106 . As an example, the hinge mechanism  106  may include a detent hinge, which is a device that provides “soft stops” in one or more positions between the first portion  102  and the second portion  104  on a common axis, providing one or more viewing angles. By providing a level of resistance when rotating the second portion  104  with respect to the first portion  102 , the hinge mechanism  106  may support the tablet in a variety of viewing angles, based according to user preference. 
       FIGS. 3A-C  illustrate different views of a system including a p portable computing device  300  used with the detachable stand  100 , according to an exaple As mentioned above, the thickness and shape of the stand  100  may vary. For example, the thickness of the stand  100  may depend on internal components disposed within the stand  100  and/or the power source  202  When the system is not being handled in the hands of a user, the system may be used on various surfaces, allowing the user to adjust the viewing angle of the device  300 , indicated by arrows  302 . As an example, the surface may be a level surface such as, for example, a desk or table, or a surface that is not level. The weight of the first portion  102  including the power source may be sufficient to function as a base while operating he tablet in the plurality of viewing angles. As a result, the system including the stand  100  and the device  300  may be stable and sturdy for use on the surface in the plurality of viewing angles. 
     Examples of the device  300  include; but are ere not limited to, a smart phone or a tablet. The device  300  may include a display surface  306  and a back surface  304  opposite the display surface  306 . The display surface  306  may be a touchscreen, allowing a user to interact directly with what is displayed by touching the screen with simple or multi-touch gestures. Although the figures illustrate that the back surface  304  includes a flat surface, the back surface  304  may include a plurality of different surfaces, such as a convex surface. In between the display surface  306  and the back surface  304 , the device  300  may include sidewalls  310  around a perimeter of the device  300 . As an example, the device  300  may include four sidewalls  310  (e.g., a left sidewall, a right sidewall, a top sidewall, and a bottom sidewall). Although a user may be able to view the device  300  in a portrait or landscape orientation, the bottom sidewall may refer to the same sidewall  310  of the device  300 . 
     As described above, the second portion  104  of the detachable stand  100  may include one or more protrusions  108  to occupy cavities  308  within the bottom sidewall of the device  300  when the device  300  is coupled to the stand  100 , as illustrated in  FIG. 3A . As an example, the number of cavities  308  within the bottom sidewall of the device  300  may correspond to the number of protrusions  108 . One of the cavities  308  may be a port for communicatively and/or electrically coupling with connector  108   b . Coupling the stand  100  to the bottom sidewall of the device  300  may provide an appearance of oneness by in which the stand  100  and the device  300  can appear as a single, unified entity, providing a uniformity in appearance and contributing to the overall aesthetic appeal of the system. 
     By occupying the cavities  308  within the bottom sidewall of the device  300 , the protrusions  108  may secure the device  300  to the stand  100 , and provide an appropriate level of stability and sturdiness while handling the device  300  when it is coupled to the stand  100 . The device  300  may be detachably coupled to the stand  100  via the protrusions  108  according to various methods such as, but not limited to, via a latching mechanism and/or magnetic coupling. Referring to  FIG. 1 , for a device coupled to the stand  100  by a latching mechanism, the stand  100  may include a releasing mechanism  110  for releasing the latching mechanism when it is desirable to detach the device from the stand  100 . 
     With regards to magnetic coup, ng, one or more of he protrusions  108  may include a variety of magnetically active components that provide an associated magnetic field to cooperatively interact with the magnetic fields generated by the magnetically active components included in one or more cavities  308 . When the protrusions  108  are placed within proximity of the cavities  308 , the stand  100  and the device  300  may remain in a magnetically attached state if and until a releasing force of sufficient magnitude is applied that overcomes the overall net attractive magnetic force between the protrusions  108  and the cavities  308 . As an example, either the protrusions  108  or the cavities  308  may include magnetically passive elements that can interact with the magnetic fields generated by the other components. Examples of magnetically passive elements include, but are not limited to, ferromagnetic materials such as iron or steel. 
     Properties of the magnetically active components that may be controlled include, but are not limited to, field strength and magnetic polarity. As an example, the magnetically active components used to magnetically attach the device  300  to the stand  100  can assure the device  300  may only attach to the stand  100  in a specific orientation. For example, it may not be desirable to attach the device  300  to the stand  100  with the display surface  306  facing the first portion  102  of the stand  100 . As an example, this reverse orientation may be avoided by controlling properties of one or more of the magnetically active components, such as magnetic polarity. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 1 , the magnetic member included in protrusion  108   a  may require a north pole of a magnetic member disposed within a cavity  308  f the device  300 , and magnetic member included in protrusion  108   c  may require a south pole of a magnetic member disposed in another cavity  308 , in order to generate an attractive magnetic force between the device  300  and the stand  100 . As a result, any attempt to attach the device  300  and stand  160  in a reverse orientation may generate a repulsive magnetic force rather than an attractive magnetic forte. In addition to ensuring that the stand  100  may only attach to the device  300  in a specific orientation, the magnetic members may also assure paper alignment and positioning of the stand  100  with respect to the device  300 . As a result, a user may attach the stand  100  to the device  300  in a desirable and repeatable manner, such they are consistently in a pre-determined position relative to one another. This desirable and repeatable manner may also be accomplished by latching mechanism described above. 
     In addition to functioning as a stand for supporting the device a plurality of viewing angles, the stand  100  may include ports, in addition to port  112 , to provide, the device  300  connectivity to accessories or peripherals for the device. As an example, the stand may include one or more Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports for connecting accessories, such as a mouse and/or keyboard. Examples of other ports include, but are not limited to, HDMI, Thunderbolt, and an audio jack. In addition to ports that require physical connections, accessories may communicate with the system by other forms of communication that may not require a physical connection, such as a form of wire less communication (e.g., Bluetooth). Any accessories connected to the stand  100  may be communicatively coupled to the device  300  via the connector  108   b  and/or a form of wireless communication (e.g., Bluetooth). 
     Referring to  FIG. 3B , the first portion  102  of the stand  100  may be rotatable to yards the back surface  304  of the device  300 . The mode illustrated in  FIG. 3B  may be appropriate when a user desires to handle and use the system in their hands. As an example, the surface of the first portion  102  that comes in contact with the back surface  304  of the device  300  may be shaped to form a well matched fit to each other, providing a uniformity in appearance and contributing to the overall aesthetic appeal of the system. As illustrated in  FIGS. 3B-C , the sides of the first portion  102  may be tapered to match one or more of the sidewalls  310  of the device  300 , which may also contribute to the overall aesthetic appeal of the system. As an example, the shape of the first portion  102  of the stand  100  may take various forms. For example, the first portion  102  may be block-shaped with fiat edges, or any other form that may provide support for viewing the device  300  in a plurality of viewing angles. 
     It is appreciated that examples described may include various components and features. It is also appreciated that numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the examples. However, it is appreciated that the examples may be practiced without limitations to these specific details. In other instances, well known methods and structures may not be described detail avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the examples Also, the examples may be used in combination with each other. 
     Reference in the specification to “an example” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the example is included in at least one example, but not necessarily in other examples. The various instances of the phrase “In one example” or similar phrases in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same example. 
     It is appreciated that the previous description of the disclosed examples is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present disclosure. Various modifications to these examples will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be, applied to other examples without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the examples shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.