Patent Description:
However, in these devices having a magnetic closure arrangement, because of allowable tolerances in the manufacturing thereof, including the hinge and magnets, the magnetic force applied can vary between different devices of the same type (e.g., individual laptop computers of the same model). That is, the magnetic closure arrangement is configured to apply a magnetic force to exceed manufacturing tolerances, which can vary between individual devices. For example, in conventional magnetic closure arrangements, there is no way to control the opening force of individual devices, which makes the opening force subject to tolerance variations of sub-components. As a result, the magnetic closure arrangement is designed with an overcompensating magnet force to accommodate system tolerances, which creates a sub-optimal experience for many devices (e.g., device is too difficult to open with single finger operation). In some arrangements, binning magnets are used to address this issue, which adds cost to the overall system. In other arrangements, high-torque and low-torque hinges are paired to address this issue, which also adds cost to the overall system.

Thus, typical ways of setting the opening force for the magnetic closure arrangement varies and is not controllable. As a result, the user experience can be reduced as a result of having the device unexpectedly open or making it more difficult to open. <CIT> and <CIT> relate to foldable electronic devices including a first and a second magnet. An example foldable electronic device includes a base, a cover, a hinge pivotally connecting the base and the cover to fold the device into a closed position, a first magnet in the base, and a second magnet in the cover to repel the first magnet to separate the base and the cover when the device is resting in the closed position.

Further optional features are provided in the dependent claims.

In the figures, the systems are illustrated as schematic drawings. The drawings may not be to scale.

Arrangements described herein are configured to individually control the magnetic opening force of foldable electronic devices (e.g., laptop computers). Selectable metal members (tabs) and configurations thereof allow for adjustability of magnet force to balance hinge torque and eliminate the need for binning. Metal members of various examples are selectable to change the magnetic force for a particular device to adjust for the hinge torque of the device. For example, the magnetic interaction area can be selectively increased or decreased to change a corresponding magnetic force. The selective magnetic interaction area allows for compensation of variables that affect desired opening operation, such as one finger opening and maintained closure when positioned on a spine (e.g., weight, center of gravity, hinge force, etc. of the individual device). An improved user experience thereby results wherein the device stays closed when supported on a spine and can be separated by a single finger when placed on a surface without also lifting the base.

It should be noted that although the various examples are described in connection with a foldable laptop computing device (e.g., Microsoft Surface® laptop), the present disclosure can be implemented in connection with other electronic devices having two portions that move or fold relative to each other (e.g., keyboard and display having a hinged connection). For example, the magnetic control and adjustment aspects can be used to control the magnetic force for any magnetic closure arrangement in electronic and nonelectronic devices, such as computing devices employing one or more hinges that can rotationally move first and second device portions, as well as provide resistance to maintain particular orientations of the first and second portions.

More particularly, a device <NUM> having selective and controllable magnetic opening force is shown in <FIG>. The device <NUM> is illustrated as a foldable electronic device having first and second portions <NUM> and <NUM> that are rotatably movable to different positions (e.g., a closed position and different angled open positions) by a hinge <NUM>, which can be any suitable hinge mechanism that allows for rotational movement of the first portion <NUM> (e.g., display) relative to the second portion <NUM> (e.g., display screen).

In the illustrated example, the first portion <NUM> extends from a hinge end <NUM> to a distal end <NUM>. The second portion <NUM> extends from a hinge end <NUM> to a distal end <NUM>. The hinge <NUM> defines a hinge axes <NUM> about which the first and second portions <NUM> and <NUM> rotate between a closed position and different angled open positions. The first portion <NUM> includes opposing first and second major surfaces <NUM> and <NUM>. For example, the first major surface <NUM> being a front display surface and the second major surface <NUM> being a top of a protective outside case. Similarly, the second portion <NUM> includes opposing first and second major surfaces <NUM> and <NUM>. For example, the first major surface <NUM> being a keyboard and the second major surface <NUM> being a bottom of the protective outside case. It should be noted that the second surfaces <NUM> and <NUM> are facing away from the viewer and as such are not directly visible in this view. In some implementations, displays can be positioned on one or both of the first surfaces <NUM> and <NUM>.

In operation, the magnetic closure arrangement, which in the illustrated example comprises a plurality of magnets <NUM> coupled to the first portion <NUM> and a plurality of metal members <NUM> coupled to the second portion <NUM>, maintains the first and second portions <NUM> and <NUM> in a closed orientation (e.g., in abutting engagement where the first and second portions <NUM> and <NUM> are positioned against one another and are secured by magnetic force) as a result of the magnetic force selectively controlled by the present disclosure, but that also allows one finger opening operation. In the closed orientation, the second surfaces <NUM> and <NUM> are facing outwardly with the first surfaces <NUM> and <NUM> facing inwardly. The selective magnetic force configured according to the present disclosure maintains the closed orientation by magnetic attraction until acted upon by the user. The opening force to separate the first and second portions <NUM> and <NUM> is selectively controllable using different configurations of the metal members <NUM> coupled therein and at edges thereof, as described in more detail herein.

When closed, the user can then start to open the device <NUM> (e.g., rotate the device portions <NUM> and <NUM> away from one another) using a one finger operation as a result of the tuned magnetic force described herein. That is, the magnetic force tuned by various examples maintains the device <NUM> in a closed orientation when the first and second portions <NUM> and <NUM> are abutting one another, but also allows for one finger operation to apply a force that overcomes the magnetic attraction of the first and second portions <NUM> and <NUM> to move the device into an open orientation as shown in <FIG>. For example, implementing the present disclosure, the device <NUM> satisfies both a spine test <NUM> and a table test <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>. That is, the present disclosure configures a foldable electronic device that satisfies both a spine test force requirement and a table test force requirement.

More particularly, in the spine test <NUM>, the device <NUM> stays closed when only supported in a spine <NUM> of the device <NUM>. In the table test <NUM>, the device <NUM> can be opened, for example, by the user lifting the display of the laptop device (the first portion <NUM>) with a single finger without also lifting the base (the second portion <NUM>). As an example, satisfying the spine test <NUM> means that the device <NUM> will not "pop" open in a backpack, which can turn on the display screen of the device <NUM> and drain the battery. Moreover, satisfying the table test <NUM> means that a user is able to employ a one finger operation to lift the cover (and only the cover) with only one finger.

Thus, the device <NUM> is maintained in a closed position and the user is able to open the device <NUM> to a desired angle between the first and second portions <NUM> and <NUM> using a single finger (e.g., about <NUM> degrees). It should be noted that the magnetic force is tuned corresponding to the hinge force of the hinge <NUM> for the particular device and allows the hinge <NUM> to hold the first and second portion <NUM> and <NUM> in an angled orientation (e.g., the device <NUM> maintains orientation unless acted upon by the user). This orientation is referred to as a 'notebook' or 'laptop' orientation. For example, the notebook orientation can be manifest as an angle in a range from about <NUM> degrees to about <NUM> degrees. In this orientation, the device portions <NUM> and <NUM> are configured to maintain this relative orientation while the user uses the device. For example, video content can be presented on a graphical user interface (GUI) of the first portion <NUM>.

Accordingly, the present disclosure allows individualized magnetic force control to balance the hinge torque of the device <NUM> with the magnet force, which can both vary due to manufacturing tolerances. That is, both the spine test <NUM> and the table test <NUM> are satisfied according to the present disclosure. In conventional approaches, the tolerances of the hinge force and the magnet force are balanced to maintain these forces within specification limits. As a result, while the magnet force is sufficient to satisfy the spine test, in order to satisfy the specification limits, overcompensation of the magnet force is used to accommodate for system tolerances, thereby causing the device <NUM> to fail the table test (i.e., magnet force too great to allow one finger operation and/or causes the base to lift when the display is lifted). That is, the magnet force is selected in conventional approaches to always be greater than a hinge force to pass the spine test <NUM>, but which results in the device <NUM> not always passing the table test <NUM>.

In contrast, the present disclosure allows for adjustment of the magnetic force to create a consistent, optimal user experience for opening the device <NUM> regardless of tolerances. That is, in various examples, the magnetic interaction area is changed to adjust the magnetic force for the individual device <NUM>. The magnetic interaction area is selectively increased or decreased in some examples to change a corresponding magnetic force to ensure that the spine test <NUM> and the table test <NUM> are both satisfied, while also providing one finger opening operation of the device <NUM>. It should be appreciated that the present disclosure can be implemented with the device <NUM> having different covers or top surfaces. For example, the top surface of the keyboard (e.g., first surface <NUM>) is a fabric surface in some implementations, and a metal surface in other implementations. With the present disclosure, the magnetic force is selectively adjustable for the device <NUM> regardless of the surface type or cover.

More particularly, various examples allow for adjustable magnetic force using a plurality of metal members <NUM>, which are illustrated in <FIG> as metal tabs (e.g., rectangular steel tabs) that can be selectively added or removed from an edge <NUM> of the device <NUM>. That is, one or more of the metal members <NUM> are added or removed to define a magnetic interaction area <NUM> that affects the magnetic attraction of one portion (e.g., keyboard portion) of the device <NUM> with another portion for the device <NUM> (e.g., display portion), such as the portions <NUM> and <NUM> (illustrated in <FIG>). It should be noted that while the metal members <NUM> are all shown having a same size, the size, including the length, width, and thickness, of any of the metal members <NUM> can be varied as desired or needed. For example, different sized and/or shaped metal members <NUM> are provided in some examples to define different levels of adjustable magnetic attraction granularity, which can be based in part on the force of the hinge(s) <NUM> of the device <NUM>.

Additionally, in some examples, and as illustrated in the implementation of <FIG>, a metal member <NUM> is configured as a base magnetic attraction member that is larger than the metal members <NUM>. The metal member <NUM> is sized to define a starting point (size) for the magnetic interaction area <NUM>, which is below a defined threshold for the spine test <NUM>. However, as described in more detail herein, is some examples, predefined configurations for the magnetic interaction area <NUM> are used that include a defined number of metal pieces, which can be the metal members <NUM>, the metal member <NUM>, or other metal pieces.

In one example, each of the metal members <NUM> is formed from steel and is <NUM> millimeters (mm) in length, <NUM> in width and have a thickness of. <NUM>; and the metal member <NUM> are formed from steel and are each <NUM> in length, <NUM> in width, and. <NUM> in thickness. The dimensions are merely for illustration and can be changed as desired or needed. Also, the material from which the metal members <NUM> and metal member <NUM> are formed can be changed, such as being formed from steel, iron, nickel, and/or cobalt, which further allows for selective control of the amount of magnetic attraction. As other nonlimiting examples, the metal members <NUM> and metal member <NUM> can be formed from different types of metals, such as ferromagnetic, paramagnetic and diamagnetic metals. Thus, the size, shape, configuration, and/or materials of the metal members <NUM> and metal member <NUM> can be varied to selectively change the magnetic attraction of the magnetic interaction area <NUM>, thereby affecting the corresponding magnetic force needed to separate the portions of the device <NUM>.

The present disclosure allows for adjustment of the magnetic force of a foldable device in some examples by easily changing metal pieces that are attracted by magnets, to thereby control the opening force of the device. For example, <FIG> illustrates the body pieces of a portable computing device <NUM> that include a top outside cover <NUM>, a top inside cover <NUM>, a bottom inside cover <NUM>, and a bottom outside cover <NUM>. In this example, the top outside cover <NUM> and bottom outside cover <NUM> define the case or housing of the portable computing device <NUM>, with the top inside cover <NUM> and the bottom inside cover <NUM> defining the inside portions of the portable computing device <NUM>, such as the display screen and keyboard, respectively. It should be noted that none of the internal electronic components, such as the processors, battery, printed circuit boards, etc. are shown for ease in illustration.

With the present disclosure, metal pieces are added or removed from between the bottom inside cover <NUM> and the bottom outside cover <NUM> during manufacture and/or assembly to change the magnetic attraction of the bottom inside cover <NUM> and the bottom outside cover <NUM> to the top outside cover <NUM> and the top inside cover <NUM>, which in some examples includes a plurality of magnets therebetween and that magnetically couple with the metal pieces to create a magnetic force (e.g., opening force) for the portable computing device <NUM>. For example, as described herein, metal members <NUM> and/or <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) are selectively added along an inside edge <NUM> of the bottom outside cover <NUM>. It should be appreciated that the metal members <NUM> and/or <NUM> can be added along any portion of the inside edge <NUM> of the bottom outside cover <NUM> and can be configured in a symmetric or non-symmetric arrangement. Additionally, the metal members <NUM> and/or <NUM> can be provided along only one side of the inside edge <NUM> of the bottom outside cover <NUM> (e.g., front side edge) or along multiple sides of the inside edge <NUM> of the bottom outside cover <NUM>, such as along one or more of the left or right inside edges <NUM> (as viewed in <FIG>). In some example, the metal members <NUM> and/or <NUM> are positioned along the inside edge <NUM> of the bottom outside cover <NUM> based on a location of one or more magnetic elements (e.g., magnets) coupled with the top outside cover <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates one adjustable metal configuration that defines an opening force for the portable computing device <NUM>. It should be noted that in some examples, different variations are provided based on the type of device (e.g., manufacturer or model of the device) and/or based on the amount of magnetic force with which the particular device is out of specification. That is, different configurations or variations of the metal pieces, such as having the size and position of the metal pieces varied, are provided and used to tune the opening force of the device by compensating for the out of specification force. For example, a first configuration is provided if the magnetic force is out of specification about <NUM> newtons (N) and a second configuration is provided if the magnetic force is out of specification about <NUM> N. As should be appreciated, many additional configurations can be provided based on different out of specification values and can be customized for the particular device. Additionally, in some examples, the different configurations are designed to accommodate out of specification ranges of magnetic force to allow for easier selective adjustment of the metal pieces, such as removing or adding one or more metal pieces. In this way, magnetic force tuning is provided using different arrangements of the metal pieces that can be easily adjusted to ensure that the device satisfies the spine test <NUM> and the table test <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, and with continued reference to <FIG>, positioned with an opening <NUM> (e.g., a slot or pocket) of the inside edge <NUM> of the bottom outside cover <NUM> of the portable computing device <NUM> are a plurality of metal pieces that define one configuration to adjust the magnetic opening force of the portable computing device <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiments, three different metal members <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are coupled within the opening <NUM>, such as using double sided tape <NUM> (e.g., a strip of pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA)). It should be appreciated that any type of coupling can be used and double sided tape <NUM> is shown merely for illustration.

As can be seen, the metal members <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> have different sizes to allows for fine tuning the magnetic force. In one example, the metal members <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are preassembled (affixed) to one side of the double sided tape <NUM> to define a magnetic force compensation configuration. In this way, one or more of the metal members <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> can be removed before coupling within the opening <NUM>, such as by cutting the double sided tape <NUM> at one of the ends to remove the metal member <NUM> or one or more of the metal members <NUM>. In the illustrated configuration, the opening <NUM> has additional space for adding more metal members <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, or other sized metal pieces to adjust the magnetic closure force. It should be appreciated that the metal members <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> can be individually added or removed, as well as added or removed from different portions of the device, such as along different edge portions or non-edge portions of the device. In the illustrated example, the metal member <NUM> is configured as a base member that results in a base or minimum magnetic force to be applied.

The metal members <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> can have different sizes and shapes, and the number of each of the metal members <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, or other metal pieces, can be changed to define different configurations or variations, such as based on an amount of compensation to adjust the magnetic closure force to satisfy both the spine test <NUM> and the table test <NUM>. Thus, by adjusting applying the different configurations, such as by adding or removing one or more metal members <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, or other metal pieces, an easy adjustment for controlling the opening force of the device is provided.

As shown in <FIG>, illustrating a keyboard <NUM> of a portable electronic device, which in some examples is rotatably coupled to a display screen using a hinge, an edge element <NUM> is positioned along an edge <NUM> of a base <NUM> of the keyboard and is hidden inside the keyboard when a top portion <NUM> (having the keyboard keys) is coupled to the base <NUM>. As can be seen, the edge element <NUM> includes a plurality of metal members <NUM> (having different sizes) that are removable to adjust the magnetic closure force that will be applied between the keyboard <NUM> and another portion of the portable electronic device, such as the display screen portion. In some examples, different edge elements <NUM> are provided, each having a different configuration (e.g., preconfigured) of metal members <NUM> for easy installation along the edge <NUM> of the base <NUM>. However, in this configuration, one or more metal members <NUM> are configured to be added or removed as described herein. Moreover, while the edge element <NUM> is shown as a single pieces extending along the front and side edges <NUM> of the base <NUM>, multiple edge elements <NUM> can be provided, such as one having only the metal members <NUM> to define a particular magnetic attraction area.

<FIG> illustrates a flow chart of a method <NUM> for adjusting the magnetic opening force of a device. For example, by implementing the method <NUM>, one finger open experience results that allows a user to open the device (e.g., portable laptop computer) with a single finger, while also satisfying the spine test <NUM> and table test <NUM>. The operations illustrated in the flow chart described herein can be performed in a different order than is shown, can include additional or fewer steps and can be modified as desired or needed. Additionally, one or more operations can be performed simultaneously, concurrently or sequentially.

More particularly, and with reference also to <FIG>, the method <NUM> includes at <NUM>, assembling one or more base metal members (e.g., a default configuration) to a cover of an electronic device. For example, as described in more detail herein, one or more of metal members <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> in a defined configuration can be installed within a cover (which in some examples is a bottom cover) of the device, which can be selected based on the type of device. That is, based on the model or other characteristics of the electronic device, a particular configuration of metal members <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> is selected for initial assembly. In some examples, this includes using one base metal piece, but can also include additional ones of the metal members <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> depending on the particular electronic device. In one example, at <NUM>, a magnetic attraction area is defined that has a minimum or initial attraction level. However, in other examples, a defined configuration for the metal members <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> is installed based on similar devices (such as devices of the same model), which may or may not satisfy both the spine test <NUM> and table test <NUM>, but does not provide an overcompensating magnet force. That is, the assembled default magnets have a magnetic attraction based on the type of electronic device and known mechanical properties of the device, such as the hinge force of the hinge. The metal members are not permanently secured at this point to allow adjustments to be performed, as needed, as described below.

The method <NUM> includes installing the cover to the device at <NUM>. For example, with one or more of the metal members <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> installed in the cover, assembly continues with the cover being installed to the device. The installation includes, in some examples, coupling the cover, which defines one pivoting portion of the device, to another picoting portion of the device (e.g., the display screen portion) using a hinge. The assembly of the components to form the laptop computing device with pivoting portions is performed in various examples using portable computing device technology assembly techniques. It should be noted that at this point, the assembly is a preliminary or testing assembly process wherein, for example, not all the fastening members (e.g., screws) are used or fully tightened in order to allow subsequent adjustments, if needed, as described below. In some examples, none of the fastening members are used and the cover is coupled to the device using a temporary securing means, such as straps or other removable members.

The method <NUM> includes measuring an opening force of the device at <NUM>. That is, an opening force to overcome the magnetic attraction between the installed one or more metal members <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> and magnets in the device is measured. In one example, a force gauge is fixed to the cover and the cover opened to measure the opening force of the device (e.g., pull the display screen portion away from keyboard portion to overcome the magnetic attraction between the two portions).

A determination is then made at <NUM> whether the measured force meets a defined specification. For example, a determination is made whether the force allows the device to pass both the spine test <NUM> and the table test <NUM> (such as based on known force requirements for the device), which in some examples, includes determining whether the force also meets the one finger open table test, wherein a user is able to open the device while resting on a table with only one finger (without the base lifting). If the specification is not met, then at <NUM> an adjustment of the opening force is performed, such as to compensate for a difference in the hinge force for this device compared to a typical device of the same device type. For example, a hinge force for a particular device, while within manufacturing tolerances, can still fail the table test <NUM> with the installed metal members.

In the illustrated example, the adjustment of the opening force includes identifying an adjustment configuration at <NUM> based on the measurement performed at <NUM>. That is, based on the amount of force (N) that the device is out of specification, an adjustment configuration is identified to change the metal members in the device. This adjustment includes adding or removing one or more metal members <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> in some examples. In other examples, the adjustment includes removing a set of configured metal members <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> and replacing the set with a different set of metal members <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. That is, the adjustment can be performed by changing the configuration of the metal members <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> by removing or adding one or more metal members <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> or by replacing an entire set or subset thereof.

With the adjustment configuration determined, the cover of the device is removed and the adjustments performed, such as by changing the configuration of the metal members <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. This change includes adding or removing one or more of the metal members <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> in various examples. For example, one or more of the metal members <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are removed, and/or removed and replaced with one or more different metal members <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, or additional metal members <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are added.

The cover is then reinstalled on the device <NUM>, which is performed in the same manner as performed at <NUM>. The opening force is then again measured at <NUM> and a determination made at <NUM> whether the measured force meets the defined specification. If the defined specification is still not met, further adjustments are performed with the steps <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> repeated. If the defined specification is met, then the cover is securely installed on the device at <NUM>, such as by using screws or other permanent securing means. At this point, the assembled device has an adjusted magnetic force that is controlled to ensure that the spine test <NUM> and table test <NUM> are satisfied, and to allow one finger opening operation in various examples.

Variations and modifications are contemplated by the present disclosure. For example, the various elements, such as magnets or metal member, can be adjusted in different directions. As described above, magnets or metal members can be added or removed, such as in the x-direction or y-direction, thereby providing adjustment in the x-direction and/or y-direction. However, the present disclosure contemplates adjustments in the z-direction such as illustrated in <FIG>, which can be performed in addition to or alternatively to adjustments in the x-direction and/or y-direction. As illustrated in <FIG>, a plurality of metal metals are positioned within an opening <NUM> (e.g., a slot or pocket) in a stacked (z-direction) configuration. In this example, a base metal member <NUM> (e.g., steel member) is positioned within the opening <NUM> with one or more additional metal members <NUM> (three are shown) positioned on the base metal member <NUM>. In one example, the additional metal members <NUM> are steel foil members coupled to the base metal member with adhesive (or other securing means). It should be noted that additional or fewer metal members <NUM> can be provided for adjusting the magnetic force (e.g., opening force) of an electronic device. Thus, similar to adding metal members next to other members in a sideby-side configuration, metals members can be stacked to adjust the opening force.

As illustrated in <FIG>, a metal member is adjustably positioned within an opening <NUM> (e.g., a slot or pocket). In this example, a metal member <NUM> is positioned on a compressible member <NUM> (e.g., foam or spring) and secured within the opening <NUM> with fasteners <NUM> (e.g., bolts or screws). In operation, by tightening or loosening the fasteners <NUM>, the metal member <NUM> can be moved up or down in the z-direction. This movement allows for adjustment of the magnetic force. It should be appreciated that any type of fastener <NUM> or fastening arrangement can be used. In the illustrated example, the fastener <NUM> secures through an opening (not shown) of the metal member <NUM> and then into a bottom portion of the opening <NUM>, which can have holes (not shown) for receiving (e.g., screwing in) the end of the fasteners <NUM> (e.g., adjustable screws). Other fastening arrangements can be used.

As illustrated in <FIG>, with the adjustable configuration (such as shown in <FIG>), such as having screws that are accessible when the electronic device is closed, to thereby define an adjustable arrangement <NUM>, adjustments can be performed using a closed loop measurement plus adjustment process. For example, a metal member <NUM> is positioned within an opening <NUM> (e.g., a slot or pocket) on top of a compressible member <NUM> (e.g., foam or spring) and secured in the opening <NUM> by fasteners <NUM> (e.g., screws). As shown in <FIG>, a closed loop measurement plus adjustment configuration <NUM> allows for the use of a gauge <NUM> (e.g., a force gauge) positioned on an electronic device <NUM> having the adjustable arrangement <NUM> therein to perform force measurements and adjustments (e.g., tighten or loosen the fasteners <NUM>). That is, a method of adjustment includes performing force measurements when the electronic device <NUM> is closed and adjusting the accessible fasteners <NUM>. However, as should be appreciated, different measurement and adjustment mechanisms and devices can be used.

Thus, the present disclosure provides individually adjustable metal pieces that allow for controlling the opening force of an electronic device (e.g., laptop computer) to avoid a sub-optimal user experience, such as having the electronic device open in a transport bag (e.g., backpack) or not easily open, such as with one finer, when placed on a table.

The present disclosure is operable with a computing apparatus <NUM> (illustrated as a laptop computer) according to an embodiment as a functional block diagram <NUM> in <FIG>. In one example, components of the computing apparatus <NUM> can be implemented as a part of an electronic device according to one or more embodiments described in this specification having one or more metal pieces <NUM> to control the magnetic opening force. The computing apparatus <NUM> comprises one or more processors <NUM> which may be microprocessors, controllers or any other suitable type of processors for processing computer executable instructions to control the operation of the electronic device. Platform software comprising an operating system <NUM> or any other suitable platform software may be provided on the apparatus <NUM> to enable application software <NUM> to be executed on the device.

Computer executable instructions can be provided using any computer-readable media that are accessible by the computing apparatus <NUM>. Computer-readable media can include, for example, computer storage media such as a memory <NUM> and communications media. Computer storage media, such as the memory <NUM>, include volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or the like. Computer storage media include, but are not limited to, RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other nontransmission medium that can be used to store information for access by a computing apparatus. In contrast, communication media may embody computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or the like in a modulated data signal, such as a carrier wave, or other transport mechanism. As defined herein, computer storage media do not include communication media. Therefore, a computer storage medium should not be interpreted to be a propagating signal per se. Propagated signals per se are not examples of computer storage media. Although the computer storage medium (the memory <NUM>) is shown within the computing apparatus <NUM>, it will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art, that the storage can be distributed or located remotely and accessed via a network or other communication link (e.g. using a communication interface <NUM>).

The computing apparatus <NUM> can comprise an input/output controller <NUM> configured to output information to one or more input devices <NUM> and output devices <NUM>, for example a display or a speaker, which can be separate from or integral to the electronic device. The input/output controller <NUM> can also be configured to receive and process an input from the one or more input devices <NUM>, for example, a keyboard, a microphone or a touchpad. In one embodiment, the output device <NUM> can also act as the input device <NUM>. An example of such a device can be a touch sensitive display. The input/output controller <NUM> can also output data to devices other than the output device <NUM>, e.g. a locally connected printing device. In some embodiments, a user can provide input to the input device(s) <NUM> and/or receive output from the output device(s) <NUM>.

In some examples, the computing apparatus <NUM> detects voice input, user gestures or other user actions and provides a natural user interface (NUI). This user input can be used to author electronic ink, view content, select ink controls, play videos with electronic ink overlays and for other purposes. The input/output controller <NUM> outputs data to devices other than a display device in some examples, e.g. a locally connected printing device.

NUI technology enables a user to interact with the computing apparatus <NUM> in a natural manner, free from artificial constraints imposed by input devices such as mice, keyboards, remote controls and the like. Examples of NUI technology that are provided in some examples include but are not limited to those relying on voice and/or speech recognition, touch and/or stylus recognition (touch sensitive displays), gesture recognition both on screen and adjacent to the screen, air gestures, head and eye tracking, voice and speech, vision, touch, gestures, and machine intelligence. Other examples of NUI technology that are used in some examples include intention and goal understanding systems, motion gesture detection systems using depth cameras (such as stereoscopic camera systems, infrared camera systems, red green blue (rgb) camera systems and combinations of these), motion gesture detection using accelerometers/gyroscopes, facial recognition, three dimensional (3D) displays, head, eye and gaze tracking, immersive augmented reality and virtual reality systems and technologies for sensing brain activity using electric field sensing electrodes (electro encephalogram (EEG) and related methods).

The functionality described herein can be performed, at least in part, by one or more hardware logic components. According to an example, the computing apparatus <NUM> is configured by the program code when executed by the processor(s) <NUM> to execute the embodiments of the operations and functionality described. For example, and without limitation, illustrative types of hardware logic components that can be used include FPGAs, ASICs, ASSPs, SOCs, CPLDs, and GPUs.

At least a portion of the functionality of the various elements in the figures can be performed by other elements in the figures, or an entity (e.g., processor, web service, server, application program, computing device, etc.) not shown in the figures.

Examples of well-known computing systems, environments, and/or configurations that may be suitable for use with aspects of the disclosure include, but are not limited to, mobile or portable computing devices (e.g., smartphones), personal computers, server computers, hand-held (e.g., tablet) or laptop devices, multiprocessor systems, gaming consoles or controllers, microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes, programmable consumer electronics, mobile telephones, mobile computing and/or communication devices in wearable or accessory form factors (e.g., watches, glasses, headsets, or earphones), network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, distributed computing environments that include any of the above systems or devices, and the like. In general, the disclosure is operable with any device with processing capability such that it can execute instructions such as those described herein. Such systems or devices can accept input from the user in any way, including from input devices such as a keyboard or pointing device, via gesture input, proximity input (such as by hovering), and/or via voice input.

The computer-executable instructions can be organized into one or more computer-executable components or modules. Aspects of the disclosure can be implemented with any number and organization of such components or modules. Other examples of the disclosure can include different computer-executable instructions or components having more or less functionality than illustrated and described herein.

Other examples include:
A foldable electronic device comprising:.

Other examples include:
A method for adjusting an opening force of a foldable electronic device, the method comprising:.

Any range or device value given herein can be extended or altered without losing the effect sought, as will be apparent to the skilled person.

It will be understood that the benefits and advantages described above can relate to one embodiment or can relate to several embodiments.

The embodiments illustrated and described herein as well as embodiments not specifically described herein but within the scope of aspects of the claims constitute exemplary means for training a neural network. The illustrated one or more processors <NUM> together with the computer program code stored in memory <NUM> constitute exemplary processing means for allowing switching between multiple keyboard layouts.

In some examples, the operations illustrated in the figures can be implemented as software instructions encoded on a computer readable medium, in hardware programmed or designed to perform the operations, or both. For example, aspects of the disclosure can be implemented as a system on a chip or other circuitry including a plurality of interconnected, electrically conductive elements.

That is, the operations can be performed in any order, unless otherwise specified, and examples of the disclosure can include additional or fewer operations than those disclosed herein.

The terms "comprising," "including," and "having" are intended to be inclusive and mean that there can be additional elements other than the listed elements.

Claim 1:
A foldable electronic device (<NUM>) comprising:
a first portion (<NUM>);
a second portion (<NUM>);
a spine having a hinge (<NUM>) connecting the first portion and the second portion, the hinge configured to allow pivoting movement of the first portion relative to the second portion, the hinge having a hinge force;
one or more magnets (<NUM>) coupled to the first portion; and
a plurality of metal members (<NUM>) coupled to the second portion, characterized in that
each metal member of the plurality of metal members is configured for individual removal from the second portion to define a magnetic force corresponding to the hinge force such that the first and second portions remain closed in a spine supported position with the first and second portions supported on the spine, (<NUM>) and are separable in a table supported position (<NUM>) with the first portion moving and the second portion supported on a surface and remaining stationary and on the surface in response to an opening force applied to the first portion.