PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-12127651-B1
Application Number: US-202016919000-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B1

Title: Items with hidden magnets

Abstract:
Items such as enclosures may be provided with hidden magnets. An enclosure may be formed from a flexible housing layer. The flexible housing layer may be configured to open and close by folding around fold axes. Portions of the flexible layer may include a flexible base layer with openings. Flexible magnets may be embedded within the openings. The flexible magnets may be used in forming a magnetic clasp for the enclosure. The flexible magnets may each have a height and durometer value that closely matches the height and durometer value of an adjacent portion of the flexible base layer, thereby helping to hide the flexible magnets within the housing layer.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An enclosure configured to receive an electronic device, comprising:
 a bendable layer that is configured to open and close and that has first and second portions; and 
 a magnetic clasp formed from a magnet in the second portion of the bendable layer, wherein the bendable layer comprises a polymer base layer and first and second covering layers, wherein the magnet comprises a flexible magnet embedded in the polymer base layer, wherein the polymer base layer with the embedded flexible magnet is interposed between the first and second covering layers, wherein the second portion of the bendable layer folds about a fold axis and covers the first portion of the bendable layer in a closed state of the enclosure, and wherein the second portion of the bendable layer is unfolded about the fold axis in an open state of the enclosure. 
 
     
     
       2. The enclosure defined in  claim 1  further comprising a first adhesive layer that attaches the first covering layer to a first surface of the polymer base layer with the embedded flexible magnet and a second adhesive layer that attaches the second covering layer to an opposing second surface of the polymer base layer with the embedded flexible magnet. 
     
     
       3. The enclosure defined in  claim 2  wherein the embedded flexible magnet is embedded in the polymer base layer using a one-sided construction in which a portion of the polymer base layer extends between the first covering layer and the embedded flexible magnet. 
     
     
       4. The enclosure defined in  claim 2  wherein the embedded flexible magnet is embedded in the polymer base layer using a double-sided construction in which the embedded flexible magnet extends uninterrupted between the first and second adhesive layers. 
     
     
       5. The enclosure defined in  claim 2  wherein the embedded flexible magnet is embedded in the polymer base layer using a sandwich construction in which a first portion of the polymer base layer extends between the first covering layer and a first surface of the embedded flexible magnet and wherein a second portion of the polymer base layer extends between the second covering layer and an opposing second surface of the embedded flexible magnet. 
     
     
       6. The enclosure defined in  claim 1  wherein the flexible magnet comprises a disk-shaped magnet. 
     
     
       7. The enclosure defined in  claim 1  wherein the flexible magnet comprises magnetic particles embedded in elastomeric polymer. 
     
     
       8. The enclosure defined in  claim 7  wherein the elastomeric polymer comprises nitrile-butadiene rubber. 
     
     
       9. The enclosure defined in  claim 1  wherein the flexible magnet has a first durometer value and wherein the polymer base layer has a second durometer value that varies by less than 50% relative to the first durometer value. 
     
     
       10. The enclosure defined in  claim 1  wherein the bendable layer has a first thickness overlapping the flexible magnet, wherein the bendable layer exhibits a step height between the first thickness and a second thickness of an adjacent portion of the bendable layer, and wherein the step height is less than 0.05 mm. 
     
     
       11. The enclosure defined in  claim 1  wherein the bendable layer is configured to bend about first and second additional fold axes to close over the electronic device. 
     
     
       12. The enclosure defined in  claim 1  wherein the polymer base layer with the embedded flexible magnet is attached to the first covering layer and wherein the flexible magnet is hidden from view beneath the first covering layer. 
     
     
       13. The enclosure defined in  claim 12  wherein the first covering layer comprises polymer. 
     
     
       14. The enclosure defined in  claim 12  wherein the first covering layer comprises a microfiber layer. 
     
     
       15. The enclosure defined in  claim 1 , wherein the bendable layer has a third portion that folds about an additional fold axis and covers the first portion of the bendable layer in the closed state. 
     
     
       16. The enclosure defined in  claim 15 , wherein the magnetic clasp is formed from an additional magnet in the third portion of the bendable layer and wherein the magnet in the second portion of the bendable layer is attracted to the additional magnet in the third portion of the bendable layer. 
     
     
       17. The enclosure defined in  claim 16 , wherein the first portion of the bendable layer is a main portion of the bendable layer, the second portion of the bendable layer is a top portion of the bendable layer, and the third portion of the bendable layer is a left portion of the bendable layer or a right portion of the bendable layer. 
     
     
       18. An enclosure configured to receive an electronic device, comprising:
 a bendable layer that is configured to open and close; and 
 a magnetic clasp formed from a magnet in the bendable layer, wherein the bendable layer comprises a polymer base layer, wherein the magnet comprises a flexible magnet embedded in the polymer base layer, wherein the flexible magnet has a first durometer value, and wherein the polymer base layer has a second durometer value that varies by less than 50% relative to the first durometer value. 
 
     
     
       19. An enclosure configured to receive an electronic device, comprising:
 a bendable layer that is configured to open and close; and 
 a magnetic clasp formed from a magnet in the bendable layer, wherein the bendable layer comprises a polymer base layer, wherein the magnet comprises a flexible magnet embedded in the polymer base layer, wherein the bendable layer has a first thickness overlapping the flexible magnet, wherein the bendable layer exhibits a step height between the first thickness and a second thickness of an adjacent portion of the bendable layer, and wherein the step height is less than 0.05 mm.

Description:
FIELD 
     This relates generally to magnets, and, more particularly, to items with hidden magnets. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Items such as removable covers and other enclosures may have magnets. For example, magnets may be used to form magnetic clasps. 
     SUMMARY 
     Items such as enclosures may be provided with hidden magnets. An enclosure may be used to receive and store an electronic device such as a pair of headphones or other electronic equipment. 
     An enclosure may be formed from a flexible housing layer. The flexible housing layer may be configured to open and close by folding around fold axes. For example, the flexible housing may have flaps that fold along three respective axes to enclose and cover a pair of headphones or other electronic device. 
     The flexible housing layer may include a flexible base layer with openings. The openings may be circular openings or openings of other shapes. Flexible magnets may be embedded within the openings. In an illustrative configuration, the flexible base layer and the flexible magnets may be formed from thermoset polymer that is compressed and heated between mating plates in a tool, thereby curing the polymer and forming a unitary flexible layer with embedded magnets. Covering layers may be attached with adhesive to opposing sides of the flexible base layer with embedded magnets. 
     The flexible magnets may be used in forming a magnetic clasp for the enclosure. The magnetic clasp may, for example, be used to hold down a flap of the flexible housing layer. To hide the flexible magnets within the housing layer and thereby enhance the appearance of the enclosure, the flexible magnets may have heights and durometer values that closely match the height and durometer value of adjacent portions of the flexible base laver. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a top view of an illustrative item with magnets in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG.  2    is a cross-sectional front view of the illustrative item of  FIG.  1    in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG.  3    is a cross-sectional side view of an illustrative layer with an embedded magnet in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG.  4    is a top view of an illustrative magnet embedded in a layer of material in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG.  5    is a cross-sectional side view of an illustrative magnet being embedded into a layer of material by a tool that is using upper and lower plates to apply pressure to the magnet and layer of material in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG.  6    is a top view of a portion of an illustrative layer with an elongated strip-shaped embedded magnet in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG.  7    is a cross-sectional side view of two layers in an item with mating magnets in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIGS.  8 ,  9 , and  10    are cross-sectional side views of illustrative layers with embedded magnets in accordance with embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Items such as enclosures and other items may be provided with magnets. For example, an enclosure may be provided with one or more magnets to form a magnetic clasp or other magnetic closure. A magnetic clasp may allow the enclosure to be opened to receive an electronic device or other contents and may be closed when it is desired to store the device or other contents in the interior of the enclosure. 
     In general, any suitable items may be provided with magnets. These items may include, for example, items of furniture, items of clothing, structures in embedded systems such as vehicles (e.g., compartments in vehicles), wrist straps for wristwatches, head straps for head-mounted devices, armbands and other wearable items, and/or other items. Configurations in which items such as enclosures are provided with magnets may sometimes be described herein as examples. 
     Examples of enclosures that may be provided with magnets such as magnets for clasps or other closures include handbags, wallets, backpacks, removable covers (sometimes referred to as cases) for electronic devices, covers for other equipment, and/or other enclosures for receiving and storing items. Enclosures such as removable electronic devices covers with magnetic clasps may sometimes be described herein as an example. 
     An illustrative enclosure is shown in  FIG.  1   . As shown in  FIG.  1   , enclosure  10  may be formed from a layer of material such as flexible layer  12 . Layer  12  may have a main portion such as portion  12 M, a left portion such as left portion  12 L that folds over the left of portion  12 M about fold axis  16 , a right portion such as right portion  12 R that folds over the right of portion  12 M about fold axis  18 , and a top portion such as top portion  12 T that folds over main portion  12 M about fold axis  20 . Layer  12 , which may sometimes be referred to as a housing wall, housing structure, enclosure wall, enclosure wall layer, enclosure housing, etc., may be formed from one or more flexible layers of material. Configurations in which enclosure  10  has rigid structures (e.g., a rigid internal frame member, rigid housing wall structures, etc.) may be used, if desired. Illustrative configurations in which enclosure  10  is formed from flexible layer  12  are described herein as an example. 
     Enclosure  10  is configured to receive and store contents such as electronic device  22 . In the configuration of  FIG.  1   , enclosure  10  is in its open state in which portions  12 L.  12 R, and  12 T are all unfolded to reveal electronic device  22 . Electronic device  22  may be a pair of headphones, a cellular telephone, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a head-mounted or other electronic equipment. Enclosures such as enclosure  10  may also be used to store and protect other items (e.g., non-electronic items). The use of enclosure  10  to store electronic equipment such as a portable electronic device is illustrative. 
     As shown in  FIG.  1   , enclosure  10  may include magnets  14 . Magnets  14  may be used to form a magnetic clasp or other closure. In an illustrative configuration, magnets  14  on one portion of layer  12  attract corresponding magnets  14  on another portion of layer  12  when enclosure  10  is in its closed state. 
       FIG.  2    is a cross-sectional side view of enclosure  10  in its closed state. As shown in  FIG.  2   , in its closed state, layer  12  is folded around device  22  to protect and store device  22 . In particular, portion  12 L may be folded to the right about axis  16  to cover a left portion of device  22  and main portion  12 M. Portion  12 R may be folded to the left about axis  18  to cover a right portion of device  22  and main portion  12 M. After folding portions  12 L and  12 R closed in this way about axes  16  and  18 , respectively, portion  12 T may be folded about axis  20  to close enclosure  10  around device  22 . 
     As the example of  FIGS.  1  and  2    demonstrates, magnets  14  may form a magnetic closure for enclosure  10 . In particular, a pair of magnets  14  in portion  12 T may mate with corresponding magnets  14  in left portion  14 L and right portion  14 R to secure portion  12 T on portions  12 L and  12 R and thereby help prevent enclosure  10  from inadvertently opening. In general, there may be any suitable number of magnets  14  in enclosure  10  (e.g., at least one, at least two, at least three, at least four, at least six, fewer than 20, fewer than ten, etc.). Magnets  14  may mate with other magnets (e.g., magnets with opposing poles) and/or magnets  14  may be magnetically attracted to non-magnetized magnetic material (e.g., non-magnetized ferromagnetic material such as non-magnetized iron). For example, a magnetic closure may be formed from a single magnet that is attracted to a non-magnetized iron bar. Configurations in which magnets  14  mate with corresponding magnets  14  may sometimes be described herein as an example. 
     It may be desirable to help visually and physically hide magnets  14 . Physical hiding of magnets  14  (e.g., so that magnets  14  are not noticeable to the touch) may help enhance the way in which enclosure  10  feels when handled by a user. Visual hiding of magnets  14  may enhance the appearance of enclosure  10 . 
     In configurations in which layer  12  is flexible to facilitate bending of portions of layer  12  about fold axes such as axes  16 ,  18 , and  20 , it may be desirable for magnets  14  to be flexible magnets. Configuring magnets  14  so that the flexibility of magnets  14  matches the flexibility of surrounding structures in enclosure  10  may help physically mask the presence of magnets  14  to the user and thereby make it feel as though layer  12  and/or other portions of enclosure  10  are formed from a single uniform structure, uninterrupted by magnets. For example, layer  14  may be formed from a soft flexible layer and magnets  14  may have a hardness that identically or closely matches the hardness of this soft flexible layer, thereby physically hiding the presence of magnets  14  from the user. 
     To help hide magnets  14  from view and thereby enhance the appearance of enclosure  10 , magnets  14  may embedded in layer  12 . A cross-sectional side view of layer  12  in an illustrative configuration in which magnets  14  has been embedded in layer  12  is shown in  FIG.  3   . As shown in  FIG.  3   , magnets  14  may be formed from a layer of magnetic material having magnetic particles  14 P embedded in a polymer binder or other matrix material such as matrix material  14 M. Magnetic particles  14 P may be formed from a magnetizable powder (e.g., a ferrite powder or a powder of other magnetic material, sometimes referred to as magnetic particle filler or magnetic filler). After embedding magnetic filler material such as particles  14 P in matrix  14 M, a strong external magnetic field is applied to magnetize particles  14 P and thereby form a permanent magnetic structure for magnet  14 . 
     The durometer (or elasticity) of the polymer making up magnets  14  may be identical or similar to the durometer (or elasticity) of surrounding materials in layer  12  to help physically hide the presence of magnets  14 . As an example, magnet  14  may have a Shore A hardness of 90 and surrounding adjacent material in layer  14  may have a Shore A hardness of 60 (e.g., magnets  14  may have a durometer value or a modulus of elasticity value that varies by less than 50%, less than 30%, less than 15%, or other suitable amount relative to that of surrounding materials). These surrounding materials may include one or more sublayers of material such as layers  24 . For example, layers  24  may include a layer of matching or nearly matching durometer hardness that is completely or partly coplanar with the layer of material from which magnets  14  are formed. Layers  24  may also include one or more additional layers such as adhesive layers, structural layers, protective films, cosmetic covering layers, etc. Layers  24  may be formed from polymer, fabric, metal, leather or other natural materials, bonded leather, glass, ceramic, etc. Adhesive layers, welds, fasteners such as rivets or screws, engagement structures such as snaps, and/or other attachment structures may be used in attaching layers  24  together. 
     If desired, magnets  14  may be cut (e.g., die cut, laser cut, etc.) from a layer of magnetic material (e.g., a layer of polymer matrix  14 M in which magnetic filler such as magnetic particles  14 P has been embedded). A mating layer of material for layer  14  (e.g., a coplanar layer of material) may be provided with mating openings. The openings may have the same size and shape as the shape of the magnets that have been cut from the layer of magnetic material, allowing these cut magnetic members to be received within the openings. 
     Consider, as an example, the illustrative configuration of  FIG.  4   . As shown in  FIG.  4   , layer  12  may include magnet  14 . In the example of  FIG.  4   , magnet  14  has a disk shape and has been die cut from a layer of polymer matrix  14 M with embedded particles  14 P. Other magnet shapes may be used, if desired. In the  FIG.  4    arrangement, layer  12  includes layer  24 NM (e.g., a polymer layer). Layer  24 NM, which may sometimes be referred to as a base layer, a midlayer, a middle layer, a coplanar layer, an internal layer, a filler layer, a polymer layer, etc., may lie in a common plane with magnets  14  (e.g., magnets  14  may be fully or partly coplanar with layer  24 NM and may be embedded within layer  24 NM in layer  12 ). The thickness of layer  24 NM (and of magnets  14 ) may be 0.6-2.4 mm, at least 0.3 mm, at least 0.5 mm, at least 0.7 mm at least 1.0 mm, 1.2 mm less than 4 mm, less than 3 mm, less than 1.8 mm, or less than 1.4 mm (as examples). 
     Layer  24 NM may have a durometer value that matches or nearly matches the durometer value of magnet  14 , thereby helping to physically hide magnet  14  within layer  24 NM. In preparation for receiving the disk-shaped die-cut magnetic member that forms magnet  14 , layer  24 NM may be provided with openings of the same shape and size as the disks forming magnets  14  (e.g., layer  24 NM may be provided with circular holes that are configured to receive magnets  14 ). 
     After inserting the disk-shaped magnetic members of matrix  14 M and particles  14 P, into the mating holes of layer  24 NM, these structures may be compressed between heated tool members  26 , as shown in  FIG.  5   . The polymer material making up matrix  14 M may be the same material that makes up layer  24 NM or may be a different material. Thermoset and/or thermoplastic polymer materials may be used. In an illustrative configuration, matrix  14 M and layer  24 NM are composed of uncured or partly cured thermoset polymer having a rubbery consistency. Thermoset materials may exhibit good reliability and a satisfactory hand feel. An Example of a thermoset material that may be used in forming layer  24 NM and matrix  14 M is nitrile-butadiene rubber (sometimes referred to nitrile rubber). 
     The process of applying heat and pressure with tool members  26  (e.g., heated metal plates) of  FIG.  5   , which may sometimes be referred to as top and bottom plates or mold dies, allows these two materials to soften and flow slightly into each other while curing. Following curing, a high strength magnetic field may be applied to magnets  14  to magnetize magnets  14  in a desired pattern. In this way a single integral layer of flexible polymer with an embedded flexible magnet (or multiple magnets) is formed. 
     To help hide magnets  14  within layer  12 , there may be a minimal step height difference between magnet  14  and co-planar layer  24 NM. For example, the difference in the height (thickness) between magnet  14  and layer  24 NM may, in some configurations, be less than 0.1 mm, less than 0.05 mm, or less than 0.02 mm (as examples). Arrangements in which the step height difference is particularly small (e.g., less than 0.05 mm) may be preferred to help avoid creating a visible and physically detectable magnet-shaped outline on the surface of layer  14 . 
     Magnets formed using the illustrative technique of  FIG.  5    may have any suitable shape. As shown in  FIG.  6   , for example, elongated magnetic shapes such as elongated strip shapes may be used in forming magnet  14 . In general, magnets  14  may have outlines with curved edges, straight edges, square shapes, rectangular shapes, triangular shapes, circular shapes, etc. The circular magnet shape of  FIG.  4    and the strip-shaped magnet shape of  FIG.  6    are illustrative. 
     Mating magnets  14  may be configured to have opposing poles. For example, if a first half of a clasp is formed from a magnet with an exposed north pole, a second mating half of the clasp may be formed from a magnet with an opposing exposed south pole, so that the first and second halves of the clasp attract each other. If desired, a group of magnets  14  may be formed in layer  12 , as shown in  FIG.  7   . These magnets may each have poles that oppose the poles of mating magnets in a magnetic closure. The magnetic poles of magnets  14  on one part of a closure may all be arranged in the same direction or, as shown in  FIG.  7   , an array of magnets  14  may have magnet poles arranged in an alternating pattern or other pattern. 
       FIGS.  8 ,  9 , and  10    are cross-sectional side views of layer  12  in three respective illustrative configurations. Magnets  14  of layers  12  of  FIGS.  8 ,  9 , and  10    may be used in forming a magnetic clasp or other closure for enclosure  10  and/or may be used in forming other magnetic structures. 
     Magnets  14  may be embedded within co-planar base layer  24 NM and covered with one or more covering layers (e.g., cosmetic covering layers) to help visually hide magnets  14  (e.g., so that a user of enclosure  10  does not visually notice magnets  14 ). As shown in  FIG.  8   , for example, layer  12  may have outwardly facing covering layers  24 C on opposing sides of base layer  24 NM and embedded magnets  14 . Covering layers  24 C, which may sometimes be referred to as outer layers, cosmetic layers, surface layers, external layers, etc., may be attached to the opposing surfaces of layer  24 NM by interposed polymer adhesive layers  24 A and may form the outermost surface of layer  14 . 
     Covering layers  24 C may include materials such as fabric layers, microfiber layers (e.g., microfiber cloth and/or microfibers embedded into the surface of a polymer layer), polymer layers with embedded woven or knit fabric (e.g., elastomeric polymer such as thermoplastic polyurethane into which a knit strengthening fabric has been embedded), metal layers (e.g., solid metal foil or mesh), layers of leather, bonded leather, adhesive layers, other layers, combinations of these layers, etc. The material(s) making up covering layers  24 C′ may be the same on the inside and outside of enclosure  10  or layer  12  may have a first covering layer (e.g., a covering layer with a smooth polymer exterior surface) on one side of enclosure  10  (e.g., the external side) and an opposing second covering layer that is different than the first covering layer (e.g., a covering layer with a smooth microfiber surface) on an opposing side of enclosure  10  (e.g., the internal side of enclosure  10 ). 
     In the arrangement of  FIG.  8   , which may sometimes be referred to as a one-sided construction, magnet  14  faces towards the lower covering layer  24 C and is covered by a thin portion (thin layer  24 NM′) of layer  24 NM. The thickness of layer  24 NM′ may be 0.2-0.3 mm, at least 0.5 mm, at least 0.1, less than 0.6 mm, less than 0.4 mm, or other suitable thickness. Layer  24 NM′ is integral with adjacent portions of layer  24 NM. The presence of layer  24 NM′ between magnet  14  and overlapping portions of layer  24 C may therefore help ensure that there is no step height difference between the portion of layer  12  over magnet  14  and the remaining portions of layer  12 . This may help hide magnet  14 . 
     In the illustrative arrangement of  FIG.  9   , which may sometimes be referred to as a double-sided construction, layer  24 NM′ of  FIG.  8    is absent. Instead, matrix material  14 M of magnet  14  extends without interruption between the inner surfaces of opposing adhesive layers  24 A (e.g., the matrix of magnet  14  directly contacts adhesive  24 A). In this type of arrangement, layer  24 NM and the layer of matrix material forming magnet  14  preferably have the same height (e.g., within 0.05 mm or other suitable tolerance). 
     Another illustrative arrangement for layer  12  is shown in  FIG.  10   . In the arrangement of  FIG.  10   , which may sometimes be referred to as a sandwich construction, magnet  14  faces towards the lower covering layer  24 C and is covered on both sides by thin portions of layer  24 NM. In particular, there may be a thin layer (layer  24 NM′) of layer  24 NM above magnet  14  and a thin layer (layer  24 NM″) of layer  24 NM below magnet  14 . The matrix of magnet  14  is therefore encased on all sides by the material of layer  24 NM. The thickness of layers  24 NM′ and  24 NM″ may be 0.2-0.3 mm, at least 0.5 mm, at least 0.1, less than 0.6 mm, less than 0.4 mm, or other suitable thickness. The presence of layers  24 NM′ and  24 NM″, which are formed as integral portions of layer  24 NM, may help hide magnet  14  by reducing or eliminating any step height difference between the portion of layer  12  over magnet  14  and the remaining portions of layer  12 . 
     As described above, one aspect of the present technology is use of an electronic device, which may involve the gathering and use of information such as information from input-output devices. The present disclosure contemplates that in some instances, data may be gathered that includes personal information data that uniquely identifies or can be used to contact or locate a  1   o  specific person. Such personal information data can include demographic data, location-based data, telephone numbers, email addresses, twitter ID&#39;s, home addresses, data or records relating to a user&#39;s health or level of fitness (e.g., vital signs measurements, medication information, exercise information), date of birth, username, password, biometric information, or any other identifying or personal information. 
     The present disclosure recognizes that the use of such personal information, in the present technology, can be used to the benefit of users. For example, the personal information data can be used to deliver targeted content that is of greater interest to the user. Accordingly, use of such personal information data enables users to calculated control of the delivered content. Further, other uses for personal information data that benefit the user are also contemplated by the present disclosure. For instance, health and fitness data may be used to provide insights into a user&#39;s general wellness, or may be used as positive feedback to individuals using technology to pursue wellness goals. 
     The present disclosure contemplates that the entities responsible for the collection, analysis, disclosure, transfer, storage, or other use of such personal information data will comply with well-established privacy policies and/or privacy practices. In particular, such entities should implement and consistently use privacy policies and practices that are generally recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or governmental requirements for maintaining personal information data private and secure. Such policies should be easily accessible by users, and should be updated as the collection and/or use of data changes. Personal information from users should be collected for legitimate and reasonable uses of the entity and not shared or sold outside of those legitimate uses. Further, such collection/sharing should occur after receiving the informed consent of the users. Additionally, such entities should consider taking any needed steps for safeguarding and securing access to such personal information data and ensuring that others with access to the personal information data adhere to their privacy policies and procedures. Further, such entities can subject themselves to evaluation by third parties to certify their adherence to widely accepted privacy policies and practices. In addition, policies and practices should be adapted for the particular types of personal information data being collected and/or accessed and adapted to applicable laws and standards, including jurisdiction-specific considerations. For instance, in the United States, collection of or access to certain health data may be governed by federal and/or state laws, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), whereas health data in other countries may be subject to other regulations and policies and should be handled accordingly. Hence different privacy practices should be maintained for different personal data types in each country. 
     Despite the foregoing, the present disclosure also contemplates embodiments in which users selectively block the use of, or access to, personal information data. That is, the present disclosure contemplates that hardware and/or software elements can be provided to prevent or block access to such personal information data. For example, the present technology can be configured to allow users to select to “opt in” or “opt out” of participation in the collection of personal information data during registration for services or anytime thereafter. In another example, users can select not to provide certain types of user data. In yet another example, users can select to limit the length of time user-specific data is maintained. In addition to providing “opt in” and “opt out” options, the present disclosure contemplates providing notifications relating to the access or use of personal information. For instance, a user may be notified upon downloading an application (“app”) that their personal information data will be accessed and then reminded again just before personal information data is accessed by the app. 
     Moreover, it is the intent of the present disclosure that personal information data should be managed and handled in a way to minimize risks of unintentional or unauthorized access or use. Risk can be minimized by limiting the collection of data and deleting data once it is no longer needed. In addition, and when applicable, including in certain health related applications, data de-identification can be used to protect a user&#39;s privacy. De-identification may be facilitated, when appropriate, by removing specific identifiers (e.g., date of birth, etc.), controlling the amount or specificity of data stored (e.g., collecting location data at a city level rather than at an address level), controlling how data is stored (e.g., aggregating data across users), and/or other methods. 
     Therefore, although the present disclosure broadly covers use of information that may include personal information data to implement one or more various disclosed embodiments, the present disclosure also contemplates that the various embodiments can also be implemented without the need for accessing personal information data. That is, the various embodiments of the present technology are not rendered inoperable due to the lack of all or a portion of such personal information data. 
     The foregoing is merely illustrative and various modifications can be made to the described embodiments. The foregoing embodiments may be implemented individually or in any combination.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20200701
Publication Date: 20241029
Grant Date: 20241029
Priority Date: 20200701
Inventors: TRINCIA, NICHOLAS R.
SUN, CHIHCHEN
Ji, Qigen
ZHOU, YANG
WITHROW, JENNA L.
PICKUP, JACK
HOOVER, JOSHUA A.
Assignee: APPLE INC
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Family ID: 93217088