PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-10139868-B2
Application Number: US-201213624868-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Cover for electronic device

Abstract:
A protective covering for an electronic device such as a tablet computer. In various embodiments, to protective covering may cover both front and rear surfaces of the electronic device, as well as from and rear surfaces of an associated keyboard. Additionally, certain configuration for the protective covering may operate to trigger a sleep mode for the keyboard.

Claims:
I claim: 
     
       1. A tablet computer accessory, comprising:
 a cover operable in at least an open configuration and in a closed configuration, the cover comprising:
 a middle section having a centerline and comprising:
 an interior surface configured to attach to a rear surface of a tablet computer; and 
 an exterior surface opposite the interior surface; 
 
 a first end section comprising a keyboard and coupled to the middle section by a first lateral hinge, the first lateral hinge permitting the first end section to fold over the exterior surface of the middle section toward the centerline in the open configuration and to fold over the interior surface of the middle section toward the centerline when in the closed configuration; and 
 a second end section coupled to the middle section by a second lateral hinge, the second lateral hinge permitting the second end section to fold over the exterior surface of the middle section toward the centerline in the open configuration and to fold over the interior surface of the middle section toward the centerline when in the closed configuration; and 
 
 a closure comprising:
 a first closure component coupled to the first end section; and 
 a second closure component coupled to the second end section; wherein 
 the closure is communicably coupled to the keyboard and configured to electrically disable the keyboard independently from powering off the tablet computer when the first closure component meets the second closure component when the cover is in the closed configuration. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The tablet computer accessory of  claim 1 , wherein in the closed configuration, the first and second closure components meet substantially at the centerline. 
     
     
       3. The tablet computer accessory of  claim 1 , wherein in the open configuration, the first and second closure components meet substantially at the centerline. 
     
     
       4. The tablet computer accessory of  claim 1 , wherein the cover has a standing configuration in which the first end section folds to meet the second lateral hinge. 
     
     
       5. The tablet computer accessory of  claim 1 , further comprising a central hinge at the centerline of the middle section, the central hinge allowing the cover to fold such that a first half of the cover is allowed to rotate about the central hinge relative to a second half of the cover. 
     
     
       6. The tablet computer accessory of  claim 5 , wherein the first lateral hinge coincides with a first midline of the first half of the cover such that the first lateral hinge divides the first half of the cover into the first end section and a first middle subsection;
 the second lateral hinge coincides with a second midline of the second half of the cover such that the second lateral hinge divides the second half of the cover into the second end section and a second middle subsection; 
 the keyboard attaches to the interior surface of the cover at the first end section; and 
 the interior surface of the cover is configured to attach to the tablet computer at the first and second middle subsections. 
 
     
     
       7. The tablet computer accessory of  claim 6 , wherein the one of the first or the second middle subsection is configured to fixedly attach to the tablet computer and one of the first or the second middle subsection is configured to detachably attach to the tablet computer. 
     
     
       8. The tablet computer accessory of  claim 7 , wherein the cover has a standing configuration in which the cover is folded away from the interior surface of the cover along the central hinge and the second lateral hinge such that at least three of the first and second end sections and the first and second middle subsections of the cover form a triangular support for the tablet computer. 
     
     
       9. The tablet computer accessory of  claim 8 , wherein when the cover is in the standing configuration, the cover is folded toward the interior surface of the cover along the first lateral hinge such that the keyboard is disposed at an angle relative to the tablet computer. 
     
     
       10. The tablet computer accessory of  claim 8 , wherein when the cover is in the standing configuration, the first and second closure components do not meet and the keyboard is not electrically disabled. 
     
     
       11. The tablet computer accessory of  claim 1 , further comprising
 a first magnet associated with the first closure component; and 
 a second magnet associated with the second closure component; 
 wherein the first and second magnets act on each other to hold the first and second end sections together when the first and second closure components meet. 
 
     
     
       12. The tablet computer accessory of  claim 11 , wherein when the first and second magnets act on each other, a circuit electrically disables the keyboard. 
     
     
       13. The tablet computer accessory of  claim 1 , further comprising
 a first conductive contact associated with the first closure component; and 
 a second conductive contact associated with the second closure component; 
 wherein the first and second conductive contacts close a circuit to electrically disable the keyboard when the first and second closure components meet. 
 
     
     
       14. The tablet computer accessory of  claim 1 , further comprising
 a first conductive plate associated with the first closure component; and 
 a second conductive plate associated with the second closure component; 
 wherein the first and second conductive plates exhibit a capacitance that may be monitored by a circuit configured to electrically disable the keyboard when the first and second closure components meet. 
 
     
     
       15. A method of electrically disabling a keyboard, comprising
 folding a first end section of a cover about a first lateral hinge, the first lateral hinge coupling the first end section to a middle section of the cover such that the first end section rotates about the first lateral hinge from an extended position towards a centerline of the middle section over an interior surface of the cover; 
 folding a second end section of the cover about a second lateral hinge, the second lateral hinge coupling the second end section to the middle section of the cover such that the second end section rotates about the second lateral hinge from an extended position towards the centerline of the middle section over the interior surface of the cover; and 
 engaging a closure to electrically disable the keyboard when the first end section of the cover meets the second end section of the cover at substantially the centerline of the middle section; wherein: 
 the middle section is configured to couple to a tablet computer; 
 the first end section comprises the keyboard; and 
 engaging the closure electrically disables the keyboard independently from turning off the tablet computer. 
 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 15 , wherein the keyboard is coupled to the interior surface of the cover; and
 the cover is configured to enclose the tablet computer and the keyboard by rotating the first and second end sections of the cover towards the interior surface of the middle section. 
 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 15 , further comprising
 rotating the first and second end sections away from an interior surface of the cover such that the tablet computer and the keyboard remain external to the cover. 
 
     
     
       18. A method of electrically enabling a keyboard, comprising
 unfolding a first end section of a cover about a first lateral hinge, the first lateral hinge coupling the first end section to a middle section of the cover such that the first end section rotates about the first lateral hinge away from the interior surface of the cover and away from a centerline of the middle section; 
 unfolding a second end section of the cover about a second lateral hinge, the second lateral hinge coupling the second end section to the middle section of the cover such that the second end section rotates about the second lateral hinge away from an interior surface of the cover and away from the centerline of the middle section; and 
 disengaging a closure to electrically enable the keyboard when the first end section of the cover and the second end section of the cover move away from the centerline of the middle section; wherein: 
 the middle section is configured to couple to a tablet computer; 
 the first end section comprises the keyboard; and 
 disengaging the closure electrically enables the keyboard independently from turning on the tablet computer. 
 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 18 , further comprising removing the keyboard from within the interior of the cover by rotating the first and second end sections of the cover away from the interior surface of the cover. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 18 , further comprising
 moving the keyboard and the tablet computer into operative alignment by rotating the first and second end sections of the cover towards the interior surface of the cover.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure generally relates to protective coverings for electronic devices. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Electronic devices such as tablet computers and the like may be used in combination with coverings that protect the device. Typically, protective coverings for tablet computers extend over the surface area of the touch screen component of the tablet computer. The need to protect this valuable component of the tablet computer is well understood by makers of protective coverings. However, users may also be concerned with protecting the rear surface of the tablet computer from scratches, dings, or other damage that may create an unsightly appearance for the tablet computer. Thus, there may be a need for protective coverings for all surfaces of an electronic device such as a tablet computer. 
     Additionally electronic devices such as tablet computers may be configured with peripheral components such as wireless keyboards that provide a mechanism for entering input. In some configurations, the keyboard may be used to enter input in combination with or in lieu of the touchscreen component of a tablet computer. As a component such as a wireless keyboard may also be vulnerable to damage, it may be desirable to have a covering that protects both the tablet computer and an associated keyboard. 
     SUMMARY 
     In various embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a tablet computer accessory, comprising a cover having an interior surface that attaches to a rear surface of a tablet computer and to the rear surface of a keyboard that is in communication with the tablet computer; a first lateral hinge in the cover that allows the cover to fold such that a first end of the cover rotates about the first lateral hinge from an extended position towards a centerline of the cover; a second lateral hinge in the cover that allows the cover to fold such that a second end of the cover rotates about the second lateral hinge from an extended position towards the centerline of the cover; and a closure configured to disable the keyboard when a first closure component disposed on the first end of the cover meets a second closure component disposed on the second end of the cover, the first and second closure components configured to meet substantially at the centerline of the cover when the cover is folded about the first and second lateral hinges. 
     In some embodiments, the cover has a closed configuration in which the first and second ends of the cover are rotated towards the interior surface of the cover such that the first and second closure components meet substantially at the centerline of the cover to enclose the tablet computer and the keyboard within the cover. 
     In some embodiments, the cover has an open configuration in which the first and second ends of the cover are rotated away from the interior surface of the cover such that the first and second closure components meet substantially at the centerline of the cover and the tablet computer and the keyboard remain external to the cover. 
     In some embodiments, the cover has a flat configuration in which the first and second ends of the cover are not rotated about the first and second hinges, the first and second closure components do not meet, and the key board is not disabled. 
     Some embodiments further comprise a central hinge in the cover that coincides with the centerline of the cover and that allows the cover to fold such that a first cover half is allowed to rotate relative to a second cover half about the central hinge. 
     In some embodiments, the first lateral hinge coincides with a midline of the first cover half such that the first lateral hinge divides the first cover half into a first cover section and a second cover section, the first cover section containing the first end of the cover; the second lateral hinge coincides with a midline of the second cover half such that the second lateral hinge divides the second cover half into a third cover section and a fourth cover section, the fourth cover section containing the second end of the cover; the keyboard being attached to the first cover section; and the tablet computer attached to the second and third cover sections. 
     In some embodiments, the tablet computer is fixedly attached to the second cover section and detachably attached to the third cover section. 
     In some embodiments, the cover has a standing configuration in which the cover is folded away from the interior surface of the cover along the central hinge and the second lateral hinge such that the second, third and forth sections of the cover form a triangular support for the tablet computer. 
     In some embodiments, when the cover is in the standing configuration, the cover is folded toward the interior surface of the cover along the first lateral hinge such that the keyboard is disposed at an angle relative to the tablet computer. 
     In some embodiments, when the cover is in the standing configuration, the first and second closure components do not meet and the keyboard is not disabled. 
     Some embodiments further comprise a first magnet associated with the first closure component; and a second magnet associated with the second closure component; wherein the first and second magnet act on each other to hold the first and second ends of the cover together when the first and second closure components meet at substantially the centerline of the cover. 
     In some embodiments, when the first and second magnets act on each other, the first and second magnets also close a circuit that disables the keyboard. 
     Some embodiments further comprise a first conductive contact associated with the first closure component; and a second conductive contact associated with the second closure component; wherein the first and second conductive contacts close a circuit to disable the keyboard when the first and second closure components meet at substantially the centerline of the cover. 
     Some embodiments further comprise a first conductive plate associated with the first closure component; and a second conductive plate associated with the second closure component; wherein the first and second conductive plates create a capacitive circuit element that completes a circuit that disables the keyboard when the first and second closure components meet at substantially the centerline of the cover. 
     In various embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a method of disabling a keyboard, comprising folding a cover about a first lateral hinge such that a first end of the cover rotates about the first lateral hinge from an extended position towards a centerline of the cover, wherein a tablet computer and a keyboard are attached to an interior surface of the cover; folding the cover about a second lateral hinge such that a second end of the cover rotates about the second lateral hinge from an extended position towards the centerline of the cover; and engaging a closure to disable the keyboard when a first closure component disposed on the first end of the cover meets a second closure component disposed on the second end of the cover at substantially the centerline of the cover. 
     Some embodiments further comprise enclosing the tablet computer and the keyboard within the cover by rotating the first and second end of the cover towards the interior surface of the cover. 
     Some embodiments further comprise rotating the first and second end of the cover away from an interior surface of the cover such that the tablet computer and the keyboard remain external to the cover. 
     In various embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a method of enabling a keyboard, comprising unfolding a cover about a first lateral hinge such that a first end of the cover rotates about the first lateral hinge away from a centerline of the cover and towards an extended position, wherein a tablet computer and a keyboard are attached to an interior surface of the hinge; unfolding the cover about a second lateral hinge such that a second end of the cover rotates about the second lateral hinge away from the centerline of the cover and towards an extended position; and disengaging a closure to enable the keyboard when a first closure component disposed on the first end of the cover and a second closure component disposed on the second end of the cover move away from the centerline of the cover and disengage from each other. 
     Some embodiments further comprise removing the tablet computer and the keyboard from within the interior of the cover by rotating the first and second end of the cover away from the interior surface of the cover. 
     Some embodiments further comprise moving the keyboard and the tablet computer into operative alignment by rotating the first and second end of the cover towards the interior surface of the cover. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective illustration of an electronic device cover embodiment that is attached to a tablet computer and a keyboard; 
         FIG. 2A  is a perspective illustration of a user striking a key on the keyboard shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 2B  is a perspective illustration of a user entering touch input on the keyboard shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the cover, tablet computer, and keyboard shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective illustration of a partially closed configuration for the cover shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective illustration of a fully closed configuration for the cover shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective illustration of a partially open configuration for the cover shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective illustration of a fully open configuration for the cover shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8A  is a cross-sectional side elevation view of the fully closed configuration shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 8B  is a cross-sectional side elevation view of the fully open configuration shown in  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a close-up perspective illustration of an end of the cover shown in  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective illustration of a standing configuration for the cover shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective illustration of an electronic device cover  100  in accordance with embodiments discussed herein. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the cover  100  is attached to a tablet computer  102 , such as the I-Pad developed by Apple computers. Generally, the tablet computer  102  may be a device that incorporates a computing system and an enlarged touchscreen  104  within a single enclosure. The touch screen  104  is integrally formed with the tablet computer  102  and provides a mechanism for both receiving input and providing output. More specifically, the touch screen  104  includes a transparent and/or semitransparent touch sensitive panel incorporated with a display device. As a display device, the touchscreen  104  allows the tablet computer  102  to transmit or otherwise display graphical data and information. As a touch sensitive panel, the touchscreen  104  provides a mechanism for entering touch input directly into the tablet computer  102 . 
     In some instances, the tablet computer  102  may drive the touchscreen  104  with graphical data to display a graphical user interface (GUI). The GUI may be configured to receive touch input via the touch sensitive panel. The GUI may include graphical elements displayed at particular locations within the interface. Graphical elements may include but are not limited to a variety of displayed virtual input devices including virtual scroll wheels, a virtual keyboard, virtual knobs or dials, virtual buttons, virtual levers, any virtual UI, and the like. A user may perform gestures at one or more particular locations on touchscreen  104  which may be associated with the graphical elements of the GUI. 
     In order for the tablet computer  102  to receive touch input, the touchscreen  104  may be configured to detect the location of one or more touches or near touches at the touchscreen  104  based on measurements of physical phenomena that occur in near touchscreen  104  when those touches or near touches occur. For example, the touchscreen  104  may be configured to acquire capacitive, resistive, optical, acoustic, inductive, mechanical, chemical, or electromagnetic measurements that indicate the location of touches or near touches on the touchscreen  104 . Software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof may be used to process the measurements of the detected touches to identify and track one or more gestures. 
     In addition to the touchscreen  104 , the tablet computer  102  may receive input from other sources such as a keyboard, mouse, or possibly other devices. In the configuration shown in  FIG. 1 , the tablet computer  102  is configured to receive input from a keyboard  106 , which may communicate with the tablet computer  102  via a wired or wireless communication channel. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the cover  100  is attached to both the tablet computer  102  and the keyboard  106 . More specifically, the cover  100  attaches to the rear surfaces of both the tablet computer  102  and the keyboard  106 . 
     The keyboard  106  may be a Multi-Touch keyboard that is adapted to receive both keyboard input and touch input. In this regard, the keyboard  106  includes a transparent and/or semitransparent touch sensitive panel incorporated with a plurality of keys  108  arranged in a keyboard configuration. In one embodiment, the keyboard  106  includes a smooth surface  110  that overlays the plurality of keys  108 , which are disposed underneath the smooth surface  110 . Thus, in one respect, as shown in  FIG. 2A , a user may provide input to the tablet computer  102  by striking the smooth surface  110  above a particular key  108 . In another respect, as shown in  FIG. 2B , a user may provide input to the tablet computer  102  by sliding gestures or other movements along the smooth surface  110  that overlays the keys  108 . 
     In order for the keyboard  106  to receive touch input, the keyboard  106  may be configured to detect the location of one or more touches or near touches at the surface  110  based on measurements of physical phenomena that occur in near the surface  110  when those touches or near touches occur. For example, the keyboard  106  may be configured to acquire capacitive, resistive, optical, acoustic, inductive, mechanical, chemical, or electromagnetic measurements that indicate the location of touch or near touch on the surface  110  of the keyboard  106 . Software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof may be used to process the measurements of the detected touches to identify and track one or more gestures. 
     As described above, touch input may be entered through gestures entered through either the touchscreen  104  of the tablet computer  102  or through the surface  110  of the keyboard  106 . As used herein a “gesture” may correspond to stationary or non-stationary, single or multiple, touches or near touches on the touchscreen  104  or the surface  110  of the keyboard  106 . A gesture may be performed by moving one or more fingers or other objects in a particular manner on the touchscreen  104  or the surface  110  of the keyboard  106  such as tapping, pressing, rocking, scrubbing, twisting, changing orientation, pressing with varying pressure and the like at essentially the same time, contiguously, consecutively, or otherwise. A gesture may be characterized by, but is not limited to a pinching, sliding, swiping, rotating, flexing, dragging, tapping, pushing and/or releasing, or other motion between or with any other finger or fingers, or any other portion of the body or other object. A single gesture may be performed with one or more hands, or any other portion of the body or other object by one or more users, or any combination thereof. 
     Touch input entered through the touchscreen  104  of the tablet computer may differ from touch input entered through the surface  110  of the keyboard  106  in that a user may directly interact with a graphical object through gestures entered through the touchscreen  104 . Specifically, gestures performed on the touchscreen  104  may directly or indirectly manipulate, control, modify, move, actuate, initiate or generally affect graphical elements such as cursors, icons, media files, lists, text, all or portions of images, or the like within the GUI. For instance, in the case of a touchscreen  104 , a user may directly interact with a graphical element by performing a gesture over the graphical element on the touch screen. In contract, the surface  110  of the keyboard  106  generally functions as a touchpad a touch pad that provides indirect interaction with graphical elements. 
     As an example of touch input entered through the surface  110  of the keyboard  106  a user may enter gestures in conjunction with a displayed cursor. For instance, by operating the keyboard  106  as a trackpad, a cursor (or pointer) may be displayed on a display screen or touch screen and the cursor may be controlled via touch input on the surface  110  of the keyboard  106  to interact with graphical objects on the display screen. It should be appreciated that in addition to using the keyboard as a trackpad to interact with graphical objects, the user may also enter gestures directly on the touchscreen  104  to thereby directly interact with the graphical objects as they are displayed. It should be appreciated that gestures may also affect non-displayed GUI elements (e.g., causing user interfaces to appear) or may affect other actions within tablet computer  102  (e.g., affect a state or mode of a GUI, application, or operating system). 
     Turning now to the cover  100  and the attachment of the cover  100  to the tablet computer  102  and to the keyboard  106 , reference is made to  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 3  is an exploded view that shows the tablet computer  102  and the keyboard  106  detached from the cover  100 . As can be seen in  FIG. 3 , the cover  100  has an interior surface  324  and an opposing exterior surface  326 . The interior surface  324  provides an engagement surface for the tablet computer  102  and the keyboard  106 . Here, the rear surface  330  of the tablet computer  102  attaches to the interior surface  324  of the cover  100 . Similarly, the rear surface  334  of the keyboard  106  attaches to the interior surface  324  of the cover  100 . In this way, the exterior surface  326  of the cover  100  protects at least the rear surfaces  330  and  334  of the tablet computer  102  and the keyboard  106 , respectively. The cover  100  may also be folded onto itself so as to protect the front surface  328  of the tablet computer  102  and the front surface  338  of the keyboard  106 . 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 3 , the cover  100  is foldable at a number of perforations or hinges that extend along a length L of the cover  100 . The hinges divide the cover  100  into a plurality of cover sections. In accordance with one embodiment, the cover  100  includes three hinges: a center hinge  302 , a first lateral hinge  304 , and a second lateral hinge  306 . The center hinge  302  runs along the length L of the cover  106  and substantially corresponds to a centerline C of the cover  100 . Thus, the center hinge  302  divides the cover  100  into a first cover half  308  and the second cover half  310 . The first lateral hinge  304  runs along the length L of the cover  106  and substantially corresponds to a midline M 1  of the first cover half  308 . Thus, the first lateral hinge  304  divides the first cover half  308  into a first cover section  312  and a second cover section  314 . Similarly, the second lateral hinge  306  runs along the length L of the cover  106  and substantially corresponds to a midline M 2  of the second cover half  310 . Thus, the second lateral hinge divides the second cover half  310  into a third cover section  316  and a fourth cover section  318 . 
     In one embodiment, the keyboard  106  engages the cover  100  at the first cover section  312 . In one embodiment, a rear surface  334  of the keyboard  106  is fixedly attached to the interior surface  324  of the cover  100  at the first cover section  312 . As can also be seen in  FIG. 3 , the tablet computer  102  attaches to the cover  100  at the second cover section  314  and the third cover section  316 . In one embodiment, a rear surface  330  of the tablet computer  102  is fixedly attached to the interior surface  324  of the cover  100  at both the second cover section  312  and the third cover section  316 . In accordance with an alternative embodiment, the rear surface  330  of the tablet computer  102  is fixedly attached to one cover section and detachably attached to another cover section. For example, the tablet computer  102  may be fixedly attached to the first cover section  314  and detachably attached to the third cover section  316 . This cover  100  embodiment is described in greater detail below in connection with  FIG. 10 . 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 3 , the cover  100  may additionally include a closure mechanism. The closure mechanism may include a first closure component  322  disposed on a first end  336  of the cover  100 , where the first end  336  substantially corresponds to a lateral edge of the first section  312  of the cover  100 . The closure mechanism may also include a second closure component  320  disposed on a second end  338  of the cover  100 , where the first end  338  of the cover  100  substantially corresponds to a lateral edge of the fourth section  318 . The first  322  and second  320  closure components are adapted to meet at substantially the centerline C of the cover  100  when the cover  100  folds on itself. As described in greater detail below, the first  322  and second  320  closure components are adapted to close a circuit or trigger some other action by meeting at substantially the centerline C of the cover  100  in order to disable the keyboard  100 . 
     The cover opens and closes by bending, flexing, or otherwise moving at the hinges  302 ,  304 , and  306 . Turning now to description of the opening and closing of the cover  100 , attention is directed to  FIG. 4 , which is a perspective illustration of the cover  100  attached to the tablet computer  102  and the keyboard  106 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the first cover section  312  may move in an inward direction I by rotating about the first lateral hinge  304 . In this way, the first half  308  of the cover  100  moves such that the surface  110  of the keyboard  106  moves toward the touchscreen  104  of the tablet computer  102 . Said another way, the cover  100  folds such that the first end  336  of the cover  100  rotates about the first lateral hinge  304  from the extended position shown in  FIG. 1  towards a centerline C of the cover  100 . When the first end  336  rotates about the first lateral hinge  304  in the inward direction I, the first end  336  rotates towards the interior surface  324  of the cover  100 . 
     Similarly, the fourth cover section  318  may move in an inward direction I by rotating about the second lateral hinge  306 . In this way, the second half  310  of the cover  310  moves such that an inside surface of the fourth cover section  318  moves toward the touchscreen  104  of the tablet computer  102 . Said another way, the cover  100  folds such that the second end  338  of the cover  100  rotates about the second lateral hinge  306  from the extended position shown in  FIG. 1  towards a centerline C of the cover  100 . When the second end  338  rotates about the second lateral hinge  306  in the inward direction I, the second end  338  rotates towards the interior surface  324  of the cover  100 . 
     If the closing movement illustrated in  FIG. 4  continues, the cover  100  will come to a fully closed configuration, which is illustrated in the perspective view of  FIG. 5 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the hinge  304  has moved through substantially 180° of angular displacement in the inward direction I. Accordingly, the first half  308  of the cover  110  is in a fully closed position where the front surface  332  of the keyboard  106  rests against or is in otherwise gentle contact with the front surface  328  of the tablet computer  102 . As also shown in  FIG. 4 , the hinge  306  has moved through substantially 180° of angular displacement in the inward direction I. Accordingly the second half of the cover is in a fully closed position where the interior surface  324  of the cover  100  rests against or is an otherwise gentle contact with the front surface  328  of the tablet computer  102 . In the closed configuration of  FIG. 4 , the cover  100  protects both the front  328  and rear  330  surfaces of the tablet computer  102  and protects both the front  332  and rear surfaces  334  of the keyboard  106 . 
     In accordance with embodiments discussed herein, the hinges  304  and  306  are configured to move in both inward and outward direction. Movement of the hinges  304  and  306  in the inward direction is illustrated in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 . Movement of the hinges  304  and  306  in the outward direction is illustrated in  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the first cover section  312  may move in an outward direction O by rotating about the first lateral hinge  304 . In this way, the first half  308  of the cover  100  moves such that the keyboard  106  moves away from the touchscreen  104  of the tablet computer  102 . Said another way, the cover  100  folds such that the first end  336  of the cover  100  rotates about the first lateral hinge  304  from the extended position shown in  FIG. 1  towards a centerline C of the cover  100 . When the first end  336  rotates about the first lateral hinge  304  in the outward direction O, the first end  336  rotates away from the interior surface  324  of the cover  100 . 
     Similarly, the fourth cover section  318  may move in an outward direction O by rotating about the second lateral hinge  306 . In this way, the second half  310  of the cover  310  moves such that the fourth cover section  318  moves away from the tablet computer  102 . Said another way, the cover  100  folds such that the second end  338  of the cover  100  rotates about the second lateral hinge  306  from the extended position shown in  FIG. 1  towards a centerline C of the cover  100 . When the second end  338  rotates about the second lateral hinge  306  in the outward direction O, the second end  338  rotates away from the interior surface  324  of the cover  100 . 
     If the opening movement illustrated in  FIG. 6  continues, the cover  100  will come to a fully open configuration, which is illustrated in the perspective view of  FIG. 7 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the hinge  304  has moved through substantially 180° of angular displacement in the outward direction O. Accordingly, the first half  308  of the cover  110  is in a fully open position where the exterior surface  326  of the first cover section  312  rests against the exterior surface  326  of the second cover section  314 . As also shown in  FIG. 4 , the hinge  306  has moved through substantially 180° of angular displacement in the outward direction. Accordingly, the second half  310  of the cover is in a fully closed position where the exterior surface  326  of the forth cover section  318  rests against the exterior surface  326  of the third cover section  316 . 
     In the fully open configuration of  FIG. 7 , the tablet computer  102  is exposed and thereby accessible to the user. The keyboard  106 , however, is tucked underneath the tablet computer  102  in a position that is not accessible by the user when the user is accessing the tablet computer  102 . A user may orient the cover  100  in the fully open configuration of  FIG. 7  when the user wishes to access the tablet computer  102 , but not the keyboard  106 . In one example, the user may wish to enter inputs through the touchscreen  104  of the tablet computer  102  rather than through the keyboard  106 . In another example, the user may wish to view a video or use some other feature of the tablet computer  102  that does not require the user to enter inputs. In these cases, the keyboard  106  is not needed and so may be tucked away underneath the tablet computer  102 . 
     As described above in connection with  FIG. 3 , the cover  100  may include a closure mechanism having a first closure component  322  and a second closure component  320  that are adapted to meet at substantially the centerline C of the cover  100  when the cover  100  folds on itself. In one respect, first closure component  322  and a second closure component  320  engage when the cover closes as shown in  FIG. 4 . This engagement between the first closure component  322  and the second enclosure component  320  is shown in greater detail in the cross-sectional side elevation view shown in  FIG. 8A . Here, the closure mechanism may operate to lock the cover  100  or to otherwise hold the cover in the fully closed configuration. In this position, the closure mechanism prevents the cover  100  from inadvertently opening and exposing the tablet computer  102  and/or the keyboard  106 . Thus, the closure mechanism protects the tablet computer  102  and the keyboard  106  from damage. 
     In another respect, first closure component  322  and a second closure component  320  engage when the cover opens as shown in  FIG. 7 . This engagement between the first closure component  322  and the second enclosure component  320  is shown in greater detail in the cross-sectional side elevation view shown in  FIG. 8B . Just as the closure mechanism operates to lock the cover  100  in the fully closed position, the closure mechanism may operate to lock the cover  100  in the fully open configuration. Here, the closure mechanism holds the keyboard  106  in place in the tucked away position. In this way, the closure mechanism prevents the keyboard  106  from falling away from the tablet computer  102  and becoming damaged when the tablet computer  102  is lifted. 
     In addition to locking the cover  100 , the first  322  and second  320  closure components may be adapted to close a circuit or trigger some other action by meeting at substantially the centerline C of the cover  100  in order trigger a sleep mode or to otherwise disable the keyboard  106 . The closure mechanism operates to disable the keyboard  106  in both the fully closed configuration shown in  FIG. 5  and the fully open configuration shown in  FIG. 7 . The keyboard  106  may be disabled in the fully closed configuration because here the keyboard  106  is enclosed within the cover  100  and therefore not being used by the user. Similarly the keyboard  106  may be disabled in the fully open configuration because here the keyboard  106  is talked underneath the tablet computer  102  and therefore not being used by the user. 
     Turning now to a discussion of the closure mechanism, reference is made to  FIG. 9 , which shows certain aspects of the second closure mechanism  320  in greater detail.  FIG. 9  is a close-up perspective illustration of an end of the cover  100 . By way of example,  FIG. 9  shows the second end  332 , which corresponds to the lateral edge of the fourth section  318  of the cover  100 . The closure mechanism  320  is disposed on the second and  332  and may include a magnet  902 . The magnet  902  is configured to engage a second magnet disposed on a corresponding location of the first end  336  of the cover  100 . The magnet  902  engages with the magnet of the first end  336  when the first  336  and second  338  ends meet at substantially the centerline C of the cover  100 . In this position, the magnets attract each other and in so doing exert a force on each other that holds the cover  100  in place. Here, the cover  100  may be held in either the fully closed configuration or in the fully open configuration depending on how the cover  100  is oriented by the user. 
     It should be appreciated that magnets are one possible type of closure mechanism that may be used to hold the cover  100  in place. In accordance with alternative embodiments the cover  100  may be held in place by buttons, snaps, buckles, Velcro, or other types of mechanical closures. Mechanical closures that include actutable switches may be used in accordance with certain embodiments. If magnets are used, the magnets may be permanent magnets that are affixed to the ends of the cover. Alternatively, electromagnets that are enabled by an electrical current may be used. Here, the closure between the first and second and of the cover may be enabled or disabled by enabling or disabling the current between the electromagnets. 
     The first  322  and second  320  closure components may be adapted to close a circuit or trigger some other action by meeting at substantially the centerline C of the cover  100  in order trigger a sleep mode or to otherwise disable the keyboard  106 . In this regard, the second end  338  of the cover  100  shown in  FIG. 9  may include an electrical contact area  904 . The electrical contact area  904  may engage a corresponding electrical contact area disposed on the first end  336  when the first  336  and second  338  ends meet at substantially the centerline C of the cover  100 . In this position, the electrical contact areas  904  for may close a circuit within the cover  100 . Closing the circuit then triggers a sleep mode in the keyboard  106 . In certain embodiments, the contact areas  904  do not come into physical contact, but rather come into close proximity such that the conductive contacts  904  and the space between the conductive contacts  904  form a capacitive circuit element. By forming a capacitive circuit element, the conductive contact areas  904  may complete a circuit, which operates to trigger the sleep mode of the keyboard. 
     In certain embodiments, the magnets  902  may function to both hold the cover  100  in place and to complete a circuit that triggers the sleep mode in the keyboard  106 . Specifically, as the magnets  902  may be made from a conductive material, the engagement between the magnets  902  may also be to close a circuit within the cover  100  that triggers the sleep mode in the keyboard  106 . 
     As described above, the rear surface of the tablet computer  102  may fixedly attached to one cover section and detachably attached to another cover section. In this standing configuration, which is shown in  FIG. 10 , the cover  100  may be placed into a configuration where the detachably attachable cover section moves away from engagement with the rear surface of the tablet computer  102  to form a portion of a stand that supports the tablet computer  102  in an upright orientation. This standing configuration of the cover  100  is shown in  FIG. 10  where the tablet computer  102  is fixedly attached to the first cover section  314  and detachably attached to the third cover section  316 . 
     In the standing configuration shown in  FIG. 10 , the second  314 , third  316 , and fourth  318  cover sections form a triangular shaped stand for the tablet computer  102 . Here, the second cover section  314  remains fixedly attached to the rear surface of the tablet computer  102 , while the third cover section  316  is allowed to fall away from engagement with the rear surface of the tablet computer  102 . When the third cover section  316  falls away from the tablet computer  102 , the third cover section  316  rotates about the center hinge  302  in the outward direction O. In this way, the second cover section  314  and the third cover section  316  form two legs of the triangular support for the tablet computer  102 . The fourth cover section  318  forms the third leg of the triangular support by rotating about the second lateral hinge  306 , also in the outward direction O. In this position, the fourth cover section  318  lies flat against a table or other surface on which the tablet computer  102  and keyboard  106  are placed. With the second  314 , third  316 , and fourth  318  cover sections forming a triangular shaped stand in this way, the tablet computer  102  is supported in an upright and angled position as shown in  FIG. 10 . 
     In the standing configuration shown in  FIG. 10 , the first cover section  312  and thus the keyboard  106  may also lie flat against the table or other surface on which the tablet computer  102  and the keyboard  106  are placed. In this position, the keyboard  106  sits adjacent to the tablet computer  102  in a position where the user may access the keyboard  106  for use in entering input into the tablet computer  102 . Here, the tablet computer  102  and the keyboard  106  sit at an oblique angle with respect to each other due to the orientation of the tablet computer  102  as it sits against the stand form by the second  314 , third  316 , and fourth  318  cover sections. In the standing configuration shown in  FIG. 10 , the first cover section  312  is rotated to a certain degree about the first lateral hinge  304  in the inward direction I. 
     The foregoing description has broad application. Accordingly, the discussion of any embodiment is meant only to be an example and is not intended to suggest that the scope of the disclosure, including the claims, is limited to these examples.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20120921
Publication Date: 20181127
Grant Date: 20181127
Priority Date: 20120921
Inventors: ELIAS, JOHN G.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "G06F1/1679", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F2200/1633", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/169", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1626", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F2200/1633", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/169", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1679", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1626", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/169", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1679", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F2200/1633", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1626", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 50337829