PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-9733669-B1
Application Number: US-201615043471-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B1

Title: Case for electronic device having magnetic elements for connection with external magnetic elements

Abstract:
A case for a portable electronic device, the portable electronic device having a housing that carries a first magnetic element capable of forming a first magnetic circuit through the housing with a magnetic element external to the portable electronic device capable of securing together the housing and the external magnetic element. The case can include a body having a bottom wall and side walls that combine to define a recessed region suitable for retaining the portable electronic device and a second magnetic element located at a position corresponding to the external magnetic element such that when the portable electronic device is carried in the recessed region, the second magnetic element forms a second magnetic circuit through the body with the external magnetic element that is capable of securing together the case and the external magnetic element.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A case assembly for a portable electronic device having a first magnetic element, the case assembly comprising:
 a case body having a bottom wall and side walls that combine to define a recessed region wherein the side walls assist in securing the portable electronic device within the recessed region; and 
 a flap pivotally coupled to the portable electronic device and comprising a second magnetic element, wherein when the portable electronic device is secured within the recessed region, and when substantially all of an exterior surface of the flap is in contact with a rear surface of the case body in an open configuration, the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element form a magnetic circuit through the case body, the magnetic circuit securing the flap with respect to the case body. 
 
     
     
       2. The case assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the case body comprises a third magnetic element arranged such that when the flap is in the open configuration the first magnetic element and the third magnetic element form a second magnetic circuit that secures the flap to the case body. 
     
     
       3. The case assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the third magnetic element is a magnet and the first magnetic element of the portable electronic device is a ferromagnetic material. 
     
     
       4. The case assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the third magnetic element is comprised of at least two pieces. 
     
     
       5. The case assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the second and third magnetic elements are arranged in a location that prevents damage by second and third magnetic elements to internal operational components of the portable electronic device. 
     
     
       6. The case assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the at least two pieces of the third magnetic element are of different sizes. 
     
     
       7. The case assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the second magnetic element is a magnet with a first polarity arrangement and the first magnetic element of the portable electronic device is a magnet with a second polarity arrangement that is complementary to the first polarity arrangement. 
     
     
       8. The case assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the flap comprises panels, the panels being foldable onto each other. 
     
     
       9. The case assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the panels comprise a first, second middle and third panel and the first magnetic element is located in the second middle panel. 
     
     
       10. A portable electronic device cover comprising:
 a magnetic attachment mechanism; and 
 a single piece flap attached to the magnetic attachment mechanism, the single piece flap carrying a magnet, wherein when the magnetic attachment mechanism magnetically attaches to a portable electronic device having a processor in communication with a magnetic sensor, and the single piece flap is in an open configuration where the single piece flap is positioned with respect to the portable electronic device such that substantially all of an exterior surface of the flap is in contact with a rear surface of the portable electronic device, the sensor is capable of detecting the magnet and providing a detection signal to the processor that, in turn, alters an operation of the portable electronic device. 
 
     
     
       11. The portable electronic device cover of  claim 10 , wherein the magnet carried by the flap is configured to cooperate with a magnetic element arranged in a case secured to the portable electronic device to complete a magnetic circuit that restrains substantially all of the exterior surface of the cover to the case in the open configuration. 
     
     
       12. The portable electronic device cover of  claim 11 , wherein the magnet carried by the flap comprises at least two magnets having different sizes. 
     
     
       13. The portable electronic device cover of  claim 11 , wherein the magnet carried by the flap comprises at least two magnets having different shapes. 
     
     
       14. The portable electronic device cover of  claim 10 , wherein the portable electronic device further comprises an internal magnet and wherein the magnet carried by the flap coordinates with the internal magnet to restrain the flap against the portable electronic device in the open configuration. 
     
     
       15. The portable electronic device cover of  claim 10 , wherein the cover further comprises a first, second middle and third panel that are foldable upon each other and the magnet is located in the second middle panel. 
     
     
       16. The portable electronic device cover of  claim 10 , wherein the signal provided to the processor is used to turn the portable electronic device on.

Description:
FIELD 
     The following description relates to an electronic device. In particular, the following description relates to protective cases for portable electronic devices. 
     BACKGROUND 
     As advancements are made in the field of consumer electronic devices, development of associated accessory units also occurs. Some accessory units, such as cases, are designed to protect consumer electronic devices. These improvements in accessory units can help to provide consumer electronic devices with increased functionality and greater user experience. While existing cases may function suitably for their intended purposes, further advancements may be desirable to enhance the usability and convenience of such cases. 
     SUMMARY 
     Some embodiments can include a case for a portable electronic device, the portable electronic device having a housing that carries a first magnetic element capable of forming a first magnetic circuit through the housing with a magnetic element external to the portable electronic device capable of securing together the housing and the external magnetic element. The case can include a body having a bottom wall and side walls that combine to define a recessed region suitable for retaining the portable electronic device and a second magnetic element located at a position corresponding to the external magnetic element such that when the portable electronic device is carried in the recessed region, the second magnetic element forms a second magnetic circuit through the body with the external magnetic element that is capable of securing together the case and the external magnetic element. 
     Some embodiments include a portable electronic device case and cover system that includes a case having a recess configured to carry a portable electronic device, the case including a first magnetic element. The system can also include a cover magnetically coupleable to the portable electronic device, the cover being moveable from at least a first open position, the cover comprising a second magnetic element, where in the first open position the first magnetic element completes a magnetic circuit with the second magnetic element restraining the cover to the case in the first open position. 
     Some embodiments can include a method for making a case for a portable electronic device, the portable electronic device having a housing that carries a first magnetic element capable of forming a first magnetic circuit through the housing with a magnetic element external to the portable electronic device, that is capable of securing together the housing and the external magnetic element. The can include forming a case body comprising a bottom wall and side walls that combine to define a recessed region suitable for retaining the portable electronic device. The method can also include arranging a second magnetic element in the case body at a position corresponding to the external element such that when the portable electronic device is carried in the recessed portion, the second magnetic element forms the second magnetic circuit through the body with the external magnetic element that is capable of securing together the case and the external magnetic element. 
     Other systems, methods, features and advantages of the embodiments will be, or will become, apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description and this summary, be within the scope of the embodiments, and be protected by the following claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The disclosure will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like structural elements, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a case for an electronic device, in accordance with the described embodiments; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a case carrying an electronic device, in accordance with the described embodiments; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a case carrying an electronic device with a cover, in accordance with the described embodiments; 
         FIG. 4A  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the case carrying an electronic device with a cover of  FIG. 3 , with the cover in the closed position in accordance with some embodiments; 
         FIG. 4B  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the case carrying an electronic device with a cover similar to  FIG. 4B  with the cover in the open position in accordance with some embodiments; 
         FIG. 4C  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the case carrying an electronic device with a cover similar to  FIG. 4B  with the cover in the open position without an internal magnetic element in accordance with some embodiments; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a close up view of the electronic device shown in  FIG. 3 , showing the alignment of magnetic elements; 
         FIG. 6  is a flow chart illustrating a method for assembling a portable electronic device in accordance with many embodiments; and 
         FIG. 7  is a block diagram of a computing device that can represent some of the components of the electronic device, in accordance with the described embodiments. 
     
    
    
     Those skilled in the art will appreciate and understand that, according to common practice, various features of the drawings discussed below are not necessarily drawn to scale, and that dimensions of various features and elements of the drawings may be expanded or reduced to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention described herein. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to representative embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the following descriptions are not intended to limit the embodiments to one preferred embodiment. To the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as can be included within the spirit and scope of the described embodiments as defined by the appended claims. 
     In the following detailed description, references are made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the description and in which are shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in accordance with the described embodiments. Although these embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable one skilled in the art to practice the described embodiments, it is understood that these examples are not limiting such that other embodiments may be used, and changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the described embodiments. 
     The following disclosure relates to accessory units, such as cases, for portable electronic devices, such as tablet computing device and smartphones among similar other devices. Cases may be employed to partially or fully encase a consumer electronic device such that the consumer electronic device is protected from damage. Some cases work in coordination with other accessory units such as covers that are configurable during use to cover a display, act as a stand to prop up the electronic devices, or be wrapped and stowed conveniently behind the device during use of the device. The protective cover can take the form of a foldable cover that can be detachably connected to, for example, a tablet computer, and have a foldable protective flap. As stated, such a protective cover can be moveable between multiple configurations, including one configuration in which it functions as a cover and another configuration in which it functions as a stand. 
     The protective cover can have magnetic elements arranged in various locations that can coordinate with magnetic elements in an electronic device. For example the electronic device can have magnets arranged along an edge. The protective cover can have corresponding magnets arranged along an edge that aligns with the edge of the electronic device in a closed position. The magnets can create a magnetic circuit to hold the protective cover closed on the electronic device. The magnets can also work in conjunction with a hall effect sensor, for example, connected with a processor and can be used to detect when the cover is in a closed position or open position. The device can optionally be turned on when the cover is in the open position and turned off when the cover is in the closed position. The magnets can also be configured so that when the cover is open and wrapped around to stow along the back side of the electronic device, the magnets in the cover can again coordinate with magnets in the electronic device and hold the cover against the back side of the device. 
     Sometimes covers can be used without a case and magnetic elements arranged within the cover can restrain the cover to the electronic device at various connection points. For example the cover can be retained to the device using an edge attach magnet where a magnet at the edge of the cover can couple to magnets located in the edge of the electronic device. The cover can have a flexible joint adjacent the edge attach magnet allowing the cover to fold between an open position, closed position, and various positions there between. The cover can also have magnetic elements within panels making up the cover that coordinate with magnetic elements inside the electronic device to retain the cover in an open or closed position. 
     Covers can also be used in conjunction with a case. When a case is installed on the electronic device, the strength of the magnetic circuit between the magnetic element located in the electronic device and the magnet element located in the cover is weakened given the distance created by the existence of the case between the two magnetic elements. A weakened magnetic circuit can result in the cover not being restrained adequately and falling away from the back side of the electronic device. Strengthening the magnetic element in the electronic device is not always feasible as a magnetic element that is too strong can interfere with internal operational components of the electronic device. 
     Thus, embodiments can include a case having its own magnetic element located in a position to coordinate with the magnetic element of the cover, when the case is installed on the electronic device and the cover is stowed in the open position along the back side of the electronic device. Including the magnetic element in the case can make it so the magnetic element inside the portable device is not necessary and can be eliminated in some embodiments, yet the cover can still be held against the case by the magnetic circuit formed between the magnetic element in the case and the magnetic element in the cover. The magnetic element can be formed of one or more pieces that can be arranged in the case. In embodiments where there are more than one pieces making up the magnetic element, the multiple pieces can be separately located in the case or coupled together and located in the case. The multiple pieces can have similar or opposing polarities. The multiple pieces can have similar or differing shapes and sizes. In some embodiments, the magnetic elements of the case can include two magnetic pieces, each in a square shape and each having a different size. Similarly the magnetic elements in the electronic device and cover can be correspondingly square shaped and of differing sizes. By having two magnetic elements of differing sizes in the case that coordinate with corresponding magnetic elements in the electronic device and cover, the cover is retained into a more accurate and intended position without lateral shifting or slipping that can occur when only using a single piece for the magnetic element in each the case, cover and electronic device. 
     These and other embodiments are discussed below with reference to  FIGS. 1-7 . However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these Figures is for explanatory purposes only and should not be construed as limiting. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an embodiment of case  100  configured to receive an electronic device, such as a tablet computing device. Other portable computing devices can include mobile telecommunications devices (e.g., smartphones). Case  100  can include a body  132  made up from a back portion  102  and sidewalls  104 . Case  100  can be made up of multiple layers including a semi rigid core (not shown) that can be made from a polycarbonate or other similar material. An outer layer can encase the semi rigid core and be made from an elastomeric material, such as silicone. When silicone is used, the silicone may be a liquid silicone rubber (“LSR”). In some embodiments, the silicone is a gum silicone, such as a heat cure rubber (“HCR”). Further, outer layer can be combined with the core by an over molding process. In other words, once the second layer is molded (or formed by another means), the second layer may be positioned in a molding tool, such as a pair of mating molds. Then, a silicone-based material is added to the molding tool such that the material flows around an exterior portion of the second layer and curves around the exterior portion. An additional protective layer can be included on the back portion  102  of case  100  and can be made of microfiber material, among other materials. 
     Case  100  may include apertures and protrusions, which can allow a user to operate the electronic device when positioned within case  100 . For example, case  100  can include sidewall  104  having aperture  108  configured to allow access to an accessory such as a power charger or audio jack of the electronic device. Aperture  108  may be positioned on any sidewall  104  of case  100  in a location corresponding to an accessory connection point switch or button of the electronic device. 
     Case  100  may also optionally include aperture  122  which may be positioned to allow a camera built into an electronic device to capture an image of the environment surrounding the electronic device. Similar to the protrusions and other apertures previously described, aperture  122  may generally be in any position on back portion  102  that corresponds to the positioning of the camera within the electronic device such that the camera may capture an image. 
     Case  100  may further include clearance region  106  associated with a region of case  100  that allows access for a cover (shown in  FIG. 3 ) having an edge attach magnet to be coupled with the electronic device when the electronic device is carried in the case. Despite clearance region  106  generally being a region free of material, sidewalls  104  retain the electronic device while also allowing for flexibility to insert and remove the electronic device. The sidewalls  104 , coupled with back portion  102  and clearance region  106 , define a recessed region  120  that receives the electronic device. 
     Case  100  can have a magnetic element  110  located in back portion  102 . Magnetic elements are configured in back portion  102  in such a way that when a cover is installed magnetic element  110  aligns with corresponding magnetic elements in the cover and completes a magnetic circuit. Since the magnetic element in the cover can also align with magnetic element in the electronic device when the electronic device is not carried by the case, magnetic element  110  can generally be in any position in the back portion  102  that corresponds to the positioning of magnetic element in the housing of the electronic device. Alternatively, magnetic element  110  can be located at a location separate from corresponding magnetic elements so long as when the cover is installed a magnetic circuit can be completed by magnetic element  110  and a magnetic element of the cover.  FIGS. 4A, 4B and 5 , illustrate an embodiment of the alignment of magnetic element  110  and the respective magnetic elements of the cover and electronic device in greater detail. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates case  100  carrying an electronic device  112 . Electronic device  112  can have a display  130  on a front side and sidewalls making up a housing  114 . Display  130  can be a touch sensitive interactive display for displaying content as well as receiving input for control of applications and the content displayed on display  130 . Electronic device  112  can also include an input button  118 , for further providing input for controlling operations of the electronic device  112 , such as applications, the operating system and so on. As can be seen, electronic device  112  can be carried in case  100  with electronic device  112  situated in the recessed region  120  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) and with sidewalls  104  capturing the sides of electronic device  112 . As can also be seen, clearance region  106  in sidewall  104  allows for a side portion of electronic device  112  to be exposed for attachment of a magnetically attachable cover as is shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     In this way,  FIG. 3  illustrates electronic device  112  installed in case  100  and having a cover  116 . Cover  116  can be attached the side of electronic device  112  in the clearance region  106 , by way of an edge attach portion  128  that is configured to fit within clearance region  106  and connect cover  116  to electronic device  112 . Edge attach magnets in edge attach portion  128  can hold cover  116  to the electronic device by the magnetic force of corresponding magnetic elements in housing  114  of electronic device  112  to complete a magnetic circuit. 
     Cover  116  can be made up of multiple panels that are connected by joints, with the panels being foldable into various configurations and back onto each other. Cover  116 , as illustrated, has three panels, P 1 , P 2  and P 3 , connected to each by way of two joints J 1  and J 2 . An additional joint J 3  can connect panel P 1  to edge attach portion  128 . Cover  116  can include magnetic elements  124  that are configured to correspond and form a magnetic circuit with magnetic element  110  of case  100  when cover  116  is folded around and stowed along the back side of electronic device  112  and case  100 . In some embodiments magnetic element  124  is located in panel P 2 . By Arranging magnetic element in panel P 2 , panel P 2  is restrained against case  100 , when cover  116  is stowed against the back of electronic device  112 . Additional magnetic elements (not shown) can also be arranged with panel P 3  to coordinate with magnetic elements in electronic device  112  to hold panel P 3  against the backside of electronic device  112 . In this way, both panel P 2  and P 3  are restrained against the backside of electronic device  112 , preventing any of the panels P 1 , P 2  or P 3  from sagging or falling away from the backside of the electronic device, unintentionally. 
       FIG. 4A  shows a cross section A-A of  FIG. 3  illustrating case  100  carrying electronic device  112  with cover  116  in a closed position.  FIG. 4B  shows a cross section similar to A-A of  FIG. 3  illustrating case  100  carrying electronic device  112  except with cover  116  in an open position.  FIG. 5 . Shows a close up view of a portion of  FIG. 4B . As illustrated, in the closed position, magnetic element  110  is aligned with housing magnetic elements  126 . In the open position, when cover  116  is stowed along the backside of electronic device  112  and against case  100 , magnetic element  124  and magnetic element  110 , align and coordinate. In this way, and because the polarities of the magnetic elements are configured such that magnetic element  110  and magnetic element  124  attract each other, the cover  116  is held against case  100 . In some embodiments, housing magnetic element  126  need not be present as illustrated in  FIG. 4C . Cover  116  can still be held against case  100  by the completion of the magnetic circuit between magnetic element  124  and magnetic element  110 . 
     Magnetic element  110  can take the form of a single piece or can be multiple pieces. In the case of multiple pieces, the pieces can be coupled directly together, arranged adjacent to each other in back portion  102  or separated from each other. Additionally, the pieces can be of similar or differing shapes and sizes. For example, magnetic element can take the form of two similar sized square pieces. Alternatively, one piece can be a smaller square shape and a second piece can be a larger square shape. The shapes and sizes can take any number of combinations and for shapes can include circles, triangle and so on. Each of the pieces can have similar or differing polarities. Similarly, magnetic element  124  in cover  116  can have a corresponding shape and size to the shape and sizes of the pieces of magnetic element  110 . This provides an accurate way of aligning the magnetic elements to each other, ensuring the cover can be retained to case  100  and back side of electronic device  112  in a precise and secure manner without lateral shifting or misalignment. Magnetic elements  110  and  124  can each be magnetized or one can be a ferrous based material that when interacting with the other magnetized magnetic element can form the necessary magnetic circuit. 
       FIG. 6  shows a block diagram of a method for making a case in accordance with the described embodiments. In a first step  610 , case  100  can be formed in a manner such that it has body  132  and recess region  120  and can carry a portable electronic device in the recess region  120 . In a subsequent step  620 , magnetic element  110  can be arranged in the case. In a step  630 , magnetic element  110  can be adhered to case  100  in a predetermined position. Magnetic element  110  can be arranged and adhered in a core portion of case  100  that subsequently can be over molded with an outer silicone layer or can merely be coupled to the case outer layer itself. In a second step  620 , the magnetic element can be magnetized to a predetermined polarity so as to create a magnetic circuit with magnetic element  126  of cover  116 . In some embodiments magnetic element  110  is not magnetized, but instead can be a ferrous-based material that in the circumstance where magnetic element  126  is magnetized magnets, will form the necessary magnetic circuit. In an optional third step  630  case  100  can be over molded with an outer protective layers such as silicone to cover case  100  and hide magnetic element  110  from view. 
       FIG. 7  is a block diagram of a computing device  700  that can represent some of the components of the electronic device. It will be appreciated that the components, devices or elements illustrated in and described with respect to  FIG. 7  may not be mandatory and thus some may be omitted in certain embodiments. The computing device  700  can include a processor  702  that represents a microprocessor, a coprocessor, circuitry and/or a controller for controlling the overall operation of the computing device  700 . Although illustrated as a single processor, it can be appreciated that the processor  702  can include a plurality of processors. The plurality of processors can be in operative communication with each other and can be collectively configured to perform one or more functionalities of the computing device  700  as described herein. In some embodiments, the processor  702  can be configured to execute instructions that can be stored at the computing device  700  and/or that can be otherwise accessible to the processor  702 . As such, whether configured by hardware or by a combination of hardware and software, the processor  702  can be capable of performing operations and actions in accordance with embodiments described herein. 
     The computing device  700  can also include a user input device  704  that allows a user of the computing device  700  to interact with the computing device  700 . For example, the user input device  704  can take a variety of forms, such as a button, keypad, dial, touch screen, audio input interface, visual/image capture input interface, input in the form of sensor data, etc. Still further, the computing device  700  can include a display  708  (screen display) that can be controlled by the processor  702  to display information to a user. A controller  710  can be used to interface with and control different equipment through an equipment control bus  712 . The computing device  700  can also include a network/bus interface  714  that couples to a data link  716 . The data link  716  can allow the computing device  700  to couple to a host computer or to accessory devices. The data link  716  can be provided over a wired connection or a wireless connection. In the case of a wireless connection, network/bus interface  714  can include a wireless transceiver. 
     The computing device  700  can also include a storage device  718 , which can have a single disk or a plurality of disks (e.g., hard drives) and a storage management module that manages one or more partitions (also referred to herein as “logical volumes”) within the storage device  718 . In some embodiments, the storage device  718  can include flash memory, semiconductor (solid state) memory or the like. Still further, the computing device  700  can include Read-Only Memory (ROM)  720  and Random Access Memory (RAM)  722 . The ROM  720  can store programs, code, instructions, utilities or processes to be executed in a non-volatile manner. The RAM  722  can provide volatile data storage, and store instructions related to components of the storage management module that are configured to carry out the various techniques described herein. The computing device  700  can further include data bus  724 . The data bus  724  can facilitate data and signal transfer between at least the processor  702 , the controller  710 , the network/bus interface  714 , the storage device  718 , the ROM  720 , and the RAM  722 . 
     Various embodiments are described herein. These embodiments include at least the following. A portable electronic device, the portable electronic device having a housing that carries a first magnetic element capable of forming a magnetic circuit through the housing with a magnetic element external to the portable electronic device. The case can include a body having a bottom wall and side walls that combine to define a recessed region suitable for retaining the portable electronic device and a second magnetic element located at a position corresponding to the first magnetic element such that when the portable electronic device is carried in the recessed region, where the second magnetic element forms the magnetic circuit through the body with the external magnetic element. 
     In some embodiments, the second magnetic element is a magnet with a first polarity and the external magnetic element is a magnet with a second polarity. In some embodiments, the second magnetic element or the external magnetic element is a magnet with a first polarity and the corresponding magnetic element of the magnetic circuit is a ferrous based material. In some embodiments, the second magnetic element is comprised of multiple pieces. In some embodiments, the second magnetic element is comprised of two pieces. In some embodiments, the two pieces of the second magnetic element are different sizes. In some embodiments, the first and second magnetic elements are arranged in a location that prevents damage by first and second magnetic elements to internal operational components of the portable electronic device. 
     In some embodiments, the external magnetic element is arranged in a cover detachably connectable to the electronic device. In some embodiments, the cover comprises a plurality of panels, the plurality of panels being foldable onto each other. In some embodiments, the plurality of panels comprises a first, second middle and third panel and the second magnetic element is located in the second middle panel. 
     Some embodiments include a portable electronic device case and cover system that includes a case having a recess configured to carry a portable electronic device, the case including a first magnetic element. The system can also include a cover magnetically coupleable to the portable electronic device, the cover being moveable from at least a first open position, the cover comprising a second magnetic element, where in the first open position the first magnetic element completes a magnetic circuit with the second magnetic element restraining the cover to the case in the first open position. 
     In some embodiments, the first magnetic element comprises at least two magnets having differing polarities and the second magnetic element compromises at least two magnets having differing polarities. In some embodiments, the cover further comprises a first, second middle and third panel that are foldable upon each other and the second magnetic element is located in the second middle panel. In some embodiments, either the second magnetic element or the external magnetic element is a magnet with a first polarity and the corresponding magnetic element of the magnetic circuit is a ferrous based material. 
     Some embodiments can include a method for making a case for a portable electronic device, the portable electronic device having a housing that carries a first magnetic element capable of forming a magnetic circuit through the housing with a magnetic element external to the portable electronic device. The method can include forming a case body having a bottom wall and side walls that combine to define a recessed region suitable for retaining the portable electronic device, and arranging a second magnetic element in the case body at a position such that when the portable electronic device is carried in the recessed portion, the second magnetic element forms the magnetic circuit through the body with the external magnetic element. 
     Some embodiments can include adhering the second magnetic element to the case. Some embodiments can include magnetizing the second magnetic element in situ. Some embodiments can include over molding the case with the magnetized second magnetic element with an outer silicon layer. In some embodiments, the second magnetic element is a magnet with a first polarity and the external magnetic element is a magnet with a second polarity. In some embodiments, the second magnetic element comprises at least two magnets having differing polarities, the two pieces having different sizes. 
     The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the described embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the specific details are not required in order to practice the described embodiments. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the specific embodiments described herein are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not targeted to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20160212
Publication Date: 20170815
Grant Date: 20170815
Priority Date: 20160212
Inventors: SCALES TIMOTHY W.
Peters William M.
Wong Edward W.
JIN ZHIQIANG
STRYKER JAMES A.
JO YOONHOO
MALLARD David F.
Wang Colin M.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "G06F1/1626", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1633", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1626", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F2200/1634", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F2200/1634", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1633", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 59561496