초록 ▼

A cover is described that is magnetically attached to a tablet device. The cover includes at least as flap. In the described embodiment, the flap includes a plurality of segments where the first segment includes a first plurality of edge attach magnets arrayed along a first edge of the flap and wher

A cover is described that is magnetically attached to a tablet device. The cover includes at least as flap. In the described embodiment, the flap includes a plurality of segments where the first segment includes a first plurality of edge attach magnets arrayed along a first edge of the flap and where a second segment includes a second plurality of edge attach magnets arrayed along a second edge of the flap opposite the first edge.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A cover suitable for releasable attachment to a tablet device having a housing with a full front opening, a display carried by the housing within and that substantially fills the full front opening, and a protective layer carried by the housing that overlays the display, comprising: a flap having

1. A cover suitable for releasable attachment to a tablet device having a housing with a full front opening, a display carried by the housing within and that substantially fills the full front opening, and a protective layer carried by the housing that overlays the display, comprising: a flap having a size and shape in accordance with the protective layer comprising:first edge attach magnets located along a first edge of the flap; andsecond edge attach magnets located along a second edge of the flap opposite the first edge, wherein in a folded configuration, the first and second edges are in proximity to each other without overlapping such that a magnetic circuit formed between corresponding first and second edge attach magnets maintain the flap in the folded configuration. 2. The cover as recited in claim 1, further comprising a flexible hinge assembly comprising a flexible hinge portion, the hinge portion being a continuation of the flap beyond the second edge, and a magnetic attachment unit comprising a plurality of attachment magnets that provide a magnetic field used to form a magnetic circuit through the housing. 3. The cover as recited in claim 2, wherein the magnetic circuit through the housing magnetically attaches the magnetic attachment unit with the tablet device at the housing. 4. The cover as recited in claim 3, wherein in the folded configuration, the magnetic field from the magnetic attachment unit forms a magnetic circuit that provides a repulsive magnetic force that enhances ability of the magnetic circuit maintaining the flap in the folded configuration. 5. The cover as recited in claim 1, further comprising: magnetic field shaping magnets that together form an aggregate magnetic field that interact with magnetic fields of the first edge attach magnets forming a resultant magnetic field having a pre-defined magnetic field strength at a corresponding pre-defined flap location. 6. The cover as recited in claim 5, further comprising: wherein the pre-defined magnetic field strength corresponds to a null magnetic field. 7. The cover as recited in claim 6, wherein the pre-defined flap location corresponds to a location of a magnetically sensitive circuit carried by the tablet device when the flap is configured in a closed configuration with respect to the tablet device. 8. The cover as recited in claim 7, wherein the magnetically sensitive circuit is a magnetometer. 9. The cover as recited in claim 8, wherein the magnetometer acts as a magnetic compass. 10. The cover as recited in claim 1, wherein the first edge attach magnets comprises at least one magnetic element comprising a first portion having a size commensurate with the other first edge attach magnets and a second portion. 11. The cover as recited in claim 10, wherein the first portion forms a corresponding magnetic sub-circuit with a corresponding one of the second edge attach magnets. 12. The cover as recited in claim 11, wherein the second portion forms a magnetic circuit with a corresponding magnetic element carried by the tablet device in a closed configuration that assists in limiting a lateral movement of the flap with respect to the tablet device. 13. The cover as recited in claim 11, further comprising: a first sensor magnet located at a first position and detectable through the protective layer by a first sensor when in proximity to the first sensor magnet; anda second sensor magnet detectable through the top protective layer by a second sensor different from the first sensor when in proximity to the second sensor magnet. 14. The cover as recited in claim 13, wherein the first sensor magnetic comprises a first size corresponding to a distance of the first sensor magnet from a point of rotation of the flap and an angle of rotation of the flap with respect to the tablet device in a closed configuration. 15. The cover as recited in claim 13, wherein the second sensor magnetic comprises a second size corresponding to a distance of the second sensor magnet from the point of rotation and the angle of rotation of the flap with respect to the tablet device in the closed configuration. 16. The cover as recited in claim 15, wherein the first size and the second size are such that the first and second sensor magnets remain detectable by the first and second sensors, respectively, in the closed configuration when the rotation of the flap is within a pre-defined amount of rotation.