Apple Inc.

Other

Jared Sartee

Samuel Gilkison Smith

Santhana Krishnan Balaji

Andrew David Lauder

Florence W Ow

Justin Richard Wodrich

Kevin M Kenney

Robert Michael Merritt

Matthew Dean Rohrbach

Jeremy C Franklin

Benjamin M Rappoport

Michael S Nashner

Kathryn P Crews

Andrew Nelthropp Lauder

Julio C Quintero

Harry W Smith, Iv

Crenshaw Whitley

Adam K Eschner

The described embodiments relate generally to an accessory device for a tablet device. The accessory device takes the form of a flexible screen protector that can be disposed over a display portion of the tablet device. Because the flexible screen protector covers the display of the tablet there is no visual way for the tablet to provide notifications to the user while the screen protector overlays it. By providing a data and power connection between the tablet and the accessory device, the processor of the tablet device can command illumination elements disposed in the accessory device to be illuminated in any of a number of illumination states. Each of the illumination states can be associated with an operating state of the tablet device thereby allowing the tablet device to visually communicate operating state information while the display is covered.

Integrated visual notification system in an accessory device

An accessory unit includes a front flap and a rear cover. The rear cover includes a recessed portion that defines a chamber and a frame that extends about an opening of the chamber. The chamber is configured to receive a consumer electronic device, and the frame is configured to hold the consumer electronic device therein. For example, the frame may define a multi-sided cross-section with an inner edge thereof configured to engage a chamfered edge of the consumer electronic device. The front flap may include segments formed from panels with folding regions therebetween, which allow the front flap to fold. Further, an end region of the front flap hingedly couples the front flap to the rear cover, such that the front flap may be moved between open and closed configurations.

Methods for forming fiber composite structures

An integrated system of sensors that can be used to detect a direction of an externally applied magnetic field is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system can be incorporated into a compact package that can be used within an electronic device. A processor can use signals provided by the sensor system to provide an indication of the direction of the externally applied magnetic field. In one embodiment, the sensors can take the form of analog sensors such as Hall Effect sensors configured in such a way that the direction of the externally applied magnetic field can be deduced based in part upon detection signals provided by the Hall Effect sensors. In one embodiment, the Hall Effect sensors can be stacked one atop the other in such a way that relative signal strength of the detection signals from the sensors can indicate the direction of the externally applied magnetic field.

Method and apparatus for detecting direction of a magnetic field

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.

Cover for an electronic device

Accessory units for consumer electronic devices and related assemblies and methods

A durable, accessory cover assembly for a computing device, such as a cellular phone or a tablet computer. The accessory cover includes a frame, a first covering portion, and a second covering portion. The first covering can be composed of a wear-resistant material, such as leather; whereas, the second covering can be composed of a pliable particulate-absorbing material, such as microfiber. The first covering can be configured to seamlessly cover an external bottom surface of the frame, four external lateral surfaces of the frame, and four internal later surfaces of the frame, as well as an overlap region of an internal top surface of the frame. The second covering can be configured cover a majority of the surface area of the internal top surface of the frame, where it abuts the first covering along an annular region.

Accessory covers for mobile phones or other consumer electronic devices

Accessory device

Magnetic systems for electronic devices and accessories

Uni-directional fiber composite structure

Growing community of inventors

Saratoga, CA, United States of America

Jared Sartee