Google Inc.

Narendra A Patel

John Joseph Gorsica

Michael J Lombardi

Roger W Harmon

A magnetic field sensor, such as a Hall effect sensor, and a corresponding magnetic field producing unit, such as a magnet, can be both positioned near a hinge of a hinged device, such that the magnet, in one part of the device, rotates around the Hall effect sensor, in another part of the device. Three positions can, thereby be detected: (1) when the device is closed and the magnet is 'above' the sensor, (2) when the device is partially open and the magnet is 'to the side' of the sensor, and (3) when the device is fully open and the magnet is &#x201c;below&#x201d; the sensor. The hinged device can have the hinge offset slightly to enable the magnet to rotate around the sensor as described. Alternatively, the locations of the magnet and sensor can be reversed.

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Gurnee, IL, United States of America

Narendra A Patel