WO2021194488A1

WO2021194488A1 - Device accessories with movable magnetic elements

Info

Publication number: WO2021194488A1
Application number: PCT/US2020/024720
Authority: WO
Inventors: Shih-Jen Chang; Hogan Hote YEH; Cheng-hua YU
Original assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
Priority date: 2020-03-25
Filing date: 2020-03-25
Publication date: 2021-09-30

Abstract

In an example, a device accessory may include an elongate body having a longitudinal axis. Further, device accessory may include a first magnetic element and a second magnetic element. The first magnetic element may be movable along the longitudinal axis, and the second magnetic element may be movable along the longitudinal axis, relative to the first magnetic element.

Description

DEVICE ACCESSORIES WITH MOVABLE MAGNETIC ELEMENTS

BACKGROUND

[0001] Electronic devices such as computing devices may be utilized in various ways. In some situations, electronic devices may be interacted with by a user through various types of interfaces, for example, mice, trackpads, keyboards, etc. In some situations, electronic devices may include a display, which may be a touch screen display. A user may interact with a touch screen display by touching by hand, or by using an accessory, such as a stylus or electronic pen.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0002] Fig. l is a perspective cutaway view of an example device accessory having movable magnetic elements.

[0003] Fig. 2A is a perspective cutaway view of another example device accessory having movable magnetic elements.

[0004] Fig. 2B is a side cross-sectional view of the example device accessory of Fig. 2A.

[0005] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of an example computing device having an example device accessory with movable magnetic elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0006] As described above, electronic devices such as computing devices may be utilized in various ways. In some situations, electronic devices may be interacted with by a user through various types of interfaces, for example, mice, trackpads, keyboards, etc. In further situations, electronic devices may include a display on which content may be output or shown to a user. The display may be a standalone monitor or screen for a desktop computer in some examples, or may be an integrated screen, for example, in a laptop or notebook computer, or a tablet computer or smartphone. Other examples may include a display or screen on a different type of electronic device, for example, an imaging device such as a printer, or an additive manufacturing machine such as a three-dimensional (3D) printer. In some situations, the display of an electronic device may be a touch screen display. A user may interact with a touch screen display by touching by hand, or by using an accessory, such as a stylus or electronic pen.

[0007] An accessory such as a stylus or electronic pen may increase the ease with which a user interacts with a computing device. For example, such an accessory may make interaction with the computing device more intuitive or natural for the user. Such an accessory may be used to write notes on a display, mimicking a pad of paper or a sticky note, or may further be used to draw or sketch on a display in order to generate electronic drawings or graphic designs.

[0008] Such accessories are often stored separately from an electronic device, for example in a user’s bag or pocket. Due to the relatively small size of the accessory, this can result in the user inadvertently losing the accessory, or not being able to locate the accessory among other items in the bag. Some electronic devices may include a slot or channel into which the stylus, electronic pen, or other accessory may be inserted in order to be stowed. This solution may take up valuable space or volume within the chassis of the electronic device, where space is often at a premium.

[0009] In some situations, magnets or magnetic attraction may be used to hold the device accessory to the computing device when the accessory is not in use. This often involves the interior placement of magnetic elements within the enclosure of a computing device, which may be subject to or limited by the internal placement of other computing components such as connection ports. As such, corresponding magnetic components within the device accessory may have to be placed in a specific corresponding manner or at a corresponding distance away from one another to ensure that they are aligned with the computing device magnetic components when the accessory is stowed to ensure the magnetic attractive force is sufficiently strong enough to securely hold the accessory. This may result in limitations to desirable placement of connection ports and/or may have a negative impact on the aesthetics or industrial design of the computing device. Further, this may limit with which computing devices a given device accessory may be used, as the alignment of the respective magnetic elements in the computing device and the accessory may have to be compatible with each other.

[0010] In some situations, it may be desirable to be able to use or stow a device accessory with different types or models of computing device. Further, it may be desirable to have freedom of design when locating the magnetic components within the enclosure of a computing device to ensure that other computing components such as connection ports are able to be located in desired locations. Implementations of the present disclosure provide device accessories with magnetic elements. Such magnetic elements may be movable within the device accessory to accommodate varying locations of complementary magnetic components within a computing device. Thus, examples of such device accessories may be stowed to different types or models of computing devices having different magnetic element placement.

[0011] Referring now to Fig. 1, a perspective cutaway view of an example device accessory 100 having movable magnetic elements is illustrated. Device accessory 100 may include an elongate body 102 having a longitudinal axis 103. Further, device accessory 100 may include a first magnetic element 104 and a second magnetic element 106. The first magnetic element 104 may be movable along the longitudinal axis 103, e.g., along direction 105, and the second magnetic element 106 may be movable along the longitudinal axis 103, relative to the first magnetic element 104, e.g., along direction 107.

[0012] The elongate body 102 may be a rigid or semi-rigid member having an interior cavity or cavities. The elongate body 102 may have a suitable structure so as to be grasped or held, at least in part, by the hand of a user. In some examples, the elongate body 102 may have a tubular structure, which may be cylindrical. In other examples, the tubular structure of the body 102 may have a cross-section of a different shape, such as a rectangular or hexagonal shape, or may have a different type of tubular structure. In other examples, the elongate body 102 may be able to receive and contain the first and second magnetic elements 104 and 106, and may enable the longitudinal movement of such elements within the body 102 and/or internal cavities thereof. In some examples, the elongate body 102 may have a structure resembling that of a stylus or electronic pen.

[0013] The first and second magnetic elements 104 and 106 may be formed of a magnetic or ferrous material, so as to provide or react to an electromagnetic field. The first and second magnetic elements 104 and 106 may be attracted to other magnetic or ferrous components. In some examples, the first and second magnetic elements 104 and 106 may have a similar structure, size, and/or shape to one another while in other examples, the first and second magnetic elements 104 and 106 may have a different structure to one another. In some implementations, the first and second magnetic elements 104 and 106 may have a rounded or cylindrical shape and they may be disposed within a rounded or cylindrical cavity within the elongate body 102 such that they are able to slide freely along the longitudinal axis 103.

[0014] In some implementations, the elongate body 102 may have a suitable structure, wall thickness, and/or cross-sectional shape to allow the device accessory 100 to be placed sufficiently close to other magnetic components, external to the device accessory 100, such that the first and second magnetic elements 104 and 106 may be attracted to such external magnetic components to such a degree that such magnetic attraction is able to securely support the weight of the device accessory 100. In some examples, the magnetic attraction between the first and second magnetic elements 104 and 106 and external magnetic components may be at least 850 grams (g) in order to support the weight of the device accessory.

[0015] Referring now to Fig. 2A, a perspective cutaway view of another example device accessory 200 having movable magnetic elements is illustrated. Example device accessory 200 may be similar to other example device accessories described above. Further, the similarly-named elements of example device accessory 200 may be similar in function and/or structure to the respective elements of other example device accessories, as they are described above. Device accessory 200 may include an elongate body 202 having a longitudinal axis 203, a first magnetic element 204, and a second magnetic element 206. The first magnetic element 204 may be movable or slidable along longitudinal axis 203, e.g., along direction 205, relative to the second magnetic element 206 and the second magnetic element 206 may be movable or slidable along the longitudinal axis 203, e.g., along direction 207, relative to the first magnetic element 204. In other words, the first and second magnetic elements 204 and 206 may be movable independently from one another.

[0016] Further, the device accessory 200 may also include a nib 216. The nib 216 may be attached to or be an integral part of a distal end of the elongate body 202. The nib 216 may be used to contact or engage with the physical surface of a touch-screen display of an electronic device to allow a user to engage with the user-interface or an application running on the computing device. In some implementations, the nib 216 may be conical, frusto-conical, rounded, or semi-spherical in shape.

[0017] The device accessory 200 may further include a first bias member 208, a second bias member 210, a third bias member 212, and a fourth bias member 214. The first magnetic element 204 may be engaged with the first and second bias members 208 and 210, while the second magnetic element 206 may be engaged with the third and fourth bias members 212 and 214.

[0018] The first bias member 208, second bias member 210, third bias member 212, and fourth bias member 214 may all be resilient components that are able to return to their original form after undergoing a deformation. In other words, the first, second, third, and fourth bias members 208, 210, 212, and 214, respectively, may be elastically deformable. Further, each of the bias members may provide a reactionary force in response to and proportional to a deformation that they have undergone. The first, second, third, and fourth bias members 208, 210, 212, and 214, respectively, may be springs, in some examples. In other examples, they may be compression springs and be constructed of spring steel. In yet further examples, the first, second, third, and fourth bias members 208, 210, 212, and 214, respectively, may be another type of spring, e.g., a tension spring, a leaf spring, or a torsion spring, and may be constructed of other materials, e.g., a plastic material. In yet further examples, each of the first, second, third, and fourth bias members 208, 210, 212, and 214, respectively, may be another type of component that is able to return to its original shape after undergoing a compression or a tension.

[0019] In some examples, the first and second bias members 208 and 210 are to urge or bias the first magnetic element 204 in opposing directions. That is, when the first magnetic element 204 is moved in one direction along the longitudinal axis, such movement is against the urging of one of the first and second bias members 208 and 210 and is the same direction of the urging of the other of the first and second bias members 208 and 210. Similarly, the third and fourth bias members 212 and 214 may urge or bias the second magnetic element 206 in opposing directions in a similar manner as the first and second bias members 208 and 210.

[0020] Referring now to Fig. 2B, a side cross-sectional view of the example device accessory 200 of Fig. 2A is illustrated. Note, for clarity only a portion of the device accessory 200 is illustrated, specifically the second magnetic element 206 and the third and fourth bias members 212 and 214. However, such proceeding description is contemplated to apply to the first magnetic element 204 and first and second bias members 208 and 210, as well. In some implementations, the second magnetic element 206 may have a natural resting position or a neutral position, with both of the third and fourth bias members 212 and 214 exerting an equal and opposite force on the second magnetic element 206. In some examples, to accomplish this, the third bias member 212 may pull or push on a first distal end of the second magnetic element 206, while the fourth bias member 214 may pull or push an equal amount on a second distal end, opposite from the first distal end, of the second magnetic element 206. This neutral position may be represented by center line 209 in Fig. 2B.

[0021] When the device accessory 200 comes into close proximity to an external magnetic component or source of an electromagnetic field, the second magnetic element 206 may be attracted by the force of such a field and may undergo a movement or a translation along the longitudinal axis 203 of the body 202 against the urging of one of the third and fourth bias members 212 and 214. As depicted in Fig. 2B, the second magnetic element 206 has moved to the right (in the plane of view) such that its local center line 211 is now spaced apart from the neutral center line 209 by a distance 213. Such movement of the second magnetic element 206 has caused the compression of fourth bias member 214 and the extension of third bias member 212. In examples wherein the third and fourth bias members 212 and 214 are compression springs, this may mean that the movement of the second magnetic element 206 is in the same direction as the urging of third bias member 212, yet against the urging of fourth bias member 214. However, in examples wherein the third and fourth bias members 212 and 214 are tension or extension springs, such movement of the second magnetic element 206 may be against the urging or tension of the third bias member 212, yet in the same direction as the urging or tension of the fourth bias member 214.

[0022] In either example, movement of the first magnetic element 204 along the longitudinal axis 203 of the body 202 may result in the first magnetic element 204 compressing (or allowing to compress) one of the first and second bias members 208 and 210 and extending (or allowing to extend) the other of the first and second bias members 208 and 210. Similarly, movement of the second magnetic element 206 along the longitudinal axis 203 of the body 202 may result in the second magnetic element 206 compressing (or allowing to compress) one of the third and fourth bias members 212 and 214 and extending (or allowing to extend) the other of the third and fourth bias members 212 and 214. Thus, any movement of either the first or second magnetic elements 204 and 206 is both in favor of and against a bias force such that, upon the external magnetic component or field being removed, each of the first and second magnetic elements 204 and 206 may return to its neutral position at bias member equilibrium.

[0023] Note, although the example device accessory 200 is illustrated as having two magnetic elements and associated pairs of bias members, additional sets or a differing number of magnetic elements and bias members are also contemplated.

[0024] Referring now to Fig. 3, a perspective view of an example computing device 301 having an example device accessory 300 with movable magnetic elements is illustrated. Example device accessory 300 may be similar to other example device accessories described above. Further, the similarly-named elements of example device accessory 300 may be similar in function and/or structure to the respective elements of other example device accessories, as they are described above.

[0025] In some examples, computing device 301 may be a portable computing device, such as a notebook personal computer (PC) or a tablet PC. In other implementations, the computing device 301 may be another type of computer such as a desktop PC or an all-in-one (AiO) PC. In some examples, computing device 301 may have a display326, which may be a touch-screen display. In some implementations, the display 326 may be an integrated component with the computing device, such as with a notebook or tablet PC, a smartphone, or an AiO device. In other examples, the display 326 may be a standalone monitor for a desktop PC. In yet further implementations, the display 326 may be a user interface panel and the computing device 301 may be a different type of computing device, such as an imaging device (e.g., a printer, copier, additive manufacturing machine, etc.). In some examples, the computing device 301 may have additional user-interface components such as a keyboard 328, mouse, or trackpad.

[0026] The computing device 301 may have a device enclosure 318. The device enclosure

318 may be a case or housing to enclose, structurally support, and/or protect other computing components of the computing device 301. Such other components may include processors, storage drives, memory, or other suitable components. The computing device 301 may also include a first mating magnetic element 320 disposed within the enclosure 318 and a second mating magnetic element 322 disposed within the enclosure 318. In some examples, the first and second mating magnetic elements 320 and 322 may be disposed within the enclosure 318 along an outer edge 324 of the enclosure 318. Further, the first and second mating magnetic elements 320 and 322 may be spaced apart from one another along a depth 315 of the device enclosure 318 by a first distance 317. First distance 317 is an example distance and, as such, first and second mating magnetic elements 320 and 322 may be oriented or space apart from one another in any desirable fashion along the outer edge 324. For example, the desired locating of other computing components such as connection or charging ports, power buttons, switches, or other components may dictate where the first and second mating magnetic elements 320 and 322 may be placed in the computing device 301.

[0027] In some examples, the first and second mating magnetic elements 320 and 322 may be constructed of a magnetic or ferrous material such that the first and second mating magnetic elements 320 and 322 are capable of providing or reacting to an electromagnetic field. In some implementations, the first and second mating magnetic elements 320 and 322 are magnetically attracted to or are capable of magnetically attracting other magnetic or ferrous materials. In some implementations, the first and second mating magnetic elements 320 and 322 are disposed within the enclosure 318 in order to preserve a positive aesthetic or industrial design of the computing device, yet may be disposed close enough to the outer edge 324 so as to still be attracted to or attract other magnetic elements that may be disposed outside of the enclosure 318.

[0028] The computing device 301 may also include a device accessory 300. The device accessory 300 may be a device that is to be used in conjunction with the computing device 301. In some examples, the device accessory 300 may be a stylus or electronic pen for use with a touch screen display, e.g., display 326. In other examples, the device accessory 300 may a traditional writing utensil such as a pen or pencil. In yet further examples, the device accessory 300 may be another type of accessory for which a user desires an easy method of stowing such accessory and/or to keep the accessory with the computing device 301. [0029] Device accessory 300 may include an elongate body 302, as well as first and second magnetic elements 304 and 306 and first, second, third, and fourth bias members 308, 310, 312, and 314, respectively. In some examples, device accessory 300 may include additional sets of magnetic elements and associated bias members.

[0030] The first and second mating magnetic elements 320 and 322 may be complementary to the first and second magnetic elements 304 and 306 in order to stow or attach the device accessory 300 to the enclosure of the computing device 301. Specifically, first magnetic element 304 may be magnetically attracted to first mating magnetic element 320. As such, in some examples, both first magnetic element 304 and first mating magnetic element 320 may be magnets, capable of providing magnetic fields. In other examples either the first magnetic element 304 or the first mating magnetic element 320 may be a magnet with the other being constructed of a ferrous material, such as iron or steel. In a similar fashion, second magnetic element 306 and second mating magnetic element 322 may be magnetically attracted to one another with both being magnets, or one being a magnet and the other being constructed of a ferrous material. In further examples, either the first and second magnetic elements 304 and 306 or the first and second mating magnetic elements 320 and 322 may be electromagnets where a current may be passed through in order to generate an electromagnetic field to cause the attraction.

[0031] In order to stow the device accessory 300 to the computing device 301, the device accessory 300 may be brought into close proximity to the outer edge 324 of the enclosure 318, e.g., along example distance 319. In this context, proximity, or close proximity, may refer to the device accessory 300 being brought close enough to the first and second mating magnetic elements 320 and 322 such that the first and second magnetic elements 304 and 306 are affected by a magnetic field or fields caused or generated by the first and second mating magnetic elements 320 and 322, or vice versa. In other words, when the device accessory 300 is brought into proximity with the outer edge 324 of the enclosure 318, the first and second mating magnetic elements 320 and 322 are to magnetically attract or be magnetically attracted to the first and second magnetic elements 304 and 306, respectively.

[0032] In some examples, if the first distance 317 is different than the distance between the first and second magnetic elements 304 and 306 in their neutral position, such magnetic attraction may cause the first magnetic element 304 to move out of its neutral position against the urging of one of the first and second bias members 308 and 310 to align with the first mating magnetic element 320 and/or the second magnetic element 306 to move out of its neutral position against the urging of one of the third and fourth bias members 312 and 314 to align with the second mating magnetic element 322. Thus, the first magnetic element 304 and/or second magnetic element 306 may move along the body 302 so as to align with the complementary first and second mating magnetic elements 320 and 322. Once aligned, the distance between the first and second magnetic elements 304 and 306 may substantially match the first distance 317 between the first and second mating magnetic elements 320 and 322. In this context, substantially match may refer to the spacing between the first and second magnetic elements 304 and 306 being sufficiently close to the first distance 317 such that the first and second magnetic mating elements 320 and 322 are to hold the device accessory 300 to the outer edge 324 of the enclosure 318 through magnetic attraction to the first and second magnetic elements 304 and 306, respectively.

[0033] It should be noted that, in some examples, the orientation and/or poles of the first and second mating magnetic elements 320 or 322, or the first and second magnetic elements 304 and 306, may be chosen in order to ensure the device accessory 300 is able to stow to the enclosure in a single manner. In other words, the magnetic attraction between the magnetic elements may be chosen or designed such that the device accessory 300 is always in the same orientation when stowed, e.g., with one end of the device accessory 300 always pointing towards the user or a specific portion of the computing device 301.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A device accessory, comprising: an elongate body; a first magnetic element disposed within the body and movable along a longitudinal axis of the body; and a second magnetic element disposed within the body and movable along the longitudinal axis of the body relative to the first magnetic element.

2. The device accessory of claim 1, wherein the first and second magnetic elements are to move along the body so as to align with complementary first and second mating magnetic elements, respectively, disposed within an electronic device enclosure.

3. The device accessory of claim 1, wherein the first magnetic element is engaged with a first bias member and a second bias member, and the second magnetic element is engaged with a third bias member and a fourth bias member.

4. The device accessory of claim 3, wherein the first and second bias members are to bias the first magnetic element in opposing directions and the third and fourth bias members are to bias the second magnetic element in opposing directions.

5. The device accessory of claim 1, wherein the device accessory is a stylus for use with a touch-screen display of an electronic device.

6. A device accessory, comprising: an elongate body; a first magnetic element disposed within the body and movable along a longitudinal axis of the body, the first magnetic element engaged with a first bias member and a second bias member; and a second magnetic element disposed within the body and movable along the longitudinal axis of the body relative to the first magnetic element, the second magnetic element engaged with a third bias member and a fourth bias member.

7. The device accessory of claim 6, wherein the first and second magnetic elements are to move along the body so as to align with complementary first and second mating magnetic elements, respectively, disposed within an electronic device enclosure.

8. The device accessory of claim 7, wherein the first magnetic element is to compress one of the first and second bias members and extend the other of the first and second bias members to align with the first mating magnetic element and the second magnetic element is to compress one of the third and fourth bias members and extend the other of the third and fourth bias members to align with the second mating magnetic element.

9. A computing device, comprising: a device enclosure; a first mating magnetic element disposed within the enclosure; a second mating magnetic element disposed within the enclosure; and a device accessory, comprising: an elongate body; a first magnetic element disposed within the body and movable along a longitudinal axis of the body; and a second magnetic element disposed within the body and movable along the longitudinal axis of the body relative to the first magnetic element.

10. The computing device of claim 9, wherein the first and second mating magnetic elements are disposed within the device enclosure along an outer edge and spaced apart from one another along a depth of the device enclosure by a first distance.

11. The computing device of claim 9, wherein when the device accessory is brought into proximity with the outer edge of the enclosure, the first and second mating magnetic elements are to be magnetically attracted to the first and second magnetic elements, respectively, so as to cause the first magnetic element to move out of a neutral position against the urging of one of the first and second bias members to align with the first mating magnetic element and the second magnetic element to move out of a neutral position against the urging of one of the third and fourth bias members to align with the second mating magnetic element.

12. The computing device of claim 11, wherein the first and second magnetic mating elements are to hold the device accessory to the outer edge of the enclosure through magnetic attraction to the first and second magnetic elements, respectively.

13. The computing device of claim 9, wherein the computing device is a tablet computer.

14. The computing device of claim 9, wherein the computing device is a notebook computer.

15. The computing device of claim 9, wherein the device accessory is a stylus for use with a touch-screen display of the computing device.