United States Ratent and Trademark Office
`
`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and Trademark Offiee
`Address: COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`PC. Box 1450
`Alexandria, Viigiiiia 22313-1450
`www.uspto.gov
`
`APPLICATION I
`NUMBER I
`61/576,834
`
`FILING or
`371(c) DATE
`12/16/2011
`
`1 GRP ART 1
`1 UNIT 1
`
`FIL FEE REC'D |
`
`250
`
`87627
`Mossman, Kumar & Tyler PC
`P.O. Box 421239
`Houston, TX 77242
`
`atty.docket.no
`MAY-1001-USP6
`
`|t〇T claims I IND CLAIMS
`
`CONFIRMATION NO. 3693
`FILING RECEIPT
`OC000000051747994
`；00000005
`
`Date Mailed: 01/05/2012
`
`Receipt is acknowledged of this provision기 patent application. It wiH not be examined for patentability and wiH
`become abandoned not later than twelve months after its filing date. Any correspondence concerning the application
`must in이Ude the following id이itification informati이the U.S. APP니CATION NUMBER, 디니NG DATE, NAME OE
`API가」CANT, and TITLE OE INVENTION. Fees transmitted by check 이 draft are subject to collection. Please verify
`the accuracy of the data presented on this receipt. If an error is noted on this Fiiing Receipt, piease submit
`a written request for a Fiiing Receipt Correction. Piease provide a copy of this Fiiing Receipt with the
`changes noted thereon, if you received a "Notice to Fiie Missing Parts" for this appiication, piease submit
`any corrections to this Fiiing Receipt with your repiy to the Notice. When the USPTO processes the repiy
`to the Notice, the USPTO wiii generate another Fiiing Receipt incorporating the requested corrections
`Appiicant(s)
`
`Walter G. Mayfi이d, Houston, TX;
`Power of Attorney:
`Gene Tyler-35395
`
`If Required, Foreign Fiiing License Granted: 12/30/2011
`The country code and number of your priority applioation, to be used for filing abroad under the Paris Convention,
`is US 61/576,834
`Projected Publication Date: None, application is not eligi미e for pre-grant pu미ication
`Non-Publication Request: No
`Early Publication Request: No
`Titie
`
`Switohing Devioe for Aotivating and Deactivating a Magnetic Switch
`PROTECTING YOUR INVENTION OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES
`
`Since the rights granted by a U.S. patent extend only throughout the territory of the United States and have no
`effeot in a foreign country, an inventor who wishes patent protection in another country must apply for a patent
`in a specific country or in regional patent offices. Applicants may wish to consider the filing of an international
`application under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). An international (PCT) application generally has the same
`effect as a regular national patent application in each PCT-member country. The PCT process simplifies the filing
`of patent applications on the same invention in member countries, but does not result in a grant of "an international
`page 1 of 3
`
`1
`
`APPLE 1016
`
`

`

`patent" and does not eliminate the need of applioants to file additional documents and fees in countries where patent
`protection is desired.
`
`Almost every country has its own patent law, and a person desiring a patent in a particular country must make an
`application for patent in that country in accordance with its particular laws. Since the laws of many countries differ
`in various respects from the patent law of the United States, applicants are advised to seek guidance from speoifio
`foreign countries to ensure that patent rights are not lost prematurely.
`
`Applicants also are advised that in the case of inventions made in the United States, the Director of the USPTO must
`issue a license before applicants can apply for a patent in a foreign country. The filing of a U.S. patent application
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`to oonsult the U.S. Government website, http://www.stopfakes.gov. Part of a Department of Commeroe initiative,
`this website includes s이f-help "toolkits" giving innovators guidance on how to proteot mt이|ectu기 property in specific
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`cal! the U.S. Government hotline at 1-866-999-HALT (1-866-999-4158).
`
`니CENSE FOR FOR티GN Fl니NG UNDER
`Title 35, United States Code, Section 184
`Title 37, Code of Federal Regulations, 5.11 & 5.15
`
`GRANTED
`
`The applicant has been granted a license under 35 U.S.C. 184, if the phrase "IF REQUIRED, FOR티GN Fl니NG
`니CENSE GRANTED" followed by a date appears on this form. Such licenses are issued in al! applications where
`the conditions for issuanoe of a license have been met, regardless of whether or not a license may be required as
`set forth in 37 CFR 5.15. The scope and limitations of this license are set forth in 37 CFR 5.15(a) unless an earlier
`license has been issued under 37 CFR 5.15(b). The license is subject to revocation upon written notification. The
`date indicated is the effective date of the license, unless an earlier license of similar scope has been granted under
`37 CFR 5.13^5.14.
`
`This license is to be retained by the licensee and may be used at any time on or after the effective date thereof unless
`it is revoked. This license is automatically transferred to any related applications(s) filed under 37 CFR 1.53(d). This
`license is not retroaotive.
`
`The grant of a license does not in any way lessen the responsibility of a licensee for the security of the subject matter
`as imposed by any Government contract or the provisions of existing laws relating to espionage and the national
`security or the export of teohnioa! data. Licensees should apprise themselves of current regulations especially with
`respect to certain countries, of other agencies, particularly the Office of Defense Trade Controls, Department of
`State (with respect to Arms, Munitions and Imp|이rents of War (22 CFR 121-128)); the Bureau of Industry and
`page 2 of 3
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`2
`
`

`

`Security, Department of Commerce (15 CFR parts 730-774); the Office of For이gn AssetsControl, Department of
`Treasury (31 CFR Parts 500+) and the Department of Energy.
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`NOT GRANTED
`
`No license under 35 U.S.C. 184 has been granted at this time, if the phrase "IF REQUIRED, FOR티GN FILING
`니CENSE GRANTED" DOES NOT appear on this form. Applicant may stiH petition for a lie이】se under 37 CFR 5.12,
`if a license is desired before the expiration of 6 months from the filing date of the application. If 6 months has lapsed
`from the filing date of this application and the licensee has not reoeived any indication of a secrecy order under 35
`U.S.C. 181, the licensee may foreign file the application pursuant to 37 CFR 5.15(b).
`
`SelectUSA
`The United States represents the largest, most dynamic marketplace in the world and is an unparalleled location
`for business investment, innovation and commercialization of new technologies. The USA offers tremendous
`resources and advantages for those who invest and manufacture goods here. Through SelectUSA, our nation
`works to encourage, facilitate, and accelerate business investment. To learn more about why the USA is the best
`country in the world to develop teohnology, manufaoture products, and grow your business, visit S이ectUSA.gov.
`
`page 3 of 3
`
`3
`
`

`

`Doc Code: TR.PROV
`Document Description: Provision기 Cover Sheet (SB16)
`
`PTO/SB/16 (04-07)
`Approved for use through 06/30/2010 0MB 0651-0032
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a coiiection of information uniess it dispiays a vaiid 0MB controi number
`Provisional Application for Patent Cover Sheet
`This is a req니est for fiiing a PROViSiONAL APPLiCATiON FOR PATENT 니nder 37 CFR 1.53(c)
`
`Inventor(s)
`
`Inventor 1
`
`辰兼簫懿苣뼤
`
`Given Name
`
`Mid게e Name
`
`Famiiy Name
`
`City
`
`State
`
`Co니 ntry j
`
`Waiter
`
`G.
`
`Mayfieid
`
`Ho 니 ston
`
`TX
`
`US
`
`Aii inventors Must Be Listed - Additionai inventor information biocks may be
`generated within this form by seiecting the Add b니tton.
`
`Add |
`...................'
`
`Title of Invention
`
`Switching Device for Activating and Deactivating a Magnetic Switch
`
`Attorney Docket Number (if appiicabie)
`
`MAY-1001-USP6
`
`Correspondence Address
`
`Direct aii correspondence to (seiect one):
`
`◎ The address corresponding to Customer Number 〇 Firm or Individ니기 Name
`
`Customer Number
`
`87627
`
`The invention was made by an agency of the United States Government or 니nder a contract with an agency of the United
`States Government.
`
`◎ No.
`〇 Yes, the name of the U.S. Government agency and the Government contract number are:
`
`EFS - Web 1.0.1
`
`4
`
`

`

`Doc Code: TR.PROV
`Document Description: Provisionai Cover Sheet (SB16)
`
`PTO/SB/16 (04-07)
`Approved for use through 06/30/2010 0MB 0651-0032
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a coiiection of information uniess it dispiays a vaiid 0MB controi number
`Entity Status
`Applicant ciaims smaii entity status under 37 CFR 1.27
`〇 Yes, appiicant q니기ifies for smaii entity status under 37 CFR 1.27
`◎ No
`Warning
`
`Petitioner/appiicant is ca니tioned to avoid submitting personal information in documents fiied in a patent application that may
`contrib니te to identity theft. Personal information s니ch as social sec니rity numbers, bank acco니nt numbers, or credit card
`numbers (other than a check or credit card a니thorization form PTO-2038 s니bmitted for payment p니rposes) is never req니ired
`by the USPTO to s니pport a petition or an application. If this type of personal information is included in documents submitted
`to the USPTO, petitioners/applicants sho니d consider redacting s니ch personal information from the doc니merits before
`s니bmitting them to USPTO. Petitioner/appiicant is advised that the record of a patent application is available to the p니blic
`after p니blication of the application (니niess a non-p니blication req니est in compliance with 37 OFR 1.213(a) is made in the
`application) or iss니ance of a patent. F니rthemiore, the record from an abandoned application may also be available to the
`p니blic if the application is referenced in a p니blished application or an iss니ed patent (see 37 CFR1.14). Checks and credit
`card a니thorization forms PTO-2038 s니bmitted for payment p니rposes are not retained in the application file and therefore are
`not p니blicly available.
`
`Signature
`
`Please see 37 CFR 1.4(d) for the form of the signature.
`
`Signature
`
`/Gene L. Tyler/
`
`First Name
`
`Gene L.
`
`Last Name
`
`Tyler
`
`Date (YYYY-MM-DD)
`
`2011-12-16
`
`Registration Number
`(If appropriate)
`
`35395
`
`This collection of information is required by 37 CFR 1.51. The information is required to obtain or retain a benefit by the public which is to
`file (and by the USPTO to process) an application. Confidenti기ity is governed by 35 U.S.C. 122 and 37 CFR 1.11 and 1.14. This collection
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`of Commerce, P.O. Box 1450, 시exandria, VA 22313-145〇. DO NOT SEND FEES OR COMPLETED FORMS TO THIS ADDRESS. This
`form can only be used when in conjunction with EFS-Web. If this form is mailed to the USPTO, it may cause delays in handling
`the provisional application.
`
`EFS - Web 1.0.1
`
`5
`
`

`

`Privacy Act Statement
`
`The Privacy Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-579) req니ires that yo니 be given certain information in connection with yo니rs니bmission of
`the attached form reiated to a patent appiication or paten. Accordingiy, p니rs니ant to the requirements of the Act, piease be
`advised that: (1) the generai a니thority for the coiiection of this information is 35 U.S.C. 2(b)(2); (2) f니mishing of the
`information soiicited is voiuntary; and (3) the principai p니rpose for which the information is 니sed by the U.S. Patent and
`Trademark Office is to process and/or examine yo니 rs니 bmission reiated to a patent appiication or patent. If yo 니 do not
`f니mish the req니ested information, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office may not be abie to process and/or examine yo니r
`s니bmission, which may res니It in termination of proceedings or abandonment of the appiication or expiration of the patent.
`
`The information provided by yo니 in this form wiii be s니bject to the f이|owing ro니tine 니ses:
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`2.
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`3.
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`
`6.
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`7.
`
`8.
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`9.
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`The information on this form wiii be treated confidentiaiiy to the extent aiiowed 니nder the Freedom of information
`A가 (5 U.S.C. 552) and the Privacy A가 (5 U.S.C 552a). Records from this system of records may be dis시osed to the
`Department of J니stice to determine whether disclos니re of these records is req니ired by the Freedom of information
`Act.
`
`A record from this system of records may be disciosed, as a ro니tine 니se, in the co니rse of presenting evidence to
`a co니rt, magistrate, or administrative trib니nal, inciuding dis시os니res to opposing co니nsel in the co니rse of settlement
`negotiations.
`A record in this system of records may be dis시osed, as a ro니tine 니se, to a Member of Congress submitting a
`req니est involving an individ니al, to whom the record pertains, when the individ니al has req니ested assistance from the
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`A record in this system of records may be dis시osed, as a ro니tine 니se, to a contractor of the Agency having need
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`req니irements of the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, p니rs니ant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(m).
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`records may be disciosed, as a ro니tine 니se, to the internationai B니rea니 of the Worid Intellect니기 Property
`Organization, p니rs니ant to the Patent Cooperation Treaty.
`A record in this system of records may be disciosed, as a ro니tine 니se, t o a n other federal agency for p니rposes
`of National Security review (35 U.S.C. 181) and for review p니rs니ant to the Atomic 타lergy A거 (42 U.S.C. 218(c)).
`A record from this system of records may be dis시osed, as a ro니tine 니se, to the Administrator, General Services,
`or his/her designee, d니ring an inspection of records cond니cted by GSA as part of that agency's responsibility to
`recommend improvements in records management practices and programs, 니nder a니thority of 44 U.S.C. 2904 and
`2906. S니ch disclos니re shaii be made in accordance with the GSA regulations governing inspection of records for this
`p니rpose, and any other relevant (i.e., GSA or Commerce) directive. S니ch dis시os니re shaii not be 니sed to make
`determinations abo니t individ니als.
`A record from this system of records may be dis시osed, as a ro니tine 니se, to the p니blic after either p니blication of
`the application p니rs니ant to 35 U.S.C. 122(b) or issuance of a patent p니rs니ant to 35 U.S.C. 151. F니rther, a record
`may be dis시osed, s니bject to the limitations of 37 CFR 1.14, as a ro니tine 니se, to the p니blic if the record was filed in an
`application which became abandoned or in which the proceedings were terminated and which application is
`referenced by either a p니blished application, an application open to p니blic inspection or an
`iss니ed patent.
`A record from this system of records may be dis시osed, as a ro니tine 니se, to a Federal, State, or local law
`enforcement agency, if the USPTO becomes aware of a violation or potential violation of law or reg니ation.
`
`6
`
`

`

`MAY-1001-US-P6
`
`PROVISIONAL APPLICATION FOR
`UNITED STATES LETTERS PATENT
`
`FOR
`
`SWITCHING DEVICE EOR ACTIVATING
`AND DEACTIVATING A MAGNETIC SWITCH
`
`Inventor: Walter G. Mayfield
`
`-1-
`
`7
`
`

`

`MAY-1001-US-P6
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`Field of the Invention
`1.
`[0001] The invention relates to an apparatus for activating a magnetic switch. The
`invention particularly relates to such an apparatus used with electrical devices.
`
`Background of the Art
`2.
`[0002] Many portable electronic devices have a view screen for displaying text and other
`forms of media. For example, some of these devices also are used for displaying
`
`photographs and in some cases movies. The newest of these devices display photographs
`
`and movies in high definition.
`[0003] For portable devices, it is desirable to go as long a time as possible between
`recharges. There has been much development of advanced battery technology in recent
`
`years to increase the charge volume to density ratios of batteries.
`[0004] Similarly, there has been much effort in reducing the power consumption of the
`various components of portable devices. For example, some portable devices now use
`
`random access memory in place of storage devices such as a Winchester (aka hard) disk
`
`drive.
`
`-2-
`
`8
`
`

`

`MAY-1001-US-P6
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`[0005] In one aspect, the invention is a switching device for use with a portable
`electronic device having a view screen and at least one switch that can he activated or de­
`
`activated by introducing a magnetic field to the at least one switch wherein the switching
`
`device has at least one magnet and at least one surface that is non-ahrasive to the surface
`
`of the view screen.
`[0006] In another aspect, the invention is a switching device for an electronic apparatus
`that can he activated or deactivated by employing a magnet, the switching device having
`
`(i) at least one magnet, (ii) a body surrounding the magnet, and (iii) at least one surface
`
`configured to contact any surface of the device, including the view screen; wherein the
`
`surface configured to contact the electronic apparatus is non-ahrasive to the view screen
`
`of the apparatus.
`[0007] In another aspect, the invention is a method of conserving power when using a
`portable electronic device having a view screen and at least one switch that can activated
`
`or de-activated by introducing a magnetic field to the at least one switch wherein the
`
`switching device has at least one magnet and at least one surface that is non-ahrasive to
`
`the surface of the view screen, wherein the method includes using the switching device to
`
`turn the portable electronic device off when the portable electronic device is not in actual
`
`use and then on when the portable electronic device is needed.
`
`9
`
`

`

`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`MAY-1001-US-P6
`
`[0008] The above and other features and advantages of the present invention will hecome
`more apparent hy descrihing in detail embodiments thereof with reference to the attached
`
`drawings in which:
`FIG. 1 is an illustration of a tablet computer and a switching device of the application;
`FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of a the switching device in Fig. 1; and
`FIG. 3 is a photograph of a trademarked doll used as a component of the switching
`device of the disclosure, perched on an Apple I-Pad.
`
`-4-
`
`10
`
`

`

`MAY-1001-US-P6
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`[0009] One embodiment of the invention is a switching device for use a portable
`
`electronic device having a view screen, a switch for turning the portable device off and
`
`on that can be activated or deactivated by the application of a magnetic field and at least
`
`one case. For the purposes of this application, the term "at least one case^^ means the
`
`primary case used by a manufacturer to hold and protect the individual electronic
`
`components of which the portable electronic device is composed, but it can also mean a
`
`protective case that functions to protect the primary case. For example, a tablet computer
`
`generally comprises electronics disposed within a rigid shell like case. This would be the
`
`primary case. There are available protective cases, often made of leather, rubber, and/or
`
`rigid or flexible plastic, that serve to prevent scratches and blemishes on the primary case
`
`and sometimes to impart a bit of shock resistance as well.
`
`[0010] The term portable electronic device means such devices having a view screen
`
`including, but not limited to, tablet computers, laptop computers, portable DVD players,
`
`and the like.
`
`[0011] The switching devices of the application selectively couple with the case or cases
`
`of the portable electronic devices. The term ''selectively couple^^ describes the process
`
`wherein a switching device of the disclosure is applied to a portable electronic device and
`
`adheres to it because of a magnetic force. In one embodiment of the disclosure, there is
`
`sufficient magnetic force to allow the witching device to remain in place despite casual
`
`movements of the portable electronic device, but to still be easily removed by a human
`
`operator.
`
`[0012] Turning to Fig. I, a front view of a portable electronic device, in this case a table
`
`computer (100), is shown. As can be observed, the switching device (101) is selectively
`
`coupled to the front of the portable electronic device 102 outside of the view screen 103.
`
`The magnetic switch is normally disposed with the portable electronic device but is
`
`shown here for illustration purposes (104).
`
`[0013] In employing the method of the application, the switching component may be
`
`picked up and, depending upon the model and functionality of the magnetic switch, the
`
`11
`
`

`

`MAY-1001-US-P6
`
`switching device is either applied directly to the magnetic switch or applied to either side
`
`of the switch and then slid past it to activate or deactivate the portable electronic device.
`
`[0014] Turning to Fig 2, a side view of the switching device 200 of Fig. 1 may be seen.
`
`The body of the switching device has a bottom surface (201) and a top surface 202. This
`
`particular embodiment has a tab (203) on the top surface to facilitate its manipulation.
`
`Disposed within the switching device is a ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic substrate (204).
`
`In this embodiment, the bottom of the switching device is in contact with portable
`
`electronic device and is composed of a material that is not abrasive to the portable
`
`electronic device generally and the view screen in particular. Except for this limitation,
`
`the switching devices may be prepared with any material known to be useful to those of
`
`ordinary skill in the art for such applications.
`
`[0015] The ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic substrate may be made of iron or other
`
`conventional ferrimagnetic and ferrimagnetic materials. In may also be a composite.
`
`Exemplary composites include combinations of aluminum, nickel, and cobalt compound
`
`with iron. Such composites may be made by sintering metals or by mixing the metallic
`
`components with a resin and injection molding. Mixtures of iron oxide and ceramic
`
`components such as barium and strontium carbonate may be used to make ceramic
`
`magnets for use as the Ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic substrates useful with the
`
`application. For the purposes of this application, rare earth magnets, such as but not
`
`limited to samarian and neodymium based magnets, are ferrimagnetic and ferrimagnetic
`
`materials and may be used to prepare the Ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic substrates
`
`useful with the application. Any magnetic material or material that is attracted to
`
`magnets may be used to prepare the Ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic substrates useful
`
`with the application.
`
`[0016] In some embodiments, the switching device may include a tab that can be pinched
`
`to facilitate moving the switching device. In still another variation, in this latter
`
`embodiment, the tab may be constructed such that it can lay down in order to lower the
`
`profile of the switching device.
`
`[0017] The dimensions of the switching device may vary according to its intended use.
`
`For some embodiments, length may range from about 12.5 cm to about 5 cm. In one
`
`-6-
`
`12
`
`

`

`MAY-1001-US-P6
`
`embodiment, the length may be about 7 cm. Width may range from 1.5 cm to about 4
`
`cm. In one embodiment, the width may be about 2cm.
`
`[0018] The overall shape of the switching device may be round, oval, rectangular, or
`
`square. In some embodiments, in order to avoid overlapping with a view screen, the
`
`switching device may be shaped to fit available space.
`
`[0019] Another embodiment of the application invention is a small electronic device
`
`comprising a case, a view screen, and internal electronic components wherein the view
`
`screen and internal electronic components are mounted within the case. In this
`
`embodiment, the view screen is externally visible in at least one configuration of the case
`
`and the case has a surface that is substantially diamagnetic. At least a part of the surface
`
`of the case has been configured to receive a switching device. Further, the switching
`
`device is configured to selectively couple to the at least one part of the surface of the case
`
`that has been configured to receive the switching device; the at least one part of the
`
`surface of the case that has been configured to receive the switching device is
`
`ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic or overlays a ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic material.
`
`[0020] It may be desirable, in some applications, to make the switching devices such that
`
`they have beveled edges. Such components could be particularly useful when coupled
`
`with devices having a case configured to accept the switching device wherein there is a
`
`ridge configured to accept the beveled edge to more securely hold it in place.
`
`[0021] In embodiments of the disclosure where a case has been configured to receive a
`
`switching device, it may be so configured in several ways. In one embodiment, such a
`
`case is configured by placing a ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic material onto the surface
`
`of the case where the switching device is received. In another embodiment, the case is
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`prepared such that the case itself is composed of a ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic
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`material at the point where the switching device is received. In still another embodiment,
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`the case is prepared by placing a ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic material underneath
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`where the switching device is received. Additionally, the case may be fabricated such
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`that the switching device is received into a groove, slot, or other indented geometrical
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`shape to lower the profile of the switching device to facilitate closing a cover or prevent
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`snagging a switching device. Another reason to lower the profile that the switching
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`device may be to enhance the aesthetics of the device.
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`[0022] In employing the method of the disclosure, the switching device is coupled to the
`base of a, for example, laptop computer by placing it within the invention. The magnetic
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`attractive force between the permanent magnet and the ferromagnetic material holds the
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`switching device in place as a laptop computer is moved. The switching device is
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`decoupled from the laptop computer base by lifting it to overcome the magnetic force.
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`The switching device is then placed on the view screen (not shown) and is then moved
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`across the view screen using one or more fingers. After the device has been activated or
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`deactivated, the switching device may be recoupled to the computer base.
`[0023] Similarly, the method and apparatus of this disclosure may apply to a second
`case. In this embodiment, a case constructed to protect the primary case of a small
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`electronic device may be similarly configured to receive a switching device. Such cases
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`which are sometime manufactured by 3 party providers generally serve to protect the
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`finish of the primary case and/or provide additional impact protection for the electrical
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`components of the small electronic devices.
`[0024] In practicing the method of the disclosure, there are three basic embodiments
`regarding the source of magnetic force used. In one embodiment, the switching device
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`may include a magnet and the case may include an unmagnetized ferromagnetic or
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`ferrimagnetic material. In a second embodiment, the switching device may have only an
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`unmagnetized ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic material and the magnet may be in or on
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`the case. In the third embodiment, both the switching device and the case may include a
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`magnet.
`[0025] When a magnet or a ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic material is applied to a case,
`in one embodiment, it may be adhered using a tacky adhesive. One such embodiment
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`includes using double sided gaffer^s tape as the source of the tacky adhesive. Any tacky
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`adhesive can be used with the method of the application.
`[0026] In one embodiment, the switching device of the application may be used as a
`source of advertising. For example, in one embodiment of the application, a switching
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`device may have imprinted upon it a logo, trademark, slogan, or the like. In another
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`embodiment, a pre-printed substrate having a logo or decorative side, and optionally, a
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`second adhesive side may be used. In some of these embodiments where the substrate
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`includes an adhesive, it may be used to secure a magnet to the switching device. In
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`another embodiment, the substrate having an adhesive may be free of advertisements
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`and/or decoration.
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`[0027] In this application, the term diamagnetic is used to delineate materials that are not
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`ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic. From a practical perspective, the materials that are
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`paramagnetic have such a weak attraction to magnets that they would not be effective if
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`utilized and thus are to be treated as if they are diamagnetic.
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`[0028] While many of the switching device have a single magnet or ferromagnetic or
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`ferrimagnetic substrate, this is not a limitation of the application. In some embodiments,
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`it may be desirable to have multiple magnets in a switching device. In one example of a
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`method of the application, the switching device is adhered to the top of a device having a
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`case that closes, such as a laptop computer, with the body of the switching device rotated
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`down when the case is closed. When the laptop is opened for use, the body can be
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`rotated up and away from the screen.
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`[0029] The switching devices have a functionality of being able to active magnetic
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`switches on devices having such switches. This is particularly useful in saving battery
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`life as it does not require the cover of such devices to be closed (the normal mode for
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`activation of such switches). In the use of tablet devices having a magnetic switch, the
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`switching device are particularly useful as the tablet can be put into hibernation mode
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`with a sin읺e touch to the switching device as compared to the multiple touches required
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`to do the same thing using the touch pad of the tablet.
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`[0030] In one embodiment where a switching device of the application is employed on a
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`tablet using the Apple® Smart Cover, it may be employed on the outside of the smart
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`cover to function as a handle for more easily manipulating the cover. Magnets at the
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`bottom of the Smart Cover allow for a very efficient employment of the switching device.
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`[0031] The switching device of the disclosure, when prepared with especially strong
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`magnets, can have a dual purpose of being a game component. For example, in an
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`embodiment where a smart phone is within a case having a recessed area configured to
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`receive a switching device, the recessed area and the switching device may be shaped to
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`resemble a ball or other game object. If the switching device is tossed accurately, it will
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`be attached into the recessed area and such a toss could be a goal or score. Any such
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`game is within the scope of the invention.
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`[0032] In order to make the switching device more desirable to young users, they may he
`converted into or incorporated into dolls or toys with the caveat that the doll or toy is
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`configured to be attached to or perched upon an electronic device and secured thereon
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`using a magnet. While trademarked toys and dolls, such as Angry Birds™ doll in Fig. 3
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`may be used, even generic toys and dolls may be used, particularly if they will function to
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`encourage proper maintenance of devices by, at least in some instances, young users. For
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`example a Mini Beanie Baby™ from TY™ may be confi