Google’s Chromebooks are faster computers. They start in seconds, and offer thousands of apps. They come with built-in virus protection, and backs up users’ stuff in the cloud.
With the new patented technology, they will also be capable to detect three distinct positional states using a magnetic field producing unit and a magnetic field sensor. The magnetic field producing unit and the magnetic field sensor can be positioned within the Chromebook so that one of them rotates at least partially around the other one. The magnetic field sensor can, thereby, detect a magnetic field on one side, on an opposite side, and can also detect the absence of a magnetic field when the magnetic field producing unit is orthogonal to the detecting sides of the magnetic field sensor.
Patent Number: 9,063,18
Patent Title: Detecting three different open ranges in a flip device
Inventors: Lombardi; Michael J. (Mundelein, IL), Gorsica; John (Round Lake, IL), Harmon; Roger W. (Crystal Lake, IL), Patel; Narendra A. (Gurnee, IL)
Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC (Mountain View, CA)
Family ID: 1000001171799
Appl. No.: 12/291,483
Filed: November 10, 2008
Abstract
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 “below” 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.