Tablet device with peek mode operation
A magnetic attachment mechanism and method is described. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach at least two objects together in a preferred configuration without fasteners and without external intervention. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach an accessory device to an electronic device. The accessory device can be used to augment the functionality of usefulness of the electronic device.
1. A method performed by a tablet device having a display and a first sensor each coupled to a processor, comprising: when the tablet device is attached to a foldable cover comprising a plurality of independently foldable segments comprising a first segment at a first end of foldable cover having a magnetically attractable element and a second segment having a magnet that is detectable by the sensor at a second end of the foldable cover, the second end opposite the first end, wherein the plurality of independently foldable segments fold with respect to each other and the tablet device to form a folded state, altering an operating state of the display by the processor in accordance with the folded state, wherein in a tablet device support folded state the foldable cover forms a triangular structure by the magnetically attractable element in the first segment and the magnet in the second segment magnetically attracting each other when the first and second segments are folded one atop the other to form a first side of the triangular structure that is about equal in width to a second side of the triangular structure each of which is narrower than a third side of the triangular structure, and wherein in a first folded state where the first segment covers a corresponding portion of the display and the second segment is folded away from the display to reveal a corresponding first viewable portion of the display, the sensor detects the first folded state and sends a signal to the processor that causes the tablet device to present visual content only at the viewable portion of the display in a first peek mode.
2. The method as recited in claim 1 , the foldable cover further comprising: a third independently foldable segment disposed between the first segment and the second segment.
3. The method as recited in claim 2 wherein in a second folded state, the first segment is in contact with the display and the second and third segments are folded away from the display to reveal a corresponding second viewable portion of the display, the second viewable portion of the display being larger than and including the first viewable portion of the display.
4. The method as recited in claim 3 , further comprising a second sensor, wherein the first and the second sensors cooperatively determine that the foldable cover is folded in the second foldable state.
5. The method as recited in claim 4 , wherein the tablet device presents visual content in the second viewable portion of the display in a second peek mode.
6. The method as recited in claim 5 , the tablet device further comprising: a touch sensitive layer configured to detect a touch event at the display.
7. The method as recited in claim 6 , wherein only a first portion of the touch sensitive layer corresponding to the first viewable portion of the display is active to receive the touch event and provide a corresponding touch event signal to the processor in the first peek mode.
8. The method as recited in claim 7 , wherein only a second portion of the touch sensitive layer corresponding to the second viewable portion of the display is active to receive the touch event and provide the corresponding touch event signal to the processor in the second peek mode.
9. The method as recited in claim 7 , wherein the visual content presented in the second viewable portion in the second peek mode comprises a second graphical user input icon configured to respond to the touch event.
10. The method as recited in claim 8 , wherein the first sensor is a first Hall Effect sensor.
11. The method as recited in claim 8 , wherein the foldable cover in the tablet device support folded state supports the tablet device on a horizontal surface at an angle suitable for viewing the display.
12. The method as recited in claim 8 , wherein the visual content presented in the second viewable portion in the second peek mode comprises a video presentation and an associated video playback control panel.
13. The method as recited in claim 10 , wherein the second sensor is an image capture device.
14. The method as recited in claim 10 , wherein the second sensor is an ambient light sensor (ALS).
15. The method as recited in claim 14 , wherein the visual content presented in the first viewable portion in the first peek mode comprises a first graphical user input icon configured to respond to the touch event.
16. The method as recited in claim 10 , wherein the second sensor is a second Hall Effect sensor.