Granted Patent B2

US 12,701,417 · App. 18/517,675 · Granted Aug 4, 2026

Inventor: Graham Dugoni (San Francisco, CA)

Assignee: Yondr, Inc.

H04W12/08H04B1/3888H04M1/667H04W4/02H04M1/185

Abstract

Claims (28)

1 . A method for reducing distraction from a user's mobile electronic device at a communal event, the method comprising:

placing a user's mobile electronic device within a cavity of a flexible case, the flexible case including:

first and second flexible panels, each having a bottom edge, wherein:

the first and second flexible panels are coupled to form the cavity, the cavity sized to receive the mobile electronic device, and

the first and second flexible panels are configured to open away from an opening to the cavity such that the opening is accessible to the user; and

a lock comprising:

a male locking member connected to the first flexible panel, and

a female locking member connected to the second flexible panel;

selectively limiting the user's access to the mobile electronic device during a communal event by locking the mobile electronic device within the flexible case by:

coupling the male locking member with the female locking member, and

engaging the lock such that the male and female locking members are locked together;

wherein the user retains possession of the mobile electronic device while the flexible case is locked, rendering the mobile electronic device inaccessible to and incontrollable by the user;

keeping the lock engaged for at least part of the communal event, thereby reducing distraction from the user's mobile electronic device at the event; and

disengaging the lock by an individual in possession of a detacher, the disengaging comprising:

touching a portion of the lock on the detacher, the detacher comprising:

a magnet configured to interrupt a magnetic field of the lock such that, when the lock touches the detacher, the lock disengages and the user may access the mobile electronic device.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein disengaging the lock takes place outside of a defined geographical region.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein disengaging the lock takes place after completion of the communal event.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the communal event is one of a show, demonstration, display, or athletic competition.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the flexible case further comprises a first plate stitched within a foldable portion of the first flexible panel and a second plate stitched within a foldable portion of the second flexible panel.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the female locking member includes a hole configured to receive the male locking member.

7 . The method of claim 1 ,

wherein the detacher comprises

a holder.

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the detacher is provided at an exit of a venue for the communal event.

9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the detacher is provided after a predetermined condition is met.

10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the individual is a venue staff member.

11 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the predetermined condition is a predetermined amount of time.

Assignments (2)

Continuity (4)

References Cited (340)