Cover for a tablet device

Abstract

Accurate and reliable techniques for determining information of an accessory device in relation to an electronic device are described.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cover system formed of a single piece flap and having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, the cover system comprising:
 a user accessible feature at the first surface of the cover, the user accessible feature being arranged to receive a user applied touch, the user accessible feature having an electrically conductive trace that is capable of being electrically coupled with capacitive elements carried between the first and second surfaces, the capacitive elements each capable of independently providing a corresponding capacitance signal in an electrically unlinked state, wherein in response to the user touch applied to the user accessible feature, the electrically conductive trace electrically links the capacitive elements in an electrically linked state forming a capacitive pattern corresponding to an overall capacitance signal that is detectable through the second surface.   
     
     
         2 . The cover system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the overall capacitance signal is a super-position of the capacitance signals from each of the linked capacitive elements. 
     
     
         3 . The cover system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the electrically conductive trace connects at least one of the capacitive elements to an electrical ground. 
     
     
         4 . The cover system as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the grounded capacitive element is incapable of providing a corresponding capacitance signal. 
     
     
         5 . The cover system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the capacitive pattern is limited to the user accessible feature. 
     
     
         6 . The cover system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the user accessible feature is a first user accessible feature and wherein the cover system further comprises a second user accessible feature different than the first user accessible feature. 
     
     
         7 . The cover system as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the second user accessible feature comprises an electrically conductive trace that is capable of electrically being electrically coupled with the capacitive elements carried between the first and the second surfaces. 
     
     
         8 . The cover system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the user accessible feature is a dome switch. 
     
     
         9 . The cover system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein when the cover system is attached to an electronic device having an outer protective layer that overlays both a display and a capacitance detector, the single piece flap being capable of overlaying the outer protective layer in such a way that the second surface is in direct contact with outer protective layer such that the capacitance signal detector is capable of detecting the capacitance signal through the second surface and the outer protective layer. 
     
     
         10 . The cover system as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the overall capacitance signal is used to control an operation of the electronic device. 
     
     
         11 . The cover system as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the electronic device is a tablet device. 
     
     
         12 . The cover system as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the operation of the tablet device is a volume control. 
     
     
         13 . The cover system as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the cover system is magnetically coupled to the electronic device. 
     
     
         14 . The cover system as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the cover system comprises a pocket having a size and a shape that accommodates the electronic device.