BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to an apparatus for cleaning view screens. The invention particularly relates to such an apparatus used with electrical devices.

2. Background of the Art

Cleaning lenses has long been an issue for the users of devices employing them. For example, telescopes, glasses, binoculars, and cameras have long been used and keeping the lenses of such devices clean has been the subject of many creative efforts.

More recently, there are new devices to clean. With the advent of portable electronic devices, it has become common to observe such devices being used in many public venues. Such venues include coffee shops, restaurants, shopping malls, and the like. These devices can be seen in just about any public setting.

Many of the portable electronic devices have a view screen for displaying text. 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.

While the view screens are usually rugged, and often covered with a protective film or screen, they are still subject to becoming dirty. Oils from human skin, environmental liquids and powders, and even airborne aerosols and dust can collect on a view screen and make it difficult to use.

Cleaning the view screen of a portable electronic device can be problematic. It is often not desirable to use materials that are readily available to clean the view screen. For example, paper towels and paper napkins or sometimes composed of materials that may scratch and thereby damage a view screen.

Carrying appropriate cleaning materials is sometimes a problem. Cleaning devices are sometimes too bulky to be comfortably carried. In their rush to get ready in the morning, it is easy for users of electronic devices to forget or overlook such preparations for their day.

It would be desirable in the art of manufacturing portable electronic devices to incorporate into such devices the cleaning apparatus. It would also be desirable in the art of providing accessories for portable electronic devices to provide a cleaning component that can be carried on an electronic device case.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the invention is a method of cleaning a view screen of an electronic device having at least one case comprising wiping the view screen with a cleaning component wherein the cleaning component is configured to selectively couple to the at least one case using a magnetic attractive force.

In another aspect, the invention is a cleaning component for use on an electronic device view screen comprising a cleaning material covering at least one surface of a ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic substrate wherein the cleaning component has a maximum thickness of 1.5 cm.

In still another aspect, the 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 and the view screen is externally visible in at least one configuration of the case. Also, the case has a surface that is substantially diamagnetic and at least a part of the surface of the case has been configured to receive a cleaning component wherein: the cleaning component is configured to selectively couple to the at least one part of the surface of the case that has been configured to receive the cleaning component; the at least one part of the surface of the case that has been configured to receive the cleaning component is ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic or overlays a ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic material; and the cleaning component comprises a cleaning material covering at least one surface of a ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic substrate.

Another aspect of the invention is a second case, that functions to protect an electronic device's primary case, and has a surface that is substantially diamagnetic and at least a part of the surface of the second case has been configured to receive a cleaning component wherein: the cleaning component is configured to selectively couple to the at least one part of the surface of the second case that has been configured to receive the cleaning component; the at least one part of the surface of the second case that has been configured to receive the cleaning component is ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic or overlays a ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic material; and the cleaning component comprises a cleaning material covering at least one surface of a ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic substrate.

In still another aspect, the invention is a method of cleaning a view screen or a lens for use with a mechanical or non-electronic device having a view screen or a lens comprising wiping the view screen or lens with a cleaning component wherein the cleaning component is configured to selectively couple to the at least one part of the mechanical or non-electrical device using a magnetic attractive force.

In yet another aspect, the invention is a method of cleaning a view screen or a lens using a cleaning component wherein the cleaning component is configured to adhere to portable object different from the object having the view screen or lens.

Another aspect of the invention is employing a cleaning component having a magnet element to activate or deactivate a magnetic switch.

In still another aspect, the invention is a cleaning component having a cleaning surface that is replaceable and held in place within the cleaning component with a tacky adhesive wherein the tacky adhesive is directly on the surface of the non-cleaning surface or the tacky adhesive is in the form of a double sided tape.

In yet another aspect, the invention is a cleaning component having an external cover for protecting one both sides of a cleaning material wherein the external cover is reversible so that it may be folded over to expose the cleaning surface.

In still another aspect, the invention is a case for an electronic device having a magnetic switch, and in the area of the case over the magnetic switch, a recessed area that functions to facilitate a cleaning component having a magnet moving past the switch in order to activate or deactivate the switch.

Another aspect of the invention is a cleaning system having at least one element being a piece of clothing selected from the group consisting of a hat, helmet, sweatband or other headgear; a jacket or coat; a shirt or top; a skirt or pants; and a shoe or boot, wherein the piece of clothing is configured to accept a cleaning component and the cleaning component is held in place, at least in part, using a magnet.

In yet another aspect, the invention may be cleaning system comprising a cleaning component and an area on a device case configured to receive the cleaning component wherein the area of the device case configured to receive the cleaning component and the cleaning component may be used as a game wherein the cleaning component is tossed at the device case configured to receive the cleaning component.

In still another aspect, the invention is a stylus configured to receive a cleaning component.

Another aspect of the invention is a cleaning system having at least one element being an accessory selected from the group consisting of a purse, wallet, computer case, gun case, glasses strap, gloves, backpack, and a belt, wherein the piece of clothing is configured to accept a cleaning component and the cleaning component is held in place, at least in part, using a magnet.

Yet another aspect of the invention is a cleaning component for use on an electronic device view screen comprising a cleaning material covering at least one surface of a ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic substrate wherein the cleaning component also includes a tab. In one embodiment, the tab is elongated so that it can function as a stand to hold the electronic device upright.

Another aspect of the invention is a cleaning device having a hard surface and cleaning surface and including at least one ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic material within the cleaning device wherein the at least one ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic material may function to actuate a power switch or sensor that is capable of being actuated using a magnet.

Another aspect of the invention is a cleaning device having additional functionality such as a remote control, laser pointer or the like.

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 be 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-abrasive to the surface of the view screen.

In another aspect, the invention is a switching device for an electronic apparatus that can be 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-abrasive to the view screen of the apparatus.

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-abrasive 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.

