A recent patent filing from Microsoft reveals a new switchable magnetic lock mechanism that could be used in smartphones, laptops and others. Find the excerpt from the patent below. Current solution followed by various OEMs: Many computing devices have movable and removable parts and peripherals. A smart phone may include a_stylus. a laptop a hinged display. a tablet computer a battery charger. or a portable audio player a docking station, to name just a few. Current techniques often fix these parts and peripherals to their computing devices using mechanic connectors, such as latches, sliding tabs, and so forth. These mechanical connectors, however, often fail to provide a satisfactory design because they have objects that jut out or holes that pierce the computer body, part, or peripheral. Examples include exposed latches, latch holes, tabs hooks, and tab reception detents, to name just a few. Some techniques have attempted to address this failure in design through electromagnets or permanent magnets._Electromagnets. however,_are unsatisfactory due to their power requirements and low magnetic force. Current...

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