Magnetic fastener and hinged device using same

A method of connecting or disconnecting a hinged device having a first and second housing, comprising:

• receiving a force at an activation mechanism to detach the first housing from the second housing, the first housing including a first magnet array having a first plurality of magnets with different magnetic field orientations fixedly positioned in the first housing, and the second housing including a movably positionable adjacent magnet assembly in or more magnet arrays having at least a second plurality of magnets with different magnetic field orientations;
• and
• moving, by the force at the activation mechanism, the adjacent magnet assembly between a first relative position and a second relative position;
• wherein the adjacent magnet assembly in the second relative position has a second magnetic attraction force with the first magnet array that is substantially reduced as compared to a first magnetic attraction force with the first magnet array in the first relative position.

A computer device, comprising:

• a magnetic fastener having at least a first portion movable relative to a second portion between an open position and a closed position, wherein the first portion includes a first magnetic array having a first plurality of magnets with different magnetic field orientations fixedly positioned in the first portion and having a first magnetic field and the second portion having a second magnetic array having a second plurality, of magnets with different magnetic field orientations and a second magnetic field alignable with at least a portion of the first magnetic field;
• an activation mechanism, including:
• a plunger having a longitudinal body with an end, the plunger movable between an undepressed, position and a depressed position;
• an actuator configured to move at least one of the first, portion and the second portion of the magnetic fastener from a first relative position to a second relative position in response to the plunger moving from the undepressed position to the depressed position, wherein one of the first relative position or the second relative position corresponds to the open position of the magnetic fastener, and wherein a remaining one of the first relative position or the second relative position corresponds to the closed position of the magnetic fastener, wherein the second magnetic array in one of the first relative position or the second relative position has a first magnetic attraction force with the first magnetic array that is substantially stronger than a second magnetic attraction force with the first magnetic array when the second magnetic array is in the other one of the first relative position or the second relative position;
• and
• a switch contactable by the end of the plunger in the depressed position, wherein the switch is configured to activate or deactivate a function on the computer device.