# US 2020/0401192 A1 · Digital device detox element and method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2020/0401192 A1 - Document ID: US20200401192A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/012,765 - Filed: 2020-09-04 - Published: 2020-12-24 - Earliest claimed: 2019-06-04 - Assignees: Bliss Tanaka - Inventors: Bliss Tanaka - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20200401192A1 ## CPC - G06F 1/1626: {with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]} - G06F 1/1656: {Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories (mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203)} - G06F 1/1671: {Special purpose buttons or auxiliary keyboards, e.g. retractable mini keypads, keypads or buttons that remain accessible at closed laptop (G06F1/1666 takes precedence)} - G06F 1/1684: {Constructional details or arrangements related to integrated I/O peripherals not covered by groups G06F1/1635 - G06F1/1675} - G06F 1/1686: {the I/O peripheral being an integrated camera} - G06F 1/1688: {the I/O peripheral being integrated loudspeakers} - G06F 1/3215: Monitoring of peripheral devices - G06F 1/3231: Monitoring the presence, absence or movement of users - H04M 1/026: {Details of the structure or mounting of specific components} - H04M 1/0283: {for providing a decorative aspect, e.g. customization of casings, exchangeable faceplate} - H05K 5/0243: {for decorative purposes} - H05K 5/03: Covers - G06F 2200/1633: Protecting arrangement for the entire housing of the computer - H04M 1/667: Preventing unauthorised calls from a telephone set (H04M1/677 takes precedence) - Y02D 10/00: Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - H04M: TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION (circuits for controlling other apparatus via a telephone cable and not involving telephone switching apparatus G08) - H05K: PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS - Y02D: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES [ICT], I.E. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES AIMING AT THE REDUCTION OF THEIR OWN ENERGY USE ## Abstract A detox element or sensor cover is placed at a first location over a sensor such as a camera used to activate a digital device. The sensor cover can leave the digital device in sleep mode until the detox element/sensor cover is removed. The detox element, when not in use for detoxing, is moved to a ready position. The ready position can be, for example, one of the corners of the digital device, where it is mostly out of the way of a touch screen display. The sensor cover is sufficiently small that in one embodiment it is mostly on a bezel of a phone, around a display, with only a small portion impinging on the display. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for detoxing from digital device usage comprising: (a) providing a flexible, nonadhesive first sensor cover with static cling as a binding agent; (b) placing the first sensor cover over a first location on a digital device where it is visible while observing a display of the digital device without blocking most of the display; (c) using the digital device for a period of time; (d) removing the first sensor cover from the first location; (e) placing the first sensor cover on a second location where it blocks a camera or activation sensor and prevents the camera or activation sensor from activating the digital device when in a sleep mode; (f) returning the first sensor cover to the first location or a third location on the digital device where it is visible while observing the display of the digital device; (g) wherein the first sensor cover is sufficiently small to allow it to block ten percent or less of the display of the digital device in the first location; and (h) wherein the first sensor cover is sufficiently large to block the camera or activation sensor while blocking either none or only a portion of a display of the digital device. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method for detoxing from digital device usage of claim 1, wherein the first sensor cover is vinyl. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method for detoxing from digital device usage of claim 1, wherein the first sensor cover is between 3.5 mm and 12 mm in thickness, has a width between 2.0-3.5 cm, and has a height between 1.5-2.75 cm. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method for detoxing from digital device usage of claim 1, wherein the activation sensor is a touch sensor or an activation button to activate the digital device. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method for detoxing from digital device usage of claim 4, wherein the digital device is a mobile phone device, mobile computing device or computing pad having varying dimensions. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method for detoxing from digital device usage of claim 1, further comprising: placing an additional sensor cover over an additional sensor not covered by the first sensor cover. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method for detoxing from digital device usage of claim 1, wherein the first sensor cover is placed over the camera of the digital device, providing a privacy function in addition to activation prevention. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method for detoxing from digital device usage of claim 1, where the first sensor cover includes a motif. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method for detoxing from digital device usage of claim 1, wherein the first sensor cover is sufficiently small to allow it to block five percent or less of the display of the digital device in the first location. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method for detoxing from digital device usage of claim 1, wherein the first location is proximate one of the corners of the digital device. ### Claim 11 A system comprising: a digital device, including: a device housing; a processor, a programmed memory; a communication system, a power management system, a touch-screen display, and at least one of a camera, a touch sensor, and an activation button; and a flexible, nonadhesive first sensor cover with static cling as a binding agent removably placed over at least one of the camera, touch sensor, and activation button. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein the first sensor cover covers the camera, touch sensor or activation button such that they are prevented from activating the digital device when in a sleep mode. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein first sensor cover is vinyl. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The digital device of claim 11, wherein the first sensor cover is between 3.5 mm and 12 mm in thickness, has a width between 2.0-3.5 cm, and has a height between 1.5-2.75 cm. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein the digital device is a mobile phone, mobile computer or pad having varying dimensions. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, further comprising: a second sensor cover placed over another sensor not covered by the first sensor cover. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein the first sensor cover is sufficiently small to allow it to block five percent or less of the touch screen display of the digital device when moved to a location on the digital device where it is visible while observing the display. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The system of claim 17, wherein the first sensor cover includes a motif. ### Claim 19 A method for detoxing from digital device usage comprising: (a) providing a flexible, nonadhesive first sensor cover with static cling as a binding agent; (b) placing the first sensor cover over a first location on the digital device where it is visible while observing a display of the digital device without blocking most of the display; (c) using the digital device for a period of time; (d) putting the digital device into a sleep mode; (e) removing the first sensor cover from the first location; (f) placing the first sensor cover on a second location where it blocks a camera or activation sensor and prevents the camera or activation sensor from activating the digital device when in a sleep mode, thereby entering a detox period; (g) returning the first sensor cover to the first location or a third location on the digital device where it is visible while observing the display of the digital device, to allow exit from the sleep mode; (h) wherein the first sensor cover is sufficiently small to allow it to block ten percent or less of the display of the digital device in the first location; and (i) wherein the first sensor cover is sufficiently large to block the camera or activation sensor while blocking either none or only a portion of a display of the digital device; (j) wherein the first sensor cover is vinyl; (k) wherein the first sensor cover is between 3.5 mm and 12 mm in thickness, has a width between 2.0-3.5 cm, and has a height between 1.5-2.75 cm; (l) wherein the one or more sensors include a camera, a touch sensor, or an activation button to activate the digital device; and (m) wherein the first position is proximate one of the corners of the digital device. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method for detoxing from digital device usage of claim 19, wherein the first sensor cover is placed over the camera to provide a privacy function in addition to activation prevention; and wherein the first sensor cover includes a motif.