Apple Seeking Patent to Take the iPad Smart Cover to a Whole New Level

By: Kuljit Grewal  |   August 2nd, 2012   |   Apple, News, Tablets

The internet is abuzz today with news about Apple, as the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office made one of the company’s patent applications made public this morning. Although patents coming public are daily news fodder, the nature of the application is what has tech heads all hot and bothered.

 

According to the application, Apple is looking to build flexible displays into the iPad smart covers in order to “greatly enhance” and expand the tablet’s functionality. Using a cover specific connector, the downright brilliant cover will act to augment the glorious iPad main display with space for various things ranging from additional apps, notification displays or media controls.

 

Several photos have been released with the application (shout outs to Engadget), including one that depicts the entire inside portion of the cover being used as a full keyboard or even drawing pad akin to the hotly anticipated (and iPad rival) Microsoft Surface.

 

The patent also discussed potential ways that the screens can be used in concert, stating that: “In one embodiment, the tablet and accessory devices can be attached to each other directly. In another embodiment, a magnetic attachment unit can be used to magnetically attach together the first and second electronic devices. Communication between the first and second electronic devices can occur before, during, and after the magnetic attachment is complete.”

 

This would make tasks such as viewing or working with two documents entirely possible. Other less likely but truly awesome potential features include a possible solar panel and built in battery combo for sustainable power as well as WiFi protocol, thereby allowing both devices to communicate while detached. For those wondering, the covers will still be useable as a means to protect your iPad.

 

As personal computing moves evermore towards the tablet, it will be interesting to see how much of this exciting patent we actually see translated into its tangible counterpart in future iPad announcements.