Apple plans extended iPad display through 'Smart Covers'
Apple envisions iPad cases with flexible displays that expand functionality into the tablet's protective sleeve, recently publicised patent applications reveal. Apple patent application for Smart Covers The suggested Smart Cover, which draws power and data from a connector on one side of the slate, could be used to display a …
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Apple are patenting bleedin Obviously! ? Good. We certainly wouldn't want copies of him!
This looks
This looks like a very interesting 'surface' cover.
Hope Microsoft got their patent in early......
Oooops
Just imagine the accessory potential
If this ever makes it to a product, I predict there will be a ready market for screen protector protectors.
Re: Just imagine the accessory potential
I already know someone who has a ten-pound plastic screen protecting film over her 'glass' screen protector (which cost something like sixty quid).
THAT'S NOT A PATENT
There is NOTHING new or innovative about what has been described - everything here is already possible, and it is simply applying existing designs and technologies to an Apple platform. There are devices with opening covers that show different screens (Didn't the RAZR have that, what about Nintento consoles with two screens), there are touch screens (I've got a Leather A4 folio that captures writing on one side to display on the screen on another).
So I haven't bothered my arse to go and read the full application, and there may be something "new and unique", however all this is likely to generate is lawyer revenue.
Oh right, there are so many devices out there using flexible display covers.
@dx
There is a difference between holding a patent on whatever trickery that allows one to manufacture a flexible display (and there may be multiple solutions, so multiple patents with competing holders), and quite another on holding a patent on simply using a flexible display.
Once you have the flexi-tech, using it on a cover is rather obvious.
Sony's smart watch acts as a remote control to an Android phone via bluetooth. This is one example of prior art of a separate device which augments the main display. It's not the only one of course by a long stretch.
I don't see anything novel about putting the display into a cover. More importantly I don't see much point either.
@DrXym
Having some data on the cover might be handy (esp. if low/bo power e-ink type stuff). But then that has been done too, hasn't it? Think of the flip phones with a second screens etc.
Apple could copyright this design, sure, but patent?
No. Not IMHO.
@TBY
Yes, e-ink would be something well worth considering for a cover - has been discussed elsewhere on El Reg, I believe.
Re: @DrXym
Your "HO" seems not to have heard of design patents.
Re: Perfect Way
and promptly copied by others to bleed the hemorrDroids.
They'll be in court
Suing Nintendo soon then... DS is a blatant rip-off of this idea.
Re: They'll be in court
Absolutely, you can even detach the screen on the DS...
If you have a hammer and a chisel that is.
That's a Nintendo DS!
That other picture looks like an Asus Transformer.
Re: That's a Nintendo DS!
Agreed about the Asus Transformer comment (Also their Slider tablet, too, among others from Asus and other companies). Another big joke if this is granted.
Re: That's a Nintendo DS!
Absolutely, apart from the fact The Transformer is a screen with a detachable keyboard and the diagram is a screen with another detachable screen. Maybe you should read the words and not just look at the pictures?
Microsoft
Didn't Microsoft have an tech demo of a double sided tablet (book like). How exactly is this different?
Re: Microsoft
They did, it was called the Courier and looked like an amazing piece of kit.
Ballmer killed it because it wasn't sufficiently windowsy.
Fail for MS' usual unerring ability to shoot themselves in the foot.
Re: Microsoft
I agree, I was really hoping at the time that the Courier would be launched and unfortunately it didn't. This would be a fantastic add on to an iPad....
Loving all the armchair patent experts on here thinking they can determine the outcome. Perhaps if they know it so well, they should apply to get a job at the patent office. No? Indeed, didn't think so either...
Vista memories...
What was that notifications thing on Vista again? (I've got it on my Toshiba R400).
Utterly crap it was, but seems pretty similar to this.
Re: Vista memories...
Sideshow it was called. But people were soon to get always-connected big-screen smartphones that could do more than anything they might want a 2.5" screen on a laptop's lid to do.
Re: What will Apple patent next?
Nah, Adobe already patented Air.
Then again...
Vista thing was notifications only.
Should have read beyond the 1st graphic, I guess. ;-)
I really should start sending all *my* idle doodles to the patent office too.
Lets see now.......
Bigger battery to power cover adding thickness and weight to iPad.........check
Thick cover to incorperate display tech keyboard etc adding even more thickness........check
Create a completely new non breakable and scratch proof bendy screen........on to do list
Bring to market the all new super iPad, bigger, heavyer more breakable parts for loads more money......nah, just buy a surface instead.
Re: Lets see now.......
15. The method of claim 14, the method further comprising: wirelessly powering the flexible accessory device, wherein the host device provides the power.
There's not necessarily a battery in this.
"- or even if it'll be awarded the patents it has requested - "
Huh? The one thing we can *guarentee* is that they'll be awarded the patent.
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