A magnetic iPad? Apple might just be working on one, and that's just the beginning.
According to a recent update to
a list of Apple patents at the US Patents and Trademarks Office, Apple’s rumored stylus may be simply one small piece of a much larger puzzle.
The abstract of the comprehensive “Magnetic Attachment Unit” list of patents, grouped together under US patent US 20140049911 A1, describes methods of magnetically connecting two electronic devices, in different configurations, to enhance or augment their functionality.
As the technical drawings show, the uses suggested by the patent include both direct docking of accessories, and components designed to enhance and augment the functionality of a tablet, which may provide to, or draw power from such accessories.
Aside from a stylus, which has been briefly introduced in figure 23B, accessories and components designed to be magnetized to the iPad, include:
- an additional camera,
- an RF antenna,
- a credit card swipe device,
- a detachable keyboard,
- audio speakers,
- a game controller,
- a second display,
- an additional memory module,
- and a sensor allowing for air gestures, possibly designed to be used when the iPad is docked in a vehicle’s dashboard.
A plain English translation of the abstract refers, in less than uncertain terms, to a method of connecting two iPad devices, by means of different magnetic accessories designed, within the scope of the document, for different uses:
Keyboard arrangement - US 6510048 B2
This patent, filed in 2001, and published in 2003, describes, in generic terms, to a detachable keyboard, described in the document as embedded within a computer case, and able to be entirely removed from its docking device.
As far a concept as it may seem from the scope of an iPad, the design and concept for this invention fits the purpose of the patent list, as it is general enough to pave the way for a whole array of keyboard accessories that Apple could create for current, or future iPad iterations.
Magnetic securing system for a detachable input device - US 6842332 B1
Filed in 2002, and published in 2005, this update to the previous patent describes a system that enables devices, and/or accessories to connect and function as a unit.
Electronic device having magnetic latching mechanism - US 7583500 B2
The abstract of this patent falls right within the scope of patent 6842332 B1, as it describes the use of magnets to latch a device, in a clamshell configuration, as it could happen with a protective case or similar folding accessory. This patent seems to be applicable, and already integral part of Mac products, like MacBook Pro, MacBook Air or the 12 inch MacBook Retina.
Magnetic latching mechanism - US 7775567 B2
This patent, filed in 2005, but published as late as 2010, shares many similarities with the previous one, as it shows a similar latching mechanism which uses magnets to create attractive or repulsive forces, to allow for users to open a MacBook or similar device in a clamshell configuration, with minimal effort.
Sensor fusion - US 8289115 B2
In spite of the short name, this patent carries perhaps the heaviest weight in the list, as it describes a very wide array of applications, in which a sensor or group of sensors are used to detect different states of a device, using light, spatial position(possibly through accelerometers and gyroscopic technology), magnetism, sound and object/face recognition, individually, or in combination.
The scope of this invention applies to several applications, including but not limited to biometric recognition, geolocation, connected accessories detection, wake-up/sleep state triggers, and more.
Protective cover for a tablet computer - US 8344836 B2
This patent, filed in 2010 and published in 2013, can be easily recognized as part of the already widely popular Apple Smart Cover. The flexible accessory is composed of four flaps, capable of folding at variable angles, and provide standing support to an iPad, in various positions.
In different configurations, the patent also describes how the cover can fold to partially reveal portions of a display, for different scopes and applications.
Tablet device - US 8390411 B2
A similar patent as the above, was filed around the same time, and its description sheds light on some potential applications that directly affect the user experience on iPad users.
Particularly, when the Apple Smart Cover, or similar device which falls under the scope of the same patent, is folded to reveal only a designated portion of the iPad’s display, only that portion of the device will be activated or made available.
This could suggest UI scenarii where applications that need a certain portion of real estate, such as notifications, might activate automatically, my means of sensors as described earlier.
Integrated visual notification system in an accessory device - US 20140159867 A1
This is where things get really interesting. The patent, filed in 2012, and published in 2014, describes what seems to be a variation of the Apple Smart Cover for iPad and iPad Mini, which, from the technical drawings, appears to feature auxiliary LCD displays, possibly touch interactive, providing for additional information and notifications, when the device’s display is covered.
The multimedia enclosure is also described as featuring a power connector, which could be used to dock and power an iPad or iPad Mini.