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Apple has Won a Patent for an all-new iPad Cover System with an Advanced Modular Expansion Hub

1 cover apple granted patent for modular iPad cover system with expandable hub - Patently Apple IP Report - Jan 03  2023

Today the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office officially granted Apple a patent that relates to electronic accessories and covers for computing devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to a new modular expansion hub and related system for attaching accessories to a computing device or for mounting the computing device to a stand. In four of Apple's patent claims it is noted that the modular system applies to an iPad. The expandable system could transform an iPad into a mini desktop for consumers, retailers, hospitals and other applications.

In Apple's patent background they note that although the computing devices can be very effective on their own, it is also common to use a case or cover on the computing device to protect it from bumps, drops, scrapes, scratches, and other damage. The presence of a cover can make the mounting and securement of a computing device or a charger complex, unreliable, slow, or otherwise challenging. These covers also similarly inhibit the usage of electronic accessories that are connected to the computing device due to interference from the cover or an undesirable connection to the computing device. There is a constant need for improvements in portable computing devices, covers, and related parts of these systems.

Modular Electronic Device System 

Apple's granted patent relates to modular electronic device systems that can enable smoother and more intuitive, seamless, durable, and adaptable interfacing between a portable computing device and a cover, a stand, an expansion device hub, and accessories mountable to the computing device or to the cover.

In an example embodiment, the modular electronic device system can include a case or cover for electronic device, wherein the case includes an electrical connector to engage in electrical contact with the electronic device, an electrical connector facing in a rear direction from the case (i.e., facing in a direction perpendicular to the rear surface of the case or perpendicular to a rear surface of the electronic device), and latching portions on the case for attaching the case to a support base arm or to an accessory device.

The support base can be releasably connectable to the latching portion of the case and can provide an electrical connection to a power source, such as a power source used to charge the electronic device through the electrical connectors embedded or held by the case. An accessory device can include a latching portion that is releasably connectable to a latching portion of the case and can electronically connected to an electrical connector on the case.

In some embodiments, the electronic device can be protected by case while being easily attachable and detachable from the support base and the accessory device without having to remove the electronic device from the case and without having to connect and disconnect sensitive plugs at a side or end portion of the electronic device. In this way, with an electrical connector on the case and facing in rear direction, the case can be mounted to the support base with the arm latching portion facing the rear-facing electrical connector on the case. This orientation allows a user to make a pushing motion to attach the case to the support base arm for easy mounting. In other words, the user can hold the electronic device with the front of the user interface facing the user's face, and, while in that orientation, can move the electronic device in a rear direction to latch to the mount of the arm without having to look behind the electronic device or case. Additionally, the stand latching portion of the case can support the case at the center of the rear of the case so that the case and any electronic device within it will be balanced as it is supported by the arm/stand.

Accessory devices can be modularly attached and detached from the case and, simultaneously, attached and detached from electrical communication with electrical connectors extending through the case so that power and information can be exchanged between the accessory device and electronic device positioned in the case.

Accessory devices can include devices such as credit card readers, light sensors, antennas, laser scanners, oxygen sensors, air sensors, printers, keypads, barcode scanners, magnetic strip readers, related devices, and combinations thereof.

Another aspect of the patent relates to an expansion hub for portable electronic device, wherein the expansion hub includes a housing with a rear side, a first electrical connector to connect to the electronic device, and a second electrical connector on the rear side of the housing and configured to mate or mount to a third electrical connector in a rear direction relative to the housing.

The second electrical connector can be in electrical communication with the first electrical connector. The hub can also include a mounting connector to blindly mate the housing to a second mounting connector positioned external to the rear side of the housing in response to movement of the housing in the rear direction.

With the mounting connector mated to the second mounting connector, the second electrical connector can be in electrical communication with a third electrical connector. The expansion hub can therefore provide electrical connection to an electronic device and an electrical connection to an external (i.e., third) electrical connector that is to the rear of the housing of the hub. For example, the first electrical connector can plug into or otherwise connect to an electrical interface of the portable electronic device, and the second electrical connector can plug into or otherwise connect to an electrical interface of the separate device, such as a stand, accessory, or additional expansion hub.

The rear positioning of the second electrical connector can allow the expansion hub to be moved in a rearward direction as it establishes a connection to the separate device. In this way, a person using the expansion hub can make the electrical connection to the separate device without having to look at the connector as it mounts to the separate device.

Furthermore, with the expansion hub integrated into a case or cover for the portable electronic device, the user can hold the sides of the electronic device or cover and move the electronic device in a rear direction (i.e., along a direction extending perpendicular to the rear side of the device or hub) to mount the electronic device and cover to the separate device.

While the electronic device and cover are moved in this manner, the mounting connector of the expansion hub can “blindly mate” with the second mounting connector, wherein mechanically latching, magnetically engaging, or otherwise securing or locking parts on the separate device and the expansion of engage with each other, interlock with each other, or provide an attractive force to each other while the user is positioned on the front side of the device and the connectors on the rear side are not visible to the user (i.e., the user is visually “blind” to their mating).

In some configurations, the expansion hub can have a mounting connector that mates with the second mounting connector using a biased latch system, and the second electrical connector can meet with the third electrical connector using an interface including at least one biased pin (e.g., a pogo pin) or other biased member or electrical conductor. The biased latch system can have a feature that prevents the electronic device and cover from unintentionally falling off of the stand when the latch is initially unlocked.

Modular systems such as those disclosed, can take on a wide array of different configurations based on which modules are connected to the system at a given time. For example, the system can include an electronic device, a case, an accessory hub or device adapter, a stand, and one or more accessory devices.

In another example, the system can include the electronic device, a case, and the stand. In another example, the system can include electronic device, a case, and the accessory hub.

The one or more accessories can be added as a supplement to other components to provide different types of expansion via new sensors, batteries, storage devices, and other useful components. The electronic device and case can be used while mounted to the stand directly or while the device adapter is positioned between the case and the stand, and, in either situation, power or data can be exchanged between the electronic device, the stand, and/or accessories connected to the case, electronic device, or device adapter. Thus, the modular system can be used while mounted to a stand or while disconnected from and separated from the stand.

Apple's patent FIG. 1 below shows an exploded perspective view of a modular electronic device system; FIG. 6 shows a block diagram of electronic components of the modular electronic device system of FIG. 1.

2 Apple granted patent for a module electronic device

According to Apple, accessory devices can be modularly attached and detached from the case and, simultaneously, attached and detached from electrical communication with electrical connectors extending through the case so that power and information can be exchanged between the accessory device and electronic device positioned in the case. Accessory devices can include devices such as credit card readers, light sensors, antennas, laser scanners, oxygen sensors, air sensors, printers, related devices, and combinations thereof.

At one point in the patent, Apple interestingly notes that In some embodiments, the cover #102 can include a material that is water-resistant, caustic-chemical-resistant, or anti-bacterial to provide additional durability and protection for the electronic device #104 and its users. In some cases, the cover can include a material that is easily cleanable. These features can be especially beneficial in hospitals and other health-related and dirty settings.

For more details, review Apple's granted patent US 11543856 B1.

Apple Inventors

  • Mohammadali Parsian:  Sr. Lead Product Designer.
  • Gerson Goldberg: Accessories - Mechanical Engineering Manager
  • Nicolas Huynh: Hardware Engineer

 

10.52FX - Granted Patent Bar

 

 

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