Today the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office officially granted Apple a patent that relates to a Magic Keyboard-like iPad accessory designed to allow the keyboard to slide out from the base position so as to provide users with a way to comfortably position the keyboard to where it's most comfortable for them to work with. The patent also covers the possibility of the keyboard section being replaced with a secondary touch display.

Apple notes that in the field of tablet computers and related electronic devices, it can be desirable to include a keyboard, track pad, and related input devices in order to give the tablet computer additional user interface functionality similar to a laptop or notebook computer. Conventionally, tablet computers are fitted with cases that include a keyboard or similar feature to protect the tablet in addition to adding such functionality.

However, in many cases, using the tablet computer with a keyboard case is awkward and compromising for the user. It can be difficult for the user to find a comfortable viewing angle while the tablet computer is in a typing configuration because the cases only provide a limited number of stable viewing positions. Many do not provide any stability at high viewing angles (e.g., about 120-135 degrees or more relative to a horizontal support surface).

For existing cases that provide more adjustability, increasing the viewing angle of the tablet computer tends to make the tablet computer and case assembly increasingly unstable as the tablet computer rotates to greater and greater viewing angles because the center of gravity of the device moves rearward, away from the user, and behind the support surfaces provided by the case. In order to counteract this effect, the cases and keyboards are often required to use heavy or expensive mechanical components such as friction hinges and counterbalance weights. In some cases, functionality and ease of use are sacrificed, such as by removing the track pad or by making the keyboard uncomfortably small, in order to ensure device stability while at high viewing angles.

Aspects of the patent relate to a cover or case for an electronic device, such as a tablet computer, wherein the input device is slidably or translatably mounted to a folio (or similar paneled and hinged case or enclosure structure) that mounts to (or that is part of) the electronic device. The electronic device is movable between a stowed or closed position and an opened or viewing position. In the open position, a panel of the case can contact the rear surface of the electronic device, and a bottom edge or bottom surface of electronic device can be supported by and in contact with a top surface of the input device.

Rotation of the electronic device while in this configuration can cause sliding or translating movement of the input device relative to the paneled structure. In other words, rotation of the electronic device can apply a horizontal force against the input device that causes it to translate along a panel of the case or cover that is on a support surface. Similarly, application of a horizontal force to the input device can induce rotation of the electronic device due to a connection, attractive force, or contact between the electronic device and the top of the input device.

Further, Apple notes that the position of the input device relative to the hinge can be continuously adjustable within a range of relative positions, the electronic device being stable across an entirety of the range of relative positions. The range of relative positions can include a first position wherein the electronic device is at an about 120-degree angle relative to the input device and a second position wherein the electronic device is at an about 135-degree angle relative to the input device. The input device can be movable between a locked position relative to the bottom portion and an unlocked position relative to the bottom portion as a result of mounting the electronic device to the input device.

In some cases, the sliding input device can be moved between a locked position and an unlocked position relative to the case. In this way, the input device can be prevented from moving (e.g., falling off of or sliding out of the bounds of the length and width dimensions of the closed-configuration case) while it is not being used. Attachment of the electronic device to the input device can cause the input device to unlock relative to the case and to thereby be able to slide and translate.

Apple's patent FIG. 1 below illustrates an iPad using a possible next-gen Smart Keyboard with the bottom portion being slidable as shown by the arrow at the bottom of the keyboard.

Apple's patent FIG 12 above shows a side view of another computing system having a removable input device. In this example, the input device #1218 can be releasably mountable to the bottom portion #1214 by connectors such as magnetic elements in the devices #1214, #1218 or mechanically interlockable parts. The bottom end #1228 of the electronic device #1202 can be configured to contact the inner surface #1230 of the bottom portion when the input device is removed. Removal of the input device #1218 can allow the user to reposition the input device to any preferred position relative to the electronic device #1202.

Apple's patent FIG. 11 below shows a perspective view of other elements of the computing system #1100. In this view, the electronic device #1102 is mounted to the input device #1118 and the case #1106. A pin-and-slot configuration can guide the movement of the input device relative to the bottom portion #1114 of the case #1106. The pins #1120 can be part of the input device, and the slots #1122 can be part of the bottom portion #1114, or vice versa. The pins can be substantially stationary relative to the input device, and the slots #1122 can be stationary relative to the bottom portion. In this way, movement of the input device #1118 relative to the bottom portion can cause the pins to traverse the slots #1122 within the limits of the ends of the slots.

Apple's patent FIG. 15 below is a side view of another embodiment of a computing system #1500 wherein the first hinge #1512 comprises a slidable, rollable, or otherwise movable connection between the first back portion #1508 and the second back portion #1510 of the case #1506.

(Click on patent figure to Enlarge)

For more details, review Apple's granted patent 11726522.