Today the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office officially published a series of 37 newly granted patents for Apple Inc. In this particular report we cover two inventions. The first is focused on future Foldable iPads and iPhones, and specifically on crack resistant display covers.  We also briefly cover a highly technical patent covering Communication Devices and methods For Direct Detection And Photonics Receiver that will one day support applications for industry, logistics, retail, office administration, education, and health services. And as always, we wrap up this week's granted patent report with our traditional listing of the remaining granted patents that were issued to Apple this week.

Hybrid Coverlay/window Structure For Flexible Display Applications

Apple's granted patent focuses on correcting display cracking issues found on some foldable devices today deters many consumers from buying into whole idea of foldable smartphones at present. Apple's patent specifically relates to a new protective cover layer structure for smartphones, and more particularly for flexible displays that could fold while being crack resistant.

The patent specifically describes display modules and protective cover layer structures that may be implemented in curved, flexible, conformable and foldable display modules, and in particular with curved, flexible, conformable and foldable display panels.

Apple's patent FIG. 1 below is a schematic isometric view illustration of a protective cover layer; FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional side view illustration of a bent protective cover layer.

Apple notes that typically, glass fracture initiates from the presence of micro-cracks. The hardcoat layer #104 in accordance with embodiments may fill pre-existing micro-cracks and also make it harder to initiate a crack.

Furthermore, the hardcoat layer may be engineered to have a sufficiently high hardness and tensile strength to function as an exterior protective coating for the electronic device, while being able to withstand more strain before fracture compared to the transparent support substrate #102. Thus, the hardcoat layer is sufficiently durable for high puncture and scratch resistance.

Apple's patent FIG. 4A above is a schematic top view illustration of crack propagation in a scratched transparent support substrate; FIG. 4B is a schematic top view illustration of crack propagation in a scratched transparent support substrate with hardcoat layer. 

Apple's patent FIGS. 12A-12B above are schematic isometric view illustrations of an electronic device #1200 such as an iPhone. The display panel #150 and protective cover layer #100 may be curved, flexible, conformable and/or foldable. Apple's patent FIG. 12A illustrates an outward bending application, while FIG. 12B illustrates an inward bending application.

For more details, review Apple's granted patent 11846984.

Communication Devices And Methods For Direct Detection And Photonics Receiver

In a highly technical granted patent today, Apple notes that new use cases are developing that will test the signaling and processing capacities of wireless networks and devices. Augmented reality (AR) and extended reality (XR) are two use cases that will benefit from rapid transmission of large amounts of data over a wireless link and reduced power consumption by user devices.

AR and XR applications mix real and virtual images for presentation to a user. These applications may be used in a variety of work and life sectors including industrial, logistics, retail, office administration, education, and health services.

The user device #120 found in patent FIG. 1 above is noted as being a a pair of smartglasses that may be capable of providing an AR/XR experience to a user. For more details, check out granted patent 11848703

This Week's Remaining Granted Patents