This was a big week for a possible future iPad-Hybrid device. Yesterday we covered two patents relating to different aspects of hybrid device inventions. While I was in the Hospital on Tuesday, Apple was granted their second patent for a major iPad-hybrid device which is the focus of this report.

User Interfaces For Devices With Multiple Displays

According to Apple, in some embodiments, an electronic device displays and allows user interaction with content on multiple displays. In some embodiments, an electronic device displays three-dimensional content using coordinated views on multiple displays.

In some embodiments, an electronic device shares content while displaying a video conferencing user interface. In some embodiments, an electronic device facilitates the display or keeping private of content on multiple displays.

In some embodiments, an electronic device facilitates the display of information from applications using a shared graphical input coordinate space. In some embodiments, an electronic device presents indications of notifications.

In some embodiments, an electronic device presents representations of items of content that are related to content presented on the one or more electronic devices. In some embodiments, an electronic device presents user interfaces including a soft keyboard.

In patent FIG. 5 below we see a dual-display MacBook or iPad that could take on a clamshell configuration. In this configuration, it's more like a dual display notebook, considering that Apple talks about one side having the capability of adding a virtual keyboard.

Apple further points out that in some embodiments, device #500 below has one or more input mechanisms #506 and #508. Input mechanisms 506 and 508, if included, can be physical. Examples of physical input mechanisms include push buttons and rotatable mechanisms.

Apple's patent FIG. 6A below illustrates exemplary device #500 with touch screens 504-1 and 504-2. Touch screens 504-1 and 504-2 optionally display one or more user interfaces that include various content; Oddly FIG. 6P-2 illustrates a side button #622 which triggers the second display to be in touch pad mode.

Apple's patent FIGS. 10C and 10CC illustrate a FaceTime call where users share a document.

Two other Interface examples are presented above displaying 1) a "Display Region" and an "Editing Region," and (2) a document at top and keyboard and writing area at the bottom.

This is major patent with hundreds of patent figures to review. Apple's update is the biggest that I've ever seen. The average update includes the addition of 20 new patent claims whereas in this patent, Apple has added a whopping 78 new claims. You could review full details and the new claims under granted patent 11972164