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Apple Considers a New iOS Device Design for Easier Repairs

1 - Apple considers a new ios device design for easier repairs
On October 20, 2011, the US Patent & Trademark Office published a patent application from Apple that reveals a variety of new iOS concept designs that will accommodate easier repairs.  

 

A New Kind of Construction for iOS Devices is Being Considered

 

According to Apple's patent, some embodiments of a portable device could be constructed such that it may not readily be taken apart after construction is complete. For example, constructing the electronic device in this manner may provide a stronger and more stable structure (e.g., the portable electronic device may not pop open when it is dropped or otherwise undergoes physical trauma). As another example, this may inhibit opening of the electronic device such that the inner components are not readily accessible.

 

Yet Apple appears to be considering a new approach to designing iOS devices so that at some of them will be able to be opened to access components for repair and so forth.

 

The case in made beginning with patent FIG. 1below, which illustrates how an iOS device could include housing 110 and cover assembly 140. In some embodiments, the cover assembly could include a front cover assembly, such as a bezel and window that are assembled over the housing. In some embodiments, the cover assembly could include a back cover assembly, such as a backplate that is assembled onto a back end of the electronic device.

 

To position the cover assembly onto electronic device, the cover assembly could be tilted, hinged, slid, or otherwise positioned onto the housing. For example, FIG. 1 illustrates that cover assembly 140 could be slid onto housing 110 in the direction of arrow 150. After being positioned onto the housing, however, it may be desirable to lock the cover assembly in place such that its subsequent removal from the housing is inhibited. For example, retention features such as one or more detent features, screw features, hidden screw features, top hooks, shuttles, latches, or any combination of the above could be used to lock cover the assembly onto the housing.

 

2 - New iOS device construction for easier repair, Apple patent 2011

Apple's patent FIG. 4A shown above is a schematic view of features for retaining a back cover assembly when the back cover assembly is slid onto a housing.

 

In some embodiments the back cover assembly could be rotatably coupled to the housing. For example, FIG. 8 shown below illustrates electronic device 800 including housing 810 and back cover assembly 840. To couple the back cover assembly to the housing, the back cover assembly could be coupled along short axis 850 to the housing. The back cover assembly may then be rotated against the housing in direction 860.

 

3 - a rotatable back cover coupled to an iOS device housing

Apple's patent FIG. 9 shows another example of an electronic device including a back cover assembly that could be rotatably coupled to the device's housing. Keep in mind that what Apple is illustrating are concepts and not the actual design. So don't get caught up on it looking too bulky. Apple is only showing the concept and technology and/or methods of the concept.

 

Apple's patent application was originally filed in Q2 2010 by inventors David Pakula, Scott Myers, Tang Tan and Richard Dinh.

 

A Possible iCloud Patent

 

Another interesting patents worth noting today is patent application 20110258254 titled "Method and Apparatus for Updating and Synchronizing information between a client and server." This particular invention may very well relate to Apple's just released iCloud.

 

According to Apple, the invention relates to the updating and synchronization of information between a client and a server. More specifically, the invention relates to the updating and synchronization of information between clients and servers on the World Wide Web through the use of applets.

 

Notice: Patently Apple presents a detailed summary of patent applications with associated graphics for journalistic news purposes as each such patent application is revealed by the U.S. Patent & Trade Office. Readers are cautioned that the full text of any patent application should be read in its entirety for full and accurate details. Revelations found in patent applications shouldn't be interpreted as rumor or fast-tracked according to rumor timetables. Apple's patent applications have provided the Mac community with a clear heads-up on some of Apple's greatest product trends including the iPod, iPhone, iPad, iOS cameras, LED displays, iCloud services for iTunes and more. About Comments: Patently Apple reserves the right to post, dismiss or edit comments.

 

TT 05 - STEVE JOBS - THINK DIFFERENT FOREVERMORE

 

Here are a Few Great Community Sites covering our Original Report

 

MacSurfer, Twitter, Facebook, Apple Investor News, Google Reader, UpgradeOSX, TechWatching, Macnews, iPhone World Canada, CBS MarketWatch, Wired - Gadget Labs, and more

 

 

 

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