Apple Wins 61 Patents Today Covering Future iPad Pro Accessories including a High-End Dock/Pivoting Stand and more
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office officially published a series 61 newly granted patents for Apple Inc. today. In this particular granted patent report we cover possible future iPad Pro accessories that point to an Apple Pencil holder, a high-end pivoting stand and docking station, new keyboard configurations and more. And as usual, we wrap up this week's granted patent report with our traditional listing of the remaining granted patents that were issued to Apple today.
Granted Patent: Smart Covers with Magnetic Attachment Unit
Apple's newly granted patent covers their invention relating to iPad and iPad Pro smart cover configurations and their magnetic attachment.
One aspect of the invention addresses a cover assembly that includes at least a hinge assembly detachably connected to a host unit and a cover assembly pivotally attached to hinge assembly having a size and shape in accordance with the host unit. The cover assembly includes at least a cover portion pivotally attached to the hinge portion at a first pivot, a flap portion separate from the cover portion pivotally attached to the hinge portion at a second pivot different from the first pivot such that the cover portion and the flap portion rotate about their respective pivot points separately in such that the cover forms a support structure that supports the host device at an inclined angle with respect to the flap portion.
Apple's smart cover master granted patent provides us with a huge variety of possible smart cover accessories for future iPads and/or iPad Pros ranging from booklet or dual iPad configurations to new keyboard options to carrying case handles through to new docking stations and beyond.
Apple's patent FIG. 23B noted below shows an Apple Pencil holder #804 with Apple Pencil #806. In one embodiment, the operation of the iPad Pro can change to a stylus recognition mode when the Apple Pencil is connected.
In September Patently Apple posted a patent application report covering a refined Apple Pencil attachment mechanism that would negate the need for a "holder" as noted above.
Apple's patent FIG. 10 noted below shows arrangement in a closed configuration in which a tablet device uses the flexible nature of flexible connecting member to fold atop one another; FIG. 13 shows magnetic attachment unit magnetically attaching tablet devices to form tablet array; and FIG. 24 shows a travel case.
Apple's patent FIGS. 15 and 17 noted below smart iPad Pro smart keyboard covers in different configurations with one including a trackpad.
Apple's patent FIG. 19A noted above we're able to see a sophisticated high-end, docking station #600 that doubles as a pivoting stand that could almost pivot in any position to accommodate a pro user.
Apple's granted patent 9,494,980 was first covered by Patently Apple in February 2014. See our original patent application report to view many more details and patent figures illustrating yet more possible future uses for magnetic attachments for the iPad and iPad Pro.
And, in case you missed it, we posted another granted patent report earlier this morning titled "Apple Granted a Patent for a Sports Version of Apple EarPods." .
The Remaining Patents granted to Apple Today
Note: In order to see a clearer image of the list above, simply click on the image above to enlarge it. Some browsers may require that you click on the image and then a second click on the image to enlarge it fully.
Patently Apple presents only a brief summary of granted patents with associated graphics for journalistic news purposes as each Granted Patent is revealed by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. Readers are cautioned that the full text of any Granted Patent should be read in its entirety for full details. About Making Comments on our Site: Patently Apple reserves the right to post, dismiss or edit any comments. Those using abusive language or behavior will result in being blacklisted on Disqus.
Comments