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Apple patents "Smart Covers" for devices

by Michael Grothaus Apr 13th 2010 at 10:00AM


Apple has patented a new kind of cover or skin for devices like the iPhone and iPad. The "smart covers" deliver a paradigm shift for electronic device covers, according to the patent. Apple notes that traditional skins and covers only provide protection from dents and scratches. A smart device cover would add at least one electronic function to traditional skins, allowing not only protection of the device, but augmentation of the devices capabilities.

Force sensors, solar grids, lighting effects, illuminated bezels, and even video conferencing are among the myriad uses the patent discusses for various smart covers. Additionally the patent discusses adding a physical keyboard and game pad smart cover to touch screen devices.

As always, just because Apple patents a device doesn't mean it will ever see the light of day. One is also left to wonder about the practicality of some of the skins (like a keyboard cover) that would obstruct part of the screen.

[via 9to5]

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Apple has patented a new kind of cover or skin for devices like the iPhone and iPad. The "smart covers" deliver a paradigm shift for...
 

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Cy Starkman

Well I dunno but RIM seems to think that covering their devices with a kludgy keyboard that makes for a limited screen size is practical.

Their users seem to get off on it too.

April 13 2010 at 2:58 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Marcello

Are they really trying to patent the idea of connecting an external keyboard to a phone?!?

April 13 2010 at 11:07 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
ilkyone

In order to be granted a patent, the idea sought to be patented must, among other things, be novel. Novel means not in the public, not obvious.

There are already plenty of these so called "smart covers" For instance, a solar panel means that the battery could be charged by the case. You can order about five different varieties of this already.

Having controls located in the cover is not novel, either.

This patent is a fail. The USPTO will grant it because they have rendered the patent examiners in a gaggle of chimps with typewriters with the policies anymore. Hopefully, the person who continues to exploit this obvious and already present idea won't be subjected to the meritless litigatino costs if Apple tries to enforce this mess.

April 13 2010 at 10:57 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
2 replies to ilkyone's comment
jca488

Very interesting indeed.
Well, doesnt the credit card reader or the mophie battery charger fall under these categories?

Or is apple patenting this so that others wont develop all cool types of accessories? after reading the "Pad" vs iPad patent article i think anything is possible.

April 13 2010 at 1:53 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
MikeWard1701

@jca488;

I was thinking the same thing with regard to morphie juice packs and credit card readers etc.

April 13 2010 at 8:25 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Reggie

So that's what the Magic Mouse was for -- a guinea pig product to test out their multi-touch surface on a non-display device, and have the consumers pay to help test the technology for them. Nice. ;)

April 13 2010 at 10:36 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jay

I have mixed feelings about this. For one, it would be awesome having a tactical gamepad, but then again there are going to be lots of "smart cases". Does Apple expect us to carry around a bunch of these things to do simple tasks like videochat/typing? And would certain apps require certain smart cases..?

I already know what accessory hell is like with the Wii. Seems a bit counterintuitive to me.

April 13 2010 at 10:32 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Jay's comment
Dale

Yeah, the Wii is accessory overkill. And if you want the four player goodness you see in the commercials, you have no option but to stump up what amounts to the cost of the console again in Wiimotes and nunchucks.

I like the idea of making these separate, optional components. If you have no interest in playing games, or you're happy with current input methods, you don't have to buy the skin.

April 13 2010 at 10:57 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
J. Schnable

I'm curious as to how this works. Is there sausage underneath the cover?

April 13 2010 at 10:22 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
2 replies to J. Schnable's comment
cpo

crack open your tv remote and you will know how this works

April 13 2010 at 10:24 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Brahose

@Joshua
Hahahahaha - my thoughts exactly.

April 13 2010 at 11:28 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
evan

Great--a case that I'll need a case to protect.

April 13 2010 at 10:16 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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