Apple has filed yet another patent that describes yet another tablet-like device. The latest patent application, which was published in January, is really for a "Display Housing for Computing Device" and largely describes ways to design an external housing for a display. However, one part of the patent describes a housing for an actual computer, once again spurring speculation that Apple is planning a Mac tablet.
The patent starts off describing different ways to house a display, along with special details like a logo that can be illuminated with background light (such as Apple's glowing Apple logo on the back of its notebooks). It largely focuses on displays built into notebooks, complete with a base, hinge, frame, outer shell, and flat panel encased inside.
However, one description goes into further detail for housing an entire computer device. "[O]ne embodiment of the invention includes: a front shell; a back shell coupled to said front shell to produce said housing, electrical components for the computer device being internal to said housing; and a foam stiffener provided internal to said housing to substantially fill unused space internal to said housing, thereby providing stiffness to said housing," reads the patent.
We know; something about foam stiffener gets us all worked up inside too. Overall, this is relatively tame compared to some of the other things Apple has looked to have patented in recent years. For example, another patent application by Apple was unearthed in August that described various tablet-like interfaces, including a full-size onscreen keyboard that can use modifier keys, as well as a way to interact with multiple windows (unlike the single-window method used on the iPhone). And in November, another made headlines by describing a versatile tablet docking station that could use wireless inductive charging, over-the-air data transfer, and more.
Apple has yet to deliver on any sort of tablet-like device outside of the Newton from the days of yore and, some would argue, the iPhone. However, the company has indicated that it's at least contemplating how to best implement the idea, should the opportunity arise one day. Combined with Apple's recently-granted touchscreen device patent, all of these tablet patents seem ripe for combining into one superdevice. Chances are good that a few of them are lurking in locked, window-less rooms in Cupertino. Who knows if any of them will ever see the light of day.Original here
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