COVER ATTACHMENT WITH FLEXIBLE DISPLAY

• US 20160224238A1
• Filed: 04/13/2016
• Published: 08/04/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: ROTHKOPF, Fletcher R.
• Granted Patent: US 10,488,883 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 11/00 Receptacles for purposes not provided for in groups A45C1/00-A45C9/00 specially adapted for toiletry or cosmetic equipment A45D29/20, A45D44/18; travelling sewing kits A45F3/48
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/002 Protective covers
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 15/00 Purses, bags, luggage or other receptacles covered by groups A45C1/00 - A45C11/00, combined with other objects or articles A45C1/08, A45C3/14, A45C11/321, A45C13/28 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2011/003 for portable computing devices, e.g. laptop, tablet, netbook, game boy, navigation system, calculator
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2200/15 Articles convertible into a stand, e.g. for displaying purposes
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0658 Position or arrangement of display
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0252 for personal computers, e.g. laptops, notebooks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0005 Dashboard
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0017 Head-rests
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0057 using magnetic means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1643 the display being associated to a digitizer, e.g. laptops that can be used as penpads details related to the relative motion of the display enclosure with respect to the body enclosure, e.g. to move between laptop and tablet PC configuration G06F1/1615
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1647 including at least an additional display G06F1/1692 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1652 the display being flexible, e.g. mimicking a sheet of paper, or rollable
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1654 the display being detachable, e.g. for remote use
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1673 Arrangements for projecting a virtual keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1681 : Details related solely to hinges hinge details related to the transmission of signals or power are classified in G06F1/1683
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 : Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 : Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 : for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1446 : display composed of modules, e.g. video walls
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3822 : specially adapted for use in vehicles H04B1/3827 takes precedence

Abstract

A tablet device with a flexible cover is disclosed. Thin flexible display technology can be integrated into the flexible cover without affecting the overall form factor of the cover or tablet device. Adding the integrated display to the flexible cover greatly enhances the overall functionality of the tablet device.

Claims

1. An electronic device, comprising:

a first part that carries a first display arranged to present first visual content;

a hinge assembly coupled with the first part; and

a second part pivotably coupled with the first part by the hinge assembly, the second part comprising a keyboard assembly and a second display adjacent the keyboard assembly.

2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the second display comprises a customized set of keys, and wherein at least one key of the customized set of keys corresponds to an input to execute an application configured for presentation of the first visual content at the first display.

3. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the second display is configured to present a virtual set of keys that defines an application toolbar.

4. The electronic device of claim 3, wherein the application toolbar comprises a list of applications selectable at the second display, and wherein at least one application of the list of applications is configured for execution to present the first visual content at the first display.

5. The electronic device of claim 3, wherein the second display is capable of receiving a multi-touch gesture configured to move an application from the application toolbar to the first display.

6. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the second display is adjacent to the hinge assembly.

7. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein keyboard assembly is adjacent to the hinge assembly.

8. An accessory device for use with an electronic device having a display, the accessory device comprising:

a body comprising an attachment feature configured to releasably attach with the electronic device and capable of covering the display;

a keyboard assembly carried by the body; and

a touch-sensitive display carried by the body and configured to present visual information, the keyboard assembly and the touch-sensitive display in electrical communication with the electronic device when the attachment feature is attached with the electronic device.

9. The accessory device of claim 8, wherein the keyboard assembly provides a tactile input command to a processor of the electronic device, and wherein the touch-sensitive display provides a touch input command to the processor.

10. The accessory device of claim 9, wherein the touch-sensitive display defines a touch pad for inputting a touch based command to the processor of the electronic device.

11. The accessory device of claim 8, wherein the visual information comprises a list of applications, and wherein the display is configured to present an information in accordance with at least one application of the list of applications.

12. The accessory device of claim 8, wherein the touch-sensitive display comprises a touch screen configured to receive a touch corresponding to an input to the touch screen.

13. The accessory device of claim 8, wherein the body is foldable to provide a support structure to the electronic device.

14. The accessory device of claim 8, wherein when the attachment feature secures with the electronic device:

the body, in an open configuration, presents the keyboard assembly and the touch-sensitive display for use with the electronic device, and

the body, in a closed configuration, is folded such that the keyboard assembly and the touch-sensitive display at least partially cover the electronic device.

15. An electronic device comprising:

a display housing carrying a display; and

a base portion rotatable with respect to the display housing, the base portion comprising;

a keyboard, and

a touch-sensitive display configured to present visual information that includes a selectable icon corresponding to an application program presented at the display.

16. The electronic device of claim 15, wherein the visual information comprises an application toolbar that includes the selectable icon.

17. The electronic device of claim 16, wherein the application toolbar comprises a list of applications, wherein the display is configured to present at least one application of the list of applications.

18. The electronic device of claim 15, wherein the touch-sensitive display is configured to receive a touch input that selects the selected icon such that the application program is presented at the display.

19. The electronic device of claim 15, wherein the display housing is releasably coupled with the base portion.

20. The electronic device of claim 15, wherein the base portion is foldable to provide a support structure for the display housing.