Apple awarded patents for tablet display housings
updated 09:20 pm EST, Wed February 4, 2009
Apple tablet patents
Adding fuel to the recent rumors of an Apple tablet computer, the company has been awarded several patents for components that could be used in such a device. Both filings carry the title "Display Housing for Computing Device" and describe several different configurations, with the noteworthy design integrating the computing components directly behind the screen.
The patented claims include an logo on the back panel that is illuminated by the light from the screen, indicating a similar design to the current logos on the back of MacBook displays. Many of the possible embodiments detail standard hinged notebooks, while one includes provisions for a tablet-like arrangement with the circuit board located between the screen and back panel.
The broad patent would prove difficult to extract any specific product plans from, although the company has achieved approvals for several other filings that contain technology relevant to tablets. The company has likely tossed around ideas, and it is not uncommon to begin the patent process for a variety of ideas that may or may not come to fruition. An August filing provided much more detail of a touchscreen device that was larger than an iPhone or iPod.
Oi!
02/04, 10:19pm reply
MacNN - Fix your new feed links, they do not work.
MyRightEye
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Apr 2008
So what?
02/04, 11:40pm reply
Apparently it doesn't matter whether Apple has a patent or not. According to the "experts," Apple can defend their rights ...neither multi-touch nor using their operating system on non-Macintosh machines. Hello! Take away the incentives and Apple stops innovating. We all lose then.
Guest
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Joined: Nov 1999
Ummm
02/04, 11:53pm reply
Computing Device doesn't necessarily = tablet.
Incidentally, why do all the links point to your own articles. I want links to the actual patents not your take on them.
lowededwookie
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Joined: Apr 2008
Re: So what?
02/05, 07:49am reply
But Apple doesn't have a patent on multi-touch, so how can the defend their rights?
And there are valid arguments that tying one product specifically to a second product is against certain laws, as Apple does with OS X tied to Mac hardware. (The EU, for example, prohibits this, IIUC).
testudo
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Joined: Aug 2001
Display housing?
02/05, 10:51am reply
Hasn't anyone noticed that the display housing cover(?) is the same as the black PowerBook G3 (Lombard, Wallstreet, Pismo) incuding the upside down Apple logo?
Gunner1954
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Joined: Mar 2000
Display housing?
02/05, 10:52am reply
Hasn't anyone noticed that the display housing cover(?) is the same as the black PowerBook G3 (Lombard, Wallstreet, Pismo) inlcuding the upside down Apple logo?
Gunner1954
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Joined: Mar 2000
Definitely Lombard
02/05, 09:47pm reply
I had the same thought as soon as I saw that drawing, Gunner. In fact, patent 6977808 "Display Housing for Computing Device" was filed in 1999, the year the PB G3 Lombard model was made (I remember mine fondly). I don't see this second patent that Electronista refers to. Would have been a lot easier to check if they actually gave numbers for the patents or linked to them.
Titanium Man
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Joined: Mar 2001