Apple has applied for a patent oniPad Smart Cover with an embedded secondary display designed to enhance thefunctionality of the tablet computer.
"Thin flexible display technology can be integrated into the cover withoutaffecting the overall form factor of the cover or tablet device," Applesaid in a patent application.
"Adding the integrated display to the flexible cover greatly enhances theoverall functionality of the tablet device," Xinhua Thursday quoted thedocument as saying.
The embedded display could be used to show extra icons, operate as a separatemedia control interface, the document released by the US patent office said.
A battery could be incorporated within the cover to cut down recharging, andthe battery could take many forms like solar panels and radio frequency energycollection antennas.
Resembling Microsoft's new Surface tablet cover that has a keyboard, parts ofApple's flexible flap in the future may include a keyboard or serve as aseparate touch pad.
This would bring the tablet experience closer to a conventional laptopcomputer.
Analysts noted that patents like smart cover can offer a glimpse into Apple'sfancy ideas for its future products, although they don't always lead to a finalproduct.