Apple applies for iPad Smart Cover patent

Apple has applied for a patent on iPad Smart Cover with an embedded secondary display designed to enhance the functionality of the tablet computer.

"Thin flexible display technology can be integrated into the cover without affecting the overall form factor of the cover or tablet device," Apple said in a patent application.

"Adding the integrated display to the flexible cover greatly enhances the overall functionality of the tablet device," Xinhua Thursday quoted the document as saying.

The embedded display could be used to show extra icons, operate as a separate media control interface, the document released by the US patent office said.

A battery could be incorporated within the cover to cut down recharging, and the battery could take many forms like solar panels and radio frequency energy collection antennas.

Resembling Microsoft's new Surface tablet cover that has a keyboard, parts of Apple's flexible flap in the future may include a keyboard or serve as a separate touch pad.

This would bring the tablet experience closer to a conventional laptop computer.

Analysts noted that patents like smart cover can offer a glimpse into Apple's fancy ideas for its future products, although they don't always lead to a final product.