Apple has filed for a patent for “foldable electronic devices with modular components.” It almost certainly involves the rumored “iPhone Fold” and perhaps the rumored “iPad Fold.”
About the patent filing
In the patent filing Apple says it can be challenging to incorporate universal components into a single electronic device without making the electronic device overly bulky or cumbersome to use. Conventional electronic devices often sacrifice portability in order to fit more components into an electronic device.
According to the patent filing, an (apparently foldable) electronic device may include first and second modular components that are capable of operating independently of and separately from one another in one mode while also being configured to physically couple to one another and jointly operate as a single electronic device in another mode.
The electronic device may include first and second modular components removably coupled to one another along a hinge axis. The first component may include a display and an antenna configured for cellular telephone communications. The second component may be one of multiple interchangeable second components that serve different functions when attached to the first component.
The first and second components may rotate relative to one another about one or more axes. The first component may be coupled to the second component in a first orientation in which the display of the first component faces away from the second component and a second orientation in which the display of the first component faces toward the second component.
The display of the first component may serve as a viewfinder for a camera in the second component. By allowing the first component to rotate and flip relative to the second component, the angle between the display and the camera may be adjusted and versatile shooting postures may be possible.
The second component may have one or more input-output devices and/or other items that are not present in the first component to enhance the functionality of the first component. For example, a photography-focused second component may include a visible light camera aligned with an interchangeable lens.
An outdoor-focused second component may include a weather-resistant enclosure that receives the first component and that has a replaceable battery and location tracking circuitry (e.g., global positioning system receiver circuitry, enhanced global positioning system circuitry, and/or any other suitable long range communication circuitry). An audio-focused component may have a loudspeaker.
Summary of the patent filing
Here’s Apple’s abstract of the patent filing: “An electronic device may include first and second modular components removably coupled to one another along a hinge axis. The first component may include a display and may be configured to operate as a stand-alone electronic device when decoupled from the second component. The display may be movable between a first orientation facing toward the second component and a second orientation facing away from the second component.
“The second component may have one or more input-output devices and/or other components that are not present in the first component to enhance the functionality of the first component. For example, a photography-focused second component may include a visible light camera aligned with an interchangeable lens. An outdoor-focused second component may include a weather-resistant enclosure that receives the first component and that has a replaceable battery and global positioning system receiver circuitry.”
I hope you’ll help support Apple World Today by becoming a patron. Almost all our income is from Patreon support and sponsored posts. Patreon pricing ranges from $2 to $10 a month. Thanks in advance for your support.
