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"Apple has filed a patent in the US for a new technology that would enable iPad Smart Covers to feature an additional screen that can display notifications and be used for other tasks.  The filing, registered with the US Patent Office and revealed by Engadget, details next-generation technology for the Smart Covers, which protect the iPad&amp;#039;s screen but also wake the device up when opened.   Apple wants to patent technology that embeds a screen in the flexible covers so that they can display new notifications or be used for accessing the media controls.  The patent filing also suggests that the entire cover surface could be used as a keyboard, similarly to technology recently announced for Microsoft&amp;#039;s Surface tablets, or as a drawing area.  It indicates that the secondary display would connect to the iPad via the magnetic grips, and then draw data through from the tablet. It could either share power with the iPad or use solar power technology.  The primary advantage of the additional screen would be alerting users when they have new notifications. Currently, the device makes a sound alert or flags notifications via graphics when the cover is removed.   Some devices, such as the still-in-development Pebble Smartwatch, are incorporating energy-efficient electronic paper, or e-paper, displays that can transmit data to the user.  It may be that Apple will look to incorporate e-paper into the new iPad Smart Covers, offering a low-power screen on which users can quickly glance at notifications and calendar events, and possibly even take brief notes without having to remove the cover. This could provide a big selling point in the increasingly competitive tablet market. As the patent filing notes: &amp;quot;Adding the integrated display to the flexible cover greatly enhances the overall functionality of the tablet device.&amp;quot; Apple filed the patent around a year ago and the technology may not be in development, as technology firms frequently file patents for initiatives that will never see the light of day.  However, it could also be that Apple is working on the new &amp;#039;second screen&amp;#039; Smart Cover technology for the rumoured fourth generation of the iPad, which is expected to arrive in spring 2013.  &amp;gt; Apple&amp;#039;s iPad Mini to debut in November, sources say "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.digitalspy.com/tech/apple/news/a397269/apple-files-patent-for-second-screen-ipad-cover/>