1 Apple Inc. (AAPL) Patent That Can Revolutionize Your Device

If we know anything about Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) it is that the company is always looking for a way to save space. This holds true with all its devices, including its MacBook lineup. We have discussed tablet size here, and there is sure to be plenty more surrounding this topic in the future.

Today, we want to take a closer look at an Apple patent filing in which it appears that Cupertino is looking for a way to cut back on the size of its MacBook computers. The company has done a nice job with this so far, but is hoping to make even more progress in the years to come.

All in all, the Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) patent shows a combination USB port and SD card slot. This would be an interesting upgrade that not only allows for a slimmer design, but also adds some functionality to the machines as well.

The patent is named: Combined Input Port

Here is the abstract of the patent, showing what Apple is hoping to accomplish with this technology:

“An input port for an electronic device for receiving different types of connectors, memory cards, or plugs. The input port includes an outer wall defining a receiving aperture, a substrate positioned within the receiving aperture. A first set of contacts is positioned on the substrate at a first depth into the receiving aperture and a second set of contacts is positioned on a first surface of the outer wall at a second depth into the receiving aperture. The first set of contacts is configured to communicate with a first connector and the second set of contacts is configured to communicate with a second connector.”

Although this may sound a bit confusing, you can be rest assured that Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) will make this technology easy to use should it makes its way into a future MacBook computer.

A patent like this could change the direction of the MacBook lineup down the road. This may not be the only thing Cupertino is looking into as a means of saving space, but it is definitely something the company is considering strongly.

It will be interesting to see if the combination port makes its way to an Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) computer in the future.

The patent was first filed for on December 23, 2011. Changsoo Jang is listed as the only inventor.

For more information and a closer look at the proposed technology, check out the image provided on the next page: