In a world where you can patent your shorts if you like, Apple has filed an application to protect its ports, or the way they're accessible on a laptop or something like that. It's aimed at the Air, that much we know. Why don't you take a look at the images and see what you can make of them.

It's not uncommon to see that a company like Apple patents stuff on such a regular basis. Not a week goes by that the Cupertino folks don't get our hopes high for multitouch-enabled devices, advanced video games and gaming equipment, new versions of its popular touchscreen devices (the iPhone and iPod touch) and so on. And it's something I personally like, to be honest with you, both as a casual web surfer and as an Apple (technology) news editor.

BUT! How on Earth does a company like Apple end up patenting the way a bunch of ports are situated on a laptop? Here's how.

It has been revealed in several Apple patents that the company is seeking to up the number of ports on its MacBook Air. Complaints about the low number of ports (USB 2.0), as well as lacking ports (Ethernet), have been circulating on the web ever since "the world's thinnest notebook" was released. The problem lies with the limited space available with the Air, as well as its thin edges.

That's why Apple is now thinking to do what you see in the image to the left (click to enlarge): implement the same retractable/flip-down port dock, but place it at the back of the notebook, where there's more space (Of course, that's where I was hoping they'd implement a removable battery system. Oh well...). Also, according to Salsh Gear, "the new patents ... imply the possibility that they might make it so you can open and close individual ports instead of having to open the whole bay of ports."

Everyone can make out the extra USB ports, the Ethernet port, the FireWire of course, but what the heck are those other ports? We'll just let Apple confirm those too. In the meanwhile, remember that if you can patent your shorts, you can certainly patent your ports.