“Apple has been granted a patent for a camera latch by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office and seems to involve what most folks would describe as a table PC or at least interesting (and unreleased) variations on the MacBook and/or MacBook Pro,” Dennis Sellers reports for Macsimum News.

Sellers reports, “The patent involves a portable computer and/or a laptop that includes a base. The portable computer also includes a lid that pivots relative to the base. The portable computer further includes a latch including a data capture device such as a camera that is configured to secure the lid to the base. The invention relates, in another embodiment, to a monitor. The monitor includes a display housing. The monitor also includes a display coupled to the display housing. The monitor also includes a camera coupled to the display housing.”

Full article with patent application illustrations here.