The patent details "accessory device for a tablet device" that can display notifications and other information.
In addition, the cover would have the ability to communicate with the iPad so that different lights would go off in different formations depending on what type of notification is being displayed (email, message, FaceTime, etc).
Other manufacturers have tried similar accessories, including HTC and Samsung, to varying degrees of success.
A couple of photos of the patent:
Source:
Apple Insider
Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 12 Jun 2014 13:15