Apple has filed a total of 45 patents with the European Patent and Trademark Office, the 45 patents relate to the UI on the Apple iPad, and although these patents were listed in the database in January 2011, they seem to be backdated to July the 27th 2010.
The 45 patents cover pretty much everything to do with the user interface on the Apple iPad, such as the virtual on screen keyboard, to the calendar, mail app and the iPads home screen.
Obviously with number of other companies launching tablets this year, Apple are looking to to make sure all of their design elements for the iPad UI are protected.
The Patent filing list Johnny Ive and and a large list of other Apple designers, with different groups of designers listed between the 45 different patent filings.
via Patently Apple
Filed Under: Apple, Apple iPad