Following the failed Palm Foleo and sidestepping the already-on-the-market Redfly, Microsoft has filed patent art that hints at its idea for the future of the smartphone as sole computer.

The patent describes a docking station (see image below) that would serve as a USB hub. This dock would allow for connections to an external display (likely even directly to a TV), and would be built to accommodate future peripherals as well.

While the drawings are simple and the company hasn't said anything about an actual product-to-market plan, it seems Microsoft is joining the likes of Utah-based Celio Corp., maker of the Redfly, in anticipating the day when our phones become our only computers.

Here's a snipit of information from the patent application, SMART INTERFACE SYSTEM FOR MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS DEVICES:

The smart system includes a connector interface that connects peripherals to a phone and/or personal digital assistant (PDA), through the smart system. The smart system includes a cradle for receiving a cell phone and interfacing the phone to external systems such as peripherals, networks and other systems through a USB hub and other suitable connector interfaces. The peripheral devices to which the smart system can interface include, but are not limited to, large displays (e.g., television), external monitors, input devices such as mice and keyboards, external storage devices, and networks (wired and/or wireless). The smart system also facilitates connectivity to large display systems such as TVs, computer displays and monitors.

Although that may seem far off now, surely we all remember how quickly our old 8060 door stops morphed into the folding, portable laptops we could hide under a bandana.

Less is often more, but everybody wants a real display and a real keyboard sometimes. And certainly Microsoft wants a part of that future.