When Apple unveiled Mac OS X Mavericks, one of the features it pushed most aggressively was the desktop computer version of its Maps software. Previously only available on iOS devices such as the iPad Air and iPad mini, the new Maps app was promoted as the ultimate desktop navigation program.

Although it's certainly a great new addition to the OS, it still has to compete with equally useful mapping programs from Google and Microsoft. In order to set itself apart, Apple Maps will need to improve upon its existing feature set in ways that haven't already been anticipated by its competitors.

A new patent application that the company has filed may provide some insight into what it has in mind. The patent describes a new system that allows users to layer different types of data on top of a map and interact more closely with the software. According to U.K. news publication The Telegraph, customers would be able to tap on a road where they are currently traveling to find information such as nearby gas stations, road conditions and other data.

These functions are available in a limited form on most mapping applications and sites, but the Apple proposal appears to be more detailed and customized.

It's important to note that Apple's patent filings are frequently tracked and reported on, but they don't necessarily reveal a company's future plans. Patent filings are made very early in the development process, and the company could switch gears shortly afterward. However, what this patent filing does show is that the company is not content to rest on its laurels, and is directing resources to the improvement of its existing service ecosystem. This is good news for anyone who uses multiple Apple products such as the MacBook Pro and iPhone, as these devices tend to be well integrated and seamlessly tied together.

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