Apple’s augmented reality patents published recently shed light on producing a mixed reality headset and more technological innovations. A patent application from Apple was submitted by the U.S Patent and Trademark office describing computer systems which include electronic devices for the interaction with virtual and augmented reality environments.
Releasing of the ARKit which is an augmented reality platform for developers was the turning point for Apple in the AR world. Virtual/augmented reality had major growth in recent years, arising from the virtual reality environment which was only visually presentable to interactions in the virtual environment by using touch-sensitive surfaces and some electronic computing devices.
The touch sensitive surfaces are used for the user to interact in the virtual environment by allowing the user to move through the environment generated. It can be touch pads, remote controls or even a smartphone.
The interaction with the virtual/augmented environment and the user is limited to an extension where they cannot perform interactions with more virtual elements on the environment thus being inefficient in some ways. For example, using some inputs to select one or more objects and performing more than one action on objects makes it complex for the user.
Apple is aiming at generating systems with improved methods and interfaces for interaction with virtual and augmented reality environment. Such methods will be able to produce a more efficient human-machine interface reducing the extent or nature of inputs from the user. These methods can extend the time for battery charges in battery-operated-devices and thus conserving power.
Apple also described the creation of a virtual user interface which can be used on a device or wireless headset. This enables the capturing of live objects within the field of view of cameras and can generate video outputs.
Apple filed patents in 2019 concerning AR headset which uses mixed reality. The user will be able to interact with the virtual/augmented environment using a touch-sensitive remote control or a touch-sensitive surface on the headset. The iPhone can be used as a navigation tool. Through all these plans we can expect Apple to come forth to the AR world with more advanced and complementing technologies contributing to augmented reality in the future.
