Apple has filed for three patents regarding the rumored “Apple Glasses.” What’s that? An augmented reality/virtual reality head-mounted display (HMD).
Display virtual info in a real environment
Patent filing number 20210166489 is for a “method of displaying virtual information in a view of a real environment.” It involves solving the problem in creating an improved method of displaying virtual, location based information.
Displaying mixed 2D/3D content
Patent filing number 20210168324 is for the “detection and display of mixed 2D/3D content. It involves systems, methods, and devices for sharing and displaying 2D and 3D content.
Gaze-driven recording of video
Patent filing number is for “gaze driven recording of video.” In this patent filing, Apple motes that HMDs are used to provide virtual reality, augmented reality, and/or mixed reality experiences for users. Video from a virtual reality or mixed reality experience may be recorded for later playback or analysis. Gaze-tracking sensors may be used to provide an indication of where a subject person is currently looking.
What are Apple Glasses?
When it comes to Apple Glasses, such a device will arrive this year or 2022, depending on which rumor you believe. The Sellers Research Group (that’s me) thinks Apple will at least preview it before the end of the year.
It will be a head-mounted display. Or may have a design like “normal” glasses. Or it may be eventually be available in both. The Apple Glasses may or may not have to be tethered to an iPhone to work. Other rumors say that Apple Glasses could have a custom-build Apple chip and a dedicated operating system dubbed “rOS” for “reality operating system.”
