Apple has filed for a patent that involves techniques for interacting with virtual objects in an extended reality environment.
About the patent filing
Dubbed “User Interfaces That Include Representations of the Environment,” the patent relates generally to computer systems that provide methods and interfaces for interacting with virtual objects in an extended reality environment. Apparently, this could not only be the Vision Pro, but also iPhones, iPads, and Macs.
In the patent filing, Apple notes that the development of computer systems for augmented reality has increased significantly in recent years. Example augmented reality environments include at least some virtual elements that replace or augment the physical world.
Input devices, such as cameras, controllers, joysticks, touch-sensitive surfaces, and touch-screen displays for computer systems and other electronic computing devices are used to interact with virtual/augmented reality environments. Example virtual elements include virtual objects, such as digital images, video, text, icons, and control elements such as buttons and other graphics.
However, Apple says that some methods and interfaces for interacting with environments that include at least some virtual elements “are cumbersome, inefficient, and limited.” The tech giant says there’s a need for computer systems with improved methods and interfaces for interacting with virtual objects (e.g., objects that assist with navigation) in an extended reality environment more efficient and intuitive for a user. The patent filing involves such techniques.
Summary of the patent filing
Here’s Apple’s abstract of the patent filing: “In some embodiments, the present disclosure includes techniques and user interfaces for interacting with virtual objects in an extended reality environment. In some embodiments, the techniques and user interfaces are for interacting with virtual objects in an extended reality environment, including repositioning virtual objects relative to the environment. In some embodiments, the techniques and user interfaces are for interacting with virtual objects, in an extended reality environment, including virtual objects that aid a user in navigating within the environment.
“In some embodiments, the techniques and user interfaces are for interacting with virtual objects, including objects displayed based on changes in a field-of-view of a user, in an extended reality environment, including repositioning virtual objects relative to the environment. In some embodiments, the techniques and user interfaces are for interacting with virtual objects in an extended reality environment, including virtual objects that provide a different perspective on the environment.”
