Apple has been granted a patent for “User Interfaces That Include Representations Of The Environment.”
About the patent
In the patent 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, some methods and interfaces for interacting with environments that include at least some virtual elements (e.g., applications, augmented reality environments, mixed reality environments, and virtual reality environments) are “cumbersome, inefficient, and limited,” according to Apple.
For example, systems that provide insufficient feedback for performing actions associated with virtual objects, systems that require a series of inputs to achieve a desired outcome in an augmented reality environment, and systems in which manipulation of virtual objects are complex, tedious, and error-prone, create a significant cognitive burden on a user, and detract from the experience with the virtual/augmented reality environment.
In addition, these methods take longer than necessary, thereby wasting energy of the computer system. This latter consideration is particularly important in battery-operated devices. Apple’s patent involves 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.
Summary of the patent
Here’s Apple’s abstract of the patent: “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.”
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