Apple has filed for a patent (number 20200106955) for “devices, methods, and graphic user interfaces for assisted photo taking” with the goal of helping the vision-impaired take better pics with their iPhones and iPads.
In the patent filing, Apple notes that taking a photograph is one of the most important features of any modern smartphone (or other portable multifunction device). The iPhone maker says “it is essential that all users, including low-vision and blind users, be able to take basic photographs, and desirable that they be able to take beautiful and artistic photographs.” However, due to the inherent visual aspects of photography, it’s difficult for low-vision and blind users to take great photographs with standard user interfaces. Apple wants to change this.
Here’s the summary of the invention: “An electronic device obtains one or more images of a scene. After obtaining the one or more images of the scene, the electronic device detects a plurality of objects within the scene, provides a first audible description of the scene, and detects a user input that selects a respective object of the plurality of objects within the scene.
“The first audible description of the scene provides information corresponding to the plurality of objects as a group. In response to the user input selecting the respective object within the scene, the electronic device provides a second audible description of the respective object. The second audible description is distinct from the first audible description and includes a description of one or more characteristics specific to the respective object.”
