Apple files for three more patents for the rumored ‘Apple Glasses

Apple has filed for three more patents involving the rumored “Apple Glasses,” an augmented reality/virtual reality/mixed reality head-mounted display (HMD).

Patent filing number 20210034145is for “monitoring a user of a head-wearable electronic device” and involves the use of an iPhone with an HMD. Under this scenario, an Apple smartphone would be provided with one or more sensing components (e.g., one or more touch sensors, sound sensors, etc.) that could be utilized for enabling a user to control the functions of Apple Glasses via gestures detected by the iPhone.

Patent filing number 20210035367 is for “visual search refinement for computer generated rendering environments.” It involves improved devices, systems, and methods that enable faster and more efficient real-time physical object recognition, information retrieval, and updating of a computer-generated rendering (CGR). Among other features it would allow Apple Glasses to ID physical objects and update the CGR environment based on information associated with the identified physical objects. 

Patent filing number 20210033874 is for “dynamic seals for adjustable display devices.” It involves durable seals for an HMD that would protect delicate internal components (e.g., display panels and lenses) from water, moisture, particulate, debris, dust, etc.

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.”