Apple wants you to be able to set the ‘immersion level’ of SR environment with the Vision Pro

Apple has filed for a patent (number US 20230324985 A1) that would allow Vision Pro users to switch between “immersion levels” in an simulated reality environment.

The US$3,499 (and up) Spatial Computer is due in early 2024. Apparently, it will only be available in limited quantities at first.

The patent filing generally relates to systems, methods, and devices for selectively transitioning between levels of simulated reality (SR) immersion presented by the Vision Pro. In particular, it involves the ability for a user to selectively transitioning between levels of SR immersion using an input device of the electronic device.

In the patent filing, Apple notes that head-mounted devices are often used in systems to present a user with virtual objects that either complement or replace a surrounding physical setting that is perceivable in a view presented by a display of such electronic devices. Through that view, the user is provided with an experience in which they may be fully immersed in a surrounding physical setting, fully immersed in a virtual reality (VR) setting of virtual objects, or anywhere in between.

While the user is fully or partially immersed in a VR setting of virtual objects, physical objects in the surrounding physical setting continue to exist. For example, the user may be fully immersed in VR corresponding to a pre-historic world populated with dinosaurs. While that virtual pre-historic world may not show living room furniture, the living room in which the user is located continues to include a coffee table. What’s more, even though the user’s dog may be absent from that virtual pre-historic world, the dog may continue to roam about the living room.

Apple says that current techniques to avoid any undesirable interactions with physical objects in the surrounding physical setting that are unencumbered by the virtual reality setting involve a user abruptly removing the electronic device providing the experience upon sensing such undesirable interactions. However, as experiences become increasingly immersive, the user may be unable to sense such undesirable interactions fast enough to avoid them. 

What’s more, abruptly removing the electronic device during an experience detracts from that experience. Apple’s patent filing is designed to address the concerns related to these undesirable interactions while also minimizing any negative impacts on the experience.

How? Using a rotatable input device of the VisionPro, input is received representing a request to change the first immersion level to a second immersion level that shows real environment objects along with SR objects.