Although Apple usually closely guards its future projects and does not disclose them until launch some of Apple’s patent filings end up unveiling its future plans. This happened with the much rumoured smartwatch on which the Cupertino-based tech giant has been working on for some time now or the integration of a scan button on the upcoming iPhone 5S. Now another patent filing by Apple has uncovered its future plans, as the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has released a new patent from the company on Tuesday, August 20th, which bears the title of “Working with 3D objects”. According to the latest update, the new patent talks about a graphical interface that will not only allow the user to generate 3D objects, but also manoeuvre it with the help of 3D gesture inputs on a device.
AppleInsider has reported that the interface can possibly be a CAD application running over a computing device with touch-sensitive surface like most of the current iOS devices. The new patent filing also describes that the process can be controlled through special gestures that are made above the surface of touchscreen. This refers to a device that can sense the movement of fingers over the surface with a “combination of capacitive touch sensors and proximity sensors embedded in the display”.
Besides this the new Apple patent also describes how 3D objects are “extruded” from 2D images. For example to extrude a triangular prism from a triangle, user needs to touch a two-dimensional object from three places after which he or she can “lift” or “pull” it up away from the surface of the screen.
“In order to generate the 3D renderings, a user can manipulate a 2D object with conventional touchscreen gestures, such as pinching. Instead of continuing with established iOS gestures, the invention deviates by introducing a third axis of control. […]”
To indicate the end of a 3D gesture input, or deselection of an object, the application can be programmed to detect any number of 3D gestures, such as a user spreading their fingers or quickly moving them away from the screen. An object can be reselected by touching and holding on the screen for a certain amount of time.”
The patent also reveals about a “sculpting” mode that gives the impression as if the 3D object is made of clay or mouldable material. Finally the filing mentions that user can make their experience more engaging if they use stereoscopic glasses or 3D.
Source: iPhoneinCanada
Photo: iPhoneinCanada
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