Apple Receives a Granted Patent for a Possible Future iPhone 3D Modeling Application

Apple has received a Granted Patent for a product that has yet to surface. The patent titled "Generating a three-dimensional model using a portable electronic device recording" relates to systems and methods for navigating three-dimensional environments and viewing three-dimensional objects on an electronic device display such as the iPhone based on deterministic movement of an iDevice. This is also directed to systems and methods for recording a video of a three-dimensional environment or three-dimensional object, and processing the video to generate a three-dimensional model that could be navigated in an order other than that of the recording.

In some embodiments, a user could direct an iDevice such as an iPhone to display information that could be associated with three-dimensional navigation such as, for example, three-dimensional models of environments or objects.

For example, a user will be able to direct an iDevice to access a mapping application that provides images of what could be seen in some or any direction from a particular location.

As another example, a user could direct an iDevice to display a video game in which a user may navigate a virtual world and see, in any direction, what the virtual world resembles (e.g., rendered images of the virtual world's appearance from any location in the virtual world).

As still another example, a user will be able to direct a future iDevice to display a three-dimensional object (e.g., an object for sale) that the user could manipulate or view from different angles.

Apple credits Richard Tsai, Andrew Just and Brandon Harris as the inventors of granted patent 8,624,974 which was originally filed in Q3 2012 and published today by the US Patent and Trademark Office.

Apple Granted Patent for Sensor Fusion

Apple has been granted a patent today for their invention relating to portable electronic devices. More particularly, the present embodiments describe use of multiple sensors in combination to confirm a status of Apple's iPad Smart Cover.

In the described embodiment, the electronic device includes at least a processor and a first sensor in communication with the processor arranged to detect a first type stimulus. The first sensor responds to the first type stimulus by providing a first signal to the processor indicating a first status of the iPad's Smart Cover.

The iPad also includes at least a second sensor in communication with the processor arranged to detect a second type stimulus. The second sensor responds to the second type stimulus by providing a second signal to the processor indicating a second status of the iPad Smart Cover in relation to the electronic device. In the described embodiment, when the processor receives the first signal from the first sensor, the processor compares the first status indicated by the first signal and the second status indicated by the second signal and when the processor determines that the indications of the first and second status are the same, the processor accepts the first signal, otherwise, the processor ignores the first signal.

In one aspect of the described embodiment, the iPad Smart Cover is a protective cover having a flap incorporating a magnetic element and the first sensor is a Hall Effect (HFX) sensor. The Smart Cover is pivotally attached to the electronic device such that in a closed configuration the magnetic element in the flap provides a first stimulus in the form of a saturating magnetic field that is detected by the HFX sensor only when the flap is in a closed configuration with respect to the electronic device. The second sensor is any of at least an ambient light sensor, a camera, a magnetometer, a multi-touch sensitive surface, an RFID device, and a second Hall Effect sensor.

Apple's patent FIG. 2A shows a first perspective view of the electronic device in the form of a tablet device and the accessory device in the form of a protective cover; Patent FIG. 12 shows a flowchart detailing process for using a RFID device in combination with a Hall Effect sensor to corroborate a state of a protective cover with regards to an electronic device.

Apple credits Michael Cretella, Venu Duggineni, Michael Eng, Ronald Huang, Christopher Moore and Christopher Mullens as the inventors of granted patent 8,624,695 which was originally filed in Q3 2012 and published today by the US Patent and Trademark Office. To review today's 20 granted patent claims and details, see Apple's patent.

Apple Granted a Patent Relating to OLED Displays

Apple has been granted a patent today for their invention relating to the integration of a touch actuated sensor configuration with an organic light emitting diode (OLED) structure.

Apple's patent FIG. 3 noted above illustrates a first and a second process flow diagram respectively illustrating example process embodiments for making a touch actuated sensor configuration and for making an organic light emitting diode (OLED) structure; patent FIG. 6 is a side view illustrating an example touch actuated sensor configuration embodiment integrated with an example OLED structure embodiment in a module or integrated circuit embodiment.

Apple credits Shih Chang and Steven Hotelling as the inventors of granted patent 8,624,849 which was originally filed in Q2 2009 and published today by the US Patent and Trademark Office. To review today's granted patent claims and details, see Apple's patent.

Apple Granted Patent for Synchronized, Interactive Augmented Reality Displays

Apple has been granted a patent today for their invention relating to a highly advanced synchronized and interactive augmented reality (AR) display for future iOS devices. Apple's initial vision for using augmented reality applications in business, health care and education.

Apple provides us with an example relating to a future AR Display in a variety of medical applications. In some implementations, a doctor will be able to use a future iDevice to capture a live video of the patient's face. Using pattern recognition and/or other information (e.g., a bar code or other patient identifier), information related to the patient (e.g., medical history, drug prescriptions) could be displayed on the iDevice.

In other implementations, a live video of a body part that needs medical attention could be captured and augmented with annotations that assist the doctor in making a diagnosis. The video could be shared with other doctors who could generate annotations on their respective devices to assist the doctor in a diagnosis. Pattern matching or other image processing could be used to identify problems with the injured body part based on its visual appearance (e.g., color). In one example application, an x-ray or MRI video could be displayed with the live video.

Apple credits Brett Bilbrey, Nicholas King and Aleksandar Prance as the inventors of granted patent 8,625,018 which was originally filed in Q1 2013 and published today by the US Patent and Trademark Office. To review today's 25 granted patent claims and details, see Apple's patent. Patently Apple first covered a related patent application published by USPTO back in July 2011.

The Remaining Patents granted to Apple Today

Patently Apple presents only a brief summary of granted patents with associated graphics for journalistic news purposes as each Granted Patent is revealed by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. Readers are cautioned that the full text of any Granted Patent should be read in its entirety for full details. About Making Comments on our Site: Patently Apple reserves the right to post, dismiss or edit any comments.