The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office published a continuation patent application from Apple which covers a highly advanced synchronized and interactive augmented reality (AR) display for future iOS devices that could include a future video AR/VR headset. Apple's invention covers their initial vision for using augmented reality applications in business, health care and education. Apple's invention also briefly touches on interacting with 3D video and applications for vehicle mechanics, distant learning and more. With Apple having a recognized and specialized VR team at work on a future headset, every invention and/or update becomes a story of interest.

In today's continuation patent, Apple has simplified their original granted patent by reducing their 29 patent claims to that of a single entry as follows:

"A computer-implemented method for generating and synchronizing interactive Augmented Reality (AR) displays, comprising: capturing live video of a real-world, physical environment on a touch sensitive surface of a device; combining an information layer and the live video in a display of the device, the information layer related to one or more objects in the live video; displaying computer-generated imagery representing one or more objects in the live video on the touch sensitive surface; overlaying the information layer on the computer-generated imagery; receiving data from one or more onboard motion sensors indicating that the device is in motion; and synchronizing the live video, computer-generated imagery and information layer using the sensor data.

Apple's patent FIG. 1A illustrates an exemplary device for receiving live video of a real-world, physical environment; FIG. 1B illustrates the exemplary device of FIG. 1A displaying the live video combined with an information layer; FIG. 1C illustrates the exemplary device of FIG. 1B displaying a three-dimensional (3D) perspective view of the live video combined with the information layer.

To review the details of this invention see our original 2011 patent report here.

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