Apple introduced ARKit to developers during their developer conference WWDC 2017. ARKit has opened a wide range of possibilities in the area of augmented reality. For example, the software helps identify the flat surface of a table, so that a user can place virtual objects on it. Apple is very bullish on ARKit to create a huge range of applications and games that blends the virtual world with the real one.

On Thursday the US Patent & Trademark Office published two patent applications from Apple that relate to ARKit and RealityKit, Apple's developer tools for  software covering the creation and merger of virtual reality Objects.

Virtual Object Kit

Apple notes in their patent application that some devices are capable of generating and presenting computer-generated reality (CGR) environments. Some CGR environments include virtual environments that are simulated replacements of physical environments. Some CGR environments include augmented environments that are modified versions of physical environments.

Some devices that present CGR environments include mobile communication devices such as smartphones, head-mountable displays (HMDs), eyeglasses, heads-up displays (HUDs), and optical projection systems.

Most previously available devices that present CGR environments are ineffective at presenting representations of certain objects. For example, some previously available devices that present CGR environments are unsuitable for presenting representations of objects that are associated with an action.

Apple's invention covers devices, systems, and methods for synthesizing a virtual object from a virtual object kit.

In various implementations, a device includes a display, a non-transitory memory and one or more processors coupled with the display and the non-transitory memory. In some implementations, a method includes obtaining a virtual object kit that includes a set of virtual object templates of a particular virtual object type. In some implementations, the virtual object kit includes a plurality of groups of components.

In some implementations, each of the plurality of groups of components is associated with a particular portion of a virtual object. In some implementations, the method includes receiving a request to assemble a virtual object.

In some implementations, the request includes a selection of one of the virtual object templates from the set of virtual object templates.

In some implementations, the request includes a selection of components from at least some of the plurality of groups of components.

In some implementations, the method includes synthesizing the virtual object in accordance with the request. In some implementations, a set of actions that the virtual object performs in a computer-generated reality (CGR) environment is a function of the components that the virtual object includes.

Apple's patent FIGS. 1B and 1D below are diagrams of an example virtual object kit; FIG. 1R is a diagram of an example virtual object instantiated in an example emergent content container in accordance with some implementations; FIGS. 1S-1T are diagrams of the example virtual object container.

Apple's patent application 20200074749 titled "Virtual Object Kit" was published yesterday by the U.S. Patent Office and filed back Q3 2019 with history going back to Q3 2018.  To drill down further review Apple's patent application here.

Merging Virtual Object Kits

Apple's second patent application titled "Merging Virtual Object Kits" covers various implementations including devices, systems, and more specifically, methods for merging virtual object kits.

In various implementations, a method includes obtaining a first virtual object kit that corresponds to a first virtual object type. In various implementations, the method includes obtaining a second virtual object kit corresponding to a second virtual object type that is different from the first virtual object type.

In various implementations, the method includes merging the first virtual object kit and the second virtual object kit in order to form a third virtual object kit. In some implementations, the third virtual object kit includes a set of virtual object templates of a third virtual object type that is different from the first virtual object type and the second virtual object type.

In some implementations, the third virtual object kit includes a plurality of groups of components associated with respective portions of a virtual object.

Apple's patent FIG. 1N below illustrates a diagram of a user interface for merging virtual object kits

Apple's patent application 20200073521 titled "Virtual Object Kit" was published yesterday by the U.S. Patent Office and filed back Q3 2019 with history going back to Q3 2018.  To drill down further review Apple's patent application here.

One of the inventors listed on the patent application is Jack Greasley a 2-year engineer who has now been the "Principle Programmer" over at Epic Games for the last 9 months. Hopefully he'll get more games coming to iOS. Greasley was also the sole inventor of the previous patent application for "Virtual Object Kit."

Not being a developer, I have no idea if Apple has introduced any possible new twists to their developers tools with these patents. If you're a developer using Apple's ARKit and you can see an obvious new capability not currently available, please make a comment on Patently Apple's twitter site and point it out. (Thanks!)