Today the US Patent & Trademark Office published a patent application from Apple that relates to a new iPad updating button that relates to spatial arrangements of one or more virtual objects in a three-dimensional environment. The new multi-functional button could in fact be Apple's Digital Crown extended to a future iPad.

In some embodiments, an electronic device updates the positions of multiple virtual objects together.

In some embodiments, an electronic device displays objects in a three-dimensional environment based on an estimated location of a floor in the three-dimensional environment.

In some embodiments, an electronic device moves (e.g., repositions) objects in a three-dimensional environment.

Apple's patent FIG. 2 below is a block diagram illustrating a controller of a computer system that is configured to manage and coordinate a XR experience for the user.

Apple's patent FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a display generation component of a computer system that is configured to provide a visual component of the XR experience to the user.

Apple's patent FIG. 7B above illustrates an example of how an iPad updates the spatial arrangement of one or more virtual objects in a three-dimensional environment by simply pressing a new iPad Multi-Functioning button as shown above at #703. That button, as described below, could be another use for Apple's Digital Crown that is on Apple Watch, AirPods Max headphones and reportedly on their upcoming XR Headset.

Apple notes that in response to detecting the user press the button #703a for less than a threshold period of time (e.g., 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.5, 1, or 2 seconds), the iPad displays a home user interface (e.g., a user interface of the operating system of the iPad) and in response to detecting the user press the button #703 for greater than the threshold period of time, the iPad recenters the three-dimensional environment #702.

In some embodiments, the iPad is in communication with a crown or a dial configured to detect the user pressing the dial or turning the dial. In some embodiments, in response to detecting the user turn the dial, the iPad updates a level of visual emphasis of virtual objects (e.g., user interfaces #704 and #706, representations #708 and #710) relative to other portions of the three-dimensional environment in accordance with the direction and magnitude by which the dial is turned.

For more details, especially for developers. review Apple's patent application number 20230152935.

Apple Inventors

• Alexis Palangie: Senior Software Engineer (previously worked at Ubisoft, LucasArts and Oculus VR)
• Chris McKenzie: Human Interface Designer at Apple
• Nathan Gitter: human interface designer
• Ben Boesel: Human Interface Designer
• Zoey Taylor: producer, human interface design