Apple Granted Patent for a Sensor Based 3D User Interface Environment

Apple has been granted a patent today for their invention relating to computer generated graphical user interfaces. More specifically, the patent covers a three-dimensional ("3D") display environment for iDevices like an iPhone or iPad. It's a 3D environment that uses orientation data from one or more onboard sensors to automatically determine and display a perspective projection of the 3D display environment based on the orientation data without the user physically interacting with (e.g., touching) the display.

Apple's patent FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective projection in a 3D display environment of a mobile device using orientation data derived from onboard sensors.

A rumor recently surfaced that pointed to Apple working on a 3D display. Whether that relates to a full blown 3D user interface is unknown at this time.

Patently Apple originally covered Apple's initial patent application for this invention back in January 2012 under the title "Apple is paving the Way for a new 3D GUI for iOS Devices." See our original report for more graphics and greater details on this invention which covers shifting camera views, snap-to UI features, multiple GPUs and a 3D graphics rendering engine.The Multiple GPUs are already in place.

Apple credits Patrick Piemonte as the sole inventor of granted patent 8,907,943 which was originally filed in Q3 2010 and published today by the US Patent and Trademark Office. While Piemonte worked at Apple he worked on Core Location, the iOS inertial sensor framework known as Core Motion, 3D graphics and 3D Maps features like Flyover, 3D building rendering and components that found their way into Apple Watch.

Apple Granted Four Design Patents Today

Apple was granted four design patents today. The first covers their older Cinema Display (D719,158) which has since been replaced with their new Thunderbolt Display.

Apple's other granted design patents cover battery designs (D719,087 and D719,085 ) and the previous Apple TV interface for Movies (D719,188) .

The Remaining Patents granted to Apple Today

Also see our granted patent report titled "Apple wins a 3D Mapping Laser Beam Projector System Patent" which was posted earlier this morning.

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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. Comments are reviewed daily from 4am to 8pm MST and sporadically on the weekend.

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