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Apple updates patents for an eye-tracking system for Future Macs & Glasses and an Underwater Interface for iPhone

1 cover eye-tracking system

 

Today the US Patent & Trademark Office published a few more updated patent applications from Apple relating to an eye-tracking system for future Macs and Glasses and/or a mixed reality headset, plus a patent for an underwater display.  

Patent 1: Eye-Tracking System

 

In this first updated patent for an eye-tracking system, we see Apple describe patent FIG. 1 below which illustrates a schematic illustration of an eye tracking system (#10) for a possible future Mac.

 

The eye tracking system comprises an eye tracking device (#12), which comprises an imaging device which is configured as at least one camera (#14) and capable of capturing images of at least one eye (#16) of a user (#18).

 

Moreover, the eye tracking system comprises a display device (#20), which is configured as a 2D monitor for a Mac. Furthermore, the eye tracking system comprises a processing unit (#24), which can be integrated into the display device or integrated into the eye tracker, or also be configured as a separate entity as a standalone processing unit and be communicatively coupled to the display device to control the display device and to the eye tracker to analyze the captured images.

 

2 eye-tracking system for Macs & Glasses

 

Today's patent update shows us that Apple has scrapped their original 16 patent claims and replaced them with 20 new claims starting with number #17, continuing from where they left off. Apple is able to retain the patent as a granted patent by continuing their patent claims instead of filing for a new patent. You could review the 20 new patent claims here.

 

Apple acquired Germany's SMI SensoMotoric Instruments back in 2017 and the lead engineer on this patent is Walter Nistico, now an Engineering Manager on Apple's Deep Learning and Computer Vision team.  If Apple acquired the company for their expertise in eye-tracking, then this becomes an important patent.

 

Patent 2: An Underwater Mode GUI for iPhone

 

Apple was granted a patent for a possible future iPhone with an underwater mode graphical user interface in April. Apple's invention provides electronic devices with faster, more efficient methods for accessing underwater user interfaces and interfaces for interacting with an electronic device while the electronic device is under water.

 

Apple's patent FIG. 6E below which illustrates device #100 after the device is completely submerged in water. Apple's underwater indicator (#5018) is displayed in the status bar of the device (iPhone) to indicate that the device is under water. Until it's underwater, the standard iOS interface is in place.

 

2 underwater UI

 

Apple shows us that their engineering team is considering to simplify the user interface for the underwater version of iOS and presents us with two distinct styles as presented in patent FIGS. 6G and 6H above.

 

Apple's patent FIG. 6N below illustrates displaying underwater camera user interface #5115 while the device is under water.

 

3 underwater UI

 

Apple's original granted patent contained a whopping 69 patent claims listed. In today's published continuation patent, we see that Apple has added 12 new patent claims. The original patent carried 23 patent claims for "A Method." Today Apple added 10 new claims just for "A Method."

 

The first new claim covers "A Method" as follows: 

 

New Patent Claim #1: "A method comprising: at an electronic device in communication with a display device and one or more input devices: displaying, via the display device, a first user interface, wherein: in accordance with a determination that the electronic device is underwater, the first user interface includes a first set of one or more affordances that are selectable to access one or more first functions of the electronic device; and in accordance with a determination that the electronic device is not underwater, the first user interface includes a second set of one or more affordances, different from the first set of one or more affordances, that are selectable to access one or more second functions of the electronic device; while displaying the first user interface, receiving, via the one or more input devices, a first input corresponding to selection of a first respective affordance in the first user interface; and in response to receiving the first input, performing a first respective function associated with the first respective affordance."

 

The other two main patent claims are #11 and #12 as follows:

 

New Patent Claim #11: A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium including instructions, which when executed by one or more processors of an electronic device, cause the electronic device to perform a method comprising: displaying, via a display device, a first user interface, wherein: in accordance with a determination that the electronic device is underwater, the first user interface includes a first set of one or more affordances that are selectable to access one or more first functions of the electronic device; and in accordance with a determination that the electronic device is not underwater, the first user interface includes a second set of one or more affordances, different from the first set of one or more affordances, that are selectable to access one or more second functions of the electronic device; while displaying the first user interface, receiving, via one or more input devices, a first input corresponding to selection of a first respective affordance in the first user interface; and in response to receiving the first input, performing a first respective function associated with the first respective affordance.

 

New Patent Claim #12: "An electronic device comprising: one or more processors; and memory storing instructions, which when executed by the one or more processors, cause the electronic device to perform a method comprising: displaying, via a display device, a first user interface, wherein: in accordance with a determination that the electronic device is underwater, the first user interface includes a first set of one or more affordances that are selectable to access one or more first functions of the electronic device; and in accordance with a determination that the electronic device is not underwater, the first user interface includes a second set of one or more affordances, different from the first set of one or more affordances, that are selectable to access one or more second functions of the electronic device; while displaying the first user interface, receiving, via one or more input devices, a first input corresponding to selection of a first respective affordance in the first user interface; and in response to receiving the first input, performing a first respective function associated with the first respective affordance."

 

To review the other 9 new patent claims, see Apple's continuation patent 20210223925.

 

10.51XF - Continuation Patent Report Bar

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