Back in 2012 we originally covered Apple's 3D eye-tracking interface invention that described 3D UI effects such as parallax, interaction within a virtual 3D world and more. Then late in December 2014 we covered Apple's granted patent regarding this technology. The patent was titled "Three dimensional user interface effects on a display by using properties of motion." Today the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office published a new patent application from Apple that shows that they're updating their 3D invention. The additions are key and in sync with a newly discovered patent in Europe today regarding a 3D camera.

A year ago Apple added the camera function known as Burst mode to iOS 7. At the top of the year Apple acquired a one-man photo technology startup called "SnappyLabs," which specialized in a camera app for burst mode capture. Today, Apple's Burst Mode patent filing comes to light. (Click on our cover graphic to enlarge the image.)

The US Patent and Trademark Office officially published a series of 34 newly granted patents for Apple Inc. today. In this particular report we cover a single patent regarding a possible future infrared system for iOS cameras. On one hand the technology could turn your iOS device into a kind of automated tour guide for museums or cityscapes as well as eventually being an automatic retail clerk providing customers with price, availability and product information. It's an angle that might work very well with "Apple Pay" in the future. On the other hand, there's a controversial aspect to this invention and our report will tell you why. We wrap up this week's granted patent report with our traditional listing of the remaining granted patents that were issued to Apple today.

On September 11, 2014, the US Patent & Trademark Office published patent applications from Apple covering technologies related to a new small form factor high-resolution camera, new advancements to speed up battery recharging and more.

On June 19, 2014, the US Patent & Trademark Office published patent applications from Apple related to advancing Apple cameras for iDevices and Macs along with another original Touch ID patent that Apple acquired from Authentec. Apple's camera related patent is about advancing the actuator of an autofocus feature. While it's mildly interesting, it's the use of the term "artificial muscle" that makes it sound so incredibly futuristic, but really isn't. Apple notes that the term simply relates to electro-active polymer actuators which have been around for some time. Apple's use of it in a camera module isnt' new either as noted here and here. When this technology is applied to an artificial robotic hand, for instance, it could be understood why they use the term artificial muscle as seen here. And finally, a second patent of mild interest published today relates to one that Apple acquired from Authentec that presents the invention behind Touch ID authentication that focused on the biometrics being imlplemented into a smartphone Home Button.

The US Patent and Trademark Office officially published a series of 45 newly granted patents for Apple Inc. today. In this particular report we cover Apple's patent for a MEMS based autofocus actuator for iDevices which will provide faster response times, better photo stability and more. The inventor of this patent worked at Cambridge Mechatronics who specialized in auto focus actuators. Will this cause Apple any problems in the future or did Apple license part of the technology? Only time will tell. In addition, we cover Apple's newly awarded design patents and we wrap up this week's granted patent report with our traditional listing of the remaining granted patents that were issued to Apple today.