Apple Mobile Augmented Reality, a new patent technology from Apple. Apple’s Mobile Augmented Reality, with the superimposition of visions in the real world, is technically more advanced than Microsoft’s HoloLens. Although Apple CEO Tim Cook previously hinted at the potential of Augmented Reality (AR) development, the company is now making substantial investments in this field. Rumors suggest that Apple is working on an augmented reality helmet, though the company has not officially confirmed this.
Recently, Apple has submitted two patents related to mobile augmented reality devices capable of identifying their surroundings and providing a superimposed display of virtual information.
According to reports from the US technology news site AppleInsider, these two patent applications are inherited from the German augmented reality development company Metaio, which Apple acquired in 2015, along with its patent assets.
What technology do these patents involve?
On January 31, the US Patent and Trademark Office officially accepted two patents from Apple. The first patent, numbered 9,560,273, focuses on a mobile augmented reality device equipped with computer vision recognition technology. The second patent, numbered 9,558,581, pertains to a virtual scene displayed with superimposed virtual information.
While these are just two patent technologies, they are groundbreaking and could pave the way for Apple’s future augmented reality devices.
Apple Mobile Augmented Reality, What are the basic parts?
The virtual reality and augmented reality market has been around for the past two years. While Apple has placed less emphasis on these technologies compared to Sony, HTC, and other companies, there is a growing interest among leading manufacturers in the virtual reality market. Microsoft’s HoloLens project is also making waves, marketed through technical demonstrations, capturing the attention of both the industry and consumers.
This technology represents one of the most significant innovations in recent years. Microsoft is already selling development versions of HoloLens to developers who are continually creating interesting applications and highly sought-after features. In the near future, HoloLens is expected to have both professional and consumer applications.
In the fields of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), Apple currently lags behind. However, with the acceleration of technological developments, Apple is poised to catch up. The first hardware patent describes the AR device as a wearable information system with at least one camera, a screen, a user control interface, and internal components for computerized vision.
What is Apple Superimposed Virtual Reality?
Apple mentions in the patent document that for present augmented reality applications, headwear is more ideal. However, Apple also notes that smartphones can offer a similar function to the head-worn device.
Apple’s patented technology enables a variety of controls to enhance the display device. This technology is highly efficient at identifying the user’s surrounding environment and providing information-rich object recognition. For example, users can use this AR device as a tourist aid when visiting natural landscapes or museums. The equipment can identify interesting exhibits and provide additional information to the user.
Apple Mobile Augmented Reality Vs Microsoft HoloLens
Apple’s design for the AR device is mobile, meaning it has a built-in battery. To improve battery life, Apple is working on a low-power consumption default scan mode. High-power triggers are available for downloading data or displaying virtual content.
Apple’s second patent, a successor to the first patent developed by Metaio’s laboratory, focuses on the device’s ability to identify object or building information directly marked on the AR device.
In early January, foreign technology media reported that Apple is collaborating with well-known lens manufacturer Zeiss to jointly develop an enhanced VR display device. Zeiss had previously introduced a virtual reality helmet. However, in the VR market, Zeiss believes its influence is relatively weak compared to companies like Sony, HTC, and Facebook’s Oculus.
At the end of last year, Taiwanese KGI Securities analyst Guoming Ming predicted that Apple would enter the field of Augmented Reality helmets. However, it may take a year or two for specific products from Apple to be released.