The 3D tech behind the rumored Apple "iSlate" tablet?
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Some of the recent reports that predict Apple will launch some type of "tablet PC" next month have mentioned that the long-rumored device will have 3D graphics.
So what does "3D graphics" really mean and how could it be implemented? I found a recently-released patent filing which I traced back to Apple (#20090303231, Dec. 10, 2009) and which discusses in great detail a "touch screen device, method and graphical user interface for manipulating three-dimensional virtual objects." If Apple chooses to incorporate some of the features it outlines in this patent filing, it could essentially mean that that user-interaction experience for the iPhone or a potential "Tablet" will be markedly different in some respects than the iPhone interface we're currently using. (The image above is taken from Apple's patent filing.)
According to documents filed with the USPTO, Apple obtained the rights to this patent application from three French citizens: Fabrice Robinet, Thomas Goossens, and Alexandre Moha. The inventors assigned the patent to Apple on Sept. 29, 2008. It's not clear if those citizens are Apple employees, per se. (Update: Actually, Mr. Moha is a product and engineering manager at Apple, per his LinkedIn profile; Mr. Robinet is a software engineer at Apple, again, per LinkedIn, and Mr. Goossens is an Apple software engineer (thanks to Baltimore's Bill Mill for digging up Goossens!) Regardless, searches under Apple's name in the patents database doesn't retrieve this patent, because the names of the original French inventors are still on it. (I wonder why that is? Hmmm. :-)
In patent filings, companies typically lay out a current problem or hurdle in a field of technology which they then propose, to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, that their new innovation will address.
In this case, the patent application states: "...[T]here is a need for electronic devices with touch screen displays that provide more transparent and intuitive user interfaces for navigating in three dimensional virtual spaces and manipulating three dimensional objects in these virtual spaces."
So, what is the essence of this patent filing and Apple's interest in it? Let me try and distill it for you:
*) This patent filing is meant to cover the implementation of three-dimensional image-handling on different types of devices, including multi-touch sensitive tablets.
*) The 3D images, or "virtual objects," that can be generated include an icon, a virtual game object or a virtual game character. Basically, your icons and characters on this device will have a three-dimensional quality in a two-dimensional space, which could lead to novel ways of interacting with the device.
Perhaps this - 3D graphics -- is the future of Apple's interfaces for its portable multi-function devices. What do you think?
Categories: *NEWS*, Gadgets, West Coast
Comments
Apple is so innovative and new. whatever they do i can guarantee the islate will be a big hit
Posted by: Jessica | January 5, 2010 1:50 AM
A book is a 3 dimensional object. So is a newspaper, magazine, phone book or any other document with more than one page. I guess a 3D graphics interface would be a good idea if one wishes to simulate any or all of these real objects with an electronic device in a really cool way.
Posted by: Dean Jorge Bocobo | January 5, 2010 2:06 AM
The functionality implied by this patent application may be behind some of the comments made by quasi-insiders recently regarding the anticipated Apple slate: surprising, unexpected, dazzling, envelope-expanding, mind-boggling, jaw-dropping, stunning. If true this means that an entirely new wave of 3D-capable apps is about to explode upon us ...
Posted by: Jeffree K Lassitter Jr | January 5, 2010 7:33 AM
This is indeed a great finding.
I have a feeling that Apple won't just announce a Tablet with 3D UI but also a new mobile OS 4.0 for iPhone, Touch and the new Tablet.
It would make sense for Apple to unify the interface of all it's mobile products to maintain user experience consistency.
Posted by: bmaltais | January 5, 2010 10:13 AM
I don't doubt the device will be a good product and should have a lot of content on it, but will people be willing to pay $800 for it. There are so many consumers that think even a $350 netbook is expensive and are expecting tablets to cost $200 which is ridiculous. The Apple tablet will have to offer some mighty compelling features to get the cheapsters to open their wallets. They'd just as soon wait for a low-cost Android tablet and say it's good enough.
But does Apple make stuff for the "cheapsters"? I think not. -gs
Posted by: Constable Odo | January 5, 2010 10:20 AM
What if Apple were to combine a forward facing webcam with facial recognition technology (like in iPhoto). The camera could sense when someone is looking at the screen, and then figure out where they are (like HP's web cams do). Then using some sort of head-tracking system, it could simulate a 3D experience, like these researchers have done using a Wii remote.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jd3-eiid-Uw
Not only could it be included on a tablet, but also supported on any of the iMacs or Macbooks with built in isight cameras.
Posted by: Mike Wise | January 5, 2010 10:39 AM
This "Immersive Touch" UI has been done for years with Edusim:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVFsxev-2sk
... Immersive Touch is starting to come into its own finally.
Posted by: Chip | January 5, 2010 2:22 PM
This post got mentioned by MacRumors!
http://www.macrumors.com/2010/01/05/apple-patent-application-points-to-3d-multi-touch-manipulation/
...And Gizmodo and Engadget and 9to5Mac... :-) -gs
Posted by: Samira | January 5, 2010 3:51 PM
hopefully they do end up using this technology on their tablet.
Posted by: apple islate | January 5, 2010 4:32 PM
@bmaltais, Apple have released a new iPhone OS every year and would definitely make the iphone act in the same way as the tablet.
@MikeWise, this was the same conclusion I came to in my post on the subject. Finally we will have a user facing camera for iChat.
@chip, if you see the video involving the wiimote posted by Mike then you will understand the kind of 3D this will be - not in a traditional sense like at the cinema with Avatar. This is very different, no glasses required (but only works for a single user).
Posted by: Tom Davenport | January 5, 2010 4:41 PM
Can you also see if there is such a thing as an iRing out there. I'm thinking that a bluetooth enabled, three accellorometer device would be the bee's knees when it come to manipulating the 3D space
Posted by: Mike O'Neill, Melbourne Victoria | January 5, 2010 6:52 PM
The actual thing that this patent is claiming is not "3d on a tablet" generally, but a specific touch gesture sequence which is described in claim #1 (the other claims just cover variations on what the icons/objects are, and what kind of device it is, etc.)
"...detecting a first finger gesture on a first three-dimensional virtual object... and in response... displaying an animated transition from the first perspective to a second perspective... wherein the animated transition includes enlarging and substantially centering the first... object... in the second perspective... wherein the second perspective is different from the first perspective. "
Apple has lots of engineers doing R&D and coming up with ideas. If it is able to patent any of these ideas, of course it will, regardless of whether it plans to use them in an actual product.
That Apple has guys coming up with ideas involving touchscreen displays isn't suprising (given the iPhone), and doesn't mean a tablet is in the works, or an iPhone with 3d, though both are certainly possible and would be neat products.
Posted by: Fool | January 6, 2010 12:56 PM
I expect to be surprised on January 26. If Apple is consistent with its past innovations, you can expect all existing paragigms to be blown away. A 3-D interface as described will likely send a lot of people, including myself, to the nearest Apple store to buy the gizmo, the cost being irrelevant. Don't forget that I paid 2000$ for a Mac Classic in 1992. So 800$ for the iSlate is really cheap.
Posted by: Pierre Parent | January 6, 2010 12:57 PM
Recent patents also show a 'smart' frame for a tablet where the frame actually acts as controller and buttons. See the patent, pics and article at http://appleislate.com
Posted by: Babyfacemagee | January 6, 2010 4:43 PM
Recent patents also show a 'smart' frame for a tablet where the frame actually acts as controller and buttons. See the patent, pics and article at http://appleislate.com
Posted by: Babyfacemagee | January 6, 2010 4:46 PM
I think the SixthSense technology that uses a webcam and projector and smartphone to create a projected user interface is much more revolutionary than a tablet computer with a 3D interface on screen. Plus, SixthSense is cheaper and will soon be open source. More about SixthSense here:
http://www.pranavmistry.com/projects/sixthsense/
Posted by: Patrick | January 7, 2010 3:14 PM
This two-handed interface may be intended as a WOWeye-candy UI to consumers (as first appeared in Mobius in the SGI-UNIX word of 1996?) and of mobile gaming interest, but it also could be of interest to thin-client medical clinicians, once there's enough GPU power, which is critical.
Game-style low-poly mapping will be the next skills in demand for UI designers, the because the user will float through the universe of their data and file mgmnt systems.
Posted by: Craig Lucee | January 12, 2010 10:54 AM
"What do you think?"
If you really want to know: meh.
Posted by: Anonymous | January 14, 2010 11:23 AM
There are so many consumers that think even a $350 netbook is expensive and are expecting tablets to cost $200 which is ridiculous I think the SixthSense technology that uses a webcam and projector and smartphone to create a projected user interface is much more revolutionary than a tablet computer with a 3D interface on screen.Advanced Technology
Posted by: Advanced Technology | May 1, 2010 4:09 AM
dell has lots of engineers doing R&D and coming up with ideas. If it is able to patent any of these ideas, of course it will, regardless of whether it plans to use them in an actual product.
Posted by: used computers | July 14, 2010 1:55 PM
I think the SixthSense technology that uses a webcam and projector and smartphone to create a projected user interface is much more revolutionary than a tablet computer with a 3D interface on screen. Plus, SixthSense is cheaper and will soon be open source.
Posted by: refurbished computers | July 21, 2010 12:53 PM
Looking back, you guys were kind of far off--but not exactly way off.
Posted by: CheetahDeals | November 12, 2010 7:31 AM
3D? New technology? Innovation?
They ended up releasing an ipod touch with a bigger screen... and still people bought it..! Fark!
Posted by: Bob | November 20, 2010 5:18 AM
Looking back, you guys were kind of far off--but not exactly way off.
Posted by: Medyum | May 5, 2011 6:08 AM
you guy's weren't to far off with this. Far but not that far. Great stuff!
Posted by: computer repair toronto | June 18, 2011 11:55 AM
Hm, once Apple will give us Time Machine or awesome spaceship.. 3D isn't popular, but it's very old technology
Posted by: resume writing service | July 1, 2011 9:51 AM