Earlier today (25th September 2020), the US Patent and Trademark Office published a continuation patent application from Apple. The patent was titled “Dynamic Focus 3D Display,” which details a VR/AR headset that sends images directly to users’ pupils.
According to a PatentlyApple report, the device detailed in the patents works to direct a retinal projector system that provides dynamic focusing for a head mounted display. Through this, a superior experience is delivered in either VR (virtual reality) or AR (augmented reality) than what the current generation achieves. This is also quite different from the traditional system of displaying content in a headset.
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The Apple patent also covers an apparatus and method for providing dynamic focusing on virtual reality or augmented reality. While conventional VR systems project images left to right on a screen that is viewed by the user, a direct retinal projector system scans images, pixels by pixel, and sends it directly to the retinas. This method could allow for AR/VR content to have another level of depth and immersion in each scene. In other words, the system could adjust the depth of the content being displays in accordance with the user’s positional in VR or AR.
The system could even help to minimize or eliminate the convergence-accommodation conflict in VR systems. Apple detailed the system through various detailed sketches in the patent. Unfortunately, it is still too early to tell if the Cupertino based giant is actually working on such a device or whether it is just covering all bases and patenting the technology, which might make an appearance of its upcoming Apple Glasses.
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