A new Apple patent was published today that reveals further details about Apple's plans for the upcoming AR glasses.
The patent discovered by Patently Apple describes a device that resembles glasses and can display computer-generated images over real objects. Today's discovery fuels the rumor that Apple is working on an augmented reality headset. This is by no means the first hint. There have already been several reports and software leaks on this topic. But let's get back to the new patent. Patently Apple writes in its report:
Today, the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office published a patent application from Apple that relates to devices with displays, and in particular to head-mounted displays. More specifically, Apple states: "A head-mounted device, such as augmented reality glasses, worn on a user's head may be used to provide a user with computer-generated content that is superimposed on real-world content." Apple's invention includes a head-mounted device that may have a transparent display. The transparent display may be formed from a display panel that provides images to a user via an optical coupler. A user may view real-world objects through the optocoupler while the control circuitry instructs the transparent display to display computer-generated content over selected portions of the real-world objects..
Augmented reality glasses planned for 2020
According to the patent description, the system has a control for the light transmission. According to this, wearers of these AR glasses can control the degree of opacity themselves. In addition to the configurable opacity, users can also decide how the content should be displayed. Two options are possible. Option 1: Users can view the real world as if through completely normal glasses. Option 2: The wearer chooses a type of transparent display. The light from real objects would be connected to the light from the display field. According to the Apple patent, the AR glasses should be compatible with mobile phones, tablets and more. According to current rumors, Apple is planning to Performance of such a product in spring 2020 - but this could be postponed to autumn 2020. It remains to be seen whether the company will present the alleged AR glasses as described in the patent above. It cannot be ruled out that the new augmented reality glasses will appear with a different functionality. (Photo by Unsplash)