Apple patented 3D controls with touch screen gestures

Just yesterday, a new Apple patent was published on the USPTO website (according to AppleInsider ). It consists in expanding multi-touch input, which will recognize gestures above the screen, allowing you to perform 3D manipulations with objects using gestures in space. Of course, most experts still strongly criticize 3D gestures and wait for Apple to show their use in context to make sure that it makes sense at all.

The system provides for working in tandem with already existing multi-touch controls on devices like the iPad, allowing the user to lift his fingers above the screen to reproduce some volumetric form from a flat one, as is done in CAD programs. Then this shape can be rotated, rotated and reshaped in 3D space using gestures in the air above the screen of the device.



It will use a standard capacitive touchscreen with proximity sensors to continue to recognize fingers, even when they are raised close to the surface, and to monitor what gestures they are making (for example, compressing or scrolling above the screen). The patent has detailed descriptions of how it is used in CAD programs to quickly construct 3D shapes from 2D diagrams.
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Other uses include the use of 3D gestures to “model” virtual clay materials, and the ability to use gestures to change the shadows of objects, light up textures, etc. In general, this system looks mostly invented for creatives to help them do 3D Simulation is easier, faster and more natural on the go.



The patent has mention of using 3D or stereoscopic glasses for a deeper “immersion” in work with space. Also there are further UI implementations, such as iconography, graphic elements and general design recommendations.

Apple has always made big bets to show the iPad's ability to be a creative and creative device, and not just a platform for content digestion. This innovation in the interface can help a corporation to achieve such a goal, and, unlike other uses of 3D gestures, this one looks quite realistic and tailored to the scenario where it will be useful. The fact that it will be built-in, with support at the operating system level and developer documentation, makes it look very friendly. But still, it is still difficult to imagine this innovation adopted by the general public.

A patent for the creation and manipulation of 3D objects was first documented by Apple in 2012. Inventors indicated Nicholas V. King and Todd Benjamin.