Apple was recently granted a patent that envisions the use of the external display of a wearable headset — like the Apple Vision Pro — that gives people who are nearby an idea of what is being viewed by the wearer. While announcing the headset last year, Apple revealed that the upcoming device would show the wearer’s eyes, while also showing an indicator while watching immersive (virtual reality, or VR) content. The company’s first wearable spatial computer is expected to go on sale in the US in early 2024.
Spotted by Patently Apple, US 11,861,255 BL patent was granted to Apple on Wednesday, nearly five and a half years after it was filed with the US Patent Office. Titled “Wearable Device for Facilitating Enhanced Interaction” the patent names Jonahan ‘Jony’ Ive as one of the inventors. The document also contains several examples of the company’s ideas regarding the use of the external display to show people in the vicinity what you’re watching on the Apple Vision Pro.
For example, figure 9B in the document shows a graph on the outer display that could be used to indicate the wearer is accessing the Stocks app in immersive mode, while another figure, 9D, shows the weather on the external screen. Figures 9F and 10B also show indicators that the wearer might not want to be disturbed.
Apple Reportedly Scheduling Vision Pro Training for Its Retail Employees
