A patent authored by Jony Ive reveals interesting features of Apple Vision Pro glasses

Our colleagues at The Verge have found a newly granted patent by Apple that discusses the possible use of the external screen of the Apple Vision Pro headset. The patent describes how the hardware platform could display information about what the user is looking at using a screen on the outside of the headset. While the patent does not specifically discuss the Vision Pro and its "EyeSight" feature, it is clear that some of the ideas mentioned here were used in the creation of the final hearing aid model.

For example, Apple in this patent (by the way, the name of Jony Ive, who left Apple in 2019, is mentioned there) says that the external screen of Vision Pro can show the user's eyes or a colour pattern to indicate full immersion in virtual reality. But the pictures in the patent show how the external display can be used to display other, more humorous, applications, such as weather displays, "sunglasses" on the face, a "Do Not Disturb" sign, or even replacing the wearer's eyes with Zoom or YouTube icons.

However, Apple's patent doesn't automatically mean that these ideas will be incorporated into Vision Pro or other headsets. Vision Pro probably won't replace our eyes with Zoom icons during an important work meeting. But, given the declared capabilities of EyeSight, Apple is taking it to the next level. We don't yet know how powerful a communication tool the display will be for communicating with Vision Pro users. We also don't know how effective this feature will be. We can't say whether it will be convenient to watch a set of dots to understand what the person wearing the headset is doing.

Apple Vision Pro

Apple Vision Pro is a mixed reality headset (the manufacturer calls it the world's first spatial computer) developed by Apple. It was announced on 5 June 2023 at a developer conference. Vision Pro allows users to interact with digital content in the real world using their eyes, hands, and voice.

Vision Pro runs on a special operating system called visionOS and has a number of unique features that set it apart from other mixed reality headsets. Firstly, it is equipped with a revolutionary eye tracking system that allows users to look at digital objects to control them. Secondly, it has a new hand technology that allows users to interact with digital objects using their hands without touching them. Third, it has a powerful processor that allows it to run complex digital applications and games.

Vision Pro is designed for a wide range of applications, including gaming, education, business and entertainment. It can be used to create immersive game worlds, deliver interactive learning materials and host virtual meetings. The expected start of sales is early 2024, with a price of USD 3,499 (excluding taxes). According to insiders, Apple may sell up to 500,000 devices in the first year.

Jony Ive

Jony Ive (officially Sir Jonathan "Jony" Paul Ive) (born 27 February 1967) is an Anglo-American designer, Senior Vice President of Industrial Design at Apple Inc. in 1996-2019. His work helped change the face of the technology industry, and it continues to inspire designers around the world.

Ive was known for his simple, intuitive design, often characterised by the use of transparent materials and sleek lines. His work has received numerous awards, including the British Institute of Design's Designer of the Year award in 2004 and the US National Design Council's Champion of Design award in 2010. In 2015, Ive was appointed Chief Design Officer at Apple. He left the company in 2019 to found his own design firm, LoveFrom.

Here are some of the most famous products Ive has worked on:

• iMac (1998)
• MacBook (2006)
• iPod (2001)
• iPhone (2007)
• iPad (2010)

Source: The Verge