News - Apple patents 3D eye-tracking technology

[HEXUS]

Apple plans handheld device with 3D eye-tracking.

Read more.

[Arthran]

isnt this the same thing promised in Samsungs recently announced 4k Super Smart TV's? glassesless 3d with eye tracking for up to 9 people

[Steven W]

isnt this the same thing promised in Samsungs recently announced 4k Super Smart TV's? glassesless 3d with eye tracking for up to 9 people

Patent wars!

[crossy]

isnt this the same thing promised in Samsungs recently announced 4k Super Smart TV's? glassesless 3d with eye tracking for up to 9 people

According to http://glassesfree3dtv.org/ there's quite a few companies (e.g. Toshiba) doing that. Speaking of Toshiba I note that they announced a "dynabook Qosmio T851/D8CR" laptop that used the webcam in the laptop to face track last April. I'm guessing that Apple's patent is more to do with figuring out where you're looking rather than "merely" where your eyes are in space - as presumably the laptop and all these fancy TV's are doing.

The patent, titled “Three Dimensional User Interface Effects on a Display by Using Properties of Motion,” reveals that the technique could work with any personal electronic device, including mobile phones, portable music players, televisions, gaming consoles, tablets and desktops.

Yes, but if past performance is any guide, the zero-wits at Apple won't license this tech to anyone else.

[cheesemp]

Yes, but if past performance is any guide, the zero-wits at Apple won't license this tech to anyone else.

I bet it won't be licensed under FRAND despite Apple being keen to hit out when others have not on just as obvious and necessary tech!

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

I assume the US military is working on such technology too??

[Repressor]

I thought patents were only granted for ideas that weren't obvious to experts in the field to which they relate. If two or three companies get to the same conclusion before the patent is even released to the public, then obviously the patent shouldn't be granted.

[crossy]

I bet it won't be licensed under FRAND despite Apple being keen to hit out when others have not on just as obvious and necessary tech!

Ouch - low blow! Are you thinking of http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16960676 because I was. (PS think they've got a bit of cheek considering all the writ flinging that they've done).

[[GSV]Trig]

This is a bad thing for disabled people everywhere that are working on there own projects to help other disabled people do simple things like play games...

[aidanjt]

I thought patents were only granted for ideas that weren't obvious to experts in the field to which they relate. If two or three companies get to the same conclusion before the patent is even released to the public, then obviously the patent shouldn't be granted.

You're assuming that the patent system exists to promote technology development rather than corporate welfare companies can use to beat each other over the head.

[Hicks12]

Ouch - low blow! Are you thinking of http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16960676 because I was. (PS think they've got a bit of cheek considering all the writ flinging that they've done).

LOL, love how Apple are crying because they pissed off Motorola and after 4 years of trying to get Apple to agree to paying the frand which everyone else has done, then they wonder why Motorola are annoyed and after them, if they cant be arsed to pay they should get screwed over.

But as everyones said, this tech has already been done by numerous companies, seems odd that once again a fairly generic and obvious technology is patented by Apple...

[Grebowski]

I thought patents were only granted for ideas that weren't obvious to experts in the field to which they relate. If two or three companies get to the same conclusion before the patent is even released to the public, then obviously the patent shouldn't be granted.

They are - this isn't a patent, its a patent application. The articles headline is misleading and should read as above.

Patents in a new field generally protect incrimentally narrower ideas the later they are filed. The first to invent gets the broadest protection, with later filers obtaining protections for improvements over the earlier patents.

The system isn't perfect, but it does follow reason.

[watercooled]

Just another example of someone at Apple finding existing technology then patenting it...

What a pathetic, disgusting company...

[Biscuit]

Apple patents the patent system