Apple patents head-mounted display

A recently discovered patent appears to indicate that Apple is working on its own head-mounted display that seems to be the beginning of the company’s foray into the virtual reality market.

The patent, which was awarded last month, depicts an HMD that would be connected to standard devices like iPods, iPads and iPhones. The HMD, according to the provided images, has a ski-goggle-like design that will be designed for both wired and wireless connectivity. The display will be Wi-Fi enabled.

Apple’s new display will be able to connect to Apple TV, and is expected to support 3D video.

“For users who wish to view media provided by an electronic device when they are away from their homes and away from their television and computer screens, integrated displays may be limiting,” the patent states. “Such users may instead desire a personal display system with which the user may appear to view media on a large display while in fact using a portable display system. Such users may also desire a personal display that is visible only to the user (e.g., for viewing private or sensitive content).

“There is a need for a personal display system with which users can privately view media provided by an electronic device. In particular, there is a need for a head-mounted display for allowing users to view media.”

While device resolution wasn’t mentioned, the patent compares the viewing distance to that of watching a film in a movie theater.

And though this appears to be a VR device, there is no mention in the patent of motion tracking which other VR devices, like the Oculus Rift, have. Apple has yet to comment publicly about this patent, or when, or even if, something like this will become available to consumers.

Photos: Apple patent filing

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