Apple patents 3D app switching that keeps or closes windows based on how you tap
Apple describes a system for extended reality environments where users select app icons to open programs. The method uses different types of selection inputs to decide if a new app replaces the current one or opens alongside it.
In the filing’s own words
A representation displayed in a three-dimensional environment may be selected with different types of selection inputs. When a representation displayed in the three-dimensional environment is selected, an application corresponding to the representation may be launched in the three-dimensional environment in accordance with the type of selection received. In such embodiments, when the representation is selected with a first type of selection, the application corresponding to the selected representation may be launched in a first manner, and when the representation is selected with a second type of selection, the application corresponding to the selected representation may be launched in a second manner. In some embodiments, the manner in which the application is launched may determine whether one or more previously launched applications continue to be displayed or cease to be displayed in the three-dimensional environment.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. A method comprising: at an electronic device in communication with a display and an input device: presenting, via the display, a three-dimensional environment that is an extended reality environment including a first application and a representation of a second application that is selectable to launch the second application in the three-dimensional environment; while presenting the first application and the representation of the second application in the three-dimensional environment, receiving, via the input device, an input including a selection input selecting the representation of the second application; in response to receiving the input: launching the second application, wherein: in accordance with a determination that the selection input is a first type of selection, launching the second application in the three-dimensional environment and ceasing presentation of the first application in the three-dimensional environment; and in accordance with a determination that the selection input is a second type of selection, different from the first type of selection, launching the second application in the three-dimensional environment while maintaining presentation of the first application in the three-dimensional environment.
Facts
- Company
- Apple (Apple Inc.)
- Official title
- Systems and methods for launching and replacing applications
- Patent number
- US12730551B2
- Application number
- 18269224
- Filed
- Dec 21, 2021
- Granted
- Sep 8, 2026
- Inventors
- 5
- Claims
- 29
Classified under
G06F 3/04842 Physics & computingG06F 3/04815 Physics & computingMore from Apple in AR, VR & displays
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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.