Apple patents virtual windows that show 3D content behind them
Apple describes a method for creating virtual 'portals' or windows in an extended reality (XR) environment. The system calculates the position of a virtual object behind the portal and only displays the part of the object that would be visible through the window from the user's current viewpoint.
In the filing’s own words
Various implementations disclosed herein include devices, systems, and methods that provide an XR environment that depicts an environment with a viewing portal for viewing an added content item that is positioned behind the viewing portal. Some implementations determine a first position for a viewing portal within a 3D coordinate system corresponding to an environment, determine a second position for a content item within the 3D coordinate system, where the second position provides an appearance of depth between the content item and the viewing portal, and determine a viewpoint of an electronic device within the 3D coordinate system. In some implementations, a portion of the content item visible through the viewing portal from the viewpoint is identified, where the portion is identified based on the first position, the second position, and the viewpoint. Then, a view of the identified portion of the content item is provided in the environment.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. A method comprising: at one or more processors of an electronic device: determining a first position for a viewing portal within a three dimensional (3D) coordinate system corresponding to an environment; determining a second position for a content item within the 3D coordinate system, wherein the second position provides an appearance of depth between the content item and the viewing portal; generating a surface object textured with the content item and placed at the second position; identifying a portion of the surface object visible through the viewing portal from a viewpoint of the electronic device within the 3D coordinate system, wherein the portion is identified based on the first position, the second position, and the viewpoint; and providing a view of the identified portion of the surface object in the environment.
Facts
- Company
- Apple (APPLE INC.)
- Official title
- PORTAL VIEW FOR CONTENT ITEMS
- Publication number
- US20260278958A1
- Application number
- 19670362
- Filed
- May 7, 2026
- Published
- Sep 17, 2026
- Inventors
- 3
- Claims
- 20
Classified under
G06T 19/006 Physics & computingG06T 13/20 Physics & computingG06T 19/20 Physics & computingG06V 10/245 Physics & computingG06V 10/25 Physics & computingG06T 2219/2004 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.