Apple patents 3D media that changes depth based on distance
Apple has filed a patent for displaying media objects in 3D environments where the object's depth changes based on its distance from the viewer. The system determines if an object is within a specific range to decide whether to show it as flat or with realistic depth.
In the filing’s own words
Various implementations disclosed herein include devices, systems, and methods that present views of media objects using different viewing states determined based on context. In some implementations, a view of a 3D environment is presented. Then, a context associated with viewing one or more media objects within the 3D environment is determined, the media objects associated with data for providing an appearance of depth within the one or more media objects. Based on the context, a viewing state is determined for viewing a media object of the one or more media objects within the 3D environment, the viewing state defining whether the media object will be presented as a planar object or with depth within the media object. In accordance with a determination that the viewing state is a first viewing state, the media object is presented within the 3D environment using its associated data for providing the appearance of depth.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. A method comprising: at a processor: presenting a view of a three-dimensional (3D) environment; determining a context associated with viewing a media object positioned within the 3D environment, the media object associated with data for providing an appearance of depth within the media object, the media object comprising content depicting a media capture environment in which the media object was captured, and the data for providing the appearance of depth corresponding to depths of corresponding elements of the media capture environment, and wherein determining the context comprises determining whether the media object is positioned within a particular distance range of the viewpoint within the 3D environment; based on the whether the media object is positioned within the particular distance range of the viewpoint within the 3D environment, determining a viewing state for viewing the media object within the 3D environment, the viewing state defining whether the media object will be presented within the 3D environment as a planar object or with depth based on depths of corresponding elements of the media capture environment; and in accordance with a determination that the viewing state is a first viewing state, presenting the view of the 3D environment showing depth for objects of a background setting or physical environment and the media object positioned within the 3D environment, wherein the media object is provided using its associated data for providing an appearance of depth based on depths of corresponding elements of the media capture environment.
Facts
- Company
- Apple (Apple Inc.)
- Official title
- CONTEXT-BASED OBJECT VIEWING WITHIN 3D ENVIRONMENTS
- Publication number
- US20260301310A1
- Application number
- 19706244
- Filed
- Jun 12, 2026
- Published
- Oct 1, 2026
- Inventors
- 3
- Claims
- 25
Classified under
G06T 15/20 Physics & computingG06F 3/013 Physics & computingG06T 7/593 Physics & computingG06T 19/006 Physics & computingG06T 2200/24 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.