Apple To Bring 3D Gesture Control For iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch?

The 3D gesture control rumors can be put to rest. A document from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office reveals that tech giant Apple has received a patent for technology that extends multi-touch input, allowing users to control the device even without touching it. This allows 3D manipulation of objects on the screen. Apple filed the patent, which is titled "Working with 3D objects," in June 2012. The patents describes a device that can detect 2D objects and a 3D gesture input near the screen of the device, which can then generate a 3D object that controls the device.

The display contains capacitive touch sensors and proximity sensors that can detect the user's fingers and follows the gestures. It works in conjunction with the touchscreen system already in place, allowing users to tap the screen first, then pulling away, creating a "pull out" 3D object that the device may respond to in order to track movements. The technology would also allow users to "sculpt" on screen by giving them the capacity to control shadows, brightness, textures and more. The technology could mean that the iPad could become a creating device and allows it uses to expand to other fields.

"Techniques and systems that support generating, modifying, and manipulating 3D objects using 3D gesture inputs are disclosed. For example, 3D objects can be generated based on 2D objects. A first user input identifying a 2D object presented in a user interface can be detected, and a second 3D gesture input that includes a movement in proximity to a surface can be detected. A 3D object can be generated based on the 2D object according to the first and second user inputs, and the 3D object can be presented in the user interface where the 3D object can be manipulated by the user," the patent says.