Apple Files Patent for Crazy 3D Projector Setup for Some Reason - Gizmodo Comments

Apple Files Patent for Crazy 3D Projector Setup for Some Reason

FritzLaurel — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 18:06:46 EDT

FInally, a Holodeck. YES!

FritzLaurel

Apple Files Patent for Crazy 3D Projector Setup for Some Reason

person65535 — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 15:15:27 EDT

Its Obviously for the keynote. It's going to bring "Boom" to a whole new level.

person65535

Apple Files Patent for Crazy 3D Projector Setup for Some Reason

tamoko — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 09:08:18 EDT

@kOtic: I think your dead on correct. It makes sense from a business persepective

tamoko

Apple Files Patent for Crazy 3D Projector Setup for Some Reason

VRguy — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 04:56:17 EDT

The first thing I see is virtual conferencing within Apple. Nothing like not really being there to get the point across.

VRguy

Apple Files Patent for Crazy 3D Projector Setup for Some Reason

kOtic — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 01:58:10 EDT

I think this has to do with the "landmark event". My guess is Apple's breaking up into divisions. One focusing on the computer part (iMac, MacBook, etc.), the other focusing on consumer electronics (iPod, iPhone, "iProject"?) Just my 2 cents worth.

kOtic

Apple Files Patent for Crazy 3D Projector Setup for Some Reason

bigthinker — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 00:46:33 EDT

This system for tracker the viewer and displaying the scene from the viewer's perspective. This will provide a much more realistic 3D/Stereo view. The only problem is it only works for one viewer.

bigthinker

Apple Files Patent for Crazy 3D Projector Setup for Some Reason

subyfan — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 00:15:01 EDT

@nine9nin:

Their system involves real time modulation of left/right sub images to be projected to the observer's left/right eyes individually.

That'd be very cool indeed, if Apple get it to work. Thanks for digging this up.

The link you provided has diagrams that shows how the left and right beam can be reflected to left/right eyes by using a screen surface of "programmable deflection angle". It even seems to imply that the reflection from each projection screen pixel can be controlled in a way that only goes to one of the eyes. Maybe like a huge DLP the size of a screen. At least that's how I understand.

subyfan

Apple Files Patent for Crazy 3D Projector Setup for Some Reason

nine9nin — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 23:33:02 EDT

@ subyfan
Apple details how to implement a 3-dimensional stereoscopic display. While 3d images have been around for years, Apple points out that computational power has advanced to the point where these true 3d images can be rendered and animated in realtime. Apple specifically explores the implementation of "autostereoscopic" systems that don't require the viewer to be wearing special glasses or goggles.

Apple believes its system addresses issues found in previous implementations of 3d and involves tracking the observer to ensure proper rendering of the 3d image regardless of where their exact position. Their system involves real time modulation of left/right sub images to be projected to the observer's left/right eyes individually. Apple also claims it can accommodate multiple observers to provide "a unique and personal 3D visual experience to each individual observer, with each visual experience (i.e., projected image) selectively being similar or different from the others, as desired." - MacRumors.com
[www.appleinsider.com]

nine9nin

Apple Files Patent for Crazy 3D Projector Setup for Some Reason

Reilaos~ — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 23:02:50 EDT

@Vagabum: We all know that the next piece to iLife coming is going to be iLive- a human mind-mapping and backup program.

Reilaos~

Apple Files Patent for Crazy 3D Projector Setup for Some Reason

Vagabum — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 22:57:33 EDT

Sill Giz and your foolish mortal ways...The Steve will never die.

Vagabum

Apple Files Patent for Crazy 3D Projector Setup for Some Reason

P3nnst8r — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 22:37:07 EDT

@bmoctta: You see, one day, somebody says "Hey! I have an idea." Except it's not an idea really, more along the lines of A) a piece of shit, B) a variation of somebody else's piece of shit, or C) something so vague that you can apply it to anything a.k.a. sue the shirts off of somebody who might come up with an actually good use for it later, that happens to be other than you.

Then this idea gets sent off to the U.S. patents office, where some guys do some research and make sure your piece of shit doesnt match other pieces of shit, and put a big stamp on it saying that it's yours, and you now have the right to monetarily bitch slap anybody who tries to take it from you.

P3nnst8r

Apple Files Patent for Crazy 3D Projector Setup for Some Reason

bmoctta — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 22:32:12 EDT

Someone please help me out in this - I don't get how the hell patents work anymore. All of them seem so vague, yet we are constantly hearing about someone suing apple for infringement. Does this patent seriously hold up? If Apple were granted this patent, and someone else happened to also have a patent for a 3D projector, what do they argue over? The use of 'stick men' in their patents!?

bmoctta

Apple Files Patent for Crazy 3D Projector Setup for Some Reason

P3nnst8r — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 22:29:22 EDT

It's missing the flux capacitor in those diagrams somewhere.

P3nnst8r

Apple Files Patent for Crazy 3D Projector Setup for Some Reason

subyfan — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 22:26:38 EDT

Looks like the left and right sub images will be projected onto the same screen. Wouldn't this still require the viewers to wear special glasses? If so, wouldn't the only thing new, if ever, be this "3D IMAGER" (aka camera) that allows the viewer to interact with the system?

Wow, that's got to be real brilliant and revolutionary, yeah right.

subyfan

Apple Files Patent for Crazy 3D Projector Setup for Some Reason

TonyTriple — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 21:39:19 EDT

Why, that's just vague enough to work!

TonyTriple

Apple Files Patent for Crazy 3D Projector Setup for Some Reason

frigg — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 20:58:38 EDT

@t3knomanser:

"If someone in your company has an idea, for ANYTHING, you patent it. You can always license it later."

That's not a bad idea. I'm therefore going to patent it, but would be happy to license it back to you under favorable terms if you ever want to use it again.

frigg

Apple Files Patent for Crazy 3D Projector Setup for Some Reason

MBPro — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 20:52:16 EDT

It's gonna be the MacBook Pro-jecter. Get it? AHhahahaha I haz jokes.

MBPro

Apple Files Patent for Crazy 3D Projector Setup for Some Reason

bigthinker — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 20:26:47 EDT

Looks like they are trying to solve one of the bigger problem for 3D viewing. The problem is to show the scene from "your" perspective. The 3D tracker locates you in the room and show a 3D scene from your viewpoint. It is only good for one viewer at a time but the result is much more realistic because your motion will change the view as if you are walking around a scene.

bigthinker

Apple Files Patent for Crazy 3D Projector Setup for Some Reason

t3knomanser — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 20:24:53 EDT

If someone in your company has an idea, for ANYTHING, you patent it. You can always license it later.

t3knomanser

Apple Files Patent for Crazy 3D Projector Setup for Some Reason

Jamo — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 20:17:54 EDT

I love Apple, not only for the products that they bring to market but the products that they force others to produce.

Jamo

Apple Files Patent for Crazy 3D Projector Setup for Some Reason

CampSteve — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 19:44:18 EDT

iProjector

It fits in your pocket and holds 1000 slides.

CampSteve

Apple Files Patent for Crazy 3D Projector Setup for Some Reason

se7a7n7 — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 19:35:53 EDT

How infeasible was it for Apple to make a little device that just plays music 7 years ago? You know, back when they just made overpriced computers.

se7a7n7

Apple Files Patent for Crazy 3D Projector Setup for Some Reason

frigg — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 19:32:54 EDT

@Adam

Dude, didn't you see "Paycheck"? I know, Ben Affleck is painful, but what self-respecting big technology company doesn't mine every film-adapted Philip K Dick story for next generation GUIs?

frigg

Apple Files Patent for Crazy 3D Projector Setup for Some Reason

nutbastard — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 19:31:37 EDT

@aseriesoftubes:
Word. 3D projectors, holograms as it were, have got to be one of the most anticipated up and coming technologies.

Amazing what science fiction films do for the progression of tech, eh? People would build light sabers, if they could only figure out how.

nutbastard

Apple Files Patent for Crazy 3D Projector Setup for Some Reason

aseriesoftubes — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 19:21:45 EDT

Why? Why NOT? Whatever they have up their sleeves, I look forward to seeing it in action!

aseriesoftubes

Apple Files Patent for Crazy 3D Projector Setup for Some Reason

zincrox — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 19:19:49 EDT

WOO 3D projectors!!!! by apple!!!

zincrox