Apple Inc. has recently released a new patent titled "Recovery from Eye-Tracking Loss in Foveated Displays" (patent number: US20230333649A1) that might mark the end of distorted images while using Augmented Reality (AR) glasses. The invention significantly addresses the recurring issue of images losing their sharpness and detail when the eye-tracking feature fails during the use of AR glasses.
The AR glasses encompass an eye-tracking system that keeps tabs on a user's gaze. It maintains the focus and high-quality images on the area of the screen where the user is looking at a particular moment. However, if the system loses track of the user's gaze or faces disruption, the images' crisp quality rapidly deteriorates, making the viewing experience less enjoyable.
The new Apple patent proposes an ingenious solution to mitigate this problem. Even in situations when the eye-tracking system temporarily loses track of the eyes, the invention keeps the screen's detailed portion shifting, in an attempt to re-find the gaze. If the system fails to regain the gaze for an extended period, the high-resolution area is centered on the screen by default; this prevents the user from seeing an entire screen of lower resolution.
The impact of such an advancement is multifold. Imagine exploring famous museums around the globe, right from your living room, without any unwanted distortions. Virtual education can go a notch up with clear and immersive 3D demonstrations, beckoning positive development in the field of e-learning. Similarly, virtual tourism, real estate walkthroughs, video gaming, and various other fields engaging AR experiences can become smooth and impactful.
However, it is important to bear in mind that at this stage, this invention is just a patent. There's no certainty about when or whether Apple will bring this evolutionary technology to light. Algorithms, techniques, or products sometimes remain confined to the patent documents only. Yet, Apple's continuous endeavors to enhance user experience inspire hope for the future of augmented reality. Let's keep our fingers crossed!
P.S.: The information presented here is based on patent documents. It doesn't guarantee that the techniques or technology discussed will be part of any product release on the market in the future.