Apple Working On Cameras To Create Accurate 3D Images

A lot of iDevice users wish that if only they could have 3D cameras with their gadgets. If you are one of them, then it looks like Apple is trying to make your wish come true. The giant has filed three patents with U.S. Patent and Trademark Office which indicate the possibility that Apple might be developing a three dimensional camera for iOS devices.
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The three patents which Apple filed with U.S. Patent and Trademark Offices are titled as:

[*]Image Capture using three Dimensional Reconstruction.
[*]Systems, Methods and Computer Readable Media for Placing an Asset on a Three Dimensional Model.
[*]Systems, Methods and Computer Readable Media for Integrating a Three Dimensional Asset With a Three Dimensional Model.

According to a detailed report published in Apple Invents a Killer 3D Imaging Camera for iOS Devices - Patently Apple, the company stated that current 3D cameras only consider approximate depth of the object while creating a 3D image. As shown in the above image, Apple provides the solution of this problem by using three sensors. The censors work on producing polarized and non-polarized images, which are used by the processing module to develop accurate depth information, creating accurate 3D images. The depth detection censors could be Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) censor, RADAR, infrared reflection, lasers etc.
In other two patents Apple may use the 3D technology to recognize facial gestures. Reportedly the facial gestures are not limited to just smiling, grimacing, frowning, winking etc. i.e. they plan to capture every gesture that a human face can produce!  Another patent concentrates on scanning an object to create its 3D model. These 3D models are created by rotating the object. As the object rotates, the censors capture the information about the depth and create an accurate 3D image. The patent application was originally filed in Q3 2011 by inventors Brett Bilbrey, Michael Culbert, David Simon, Rich DeVaul, Mushtag Sarwar and David Gere. Till now, its not clear that where exactly Apple is going to use this technology? But the closest I can think of is gaming. Wouldn’t it be cool if a camera can catch your expression and create your accurate 3D avatar? And imagine how awesome these accurate 3D images are going to look on iPad’s new retina display!
Credit: Apple Invents a Killer 3D Imaging Camera for iOS Devices - Patently Apple