Friday, Feb 10, 2012    Text size: 

CUPERTINO, Calif. — Apple has filed a patent application for a 3D eye-tracking graphical user interface that could be incorporated in its iOS mobile operating system.

Apple's patent application describes the use of sensors to determine positioning of a device, likely an iPad or iPhone, in conjunction with a front-facing camera.

Software would track and calculate the position of the user's eyes relative to the device and also gauge the lighting environment to adjust the output for a realistic-looking 3D interface.

Position sensors also would include a compass, an accelerometer, a GPS module and a gyrometer.

The application, published Friday by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, describes technology that could be incorporated in the company's iOS mobile operating system for use with gaming, photography, video, biometrics and surveillance applications.

The application said that the 3D user interface could be applied to phones, tablets, portable music devices, televisions, gaming devices, laptops or desktops.