Apple, via their acquisition of the Israeli company PrimeSense in 2013, used their 3D Mapping technology for Face ID with iPhone X. In 2015 a granted patent, originally from PrimeSense, illustrated a projector system for a much larger canvas beyond Face ID. Since that time, Apple has been refining the technology. Today, USPTO published an Apple patent covering advancements to 3D Mapping technology designed for longer range imagery using multiple sensors
Today the US Patent & Trademark Office published a patent application from Apple that relates to optoelectronic devices, and specifically to devices and methods for generating an array of optical beams. The invention provides improved microlens arrays and optical systems based on such arrays. This could be involve improving Face ID, future applications relating to Apple’s mixed reality headset and more.