Apple patent reveals iPhone camera swiping gestures

Patently Apple has the word on a patent filed by Apple yesterday that has the potential to change the way users interact with the iPhone. The patent shows off a new method for finger gestures on the iPhone that utilizes its camera, instead of the touchscreen.

As demonstrated by the patent, there are several ways the camera gestures can be used: When listening to voicemail on the iPhone with the phone held up to your ear, you can swipe the camera lens to fast-forward or rewind the message. Another example shows the user navigating the iPhone’s interface by swiping the camera lens. It could potentially allow for better one-handed navigation of the iPhone while viewing a web page, or some other sort of document that usually requires constant scrolling.

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Also mentioned in the patent is the addition of “tap control” — which allows the user to tap on the phone for specific functions. While listening to voicemails, for example, the user can tap on the phone to pause, or restart the message. The taps are detected using the iPhone’s accelerometer.

Judging from the figures, it’s likely that the camera gestures will require new hardware. The patent points to lens features that don’t exist on current iPhone models — specifically the ability to recognize gestures without having the camera turned on. Both the camera gestures and tap controls also sound vaguely reminiscent of the rumors we heard in January regarding a touch-sensitive case in the upcoming fourth-gen iPhone. Since the technology requires just a camera and accelerometer, we’ll likely see it implemented in the iPad next year as well.

The focus with these new technologies seems to be on one-handed control, as well as control of the device while not looking at the screen. If implemented as demonstrated, the features have the potential to break new ground in smartphone navigation. And if Apple is awarded the patent, it will have a lock on some very nifty features that its smartphone competitors can’t touch.

[Image via Patently Apple]