Apple recently did filed a patent For the next generation of Apple Pencil with built-in optical sensors that can capture both colors and textures. This technology can make Apple Pencil more than just a stylus for taking notes and creating art. With the ability to gather inspiration from the colors and textures of real-life objects, the device can be used as a reference tool for artists to build their own banks of tones and textures to use in their projects. This feature is reminiscent of the popular “eyedropper” tool found in graphics software, allowing users to easily capture and leverage colors from their environment.
According to the patent application, the Apple Pencil’s color sensor system will be able to capture the color of external objects and possibly make measurements of their texture and other appearance-related properties. The light emitter in the new Apple Pencil may be adjustable and have a customizable light spectrum. This spectrum can be adjusted during color sensing measurements based on factors such as ambient light color.
The intensity of the light emitter may also be modulated during these measurements. In addition, an inertial measurement unit can be used to measure the angle between the stylus and the measured surface during the color sensing process. Surface texture can be measured using light hitting the surface at a viewing angle.
These measurements could then be transferred wirelessly to a companion device, such as an iPad, for use in applications such as drawing software.
Currently, the next-generation Apple Pencil feature described in the filed patent is only theoretical and it’s unclear if Apple plans to incorporate it into a redesigned version of the Apple Pencil. However, it’s been over four years since the second-generation Apple Pencil was announced, so the company may be considering updates to the product.
In the past, Apple has also filed patents for other pencil-related technologies, such as separate custom nails and one with a rotating element and multiple touch-sensitive areas on the body. It remains to be seen which, if any, of these features will be included in a future version of the Apple Pencil.
source: USPTO Through openly dark