According to a new report from AppleInsider, Apple has patented a new 3D display system that would allow customers to interact with what is being called a pseudo-hologram. It uses a mirror box-type design to project an image of a physical object, but also includes a gesture-based control system allowing users to manipulate the image.

The patent, which was filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office earlier this week, says that the feature would project the hologram image above the light source from the device using a UFO-shaped combination of two mirrors. This image will appear in front of the user, with touch-based input detected through lasers that are built into the display.

While this is a step forward in the technology world, the new device as it is currently designed is not yet sophisticated enough to the point where it could be included in the iPhone or iPad. It does, however, present some interesting possibilities for holographic features to be included in future generations of the technology, if Apple continues working on its development.

This patent is significant for Apple, particularly as Amazon has recently stated that they are due to release their own smartphone with limited 3D functionality in the near future. The creation of this feature for Apple will allow its massively popular iPhone to retain market dominance, even as new options are made available to the public. It is just a matter of when we will start seeing personal hologram displays.

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