A website examine Apple's patent portfolio to uncover clues to future iPhones, iPads, Macs, the Apple Watch 2 and new Apple TV, as well as unreleased products.
You can find the link at the end of my post.
They use a VCSEL for the 3D camera.
Apple iPhone camera patents: 3D photographs
iPhones could soon be able to capture images that appear to be 3D.
On August 2015 Apple was granted a patent that suggests that the company has invented a multispectral imaging process. The system consists of a device built into the iPhone camera that would produce infrared radiation, cast on to the relevant area. An infrared image, reproducing the captured scene in 3D, would then be obtained.
Adding to these hints, Apple recently bought PrimeSense and LiNX Imaging, two forerunners of the 3D photography revolutions. The Cupertino company seems very interested in getting 3D cameras in its phones.
An Apple patent published in December 2013 describes a method of capturing stereoscopic image data, which can be used make a photograph appear to have depth. Future iPhones could be capable of selecting two suitable photos and combining them to create a stereoscopic image, which replicates the way humans perceive depth to create a 3D illusion.
Here are some info about this camera...
The evidence through a series of recent Apple patents clearly indicates that a 3D camera is on the drawing board for future iDevices. Now with Dell striking first with a tablet with a 3D camera, the pressure is now on Apple to deliver it.
With PrimeSense already having a working 3D camera module and one that could also double as a projector if so desired, Apple is likely to introduce iDevices with a 3D camera later this year if all goes well.
In patent claim 2 of the original PrimeSense patent that is now Apple's, we find this: "The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light-emitting elements comprise vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs)
http://www.patentlyapple.com/patently-apple/2015/01/apple-patent-points-to-a-possible-future-3d-camera-and-extension-of-their-3d-parallax-ui-to-carplay-and-apple-watch.html
http://www.patentlyapple.com/patently-apple/2014/09/apple-granted-a-killer-interactive-holographic-display-patent-for-future-macs-and-idevices.html
http://www.patentlyapple.com/patently-apple/2014/12/apple-wins-a-3d-mapping-laser-beam-projector-system-patent.html
http://www.macworld.co.uk/feature/apple/apple-patents-round-up-clues-future-iphones-ipads-macs-watch-future-tech-3468138/
