A recent Apple patent filed to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has revealed that the company is exploring a new technology for its Apple Pencil accessory. According to the patent, this new technology would allow the stylus to sample colours from the real world to use in digital art or other creative work.
The colour sampling technology in the Apple Pencil would be equipped with several photodetectors that are able to measure light for different colour channels. The patent filing describes the sensor itself would be located at the tip of the stylus, and could also be equipped with a light to make it easier for it to accurately determine a colour.
Much like the Eyedrop Tool commonly found in most photo editing software, this technology would allow the Pencil to sample a colour of an object by simply tapping onto it. The detected colour would then be added to your digital palette, which you can use temporarily or save it for future use.
Other than that, the document mentioned that this colour sampling feature could also be used for other purposes such as calibrating displays or printers, making health-related measurements, and identifying paint colours for home projects. If implemented, this technology would make the Apple Pencil accessory even more versatile – serving various purposes other than being just a stylus.
As exciting as it sounds, this new Apple Pencil feature is still merely a patent for now. It is not known when the company is actually planning to integrate this to its stylus accessory, and there’s actually a chance that it might not pursue it entirely.
(Source: USPTO via MacRumors / Header image: MacRumors)
