[Ubergizmo]

… Instead of wearing the glasses one usually associates with 3D interfaces, the patent indicates how other existing Apple patents can be used in a GUI to overlap and stack elements and content. …

Firstly, there seems to be “Rotating Titles of URLs, Emails, Documents and Apps” that were detailed in a separate patent application. With this patent (that is pictured above) windows or elements are exposed edge-on until users wish to peruse them; which will then cause it to rotate forward into full-view. Secondly, is a patent that details how open windows are shown in a 3D form. That particular interface is tied in with yet another patent that apparently describes the presentation and browsing methods of items in a tilted 3D area. This leads to a picture similar to a 3D interface through which users can flick through windows much like how we view images or file icons in Cover Flow. While we know that there is a chance that none of these patents might see the light of day snuggled in an Apple product, the concept behind these patents does provide an interesting aspect of things and a look into the keen minds currently running around at Apple.

Read the full post here: http://www.ubergizmo.com/2012/05/apple-patent-shows-safari-3d/