Those crazy kids at Apple are always cooking up something new, and as we wrap up another year, a newly discovered patent application update finds an old favorite is getting closer to reality.

The patent application in question has previously been dubbed as the “Magic Wand” remote control, which is intended to provide a more natural control experience when using products such as the Apple TV, according to MacRumors. This project has been ongoing within Apple, with previous patents already filed for the technology in the past.

Apple’s patent describes the use of accelerometers in addition to fixed points of reference to determine the movement of the remote. If this sounds familiar, it’s because similar technology already exists and is in use on Nintendo’s Wii game system with the Wiimote.

What sets Apple’s patent apart is its intended use to browse media, fast-forward or rewind, rotate images and even zoom in and out by moving the wand closer or further from the TV screen:

“A remote wand for controlling the operations of a media system is provided,” the updated patent describes. “The wand may be operative to control the movement of a cursor displayed on screen by the position and orientation at which the wand is held. As the user moves the wand, the on-screen cursor may move. The user may use the wand to control a plurality of operations and applications that may be available from the media system, including for example zoom operations, a keyboard application, an image application, an illustration application, and a media application.”

As MacRumors notes, it’s not really expected that Apple will offer a standalone Wii-like remote, but instead perhaps use it as a replacement for the current Apple remote control. Apple’s free Remote app for the iPhone and iPod touch already incorporates a number of accelerometer controls and gestures as well.