Rumors have persisted for three years that Apple would be adding a front-facing camera to the iPhone similar to high-end devices from Nokia and others -- and a new patent revealed this week shows that the day may finally be near.

AppleInsider, Gizmodo and others are reporting on the newly-disclosed patent filing that shows “improved video and photo performance on handheld devices” which includes a sketch that clearly shows a front-facing camera as part of an Apple handset.

The patent is called “Apparatus and Method for Compensating for Variations in Digital Cameras” (say that three times fast!), and the document mainly outlines the ways in which Apple could “account for variations in the lens manufacturing process.” As any user who’s hand to get a replacement for a broken or malfunctioning iPhone may have noticed, not every camera is built exactly the same.

"Similar cameras manufactured on similar product lines may operate non-uniformly. For example manufacturing variations may result in variations in response to external stimuli, such as ambient light," the patent application reads. "Such variations in camera responses may produce a non-uniformity in images rendered by digital cameras of the same type, consequently, leading to an inconsistent product performance and to variations in product lines(s)."

Apple’s solution -- and the main purpose of the patent application -- would use acquired “video images of colored light” to measure the light intensity and compensate for it accordingly.

But the real story in the patent filing is the concept of a front-facing camera at long last. Potential iPad owners were discouraged to find that the device had no camera of any kind -- particularly disappointing for a light, portable device with such potential for videoconferencing.

As AppleInsider points out, “a forward facing camera on an iPad or iPhone could allow for video conferencing, self-portraits or self-recording with the portable hardware.” Sounds good to us!

(Image courtesy of AppleInsider)