Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has received a patent for "synthetic group selfie" from the United States Patent and Trademark Office, as first reported by Patently Apple.

If the other user, or users, accept the request, the software will arrange the individual selfies in a single image.

Apple said that both individual selfies and the resultant group selfie could be still images, stored video images or live streaming images.

The Cupertino-based consumer electronics giant had filed for the patent back in July 2018.

The patent, awarded on June 2, comes at a time when the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has forced people across the globe to maintain social distancing to curb the spread of the deadly virus.

Apple Price Action

Apple shares closed 2.8% higher at $331.50 on Friday. The shares traded slightly lower in the after-hours session at $330.89.