Tag: augmented reality patent

Augmented reality display patent bought by Google

| August 27, 2013

The search engine giant has now purchased a portfolio that had previously been owned by Foxconn.

Google has just announced that it has purchased the augmented reality display patent portfolio from Hon Hai Precision Industry at Foxconn, as the search engine giant continues to drive forward in its development of its Google Glass technology.

Hon Hai is currently a major supplier for leading IT brands around the world, including Apple.

It has now sold a portfolio of different head mounted display (HMD) augmented reality and other patents, according to its own news release. The technology involved in the patent portfolio is directly related to the way that the computer generated AR images are superimposed over the view of the real world, said the release. The technique is used in everything from gaming and video devices to tactical displays and aviation, and even simulation and training tools.

The augmented reality patents in the portfolio are directly connected to the type of tech used by Google Glass.

Augmented reality - Google purchases patentOther than this, very few other details regarding this augmented reality patent deal have been released. A spokesperson from Google has declined to make any additional comments regarding the purchase that was made. Neither Hon Hai, nor the company that facilitated the sale, MiiCs & Partners, was available for immediate response to press requests for a comment.

This could be an important addition to the work that Google has been putting into the release of its augmented reality Google Glass product. That wearable device features a head mounted display and is currently available only to a small group of specifically selected testers and a limited group of developers.

This latest augmented reality investment isn’t the only one that Google has made recently. In July, Google invested in a chip maker from Taiwan that manufactures the AR glasses components. It also stated that it would purchase shares in order to obtain an interest worth 6.3 percent of Himax Display, which is a Himax Technologies subsidiary. This investment is geared toward expanding the capacity available at Himax, as well as funding production upgrades. It is that company that produces the Google Glass liquid crystal on silicon chips.

Augmented reality game console from Disney confirmed through patent application

| January 8, 2013

augmented reality DisneyThough there have been only unconfirmed rumors until now, the filing has provided confirmation.

It has just been observed that Disney has made a filing for a patent for a form of augmented reality technology that is meant for a 3D game console, which has now provided the confirmation that has been awaited by many following the initial rumor of its development.

The initial announcement of the game console’s creation had been a slip that was released accidentally.

The company has not made any move to deny the mobile video game console project, but if it had any intention to start, its opportunity has now been quashed with the application for an augmented reality technology patent. The documentation discusses precisely that form of device, including initial sketches and descriptions. The machine that is discussed in the patent application indicates a device that can be compared to the already released Nintendo 3DS.

There are certain differences between the devices, however, such as the application of augmented reality.

This will allow the portable console to be aimed at a certain real scene, capture it, and then apply augmented reality elements to it to provide enhancements and animations. What is therefore suggested, is that it would allow a real image to be taken by the player, who would then be able to watch it come to life through animation, for example.

There was a sketch provided within the patent application that suggested that the appearance of the augmented reality mobile game console would be strikingly similar to the Nintendo 3DS. It showed the dual screens as well as the flip open design for which the existing console is already recognized. At the time of this release, Nintendo had yet to make any comments regarding their opinion of the similarities between the two devices.

That said, the company may abstain from commenting simply because Disney may not have any intention of having their augmented reality game device appear in any way similar to that of Nintendo. The documentation included only a preliminary sketch, and it is more than likely that its final appearance will be considerably different from these first drawings.