Apple Wins Patent For Head-Mounted Display Tech

redletterdave writes "It appears that Google is no longer alone in exploring the realm of wearable tech solutions. Apple was granted a patent on Thursday in relation to 'peripheral treatment for head-mounted displays.' While Google Glass places a piece of smartglass right above the user's eye, Apple's solution uses two peripheral lights to show two different images to each eye 'to create an enhanced viewing experience for the user.' Apple's patent also attempts to address the biggest problems with head-mounted displays (HMDs), particularly tunnel vision and motion sickness."

Comments

Another Best Thing Every. Amazing.

[icebike]

Its a good thing the Military has been using this technology since the 70's or Apple would be trying to ban the importation of any device using anything that even resembled their solution based on nothing more than the same of the corners.

It looks to me like they stole technology from the F35 helmet system.

Not alone for some time now / ambilight

[QuasiSteve]

They haven't been alone for some time now - that is to say, since before they even mentioned what they may or may not have been working on.

Google's glasses aren't HMDs, though.

The Rift would be an HMD that'd warrant a further look;
http://www.mtbs3d.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?f=138&t=14777

As for Apple's patent - it's pretty much 'ambilight for HMDs'. There's a wee bit more to it, of course, but if painting with the same broad brush that Apple uses when asserting their patents, the aforementioned description fits the bill.

Re:Another Best Thing Every. Amazing.

[ThePeices]

Apple is using TWO displays

Huh?! TWO displays??

Shining two beams of lights does not make "TWO displays"

And?

Since when has logic, common sense and reasoning been a mitigating factor in the granting of patents?

The patent system is just another abusive business tool used to stifle competition.

Has some limitations though

[cvtan]

It only works on people with heads that have rounded corners.

You don't know what you're talking about.

[mosb1000]

I'm sorry, but you obviously have no idea what is being claimed here. Here is what the patent summary says:

The present invention provides methods and apparatus for treating the peripheral area of a user's field of view in a head mounted display, and thereby creating improved comfort and usability for head mounted displays. The peripheral area adjacent to the displayed image is treated, such that the peripheral area is coordinated with the image on the display. The coordination can be in the form of color projections, achieved, for example, by light emitting diodes (LEDs) or other displays, such that the colors surrounding the display dynamically matches what is shown on the display. As a result, the peripheral area “converges” with the display area, which reduces the “tunnel effect” or “box effect” experienced by the user. Various embodiments of the invention allow users to customize different viewing parameters of the head mounted displays to accommodate for variation in the individual users' eyes.

If you would actually read the patent you'd notice that Apple is well aware of other head mounted display technologies (they list them in the patent). As the title says, this is a "Peripheral treatment for head-mounted displays" to prevent motion sickness and increase the length of time such a device can be used.

What kind of work the patent office does, anyway?

[Taco Cowboy]

The figures in the patent are total bullshit put in to make the patent look more impressive and complex than it really is.

If I publish a scientific paper, and in my paper I back it up with a lot of bullshit figures

Not long after the publication someone else will discover my bullshit figure and I will suffer all the negative consequences that I deserve

On the other hand, if I file for a patent, and back up my patent filing with a lot of bullshit figures

When my patent is granted, I got my patent and enjoy all the patent royalties that it generates.

As long as my patent does not infringe on others patent, legally speaking, nobody can do anything

That is what is wrong with the patent system

And that is why the patent office must either go through a total overhaul or shut down altogether
 

Re:Watch out Google!

[Hognoxious]

They do nothing!!!!!