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Microsoft Granted Patent For Augmented Reality Glasses

Posted by Unknown on from the not-tonight-shades dept.

another random user writes with an excerpt from the BBC about Microsoft's vision for augmented reality glasses: "A patent granted to the U.S. tech firm describes how the eyewear could be used to bring up statistics over a wearer's view of a baseball game or details of characters in a play. The newly-released document was filed in May 2011 and is highly detailed. ... Although some have questioned how many people would want to wear such devices, a recent report by Juniper Research indicated that the market for smart glasses and other next-generation wearable tech could be worth $1.5bn by 2014 and would multiply over following years." Noticeable differences from Google's version: two lenses, a wrist computer, and wires.

5 of 89 comments (clear)

  1. Patent nonsense by Seeteufel · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I am with Richard Stallman and the FFII: Stop all the nonsensical software patent granting. All of them are a disgrace to professionals in the field, a hostile takeover from laywers and patent parasites.

    1. Re:Patent nonsense by Hentes · · Score: 1, Insightful

      This is a piece of hardware, and a specific implementation of it. This is exactly what patents are for.

    2. Re:Patent nonsense by Iamthecheese · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Actually patents are for non-obvious specific implementations of hardware. This isn't.

      --
      If video games influenced behavior the Pac Man generation would be eating pills and running away from their problems.
  2. Re:Nobody is going to wear these things by GameboyRMH · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Why can't they be indistinguishable from normal glasses? Google's prototypes are pretty close to normal glasses already:

    http://blog.sitestogo.biz/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/google-glasses.jpg

    You think that thick part can't be integrated into the frame and the screen can't be part of the main lens?

    --
    "When information is power, privacy is freedom" - Jah-Wren Ryel
  3. Re:I'll just say this now by mrbester · · Score: 3, Insightful

    My watch glows in the dark so I only have to look at my wrist at night to see what the time is. It is powered by my wearing it so I don't need a mains supply (and cable / proprietary adapter) to recharge it. It can withstand water pressure of 10atm.

    It also only cost me £30 a decade ago and hasn't had any problems whatsoever.

    Until my smartphone can do all of those things I'm keeping it.

    --
    "Wait. Something's happening. It's opening up! My God, it's full of apricots!"