Interesting Patents | Thursday, February 23, 2023
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) grants hundreds of new patents every week, showcasing developments in technology and innovation. In our Interesting Patents series, we highlight exciting US patent applications and patents recently issued by the USPTO. The patent system enables the protection of innovative ideas, and newly published patent applications provide a glimpse into the future of technology and innovation.
In this edition of #InterestingPatents, we examine two patent applications that could potentially revolutionize the fields of augmented reality (AR) and virtual travel.
The first patent application from Snap, Inc. describes eyewear that enables interactive AR experiences between remote users, featuring a shared coordinate system, which opens up new possibilities for remote collaboration, communication, gaming, and education. The second patent application from Sony proposes a new way to explore virtual and digitized real-world locations through interactive, immersive, and customizable virtual tours. In this blog article, we will delve deeper into the content of these two patent applications and explore the exciting potential implications they hold for the future of AR technology and virtual travel.
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Collaborative Augmented Reality Eyewear With Ego Motion Alignment
APPLICANT: SNAP INC.
US PAT. APPL. NO. 17/033,061
Invention Overview:
The augmented reality (AR) world has been rapidly evolving with innovative products and solutions. However, until now, the use of AR eyewear has been limited to individual users in isolated environments.
A new patent application has been issued to SNAP inc. for eyewear that enables interactive AR experiences between remote users. The eyewear features a frame, a camera, a display, an inertial measurement unit (IMU), and a six degrees of freedom (6DOF) pose tracker. The eyewear’s processor uses the pose tracker to generate trajectories of the eyewear. The IMU uses the captured data to algin the trajectories of the remote user within the space. The eyewear can also detect additional remote users who are also wearing the same AR eyewear. The remote eyewear can then generate trajectories using a remote pose tracker, and align the trajectories of the user’s eyewear with the trajectories of the remote eyewear to establish a shared coordinate system between them.
To align the trajectories for the shared coordinate system, the processor identifies a point on a symmetry plane of the face of the remote user. This point is used to align the trajectories and the local coordinate systems of the multiple users. As a result, the users can see the same 3D virtual content at the same place on their respective displays based on the shared coordinate system. The processor also synchronizes the AR content of the two eyewear, enabling interactive experiences between remote users.
The patent also covers other uses of this eyewear. In one case, the processor generates trajectories of the eyewear, aligns them, and detects remote users using the same eyewear. The processor then identifies a point on the symmetry plane of the remote user’s face and provides directions to align the trajectories of multiple users’ eyewear. The aligned trajectories can then be used to enable a seamless interactive experience between remote users.
The invention described in this patent application could have significant implications for remote collaboration, communication, gaming, and education. It enables users to share the same AR environment and interact with virtual objects and content, regardless of physical location. In conclusion, the new patent for interactive AR eyewear with a shared coordinate system is a game-changer in AR technology. It opens up a whole new world of possibilities for collaborative and interactive AR experiences, enabling users to share the same virtual environment and interact with each other in real time.
Patent Abstract:
Systems and methods for creating a customizable curated tour of three-dimensional virtual environments. Curation inputs may include selecting a virtual environment and selecting an ordered set of various locations within the virtual environment. A curated tour may be launched such that designated avatars may be placed to a first selected location of the ordered set and receive a subset of information about the first selected location. The subset of information may include user-generated content regarding the first selected location. The selected three-dimensional virtual environment may correspond to an in-game environment of an interactive content title, and specifically about one or more in-game activities in which one or more other users participated in at the first selected location.
Curating Virtual Tours: A New Way to Explore the World
APPLICANT: SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT LLC
US PAT. APPL NO: 17/404,426
Invention Overview:
Have you ever dreamed of traveling the world but don’t have the time to travel? What if you could travel to the world of your favorite video game. Thanks to a newly published patent application, the virtual guided travel may be our next vacation. Sony has had a patent application publish titled “Curating Virtual Tours” that proposes a new way to explore virtual worlds from the comfort of your home.
The patent application describes a system that allows users to create and experience tours of virtual and digitized real-world locations. The patent application describes a process for curating guided tours through the virtual environments, with an emphasis on interactivity with the environment.
In one potential application, fantasy worlds and video games could greatly benefit from this technology. What sets this system apart is the level of interactivity it offers with the surrounding virtual environment. Users can explore the virtual locations in real time and interact with objects and people within the scene. This can also be used to provide players with a more in-depth understanding of the game’s lore and backstory. For digitized real-world environments, users could click on paintings in a museum to learn more or interact with a local guide to ask questions about the area.
In addition to providing an immersive travel experience, the system also has practical applications. For instance, it can be used by real estate agents to give virtual property tours or by event planners to showcase venues to potential clients.
The application proposes combining 3D modeling and panoramic photography to create virtual locations. User’s are provided with an interface that allows for easy navigation and interaction with the virtual environment. While virtual tours have been around for some time, this new system takes things to a new level. With its emphasis on interactivity and customization, it has the potential to revolutionize the way we experience and explore the world.
In conclusion, the Curating Virtual Tours patent application proposes a new way to explore through virtual tours that are interactive, immersive, and customizable. Whether you’re a using the system for work or for fun, this system can change how you get things done.
PATENT ABSTRACT:
Systems and methods for creating a customizable curated tour of three-dimensional virtual environments. Curation inputs may include selecting a virtual environment and selecting an ordered set of various locations within the virtual environment. A curated tour may be launched such that designated avatars may be placed to a first selected location of the ordered set and receive a subset of information about the first selected location. The subset of information may include user-generated content regarding the first selected location. The selected three-dimensional virtual environment may correspond to an in-game environment of an interactive content title, and specifically about one or more in-game activities in which one or more other users participated in at the first selected location.
INTERESTING PATENTS BY FOUNDERS LEGAL
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