Navigating the real world while wearing Augmented Reality (AR) glasses can be a tricky task. Many of us have found ourselves guilty of almost walking into street posts, or even people, due to the complicated interface, isn't it? Now, there's an exciting development in AR technology that might just change the game and solve this problem. A new patent (number US20230300314A1) by Kanta SHIMIZU focuses on making AR glasses more user-friendly.
The problem with existing AR glasses is the potential disturbance they cause to our natural perception of the real world. For instance, they overlay information onto the transparent display of the glasses, which could result in an unusual feel and takes our focus away from the reality. This interference might be even more prominent in places such as bustling streets or complex construction sites where there are many objects in vision.
To tackle this, Kanta Shimizu's patent proposes a unique solution. It's all about ‘where.’ Where the information is projected, where the user is located, and where their attention is. The patent talks about a special contraption you can wear that discerns your location and can project information close to you. More importantly, it knows where to project this information, like a personal movie projector specifically designed for you.
What does this mean for us? For example, imagine walking down a busy street of New York in the future, wearing Kanta Shimizu's AR glasses. The glasses might be able to project walking directions onto the sidewalk right in front of you rather than overlaying them onto your field of vision. This type of projection allows you to stay engaged with both, the real world and the digital information without any interference.
These glasses could also revolutionize how construction workers or inspectors work at complex sites. They could receive projected information about potential hazards or inspection points right onto the concrete block before them. Similarly, tourists could have sightseeing information projected onto a building's façade rather than having to look away at their phones or guidemaps.
In today's digital age, Shimizu's invention promises a more harmonious marriage between the real and virtual world. While the concept surely seems exciting, it's crucial to remember that this is still a patent, which means there isn't a guarantee of when or if we will see this technology on the market. But the day we do, our experience with AR glasses will likely be more immersive, easy and intuitive than ever before.
P.S. Patents are legal document provided to inventors to protect their ideas, ensuring no-one else can produce, sell, or use their invention. However, filing a patent doesn't necessarily guarantee that the product will be available in the market anytime soon or ever.