Google was granted a patent earlier today for a system that would allow a head mounted display like Google Glass to use holograms. The patent reveals a lot of information about Google’s quest to bring augmented reality to Google Glass and future products, in a manner that’s very similar to what Microsoft is already doing with HoloLens. It’s important to note that this is just a parent, one that was filed well over a year ago, so there’s no guarantee that it’ll hit the market anytime soon, assuming it ever does.
Today Google was granted a patent for using holograms in a head mounted display like Google Glass. It would effectively let Google create augmented reality experiences that superimpose computer-generated imagery (CGI) atop the real world. Filed in March 2014, the patent shows Google’s research into how it could merge its head mounted display technology with AR. But what’s perhaps more fascinating is how the patent contextualizes Google Inc leading the $542 million funding round for augmented reality startup Magic Leap. One possibility is that Google’s smart eyewear could be the hardware platform for Magic Leap‘s AR content. When asked about the patent and its significance, I got this boilerplate no-comment response from Google: “We hold patents on a variety of ideas – some of those ideas later mature into real products or services, some don’t. Prospective product announcements should not necessarily be inferred from our patents.” But let’s dive a little deeper, though the patent might never be exercised and there’s no official word on how it could relate to Magic Leap.
