A Sony patent filing that describes video glass technology is quietly winding its way through the U.S. Patent Office. The technology could be Sony’s response to plans Google and Microsoft are pursuing to introduce video glasses to the market this year. Readers may be aware that Sony already has a set of video glasses dubbed the “personal 3D viewer” that works with the Playstation. However, Sony is working on other versions of video glass technology that could be used in ways not related to the Playstation.
In the patent filing, Sony describes a camera/communication device that goes a step or two beyond a video or heads-up type display built in to the lenses of a pair of glasses. The description of the lens part itself indicates the material could be such that it varies from transparent to semi-transparent depending on use.
Beyond the display, information included in the patent filing describes a camera incorporated into the lens. The camera could be used to capture visual data for processing (think Google Goggles) or could be used in a more traditional manner to capture photos and videos. The filing indicates the “output” from the camera may not be limited to the video glasses’ lens. Images could be transmitted to a watch-like device or a smartphone.
Along with the camera, Sony’s drawings also show a light emitter built into the glasses frame. The description indicates this would be used to transmit data optically. The data transfer could be part of the system mentioned earlier where a watch or smartphone is used to display data. The sharing of information is not limited to the wearer’s own devices though. Data could be swapped with other users of the same technology. In one example included in the patent filing, Sony describes the sharing of information between a user and a static object (a movie poster) that has the technology built-in.
Sony included information in the patent filing that describes other technologies that could be included in the glasses such as microphones and speakers. Sony also indicates biosensors could be incorporated into the video glasses or other wearable devices that use the same technology.
Will any of this technology from Sony make it to market? Even if it does, will consumers be interested or will they look to other solutions?
source: Patent Bolt
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