This month saw 3 VR and augmented reality patent applications filed across Niantic, Meta, and Viewpointsystem, with 1 patent from each company.
Meta described an extended reality power management system that adjusts frame rate and resolution based on device mobility and 5G connectivity to conserve battery life on AR/VR headsets. Viewpointsystem detailed eye-tracking technology that uses gaze detection to enable consent-based avatar interactions in virtual environments. Niantic's application covered an automated validation system that scores the accuracy of 3D map points for AR localization, ensuring the app directs users only to locations where augmented reality will function properly.
Viewpointsystem filed 1 patent addressing unwanted interactions in virtual reality environments. The system establishes a bidirectional consent mechanism where both avatars must look at each other before any interaction begins, replacing traditional button-based consent with a more natural eye-contact approach. Configurable time thresholds prevent accidental triggering from brief glances, requiring sustained mutual gaze before social interactions activate.
Meta received 1 patent covering power management for extended reality headsets. The system combines device mobility data with cellular connectivity quality to make adaptive decisions about frame rate and resolution, rather than simply reacting to battery level or heat buildup. This dual-input approach allows the headset to anticipate power needs based on how the user moves and the strength of their 5G connection.
Niantic filed 1 patent focused on validating 3D map accuracy for augmented reality positioning. Instead of relying on confidence scores from individual location queries, the system cross-checks multiple independent frame pairs, comparing predicted spatial relationships against actual sensor measurements. This validation process filters out false positives that single-query methods miss, producing reliability scores for each real-world point of interest before users arrive.
All data sourced from USPTO patent filings. Google Patents may take several weeks to index recent publications. If a link is unavailable, search for the patent number at USPTO Patent Public Search.