VR & Augmented Reality

Apple received 1 patent addressing latency and visual artifacts in VR and AR headsets through a hybrid frame extrapolation technique. The system uses motion sensor data to generate intermediate frames between rendered images, applying different transformation methods depending on where the content appears in the user's field of view. Central vision areas use a simpler, single-depth calculation while peripheral regions employ more complex per-pixel depth processing, with a blending function smoothing the transition between the two zones to eliminate flickering without the computational cost of processing the entire frame at maximum detail.

Sony received 2 patents tackling different aspects of mixed-reality tracking and spatial anchoring. The first automatically detects gaming consoles and surrounding objects to serve as stable reference points for spawning virtual content, prioritizing the gaming hardware itself rather than scanning arbitrary room features to create persistent AR overlays that remain anchored even when users move around the space. The second patent handles controller tracking by intelligently switching between camera-based SLAM and inertial measurement unit sensors based on reliability metrics, preventing the jarring position jumps that typically occur when visual tracking loses line of sight.

Honda received 1 patent connecting virtual and physical vehicle modification through a metaverse platform. The system allows users to customize vehicles within a game or virtual environment, then uses community voting to validate which alterations should be applied to the actual physical car, creating a bidirectional link where digital changes can trigger automated real-world modifications based on consensus approval from other participants.

OVR Tech received 1 patent for a scent delivery system that attaches to VR and AR headsets. The device uses piezoelectric atomizers with variable amplitude control to generate different scent intensities, with each scent stored in a separate replaceable vessel equipped with its own piezoelectric element. A programmable interface allows game engines to trigger specific scents or blended combinations in real time based on what's happening in the virtual environment.

Google received 1 patent for calibrating AR and MR headsets when users integrate prescription lenses into the optical system. The approach develops testing procedures that account for how corrective lenses interact with the display's light guide components, ensuring that images remain properly aligned and color-accurate despite the additional optical elements introduced by vision correction.

Vsn Vision received 1 patent for a privacy and monetization platform designed for XR environments. Users control what biometric and behavioral data gets captured during VR and AR sessions, then can sell anonymized packets of that emotional and behavioral information through a marketplace. The system incorporates game-like mechanics including compatibility scores, stars, and virtual currency to manage data sharing preferences and determine which users can access each other in shared virtual spaces.