Augmented reality is more than just headsets -- or at least Amazon thinks so.
The company has just had several patents approved that would potentially allow customers to beam virtual images onto real objects in their homes.
The 'object tracking' patent details a system of projectors and cameras that would beam images onto real objects, tracking your body as you interact with them. Amazon's patent describes this as “a room equipped with computerised projection and imaging systems that enable presentation of images on various objects within the room to facilitate user interaction with the images and/or objects."
Another, 'reflector-based depth mapping', maps the position in space of objects and people -- essentially turning a room into a holodeck (in theory). Unlike existing technologies, which rely on multiple light sources and often have to be re-calibrated, Amazon's system would be accomplished with a single light source. Because of its single-light setup, Amazon's augmented reality would -- again, in theory -- be much cheaper than more complex set-ups already in use in commercial spaces.
It may sound like science fiction, but other companies have also looked into similar technologies. Prior to the development of its Hololens headset, Microsoft had developed RoomAlive (AKA IllumiRoom), a virtual environment that allowed gamers to enter an immersive gaming room where they could interact with a scene projected onto, and response to, walls. Apple have also invested in similar technology: in a patent first filed in 2012 but released publicly earlier this week, they revealed their plans for a projector that would use augmented reality to make digital content "seem more real".
The Apple projector would use two cameras to scan a room for information and project images onto found objects -- meaning users would be able to see digital objects on tables or chairs.
Unfortunately the only way we're likely to see these particular objects is if one of Apple, Amazon or Microsoft decide to actually release them -- and we have no indication that is the case.
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
