Smart Glasses Competition
Samsung Electronics and Google have both been granted an increasing number of patents for smart glasses related to augmented reality (AR), competing with each other for smart glasses technology. In particular, the smart glasses that Samsung is working to develop can keep a virtual keyboard afloat on a palm or a table through 3D-based AR technology. Hence, much attention is being paid to the direction of the business in the future.
Samsung disclosed the content of a patent for smart glasses in Sept., according to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and Patently Apple on Oct. 6. Patently Apple stated, “Samsung’s patent this time is similar to that of Google Glass, but it proves that the Korean tech giant has been developing more advanced wearable computers.” The number of patents for smart glasses that Samsung has been granted far exceeds 10 this year alone, according to the USPTO.
Smart glasses that were previously introduced by Google, Epson, and Sony basically depend on 2D displays. They can operate by touching the side of the glasses with a hand, after installing a display there. On the other hand, Samsung's patent makes virtual touch possible. Wearers can keep a virtual keyboard afloat on their palm or project a virtual piano keyboard onto a table through their glasses.
It means that the patent is for AR, which is the most talked-about topic in the IT industry. In fact, Intel is working to develop a virtual keyboard in collaboration with numerous companies, by touting its RealSense camera, a next-gen core business. HP already introduced this technology to PCs. Intel is also trying to develop a program that analyzes user behavior and gestures and provides a suitable solution. Samsung's smart glasses also appear to operate in a similar way.
Google, the first company to commercialize smart glasses, has reportedly been granted a patent for new smart glasses that can realize AR as well. A spokesperson for the search engine giant explained, “This patent enables a more perfect display based on AR, which shows images in which computer-generated images are added.”
Users can experience interaction between real and virtual images through Google's new smart glasses. This product allows users to see things as they are, as well as added information and graphics at the same time. Real and virtual images can be interacted with, going beyond just putting graphics on real images. These characteristics are differentiated from existing AR technology.
Meanwhile, Google is said to be developing a second-gen version of Google Glass. The patent that Google was granted this time is also highly likely to be included into the second-gen product. An industry source said, “There was a certain limit to Google's first-gen product in terms of design and function. But the second-gen product is likely to show a lot of improvement.” The source added, “If Samsung enters the smart glasses market, it can create synergy through partnerships with Intel and Google.”