Apple patents motion-sensitive HMD concept in defiance of good taste

Apple has added to its legacy of zany patents a head-mounted display with head-tracking technology intended to reduce viewer fatigue and disorientation (and induce nausea, if we're lucky) by simulating a theater or other viewing environment. The wearer of the device can pick a seat in the fake theater and then manipulate the image, zoom in and out, and look around thanks to an accelerometer and gyroscope built into the goggles. Few of these patents make it to market, but if you're eager to throw social acceptability out the window, there are already iPod and iPhone-compatible head-mounted displays on the market -- you'll just have to do without the positioning gimmick until Apple is crazy enough to actually sell this thing.

[Via TUAW]

[absinthe party @ Nov 7th 2008 7:08AM]

Apple = patent troll?

[Mach 1 @ Nov 7th 2008 7:11AM]

virtual reality?

[MarbleMind @ Nov 7th 2008 7:13AM]

Looks like modified ski goggles with an electro-mechanical eye gouging-out mechanism. Jigsaw would be proud.

[iEye @ Nov 7th 2008 7:14AM]

Useless, I need one with an external camera, GPS, BT and thermal imaging if I want to complete my Iron Man suit...

[Rowdy Bates @ Nov 7th 2008 7:30AM]

Pilots already use something like this to point their weapons.
http://www.vsi-hmcs.com/
and
http://www.opci.com/images/TECHNOLOGIES-Rugged_Eye_Tracker-Cleared.pdf

[Bretness @ Nov 7th 2008 8:13AM]

would this kinda be the same concept as in Back to the Future 2, where they could watch tv and also see who is calling.

[JGplanes @ Nov 7th 2008 8:25AM]

That would be freaking awesome for flight sim enthusiasts! WTG Apple!

[CraigJ @ Nov 7th 2008 8:30AM]

it better have copy and paste.

[RichardBronosky @ Nov 7th 2008 11:25AM]

Actually, upon bootup it initiates a hypnosis sequence that makes you quit wishing for copy-paste, freedom from NDAs, and the ability to install software from sources other than Apple. Apple has already been approached by lobbyists to include a "you want to vote NO on proposition 8" message, but they are yet to work out a pricing structure for political agendas.

[BradS @ Nov 7th 2008 8:45AM]

What's the part with the gears? Is that a wind-up motor to power the thing?


Actually, give me a camera on the front, and I can have the device filter out reality and display whatever I want to see on the insides. Block out the ridiculing looks and derisive sneers.

Hey! Beer goggles without the hangover the next day! Every woman will be gorgeous!

[fraxyl @ Nov 7th 2008 10:15AM]

Maybe the gears measure head tilts, at least that's what I first thought, but I don't think that could be right. Keeping the screens always horizontal was another thought, but doesn't make much sense either.

[BradS @ Nov 7th 2008 10:30AM]

That might be a thumbwheel that sticks out the top of the goggles to adjust something, maybe the tilt of the internal display or the width between the displays for various distances between the eyes. (The Jackie O. adjustment)

[RichardBronosky @ Nov 7th 2008 11:31AM]

Yes, it is to adjust the distance between the eyes. Similar to the way binoculars flex. The illustration clearly shows the displays connected to a dove-tail arm that slides laterally via a rack-and-pinion or worm gear mechanism.

[Stewart @ Nov 7th 2008 11:23AM]

new way to view the Internet?

[Liam Wolf @ Nov 7th 2008 5:34PM]

Futurama! Now we can go into the interwebs.

[Labrador @ Nov 8th 2008 3:21AM]

Interesting but I think the main thing holding back widespread use of HMD is the low resolution. An affordable 1280x1024 with a Bluetooth display would sell like hot cakes.

[Scoot @ Nov 9th 2008 3:49PM]

I'm not sure who writes the headlines over here at Engadget, but Apple did not patent this technology, they applied for a patent on this technology. Similar to the way someone applies to college, or applies for a home loan, or applies for a job. You don't have it until you get it. Fortunately TUAW got it right.