Microsoft invests 150 million dollars to purchase virtual reality patents
The virtual reality business is attracting the attention of the biggest companies, who see this technology as a profitable niche market that’s worth investing in. Following in the footsteps of companies such as Sony and Facebook that have already made moves in this business with the presentation of their 3D virtual reality glasses, Microsoft has now come out with the purchase of the intellectual property related to virtual reality from the company Osterhout Design Group.
Ralph Osterhout, founder and CEO of the ODG studio, recently confirmed the purchase of 75 of its patents and IP products by Microsoft, for the not-inconsiderable sum of 150 million dollars. These patents include 3D glasses, clearly showing Microsoft’s interest in the virtual reality market for its Xbox One.
Sony’s wager on its prototype of 3D virtual-reality glasses, Project Morpheus, and the recent acquisition of Oculus VR for two million euros by social network giant Facebook, has prompted Microsoft to make a key move for the company to step all the way into the virtual reality market.
Although Microsoft’s intentions after the acquisition of the patents is unclear, it is true that based on the characteristics of the prototypes developed by the ODG group and Microsoft’s experience in augmented reality technology through Kinect, it’s possible that they could surprise us with a new prototype of 3D glasses with Virtual Reality for its Xbox One console.
Speculation aside, what we can say is that the patents acquired by Microsoft include what could be a prototype of transparent glasses with a semi-reflective surface and a couple of prototypes with virtual-reality technology connected to a sort of smartwatch with projection of 3D images. These patents also give a few details in regard to their technology, such as the incorporation of a multiprocessor, GPSsystem, Bluetooth connection, and motion and position detection system.
The turning point at which Microsoft finds itself represents a big step for the company, which is currently focused on the two key areas of hardware and services. This investment in patents opens a wide horizon of possibilities to develop and implement virtual-reality technology applied to competitive products in the entertainment and leisure market, taking advantage of the pull by the consoles. It even opens the door to the development of specific products with this technology in the corporate and business areas.
Images | ODG
