*Hmmm.
Amazon wants to use holograms to turn your living room into an augmented reality
Mary-Ann Russon
By Mary-Ann Russon
December 3, 2015 15:40 GMT
"Amazon has patented a system that projects holograms of virtual objects like a book or a tool in a game onto any surface, including a tablet-shaped screen
"Internet giant Amazon is visualising holograms playing a central role in the living room of the future, according to patents granted by the US Patent and Trademark Office on 1 December. The patents describe a system consisting of computers, projectors, cameras, sensors, microphones and multiple reflectors to beam holograms and virtual objects into your living room and transform it into an augmented reality.
" "Augmented reality allows interaction among users, real-world objects and virtual or computer-generated objects and information within an environment. The augmented reality may range in sophistication from partial augmentation, such as projecting a single image onto a surface and monitoring user interaction with the image, to full augmentation where an entire room is transformed into another reality for the user's senses," Amazon writes in one patent document.
"The idea is that users could walk into the room and then issue a voice command, tap the wall, snap their fingers or make hand gestures in mid-air, and this would activate augmented reality functions, such as a video game or 3D movie on the walls, tables and floor. The projector could even be used to beam a ball onto your hands which you have to try to hit.
"Amazon's concept involves projectors mounted on the ceiling that cast images and holograms of virtual objects onto any surface, as well as a projector that looks just like an extendible desk lamp…."
