14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft is one of the companies that could launch a Google Glass rival and even though the tech giant is yet to confirm such a project, there's evidence that it's indeed planning to take on its long-time rival in this side of the market as well.
A new patent that was recently discovered by Microsoft News reveals that Microsoft's augmented reality glasses could feature an automatic text scrolling option, which basically enhances the reading experience when using the company's new device.
No specifics are provided about the release date of this new Microsoft project, but the abstract section of the patent reveals that the automatic text scrolling could be used for reading, replacement of teleprompters, and even karaoke.
The technology is as simple as it could be and could really come in handy to many. Basically, every time you read a digital document wearing Microsoft's glass, text is automatically scrolled as you advance reading. If you move your eyes away from the text, scrolling is quickly paused and resumed whenever you're ready to start reading again.
Here's what the abstract section of the patent reads, according to USPTO documents:
“A see-through head-mounted display (HMD) device, e.g., in the form of glasses, provides view an augmented reality image including text, such as in an electronic book or magazine, word processing document, email, karaoke, teleprompter or other public speaking assistance application. The presentation of text and/or graphics can be adjusted based on sensor inputs indicating a gaze direction, focal distance and/or biological metric of the user.
“A current state of the text can be bookmarked when the user looks away from the image and subsequently resumed from the bookmarked state. A forward facing camera can adjust the text if a real word object passes in front of it, or adjust the appearance of the text based on a color of pattern of a real world background object. In a public speaking or karaoke application, information can be displayed regarding a level of interest of the audience and names of audience members.”
There's no doubt that the wearables business is becoming a lot more appealing for Microsoft and recent reports are indicating that the company is getting ready to introduce its first smartwatch that would offer compatibility not only with Windows devices, but also with iOS and Android.
The smartwatch could launch in October and would represent Microsoft's official debut in the wearables market were some other companies, including Samsung, is already selling several devices.