Gallery: Revealed at Last: Magic Leap's Vision for Augmented Reality, in 32 Patent Illustrations
Magic Leap01magic-leap-0016-Layer 51
An 180 page patent application from Magic Leap represents the first detailed depiction of how a virtual reality company believes we'll use their mind-bending hardware. Here, a toy creature leaps off a shelf.
Magic Leap02magic-leap-0043-Layer 19
Physically, Magic Leap will consist of a lightweight [head-mounted device](http://www.freshpatents.com/-dt20140313ptan20140071539.php) that will house a [tiny projector](http://www.freepatentsonline.com/y2014/0306866.html) comprised of bespoke prisms and lenses that will beam images onto the user’s retinas creating a "[dynamic digitized light field signal.](http://www.roadtovr.com/magic-leap-closes-542m-series-b-investment-now-soliciting-developers-digital-lightfield-wearable/)"
Magic Leap03magic-leap-0031-Layer 32
Magic Leap believes the future of user interface will come in the form of ordinary objects imbued with virtual, interactive powers, like this app launching "key chain."
Magic Leap04magic-leap-0012-Layer 57
Magic Leap's patent application describes how the system might work: "The totem may simply provide a physical surface, and the AR system may render a user interface so as to appear to a user to be on one or more surfaces of the totem. For instance, the AR system may render a virtual computer keyboard and virtual trackpad to appear on a surface of a thin rectangular plate of aluminum which serves as a totem."
Magic Leap05magic-leap-0022-Layer 45
Described as "Totems," these are tangible objects that combine physical craftsmanship and computational projection.
Magic Leap06magic-leap-0045-Layer 16
Some of the embodiments are surprisingly low tech, like a cube where each face has a popular website overlaid on it. The user would switch between apps by rotating this cube.
Magic Leap07magic-leap-0050-Layer 8
Hand gestures, like those popularized by Leap Motion, are also viable interaction methods.
Magic Leap08ml-man-cave-small
A dozen illustrations show a guy in his basement interacting with a football game in novel ways.
Magic Leap09magic-leap-0049-Layer 10
Another illustration from the patent document shows a keyboard made from a soft rubber that would deform and provide haptic feedback while the head mounted display overlaid images of the characters on it in the user's eye.
Magic Leap10magic-leap-0006-Layer 67
Many of the concepts have a commercial focus.
Magic Leap11magic-leap-0032-Layer 31
The patent illustrates a series of motions that could turn any flat surface into an ad hoc workspace,
Magic Leap12magic-leap-0004-Layer 69
Most of the drawings in the patent application make Magic Leap look like a fancy replacement for universal remote controls.
Magic Leap13magic-leap-0010-Layer 62
A ghostly avatar of *Toucan Sam* would personally greet kids by name in the cereal aisle, rather than some off-brand spokesanimal.
Magic Leap14magic-leap-0028-Layer 35
A bracelet launches apps when a user caresses a charm emblazoned with the app's logo.
Magic Leap15magic-leap-0003-Layer 70
Heads Up Displays (HUDs), long used by pilots, could be ported to automobiles.
Magic Leap16magic-leap-0025-Layer 39
From the patent application: "The user may, for example, perform a two finger gesture, for instance an expanding pinch gesture, dragging outward from a center point to locations where an upper left and a lower right corner of the virtual work portal or construct should be located."
Magic Leap17magic-leap-0005-Layer 68
When the "screen" is in your eye, TV sizes scale to the size of a room.
Magic Leap18magic-leap-0017-Layer 50
Grocery shoppers would be treated to a virtual representation of Mario Batali, not some stock art chef.
Magic Leap19magic-leap-0013-Layer 56
With Magic Leap UI buttons are in the eye of the beholder.
Magic Leap20magic-leap-0027-Layer 36
The presence of the registered trademark "Sensorywear®" in the application, used to describe augmented reality devices, suggests that Magic Leap believes wearables will be a big part of the future of their product line.
Magic Leap21magic-leap-0014-Layer 55
There is the *de rigueur* drawing of augmented reality being used in surgery.
Magic Leap22magic-leap-0046-Layer 15
Other hardware concepts seem to be pushing into the world of concept art, like a piece of hardware that's shaped like a lotus and presumably treats each petal as an input method.
Magic Leap23magic-leap-0011-Layer 59
When entire rooms become playgrounds for UI, the designer's imaginations can scale to fit the space.
Magic Leap24magic-leap-0007-Layer 66
Shopping lists will materialize in the consumer's eye.
Magic Leap25magic-leap-0021-Layer 46
The totems don't even need to by physical objects—even hands could work as totems in a pinch.
Magic Leap26magic-leap-0041-Layer 21
Gamer's have no reason to fear, it appears that traditional game controllers will also be supported.
Magic Leap27magic-leap-0023-Layer 43
One of the more interesting ideas: The concept of gamifying everyday labor, as seen with this road worker whose tasks take on elements of a racing simulator.
Magic Leap28magic-leap-0018-Layer 49
Recuperating in a hospital could be made more pleasant by overlaying a tropical scene on a room.
Magic Leap29magic-leap-0024-Layer 41
Exercise bikes will be made more interactive by creating a virtual Tour de France.
Magic Leap30magic-leap-0034-Layer 29
Copious images of gloves, watches, and rings in the patent drawings back up that conjecture.
Magic Leap31magic-leap-0033-Layer 30
Any surface or object could conceivably become a user interface.
Magic Leap32magic-leap-0015-Layer 53
An idea for an exercise class augmented with instructional overlays.
