What fan hasn’t dreamed of wielding the Jedi knights’ lightsaber? US patent US9846971B2 filed on July 20, 2017, by the Disney Company is part ofa family of 4 patents in the United States. It describes a technology comprising several elements that enable the detection of a mark on a handle, to determine its position in real time, and generate on a screen a virtual blade following its movements.
Disney’s patent and the augmented reality lightsaber
The system described in this patent is available in a number of forms, or in a variety of designs. It comprises a set of elements, including: a display (to visualize the blade), an image sensor to visualize a marker, a handle carrying said marker, motion and orientation sensors (to fluidly record the various movements), a haptic generator (to feel tactile sensations) and a loudspeaker (to simulate the vibrating sound known to all).
This unusual patent is packed with fun uses, such as the ability to generate a flash and effects if two virtual blades come into “contact”.
The patent also includes the handling of a double-bladed saber. The display of the blade image is designed to adapt to different types of screen (headphones, glasses or even a smartphone).
This invention is available in a variety of versions and uses.
Although the images and description of this patent immediately bring to mind the Jedi, it should be noted that its use is not limited to lightsabers: it’s easy to imagine this technology being used to simulate a knight’s joust as well as a samurai duel.
