World class patent attorneys protect technological innovations across the globe by providing patent strategy consultation. Innovations are protected by building a patent wall around the novel features, thereby preventing competitors from copying the technology without permission. Inventors obtain patent rights by filing patent applications with the patent office and going through the entire process of patent prosecution.
Consistent business growth requires a long-term commitment to strategy and innovation, which results in the creation of a valuable portfolio of intangible assets that can be protected by way of patents and trademarks. Innovation refers to novel ideas launched in the market for the customers to fulfil their desire. Innovation can be in the form of product or service and later it should be developed for the benefit of customer and company. Innovation is crucial for economic growth and providing better returns to company shareholders. The company should be innovative if it wants to grow and succeed in the market. The economic growth has a direct relationship with innovation.
Virtual reality (VR) is a computer-generated artificial simulation or recreation of a real world environment or situation whereas Augmented Reality (AR) is a live direct or indirect view of a physical, real-world environment whose elements are augmented and supplemented by computer-generated sensory input data such as sound, video, graphics or GPS data.
In Augmented reality (AR) the user is able view a number of images via a pair of 3D glasses or a head mounted display (HMD). Moreover, the user is able to interact with the images as part of the overall experience.
Nowadays, iPhone and other smartphones have inbuilt GPRS which can obtain information about a particular geographical location and the selected locations can be overlaid with images. Moreover, the smartphones and other handheld devices have software, sensors, a compass and small digital projectors which has the ability to display images onto real world objects.
The virtual and augmented reality sector is the most booming sector in the current decade. Recently, a group of 16 innovators from Wellington, Auckland and Christchurch have formed the New Zealand VR/AR Association. Film star like Ashton Kutcher, and software giant Samsung are among the investors list in Wellington virtual reality company. Augmented reality technology is not only used in gaming sector to play games like Pokémon but has paced its way to the treatment of medical ailments. Augmented reality based technique can be used for neurosurgery. The neurosurgeons is able to visualize the ventricles in a patient’s brain on a Microsoft HoloLens screen based on a scan performed before the procedure.
According to “India Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality Market, Competition Forecast and Opportunities, 2011 – 2021” report India Augmented reality & Virtual reality market is projected to grow at a CAGR of over 55% during 2016 – 2021. Pokémon has proved that AR implementation can enhance the gaming experience of the user. Moreover, head-up displays units are being used in the automotive sector. Major players in AR & VR market in India are Motorola Mobility Inc, Microsoft, OculusVR, Samsung, and Sony.
Recently, Motorola Mobility Inc was granted a patent by the Indian Patent Office (IPO) titled “MOBILE VIRTUAL AND AUGMENTED REALITY SYSTEM” on 07/10/2016. The patent application was filed on 25/08/2010 bearing patent application number 3142/KOLNP/2010 before the Indian Patent Office. The field of invention identified by the patent examiner relates to field of electronics. The identified IPC for the invention is G06Q-50/00. In operation, the user can create “virtual graffiti” that will be left for a particular device to view as part of an augmented reality scene. The virtual graffiti will be assigned to a particular physical location or a part of an object that can be mobile. The virtual graffiti is then uploaded to a network server, along with the location and individuals who are able to view the graffiti as part of an augmented reality scene. When a device that is allowed to view the graffiti is near the location, the graffiti will be downloaded to the device and displayed as part of an augmented reality scene. To further enhance the user experience, the virtual graffiti can be dynamic, changing based on user’s preferences.
Another interesting patent was granted to Microsoft by the Indian Patent Office (IPO) on 20/01/2012. The invention is titled “A METHOD FOR GENERATING AN AVATAR AND A SYSTEM THEREOF” . The patent application was filed on 29/11/2005 bearing patent application number 5508/DELNP/2005 before the Indian Patent Office. The field of invention identified by the patent examiner relates to field of computer science. The identified IPC for the invention is A63F-13/00. The granted patent relates to racing-based computer games typically include a mode in which one or more human players can compete against one or more computer-controlled opponents. For example, a human player may drive a virtual race car against a computer-controlled virtual race car purported to be driven by Mario Andretti or some other race car driver. Such computer controlled opponents may be enhanced by including a sampling of actual game behavior of a human subject into the opponent’s artificial intelligence control system. Such a sampling can allow the game system to personalize the behavior of the computer control opponent to emulate the human subject. So in this patent the behavior of the computer control opponent is personalised.
Increasing success for global inventions across various technology sectors results in greater success during fundraising for startups. Investors encourage innovative businesses and individuals with a wide range of incentives if patent protection exists. In the era of fierce competition and complex technology products being launched regularly, a well formulated patent protection and strategy are essential.
Advocate Rahul Dev is a Patent Attorney & International Business Lawyer practicing Technology, Intellectual Property & Corporate Laws. He is reachable at rd (at) patentbusinesslawyer (dot) com & @rdpatentlawyer on Twitter.
Quoted in and contributed to 50+ national & international publications (Bloomberg, FirstPost, SwissInfo, Outlook Money, Yahoo News, Times of India, Economic Times, Business Standard, Quartz, Global Legal Post, International Bar Association, LawAsia, BioSpectrum Asia, Digital News Asia, e27, Leaders Speak, Entrepreneur India, VCCircle, AutoTech).
Regularly invited to speak at international & national platforms (conferences, TV channels, seminars, corporate trainings, government workshops) on technology, patents, business strategy, legal developments, leadership & management.