In a world where technology is all around us all of the time, there is going to be an exciting development in the world of AR.

According to Spectrum News, on December 28, 2021 The U.S Patent Office granted The Walt Disney Company a patent to create a virtual-world simulator in a real-world venue. This essentially means that Disney will be able to create immersive digital/ virtual theme park experiences while inside a Disney theme park.

As well as this, the patent also includes the ability for Disney to create a handheld device that when shone onto a surface will bring objects to life.

This patent provides Disney with the next step in the world of technology and a foot in the door of creating its own metaverse. Yuri Eliezer, a partner and patent attorney at Founders Legal defines a metaverse as a "digital ecosystem designed to simulate our real-life environment." Many companies are trying to get into this new realm in AR and it was Disney's priority to be one of the first to get its idea patented.

How this patent differs from AR, where computer-generated images appear through a device, is through the use of projections. This will enable Disney to project images that you would usually see through a phone screen or head set onto a real surface. Thus meaning no headsets or goggles and the experience can be enjoyed by multiple users at the same time.

Up until now most projections would be displayed on a two-dimensional surface and can only be viewed from one vantage point. This new patent will enable projections to be displayed onto three-dimensional objects and therefore will be able to be enjoyed from multiple vantage points by multiple people at the same time.

John DeStefano, a patent and technology technical adviser at Founders Legal, said "one possibility is to imagine a room with multiple projectors, so as a visitor moves throughout the room, the projector will project on physical objects different virtual or animated things around them. In many ways, the projected images would appear like a hologram."

In addition to this, there are plans to create a handheld device, similar to a flashlight, which can be shone on various elements in the room in order to see something being animated there. The patent allows the whole space in a room to be virtual but the user will not be able to see a virtual version of themselves in the room.

This newly granted patent will provide Disney with endless new opportunities to enhance Walt Disney World, Disneyland and their other properties around the world. Let us know what you think about this new upcoming take on AR by leaving us a comment below or on our Facebook page.