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Sally Yoon is an IPilogue Writer and a 2L JD Candidate at Osgoode Hall Law School.
Playing games in your room is one thing, but what about bringing your room into your game? allegedly updated a patent for virtual reality (“VR”) technology that can scan real objects into virtual reality. , Sony appears to finally be moving forward with the patent process despite issues and resubmissions following their initial filing on June 23, 2021.
The technology appears to stem from , which uses “overlapping images to create a 3D point cloud of an object or landscape.” SfM photogrammetry is a concept that has already been widely used in the video game industry to add greater immersive elements. One of the first games that might pop into mind would be , which exhibits photogrammetry cities through a collaboration with . Using SfM photogrammetry in the game, players can virtually experience flying over photorealistic cities around the world.
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The technology in Sony’s recent patent aims to bring this technique closer to home, literally. The 3D-scanning technology would enable users to scan real-life items into a VR space and interact with them, with the requirement that the user has a 360-degree view of the object for a successful scan. It’s currently unclear what Sony intends to do with this technology and whether it will eventually have any connection with the new , which is anticipated to release sometime this year. However, it does promise a greater level of user customization within the virtual reality space as well as signal interesting developments for both gaming and collaborations with .
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Over the years, VR technology has increasingly shown its potential to create extravagant, otherworldly environments, but also simulate the real world. VR has been a space for various subjects, from as well as . You may have stumbled across the of a man using a VR headset for a week in 2019 where he engaged in various activities such as meditation and movie screenings. On top of already prominent developments from (formerly known as Facebook) and , and their investments in virtual reality, Sony’s patent has interesting future implications for a more immersive metaverse.
The 3D-scanning technology is also reminiscent of the company’s infamous “” patent last year, where the company introduced technology that would enable non-luminous objects (mostly simple, household objects) to be used as controllers. These patents suggest the company's desire to close the gap between players' real and virtual lives. After all, regardless of how impressive it is to replicate historical events or fly through picture-perfect cities, no space will ever be more realistic than your living room.