How to Show Augmented Reality Effects Inside a Virtual Reality World
This patent describes a method for creating a virtual reality experience where a user wearing a VR headset sees a simulated augmented reality view, complete with virtual objects appearing as if displayed by AR glasses within that virtual world.
Original patent title: “Augmented reality simulation”
This patent describes a method for creating a virtual reality experience where a user wearing a VR headset sees a simulated augmented reality view, complete with virtual objects appearing as if displayed by AR glasses within that virtual world. Granted to Lucasfilm Entertainment Co in 2018 with 23 claims and 66 forward citations, and it is expected to expire in 2036.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This patent outlines a computer-implemented method for combining virtual reality (VR) and simulated augmented reality (AR) experiences. First, it renders a "first view" of a three-dimensional (3-D) virtual scene, such as a virtual movie theater, from the user's perspective (claimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 1). This first view includes content, like a movie, shown on a "virtual display device" (claim 2). Next, it renders a "second view" from the same perspective, which includes "one or more content objects" and shows the virtual display device as if seen through a pair of augmented-reality glasses (claim 1). These two views are then combined to create a "composite view" that is displayed on a virtual-reality headset (claim 1). For example, a user in a VR headset could watch a virtual movie while simultaneously seeing virtual notifications or characters floating in their view, just as if they were wearing AR glasses within that virtual movie theater.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover displaying actual augmented reality directly onto the real world; it's a simulation *within* a virtual reality environment.
- Does not cover displaying only a standard virtual reality scene without the simulated augmented reality elements.
- Does not cover systems where the 'content objects' are not specifically rendered as if seen through a pair of AR glasses.
- Does not cover displaying the combined view on a regular screen or monitor, only on a 'virtual-reality headset'.
- Does not cover AR simulations that are not combined with a separate 'first view' of a virtual scene displaying primary content.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
Key facts
What made this novel
The noveltynoveltyThe requirement that an invention be different from anything publicly known before its priority date.Read more → lies in the specific combination: simulating an augmented reality experience *within* a virtual reality environment, rather than just presenting a standard VR scene or a real-world AR overlay. It's about creating a 'nested reality' where one virtual display technology (AR glasses) is simulated inside another (VR headset).
The Patent Drawing
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Virtual movie theaters with interactive pop-up information
VR training simulations with simulated heads-up displays
Metaverse platforms showing virtual notifications or guides
VR games with in-game AR-style elements or character overlays
Why it matters
The bigger picture
This patent from Lucasfilm, a company known for pioneering visual effects, addresses how to layer different types of immersive experiences. It is relevant for creating richer and more complex virtual environments in VR, allowing for 'AR-like' overlays within fully virtual worlds. This capability is important for advanced virtual training, interactive entertainment, and future metaverse applications where users might want to simulate various display technologies.
Filed
October 10, 2016
Granted
September 18, 2018
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Companies like Meta (Reality Labs), Apple, Google, Microsoft, and various gaming studios are actively developing VR and AR experiences, including virtual environments that could incorporate simulated AR elements. Lucasfilm itself, as part of Disney, continues to explore immersive entertainment and advanced visual technologies.
Market impact
This patent contributes to the ongoing development of more complex and layered immersive experiences in virtual reality. It enables creators to design virtual worlds where users can interact with simulated AR interfaces, potentially leading to richer virtual environments for entertainment, education, and social interaction within metaverse platforms. It helps define how different virtual display technologies can coexist within a single VR experience.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This patent outlines a computer-implemented method for combining virtual reality (VR) and simulated augmented reality (AR) experiences. First, it renders a "first view" of a three-dimensional (3-D) virtual scene, such as a virtual movie theater, from the user's perspective (claim 1). This first view includes content, like a movie, shown on a "virtual display device" (claim 2). Next, it renders a "second view" from the same perspective, which includes "one or more content objects" and shows the virtual display device as if seen through a pair of augmented-reality glasses (claim 1). These two views are then combined to create a "composite view" that is displayed on a virtual-reality headset (claim 1). For example, a user in a VR headset could watch a virtual movie while simultaneously seeing virtual notifications or characters floating in their view, just as if they were wearing AR glasses within that virtual movie theater.
The clever bit
The novelty lies in the specific combination: simulating an augmented reality experience *within* a virtual reality environment, rather than just presenting a standard VR scene or a real-world AR overlay. It's about creating a 'nested reality' where one virtual display technology (AR glasses) is simulated inside another (VR headset).
What it does not cover
- Does not cover displaying actual augmented reality directly onto the real world; it's a simulation *within* a virtual reality environment.
- Does not cover displaying only a standard virtual reality scene without the simulated augmented reality elements.
- Does not cover systems where the 'content objects' are not specifically rendered as if seen through a pair of AR glasses.
- Does not cover displaying the combined view on a regular screen or monitor, only on a 'virtual-reality headset'.
- Does not cover AR simulations that are not combined with a separate 'first view' of a virtual scene displaying primary content.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Application published, typically 18 months after filing
Patent officially issued
Patent enters public domain
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Strong
Citation count
36/40
Highly cited
Claim breadth
15/20
Broad claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
Recency
10/20
Granted 5–10 years ago
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$374K – $1.2M
Midpoint $749K · 10.0 yr remaining · industry ×1.6
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
Claim text not yet imported for this patent
The original legal language
Original claims
23 claims as filed with the patent office.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
Rasmussen, N., Koperwas, M., & Gaeta, J. (2018). How to Show Augmented Reality Effects Inside a Virtual Reality World (U.S. Patent No. 10,078,917). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10078917/augmented-reality-simulation
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does How to Show Augmented Reality Effects Inside a Virtual Reality World cover?
This patent describes a method for creating a virtual reality experience where a user wearing a VR headset sees a simulated augmented reality view, complete with virtual objects appearing as if displayed by AR glasses within that virtual world.
Who owns patent US 10078917?
Lucasfilm Entertainment Co owns this patent, granted in 2018.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on October 10, 2036, when the invention enters the public domain.
What is patent US 10078917 cited by?
This patent has been cited by 66 later patents that build on its ideas.
What problem does this patent solve?
This patent from Lucasfilm, a company known for pioneering visual effects, addresses how to layer different types of immersive experiences. It is relevant for creating richer and more complex virtual environments in VR, allowing for 'AR-like' overlays within fully virtual worlds. This capability is important for advanced virtual training, interactive entertainment, and future metaverse applications where users might want to simulate various display technologies.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover displaying actual augmented reality directly onto the real world; it's a simulation *within* a virtual reality environment.
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