# 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. - **Patent:** US 10078917 - **Original title:** Augmented reality simulation - **Owner:** Lucasfilm Entertainment Co - **Granted:** 2018 - **Status:** Active - **Times cited:** 66 - **Field:** consumer_electronics, software, gaming, telecommunications, entertainment ## What it does 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. ## 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. ## 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). ## Real-world examples 1. Virtual movie theaters with interactive pop-up information 2. VR training simulations with simulated heads-up displays 3. Metaverse platforms showing virtual notifications or guides 4. VR games with in-game AR-style elements or character overlays ## Why it matters 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. ## 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. **Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10078917/augmented-reality-simulation **Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US10078917 --- _Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._ ## Related patents Semantically similar inventions in the PatentBrief corpus: - [How an Augmented Reality Headset Shows a Stable Virtual Monitor](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/9726896/virtual-monitor-display-technique-for-augmented-reality-environments) — This patent describes an augmented reality headset that uses special liquid lenses and an occlusion matrix to display a stable virtual computer monitor, even as the user moves their head or body, while also preventing visual artifacts. - [How Disney's Compact AR Display Uses Special Mirrors](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12386177/compact-augmented-reality-virtual-reality-display) — Disney's patent describes a compact augmented reality display that uses a clever arrangement of three special wavelength-splitting mirrors to efficiently show digital images layered over the real world. - [Creating Your Own Image in Virtual and Augmented Reality](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12737996/providing-a-secured-self-representation-by-writing-to-a-portion-if-a-frame) — This patent describes how an artificial reality system can show a user their own image, called a self-representation, within a virtual world by using machine learning to identify and display parts of their live image. - [Managing Virtual Objects on Resizable Surfaces in 3D Digital Spaces](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12737093/methods-for-displaying-objects-relative-to-virtual-surfaces) — This patent describes how a computer system can display and automatically resize digital surfaces that hold virtual items within a three-dimensional digital environment, offering feedback when items are added or removed. - [How AR Glasses Make Virtual Objects Look Solid](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10573086/opacity-filter-for-display-device) — This patent describes how augmented reality glasses can make virtual objects appear more distinct by selectively blocking real-world light behind them using a special pixelated filter.