Microsoft Gets Patent for Agumented Reality Eyewear

"The artificial-intelligence race could be heading back to the eyeglass shop," reports the Wall Street Journal's Digits. "Google Glass may be stumbling, but Microsoft MSFT -0.30% appears to be taking a fresh look at the idea of smart glasses. Microsoft cinched a U.S. patent for Internet-connected, see-through glasses. But here’s the twist: They would be able to detect and interpret the emotions of people within their field of vision. The patent for 'a wearable emotion detection feedback system,' was filed in October 2012, and awarded earlier this week, according to a public filing by the U.S. patent office. It’s unclear whether Microsoft is serious about any near-term commercial applications, or is just tinkering. A spokeswoman said, 'Microsoft regularly applies for and receives patents as part of its business practice; not all patents applied for or received will be incorporated into a Microsoft product.'" Read more.

Seiko Epson See Market for Smart Glasses

"Seiko Epson Corp. projects sales of its smart glasses to climb fivefold to 10 billion yen ($84 million) in three years, President Minoru Usui said in a Feb. 17 interview with Bloomberg," goes the Bloomberg report on Yahoo! Finance. "Seiko Epson employs high-precision sensors already in use in its projectors for its Moverio smart glass, which is targeted at professionals such as engineers and doctors, Usui said. Google stopped selling Glass on Jan. 19, according to its website." Read more.

Chinese Internet Giant Gets into AR Eyewear

"Chinese internet giant Alibaba is jumping onto the wearable tech bandwagon as its chairman Jack Ma reportedly met with Samsung executives for technological support with its upcoming smart eyeglasses project during a trip to South Korea last week, reports Shanghai's China Business News. An Alibaba spokesman told the paper that Ma had indeed paid a visit to South Korea, but refused to reveal the purpose of his stay." That's the start of a story on Want China Times. "Insiders claim that Ma sought strategic investors for Alibaba's latest smart eyewear project, including Samsung, Korean Telecom and software firm Naver. The potential of wearable smart devices is comparable to mobile internet, attracting the participation of many hi-tech giants, including Alibaba, the insider said, adding that the smart wearable device project can greatly boost Alibaba's IPO price." Read more.