Microsoft acquires patents for wearable technology worth up to US$150

Microsoft has acquired patents for augmented reality (AR) intellectual property worth up to US$150 million from Osterhout Design Group (ODG).

The San Francisco-based company develops wearable technology accessories, such as head-mounted technology for industry and the military (not, currently, consumers), with the US government being its biggest customer.

This news has sparked rumours that Microsoft is working on releasing wearable technology, such as accessories for Windows Phone or Xbox.

According to The Examiner, one of the patents has the title Video display modification based on sensor input for a see-through near-to-eye display.

According to the publication: "In addition to a video display that can allow the user to see through the glasses while simultaneously viewing video content, it also includes 3D motion sensor and is optimised for 3D AR."

Founder Ralph Osterhout told TechCrunch that the ODG will remain a separate company from Microsoft.

According to TechCrunch: “The deal between Microsoft and Osterhout actually closed last November, with the patents quietly transferring in January 2014.”

This patent acquisition follows the news last week that Facebook had acquired Oculus, a company which makes virtual reality wearable technology for video games, for US$15 billion.

Also last week, Intel acquired Basis Science (also based in San Francisco), a company that offers health tracking services and devices.

The company will become part of Intel's New Devices Group, which focuses on wearable computing and connected devices.