Future generations of Google Glass could look more like regular glasses, according to a new patent awarded to Google that showcases a possible design for the device.
The patent was awarded on Thursday April 25 by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and filed back in October 2011. The patent is titled "Near-to-eye display with diffraction grating that bends and focuses light" and offers a new form of image projection. Thus, images are projected through the lenses themselves, negating the need for the current Google Glass model's glass prism.
"A near-to-eye optical system includes an optically transmissive substrate having a see-through display region and a repeating pattern of diffraction elements," the patent states. "The repeating pattern of diffraction elements is disposed across the see-through display region of the optically transmissive substrate and organized into a reflective diffraction grating that bends and focuses computer generated image ('CGI') light impingent upon the reflective diffraction grating. The see-through display region is at least partially transmissive to external ambient light impingent upon an exterior side of the optically transmissive substrate and at least partially reflective to the CGI light impingent upon an interior side of the optically transmissive substrate opposite the exterior side."
Of course, the award of the patent for Google does not necessarily indicate that Google will be making a Google Glass version just like this design; however, it is an indication of Google's desire to improve upon the device, specifically in regard to its appearance.
Google Glass is slated to launch in about one year.
