New Meta Patent Blatantly Mimics Apple's EyeSight Feature

Meta has filed a patent for a feature that closely resembles Apple Vision Pro's EyeSight, Patently Apple reports.

visionos eyesight
EyeSight is designed to reduce social isolation in VR by making the user's eyes visible to others on an external display. Meta's patent, titled "Embedded Sensors in Immersive Reality Headset to Enable Social Presence," suggests that the company is considering this kind of functionality for its own devices.

EyeSight uses a scan of the user's face to create a virtual image of their eyes on an external display, thereby maintaining a semblance of eye contact and interaction with others in the real world. Apple says that EyeSight "reveals your eyes on the front of your ‌Apple Vision Pro‌, and lets those nearby know when you're using apps or are fully immersed in an experience."

Meta's approach involves a method for updating a user's avatar in real-time using facial expressions detected by sensors embedded in the headset. These sensors capture signals indicative of facial muscle movements, which are then interpreted using a machine learning algorithm to determine the user's facial expression. The system adjusts the user's avatar accordingly and integrates it into an immersive reality application.

The headset in this embodiment includes various sensors, such as ECG (electrocardiogram), EEG (electroencephalogram), and PPG (photoplethysmogram), which not only track facial movements but also monitor the user's cardiovascular health. The integration of health-related functionalities distinguishes Meta's approach from Apple's EyeSight, which primarily focuses on displaying a virtual image of the user's eyes to maintain a connection with the real world.

Meta's decision to file the patent seemingly indicates its recognition of the value in Apple's EyeSight feature, despite the mixed reviews it has received. While some critics have found the feature unnecessary and predict it could be dropped in future models, its introduction highlights a broader industry trend towards enhancing social presence when using headset devices.

Related Roundup: Apple Vision Pro
Buyer's Guide: Vision Pro (Buy Now)
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Top Rated Comments

coffeemilktea Avatar
8 months ago
And to think, it would have been cheaper, more effective, more enjoyable, AND they could avoid patent lawsuits if they just slapped some googly eyes on the front! :p



Attachment Image
Score: 36 Votes (Like | Disagree)
WarmWinterHat Avatar
8 months ago
Great... Taking the absolute creepiest feature on the AVP and running with it.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
arkitect Avatar
8 months ago
Well, good luck with that!
If Apple couldn't pull it off I doubt Meta can.

Seeing EyeSight in real life is even odder than seeing images of it.

The person's eyes just do not seem to be "in the right place". They kind of hang sleepily in some mid distance.

It is weird AF.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
epox999 Avatar
8 months ago
For them to have wasted R&D dollars on this feature which serves no purpose, and raises the price of the product is so dumb. Predicting this will be the first thing dropped if they ever make a V.2 of this product
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
machpost Avatar
8 months ago

Seeing EyeSight in real life is even odder than seeing images of it.

The person's eyes just do not seem to be "in the right place". They kind of hang sleepily in some mid distance.

It is weird AF.
Exactly! It's incredibly weird and creepy in real life, and I figure that most people who don't think so haven't actually seen it with their own eyes yet. Even the pictures of it look weird.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Hopefully Smarter Avatar
8 months ago
They could sell alternate eyes as accessories, just like watch bands.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)