Google has successfully patented the "ornamental design" of its augmented reality eyewear. To you, me and Aunty Dee they might look almost like regular Ray-Bans, but there's a lot of secret technology concealed within those sleek lines and Google evidently wants to prevent others from copying their appearance. After all, if people started faking Project Glass, it'd be impossible to tell if we're being properly scanned or merely checked out.

Those suave Google glasses are now patent-protected originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 15 May 2012 06:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.