Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) were developed over time by various inventors and researchers. Key contributors include : Virtual Reality (VR):Ivan Sutherland : In 1968, he created the first VR/AR head-mounted display system called the "Sword of Damocles."Jaron Lanier : In the 1980s, he popularized the term "virtual reality" and founded VPL Research, which developed several VR devices.Augmented Reality (AR) :Tom Caudell : In 1990, he coined the term "augmented reality" while working at Boeing, where he developed AR systems to assist in aircraft manufacturing. Steve Mann : He developed wearable computing devices in the 1990s that were early forms of AR. Both fields have evolved significantly with contributions from many researchers and companies.

There isn't a single patent for "virtual reality" as a whole, given the complexity and breadth of the technology. Instead, there are many patents covering different aspects and components of VR systems, held by various individuals, companies, and institutions. Some notable companies with significant VR-related patents include : Oculus VR (a division of Meta Platforms, formerly Facebook) : They hold numerous patents related to VR hardware and software.Sony: They have a range of patents related to their PlayStation VR systems. HTC : Known for their Vive VR systems, they also hold several patents in the VR space.Microsoft : With their mixed reality (MR) HoloLens technology, they possess various relevant patents.Google : They have patented various VR and AR technologies, including those related to Google Cardboard and Daydream. Patents in VR cover a wide array of technologies, including display systems, motion tracking, user interfaces, and more. The ownership of these patents is distributed among many key players in the tech industry.