A firm bought by Apple back in 2013 developed a technology that could represent the future Apple TV. Apple’s 3D sensing firm PrimeSense is creating the future’s TV set.
The possibility of no more remote controls when changing channels is no longer a Si-Fi story. PrimeSense, one of latest prized Apple acquisition, has been developing a patent-based control reassignment for Apple. The set is supposed to control the TV set with only hand and arm gestures. The 3D technology is evolving with quick steps trying to make people’s lives easier.
PrimeSense’s patent project based on hand movement has already been granted with a particular software interface. How does the software work? The three dimensional interface is using a system that controls motion sensor as well as depth-sensing controlled sensors. This system registeres the sensors commands and creates a non-tactile interface for its user.
The key elements used to collect data are a camera, which will pretty much look like a webcam and the sensor setup. The interface will track and register motion along with depth data. In other words, the three dimensional interface uses a X, Y,Z axe to transcribe any movements. For example, when the user raises his hand, the motion will be transmitted in a 3D coordinate plane. Such hand gestures will be also used to unlock the interface.
Apple Insider explains that the patent uses three main operating states: locked, active or tracked with their off systems as well: unlocked, inactive or not tracked. For example, when the interface is locked the interface disregards all movement except for the unlock one. After being unlocked, the interface can interpret gestures.
The tracking operating states isolates a specific body part like the arm. That body part will be used to interact with the interface and read its gestures. When the device is tracked, the user interface can read gestures, when the system is not in tracked state, it does not focus on any other part of the body.
Also, users can transmit alert signals towards the system regarding an upcoming unlock. A “focus gesture” can wake up the system from a non-tracked, inactive state to an active, operable one.
The device will also have a field of view where users can express hand gestures. That field should be limited with a light array to know when the system is ready.
Apple is looking to implement this 3D technology in TV sets as well as in iPhones. However, many features are still to be secured and controlled so the 3D gesture control system will not appear any time soon.
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