Earlier this month Samsung filed for a U.S. patent regarding a similar invention that Apple has had on record since 2005 (filed in 2005, published in 2011). Samsung's patent filing describes a hexahedral "recognition space" area (see #300 below) that would be set up in front of a TV. In this invisible space the user would be able to interact with a television using specific in-air hand gestures and voice commands to control TV functionality and interact with smart TV menus.
Samsung notes that "The display device (television #100 of FIG. 7) combines change information of the first and second images, determines that the image of the hand in the recognition space area #300 is moved down, based on the combined information, and determines the operation command with respect to the motion in which the hand is moved down."
More specifically, the patent notes that "Also, the display device displays the channel/volume adjustment button, when the recognized motion is a motion for displaying the channel/volume adjustment button, and displays the Internet search window, when the recognized motion is a motion for the Internet search. It is understood many different types of buttons, icons, or other images may be displayed according to exemplary embodiments."
Later in the patent filing Samsung notes that "when the recognized motion is a command for displaying the channel adjustment button and/or the volume adjustment button, the display device (television #100) displays a volume adjustment button and/or a channel adjustment button on the first display panel."
Samsung further notes that "the MOIP (Multimedia Over Internet Protocol) includes a camera as the first image collection part #130, a plurality of microphones as the first sound collection part and a microcomputer (not shown) configured to control operations of the camera and the plurality of microphones and to transmit an image signal and a sound signal collected from the camera and the plurality of microphones to a first control part.
The MOIP may further include a communication part (not shown) such as an Ethernet device. The microcomputer of the MOIP compresses the image signal and the sound signal, and transmits the compressed data to the first control part through the Ethernet device." The system will also use a virtual onscreen keyboard that the user will be able to use for entering passwords or sending an email and/or text message.
While acknowledging that Apple was miles ahead of Samsung on this idea, it's Samsung that is the current leader in television technology and might be able to be first to market with this invention to advance their Smart TV.
Samsung filed their U.S. patent application back in Q4 2014. Considering that this is a patent application, the timing of such a product to market is unknown at this time.
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