Sony Ericsson submits patent for hand-gesture control

Damian Koh | Dec 10, 2007

Wave to take a picture, or pick up a call. Sounds like a scene from the sci-fi flick Minority Report? Well, a recent Sony Ericsson patent application could make all these happen. Using the image processor currently embedded in camera-phones and the help of intermediary software, the camera module can be programmed to recognize various hand gestures and interpret them as commands. For example, an outstretched thumb signals to the handset that you're ready to take a picture.

The process is pretty simple and straightforward, and we can see where Sony Ericsson is going with this patent. That's to make the interface more intuitive for everyday use. While the idea is great, we foresee tricky issues such as the drain on battery life and we're not sure if it's such a good idea to expose the image sensor constantly. That said, such kinks should have been ironed out when the feature is introduced in the handsets.

Via Unwired View

Filed under: Mobile Phones
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