Apple files for Face and Presence Detection patent.

[Arkbird]

If what Apple is trying to patent is a simple Face Unlock like ICS has, I see no way they'd be granted this patent. However, that doesn't seem to be what they're trying to do. If people just read the actual article instead of going crazy they'd see there's far more to this than just a face unlock:

1) There's a "presence" indicator to what they're proposing, where you don't have to turn on the phone to have it work. You pick up the phone, it senses you are there, scans your face, turns the phone on and unlocks itself all without any input from the user at all
2) From the article itself: "Apple mentions that the software would isolate unique facial features in addition to specific skin tones to recognize a face. The software would memorize the attributes to the face, but the user may potentially have to reset the scan after any form of facial plastic surgery or something as simple as a sunburn"
3) The patent was filed for in 2010. Meaning it was filed for...in 2010. Not sure why everyone is going bezerk over this. It's an old patent that was filed for in 2010, that is just now being disclosed.

So, this leads to only two possible conclusions. 1) It's EXACTLY like Face Unlock, in which case the patent WON'T be granted, or 2) It's NOTHING like Face Unlock, in which case if Apple tried to sue Google for it, the case would be ruled in Google's favor because they are not using the same implementation.

Of course, stating the facts makes me a troll and a douchebag to the fanboys who can't take a few seconds to actually read the article. But, as per the usual, it's far easier to just bash Apple without any facts, because you know, they're evil....:icon_ devil:

It's okay, people won't listen or read the entire thread. I posted on the very first page that the patent was filed for in 2010 so it's really not Apple trying to gain the upperhand against Android after 4.0 came out. Like others have said, they may not even get this patent. Facial unlock is such a generic feature that several companies have been doing before 2010. It may not have been as known as it is now with ICS but it was still out in the wild.

 

[rlb]

So, this leads to only two possible conclusions. 1) It's EXACTLY like Face Unlock, in which case the patent WON'T be granted, or 2) It's NOTHING like Face Unlock, in which case if Apple tried to sue Google for it, the case would be ruled in Google's favor because they are not using the same implementation.

Of course, stating the facts makes me a troll and a douchebag to the fanboys who can't take a few seconds to actually read the article. But, as per the usual, it's far easier to just bash Apple without any facts, because you know, they're evil....:icon_ devil:

All corporations have a little evil in them :icon_ devil: But unfortunately we can't have the society we have without them....but that's a different topic for a different forum.

Anyway, yes it does seem like a bit of an overreaction on the part of most people. But then again, the OP doesn't really elude to much of the factual stuff...It's written with a slight sensational bias, so that what you're going to get from most people.

 

[czerdrill]

All corporations have a little evil in them :icon_ devil: But unfortunately we can't have the society we have without them....but that's a different topic for a different forum.

Anyway, yes it does seem like a bit of an overreaction on the part of most people. But then again, the OP doesn't really elude to much of the factual stuff...It's written with a slight sensational bias, so that what you're going to get from most people.

Yep, every corp does things like this including *gasp* Google! It's business as usual. And I agree, the OP does make it sound like this patent was filed on October 20th, right after the ICS announcement or something but to the OP's credit, the source links are provided for everyone here to read, which of course they didn't. It just makes people look incredibly silly when they overreact to something that doesn't appear to have any kind of effect on Google/Android, regardless if the patent is granted or not.:icon_eek:

 

[rudolphe]

They could be using it for something like the device detects which person has it in their hand and signs them into a profile. Could be used for iPads and stuff if you have kids that use your devices.

I remember hearing something about a year ago that apple might try doing this, didn't mention how they would detect who the user was but I guess this'll do... don't have any links or sources to it.

 

[czerdrill]

They could be using it for something like the device detects which person has it in their hand and signs them into a profile. Kinda used for iPads and stuff if you have kids that use your devices.

I remember hearing something about a year ago that apple might try doing this, didn't mention how they would detect who the user was but I guess this'll do... don't have any links or sources to it.

Yep, and again from the article itself:

"Could be configured to Recognize Faces in your Family or Workplace

Furthermore, the iOS device could be configured to recognize faces of a predetermined group (including a small number) of users that may login on the iOS device and could present each user with a personalized configuration (see patent point 142). For example, to comply with such personalized configurations, the iOS device could modify screen saver slide shows or other appliance non-security preferences. I also see that patent point 142 noted above shows us that we could be greeted with a message saying Hello! Although that will likely be optional, I'm curious as to how Apple will implement such a feature. Will they use a text only greeting or will they venture out and introduce a more personalized greeting from Siri (if you're an iCloud subscriber, that is). Depending on your view of talking devices, that could either be cool or creepy (ha!). "

Reading is fundamental, kids ​

 

[ilikemoneygreen]

Rofl this thread. im not going to comment about the apple filing im more going to comment on the system. No need to be nervous, no need to freak out... our system while broken as people say is good enough to identify the bad and good. The USPTO isnt perfect they do grant some patents they shouldn't but realistically thats just the first check mark in the system for suing people. If apple tried suing people with a patent that it truly shouldn't have then i guarantee a company will checking validity of patent. Just a part of the process. Also, if a company is using something in their product before another company files for the patent it will be thrown out. While apple did file for this in 2010, google has recently aquired Pittsburgh Pattern Recognition . Im sure thats got a couple useful patents just saying.