Sony Ericsson cameraphones could support gesture control

Generally speaking, the cameras that come built in to today's mobiles are less than astounding, but a recent Sony Ericsson patent application could make 'em a bit more worthwhile. The patent describes a scenario where a user could input commands by simply gesturing in front of the lens, and the phone would then be able to decode certain actions and react accordingly. Apparently, one could answer a phone (in handsfree fashion, of course) from across the room with just a flick of the wrist, and tracks streaming over Bluetooth could be controlled by waving your hands like you just don't care. Granted, users would still have to be where the handset could see them, but aside from that, the idea's not too shabby.

[Via UnwiredView]

[Jeff @ Dec 6th 2007 6:12PM]

Oh good, so we all know what gesture we can use when your ex or your boss calls you on your day off.

[joey @ Dec 6th 2007 6:29PM]

I can imagine people using this now on the streets looking like ...

[Gnaget @ Dec 6th 2007 6:38PM]

Yeah, but doesn't the whole "have to have the camera pointing at you" make it pointless? Seems like a lot of setup for something, when your bluetooth handsfree probably has an answer button. And voice dialing seems more convenient feature anyways

[raerae @ Dec 6th 2007 6:40PM]

Because pushing the buttons was so hard. ANd what happens in a room full of people

[LarsG @ Dec 6th 2007 7:04PM]

[i]ANd what happens in a room full of people[/i]

That reminds me of the joke that went around when voice controlled computers was supposed to become the next big thing.

I wonder what the gesture equivalent of format c: is.

[thethirdmoose @ Dec 6th 2007 6:58PM]

This reminds me of the stock market floor.

[ratnikh @ Dec 6th 2007 6:59PM]

...plus the camera would have to be on processing real-time video the entire time. That sure would make for grea tbattery life :P

[RC @ Dec 6th 2007 7:23PM]

Seems like a lot of effort.

Probably just a patent thing so Sony Ericsson can sue somebody down the road.

[Andrew @ Dec 6th 2007 10:11PM]

Or it could be they're going to use it themselves... and possibly license it to others. It doesn't have to be about suing anyone! SonyEricsson is NOT an American company and the corporate culture is nice, gentle Swedish.

[Wwhat @ Dec 7th 2007 3:16PM]

WTF, are you on crack? it's a jap company and the CEO they put in charge of running things is a yank.
Also sony is evil.
Also the ONLY use for this is for the deaf&mute people, who then STILL are better off with SMS messaging and using keys.

This is even less useful than mouse gesturing, so in that sense a 'breakthrough'

[Wwhat @ Dec 7th 2007 3:18PM]

Well the sony part is japanese, ericsson of course is swedish from origin, but which one do you think runs the show? I'd still call it japanese

[LiQuiD_FuSioN @ Dec 6th 2007 8:52PM]

Holy sh*t!

ALIEN HANDS!

Oh, wait.

[3rdsun @ Dec 6th 2007 9:34PM]

At the same time they cold make the camera operate as a webcam. just a thought

[Stephen @ Dec 6th 2007 10:30PM]

The middle finger should be shut down. http://www.freeimacoffer.com/default.aspx?r=988805

[Warwick @ Dec 7th 2007 1:28AM]

Touch screens, voice control, and now gestures?

What the fuck was ever wrong with just buttons?

[GregH @ Dec 7th 2007 1:59AM]

Duh dudes this is 4 those home movies. When your girl says no just place the phone on the dresser and bawchickawahwah

[NightBlade @ Dec 7th 2007 2:26AM]

On a side note: The W380 already has gesture control. :)

[bharatk12 @ Dec 7th 2007 3:23AM]

check out the new APPLE MOTION SENSITIVE REMOTES


http://www.slipperybrick.com/2007/12/apple-remote-control/

[Ssco @ Dec 7th 2007 5:28AM]

Sounds like a better idea than their shake control feature on the w910i. Why do I need to hold down a button to use it when I can just press a different button to change track anyway?!

[skhawaja @ Dec 7th 2007 5:42AM]

Sign Language translators - nice.

[skhawaja @ Dec 7th 2007 5:43AM]

I win - PATENT PLEASE!

[Technex @ Dec 7th 2007 7:08AM]

And the point is? Pushing buttons is far faster. Yet another great invention by Sony... :rolleyes:

[Patrick Weber @ Dec 7th 2007 7:51AM]

A friend of mine has been working on something very similar to this for at least 4 years:

http://www2.wearable.ethz.ch/fingermouse.0.html

[Aaron @ Dec 7th 2007 9:00AM]

That index finger looks bent to me.

[Snuffe @ Dec 7th 2007 12:37PM]

This one has it
http://www.sonyericsson.com/cws/products/mobilephones/overview/w380?cc=gb&lc=en

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[Daniel Spiegelman @ Dec 7th 2007 10:26PM]

Its be cool if you could count down with your hands to take a picture like a timer

like 5 4 3 2 1 and it takes the picture