Move drones with your eyes!
From creating the perfect aerial shot for a movie to simple recreational uses, drones have become one of the most common technological inventions used by society today. But Samsung’s new invention may change the way drones are used. Samsung filed for and received a patent for an invention called a “flying display device.” The tech giant’s patent discloses a “display device capable of changing an angle thereof based on a gaze of a user while moving along with the user by automatically tracking the user, without an additional operation performed by the user.”
This indicates the invention can potentially can change angles and movement by tracking a user’s eye movements and other physical gestures. Additionally, this is taken into conjunction with the fact that the invention also possesses an electronic way to visually display data.
How does it work?
As indicated earlier, the movement of the display device may be directed by eye movement and even head movement. Generally, drones need a remote control of some sort that allows the user to direct and guide the drone’s movements. However, the invention disclosed in Samsung’s patent may change all that.
Samsung’s patent discloses an invention that “may include a camera and an observation system which reads a movement of a user and transmits information of the movement to the main control unit”. More specifically, “the observation system may perform eye-tracking or head-tracking on a head movement of the user in real time, may calculate the tracked head movement of the user, may convert the calculated head movement into movement information to store the movement information, and may transmit the movement information to the main control unit.”
The invention has various other neat features that can make drones not only really fun to interact with, but also really convenient as well.
Voice recognition is also another cool feature of the invention.
If you thought the invention couldn’t get any cooler, the flying display device also includes a voice recognition and command system. The patent specifically states that the invention can also include “a voice recognition system [that] may use a microphone including a voice command recognition function for receiving an input of a voice command from a user.”
But wait, there’s more! The display device may also come with facial recognition capabilities. Facial recognition has become a popular and common feature in the technology we use today. It is stated by Samsung’s patent that there is a “sensor unit [that] may recognize a face or a pupil of the user.” With facial recognition capabilities available on the device, there could be some really cool features to come.
Some other amazing features such as position detection.
The invention includes a position information receiving unit, which may receive information on a current position of the display device at predetermined times. Thus, there would be a way to determine the position or the location the display device at certain times. There are alternative methods as to how the position information receiving unit accomplishes this function. One method to determine the device’s position is by using a GPS or global positioning system. This is indicated by the patent stating that the invention “may include a global positioning system (“GPS”) receiver mounted in the display device, and may obtain the information on the current position of the display device using the GPS receiver.”
The device’s position can also possibly be determined through a “Wi-Fi-based positioning system (“WPS”) which detects the display device’s location by receiving information on a wireless access point input through Wi-Fi.”
These are just some of the various features of Samsung’s new invention. To read the entire patent, click here.
What are some possible implications of Samsung’s new flying display device?
Although it may be pure speculation at this point, Samsung’s new device can be beneficial in various areas. There are some convenience benefits that can possibly come along with this device. A device that can hover and fly could potentially make things more convenient by allowing the user to interact with the device while keeping a user’s hands free. The user can thereby use his or her hands for other activities while interacting with the device. Additionally, have you ever accidentally dropped a phone or tablet while using it? As stated earlier, this is still pure speculation, but with the disclosure of Samsung’s flying display device, there could be implications for tablets and phones that can fly and hover, which would solve the problem of dropping a device while using it. This could reduce the incidences of cracked or broken screens.
But these are just some of the potential benefits that can result from Samsung’s new patent. There are possibly many more functions still waiting to be discovered.
What makes an invention eligible for patent protection?
For an invention to qualify for patent protection, it must satisfy various statutory requirements. These statutory requirements mandate that the invention be novel, non-obvious, have utility, and be patentable subject matter. The flying display device invention must have satisfied all these requirements in order for Samsung to get a patent.
To read more on utility patents, click here.
What do you think about Samsung’s new patent? Leave a comment and tell us what you think!
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Disclaimer: This article is not intended to be legal advice and is meant to be for educational or entertainment purposes only. Please do not use the article or contents of the article without permission. For legal advice and questions, please contact registered Patent Attorney Vincent LoTempio.
