Kinect may act as a parental control body scanner in future
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Microsoft is attempting to patent a way to use the Kinect as a scanner for parental control software.
The idea would see the Kinect being transformed into a scanner that will detect an individuals body shape to determine whether they are a certain age. The technology could be used to restrict access to games and media for children. Geekwire’s Todd Bishop discovered Microsoft’s latest patent last week and notes that the technology could be implemented easily thanks to Microsoft’s detailed skeletal tracking used to control Kinect games.
The technology would work by scanning the dimensions and body shape of a potential game player. Microsoft’s Kinect sensor would digitally measure the proportions of an individual’s body and estimate their age based on the overall figures. The patent describes the ability to scan head width to shoulder width, and torso length to overall height as well as arm length. The technology would then restrict access to TV shows, movies and games based on the estimated age of the individual.
The patent in question was originally submitted in March 2010 and made public last week. Microsoft has not yet been granted the patent for such a system. It’s not clear whether Microsoft plans to implement the idea in future versions of its Kinect software. given the company’s push into Xbox entertainment, it’s certainly a feature that you could see in the Xbox dashboard in the future.
Kinect parental scanner?
Kinect may act as a parental control body scanner in future originally appeared at WinRumors.com.
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