Amazon files patent for touchless scanning system, Apple, Mad Systems patent biometric hailing/alert system, facial recognition locator

Amazon Go or Whole Foods shoppers may in the future be identified by their hands, according to a patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office describing a biometric touchless scanning system that establishes shopper identity by analyzing their palm features such as wrinkles and veins, reports Vox.

According to the patent, Amazon may be looking at developing “a scanner device […] used to obtain raw images of a user’s palm that is within a field of view of the scanner. The scanner obtains a first set of one or more raw images that use infrared light with a first polarization and a second set of one or more raw images that use infrared light with a second polarization. The first set of images depict external characteristics, such as lines and creases in the user’s palm while the second set of images depict internal anatomical structures, such as veins, bones, soft tissue, or other structures beneath the epidermis of the skin.”

Amazon GO shoppers already need to scan an app to access the store. A mix of sensors and cameras would make it easier for shoppers to buy food and drinks without having to stop to pay, as the linked accounts would be billed once they exit the store.

Amazon’s interest in identifying people through biometrics might raise controversy following privacy concerns voiced about its other products.

In September, Amazon tested biometric hand geometry recognition for vending machines at its New York offices. The non-contact system was dubbed “Orville,” and, according to the New York Post, the plan was to link it to a credit or debit card through Amazon Prime accounts.

The company has not released any comments.

Apple patents head-mounted display device hailing/alert system

Last week, the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office released a patent application from Apple for a head-mounted display device hailing/alert system, writes Patently Apple.

Apple has come up with a system that, in a VR game scenario, will alert the player if someone in the room needs their attention. A simple “excuse me” will trigger an on-display alert. In another scenario, the game is stopped and the display will become transparent to prevent abrupt interference, as the user’s senses could be impaired when using a computer-generated reality application.

The head-mounted display may be equipped with image sensors and/or microphones to pick up images and sounds and detect a person or indications. In other case studies, the system can analyze speech direction to determine which person it is coming from, recognize a face and match it to a registered face, determine if the person is facing the user, or perform eye analysis for gaze direction.

The patent was filed in Q2 2019 and Golnaz Abdollahian, AI & ML Engineering Manager, is named sole inventor. While this system could improve social experience, there’s no information on market release.

Mad Systems granted patent for facial recognition technology

Mad Systems Technology has been awarded a patent for LookingGlass Concierge, a facial recognition system that identifies and locates people, writes Commercial Integrator.

The company develops a number of facial recognition systems that improve customer and visitor experience at theme parks, museums, visitor centers, fairgrounds, stadiums and conference centers.

“I see facial recognition combined with our wireless AV system, Quicksilver, reinvigorating the AV world to provide new and incredible opportunities for entertainment venues like theme parks and museums, but also in boardrooms, classrooms and related situations,” said Mad Systems founder Maris Ensing in a prepared statement. “This technology allows you to recognize individuals and activate specific configurations for them. This is a 21st-century AV system for sure. Anyone who wants to see the future of AV with this patented technology at work, let us know. We’d be delighted to demonstrate.”

The LookingGlass system was developed based on common issues at entertainment venues and, according to the company’s marketing director Tricia Rodriguez, it uses software to solve problems such as traffic control, families getting separated, and ADA compliance, among others. The company has more innovative projects planned for 2020.

Article Topics

Amazon  |  Apple  |  biometrics  |  facial recognition  |  hand geometry  |  palm recognition  |  patents