Published Date : 28/11/2024Â
Apple has secured a patent for an advanced security camera system designed to identify individuals using both facial recognition and physical characteristics.
The patent, published by the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), outlines a sophisticated security camera that can recognize a person based on their face and a unique 'bodyprint' derived from their physical appearance and clothing.
According to the patent document, Apple’s security camera technology can store facial recognition information about a person, a feature already present in some modern devices.
However, what sets Apple’s system apart is its ability to generate a 'bodyprint' of an individual.
This bodyprint includes details about a person's torso and the clothes they are wearing, which can be used to identify them even when their face is not visible.
The system aims to provide robust identification by combining facial recognition (or Face ID) with bodyprint data.
This means that a person can be recognized even if the camera cannot see their face, thanks to the additional physical characteristics stored in the system.
To learn the physical characteristics of individuals visiting a user’s home, the security camera system will need to capture and store images on a regular basis.
These images will be analyzed using deep learning models to generate and refine bodyprints over time.
Once the system identifies a potential match, it will notify the user who is indoors.
This can be done through an iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV, allowing users to view live feeds and detailed information about the individuals detected by the camera.
This patent comes on the heels of reports from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, who claimed that Apple is exploring the development of a privacy-focused home camera and other smart home devices.
Among the first of these devices is expected to be a smart home hub capable of controlling various devices within a user’s home, while also supporting Apple’s apps like FaceTime.
Apple’s move into the smart home sector, starting with a wall-mounted tablet, aligns with the company’s broader strategy to integrate its ecosystem into everyday home life.
This new security camera technology is a significant step towards enhancing home security and privacy, while maintaining the user-friendly and seamless experience that Apple is known for.Â
Q: What is Apple's new security camera technology?
A: Apple's new security camera technology uses both facial recognition and a 'bodyprint' to identify individuals. The bodyprint includes details about a person's torso and clothing, allowing for identification even when the face is not visible.
Q: How does the camera system store and analyze data?
A: The camera system captures and temporarily stores images of individuals visiting the user's home. These images are analyzed using deep learning models to generate and refine bodyprints over time.
Q: What can users do with the identified information?
A: Users can receive notifications when the system identifies a potential match and can view live feeds and detailed information about the individuals detected by the camera using their iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV.
Q: What other smart home devices is Apple planning to develop?
A: According to reports, Apple is considering the development of a privacy-focused home camera and other smart home devices, including a smart home hub that can control various devices and support Apple’s apps like FaceTime.
Q: How does this technology enhance home security and privacy?
A: By using both facial recognition and bodyprint data, the technology provides a more robust and reliable method of identifying individuals, which enhances home security. The system also aims to maintain privacy by providing detailed and accurate information to the user.Â