Google Glass patent hints at features
Transparent display, microphone, camera, touch pad and voice recognition controls detailed on document
A patent document has revealed some likely features and specs for Google Glass. Referred to as a “wearable computer device” in the application, it features a see-through lens that doubles as a display and a camera on the arm.
There’ll be a touch pad for control purposes, but voice controls will also be incorporated: say a name and it’ll find the person in your contacts book (showing it to you on the display). It could even recognise your car’s engine starting and open the satnav app automatically. Speech commands can also open apps and play videos, and you can convert spoken words to text or even have the system translate sentences.
These won’t be the only way to control Google Glass, though. The patent mentions that the camera will be able to track the user’s hand, allowing it to “touch” virtual controls (coloured dots are mentioned in the patent) in the heads-up display: essentially, you’ll be able to interact with a UI that sits right in front of your face. And don’t worry about other people’s hands interfering: the system uses individual skin tone and hand shape recognition to ensure that it’s your own mitt and not someone else’s.
On the spec front, there’s mention of wireless communication between the Google Glass and “a remote device or communication network” – so that could mean a Wi-Fi/Bluetooth link between the glasses and your phone or tablet, or direct connection to a 3G or 4G network.
[US Patent Office via TechRadar]
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