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Apple Buys Patent Portfolio From Failed Home Security Camera Company Lighthouse AI
Apple recently acquired the patent portfolio of Lighthouse AI, a home security company that went out of business at the end of last year, reports London-based site IAM.
Lighthouse AI created in-home security cameras with people, pet, and facial recognition that used advanced AI techniques to distinguish adults from kids and to customize alerts. It also supported voice-based natural commands like "let me know if the kids aren't home by 4pm on weekdays" and "what did the kids do while I was out yesterday?"
Lighthouse had several patents that have been snapped up by Apple. Most include standard security camera features, but there are a couple that are related to the depth sensing technology that Lighthouse used. A list of granted and pending patents that Apple purchased (via AppleInsider) are below:
There have never been rumors suggesting Apple has an interest in creating a home security camera product, but some of the technology used by Lighthouse could be applied to other hardware. Apple already uses facial recognition technology in iPhones and iPads with the launch of Face ID, and it is rumored to be including 3D camera tech in 2020 iPhones and iPads.
Lighthouse AI created in-home security cameras with people, pet, and facial recognition that used advanced AI techniques to distinguish adults from kids and to customize alerts. It also supported voice-based natural commands like "let me know if the kids aren't home by 4pm on weekdays" and "what did the kids do while I was out yesterday?"
Lighthouse had several patents that have been snapped up by Apple. Most include standard security camera features, but there are a couple that are related to the depth sensing technology that Lighthouse used. A list of granted and pending patents that Apple purchased (via AppleInsider) are below:
- 9,396,400: Computer-vision based security system using a depth camera
- 9,965,612: Method and system for visual authentication
- 10,009,554: Method and system for using light emission by a depth-sensing camera to capture video images under low-light conditions
- 20170032192: Computer-Vision Based Security System Using a Depth Camera
- 20180367962: Two-Way Communication Interface for Vision-Based Monitoring System
- 20180246964: Speech Interface for Vision-Based Monitoring System
- 20180374325: Method and System for Incident Sharing in a Monitoring System
There have never been rumors suggesting Apple has an interest in creating a home security camera product, but some of the technology used by Lighthouse could be applied to other hardware. Apple already uses facial recognition technology in iPhones and iPads with the launch of Face ID, and it is rumored to be including 3D camera tech in 2020 iPhones and iPads.
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7 months ago
I agree with you...just having a little fun at Apple's expense so to speak. They have been protesting patent trolls in East Texas and have plans to close the Apple stores in that area in protest.
Not in protest. They are closing them so they can’t be sued there. A protest is merely a complaint. What they’re doing is far more useful.
7 months ago
Just because Apple bought these patents from a failed security monitoring company does not mean that Apple will only utilize them in its own security gadget. Most of the patents have very broad names and Apple can use them on other gadgets or use cases too.
The names of the patents don’t matter. The claims in the patents are what matter.
7 months ago
How about Homepod gets a Siri that's actually useful first before we start talking about security....
What do these patents have to do about Siri?
7 months ago
Apple is not interested in home security cameras and has no plans for such a product, but some of the technology used by Lighthouse could be applied to other hardware.
To the author of the article: Based on what do you make this statement? Did Apple state this some where or is this just speculation on your part? You state this as a fact but provide no reference as to how you know.
7 months ago
Perhaps is getting into the business the patent troll companies are in: Buying up patents.
No.Patent trolls.....
No.More likely they bought it to patent troll competitors and weasel out of paying their bills like with Qualcomm.
No.Except, the criticism towards Apple is still valid. So why do you object?
Because it has to do with neither the topic of this thread, nor innovation. You just don’t like what they did with your ports and have chosen a double nonsequitur to vent it.
7 months ago
Doubtful. They haven’t done that with any of the rest of their patents.
No they just set up shell companies to do it for themhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rockstar_Consortium
7 months ago
soon Apple will be in East Texas filing patent claims.....
Doubtful. They haven’t done that with any of the rest of their patents.
7 months ago
Built into every Apple TV: "Siri, let me know when the children are watching skin-amax (Cinemax)".....
7 months ago
Maybe homepods get security features.
How about Homepod gets a Siri that's actually useful first before we start talking about security....
7 months ago
That smart cam is a couple of legs away from being on of Aperture Science’s turrets.
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