Microsoft looks to patent 'gesture keyboarding' with Kinect technology

A Microsoft patent application for "gesture keyboarding" that became public today details how Microsoft could be thinking of using its Kinect device not only for the Xbox, but also possibly for a Minority Report type of computing interface (which others have predicted previously). Maybe they'll call it "no-touch" computing?

While GoRumors focused on the patent as a way to show how the Kinect works (which it does) after reading it, it would seem that Microsoft is certainly looking to go beyond the Xbox with the Kinect. Take a look at some of the "claims" that Microsoft is making with this patent:
* A method for providing keyboard-like input to a computer system that accepts gesture input,
* Each gestured character comprises an alphanumeric character.
* The input gesture comprises a gesture in a sign language.
* The sign language comprises American Sign Language (ASL).
* The user creates the input gesture using a physical prop.
* The physical prop comprises a keyboard that is not physically connected to the computer system
* The user creates the input gesture by mimicking use of a phantom prop.
* The phantom prop is a phantom ball or a phantom keyboard.

http://thenextweb.com/microsoft/2010...ct-technology/

Just hope someone makes a windows driver then gesture control might be usefull if the technology can handle it right.