GestureTek

GestureTek is an American-based interactive technology company headquartered in Silicon Valley, California, with offices in Toronto and Ottawa, Ontario and Asia.^[1]

GestureTek

Founded	1986
Founder	Canadians Vincent John Vincent
Headquarters	Silicon Valley, California
Website	gesturetek.com

Founding

Founded in 1986 by Canadians Vincent John Vincent^[2] and Francis MacDougall,^[3] this privately held company develops and licenses gesture recognition software based on computer vision techniques. The partners invented video gesture control in 1986 and received their base patent in 1996 for the GestPoint video gesture control system. GestPoint technology is a camera-enabled video tracking software system that translates hand and body movement into computer control.^[4] The system enables users to navigate and control interactive multi-media and menu-based content, engage in virtual reality game play, experience immersion in an augmented reality environment or interact with a consumer device (such a television, mobile phone or set top box) without using touch-based peripherals.^[5][6][7] Similar companies include gesture recognition specialist LM3LABS based in Tokyo, Japan.

Technology

GestureTek's gesture interface applications include multi-touch and 3D camera tracking. GestureTek's multi-touch technology powers the multi-touch table in Melbourne's Eureka Tower.^[8] A GestureTek multi-touch table with object recognition is found at the New York City Visitors Center.^[9] Telefónica has a multi-touch window with technology from GestureTek.^[10] GestureTek's 3D tracking technology is used in a 3D television prototype from Hitachi and various digital signage and display solutions based on 3D interaction.^[11]

Patents

GestureTek currently has 8 patents awarded, including: 5,534,917^[12] (Video Gesture Control Motion Detection); 7,058,204^[13] (Multiple Camera Control System, Point to Control Base Patent); 7,421,093^[14] (Multiple Camera Tracking System for Interfacing With an Application); 7,227,526^[15] (Stereo Camera Control, 3D-Vision Image Control System); 7,379,563^[16] (Two-Handed Movement Tracker Tracking Bi-Manual Movements); 7,379,566^[17] (Optical Flow-Based Tilt Sensor For Phone Tilt Control); 7,389,591^[18] (Phone Tilt for Typing & Menus/Orientation-Sensitive Signal Output); 7,430,312^[19] (Five Camera 3D Face Capture).

GestureTek's software and patents have been licensed by Microsoft for the Xbox 360,^[20] Sony for the EyeToy,^[21] NTT DoCoMo for their mobile phones^[22] and Hasbro for the ION Educational Gaming System.^[23] In addition to software provision, GestureTek also fabricates interactive gesture control display systems with natural user interface for interactive advertising, games and presentations.^[24]

In addition, GestureTek's natural user interface virtual reality system has been the subject of research by universities and hospitals for its application in both physical therapy^[25] and physical rehabilitation.^[26]

In 2008, GestureTek received the Mobile Innovation Global Award^[27] from the GSMA for its software-based, gesture-controlled user interface for mobile games and applications. The technology is used by Java platform integration providers^[28] and mobile developers.^[29] Katamari Damacy is one example of a gesture control mobile game powered by GestureTek software.^[30]

Competitors

Other companies in the industry of interactive projections for marketing and retail experiences include Po-motion Inc.,^[31] Touchmagix^[32] and LM3LABS.^[33]

References

1. "Gesture Recognition & Computer Vision Control Technology & Motion Sensing Systems for Presentation & Entertainment". Gesturetek.com. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
2. "Vincent John Vincent". Vjvincent.com. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
3. "ATIS TechThink". Techthink.org. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
4. . Archived from the original on April 26, 2009. Retrieved May 7, 2009.
5. "GestureTek brings 3D and gestures together for remote control". Engadget. January 5, 2009. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
6. "Watch out, Surface; GestureTek is straight frontin' | TechCrunch". Crunchgear.com. November 12, 2008. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
7. . Mobileworldcongress.mediaroom.com. February 13, 2008. Archived from the original on October 7, 2011. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
8. . Aboutmicrosoftsurface.com. Archived from the original on October 9, 2011. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
9. . Svconline.com. Archived from the original on September 28, 2011. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
10. Chris Morrison (December 12, 2007). "GestureTek receives investment from Telefonica | VentureBeat". Deals.venturebeat.com. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
11. . Lcdtvreviews.org.uk. Archived from the original on October 9, 2011. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
12. "Video image based control system – Very Vivid, Inc". Freepatentsonline.com. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
13. "Multiple camera control system – GestureTek, Inc". Freepatentsonline.com. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
14. "Multiple camera control system – GestureTek, Inc". Freepatentsonline.com. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
15. . Patentstorm.us. Archived from the original on June 12, 2011. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
16. . Patentstorm.us. Archived from the original on June 12, 2011. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
17. "Optical flow based tilt sensor – Patent # 7379566". PatentGenius. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
18. "Orientation-sensitive signal output – GestureTek, Inc". Freepatentsonline.com. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
19. "Creating 3D images of objects by illuminating with infrared patterns – GestureTek, Inc". Freepatentsonline.com. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
20. "News – Q&A: GestureTek Talks Xbox 360 Camera Innovation". Gamasutra. October 11, 2006. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
21. "GestureTek Grants Patent License to Sony Computer Entertainment America for EyeToy and PlayStation2 Game Development | Business Wire". Find Articles. February 18, 2005. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
22. . Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved May 12, 2009.
23. "News – GestureTek Preparing 'Wii-like' Control Wand". Gamasutra. February 15, 2008. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
24. . Archived from the original on February 1, 2010. Retrieved May 7, 2009.
25. Weiss, P. L.; Rand, D; Katz, N; Kizony, R (2004). "Video capture virtual reality as a flexible and effective rehabilitation tool". Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation. 1 (1): 12. doi:10.1186/1743-0003-1-12. PMC 546410. PMID 15679949.
26. "Retrieved on 2009-05-07". Hw.haifa.ac.il. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
27. . Wireless Week. February 13, 2008. Archived from the original on June 7, 2009. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
28. [1] July 7, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
29. "Gaming News – Get the latest updates on the gaming industry". gamezone.com. October 3, 2011. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
30. Hall, L.E. (2018). "Keita's Mixed Media". Katamari Damacy. Boss Fight Books. ISBN 978-1-940535-17-3.
31. Po-motion website
32. Touchmagix website
33. LM3LABS blog