The Evolution of the Previous Patent
Microsoft, one of the leading tech giants in the world has recently filed a patent. The patent includes a smart speaker. It comes with an inbuilt projection system that can be used for Skype calls. This indicates that the tech giant might enter the smart speaker field with its own device. Microsoft filed for another patent for “Skype dock” for apple devices in last month. The new patent appears to be the evolution of the previous one. Though it revolves around a different product, many of the same ideas are still present.
Exciting Features of the Smart Speaker
The patent suggests that the device would allow users to make a Skype call without a PC, Mac or mobile device. The speaker resembles Amazon Echo or Apple HomePod in its appearance. The device has a cylindrical shape that allows the camera and projector to move independently which means that the device can track the person as they move throughout the room so that eye contact can always be maintained despite the position. The projector is designed in such a way that it can easily cast an image on a flat surface like a table or a wall.
The speaker also comes with an inbuilt depth camera which can be used to create the 3D reconstructions of conference calls. The device uses a Pico projector which allows the user to get all the benefits of the larger display while maintaining the compactness of the smart device. The patent comes with a provision that two devices can be used in different rooms at the same time. This allows the person to interchange rooms while continuing the same conversation.
Microsoft’s First Independent Smart Speaker
Microsoft released the invoke smart speaker in 2017 in collaboration with Harman Kardon. However, this promises to be Microsoft’s first independent smart speaker. Since the 2017 speaker, Microsoft hadn’t released any other smart speaker. Microsoft’s long-awaited Surface Speaker didn’t feature in the October 2019 surface event; however, the patent might indicate the entry of a new speaker to release along with the Surface Speaker.
