Google's anthropomorphic device described in application 20150138333

The first claim is directed to a METHOD in which an anthropomorphic device (not a human) is detecting a social cue:




A method comprising:

an anthropomorphic device detecting a social cue, wherein the anthropomorphic device includes a camera and a microphone, and wherein detecting the social cue comprises the camera detecting a gaze directed toward the anthropomorphic device;

the anthropomorphic device aiming the camera and the microphone based on the direction of the gaze; while the gaze is directed toward the anthropomorphic device, the anthropomorphic device receiving an audio signal via the microphone; and based on receiving the audio signal while the gaze is directed toward the anthropomorphic device, the anthropomorphic device (i) transmitting a media device command to a media playback device, wherein the media playback device is separate from the anthropomorphic device, and (ii) providing an acknowledgement of the audio signal, wherein the media device command is based on the audio signal and instructs the media playback device to play out selected content.



The specification notes:


[0002] In an example embodiment, an anthropomorphic device may detect a social cue. The anthropomorphic device may include a camera and a microphone, and detecting the social cue may comprise the camera detecting a gaze directed toward the anthropomorphic device. The anthropomorphic device may aim the camera and the microphone based on the direction of the gaze. While the gaze is directed toward the anthropomorphic device, the anthropomorphic device may receive an audio signal via the microphone. Based on receiving the audio signal while the gaze is directed toward the anthropomorphic device, the anthropomorphic device may (i) transmit a media device command to a media device, and (ii) provide an acknowledgement of the audio signal. The media device command may be based on the audio signal.

[0003] A further example embodiment may involve an article of manufacture including a non-transitory computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium may have stored thereon program instructions that, upon execution by an anthropomorphic computing device, cause the anthropomorphic computing device to perform operations. These operations may include detecting a social cue at the anthropomorphic computing device, wherein the anthropomorphic computing device includes a camera and a microphone, and wherein detecting the social cue comprises the camera detecting a gaze directed toward the anthropomorphic computing device. The operations may also include aiming the camera and the microphone based on the direction of the gaze, and, while the gaze is directed toward the anthropomorphic computing device, receiving an audio signal via the microphone. Additionally, the operations may include, based on receiving the audio signal while the gaze is directed toward the anthropomorphic computing device, (i) transmitting a media device command to a media device, and (ii) providing an acknowledgement of the audio signal, wherein the media device command is based on the audio signal.



Elsewhere, one has Qualcomm's US 20150142252 with first claim


A robotic device, the robotic device comprising: a housing configured to house a mobile device; and an articulating image director aligned with a field of view of a camera of the mobile device.