Sony's New 3-D TV Warns Kids If They’re Too Close
For parents tired of nagging their kids about sitting too close to the television, Sony (SNE) says its new 3-D television will do it for you.
A camera sensor built into the television’s bottom bezel, just below the Sony logo, detects if a child comes within one meter, or about 40 inches. After a couple of seconds, an alarm is triggered and the screen will go dark, displaying a message telling the child to back away.
How can the television tell the difference between a child and the child’s nearsighted grandfather moving closer for a better look?
A Sony spokesman says the technology behind the sensor is similar to one used in the company’s Cyber-shot digital cameras. Using an algorithm and geometrical data, the sensor is able to determine whether it’s a child or adult standing in front of the TV.