Apple patents camera system that logs when specific scenes appear
Apple describes a method where a device uses its camera to identify specific scenes or 'contexts' in the environment. If a recognized scene is detected, the system saves a record of the time it was seen in a database. Later, if the user asks about that scene, the device can report when it was last detected.
In the filing’s own words
In one implementation, a method of tracking contexts is performed at a device including an image sensor, one or more processors, and non-transitory memory. The method includes capturing, using the image sensor, an image of an environment at a particular time. The method includes detecting a context based at least in part on the image of the environment. The method includes, in accordance with a determination that the context is included within a predefined set of contexts, storing, in a database, an entry including data indicating detection of the context in association with data indicating the particular time. The method includes receiving a query regarding the context. The method includes providing a response to the query based on the data indicating the particular time.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. A method comprising: at a device including an image sensor, one or more processors, and non-transitory memory: capturing, using the image sensor, an image of an environment at a particular time; detecting a context based at least in part on the image of the environment; in accordance with a determination that the context is included within a predefined set of contexts, storing, in a database, an entry including data indicating detection of the context in association with data indicating the particular time; receiving a query including an indication of the context; determining the particular time based on the indication of the context and the entry; and providing a response to the query based on the particular time.
Facts
- Company
- Apple (Apple Inc.)
- Official title
- Methods and systems for tracking contexts
- Patent number
- US12755536B2
- Application number
- 18695273
- Filed
- Sep 16, 2022
- Granted
- Oct 6, 2026
- Inventors
- 3
- Claims
- 20
Classified under
G06V 20/50 Physics & computingG06F 16/535 Physics & computingG06F 16/5866 Physics & computingG06V 10/768 Physics & computingG10L 15/22 Physics & computingMore from Apple in AI & software
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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.