Eye-tracking Technologies Seen As The Next Legal Battle Field For Samsung, LG
South Korean manufacturers Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics are in a patent row over technology that enables users to control their smartphones with their eyes.
Booth Korean giants have incorporated eye-tracking technology in their latest flagship smartphones -- the Galaxy S4 and the Optimus G Pro -- which are set for release in April.
Samsung calls the feature "smart pause" while LG "smart video." Their function is almost similar; they pause a video playback when a user looks away and resumes it when the user turns back to the device.
LG claims it already applied for the specific technology patent in August 2009. In addition, LG says it has applied for patents for other eye-recognition technologies that leaves the screen on as long as the user's glance is detected.
An LG Electronics official has confirmed Yonap News agency that company plans to review potential patent infringements when the Samsung phone hits the market.
A Samsung Electronics official denied the possibility of a patent infringement, saying the company owns the original technology and uses different methods to realize the disputed features.
Samsung calls the feature "smart pause" while LG "smart video." Their function is almost similar; they pause a video playback when a user looks away and resumes it when the user turns back to the device.
LG claims it already applied for the specific technology patent in August 2009. In addition, LG says it has applied for patents for other eye-recognition technologies that leaves the screen on as long as the user's glance is detected.
An LG Electronics official has confirmed Yonap News agency that company plans to review potential patent infringements when the Samsung phone hits the market.
A Samsung Electronics official denied the possibility of a patent infringement, saying the company owns the original technology and uses different methods to realize the disputed features.
