I agree that the sensors are a limiting factor for the current applications and of course Kinect is just the beginning of this technology in consumer markets. The description I provide of a 3-D integrated computer vision processor attached to a high-pixel-count CMOS array will address the latency, power and frame-rate issues. The algorithms and automation of computer vision to hardware still needs to be solved.
Personally, I have mixed feelings about integrating the skeleton trackers into the hardware. While this might drive down cost for specific use cases, it limits the capabilities of these natural interface devices. The skeleton trackers are based on many assumptions, like approximate camera angle and position, proper clothing etc.
Once, any of these assumptions don't hold true any more, for instance a camera from the top, side or back, a object held by the user, uncommon clothing like baggy pants or skirts, you have to write your own skeleton tracker in software.
I agree that the sensors are a limiting factor for the current applications and of course Kinect is just the beginning of this technology in consumer markets. The description I provide of a 3-D integrated computer vision processor attached to a high-pixel-count CMOS array will address the latency, power and frame-rate issues. The algorithms and automation of computer vision to hardware still needs to be solved.
Sony is already licensing 3-D integration techniques for their image sensors: http://www.eetimes.com/electronics-news/4229507/Ziptronix-bo...