Squilliam on 04 August 2010
Article: http://www.t3.com/feature/exclusive-...x-kinect-work?
Why Kinect is ever so wide!
The problem facing the microphone subsystem is that it needs to be sensitive to voices up to 10 feet away, while being able to ignore ambient noises and any sounds other than your voice. To solve this problem, the Microsoft lab went to 250 homes with 16 microphones and took a host of recordings from different setups, determining in the end the very best mic positioning.
The end result is an array of four downward-facing (so that the front of Kinect stays clean and grill-free) mics, spaced one on the left and three on the right. In fact, this specific microphone placement is the only reason why Kinect is as wide as it is.
The end result is an array of four downward-facing (so that the front of Kinect stays clean and grill-free) mics, spaced one on the left and three on the right. In fact, this specific microphone placement is the only reason why Kinect is as wide as it is.
Source: http://www.t3.com/feature/xbox-kinect-how-the-voice-recognition-works
The motor:
The final part of Kinect’s tech-laden underbelly is its motor. Microsoft spent time looking at the differences in living spaces across American, European and Asian homes, and realised that the camera needed to be able to move up and down to calibrate to each specific space.
When you get your hands on Kinect, you might notice that the base is quite weighty. While this is in part to stop the unit from falling over, it’s also due to the motor being located there. It’s able to move the unit’s head up and down, plus or minus 30 degrees, meaning that (when placed at the optimal 3-6ft height) it can still work regardless of your TV unit’s height.
When you get your hands on Kinect, you might notice that the base is quite weighty. While this is in part to stop the unit from falling over, it’s also due to the motor being located there. It’s able to move the unit’s head up and down, plus or minus 30 degrees, meaning that (when placed at the optimal 3-6ft height) it can still work regardless of your TV unit’s height.
Source: http://www.t3.com/feature/xbox-kinect-how-the-motor-works
More details/pictures in the links, you're better off clicking them if you want to know about the subject.
Tease.
