Apple has been granted a new U.S. patent that could significantly enhance home security systems, combining facial recognition with body-associated data analysis to improve identification accuracy, which could be foreshadowing the company’s rumored renewed emphasis on smart home devices and a potential security camera.

U.S. Patent No. 12,154,386, awarded on November 26, 2024, outlines a system designed to identify individuals based on not just their face, but also characteristics like body shape, clothing, gait, and gestures. This approach aims to offer more reliable identification, especially when facial recognition alone is not viable.

The patent, identified by Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, comes as rumors swirl about what appears to be a renewed emphasis on the smart home space, with Apple reportedly developing several new smart home-centric devices, including two displays, a HomePod with a screen, and a security camera.

According to the patent document, the system solves the problem of a person’s face being obscured or turned away from the camera by storing additional physical traits associated with an individual, enabling the system to recognize them based on their body shape or even their walking style.

Once a person has been initially recognized through facial recognition, the system captures and associates these physical characteristics with their identity. In subsequent encounters between the individual and the camera system, the system can cross-reference this stored data with new video feeds to determine if the same individual is present, even if their face is not visible.

Apple Patent Has Applications in Security Cameras and Smart Home Integration

Security cameras, often positioned in ways that don’t always capture clear facial images—such as when a person’s face is obscured or when the camera angle is less than ideal—could still identify familiar individuals by analyzing the body-associated data. This provides a more robust method for recognizing known visitors or identifying intruders.

In addition to improving security, this technology could have broader applications in personalized smart home experiences. While not explicitly stated in the patent, the system could be able to adjust lighting, climate control, or trigger other routines that are tailored to a user’s preferences without the need for direct interaction.

The patent also has language describing notifications to mobile devices and even smart TVs about identified individuals approaching the front door of a home, which is important given that smart home controls on TVs seem to be a growing trend.

This also opens up new possibilities for integrating biometric identification into smart homes, creating an even more secure and customized environment for users.

Apple’s Broader Smart Home Ambitions

The patent, which was granted on Nov. 26, follows reporting from Apple analysts on Apple’s smart home future, with the company reportedly developing a security camera, smart home displays, and a new HomePod.

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo was the first to suggest that the company is planning to enter the smart home IP camera market, with production expected to commence in 2026. If this product does come to fruition, it is expected to integrate deeply with Apple’s ecosystem.

Bloomberg’s Apple reporter Mark Gurman has covered several rumors, including a central hub smart home display and a larger one with a robotic arm. Gurman has also suggested that Apple is again exploring developing its own TV set.

Although it’s unclear if it is the same device Gurman reported on, Kuo also says Apple is expected to release a new HomePod with a display in late 2025.

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