Microsoft's Kinect Patent Applications Revealed, Includes American Sign Language Support

This patent application from Microsoft went public last week, revealing gesture communication that dips into sign language territory. Is Sign Language Hero next?

Update: It seems that the downgrade that the camera has taken through the developmental process may have taken a toll on this idea (without gloves or reflective nodes). With the current resolution of the IR camera as 320x240, half of where it started at 640x480, it seems that the idea was scrapped. 

A Microsoft spokesperson told Kotaku: "Microsoft files lots of patent applications to protect our intellectual property, not all of which are brought to market right away. Kinect that is shipping this holiday will not support sign language."