main

Microsoft patents body power

WishX   on 23 June 2004 - 13:56 · 13 comments & 351 views

Advertisement (Why?)
In its latest patent, Microsoft describes how to transmit power and data between wearable devices, and how to turn your toy poodle into a virtual keyboard.

Microsoft has been awarded a patent for turning your skin into a power conduit and data bus, and which describes a novel idea for a keyboard that should have most household pets running scared. Patent number 6,754,472 describes a method of transmitting power and data to devices worn on the body, and for communication of data between those devices.

In its filing, Microsoft cites the proliferation of wearable electronic devices, such as wristwatches, pagers, PDAs (worn on people's belts) and small displays that can now be worn mounted on headgear. "As a result of carrying multiple portable electronic devices, there is often a significant amount of redundancy in terms of input/output devices included in the portable devices used by a single person," says the filing. "For example, a watch, pager, PDA and radio may all include a speaker."

View: Complete Article
News source: ZDNet UK


We've now had this story twice :)

Post a comment · Send to friend Comments · There are 13 additional comments
#1 shrike on 23 Jun 2004 - 14:40
has anybody patented the patent? I'm sick of these companies patenting everything under the sun.
#2 Shagadelic, Baby! on 23 Jun 2004 - 14:45
Long live free enterprise economy!

...
(2 replies) #3 TrunksGoku on 23 Jun 2004 - 15:12
matrix anyone?
#3.1 mrbester on 23 Jun 2004 - 15:14
No thanks, I'm trying to cut down...
#3.2 rstroud on 23 Jun 2004 - 17:16
That's exactly what I thought...creepy...
#4 asimo on 23 Jun 2004 - 15:16
sorry about this but i couldnt help myself...



but surely someone could do a better job.
Edited to fix link

Last edited by 55640 on 23 Jun 2004 - 15:24
#5 markjensen on 23 Jun 2004 - 15:24
I think that the first person that ever got an electric shock (perhaps a caveman struck by lightning?) could be used as "prior art" on the "using the body to transmit power".
#6 Dee on 23 Jun 2004 - 15:35
I don't know about the rest of you guys, but I already wear my wristwatch, pager, PDA and small display mounted on my headgear...
#7 chacho on 23 Jun 2004 - 16:20
USPO really needs to cut back on this type of junk...
(2 replies) #8 Cryptic_Night on 23 Jun 2004 - 17:11
Is this like patent number 12 in the past 3 months Microsoft has filed? Soon they will have a patent for "Someone's Life and what they do with it".
#8.1 betasp on 23 Jun 2004 - 18:09
Actually I suspect they will patent the proper and efficient way to drain a checking account. I don't believe there is any prior art as specific and efficient as theirs.
#8.2 rogerroger on 23 Jun 2004 - 20:17
ROTFLOL.
#9 tryfe on 24 Jun 2004 - 12:08
Holy crap; they have a patent for double-clicking?! What in the hell?!?!

Commenting has either been disabled on this article or you are not logged in. Click here to login or register, its free!

Note: Anonymous commenting is disabled in order to keep the quality of responses to a high standard.

Advertisement (Why?)