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Microsoft Trying To Patent a 'Magic Wand'
Posted by
CmdrTaco
on Mon May 18, 2009 11:11 AM
from the also-patenting-bag-of-holding dept.
from the also-patenting-bag-of-holding dept.
theodp writes "Newly-disclosed USPTO documents show that Microsoft is seeking patent protection for a 'Magic Wand,' a device with various gizmos and sensors that can manipulate and interact with its environment, including video and holographic images, while using biometrics to connect with the user. 'Even the most pragmatic individual,' explains Microsoft, 'would have trouble arguing against the merits or utility of, say, a magic wand that actually worked to control or communicate with objects or components in an associated nearby environment.' No doubt. The inventors include CXO/CTO J Allard, and Sr. Researcher Andy Wilson."
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It's called a Wii-mote! (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:It's called a Wii-mote! (Score:5, Insightful)
And all other remote controls that already exists and has existed since "deity-knows-when".
Even the director's wand at an orchestra is a form of remote. But not very advanced in itself.
Parent
Re: (Score:3, Interesting)
Even the director's wand at an orchestra is a form of remote. But not very advanced in itself.
Ah, Music, A magic beyond all we do here at Hogwarts!
Seriously though, I've long considered the idea of a so called "magic wand" as being the penultimate input device for a holographic mobile computer. second only to simple gestures in air.
although in the meantime I'd be happy with embedded high definition video screens in normal looking glasses attached to the cell phone in my pocket perhaps with 3G/wifi.
Re: (Score:3, Funny)
I think Disney should get involved in this. After all, they released a 9 minute demonstration of it in 1940.
Re: (Score:3, Insightful)
Well, it's more than a wii-mote. The question is how much more than the sum of the additions? I think that's a critical question.
I'm wary of any kind of kitchen-sink approach to inventing. An invention should somehow be more than the sum of its parts, otherwise where's the originality? If you said, take a wii-mote and add this one specific element and now something qualitatively new becomes possible, then you'd have a good argument that you invented something. If you say, take a wii-mote and add everyt
Re:Not new (Score:5, Funny)
"It's not the size of the wand...but, the MAGIC behind it!!
Parent
Vas Flam! (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Vas Flam! (Score:5, Funny)
Yes?
And do you put on your robe and wizard hat before you use it?
Parent
First result on search for "Magic Wand" (Score:3, Funny)
This is the first search result for "magic wand":
http://www.amazon.com/Vibratex-HV-250R-Hitachi-Magic-Massager/dp/B00005M1WE [amazon.com]
I think MS needs to rethink their naming. I doubt this is what they have in mind. Besides, the Wii beat them to it in designing a controller that looks like a sex toy.
Re: (Score:3, Funny)
I think MS needs to rethink their naming. I doubt this is what they have in mind.
Then again we're talking about the company whose CEO wants to squirt you pictures of his kids [softpedia.com]...
Re:First result on search for "Magic Wand" (Score:5, Funny)
Wandows?
Parent
Do not insert mouse . . . (Score:2)
I swear I read in the instructions for an SGI mouse back in the 90s "do not insert the mouse in your mouth or any other body orifice."
So there is a need here...
Away, varlet! (Score:2)
Don't forget the ORIGINAL Magic Wand! (Score:4, Interesting)
Surely someone is going to point out the comparison to the original magic wand? I think this might prevent Micro$oft's patent as it came out in the 1970s??
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16896630001 [newegg.com]
Re: (Score:3, Funny)
Mods are crazy, how is parent off topic? (Score:2)
Are you mods crazy? How is parent off-topic?
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
Surely someone is going to point out the comparison to the original magic wand?
You mean the one behind the fig leaf?
The Doctor called... (Score:5, Funny)
The Doctor called... He wants to have a word with them about his sonic screwdriver.
It's called a universal remote (Score:3, Insightful)
Sure, they can patent a magic wand, (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Sure, they can patent a magic wand, (Score:5, Insightful)
Maybe.
But their magical marketing team has managed to transmogrify a thinly veiled facelift of it into the widely hyped Windows 7.
Parent
Re: (Score:2)
I thought they already did that trick. I believe the incantation was "Presto Requirio Systemaximo!"
let me be the first to say (Score:2, Funny)
RECTUMSEMPRA...
which is either a spell from Harry Potter or Latin for Timely Assholes.
Magic Wang Err wand.
Re: (Score:2, Funny)
"Levitatus Chairus!"
"Developamus! Developamus! Developamus!"
Prior art (Score:2)
What about Wand of Levitation, Wand of Cold, Wand of Teleportation and Wand of Wonder?
Once again, Microsoft is late to the game.
That could actually be fun (Score:4, Interesting)
Having something that operates a bit like a wii controller combined with a universal remote.
Imagine pointing the wand at your receiver and giving an upward flitting motion and the receiver bumps up the volume. or flick to the right and it changes stations or goes to the next track. Twirl it in a circle clockwise to turn on or counterclockwise to turn off etc.
And would only react to the device you point at. (might have to establish separate gestures for nearby components etc)
I'd buy that.
Re: (Score:3, Funny)
Combining the accuracy of the Wiimote with a gestural interface seems like a very bad idea.
Re: (Score:2)
Having something that operates a bit like a wii controller combined with a universal remote.
Imagine pointing the wand at your receiver and giving an upward flitting motion and the receiver bumps up the volume. or flick to the right and it changes stations or goes to the next track. Twirl it in a circle clockwise to turn on or counterclockwise to turn off etc.
And would only react to the device you point at. (might have to establish separate gestures for nearby components etc)
I'd buy that.
Sounds nifty... But I fail to see how it would be an improvement over the universal remote that I have.
I don't see how physical gestures would be any easier or more intuitive than just hitting a button labeled "on" or "volume." And I'm really not sure how it would tell whether I want to turn on the TV, the VCR, the DVD player, or the cable box... They're all piled within about a foot of eachother. Unless you had a different gesture for each device... Or a selector switch/button to tell the wand what to
Re: (Score:2)
I would have thought the initial pointing at the device you want to control would be enough to indicate which device is being controlled, then you can just use the same motions to mean different things to different device.
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For what its worth... (Score:5, Funny)
the USPTO should (Score:3, Interesting)
I see your shwartz is a big as mine... (Score:3, Funny)
OT: Paid by word? (Score:5, Interesting)
Somewhat off-topic, but the wording in patent applications always amuses me. For instance, the abstract says:
They say "one or more sensor from a collection of sensors", which is redundant. They could just say "sensors". And why say "can further issue an instruction to update a state of an environmental component" when it is simpler to just say "can update another component"?
I understand the need for precision. And I guess if they don't claim "one or more sensors" then someone can try to circumvent the patent by doing the same thing with only one single sensor (or whatever). But it still sounds ridiculous, and is no excuse for making confusing sentences. So many sentences are needlessly complicated or outright superfluous. Is there really no better way to word patents?
Can anyone comment? Is that kind of wording truly necessary for the patent to be robust, or is the wording intentionally obtuse and confusing, so that they can later use the ambiguity to argue for broader applicability?
Re: (Score:2)
Sure, but what does the "from a collection of sensors" add to the meaning? And why can't they just write "sensor(s)" if they absolutely need the "one or more" part?
And moreover my question is whether or not they really do need the precision of "one or more" (especially in the abstract). The same logic applies to all the other potentially superfluous words. Yes there is a different between "issue an instruction to update" and simply "update", but is that differentiation actually crucially necessary from a le
J Allard Parts the Red Sea? (Score:2)
1. They totally missed on the Tablet PC concept and burned OEM's on it. Don't worry J's going to fix it!
2. They *totally* screwed device developers by dropping their OEM DRM scheme and release one of their own. Don't worry J's going fix the Zune.
3.They totally missed integrating new HID in xbox. Don't worry J's going to fix that too!
4. J's going to be working on an operating system GUI in about a decade. He'll fix that too!
What are the chances just one of those things will work out well for Microsoft?
No thanks.. .. (Score:4, Funny)
[quote]device that can manipulate and interact with its environment[/quote]
I will stick with the katana .. it manupulates and interacts with the phyical enviroment very well.
Does a good job on people with pesky magic wands too!
No sensors or gizmos needed, and only effects what you point it.
YMMV
Prior art from 1997 (Score:2)
From our garden simulator help file:
http://www.kurtz-fernhout.com/help100/00000136.htm [kurtz-fernhout.com]
"The magic wand is used to grow plants, to pull all plants in a soil patch, to duplicate plants and soil patches, to rename plants, to reseed plants, and to place plants in stasis (or remove them from stasis). The tool actions associated with any tool can be changed in the tool editor."
You could also map action from other tools, like the "growcorder" onto the magic wand to use it for that functionality:
And the product will be named... (Score:3, Funny)
Micosoft Wang.
Goldilocks Gold Rush (Score:2)
Will Apple compete with iPixie Dust? Java already has magic beans covered.
Meh (Score:5, Funny)
My GOD! I could use it to CONTROL MY TV!!! (Score:2)
FROM ACROSS THE ROOM!!!!!!!!
As a method of projecting power, there's a lot to be said for the patent system, as opposed to billy clubs, but beyond that it usually seems really lame.
Did they need to wait for Clarke to die first? (Score:5, Funny)
"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic."
And apparently, in their filing, Microsoft thinks that any sufficiently obvious idea is indistinguishable from innovation.
--
Toro
Microsoft is patenting the remote control? (Score:2)
Isn't there prior art?
How is this not a Wii controller? (Score:4, Interesting)
It's already in the shape of a wand. And it can do everything described with simple software updates. Do you get a patent just for using someone else's design now? And that's not considering how innovative the Wii controller is itself.
Voldemort called.... (Score:4, Funny)
He claims prior Dark Art.
Re: (Score:2)
Oh, come on, there are so many better jokes for that.
"Rod of Lordly Might" comes to mind...
Re: (Score:2)
"Magic wand" is now a synonym for "etchings."
Re: (Score:2)
Hitachi already makes one [amazon.com] and my girlfriend loves hers...