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TiVo Files Patent For RFID Schema

Posted by Zonk on from the chip-me-now dept.

JamesAlfaro wrote to mention an article on the site TechWeb, which reports that Tivo has filed a patent for an RFID-based preferences schema. From the article: "The multimedia mobile personalization system would have a remote control that recognizes the viewer's RFID tag closest to the PVR. The remote control identifies and notifies the multimedia device through the RFID chip in the person's clothing or body to tailor the media content to their preferences. The remote control device would identify and link the viewer to the system using an 'RFID tag that is attached to a key ring, necklace, watch, in his wallet, or even a sub dermal tag inserted somewhere in the user's body.'"

4 of 129 comments (clear)

  1. FRIST PSOT by LordSnooty · · Score: 2, Informative

    DUPE!!!!

    Cor, that feels great, I've always wanted to do that.

  2. Re:Just Overkill by krakelohm · · Score: 2, Informative

    Yes its stupid I agree, but on this subject... you cannot do anything with your series 2 tivo if you lose the remote control. There are some pretty lights on the front of the box, and thats about it. No buttons.

    --
    You are all a bunch of idots.
  3. Re:I'm sorry... by back_pages · · Score: 2, Informative
    You claim that "There must be a documented motivation to combine the technologies, or the practice of combining them must be known to a person of ordinary skill in the relevant art." But the "person skilled in the art" clause in patent law, does not refer to an actual person who has done it before. It asks that if an imaginary "person skilled in the art" was given the same task, would they have been able to come up with the idea?

    The original poster is 100% correct. No offense, but I have no clue where "would they have been able to come up with the idea" question has any base in 35 USC, 37 CFR, or the MPEP. If you have any citations, I'd love to see them. I assure you that this is not the operative question when patent examiners are rejecting your application.

    I advise that you become familiar with the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure because the original poster is clearly familiar with it.

    Here are two relevant portions of the MPEP regarding how to prove something is "obvious", MPEP 2143 and 2143.01.

    MPEP 2143

    MPEP 2143.01

    You will find the original poster's comments are completely in line with the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure. With all due respect, comments and opinions that diverge from what the MPEP states are either a) suggestions to improve the patent system or b) simply irrelevant, depending on the context. In both cases, these comments would have no relation to the current US patent system as it exists.

    It is my intention to be informative - I hope you won't take offense. If you have other questions about the MPEP or how the patent system works, I'd be happy to cite what I can.

  4. Diagrams by Spammy+McGriddle · · Score: 2, Informative

    Patent diagrams of two TiVo scenarios, one for remote control and one for sharing shows in hotels, can be found here: http://www.zatznotfunny.com/2005-11/tivos-rfid-rem ote-control-patent/