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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.'"

12 of 129 comments (clear)

  1. Massive technological overkill by Ithika · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Because choosing preferences onscreen or by pressing a button on a remote control is so labour-intensive and laborious. It's a wonder mankind manages to use things as they are.

    --
    the layman's guide to computer science
    1. Re:Massive technological overkill by ergo98 · · Score: 5, Funny

      Because choosing preferences onscreen or by pressing a button on a remote control is so labour-intensive and laborious. It's a wonder mankind manages to use things as they are.

      "It appears that Tom has entered the room. Shall I switch to Channel 54 - HotTeenAnal?"

    2. Re:Massive technological overkill by Ithika · · Score: 3, Interesting

      No, you managed to completely miss my point. The current solution (the remote control) has no flaws which this system solves. Television, toilet paper, the internet are all inventions to solve problems; this is just use of technology because it exists. And, use where it complicates the situation. Why not just have a button on the remote marked "Dad's prefs", "Mum's prefs", "Johnny's prefs"? That way conflicts can be managed sensibly (by talking about who wants to watch what) rather than some priority system which the TiVo attributes to different RFIDs. Why do *you* think this system is *not* overkill?

      --
      the layman's guide to computer science
    3. Re:Massive technological overkill by dwandy · · Score: 4, Funny

      No time to press so many butto

      --
      If you think imaginary property and real property are the same, when does your house become public domain?
  2. This patent is good by alispguru · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Patenting the idea will discourage others from using it for this purpose. I like the idea of, say, having an RFID tag in your hospital bracelet, but this is just a way for advertisers to get their hooks even more deeply into us.

    --

    To a Lisp hacker, XML is S-expressions in drag.
  3. Just Overkill by TubeSteak · · Score: 3, Funny

    Do you know people who will spend inordinate amounts of time searching for a lost remote instead of just changing the channel by hand? :raises his hand:
    I do

    --
    [Fuck Beta]
    o0t!
    1. Re:Just Overkill by Peaceful_Patriot · · Score: 3, Interesting

      "Do you know people who will spend inordinate amounts of time searching for a lost remote instead of just changing the channel by hand? :raises his hand"

      This brings up an issue which has always bugged me: Why don't they put a 'page' button on the set so you can FIND the damned remote? Geeze. This seems like a no-brainer to me.

      --
      There is nothing so powerful as an idea whose time has come.
  4. I'm sorry... by barfy · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Isn't this like patenting using paint to protect the outside of your house?

    Recognizing an identity and reacting to it, is a primary function and obvious function of RFID. You know like using lightbulbs to illuminate your closet.

  5. Mooooooooommmmmmm !!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Johnny's sitting closer to ther Tivo than meeeeee !!

    1. Re:Mooooooooommmmmmm !!! by mobby_6kl · · Score: 3, Funny

      Well now have more options available than previously:

      -Wrap Johnny in tinfoil
      -Lock him in a Faraday cage
      -Microwave him
      -Take away the tag (if it's externally attached to Johnny)
      -Remove the tag (if it's not)

  6. Obligatory ISR... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    In Soviet Russia, TiVo records you!!!

  7. The Real Reason by slarrg · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Of course, the real reason Tivo wants to have viewers identified by RFID is so they can sell the data to the television networks for advertising tracking. They already do this with the their data. Remember the Janet Jackson superbowl incident was said by Tivo to be the most rewinds of any event because they track everything their users watch/record/rewind. The obvious "holy grail" is to track it to an individual person, not just to the box.