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IBM Patents Putting Handprints On Laptops

Posted by kdawson on from the hands-off dept.

theodp writes "You can still leave your handprint in cement at Grauman's Chinese Theater. But as of Tuesday, you best not do the same on a laptop, lest you infringe on IBM's new patent for the Portable Computer with a Hand Impression, an 'invention' that Big Blue explains makes balancing the portable computer on a user's hand easier."

28 of 141 comments (clear)

  1. I don't get it... by ivan256 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    It's in "Your Rights Online", so clearly kdawson wants us to be outraged... Is it because he thinks the idea is dumb, or that the patent is dumb? It's hard to tell in this case, since it seems to be a reasonable idea, and a reasonable patent...

    1. Re:I don't get it... by Timothy+Brownawell · · Score: 4, Insightful

      it seems to be a reasonable idea, and a reasonable patent... Well, it depends on what effect patents are supposed to have. If you think they're supposed to encourage people to publish what they'd otherwise try to keep as trade secrets, then patenting something which is very obvious when inspected isn't reasonable. If you think they're supposed to let people hold progress hostage by recording their daydreams, it's very reasonable.
    2. Re:I don't get it... by dreamchaser · · Score: 5, Funny

      I agree. IBM deserves a hand for this. I'm sure it will leave a lasting impression on the laptop market.

    3. Re:I don't get it... by cerelib · · Score: 2, Informative

      I have to agree. This is a pretty straight forward improvement to an invention patent. The patent seems to be specific on many details of implementation. It is also specific enough that it probably can't rule out any possible use of a hand impression on a portable device. While it may not be the most novel and innovative idea, it is a far cry from the software/process patents that usually appear in the "Your Rights Online" section.

    4. Re:I don't get it... by reebmmm · · Score: 4, Insightful
      NOTE*

      publish what they'd otherwise try to keep as trade secrets

      Not everything that is patentable (or ought to be patentable) must also be trade secret. This is a perfect example (actually most any mechanical invention is a good example). Once it's sold, used, displayed, demoed, described, photograph, etc. it would lose any and all protection.

      Now, arguably, one of the purposes of patents is to encourage people to disclose EARLIER rather than later. Here, you probably see this disclosure before you've actually seen it sold, used, displayed, demoed, described, photograph, etc.

      obvious when inspected
      Just about EVERYTHING seems obvious once you see it. That's the whole reason why the patent law painstakingly tries to AVOID doing your above analysis.

      hold progress hostage by recording their daydreams

      I don't know what this means. Patents have been around for 200 years and progress hasn't slowed by anyone's account.

      Moreover, this is hardly a "daydream" which seems to imply fanciful idea. There's probably almost NOTHING stopping them from implementing it right now. There are probably lots of real estate agents, contractors, etc. that would love to have a laptop that they could hold and show when there is not a table nearby.

      Finally, nothing stopped someone from introducing this idea (without patent protection) before this patent. So as far as I can tell, to the extent this moves progress forward and giving other people ideas, the publication of the patent has done it's job.

      * Like a good slashdotter, I have not actually looked at the patent or RTFA.
    5. Re:I don't get it... by Timothy+Brownawell · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Patents are supposed to promote progress, by imposing restrictions for a couple decades. This only makes sense if what's being restricted would have been restricted for longer/forever (trade secrets), or wouldn't have existed at all. Given that people like to invent things just for fun, and that there was plenty of innovation before patents were invented, I suspect that that second category is close to empty.

    6. Re:I don't get it... by Timothy+Brownawell · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Not everything that is patentable (or ought to be patentable) must also be trade secret. This is a perfect example (actually most any mechanical invention is a good example). Once it's sold, used, displayed, demoed, described, photograph, etc. it would lose any and all protection. The protection isn't (supposed to be) the point. The societal benefit received in exchange for the sacrifice of granting that protection is the point.

      Now, arguably, one of the purposes of patents is to encourage people to disclose EARLIER rather than later. Here, you probably see this disclosure before you've actually seen it sold, used, displayed, demoed, described, photograph, etc. But this is a much lesser disclosure, in that there are heavy restrictions on what you can do with it.

      Just about EVERYTHING seems obvious once you see it. So patents ONLY provide a benefit when the patented thing would otherwise never be invented (or at least not be invented for another several years).
    7. Re:I don't get it... by skarphace · · Score: 4, Insightful

      I don't know what this means. Patents have been around for 200 years and progress hasn't slowed by anyone's account.
      How could you possibly know this? Industrialization is younger then 200 years and normal 'inventionalism'(yeah, I pulled that out of my butt) never really started until then. There were the occasionally blacksmiths but nothing really all that interesting.

      How could you possibly know that progress isn't moving slower because of patent law?

      I may even like to bring up the booming asian bootleg market. Their level of innovation is skyrocketing by leaping off of other people's patentable ideas and improving them. That alone may be a good argument that patents are not helping innovation.
      --
      Bullish Machine Tzar
  2. just another take... by bsDaemon · · Score: 3, Insightful

    How is this anything more than just another take on ergonomic grips on other products -- for instance the finger grooves on the grip of a pistol?

    Not that I can say I've had a problem performing this task WITHOUT their little patent, but interesting IBM would want it, seeing as how they've sold their laptop-making division already anyway.

    1. Re:just another take... by getto+man+d · · Score: 5, Insightful

      FTA:
      "A hand impression is disposed on a bottom surface of the chassis base unit.

      Though this begs the question of how many people actually use a laptop in this fashion. I myself cannot see it entirely useful (e.g. typing) or comfortable.

    2. Re:just another take... by gnick · · Score: 2, Insightful

      feh. It brings up a question which is begging for an answer. It does not beg the question. This seems like a petty peve. It seems obvious enough that by:

      this begs the question of how many people actually use a laptop in this fashion. the esteemed "getto man d" meant:

      This begets the question, "How many people actually use a laptop in this fashion?" Double feh.
      --
      He's getting rather old, but he's a good mouse.
    3. Re:just another take... by webrunner · · Score: 2, Interesting

      They try to downplay actual lap-top use (in case of another burn lawsuit) to the point that they almost say "do not use this on your legs"

      Notice how companies never actually call them "laptops"? They'll call them either "notebook computer" or "labtop" (as in: put on the counter of a research lab).

      Releasing one with leg grooves would be rather strange, given that.

      --
      ADVENTURERS! - ANTIHERO FOR HIRE - CARDMASTER CONFLICT
  3. More like... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

    ...you best not do the same on a laptop, [and then produce it for sale to other people] lest you infringe on IBM's new patent for the Portable Computer with a Hand Impression, ...

    Patents don't stop you from doing things, they stop you from making money for doing said things.

  4. It's another biometrics toy. by Sierran · · Score: 4, Informative

    The handprint is there, claims the patent, in order to facilitate the 'proper carrying' of the 'computing device.' However, I don't think I've ever carried my laptop balanced like a waiter's tray, or held it to my side while closed without wrapping the carrying hand around the edge underneath it for support. What they do say, buried in the patent, is that the patent also covers the use of 'biometric devices' inside the handprint, presumably for identity verification. If so, I"m not sure how this any better than a fingerprint port, unless they plan to have biometrics cover the entire print or even all five fingers - which will be more expensive for dubious additional security.

    --
    A hero is someone who knows when to run away. I am a hero. -Trent the Uncatchable
    1. Re:It's another biometrics toy. by Dachannien · · Score: 3, Informative

      It's not really "buried in the patent". It's mentioned right up front in claim 1, and the headline for this article seems oblivious to that point.

  5. This is a great idea by Lostlander · · Score: 3, Funny

    I think I'm going to patent a process by which a footprint is left in a SiO2 water suspension and used for tracing the location of an individual.

  6. Looks at his Laptop... by hyperz69 · · Score: 3, Funny

    Sees handprints all over it's exterior.

    Oh crap, I hope IBM will lease the technology to me cheaply ;\

  7. Re:what next? by xpuppykickerx · · Score: 3, Funny

    but what if you want to go lefty and pretent it's someone else?

  8. Exactly by JonTurner · · Score: 2, Funny

    Makes me want to patent an impression of my boot in the rear end of the reviewer who approved this patent.

  9. Re:what next? by db32 · · Score: 4, Funny

    I think if you are putting digit imprints you probably don't have a girl to worry about as that particular body part is already shaped correctly for it's corresponding girl part. The digit imprints would clearly be for those who lack access to the corresponding girl part.

    --
    The only change I can believe in is what I find in my couch cushions.
  10. Not obvious? by Bombula · · Score: 2, Informative

    Unless I'm mistaken, only non-obvious inventions can be protected by patents. Even if something is novel, useful, or a new combination of existing ideas, it must still be non-obvious to be patentable.

    --
    A-Bomb
    1. Re:Not obvious? by Uncle+Focker · · Score: 4, Insightful

      This is the USPTO we are talking about right? Since when has the obviousness of an invention stopped them from granting a patent?

  11. The next big invention... by imyy4u3 · · Score: 4, Funny

    ...a biometric laptop that is "ergonomically designed" for being "carried" on your "lap" while looking at porn. It is called the Magnum Laptop for the big boys, and the Tiny Laptop in China.

  12. Re:How about a lap impression? by realisticradical · · Score: 3, Funny

    Daddy, why is there a hole in your laptop?

  13. Insensitive bastards! by DaveV1.0 · · Score: 4, Funny

    I don't have a hand. I have a flipper!

    --
    There is no "-1 offended" or "-1 you don't agree with me" mod options for a reason.
  14. Re:What if by Smallpond · · Score: 3, Funny

    Then IBM would have to redesign with smaller sensors.

  15. Was it sized? by hurfy · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Do i have to order my next laptop as Left or Right, how about Small, Medium, or Large?

    Didn't get far enough to see if it is just a generic hand print or custom ($$$) But my hand print won't work if they use my dad for an impression and vice-versa.

    Despite that the impression seems reasonable if only marginally useful. Putting sensors in it seems dumb tho. I don't want to HAVE to hold it that way. Not to mention, aren't most of these small computers really cheap? Adding a bevy of sensors seems counter-productive to that. ...and now i know why noone wants to RTFA...ugh

  16. Balance on hand? Who cares? by PPH · · Score: 3, Funny

    First one to the patent office with the laptop with two kneecap impressions on the bottom wins the big bucks!

    --
    Have gnu, will travel.