Microsoft Gaming Patents — Where They're Going

An anonymous reader writes "BNET looked at some patents which suggest that Microsoft might be thinking about an integrated game console/set-top box. Quoting: 'Patent 20080167128 is for watching television on a game console, while patent 20080167127 covers switching a gaming console between various media, including television, video, music, and games, and even using the console as a set-top box. Clearly Microsoft has been interested in controlling the living room, and combining media, gaming, and set-top functions in a single device would make a great deal of sense.' There are also hints of mobile gaming that support the current round of rumors about a combination Xbox-Zune. "

Comments

Easier target candidate

[gmuslera]

Putting fences all around Imaginationland. They could have no plan to build it, but want to make sure nobody else will.

Actually just applications

[Dachannien]

These are actually just published applications, not patents (you can tell because the number starts with the publication year, whereas patent numbers are just serial numbers in increasing order roughly by date of issuance).

What's interesting is that the first one linked is specifically limited to a game console, while the second one sounds as though a MythTV box with MythGame/MAME would read on most, if not all, of the claims (whether under anticipation or obviousness depends on whether you consider a MythTV box with MythGame to be a game console).

invention vs innovation

[Anonymous Coward]

When America stopped Inventing and started Innovating was the beginning of the decline. When Bell created the telephone it was an Invention. When the RIAA finds a new way to sue people its an Innovation. Creating a new lifsaving medication, Invention. Offering crippled versions of Windows at different price points, Innovation.

Innovation is a term lawers and marketing goons use to glorify their often nauseating and sometimes unethical practices.

Regarding the article. It's not an invention with a product in mind. It's ammunition for their arsenal of potential patent litigation intended to coerce compliance from competitors. In a word, an innovation. Not news, move along.

Gaming console rented as set top box

[dvorakhound]

If MS gives the xbox cable hosting capabilities, and partners with a cable provider like Comcast so that they offer the Xbox as the rent-a-cable-box solution, they would make an absolute killing.