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Microsoft Patents Module-Based Smartphone

Posted by samzenpus on from the swiss-army-phone dept.

edumacator writes "It seems Microsoft is working on an interesting concept for smartphones, or maybe they are just adding to their patent war chest. From the article: 'A recent Microsoft patent describes a smartphone with a slide-out section that can house one of several modules, including a QWERTY keyboard, a gaming pad, a second display or a battery pack. Even better: The modules work wirelessly when they aren't docked in the smartphone's slider. Another useful way the modular smartphone concept could be used: The keyboard can be used as a controller while the smartphone acts as a TV-connected media hub.'"

5 of 101 comments (clear)

  1. Handspring Visor by HomerJ · · Score: 4, Informative

    Didn't Handspring--now defunct--already do this like 12 years ago? There were all sorts of devices for their PDAS, including a GSM module.

    1. Re:Handspring Visor by Hamsterdan · · Score: 3, Informative

      The name for that interface was Springboard
      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Springboard_Expansion_Slot

      in an ironic way, also the name of the homescreen in iOS
      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SpringBoard

      Quick, someone tell Handspring to sue Apple :)

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  2. Prior art? by Lisias · · Score: 5, Informative

    http://www.designboom.com/weblog/cat/16/view/5578/modu-modular-mobile-phone.html

    (and this is just the first link of a google search...)

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    1. Re:Prior art? by lucidlyTwisted · · Score: 1, Informative

      Hasn't the "First to File" rule changed all this in the USA? Whether or not prior art exists is now moot, it is the first to file a patent that is the important thing. So if those designers did not patent their idea, they are out of luck.

      Please someone, correct me if I am wrong in this.

    2. Re:Prior art? by icebraining · · Score: 3, Informative

      Prior art still exists, it just has to be published. From the act:

      A person shall be entitled to a patent unlessâ"

      â(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention; or

      â(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date[3] of the claimed invention.

      The thing is that before when two inventors claimed the same patent, you'd go to court and try to find private documents, witnesses, etc. to prove you had invent it first. Now, if you didn't publish the work publicly, it's the file date that counts.
      This has you can see saves a bunch of time; whether it's more or less fair is arguable.

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