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Mobile Sharing: "Bezos Beep" Vs. Smartphone Bump

Posted by samzenpus on from the talk-talk-talk dept.

theodp writes "GeekWire wonders if the 'Bezos Beep' could replace the smartphone bump for mobile content sharing. A newly-published patent application listing Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos as sole inventor describes the use of audio signals to share content and communicate between devices, eliminating the need for NFC chips and facilitating the simultaneous sharing of content with multiple people via a remote server. From the patent application: 'For example, a first device can emit an encoded audio signal that can be received by any capable device within audio range of the device. Any device receiving the signal can decode the information included in the signal and obtain a location to access the content from that information.'"

10 of 180 comments (clear)

  1. New and interesting technology by pryoplasm · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Doesn't sound like a software based dialup modem at all...

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    1. Re:New and interesting technology by langelgjm · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Yeah, I read the claim (there's only one):

      1. A method of sharing information for accessing content on a computing device, comprising: generating, on a first device, an encoded information signal, the information signal including information associated with accessing the content; outputting the encoded information signal as an audible signal; audibly receiving, at a second device, the encoded information signal; decoding the information signal to identify the information associated with accessing the content; and accessing the content with the second device utilizing at least part of the information associated with accessing the content, wherein the second device accesses the content from a source other than the first device.

      So... if I take an acoustic coupler, amplify its volume, and put it near two handsets, then use the connection to access a URL, I'd be violating this patent. If this is granted, it will be (another) sad day for the USPTO.

      --
      "Anyone who [rips a CD] is probably engaging in copyright infringement." - David O. Carson
    2. Re:New and interesting technology by L4t3r4lu5 · · Score: 5, Funny

      New form of urban terrorism: Ringtone trolling. Set your ringtone to loud, have it as the encoded URL to $ShockSite.

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    3. Re:New and interesting technology by Xemu · · Score: 4, Funny

      New form of urban terrorism: Ringtone trolling. Set your ringtone to loud, have it as the encoded URL to $ShockSite.

      In the next generation of this technology, there will be a secure way of transmitting messages by moving the audio in a small tube connected to the other device.

      Future developments may include sending audio messages to multiple devices across a network of interconnected tubes.

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  2. Yeah, and... by 6Yankee · · Score: 4, Insightful

    ...marketers won't use this to hijack my phone anywhere they can get hold of a speaker.

    1. Re:Yeah, and... by TheGratefulNet · · Score: 4, Funny

      they'll play it so loud, it Hertz!

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      --
      "It is now safe to switch off your computer."
  3. Dang by nortcele · · Score: 5, Funny

    Jeff just patented the 300 baud modem.

    1. Re:Dang by fuzzyfuzzyfungus · · Score: 4, Funny

      Jeff just patented the 300 baud modem.

      No, no, no! He said 'encode' and 'decode' rather than 'modulate' and 'demodulate', which makes this totally different. Plus, we all know that the patentability of an otherwise ridiculous claim can be magically restored by the addition of 'over the internet' or 'on a cellphone'. This patent includes both!

  4. Prior art? chrp.io by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Interesting

    This app has been around for a year or so:

    http://chirp.io

    Might be considered prior art?

  5. Zenith Space Command by SIGBUS · · Score: 4, Insightful

    The old Zenith TV remotes used ultrasonic signals to activate TV functions. There's nothing new here other than "on a computer."

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