I hate the way the news media covers cases like this because they never do something simple, like tell you what patent number is at issue. So this is a mere educated guess, but I think the patent in question is 6,233,389.
Here's claim 1:
1. A process for the simultaneous storage and play back of multimedia data, comprising the steps of:
accepting television (TV) broadcast signals, wherein said TV signals are based on a multitude of standards, including, but not limited to, National Television Standards Committee (NTSC) broadcast, PAL broadcast, satellite transmission, DSS, DBS, or ATSC;
tuning said TV signals to a specific program;
providing at least one Input Section, wherein said Input Section converts said specific program to an Moving Pictures Experts Group (MPEG) formatted stream for internal transfer and manipulation;
providing a Media Switch, wherein said Media Switch parses said MPEG stream, said MPEG stream is separated into its video and audio components;
storing said video and audio components on a storage device;
providing at least one Output Section, wherein said Output Section extracts said video and audio components from said storage device;
wherein said Output Section assembles said video and audio components into an MPEG stream;
wherein said Output Section sends said MPEG stream to a decoder;
wherein said decoder converts said MPEG stream into TV output signals;
wherein said decoder delivers said TV output signals to a TV receiver; and
accepting control commands from a user, wherein said control commands are sent through the system and affect the flow of said MPEG stream.
If you can't tell the difference between SDTV and HDTV, you are blind. The difference is far from "practically imperceptible". E.g., a friend of mine was testing his new 62" TV. He was watching the NCAA basketball tourney. The first thing I noticed was that the picture looked like crap. He said that not all the games are in HD and switched to an HD broadcast to show me the difference. The difference is not small. SD looks blurry compared to HD (there is a reason Best Buy and the like always show HD content on the demo TVs--no one would buy a 60" TV if they were showing SDTV.
This explains why the iPod is so easily scratched--they want people to buy aftermarket cases. (Seriously, I bought an iPod yesterday. The back already has several long scratches on it.)
I completely agree with you. NAV is immensely useful to me. However, I had just moved to a different metroo area when I bought the car with the NAV system. I don't think it would be as useful people who are still in their "home" towns. However, point 5 warrants elaboration. Sometimes, Yahoo maps tells you to go down a street that is under construction. If you are in an area you are unfamiliar with, you are SOL, because you had been relying on the printed directions to take you there. With NAV, just take a detour and the NAV system will automatically re-route you to your destination.
I do find myself taking my eyes off the road to input addresses into the system, though. Usually, I try to enter the destination in the parking lot, or at a stop light. But it takes so long to enter in sometimes, that I am forced to enter the address while moving. That said, once the address is entered, it is 10-times less distracting than Yahoo Maps or a paper map.
I didn't RTFA, but the summary makes it sound like it's the inputting of addresses in the NAV system that is distracting, not the following of the directions of the NAV system.
The Franck Muller Crazy Hours watch is an analog watch that doesn't display the hours normally. Instead of going from 1 to 12 linearly, it jumps around from hour to hour. 1 o'clock is at the normal position, but the next hour is 6, followed by 11, 9, 4, and 2. So the hour hand jumps at every hour to the correct time.
Franck Muller watches are expensive, ($14,750 at one retailer) but you can get a replica for $199 or even $179.
Clocks aren't always available. E.g., shopping malls and casinos specifically DON'T have clocks so you lose track of time. Plus, it's easier to discreetly look at your watch when, e.g., you're in a meeting, than it is to ask someone what time it is or pull out your cell phone.
Re:The Pocket *gasp* Only two inches away...
on
Polite Cell Phones
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· Score: 1
When you're sitting down, retrieving your phone from the hip is ten times easier than getting it from your pocket.
Aside from that, even if you do get an interview it might be one of those "well, we know we won't hire this one but we need to interview X number of people"
This happens for on-campus interviews as well. At one law school, for example, every firm interviewing must interview 20 people. However, because the resumes are submitted beforehand, the really prestigious firms basically pick who they are going to "call back" for a second interview before the interviews even start. (The people at the top of the class will get a call back unless they do something atrocious in the interview). This leads to situations that are funny in retrospect, but discouraging at the time.
For example, one firm interviewed on-campus on a Monday. These interviews last all day long, so it would seem that it would be impossible to get a letter out that day, right? Wrong. The 15 candidates they didn't care about got their rejection letters on Tuesday.
Another firm had a weird history of only hiring the person at the top of the class. Not near the top, you had to have the highest GPA. This had happened 4 years in a row, so a pattern was clearly developing. So the person who was #1 aced her interview and got a call back. The rest of us were treated to what amounted to practice interviews. In my case, there were two interviewers. One of them introduced herself to me and immediately excused herself because she had to meet with one of her former professors? Huh? Couldn't you at least have the dignity to not show up at all and be "called away for a meeting." Instead of telling me to my face that I'm not as important as a former professor.
First, while you are in patent pending, you are protected.
You can't sue for patent infringement unless your patent has issued. See this about.com article: "The protection afforded by a patent does not start until the actual grant of the patent."
Second, Patents are not expensive, paten lawyers are.
You can file a patent as an individual for a few hundred dollars.
Yes, the filing fee is only $500 for an individual. But someone has to write the application. Someone has to respond to the office actions. Sure, you could do it yourself, but wouldn't you rather have someone who actually has done it before prepare the response?
Here's an attempt to explain a difference between first to file and first to invent.
Inventor A invent product X on January 2, 2005, but keeps it secret and doesn't file a patent for it until July 1, 2005. In the meantime, inventor B invents product X on March 1, 2005. But he files a patent for it on March 31, 2005. In a first to file country, Inventor B is considered the inventor of the product X. There is nothing that Inventor A can do to obtain the patent for product X.
In a first to invent country, after inventor A files a patent, the Patent Office will cite the patent filed by inventor B. Inventor A can then attempt to prove that he actually invented product X before March 1, 2005.
What you (parent poster) are doing is assuming that "first to invent" means that you can patent something that was invented hundreds of years ago. That is not true. You still have to deal with prior art. The only thing first to file means is that you can no longer wait after you invent something before filing the patent application.
Depends on how MS uses their patents. Originally (and this may have changed), MS obtained patents defensively, not to use offensively. That is, MS would obtain a patent merely to show they invented something, to prevent others from using software patents against them.
I HATE the term "alternative". Originally, it was called "alternative" because it was an alternative to the music the was dominating the airwaves at the time. Once "alternative" became mainstream, it was no longer an "alternative" to anything (besides the now non-dominant rock/metal groups.
So everytime CDDB tries to label something "Alternative" I stop it. Originally, I was going to just label music into four categories: rock, rap, jazz, and classical. But in use, that system sucks, because the "rock" genre is way too massive. So I label genres that are prominent in my collection. E.g., Drum & Bass is separate from Trance. I separated out Classical Guitar from Classical. But I still need to find a way to subdivide the Jazz genre.
I think that cryptic model names may have another cost--it makes the various models blend together in a way that makes it difficult to strongly stratify the product line. There is a big "psychological" difference between a Corolla and a Camry. How much difference is there (psychologically) between a 325 and a 525? There's a $15,000 difference in price tag, so you better make the 525 buyer really feel like there getting something special to move them up. But if a "BMW is a BMW" then why bother? How much more status does a 5 series buy you, except among the congnescenti?
I'm a car guy, so I know the difference between a C class and E-class Mercedes, and a 3-series and 5-series BMW. But I'd think that even non-car people know the difference. With BMW, it's particularly easy--5 series is more expensive because the number 3 is smaller than the number 5. But anyone who owns an MB, knows that the C series is the bottom series and the E-series is a lot more expensive.
Speaking of re-branding, I've always wondered why the Corvette is a Chevrolet model. Chevy is their "bottom-of-the line" brand. Why not associate the Corvette (not just the top-of-the-line Chevy, but also the top-of-the-line GM) with Cadillac? I would assume that it's just tradition. The Corvette has always been Chevrolet, so they keep the name.
As with the CD before it, the DVD hits a sweet spot where aficionados might want improvements but the average user just doesn't care enough (if he is even able to discern them).
I disagree. The difference between SACD and CD is subtle, unless you have a really good stereo system. The difference between SD and HD is huge and very noticeable if you have a 50"+ screen. For example, the hotel I was staying in just a few nights ago had a big plasma screen in the kitchen. The Rose Bowl was playing in HD and it looked great. The next morning, the local news was on in SD. Unless you were on crack, there's no way you didn't notice the difference between HD and SD.
He already said he does that. Problem is that you sometimes have to send a one-off label. E.g., 30 labels is fine for a client. But for a messaging service you only use once, you're not going to go through 30 labels.
If you use something like MS Word, it's pretty easy. First, create a label page with the one label you have to print. Then print that label. Then, save the label file. Next time you need a label, just erase the first label (from the Word document), and print the next one. (Actually, erasing the first label is optional, the worst that will happen is that your printer will print on a part of the page without a label.
I agree. Although HD is available in all the major cities in the US, I think it is BluRay that will finally push HD into the mainstream. The enthusiasts all know the benefits of HD now, but once the general public is able to easily get HD on a disc, demand will increase.
I'll second the B&H recommendation. The problem with Newegg (for cameras) is that their selection of cameras, lenses, and accessories pales in comparison to real camera stores. Not only that, but the cameras that I did check were more expensive at Newegg than B&H.
It's not consumers. But it's also not experts. Which can be good or bad depending on your perspective. For example, the car magazines rate cars based on things like handling, drivability, etc. But Consumer Reports is the one that will tell you how the car acts in day to day life. For example, aspects such as grocery handling capability, ease of using the features aren't covered by the car magazines. And CR is the only magazine that ever told me how possible it is to but a car seat in the front seat of certain 2-seater cars. Car and Driver will review the top 2-seaters and tell you which is the best car from their perspective. But only CR told me that it is impossible to put a car seat in certain cars--an aspect of extreme importance to those with children.
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Here's claim 1:
1. A process for the simultaneous storage and play back of multimedia data, comprising the steps of:
accepting television (TV) broadcast signals, wherein said TV signals are based on a multitude of standards, including, but not limited to, National Television Standards Committee (NTSC) broadcast, PAL broadcast, satellite transmission, DSS, DBS, or ATSC;
tuning said TV signals to a specific program;
providing at least one Input Section, wherein said Input Section converts said specific program to an Moving Pictures Experts Group (MPEG) formatted stream for internal transfer and manipulation;
providing a Media Switch, wherein said Media Switch parses said MPEG stream, said MPEG stream is separated into its video and audio components;
storing said video and audio components on a storage device;
providing at least one Output Section, wherein said Output Section extracts said video and audio components from said storage device;
wherein said Output Section assembles said video and audio components into an MPEG stream;
wherein said Output Section sends said MPEG stream to a decoder;
wherein said decoder converts said MPEG stream into TV output signals;
wherein said decoder delivers said TV output signals to a TV receiver; and
accepting control commands from a user, wherein said control commands are sent through the system and affect the flow of said MPEG stream.
If you can't tell the difference between SDTV and HDTV, you are blind. The difference is far from "practically imperceptible". E.g., a friend of mine was testing his new 62" TV. He was watching the NCAA basketball tourney. The first thing I noticed was that the picture looked like crap. He said that not all the games are in HD and switched to an HD broadcast to show me the difference. The difference is not small. SD looks blurry compared to HD (there is a reason Best Buy and the like always show HD content on the demo TVs--no one would buy a 60" TV if they were showing SDTV.
My company has a 250 MB restriction on email storage. Problem is, they don't tell you how much space you are using until you are over the limit.
This explains why the iPod is so easily scratched--they want people to buy aftermarket cases. (Seriously, I bought an iPod yesterday. The back already has several long scratches on it.)
I do find myself taking my eyes off the road to input addresses into the system, though. Usually, I try to enter the destination in the parking lot, or at a stop light. But it takes so long to enter in sometimes, that I am forced to enter the address while moving. That said, once the address is entered, it is 10-times less distracting than Yahoo Maps or a paper map.
I didn't RTFA, but the summary makes it sound like it's the inputting of addresses in the NAV system that is distracting, not the following of the directions of the NAV system.
Franck Muller watches are expensive, ($14,750 at one retailer) but you can get a replica for $199 or even $179.
Clocks aren't always available. E.g., shopping malls and casinos specifically DON'T have clocks so you lose track of time. Plus, it's easier to discreetly look at your watch when, e.g., you're in a meeting, than it is to ask someone what time it is or pull out your cell phone.
When you're sitting down, retrieving your phone from the hip is ten times easier than getting it from your pocket.
This happens for on-campus interviews as well. At one law school, for example, every firm interviewing must interview 20 people. However, because the resumes are submitted beforehand, the really prestigious firms basically pick who they are going to "call back" for a second interview before the interviews even start. (The people at the top of the class will get a call back unless they do something atrocious in the interview). This leads to situations that are funny in retrospect, but discouraging at the time.
For example, one firm interviewed on-campus on a Monday. These interviews last all day long, so it would seem that it would be impossible to get a letter out that day, right? Wrong. The 15 candidates they didn't care about got their rejection letters on Tuesday.
Another firm had a weird history of only hiring the person at the top of the class. Not near the top, you had to have the highest GPA. This had happened 4 years in a row, so a pattern was clearly developing. So the person who was #1 aced her interview and got a call back. The rest of us were treated to what amounted to practice interviews. In my case, there were two interviewers. One of them introduced herself to me and immediately excused herself because she had to meet with one of her former professors? Huh? Couldn't you at least have the dignity to not show up at all and be "called away for a meeting." Instead of telling me to my face that I'm not as important as a former professor.
You can't sue for patent infringement unless your patent has issued. See this about.com article: "The protection afforded by a patent does not start until the actual grant of the patent."
Second, Patents are not expensive, paten lawyers are.
You can file a patent as an individual for a few hundred dollars.
Yes, the filing fee is only $500 for an individual. But someone has to write the application. Someone has to respond to the office actions. Sure, you could do it yourself, but wouldn't you rather have someone who actually has done it before prepare the response?
Inventor A invent product X on January 2, 2005, but keeps it secret and doesn't file a patent for it until July 1, 2005. In the meantime, inventor B invents product X on March 1, 2005. But he files a patent for it on March 31, 2005. In a first to file country, Inventor B is considered the inventor of the product X. There is nothing that Inventor A can do to obtain the patent for product X.
In a first to invent country, after inventor A files a patent, the Patent Office will cite the patent filed by inventor B. Inventor A can then attempt to prove that he actually invented product X before March 1, 2005.
What you (parent poster) are doing is assuming that "first to invent" means that you can patent something that was invented hundreds of years ago. That is not true. You still have to deal with prior art. The only thing first to file means is that you can no longer wait after you invent something before filing the patent application.
Depends on how MS uses their patents. Originally (and this may have changed), MS obtained patents defensively, not to use offensively. That is, MS would obtain a patent merely to show they invented something, to prevent others from using software patents against them.
I used to use Tag & Rename to correct my id3 tags. But the iTunes functionality re id3 tags makes Tag & Rename superfluous.
So everytime CDDB tries to label something "Alternative" I stop it. Originally, I was going to just label music into four categories: rock, rap, jazz, and classical. But in use, that system sucks, because the "rock" genre is way too massive. So I label genres that are prominent in my collection. E.g., Drum & Bass is separate from Trance. I separated out Classical Guitar from Classical. But I still need to find a way to subdivide the Jazz genre.
I'm a car guy, so I know the difference between a C class and E-class Mercedes, and a 3-series and 5-series BMW. But I'd think that even non-car people know the difference. With BMW, it's particularly easy--5 series is more expensive because the number 3 is smaller than the number 5. But anyone who owns an MB, knows that the C series is the bottom series and the E-series is a lot more expensive.
Speaking of re-branding, I've always wondered why the Corvette is a Chevrolet model. Chevy is their "bottom-of-the line" brand. Why not associate the Corvette (not just the top-of-the-line Chevy, but also the top-of-the-line GM) with Cadillac? I would assume that it's just tradition. The Corvette has always been Chevrolet, so they keep the name.
I disagree. The difference between SACD and CD is subtle, unless you have a really good stereo system. The difference between SD and HD is huge and very noticeable if you have a 50"+ screen. For example, the hotel I was staying in just a few nights ago had a big plasma screen in the kitchen. The Rose Bowl was playing in HD and it looked great. The next morning, the local news was on in SD. Unless you were on crack, there's no way you didn't notice the difference between HD and SD.
Three years ago, you probably could have said, "I can't imagine the VHS section at Best Buy going away within the next three years."
He already said he does that. Problem is that you sometimes have to send a one-off label. E.g., 30 labels is fine for a client. But for a messaging service you only use once, you're not going to go through 30 labels.
If you use something like MS Word, it's pretty easy. First, create a label page with the one label you have to print. Then print that label. Then, save the label file. Next time you need a label, just erase the first label (from the Word document), and print the next one. (Actually, erasing the first label is optional, the worst that will happen is that your printer will print on a part of the page without a label.
I agree. Although HD is available in all the major cities in the US, I think it is BluRay that will finally push HD into the mainstream. The enthusiasts all know the benefits of HD now, but once the general public is able to easily get HD on a disc, demand will increase.
The latest generation Samsung DLPs are 1080p. (For example, see this page.)
I'll second the B&H recommendation. The problem with Newegg (for cameras) is that their selection of cameras, lenses, and accessories pales in comparison to real camera stores. Not only that, but the cameras that I did check were more expensive at Newegg than B&H.
It's not consumers. But it's also not experts. Which can be good or bad depending on your perspective. For example, the car magazines rate cars based on things like handling, drivability, etc. But Consumer Reports is the one that will tell you how the car acts in day to day life. For example, aspects such as grocery handling capability, ease of using the features aren't covered by the car magazines. And CR is the only magazine that ever told me how possible it is to but a car seat in the front seat of certain 2-seater cars. Car and Driver will review the top 2-seaters and tell you which is the best car from their perspective. But only CR told me that it is impossible to put a car seat in certain cars--an aspect of extreme importance to those with children.
If you're interested in sports, check out HD Sports Guide, which shows what sports are available in HD and in what resolution they will be aired.