Microsoft's Virtual Skywriting Patent App Features the Real Thing 66
theodp writes "GeekWire reports that Microsoft this week was awarded a patent on something it calls 'virtual skywriting', an augmented reality service that adds fake skywriting to scenes captured on a cell phone screen. Odd enough in its own right, but Microsoft also included an unattributed photo in the patent application which it described as 'an example of virtual skywriting in use,' although it certainly appears to be identical to a famous image of actual skywriting from a 2001 public art project. If that turns out to be the case, could the self-described opponent of half-baked patents and IP misuse find itself in hot water with the USPTO for using the 'prior art' to fake its fake skywriting?"
This is a great idea (Score:0, Funny)
Why is this a bad thing?
Take a step back and think about it: if this patent is granted and we can all do virtual skywriting, it will eliminate actual planes in the air doing "real" skywriting.
There are a few reasons why this is a great idea:
1) All those carbon emission will be eliminated which means less carbon to warm the earth and less carbon going into your system which causes dangerous nervous system issues.
2) People will not have to go outside in the bright sun to view skywriting. This would probably eliminate dozens, maybe millions of skin cancers every year. Not only that, the oncogene trigger is but one thing tripped by excessive sunlight. Another is vertebral subluxations around C7-C8 and T1-T7. Those cause issues with your hands and chest. They aren't sure exactly why this happens but there was some ongoing research at The Journal of Subluxation Research [journalofs...search.com] before they went offline some time ago.
I'm not the biggest fan of "tech for tech's sake" but this is a genuinely good idea. One of the better examples of tech improving our lives.
Take care,
Bob
Hell yeah, (Score:4, Funny)
let's award a patent for adding text to an image. Sometimes I wish Mr Franklin had been given a perpetual patent on electricity, which he chose to not license out.
Re:This is a great idea (Score:5, Funny)
If this patent gets granted, only those that get licensing from MS can do it. So not all.
And that's fair enough too.
Who else has so much experience with blue screens and white text?