Microsoft Patents TV Video Conferences via a PC
Microsoft has been granted a video conferencing patent that leverages a home network as the data infrastructure and the TV as the display screen.
Microsoft says it can reduce latencies compared to previous video conferencing approaches, but the patent does not indicate that the company has solved the general problem of home videoconferencing itself.
The patent suggests that a PC client, connected to a TV via a TV client module, can serve as the Internet and data connection, while the TV and a cheap USB camera connected to the TV are used as the visual data output devices. the data between the TV and computer would be accelerated via a remote desktop protocol (RDP), while the incoming and outgoing data traffic is IP-based. In this patent, the PC serves as the data hub, while the TV avoids a scenario in which a user will have to leave the living room to make a visual call.
Of course, video conferences are valuable in business environments and are beneficial to those who need to bridge substantial distance to keep in touch with loved ones. However, in the majority of cases, visual calls are more hassle and are more inconvenient than simple phone calls or even chat messages. Consumer teleconferencing services such as Mingleverse, for example, have failed because we tend to feel rather awkward in front of a camera and there are plenty of cases when we just don't want someone to see us - or our living room.
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Douglas Perry was a freelance writer for Tom's Hardware covering semiconductors, storage technology, quantum computing, and processor power delivery. He has authored several books and is currently an editor for The Oregonian/OregonLive.
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drwho1 I could swear that we have been doing this for years now.Reply
M$ can't possibly be serious about this.
Unless they mean "conference" as on multiple people connecting at the same time, which could be very useful for big corporations but not nearly as much for home use. -
JohnnyLucky I don't want to do a TV Video Conference with my dysfunctional relatives. It is bad enough trying to deal with them one on one.Reply -
fb39ca4 So basically they are trying to patent using Skype with a webcam while your computer is plugged into a TV?Reply -
classzero A Bad DayWhich is worse, MS getting this patent? Or some hours-old patent troll?Whats the difference?Reply
http://www.tomsitpro.com/articles/microsoft_patent_licensing-linux-amdocs-IFI_Claims_Patent_Service,1-352.html
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mightymaxio fb39ca4So basically they are trying to patent using Skype with a webcam while your computer is plugged into a TV?You do remember Microsoft bought Skype 2 years ago right?Reply -
wjw2000 I sincerly hope that this is not because of any changes to patent law. If first to patent is real instead of patent based on original idea then we are in deap crap because patenting something this obvious that so many have done before is ridiculous!!Reply -
punahou1 If you ever have the opportunity to work with the USPTO you will soon discover that they are dysfunctional. I did this back in 1996 with Cuseeme...Reply -
"the data between the TV and computer would be accelerated via a remote desktop protocol (RDP), while the incoming and outgoing data traffic is IP-based."Reply
I think they're patent covers the above specifically. Not conferencing in general. Al though with the title of the article I can see how you might think so.