Microsoft Files Wireless Resource Sharing Patent

The idea is based on a centralized screen sharing scenario, in which users are not accessing a screen of another user, but leverage a dedicated computing device with the purpose of serving as a collaboration platform. The patent is set up to describe a service that could, conceivably, be offered as a commercial cloud product, especially since it also mentions the possibility of a session administrator. Shared "resources" would, for example, include collaborative editing of a text document or a presentation.

What makes this patent filing interesting is the fact that Microsoft offers a similar feature for Office 365 as it enables co-authoring of documents via a SharePoint server.

However, Google, for instance, has been offering a similar service for Docs and any other centralized collaboration feature is sure to collide with this patent. Microsoft may have a tough time enforcing the patent, if it is granted, in its general form. This specific document focuses on wireless connections, but we have doubt that this claim will be unique enough to grant Microsoft to the rights to the universal form of enabling centralized screen and resource sharing. 

  • mortsmi7
    This specific document focuses on wireless connections, but we have doubt that this claim will be unique enough to grant Microsoft to the rights to the universal form of enabling centralized screen and resource sharing.
    I seriously doubt this. A few terms to add a little vagueness and the patent will be theirs.
    Reply
  • lucas1024
    Indeed, it is safe to assume that any patent - regardless of how crappy - will be granted. Thanks, USPTO!
    Reply
  • alyoshka
    This is really the height of it.... MS seems to be following in the footsteps of Apple.....
    Reply
  • Soda-88
    alyoshkaThis is really the height of it.... MS seems to be following in the footsteps of Apple.....
    with one little difference tho, ms does it to avoid lawsuits, apple does it to sue others
    Reply
  • mihaimm
    with one little difference tho, ms does it to avoid lawsuits, apple does it to sue others
    Right... like Microsoft vs TomTom, Microsoft vs Barnes & Noble (over the Nook), Microsoft vs TiVo, Microsoft vs Motorola, and so on, and so on...
    Reply
  • reggieray
    Doesn't Verizon already have that?
    Reply
  • casperstouch
    Pretty sure that I already do this using VNC.
    Reply
  • igot1forya
    casperstouchPretty sure that I already do this using VNC.I think MS's own LiveMeeting also does this too (to a limited extent - whiteboard)
    Reply
  • mr_nuke_me
    Linux had already been doing this for decades, and in more than just one way.
    Reply
  • Nonsense. I do not see docs on diagrams. But I can see on desktop session shared in multiple devices. I am trying to understand what does it mean. Window 8 allows to login using live id, right? That is true web os!!!
    Reply