‘Pick Up Artist’ Granted Patent

Sometimes the USPTO publishes applications that make you sit back and say, “Really?”

One strong example is a patent I stumbled upon earlier today that is titled “Interpersonal Pursuit Method.”  Although it was published on February 14, 2008, the author is Erik von Markovik, better known as ”The Pick Up Artist.”  The abstract of the patent describes his method of “instructing males regarding three main steps of establishing attraction, building comfort, and seduction.”  Furthermore, von Markovik states that these steps should be executed in sequence, and the male should allot “between four and ten hours, within about seven hours being considered optimal…from the beginning of the process until its conclusion.”

The patent was originally filed in August 2006, and von Markovik has since gained tremendous fame.  In addition to writing a book about his “pick up” tactics, he has been given his own reality TV show on VH1 called “The Pick Up Artist,” where von Markovik goes by the name “Mystery.”

The patent describes von Markovik’s theory in great detail, by first identifying the differences in attraction between men and women.  He then outlines steps for men to build comfort and attraction with a woman by using a combination of negative complements, compliance testing, and statements of interest.

It is unknown why von Markovik decided to patent his technique.  Perhaps now he can sue someone when they use his method to attract women?  Yet one thing is for sure, if the USPTO grants these types of patents, it will give the USPTO a negative public opinion.

Sony to Patent Robot Accessories

A new patent has recently surfaced that details the possibility of a robot being used with a video gaming system.  The patent was filed last June by Sony Computer Entertainment, and it shows a robot with a camera that will enable the machine to decipher the surrounding environment.  Kotaku.com also reports that the robot would have a microphone, giving it the ability to determine orders and react to sounds.

Some are wondering what Sony could do with a robot for video games, and there aren’t many details of how this robot could be used.  Yet, the patent details an information processing system which lets the robot respond to commands even though the player’s viewpoint is different than the robot’s.

If this robot is ever manufactured, it will not be until Sony receives an influx of cash.  Sony recently froze their company wages in an effort to cut company loses.

New Controller for Playstation?

A recent patent filing by Sony Computer Entertainment hints at a possible new remote to be used in video games.  The device, unnamed in the patent, contains a LED on the front and an external power supply.  The emitted light is captured by an inexpensive camera, and translated into user input data, reports Siliconera.

For those thinking that such a device may imitate the Wiimote, a diagram on the application shows that the game controller device may not be wand.  Instead, the controller could fit on a finger, radiating light from multiple LEDs.  Also, the program produces one or more colors of light, allowing it to be played in differently lit rooms.

It’s not assured that this patent will result in a new controller, but it’s fun to think that the future of video games could include finger ring controllers.

Apple Hints at Wii-Inspired Remote

In a recent patent filing, Apple has again revealed their idea for a Wiimote-like controller for the Apple TV.  As reported by Endgadget, this patent shows a “remote wand” being used to control everything on the Apple TV.  The remote would not have any buttons, and it would be twisted and turned to flip through music, rotate pictures, or control the cursor on the screen.

This new patent application mirrors a similar one filed in November 2006.  That application also saw a Wiimote-like remote which had a similar accelerometer and positioning setup to the Wii system.  But unlike the most recent patent, this remote idea included some buttons and controls.

However, because Apple seems to patent almost any idea that comes to mind, there is a chance that this type of remote may never see the light of day.  But, I’m sure those Apple and Nintendo fans wish this idea will eventually come to fruition.

Worlds.com Receives 3rd Patent

Worlds.com is currently tied up in a lawsuit with NCSoft over a virtual reality patent.  That hasn’t slowed Worlds.com, however, as the Brookline-based company has just been awarded its third patent from the United States Patent and Trademark Office.  According to a press release, the new patent is titled “System and Method for Enabling Users to Interact in a Virtual Space.”

This patent relates to computer architecture for a 3D multi-user interactive virtual world system.  It can be utilized in massive multi-player online games, which provide a graphical representation of the player’s character.  The movement of that character then changes what the character views.

According to General Patent Corportation, which manages Worlds.com’s patent portfolio, Worlds.com has a patent continuation for this patent currently filed with the USPTO.  The company also has two more continuations filed in regards to the patent at the center of the NCSoft infringement lawsuit.

Another Odd Patent from IBM

IBM recently filed a patent that has left many scratching their heads.  The patent is titled “Methodology and Process for Suppressing De-Focusing Activities During Selective Scheduled Meetings,” and it is directed towards preventing people from using IBM’s software products during important meetings.

As reported on DailyTech, IBM stated the following on their patent application:

Within exemplary embodiments of the present invention repeating calendar event scheduling application options are implemented to support the implementation of a distraction-free meeting event. This aspect is accomplished by the calendar event invitation specifically stating that the meeting is expected to be distraction free, and as such, the acceptance of a meeting invitation would require that the meeting invitee submit to the computing system suspension requirements that are necessitated to initiate a distraction-free meeting. This meeting policy is enforced by the calendar event scheduling application being configured to effectively suspend the local activity of a computing system or incoming and outgoing communication requests that are received at the computing system.

Besides the fact that this patent is extremely broad, it’s odd to see a patent application from IBM that could block people from using their own software.  However, IBM has applied for some odd patents in the past, such as one application that evenly split a restaurant bill between a group of people.

Biodiesel Patent Filed in Several Countries

HyPower Fuel has decided to file several patent applications for their new Biofuel process.  This process is a “next generation” biodiesel technology, since Hypower claims that its environmental footprint is significantly reduced since it uses no catalysts or water.  HyPower has filed patent applications in North America, Asia, and India.

Douglas Bender, the President of Hypower Fuel, stated the following in a press release:

Ultimately, as with our other patents and patent applications, we wish to file this patent application in every large, industrial jurisdiction. We intend to pursue a patent in every country that produces and sells a large volume of biodiesel. This is a key asset component of our biodiesel marketing program in North America and Asia and is another step forward enabling us to complete a sale or license in those lucrative jurisdictions.

HyPower is currently developing hydrogen insertion and production technologies in addition to their biodiesel technology.

University of Buffalo Increases Patent Output

Patents may be down in the United States, but not at the University of Buffalo.

According to Business First of Buffalo, researchers at the University patented 21 inventions in 2008, up from only 9 patents in 2007.  These patents range from an X-ray diagnostic apparatus and an air sterilizer, to an antibody with the potential to halt breast cancer metastasis.

Robert Genco, vice provost and director of the UB Office of Science, Technology Transfer and Economic Outreach, said in a statement:

The jump we saw this year in our patent activity is a testament to the intense and growing commitment we are seeing among our scientist-entrepreneurs, who increasingly seek ways to get their scientific advances out into society.  They know that the most important scientific discovery in the world may provide little value to society if it goes no further than a journal publication.

Hopefully academia will follow UB’s lead, and put more stress on the patenting of applications.  That way, these breakthroughs will be made available to a much wider audience.

Microsoft Receives Patent for PDA Button Pushing

A Microsoft patent that was filed in 2002 has just been granted by the patent office.  As reported by Smartphone Mobile, the patent concerns the concept of having a handheld device perform different functions when a button is pressed multiple times or held down for a certain period of time.

As the abstract of the patent states:

A method and system are provided for extending the functionality of application buttons on a limited resource computing device. Alternative application functions are launched based on the length of time an application button is pressed. A default function for an application is launched if the button is pressed for a short, i.e., normal, period of time. An alternative function of the application is launched if the button is pressed for a long, (e.g., at least one second), period of time. Still another function can be launched if the application button is pressed multiple times within a short period of time, e.g., double click.

With the addition of this patent, Microsoft may be able to collect licensing fees from companies that now, or have in the past, used this technique.  However, if there is proof that this technique arose before 2002, Microsoft’s patent will not hold up in court.

USPTO Grants Patent to InsideSales.com

The United States Patent and Trademark Office has granted InsideSales.com a notice of approval on a recent patent application.  InsideSales.com is a provider of web-based phone dialer technologies, and as stated in a press release, the new patent includes unique and innovative telephony functions that can occur from a web page.

Most of the InsideSales.com technologies are designed for business-to-business companies.  They are best known for the PowerDialer which embeds phone dialer software into its technology.  The CEO of InsideSales.com, David Elkington, said:

This patent is the first approved and one of the most important of the many patents-pending in our portfolio. It allows us to assertively protect the core component of our PowerDialer technology which has become the leading dialer solution for companies trying to increase productivity in their inside sales and lead generation departments. The inside sales or remote selling space is an industry that is particularly relevant in light of our current economy. Buyers often prefer the time-savings of remote sales over face-to-face.

Inside Sales was recently ranked as the 2nd most effective method of lead generation in 2008 by BtoB Magazine.  Much of their web-based technology was developed at Northwestern University and MIT.

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