surface

[Dotan Cohen]

On 08/06/07, Derek Broughton <news at pointerstop.ca> wrote:
> Donn wrote:
>
> >> I give Microsoft
> >> full credit for inventing a new interface
> >
> > Uh... Can one invent something that has already been done? I can't find
> > the link, but another chap has been doing this for a few years already.
>
> Well Dotan says they invented it, but that anyone else could do it.  That's
> not how MS works.  _If_ they'd invented it, you can guarantee that they'd
> have it locked up with software patents, and _nobody_ could duplicate it
> without facing their lawyers.
> --
> derek

The Surface is different than the three or five other similar systems
is the way that in interfaces with other hardware via wifi and
bluetooth. Additionally, the Surface uses an infrared camera array to
detect objects near it's surface, and requires certain hardware to
identify itself with a one-bit graphic. Lastly, the surface is
designed as a sturdy tabletop unit that is durable, yet uses off-the
shelf components to reduce cost. All the other large-screen
touch-based UI developments are fragile, expensive units designed for
professionals.

There is not much to patent in the Surface. All the individual
components have tons of prior art. It's the combination of them that
is special. And special it is.

I have no love of Microsoft, but I know to respect engineering
developments and to give credit where credit is due. Many of the
Surface's advancements are in fact Microsoft developments, as the
Surface was designed in a clean-room environment.

Dotan Cohen

http://lyricslist.com/
http://what-is-what.com/