back to article Paperback writer? Microsoft slaps patents on book-style gadgetry with flexible display

Microsoft's work on "bendable or flexible" display technology is far more advanced than anyone realised. A new patent application from Redmond indicates it's inspired by a very familiar technology: the paperback book. Of the two claims, one (Application 2018/0113520, PDF, "Input based on interactions with a Physical Hinge") …

  1. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    Life Cycle

    It will probably turn into a product full of flaws and inconsistencies, then just as they perfect it, they will drop it and leave all their customers stranded.

    1. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Re: Life Cycle

      Tells you much about the fools who trust the Microsoft brand, and voluntarily/cheerfully part their money for Microsoft's products and services.

      1. GreggS

        Re: Life Cycle

        As opposed to those who only buy Apple kit or those that only use Linux or those that only use Android?

    2. Steve Davies 3 Silver badge
      Holmes

      Re: Life Cycle

      IMHO, this is not about producing a product but more about the Patents. This could stop the likes of ASUS, Samsung, Amazon and even Apple from producing foldable products without getting the inevitable suit for patent violation filed (in East Texas natutally).

      1. Anonymous Coward
        Anonymous Coward

        Re: Life Cycle

        "IMHO, this is not about producing a product but more about the Patents. "

        Microsoft are not known for patent trolling. The end game here is likely to be to make a product.

        1. oldcoder

          Re: Life Cycle

          "Microsoft are not known for patent trolling."

          Yes they are. See any Android phone - the list of patents being paid for even include expired patents and patents declared invalid.

          1. Anonymous Coward
            Anonymous Coward

            Re: Life Cycle

            "Yes they are. See any Android phone - the list of patents being paid for even include expired patents and patents declared invalid."

            Trolling is when you use patents with no intention of making a product. That Microsoft's patent portfolio varies over time doesnt make them a troll.

          2. Anonymous Coward
            Anonymous Coward

            Re: Life Cycle

            >> See any Android phone - the list of patents being paid for even include expired patents and patents declared invalid.

            Only if the license in question was signed before those patents expired or were declared invalid. I seem to recall that Microsoft have about 200 patents that are infringed by Android. Most of which are used in their own products so they are not a patent troll.

            1. Roland6 Silver badge

              Re: Life Cycle

              I seem to recall that Microsoft have about 200 patents that are infringed by Android.

              Err no, MS only claimed, but did not provide a list of the patents they claimed were being infringed by Linux/Andriod and so no one was able to independently validate their claims; an important difference.

              MS will use this patent (and others) to make claims and apply predatory pressure to frighten off others either working or investing in this space.

      2. Anonymous Coward
        Anonymous Coward

        Re: Life Cycle

        They are rather behind with the first idea of fold together integrated screens that was available in 2010 as the Entourage eDGe (9" screens) and the Pocket eDGe (6" screens).

        Demonstration flexible e-ink units were demonstrated around the same time so this looks like microshaft trying to stop other manufacturers doing anything because oof the patents.

        1. Dave 126

          Re: Life Cycle

          > this looks like microshaft trying to stop other manufacturers doing anything because oof the patents.

          Patents only protect a method of doing something, not the something itself. So no, it doesn't stop other companies making flexible displays.

  2. colinb

    It took me years to write, will you take a look?

    Just give me a laptop with a fold out screen, one that doesn't dislocate my shoulder.

  3. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    Can I please get a laptop that is not 2mm thick and battery will last more than 3 hours. Oh and optical drive ? Yes I know that makes me a freak. Oh and to really prove how much a freak I am. Can I please have more than 2 usb ports.

    1. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      For battery life to exceed our current farcical limits, we need to move beyond lithium-based batteries. Maybe it's graphene, maybe it's something else.

      Lithium is last century's technology, in an era where mobile internet access and portable high resolution displays weren't available.

      1. BebopWeBop

        Acksherley we might go some of the way b increasing the thickness to take larger batteries....

        Just a thought - can I patent it?

        1. Anonymous Coward
          Anonymous Coward

          BebopWeBop, that's why I want a thicker laptop. 15-20mm is a good start.

        2. John Smith 19 Gold badge
          Unhappy

          we might go some of the way b increasing the thickness... Just a thought - can I patent it?

          This is the USPTO.

          Of course you can.

          If it hasn't already been patented of course.

          Which (because this is the USPTO) it probably has.

      2. Anonymous Coward
        Anonymous Coward

        For battery life to exceed our current farcical limits, we need to move beyond lithium-based batteries.

        I'm going to a conference next week, and want my laptop to last all day. I just popped out the standard battery and clipped in the high-capacity one. Still lithium, just bigger. Works just fine. +1 for Lenovo's removable batteries.

    2. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      re. more than 2 usb ports?!

      you PERVERT!!!

      ...

      I bet you're one of those sickos, who try to demand other "options" than W10 too, eh?! One of those despicable characters installing AD BLOCKERS, refusing to share your personal data with respectable and honest ad-broker, one of those tinfoil hats who doubt BRILLIANT Alexa and snigger at FABULOUS Dixons customer service! I bet, you even proudly use a mobile phone that's more than 2 years old?! The kind of pervert who'd fight to his miserable end rather than sign up to the TOTALLY SAFE porn-age-verification system to save our children! Your kind truly SICKENS ME!!!

      1. Anonymous Coward
        Anonymous Coward

        Re: re. more than 2 usb ports?!

        Well um would love to put True OS(PC BSD) and windows 7 as an option. FF with ghostly, no script and u Orgin. Alexa and cortna are banned in my house. Ok so my phone is only 18 months old, but I switched from Sprint's I cant give you service in a brick building to T mobile, but I bought the phone out right.

        Poor giggles if you need to submit to age verification you are not doing it right . Tons of free porn on Google images :) Fingers her ad free browser.

        Ok I do one normal thing. I use face book, but I installed the face book no tracker.

        Ps have you tried using youtube with out an add blocker ?

        1. Robert Carnegie Silver badge

          Re: re. more than 2 usb ports?!

          They haven't started the porn verification yet. Apparently they couldn't get it up, or some other such suggestive expression that they read out on BBC Radio's "News Quiz".

          Which brings me to the "laptop with fold-out screen" question.... where are the staples?

    3. GBE

      Can I please get a laptop that is not 2mm thick and battery will last more than 3 hours. Oh and optical drive ? Yes I know that makes me a freak. Oh and to really prove how much a freak I am. Can I please have more than 2 usb ports.

      And a 4:3 display!

    4. Roland6 Silver badge

      > Can I please have more than 2 usb ports.

      Such modest demands! I assume USB 2.0 is okay? :)

  4. SkippyBing

    Why?

    I mean yes it's an issue with magazines and books that are printed on paper, but why would you take that model and use it for flexible displays where you can scroll content?

    1. Paul Shirley

      Re: Why?

      And why would you bother folding a screen, with all the challenges that creates, instead of the simpler rolling it up?

      1. Dave 126

        Re: Why?

        > And why would you bother folding a screen, with all the challenges that creates, instead of the simpler rolling it up?

        Minimum radius of bend, I'd imagine.

    2. handleoclast
      Coat

      Re: Why?

      I mean yes it's an issue with magazines and books that are printed on paper, but why would you take that model and use it for flexible displays where you can scroll content?

      Emergency toilet-paper situation.

      Fortunately, I always carry a spare roll in my coat pocket.

  5. Francis Boyle Silver badge

    Assbender?

    From what I hear, yes he would.

  6. Roland6 Silver badge

    "The hypothetical device pictured contains two flexible displays hinged, like a paperback book."

    Unless MS can now publicly demonstrate a prototype of this "hypothetical device", the patent is void! as it is clear an attempt to patent an idea.

    1. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Re: "The hypothetical device pictured contains two flexible displays hinged, like a paperback book."

      "the patent is void! as it is clear an attempt to patent an idea."

      ? All patents are basically ideas.

      1. Paul Shirley

        Re: "The hypothetical device pictured contains two flexible displays hinged, like a paperback book."

        Ideas that the patent office is supposed to require you demonstrate an implementation of. Though someone needs to remind the US patent office...

  7. skalamanga

    Paperback *Reader. I don't see any mention of a stylus.

  8. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    From headline: Microsoft slaps patents on book-style gadgetry with flexible display

    I see no patents. And I checked. Cite?

  9. Teiwaz

    Folding screens I get, but magazines are not the perfect model I'd consider worth copying.

    I remember magazines* where the well thumbed centre-page inevitably fell out - then the publishers switched to spines and glue, which solved it, then reduced the glue to save costs and brought the feature back.

    * Not porn, surprisingly,

    If any style in flexible screens is worthy of adopting, it's the classical scroll - but that might be a little more complicated for touch use on the go.

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