http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/ Engadget Comments for http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/Dec 19th 2005 12:18AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/
Then again, it's not like they'd bother to make a Mac driver. Nevermind.]]>Dec 19th 2005 12:18AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/Dec 19th 2005 12:18AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/I'd love to have one of those!!!]]>Dec 19th 2005 12:18AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/Dec 19th 2005 12:18AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/
Is "sh1t or get off the pot" legally binding?]]>Dec 19th 2005 12:18AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/Dec 19th 2005 12:18AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/Dec 19th 2005 12:18AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/Dec 19th 2005 12:18AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/
A patent pending is almost as useful as an issued patent (so the "useful life" might be considered closer to the 20 years). Smart inventors begin to commercialize (by either licensing or venturing) well before the patent issues.]]>Dec 19th 2005 12:18AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/Dec 19th 2005 12:18AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/
This gives me an idea though, go patent everything relating to sticking an lcd onto it. I'll patent lcd coffee cups (holders), lcd display on glasses, lcd inline with a desk, lcd on someones front door/mailbox... and so many others. Eventually someone will invent it, I can sue for patent infringement and get lots of royalties!]]>Dec 19th 2005 12:18AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/Dec 19th 2005 12:18AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/
"1. A new and improved display keyboard comprising, in combination:

a conventional keyboard having an upper edge, a lower edge, and a pair of side edges;

a plurality of function keys including a standard CTRL key, SHIFT key, CAPS LOCK key, ENTER key, and ALT key situated on the keyboard with conventional indicia situated thereon;

a plurality of display keys situated on the keyboard, each display key having a display situated thereon for depicting alphanumeric characters of various languages, symbols, special characters, pictures, icons abbreviations, short explanations and indicia, the display keys capable of changing colors and blinking to differentiate between numbers and letters and further between display keys having different functions associated therewith, wherein each display key is equipped with a light for allowing the utilization of the keyboard in the absence of ambient light; and

a computer with associated software connected to the keyboard for depicting, via the display keys, characters and indicia relevant to the function of the key during a current software application, wherein the improvement comprises: the computer controlling the display keys such that those not relevant to the software application are rendered blank and further wherein the computer displays, via the display keys, data relevant to a specific executable task associated with the combination of depressing one of the ALT, CTRL, or SHIFT keys simultaneously with one of the display keys."

As you can see, he has some limitations in there which on first blush seem fairly narrow. Specifically, his invention claims CTRL, SHIFT, CAPLOCK, ALT and ENTER keys with "conventional indicia." My guess is that means statically printed on. By my reading, if you made a keyboard without just one of these keys statically defined you would be ok.]]>Dec 19th 2005 12:18AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/
How the hell is that patentable? It's tantamount to stating "It'll have X ... or anything cooler that comes along that I might not have thought of yet".

Furthermore:

"A display keyboard including a conventional keyboard having an upper edge, lower edge, and pair of side edges."

Just to piss this guy off, I'm going to build "his" keyboard, leave off a side edge, and sell it for millions.
]]>Dec 19th 2005 12:18AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/
]]>Dec 19th 2005 12:18AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/Dec 19th 2005 12:18AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/
By the way, where is Mr. Acevedos prototype? Maybe he stole the idea?]]>Dec 19th 2005 12:18AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/This is to try to avoid escamotages likes the one you posted.. It's quite funny: if I can take a normal keybord, put in some screens and patent it, can I took a screened keyboard, put in some speakers (example) and patent it as my idea?]]>Dec 19th 2005 12:18AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/Dec 19th 2005 12:18AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/Dec 19th 2005 12:18AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/Dec 19th 2005 12:18AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/
The Patent office hasn't required those for YEARS.

And to #12, just to clarify, I wasn't talking about "patent squatters" -- I was merely referring to the mistake some people make waiting until their patent issues to start trying to do something with it. Heck, the day after I filed my first patent, I started trying to license it, and started my own company to get some of the applications on the markey (my name above links to my site -- I think Engadget should consider it as a listing at some point)]]>Dec 19th 2005 12:18AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/
...And I took some of my applications to MARKET - not to markey. I hate typing!]]>Dec 19th 2005 12:18AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/
I believe it's called "man-facting," and yes, this is something that women can do as well. You basically sound like this, "I know a little bit about this topic, so things that I extrapolate from it must also be as true as the things I think I know."]]>Dec 19th 2005 12:18AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/
"Each display key has a liquid crystal display, light emitting diode display, or any future state of the art display invention situated thereon for depicting alphanumeric characters and indicia."]]>Dec 19th 2005 12:18AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/
Oh and PS the 17 year patent period is over anyway.]]>Dec 19th 2005 12:18AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/
I can only hope that this is indeed the case since i would, without hesitation, smack down large sums of my undervalued .za currency for a working unit. Finally we can pack away the pliers and use a software API to get rid of that pesky CAPSLOCK.]]>Dec 19th 2005 12:18AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/
How exactly do patent promote innovation? Because I have only seen examples of the opposit.]]>Dec 19th 2005 12:18AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/Dec 19th 2005 12:18AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/Dec 19th 2005 12:18AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/Dec 19th 2005 12:18AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/
Poster #27 is right there is a whole world outthere, I am in the UK and not the US so I wont have to worry about this crap design comming over here.

Besides all a petent does is stop someone from copying your design and look its already happened. All the Russian company has to do is release it with the best possible features and the people will buy it for what it is, the best.]]>Dec 19th 2005 12:18AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/No doubt Microsoift will follow suit.
I'll buy whatever comes first.]]>Dec 19th 2005 12:18AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/
All I was trying to explain is that it's been years since the patent office has required a working prototype. "All" you have to do is explain how it would work with enough detail that "someone skilled in the arts" (that's a USPTO term) could build it.

I'm NOT taking any of my toys, and I'm still here -- So I'm NOT running home.]]>Dec 19th 2005 12:18AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/
As far as I know, he's had problems getting investors to invest in his ideas for the keyboard which is why it hasn't gotten to market yet. However, I anticipate it won't be long before he himself markets something, or until he licenses the technology to someone else.]]>Dec 19th 2005 12:18AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/doc/general/#design]]>Dec 19th 2005 12:18AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/Dec 19th 2005 12:18AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/Dec 19th 2005 12:18AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/optimus-keyboard-trumped-by-the-display-keyboard/Jan 3rd 2006 12:47PM