If Your Computer Detects You Laughing At This Patent Drawing, You May Have Infringed On The Patent

from the laugh,-it's-funny dept

Thu, Aug 20th 2009 11:22am — Mike Masnick

ChurchHatesTucker alerts us to the news that Sony has applied for a patent on an emotion detection device that could, for example, recognize when someone viewing a television or playing a video game is laughing. I don't have much of an opinion one way or another on the actual patent application, but (like others on the original article about this) did find the patent drawing to be rather amusing:

Of course, if you laugh at that, and your computer detects it, you may be infringing. So... be careful.

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Filed Under: laughter detection, patent drawings, patents
Companies: sony

36 Comments

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Anonymous Coward, 20 Aug 2009 @ 11:24am

place a camera in my house without my knowledge and I will OWN sony!
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Anonymous Coward, 20 Aug 2009 @ 11:27am

This is an invasion of privacy, they have no right to put this junk in my equipment.
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Anonymous Coward, 20 Aug 2009 @ 11:31am

Re:
but at least patents will hinder the advancement of this sort of technology. So there, a good reason for patents to exist, it could hinder the advancement of technology that could be used to invade our privacy or control us.
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TheStupidOne, 20 Aug 2009 @ 11:44am

Re:
No, YOU put it there by buying the new PS4. You need it because with it you can play your favorite games in 3D 10800p (on the new Ultra-High-Definition Sony TV of course)

The user manual clearly describes how the camera system works and by using the PS4 you OBVIOUSLY agree to the terms of use.
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Ron (profile), 20 Aug 2009 @ 11:45am

No Worries
Per the drawing, the patent would only apply to watching a cartoon character having someting rather odd done to its bottom. And, only while watching said cartoon character on a Sony Bravia connected to a Playstation. All whilest sitting on a funky armchair.
Did Sony really submit that cartoon with the application?
How does the equipment know you're laughing at something on the TV as opposed to something someone else in the room said or did?
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Dark Helmet (profile), 20 Aug 2009 @ 11:48am

You're all missing the point
If you do not see the in that diagram a clear representation of how international corporations like Sony see the general public, and the implied insult within, then I'm a little dissapointed in the Tech Dirt community.

Why is that thoughtless cattle on the couch laughing at an idiotic picture of a guy operating a machine that paddles himself on the television? And more importantly, what does that say about how corporate executives view the perceived intellectual chasm between themselves and their customers, and the general public.
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weneedhelp (profile), 20 Aug 2009 @ 11:49am

Ha ha
That is the device that Sony's clients use when they sign their contracts.
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Anonymous Coward, 20 Aug 2009 @ 12:02pm

Re: Re:
What a scary world when we have to agree to ridiculous terms to buy something.
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Anonymous Coward, 20 Aug 2009 @ 12:05pm

Re: Ha ha
and the guy sitting on the couch is sony laughing at how stupid people are for agreeing to their terms of service.
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Freal, 20 Aug 2009 @ 12:07pm

Weirdo in the chair
That guy looks like a FREAK!
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BiTcHbOi, 20 Aug 2009 @ 12:10pm

Obviously....
He's obviously watching a video of himself in his S&M dungeon/basement....come on...we've all be there..
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Chris Wahl (profile), 20 Aug 2009 @ 12:11pm

Reminded of Idiocracy
This seems like the "Ouch my B___s" portion of the movie Idiocracy. Apparently this, my friends, is the beginning of the end.
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diabolic (profile), 20 Aug 2009 @ 12:27pm

A system that detects the emotions of an observer of the system seems novel to me. Though I do not want it in my house.

How is laughing at the picture a possible infringment?

Its not patent on laughing its a patent on detecting laughing. So you would only be infringing if you build one just like it. If you build one with some other kinds of sensors and/or different processing of the inputs and that would be unique and patentable too.

That is some of the most amusing patent art I have ever seen.
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TPBer (profile), 20 Aug 2009 @ 12:34pm

That's just another..
One of a long list of reasons that I have not purchased anything Sony since their rootkit fiasco. You cannot even give me their overpriced crap.
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Anonymous Coward, 20 Aug 2009 @ 12:43pm

Re:
That's why he said "if your computer detects you laughing at this drawing..."
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Pingmaster, 20 Aug 2009 @ 12:47pm

Re: No Worries
I can see a whole new kind of trolling happening...laughing at ridiculous (non-funny) shows to tag them as comedy...
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Ryan, 20 Aug 2009 @ 12:50pm

heh
Quick, Fox, get on that TV show. It will be the #1 rated show in America.
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senshikaze (profile), 20 Aug 2009 @ 12:56pm

Re: You're all missing the point
That is about the gulf I see between me an my users (work in IT). What i want to know, is the patent only viable if you have number 17? last time i checked I don't form talk bubbles when i laugh or talk.
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taoareyou (profile), 20 Aug 2009 @ 1:03pm

I wonder
How it would classify actions it would observe while some lonely men play the latest Laura Croft adventure?
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interval, 20 Aug 2009 @ 1:07pm

Who else picked up on the fact that the subject kinda looks like the Jack Nicholson Joker version?
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Glaze, 20 Aug 2009 @ 1:22pm

Its all about the game...
Ok I think a lot of people here missed the point of the motion device. Its not an invasion of privacy... it is specifically for gaming, they aren't going to be allowing this information to be sent back to sony for obvious reasons legal reasons... but both Sony and Microsoft are in the planning stages of releasing the next big system... both of which incorporate motion sensitive controlers. Say you are playing the latest SoCom game, to duck and fire and rally your troops you would have to say it, actually get down on your belly and pull some fake trigger. I hope this clears this stuff up for those of you are are running and screaming invasion of privacy.
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Anonymous Noel Coward, 20 Aug 2009 @ 1:32pm

Re: Its all about the game...
um, glaze, it's an emotion detecting device, not a motion device. jus' sayin'
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diabolic (profile), 20 Aug 2009 @ 1:47pm

Re: Re:
Only if your computer has a non-sony laugh detector that is a copy of the sony one. Sony makes such crap why would anyone want to copy it?
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Danny (profile), 20 Aug 2009 @ 1:51pm

behavior, not emotion
The device is a behavior detection device, not an emotion detection device. It is detecting physical human behaviors that, perhaps, are correlated with emotion. It does not directly detect emotions, which are affective states.

I have no idea what this mistake does to the validity of the patent application.
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Chronno S. Trigger (profile), 20 Aug 2009 @ 1:52pm

Re: Its all about the game...
Sony's motion controller are those wands with the lit balls at the ends announced at E3.

As for the emotion software being an invasion of privacy, you still have to buy the camera first, then plug it in, and use it with something that's programed to use it.

When I first saw the picture, I thought it was a new addon for the PS3. "Tired of getting your but kicked online? Now do it yourself offline."
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TW Burger (profile), 20 Aug 2009 @ 2:06pm

Finally
Now I know Sony has totally lost it.
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Anonymous Coward, 20 Aug 2009 @ 2:48pm

Re: You're all missing the point
Whatever.

Where can I get one of those paddle machines, that's what I want to know.
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Anonymous Coward, 20 Aug 2009 @ 3:09pm

I wonder if it will detect that smile is from my wife blowing me?
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WarOtter (profile), 20 Aug 2009 @ 3:10pm

Re: Re: No Worries
Conversely does that mean that Tyler Perry sitcoms will be tagged as tragedies when no one is found to be laughing at them?
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Anonymous Coward, 20 Aug 2009 @ 4:36pm

stupid branding
they know you guys posts these pictures all over the web, and that's why they have SONY, BRAVIA, and PLAYSTATION 3 in obnoxiously large letters in the drawing. you guys are now advertising for sony... for free.
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Derek Kerton (profile), 20 Aug 2009 @ 6:00pm

Ha! Patentable my butt! I found some prior art.

That image looks like Mr. Garrisson's energy-saving "IT" transportation vehicle from Southpark.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Entity_(South_Park)
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..., 20 Aug 2009 @ 6:34pm

Re: Its all about the game...
"both Sony and Microsoft are in the planning stages of releasing the next big system"

Will MS have a 50% failure rate?
Will Sony incorporate spy cameras and microphones ?
Will either one of them incorporate antitamper devices ?
What is the best way to disable such intrusive equipment ?
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Chargone (profile), 20 Aug 2009 @ 9:08pm

Re: Re: Its all about the game...
don't buy their products, mostly.
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lavi d (profile), 21 Aug 2009 @ 2:43am

First to Say It?
"You raff, you ruse"
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Enrico Suarve, 21 Aug 2009 @ 8:39am

Re: You're all missing the point
No need to take offence - I work with several pointy haired bosses

'Man paddles self with machine' is highly likely to be the very height of their humour, it's probably considered a seminal moment in hilarity in most board rooms worldwide

So they aren't necessarily intending to paint you all as humourless idiots, they are probably just blissfully aware of their own status. There is indeed a chasm but it's not necessarily in their minds (actually that's exactly where it is but you get the idea)
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nasch (profile), 21 Aug 2009 @ 1:24pm

Re:
At least they're not putting their equipment in your junk.
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