XBOX 2 HDD after all?? What's going on?

[AlNom]

Link

U.S. patent 6,716,102, granted Tuesday to Microsoft, covers methods for storing data about games in progress.

The patent specifically references "a gaming system (that) includes a hard disk drive for storing applications and other data," indicating Microsoft may be more committed to equipping future Xbox configurations with onboard storage than previously thought.

man... wth is MS up to?!

 

[marconelly!]

Patent filed in 2001, and it's obviously Xbox 1 related. Great investigative work CNET...

 

[Guden Oden]

How could they ever get that patent approved when some of the criteria is the invention has to be original and non-obvious?

I mean, we've had gaming systems with harddrives for 10+ years by the time that patent was filed.

 

[phat]

How could they ever get that patent approved when some of the criteria is the invention has to be original and non-obvious?

I mean, we've had gaming systems with harddrives for 10+ years by the time that patent was filed.

Patents can be pretty specific. Like the cross pattern on Nintendo controllers. Or the particular file format of game saves on Xbox. Obviously, the Xbox HDD patent hasn't been broad enough for Microsoft to prevent Sony from selling its PS2 HDD.

 

[Mendel]

Then what is the use of any such patents which do not really prevent competitors from selling exactly same kind of products?

 

[Evil_Cloud]

Then what is the use of any such patents which do not really prevent competitors from selling exactly same kind of products?

To make sure no one sues you for a patent violation..

 

[clem64]

So... has Sony filed such a patent? If not, could MS sue them? Not that this has any chance of happening. I'm just curious. Could they?

 

[wco81]

How could they ever get that patent approved when some of the criteria is the invention has to be original and non-obvious?

I mean, we've had gaming systems with harddrives for 10+ years by the time that patent was filed.

Patents can be pretty specific. Like the cross pattern on Nintendo controllers. Or the particular file format of game saves on Xbox. Obviously, the Xbox HDD patent hasn't been broad enough for Microsoft to prevent Sony from selling its PS2 HDD.

Maybe they might try if there is a PS3 configuration with a built-in HDD?

 

[phat]

Then what is the use of any such patents which do not really prevent competitors from selling exactly same kind of products?

Well, it does go toward preventing somebody from coming out with an Xbox clone (assuming it makes business sense for them to do so).