17 replies to this topic

[dexter]

Sony patents 'real life Matrix'

Obviously the news report has been hyped up to a large extent, but this patenting is ridiculous.

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The patent - based only on a theory, not on any invention...

I mean, how the hell can you patent a theory...? Does that mean I could go off and make a patent on something currently in development and yet not fully developed and have exclusive rights to the technology or what? And does that mean they have exclusive rights to that technology? (I think so, but then, I'm not an expert in IP law)

Anyway, this is not a new idea. Researchers have been working on this stuff for years.

[Wyllt]

Well I had always assume that patents applied to physical inventions and the like, and copyrights to intelectual property. Clearly this falls under the catagory of intelectual property. In performing a quick websearch on what can be patented though I discovered I was incorrect in my belief (sort of). I discovered this site which clearly describes what can and cannot be patented. As such it is clear that a theoretical device that is described in the article CAN be patented. However because, as you stated the theory isn't exactly new it might not really be a legit patent, because all patents must be novel ideas. Novelty is aparently defined as:

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Novelty simply means the invention must be new. That is, it must differ from knowledge already existing in the public domain (referred to as “prior art”). Patent law defines prior art in several ways, including:
- Anything that is described in a publication: 1) before the date you made the invention, or 2) one year before you file your patent application.

- Anything that is in public use or on sale in the U.S.: 1) before the date you made the invention, or 2) one year before you file the patent application.

- Prior patents that were issued: 1) before the date you made the invention, or 2) one year before you file the patent application.

[beeseven]

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The patent has few details, describing only a device that would fire pulses of ultrasound at the head to modify the firing patterns of neurons in targeted parts of the brain.

That doesn't sound good. I don't really trust a big corporation to fire ultrasound at my brain and do only what they say they will. It's ludicrous to think they won't put some form of marketing or that this will have no adverse affects on brain activity at all.

[CrashCore]

Wow. I agree with beeseven: this sounds out of control. I don't think it sounds like a good idea or safe at all.

[CrashCore]

I'm sorry to write another post; I couldn't find an edit button, but this also sounds like it could be EXTREMELY (if it were acually invented) dangerous in the wrong hands. Think about terrorists manipulating people in high places or for torture or something.

[lostprophetX]

It's hard to say, for me at least, if I would like this. On one hand, you could transmit yourself into your favorite movie or game, becoming the main character. That would be so sweet. Think about it...becoming Neo or Vincent Vega from Pulp Fiction...

But, there's always a bad side. As others have said, this could be dangerous in the wrong hands. Ever heard of brainwashing? With this, it seems it would be possible. You could be trained for a terrorist act and not know it. Or, you could be trained to kill and not even know it.

It's difficult to say if I would like it...I guess I would have to decide when it becomes "real"...

[-{rb}-Mohaa Team]

That's extremely dangerous.That will cause serious brain damage.

[deadmetalmx]

I think that if it is your idea, yes you should be able to put a patent on it. But i just don't think that sony had anything to do with the Maxtrix movies. I mean at least samsung threw in a few cell phones. I guess when your as big as sony you dont really have to play by the rules. I think when the time does come for matrix-like technology, sony will have to fight for it just like everyone else, with or without their patent

[spacemonkey]

I think if Sony ever went on to develop this idea furtther into a working technology, they would either make it almost completely safe or warn about long-term usage. Either way, if people didn't die every now and then from using it, I would try it to see what it was like, to see how realistic it could be. I've always figured this was the next step in digital entertainment.

Brainwash? I doubt it. At least not from Sony. But I suppose if terrorists felt so inclined as to use this technology against someone, they could make it harmful. But why would they bother? They'd rather detonate a bomb somewhere and get it over with.

Though the brainwashing idea does kind of remind me of that movie "Brainscan" starring Edward Furlong. That was a crappy, crappy movie. But interesting nonetheless.

[spawn_syxx9]

That is actually pretty damn cool. I really like that idea because it does give everyone the ability to actually forsee a time where computers are almost non existant.