Microsoft Wants to Get Into Skin Business

REDMOND, Wash. — Software giant Microsoft Corp. is trying to get into the skin networking business with U.S. Patent No. 6,754,472.

Microsoft last month was granted the patent to transmit power and data using the human body via electrodes.

According to the patent, the technology could bring in a new class of portable and wearable electronic devices that would not necessarily rule out sex toys.

“Power is distributed by coupling a power source to the human body via a first set of electrodes,” the patent reads. “A pulsed DC signal or AC signal may be used as the power source. By using multiple power supply signals of differing frequencies, different devices can be selectively powered.”

In its description, several devices could be powered from a single power source strapped to the skin.

The Redmond, Wash.-based company says that the natural salinity of the human body makes it an excellent conductor of electrical current.

In other patent news, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington, D.C., said a lower court erred in invalidating two patents for ergonomic computer keyboards.

The Tuesday ruling dealt a blow to Microsoft, which fought to have them voided after being sued by the holder of those patents.

TypeRight Keyboard Corp. sued Microsoft in July 1998, claiming that its ergonomic keyboards, which split the keys into separate clusters for the left and right hands and have a large wrist-rest, violated its "'441" and "'484" patents.

In June 2000, after Microsoft presented a document from a German company, Marquardt GmbH, that it said proved the concept of such a keyboard predated TypeRight's patent applications, a federal court in southern California granted a Microsoft motion to invalidate the patents.

But the appellate court said there was a "genuine issue" with the credibility of Microsoft's witnesses and that the judge should not have invalidated the patents given those issues.

The court refused to consider whether the lower court improperly denied another Microsoft motion for a summary judgment that its keyboards did not infringe the TypeRight patents, saying it lacked jurisdiction.

The case is TypeRight Keyboard Corp. vs. Microsoft Corp., 03-1197, 03-1255.

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Anissa Kate, Jordan Starr Top AEBN for Q2 of 2025

AEBN has published its top-selling stars for the second quarter of 2025, with Anissa Kate landing atop the leaderboard for straight theaters and Jordan Starr heading up the gay rankings.

AEBN Reveals Eva Maxim as Top Trans Star for Q2 of 2025

AEBN has published its top trans stars list for the second quarter of 2025, with Eva Maxim landing atop the leaderboard.

France Reinstates Age Verification Rule for EU Sites

France’s highest court, the Council of State, on Tuesday reinstated age verification rules for EU-based sites under the country’s Security and Regulation of the Digital Space (SREN) law, ruling in favor of the French government and against Hammy Media.

Whisper Fans Joins Pineapple Support as Supporter-Level Sponsor

Whisper Fans has joined the ranks of over 70 adult businesses and organizations committing funds and resources to Pineapple Support.

Utherverse Launches 'Red Light Center' Virtual World

Virtual reality and metaverse technology company Utherverse has launched its new virtual world, RedLightCenter.io.

European Commission Approves AV Guidelines, Unveils Prototype App

The European Commission on Monday released its final, approved guidelines for protecting minors online under the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA) and made public a “white label” age verification app intended to help sites and platforms comply with age verification rules under the DSA.

New Membership Site 'Sluts Corner' Launches

R18 Entertainment has launched a new membership site, SlutsCorner.com.

Roxie Rae Relaunches Site Through XSiteAbility

Roxie Rae has relaunched her site through XSiteAbility.

Show More