This patent application is a beauty, by Microsoft this time: See http://snipurl.com/axm5 or http://appft1.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PG01&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=%2220040234938%22.PGNR.&OS=DN/20040234938&RS=DN/20040234938
"System and method for providing instructional feedback to a user
Abstract
A system and method for providing instructional responses to unstructured user input is presented. In operation, a task is presented to a user. In response to the task, the user inputs unstructured input onto a computing device. In response to the input, a determination is made as to whether an instructional response should be presented to the user. If so, the response is presented to the user. Determining whether a response should be made to the user is made according to the accuracy of the user input in regard to the task. The response may be a visual response, and audio response, or an audio/visual response. The invention may be used in a network configuration that permits a teacher to monitor the progress of individual users/students. "
Ah, you might think, the patent application must describe some very clever method of "evaluating the accuracy of the user's input".
Nope, there is no such description. An example is given of the computer determining a badly written "b" from a well written one, although how the computer does this is not explained. They go on to say:
"Numerous other ways for evaluating the accuracy of the user's unstructured input in regard to a specific, presented task may be utilized in the present invention without departing from the scope thereof."
Thus, they are applying for a patent over the general idea of providing feedback to users of instructional systems, based on a determination of accuracy of their unstructured input in ways which are not specified and open ended.
Clearly this goes beyond teaching schoolkids to write, and definitely extends to healthcare worker training, including medical and nursing student education and continuing medical edication activities.
Of course, there is plenty of prior art, as well as plenty of obviousness, but if no-one bothers to oopose such a worthless patent application, Microsoft can then use it to threaten software vendors (including open source projects) which implement these very broad ideas - and the only way to respond is to take Microsoft on in the courts, or at best to request re-examination of the patent. The saving grace in this instance is that Microsoft does not appear to have filed an international PCT application for this patent (yet), so it is a US-only affair.
However, if you want to be really shocked, have a look at this list of international PCT patent applications filed by Microsoft recently:
http://snipurl.com/axma
or
http://v3.espacenet.com/results?IA=microsoft&sf=q&FIRST=1&CY=ep&LG=en&DB=EPODOC&st=IA&kw=microsoft&Submit=SEARCH&=&=&=&=&=
Picking one at random:
http://v3.espacenet.com/textdoc?DB=EPODOC&IDX=US2004230831&F=0&QPN=US2004230831
appears to describe a Kerberos-like method for single sign-on. Again, lots of prior art, no apparent breakthrough - all it is is a roadblock to progress.
My only thought is that if large corporations like Microsoft continue to abuse the patent system in this way, at their current prodigous rate, it will at least hasten widespread and in-depth reform of what is clearly a completely broken intellectual propoerty regime. But a lot of progress will be hindered, or stopped altogther, in the next decade until that reform occurs. And many people will suffer as a result.
Tim C
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