As I mentioned in my previous blog post, this week I'll be examining the innovation and technological aspect of patent engineering rather than the litigation and monetary aspects of them. I think this is fitting due to the new direction that our class is now headed in.
Here's another cool patent that was filed this week, by Samsung: http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/02/20/samsung-patent-describes-guitar_n_2724250.html
The patent pretty much describes a mobile device similar to a smartphone that could also double as a guitar. Sensors, buttons, and touch-screens on the device perceive how and where you are moving it to produce guitar-like notes.
I don't actually think that this could go on to great success, because it sounds like something that lies between a gimick and the real thing. For people who want a gimick, a simple iOS or Android app might suffice, whereas those who want the real deal would probably prefer to just buy a real guitar. Nevertheless, as a guitar player myself this does indeed look awesome, and it would be cool if it became a reality.
But all of this drives me to think, why would Samsung bother to patent this? Clearly they think that this patent could have some real value looking into the future. Or perhaps they are simply being overly cautious due to their current litigation with Apple. Either way, it will be interesting to see where this goes.
Seems like it may just be a prototype, and maybe once they improve on it it'll become a huge hit. I can see musicians everywhere ditching their guitars for one of those if they add things like a guitar neck attachment, and maybe some real strings to provide a sense of actually playing the instrument. Perhaps they can make the device's body look like a guitar's body too.
ReplyDeleteInteresting... I'm getting the feeling that musicians, though, are more grounded in traditional instruments than in technology. This is likely more for fun purposes (we have electronic violins, pianos, that don't garner as much applause. Regardless, it will be interesting to see what patents add-ons require...
ReplyDeleteDefinitely interesting, although I agree with you. I don't think this will be a huge hit, and as Sandy mentioned above, most musicians are tied to their traditional instruments. It could definitely be a fun gimmick, and I could see them cross linking it with games in the future (Guitar Hero)?
ReplyDeleteThat's really funny because about two years ago a few friends and I made something very similar in EE149. We had the same idea, but instead of using a motion sensor to detect strumming we were looking into using an infrared optical sensor. And we had it the other way around, i.e. the string were 'plucked' on the smartphone and the fretboard was in the hand. Although I think I like Samsung's version a bit better.
ReplyDeleteThat is a cool device and I agree that it would probably not be much of a success. With a real guitar the user is able to feel and control how hard and fast the strings strum. However, with this guitar it would be nearly impossible. Also, Gautam actually tried to invent that in his class. I wonder if he tried to patent his infrared made guitar.
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