360°

Has Microsoft stolen IllumiRoom?

Microsoft stole a lot of headlines this week with their IllumiRoom reveal where they projected a 360 degree image across the room to enhance the immersive nature of gaming and other entertainment forms… but did they steal this idea from someone else?

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lazygamer.net
TheGamerDood4122d ago (Edited 4122d ago )

Busted! This dude is about to get paid.

Dark_Overlord4122d ago (Edited 4122d ago )

Not necessarily, looking at the guys patent it seems the device only covers at most 180 degrees of vision, from what I've heard Illumiroom supposedly covers 360 degrees. Due to this it could be classed as a different idea (I'm sure MS will explain many other differences), so MS could get around it (We all know how stupid the patent place is :/)

I'm sure we'll find out soon enough :)

ps3fanboy4ever4122d ago

Like anything, the devil is in the details.

It really depends on how the patent is written, and that particular country's laws. In addition, it also depends on how you achieve said ability. You can sometimes achieve the same result without infringing on a patent. In theory you can't patent an idea, only the implementation.

At this stage though, there is no infringement as MS hasn't actually made or sold a product.

Showing somebodys patent in action is not an infringement.

BillySpandex4122d ago

Funny, when I mentioned that Microsoft stole the illumiroom idea from someone else, I was flagged for trolling, and they took my bubble.

I feel vindicated now. Please return my bubble.

CraigandDayDay4122d ago

I don't know about anyone else here, but I'm just flat out not interested nor have the room or right set-up for this kind of tech. I'll pass on using it. I don't care if the PS4 and the 720 have it, I'm not interested myself. I'm looking forward to more 1080p native games and in seeing 4K video content on the PS4 and most likely the 720 as well.

deadpoole4122d ago

And the plot thickens ... lollll ... :D

Little bit off topic.

But on the serious note, Kinect as well as PS Move, though amazing idea whatsoever but the implementation method and hardware utilized for are so not suitable at all in context to which these are developed for.

Any console using camera to capture gesture, illuminated object etc is, no matter what, always going to be slow because of the processing overhead and will never come close to the response result of that of wired controller.

rainslacker4122d ago (Edited 4122d ago )

hmm...There wasn't enough detail in this article to really say if it was stolen. MS could have been working on this a long time, or they could have implemented it in a very different way.

Patents protect the actual implementation of an idea, not the idea itself, or at least that's what they're supposed to do.

If this guy had it implemented, which was shown in the video, and MS is using a similar or exact method of producing the same result, then this guy deserves credit and compensation for it. It's the exact reason the patent system exists in the first place.

Also this article is only speculating on if it's stolen. For all we know the original inventor was properly compensated. Hell, for all we know he took it to MS himself, or they approached him because of the BBC report. It was a 3rd party that originally posted this on reddit.

So before everyone jumps the gun, ask the right questions, because apparently this wannabe journalist doesn't want to take the time to actually go and confirm any of their assertions.

ShinMaster4122d ago

Whether it's Windows, IllumiRoom or Mii avatars.

JoGam4122d ago (Edited 4122d ago )

Actually can it get that MS bought the idea then patented it? Im just saying.

fr0sty4122d ago

Nothing in that Illumiroom video shows 360 degrees of projection. It only shows the area in front of the player being video mapped.

GribbleGrunger4122d ago (Edited 4122d ago )

Blimey, I can't win on this site, but here goes: Whilst I can see that 'perhaps' MS were influenced by this tech, I can also acknowledge that two techs can be developed in isolation and still have a striking resemblance to one and other. Even IF MS knew of this, there is nothing wrong with taking an existing idea and building on it. The ONLY problem I have is when a company borrows an idea and claims they've invented it. At that point I switch from getting disagrees from Sony fans to disagrees from MS fans. 'Swings and roundabouts' is quite the appropriate saying here.

+ Show (7) more repliesLast reply 4122d ago
Kran4122d ago (Edited 4122d ago )

Considering Sony are sorta doing the same thing... and they began researching the idea first...

would you be saying that now?

TheGamerDood4122d ago

the difference is that your eyes are not locked onto a screen you're looking at the whole room. when you're gaming and you're focused on gameplay do you really notice anything else going on around you? I'm going to say no and that's what makes MS illumiRoom so silly and gimmicky.

freezola754122d ago

Dawg I saw that video and it was pretty good! I don't know if It'll be cool to use inside an apartment though...

on topic, although M$ has been accused of stuff like this before, I think it has alot to do with HOW that patent is designed...

damn tho this looks really cool! Peace

dedicatedtogamers4122d ago

Microsoft stealing ideas? Oh goodness! I've never heard of such a thing...

Kids, Microsoft has been doing this since the '80s.

Belking4122d ago (Edited 4122d ago )

Oh no, MS are thieves.... It is rumored that they stole some guy call Phil Harrison from Sony too....When asked all MS would say is that"we don't comment on rumors or speculations"...lol Seem like two different things to me. MS aren't stupid. They would of never shown this if there were any chance that that would happen. MS has already patented their Holodeck.

Nykamari4122d ago

Nope they stole Phil from Atari. So you failed at trolling that!

hellvaguy4122d ago

First they steal patents, then they steal people named Phil. Clearly next will be babies.

UnholyLight4121d ago

Hah, people and this whole stealing mii's BS. They even said that for the original Xbox they had a big vision that included avatars and the cloud some day and a bunch of other stuff. I'm pretty sure they didn't blatantly "steal the mii" idea as well

kikizoo4122d ago

When they don't buy things (kinect, medias, etc), they are stealing (windows, etc).

with $$$$$$$$, ideas, creativity are not so important :)

MrDead4122d ago (Edited 4122d ago )

I worked for Xerox, all the function day's and exhibitions you can guarantee that someone will bring up how Xerox created the windows format and a bunch of other things we all use today. Xerox never understood what they created would change how we interface with tech they just let it slip through their fingers. Its a shame as I'm sure my wages would of been higher if they where the super giant they could of been.

Megaton4122d ago

Probably. Just about everything they have was stolen or bought from someone else.

Godmars2904122d ago

Showed it before they could buy it maybe.

Software_Lover4122d ago

OH MY GOD SOMEONE CALL THE POLICE!!!!!!!!!

Sony and Microsoft should be sued by Nintendo for making gaming systems. Or should Nintendo be sued? Apple should be sued for making a phone. Gillette should sue Schick. Mercedes should sue Ford. AMD should sue NVIDIA.

Microsoft should sue Sony for making a camera for the playstation when they had already made one for the pc.

Give this $h!t a break

Belking4122d ago (Edited 4122d ago )

"Give this $h!t a break"

Exactly.It's stupid. Neither technology has seen the light of day yet. Damn journalist...lol

R_A_LEE204122d ago (Edited 4122d ago )

Patent Wars will never end, it's just the way the world works these days.

Although it is getting more and more ridiculous as it happens.

Godmars2904122d ago

At the same time MS shouldn't be getting multiple pats on the back for showing something someone else invented.

Like Kinect.

Software_Lover4122d ago

So why does Apple get so many pats on the back for producing a phone, even though hundreds were already out? Because they took something that was already there and changed it for the better. Same thing Microsoft did with Kinect. Same thing Sony did with the first Playstation.

Its just the way business works.

Godmars2904122d ago

They don't get the pats - they just get the money.

Okay-okay, they get so much money people think they should pat Apple on the back.

ArmrdChaos4122d ago (Edited 4122d ago )

Another opinion piece? Not going to even bother. Man children screaming at the top of their lungs for attention.

ShinMaster4122d ago

Microsoft invented and produced motion-tracking cameras for gaming before the EyeToy?

UnholyLight4121d ago

Finally someone with some sense. A lot of retards in N4G it would seem hey

scott1824121d ago

Microsoft made the first camera? Nintendo made the first gaming system? I can see where you are coming from to some degree about everyone copying everyone. But when something like this happens (the IllumiRoom drama) it makes you wonder if a huge company really did outright take an idea from someone smaller...

+ Show (6) more repliesLast reply 4121d ago
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190°

Microsoft’s Surface and Xbox hardware revenues take a big hit in Q3

Microsoft just posted the third quarter of its 2024 fiscal financial results. The software maker made $61.9 billion in revenue and a net income of $21.9 billion during Q3. Revenue is up 17 percent, and net income has increased by 20 percent.

Read Full Story >>
theverge.com
darthv7215h ago

Xbox content + services up 62% while hardware down 31%... seems about right with the way they tout you don't need the hardware to play. People can play on their phones or smart tv or other means. I don't hardly play on my consoles directly since getting devices like the logitech g-cloud and ps portal. Which is to also say I have been playing more digital than physical because of these devices.

solideagle2h ago

you should apply in MS PR team buddy, I think you will do a great job in my humble opinion :)

Cacabunga1h ago

I can tell people like you are an absolute minority..

If service is up means their fans and fanboys accepted this model and subscribed to it. The near future you will see a big decline because the service is saturated.

shinoff21831h ago

But that's been ms for years. When things aren't going their way they try to change the way things are said. For instance console sales are down, they stop telling how many sold instead telling us how many hours spent in halo or headshots. So it makes sense console sales down just say people are playing on more devices then previous. What they won't say is how many xbox players jumped ship to ps5.

purple1014h ago

Xbox hardware revenue tanks to lowest point of Xbox Series generation

Profchaos4h ago

I'm not surprised surface is struggling they aren't relevant anymore

XBManiac3h ago

Too expensive hardware when others offer the same or more for less? Good work, Green Team.

SimpleDad3h ago(Edited 3h ago)

"Despite some early successes for Xbox games on rival platforms, Xbox hardware is down by a massive 31 percent this quarter."
"Without Activision Blizzard, Microsoft’s overall gaming revenue would have actually declined this quarter."
"Xbox content and services would have only been up a single percent without Activision Blizzard..."
"It looks like next quarter is going to be a similar story for gaming at Microsoft, too."

That is crazy... so A/B/K is carrying the whole Xbox gaming.
Oh and Microsoft will be fine. Windows, Office and Cloud are growing with each pc purchase.

purple1012h ago

Activision: "we gonna need a bigger rucksack/backpack please"

Microsoft: "why's that"

Activision: "to carry yo' weak ass'

Profchaos2h ago(Edited 2h ago)

Top brass have also wanted to start seeing returns on the 100 billion they have put into various Xbox related moves so seeing more multiplatform games is highly likely especially from abk

It's basically saying that PlayStation is the reason Xbox is afloat right now thinks to Ps5 versions of COD

Kornholic1h ago

So basically PS and PC gamers' money is keeping Xbox on life support.

Show all comments (15)
300°

Microsoft Seemingly Closes Bethesda France

As part of its plans to cut 1,900 jobs, Microsoft has reportedly shut down operations at Bethesda France, letting go roughly 15 people

Read Full Story >>
insider-gaming.com
Hereandthere1d 11h ago

Microsoft should have left them stay 3rd party

GamerRN1d 9h ago

If they are let go, they can be whatever they want. They ARE 3rd party now... 🤦

Barlos1d 6h ago

Yeah, they're also jobless.

GamerRN23h ago

They can form a company if they want, they are just as jobless as if "Microsoft had left them as 3rd party".

peppeaccardo1d 1h ago

"MIcrosoft leaves Bethesda do what they know how to do best" ... close! Oh the irony ....
(Citation from a week old article)

ChasterMies21h ago

I think Microsoft and other game publishers are letting people go because they think ai will replace them. Doesn’t matter how much profit they make. They were always going to be let go.

PassNextquestion1d 11h ago (Edited 1d 11h ago )

Bethesda France was made up of roughly 15 people... they couldn't of being doing much

Bethesda France mainly did publishing and marketing within the region

blacktiger1d 9h ago

that's a shame for you to say that, i'm sure Elite loves hearing what you just said.

Mr Logic19h ago

What a stupid thing to say. The elites give 0 fucks what we say on an obscure website in the comments section.

Crows9018h ago

You can always reach out and give them jobs at your company man. Don't wait

Profchaos1d 11h ago (Edited 1d 11h ago )

Bethesda France focused on publishing and marketing in the region. And 15 people lost their jobs as part of the closure.

I wonder if this is part of Microsoft's strategy to abandoned physical media or possibly gamepass advertising makes their roles redundant you don't need to market a game as hard when the majority of players get the game as part of a sub which already promoted upcoming games

Tacoboto1d 11h ago

It's France too, there's a high likelihood only 1-2 people on the team even had an Xbox.

Profchaos1d 10h ago

Possibly guven all the leaks we know the Xbox brand is really struggling in the region.

Yi-Long1d 7h ago

Well, if your consoles and games are barely found in any stores any more, of course you're gonna struggle finding consumers ...

XiNatsuDragnel1d 10h ago

Tbh Microsoft I think Bethesda being 3rd party same with Activision would probably more competitive than thus scenario imo

Profchaos1d 8h ago (Edited 1d 8h ago )

I think it would have been better for all parties really especially gamers

TheColbertinator1d 9h ago

The recently purchased Activision French offices might take over all the licensing and marketing for Microsoft in France from now on.

Show all comments (21)
280°

Xbox's Preservation Step Sets A Much-Needed Example, Especially For Nintendo

Hanzla from eXputer inquires: "If Xbox can care about preserving its games and legacy, what exactly is wrong with Nintendo, trying to kill game preservation single-handedly?"

purple10112d ago

Ahh yes the good old game preservation of saving all your games to a removable hhd on the Xbox 360, taking it round your mates house, setting up multiple tvs to
Be met with “save data corrupted, please re download”

Or how about removing 360 games
From the store
, download them now or else, and, better hope to god that save data doesn’t corrupt, or it’s lost for ever

Nice one ☝️

Zeref12d ago

It's better than what Nintendo and Playstation is doing. It might not be perfect but at least they are TRYING. Unlike the others.

DarXyde11d ago

Trying? Take off the blinders for a moment, mate.

1. A failure to preserve games is just that: a failure to preserve games. Don't try to sugarcoat it: NO ONE is doing it properly. Better than awful is nothing to write home about.

2. At the time of this comment, isn't it the case that you need an internet connection to play Xbox games even if you buy physical discs that are hardly in circulation anymore? I don't have a Series X and I can't verify, but I think that is correct. I'm fairly certain you can at least play PS5 games at version 1.0 (not much of a win really when many games require day one patches). I think Microsoft's all digital, licensing approach is by far more aggressive than anyone else's. They really try to push you to game pass where you lose your entire library by umm.... Skipping a month of payments.

I don't think anyone is doing it right whatsoever. Don't get me started on Nintendo, who goes after anyone looking to preserve their games better than they ever would with extreme litigation.

Don't be a simp for any of these companies. Get it together.

PhillyDonJawn11d ago (Edited 11d ago )

@DarX never speak on Xbox again. You lost all credibility with your internet connection comment. Smh you have 0 clue and misinformed yet speaking on something you don't no squat about.

Einhander197211d ago

What has Sony done exactly? You guys keep deflecting to Sony but I am not actually seeing any results, and ai am certain nothing that you can come up with even comes close to what Microsoft has done and what they have tried and failed to do, like tie all your disks to your account on xbone.

Microsoft removed their whole indie section when they moved to the xbone because they were going to only allow games on the service that came from a publisher, id@xbox started after xbone launched and it only exists because Sony embraced indie and Microsoft was forced to cancel their plans and reverse course.

And every single game that was part of games for windows live including disk games (I have gta 4 on disk that won't work) so hundreds of games that use that DRM no longer work unless the company themselves patched it out which of course very few did.

MrBaskerville11d ago

Not trying. Tried. they killed of the backcomp program years ago. They set something up again, but sounds like it's more of an attempt to save the current library on whatever they are planning next. With luck they save everything and more, but let's see. I could see them killing off parts of the OG xbox and 360 libraries. Can't imagine that they would allow us to play Forza 5-7 in the future.

With that said, I do like what they've done and really wish they could have done more.

shinoff218311d ago

Zeref

So killing off physical media is trying what exactly. Ms don't really give a fk if you think they do your kidding yourself.

Profchaos11d ago

They are not trying this team is established for forward compatability the team is. It interested in preserving Xbox or 360 games.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 11d ago
isarai12d ago

Is that why Hellblade 2 is digital only?

Zeref12d ago

Just because it's digital only doesn't mean you can't preserve it. Just put it on an external and you have the exact same functionality of what a disc does.

MrNinosan12d ago

Guess you're trolling, but if you actually think that's how it works, I'd recommend buying some braincells.

mkis00711d ago (Edited 11d ago )

Volitile vs nonvolitile data. A disc will not corrupt either. A drive can be corrupted.

Einhander197212d ago

This is just a scammy PR move to distract from the fact they are going digital only and trying to push streaming and subscriptions only.

No gaming company has pushed harder to remove ownership than Microsoft.

Without discs there is no preservation, preservation can't be done by the rights holders it can only be done by the consumers, anything else is a lie.

12d ago Replies(3)
Einhander197212d ago

Anyone remember xblig which Microsoft removed their whole 360 indie section removing hundreds of games from people?

12d ago
12d ago
Zeref12d ago

Do you know you can put your games on an external and preserve them that way? There are no benefits to discs. ZERO. Idk why some of you are still obsessed with them.

DarXyde11d ago

Because games like Persona 5 exist. It's STILL V1.00. On Playstation, that's a win because 1.00 is installed on the disc—no need to download anything.

If a game does not require any updates, it's all on the disc.

Extremely low bar in the modern era, of course. It's not much of a win by any stretch.

But for now, physical media does have a purpose, at least on Playstation.

Einhander197211d ago

That is factually not how game licensing works, try plugging your hard drive into someone else xbox, It's not going to work, and it won't work if the licensing servers ever go down.

Einhander197211d ago

Anyone remember games for windows live.

I have around a dozen games, some on Steam itself that will not work because Microsoft shut off the licensing servers.

BehindTheRows11d ago (Edited 11d ago )

I do. I STILL have games (Gears of War being the big one) I cannot access because Games for Windows LIVE is total garbage and no one has held Microsoft accountable.

Zeref11d ago (Edited 11d ago )

You don't have an Xbox apparently. Because you can 100 percent plug in your external and play games from it on any Xbox console lol. You just have to be logged in to prove ownership.

Chevalier11d ago

"You don't have an Xbox apparently. Because you can 100 percent plug in your external and play games from it on any Xbox console lol. You just have to be logged in to prove ownership."

Damn how many times do people got to explain your idiocy to you? You can take a copy of Persona 5 like someone used as an example and play that game on ANY console WITHOUT logging in which means I can lend the game to a friend without internet and they can play my game. Can you lend your hard drive to anyone without logging in for them to play? NOPE. That is a huge difference and if you think otherwise then sorry you're an idiot.

Tacoboto11d ago

"No gaming company has pushed harder to remove ownership than Microsoft."

Ubisoft is literally erasing games people bought from their libraries... My PS1-3 discs are useless on modern hardware. Nintendo's re-published and resold almost their entire Wii U library, and the eShop is completely dead with no BC mechanism in the Switch software. Microsoft publishes everything they make today day one on Steam and Xbox/Windows. Sony only brings to PC the titles they think you might want some years later and Nintendo won't even design a functional long-lasting joystick.

You're absolutely trolling and not serious if you think Microsoft today is the worst offender.

shinoff218311d ago

Yay steam

Not everyone fks with computers though. The disc is still the best way as a console player. Period.

Tacoboto11d ago

How do Sony and Nintendo feel about these discs from 2001-2013?

Don't be stupid, you know Xbox is the best at this today.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 11d ago
Hofstaderman12d ago

Nobody wants this. Sales or the lack of it in the case of XBOX is very telling. I wonder how the adorably all digital series X will fare. Adorably dismal perhaps?

crazyCoconuts11d ago

Only time will tell, but for from someone like me suspecting that Xbox is trying to gracefully exit the console market, that "forward compatibility" team is trying to get Xbox games playing on Windows PCs. I mean, it's nice that they're not planning on exiting with a "enjoy your games while the hardware still works" message, so that's nice. They still have a brand to protect via Microsoft so probably feel obligated to have a better exit strategy.

Xeofate11d ago (Edited 11d ago )

That is not their plan, their plan is to transfer users accounts to the cloud.

Phil Spencer himself said as much a few months back, plans could have changed but I think people are reading way too much into one statement where Phil said he would allow Epic on xbox because he wants to be able to sell xbox games directly on other platforms. Aka, instead of selling Sea of Thives through PSN he wants to have an xbox store to sell his games on PlayStation without giving PlayStation any money.

Again, it's extremely unlikely that Phil plans to put PC on xbox and licensing would prevent them from just giving out other publishers games purchased on xbox copies of thier games on PC, Microsoft does not own their games.

crazyCoconuts10d ago

The thing that doesn't align with the cloud strategy is the giving up on exclusives. You'd still need strong exclusives for cloud streaming - it's still a "platform" , just with a lower upfront hardware investment. I feel like they've learned what PS learned with PSNow long ago. We're not ready to stream games and it's only gonna lose them money to try at this point

FinalFantasyFanatic11d ago

I would love that, I'd buy up some of the Xbox games if they could run on PC, like the Rare Replay, Lost Odyssey and Dead or Alive Ultimate, probably a pipe dream though.

Show all comments (43)