On 05.05.2006, Dave Chapman wrote:

> Linus Nielsen Feltzing wrote:
>> John Bauman wrote:
>>
>>> Here's a new patent that Apple just received that I think
>>> people here (especially blind users) might find interesting:
>>> http://tinyurl.com/qwzux

>> It's especially interesting, since Rockbox implemented Voice
>> UI in early 2004, while the patent was filed in september
>> 2004.

>> Perhaps even more amusing is that the Rockbox voice UI works
>> on iPod even before Apple. :-)

> Yes, but Apple also filed another patent in July 2003 (before
> Rockbox's implementation) for a general Voice UI (i.e. voiced
> menu entries):

> This is mentioned in paragaph [0001] of the above patent
> application - that original patent is here:

> http://tinyurl.com/zggj5

> So whilst I'm sure prior art exists, Rockbox doesn't predate
> the initial patent application, just the extension to
> pre-generate voice clips based on filenames/tags.

While it is true that talking menus for rockbox were first
introduced in cvs on 14 Mar 2004, the talkbox feature (voicing
directories by use of audio clips) existed (as an external
patch, see mailing list) way earlier - it was first announced on
7 May 2003.

Regards, Jens
Received on Sat May 6 09:36:29 2006