Look what I found today...
Excerpts from a U.S. Provisional Patent Discussion entitled "SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR AN IMPROVED USER INTERFACE SHELL FOR SMALL COMPUTER DEVICES," (MSFT)
SNIP
Systems and methods for an improved user interface shell for small computer devices
[0006] One example of a SCD is Microsoft's "GoPC" (schematics illustrations for which are included as FIG. 2). The GoPC is an ultra-mobile personal computer, communication, and media consumption device that has many of the same attributes as a Windows PC: a hard drive, an x86 processor, a high-quality full-color display, a QWERTY keyboard, network connectivity, and flexible peripheral expansion.
[0008] Therefore, while the GoPC specifically provides more of a general platform for ultra personal computing that can be built upon (with operating systems, applications, expansion components, etc.) rather than being a specific end-product, the user experience and expectations are still different from those for full-size computer systems. Consequently, a common user interface to fit all form factors (including but not limited to full-size systems and SCDs) and contexts of use (including but not limited to at-the-desk operation and on-the-go mobile utilization) could not deliver successful user experience.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a collection of two-dimensional and three-dimensional schematic diagrams illustrating the general appearance of an exemplary SCD (in this case, the Microsoft GoPC);
[0014] FIG. 3 illustrates a 3.times.4-inch display (hereinafter, a "3.times.4") of an exemplary SCD (in this case, the Microsoft GoPC) running (and thus displaying) an exemplary standard, full-size operating system (in this, Microsoft Windows XP) and an exemplary standard, full-size application program (in this case Microsoft PowerPoint XP); and
[0025] Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to systems and methods for a shell task user interface (STUI) that resides on top of the native operating system and application programs to enable an end-user to conveniently utilize an SCD (such as the GoPC, a schematic drawing of which is provided as FIG. 2) and a "full-size" operating system and applications programs in a more convenient way that is characteristic with the ways in which SCDs are typically utilized.
END SNIP
VERY interesting. This is probably the basis for the Origami Project. Note the NAME of the product they are pitching? Not Origami.
Alomst gives me the shivvers.
GoPC
Excerpts from a U.S. Provisional Patent Discussion entitled "SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR AN IMPROVED USER INTERFACE SHELL FOR SMALL COMPUTER DEVICES," (MSFT)
SNIP
Systems and methods for an improved user interface shell for small computer devices
[0006] One example of a SCD is Microsoft's "GoPC" (schematics illustrations for which are included as FIG. 2). The GoPC is an ultra-mobile personal computer, communication, and media consumption device that has many of the same attributes as a Windows PC: a hard drive, an x86 processor, a high-quality full-color display, a QWERTY keyboard, network connectivity, and flexible peripheral expansion.
[0008] Therefore, while the GoPC specifically provides more of a general platform for ultra personal computing that can be built upon (with operating systems, applications, expansion components, etc.) rather than being a specific end-product, the user experience and expectations are still different from those for full-size computer systems. Consequently, a common user interface to fit all form factors (including but not limited to full-size systems and SCDs) and contexts of use (including but not limited to at-the-desk operation and on-the-go mobile utilization) could not deliver successful user experience.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a collection of two-dimensional and three-dimensional schematic diagrams illustrating the general appearance of an exemplary SCD (in this case, the Microsoft GoPC);
[0014] FIG. 3 illustrates a 3.times.4-inch display (hereinafter, a "3.times.4") of an exemplary SCD (in this case, the Microsoft GoPC) running (and thus displaying) an exemplary standard, full-size operating system (in this, Microsoft Windows XP) and an exemplary standard, full-size application program (in this case Microsoft PowerPoint XP); and
[0025] Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to systems and methods for a shell task user interface (STUI) that resides on top of the native operating system and application programs to enable an end-user to conveniently utilize an SCD (such as the GoPC, a schematic drawing of which is provided as FIG. 2) and a "full-size" operating system and applications programs in a more convenient way that is characteristic with the ways in which SCDs are typically utilized.
END SNIP
VERY interesting. This is probably the basis for the Origami Project. Note the NAME of the product they are pitching? Not Origami.
Alomst gives me the shivvers.
GoPC
