Patent documents relating to articles published in The Economist Technology Quarterly

"Home alone" patents

A patent by MedivoxRx Technologies: WO03072011.

Some pertinent patents by Bang & Olufsen Medicom: EP1495746, WO2004002396, and WO03073977.

By Hewlett-Packard: US6550685.

Specifically mentioning Health Buddy, by Health Hero Network: WO0221317, WO0241227, WO0137174, WO0072452, WO0033236 and US5985559.

"Data with a human touch" patents

The European Patent Office routinely classifies patent literature about body-based communication in the H04B13/00B collection.

A patent by Matsushita is EP1168678

Another by Ident technology is EP1530526.

Microsoft's patent for skin-based data transmission is US6754472, while a NTT's one is US6223018.

"Sailing ships with a new twist " patents

The European Patent Office routinely classifies patent literature about sails that are supported at a mast tip and flying sails without mast in the B63H9/06E collection. That includes sails used as an auxiliary propulsion for motor and steam propelled merchant ships, with and without mast.

Besides, the EPO collection B63B35/79W4B deals with kite sails for kite-surfing, whereas the subdivision B63B35/79W4B1 deals with control bars for kitesurfers.

For patent literature on the materials for making sailcloth and the construction of sails, the EPO collection is B63H9/06D.

Some patents having Mr Stephan Wrage as inventor are WO03097448 and WO0192102.

Some patents about the concept of a kite sail for ships are WO9741028, DE19928166, and DE10017734, while other examples are by British Petroleum.

DE3518131 discloses a method for launching the kite using bodies filled with a gas lighter that air, that are included in the kite sail.

A recent development in this technical area, disclosed in patent GB2381515, refers to the use of articulated sail modules that contain a folded windsurfer-type sail.

esp@cenet^® is a free internet service from the European Patent Organisation. Use it to search in over 50 million patent documents.

To use esp@cenet^®, click on the "Access esp@cenet" link in the left-hand column of this page.

Alternatively, you can use the forum to exchange views with other users or make use of the information links for reading more about esp@cenet^®.

Your gateway can be the EPO, the European Commission, or any national patent office : to make your choice, click here.