Microsoft owns you

Microsoft has just won a patent for using the human body to transmit power and data:

"Abstract:
Methods and apparatus for distributing power and data to devices coupled to the human body are described. The human body is used as a conductive medium, e.g., a bus, over which power and/or data is distributed. Power is distributed by coupling a power source to the human body via a first set of electrodes. One or more devise to be powered, e.g., peripheral devices, are also coupled to the human body via additional sets of electrodes. The devices may be, e.g., a speaker, display, watch, keyboard, etc. A pulsed DC signal or AC signal may be used as the power source. By using multiple power supply signals of differing frequencies, different devices can be selectively powered. Digital data and/or other information signals, e.g., audio signals, can be modulated on the power signal using frequency and/or amplitude modulation techniques. "

The patent relates to the development of personal area networks, natch, and this brings to mind certain 60's-ish musicians who used their abdominal cavities as the "body" of their guitars, but still ...

Via Stefano Demiliani.