According to the patent summary, the human body is used as a
conductive medium over which power and/or data is distributed. A
set of electrodes would attach a power source to the human body;
devices like speakers, a display, a watch and a keyboard would also
be attached by electrodes. The power source and devices then
interact to form a complete computer network.
The concept of a personal area network, or PAN, is not a new
one, Bluetooth being today's best enabler. Nor is the concept of
using the body to power data transfer original: in 1996 IBM
patented a device that would permit the transmission of data – in
that case business cards – by the simple act of shaking hands.
Microsoft envisages transmission from one body to another by
touch; but its method of transferring power, not just data, appears
to take the concept further. The patent filing adds that the body
used "may be that of a wide variety of living animals".
