Microsoft's patent push has been stimulated by a number of factors including competition and trying to make sure Microsoft's rivals don't get access to key innovations.

However, the company also begun a broad intellectual property licensing push several years ago, under which it licenses technology to many companies big and small. The company has signed a slew of patent cross licensing deals since then, the most recent being Tuesday's deal with Japan's JVC.

Trolling through filings can offer a glimpse of where a company is headed, but as with Apple's closely watched patent filings, seeing something in a patent application is far from a guarantee of what will eventually ship.

A number of Microsoft's recently published patent applications cover search and advertising, areas in which Microsoft is investing significant amounts as it tries to play catch-up with Google. Recent filings cover things such as creating a spot market for video ads, and creating marketing that uses a combination of video and banner advertisements.

Among the other patent filings are hardware designs such as a washable keyboard and a washable mouse.

One patent which has been receiving recent controversy covers a means by which a computer that can use factors such as a person's heart rate, blood pressure, and facial expression to take action.

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