Microsoft's patent for sending IMs on the same screen you're watching TV on may either be way off the mark or a gold mine. Having already integrated MSN chat into their Windows XP MCE and Xbox 360 Media Extender, Microsoft is now making sure nobody else (aka Apple's eventual media center) can follow without ponying up some gold doubloons.

Will chatting over IM during TV even catch on? Most people aren't touch typists, and even more wish to just watch TV while watching TV, becoming irritated with their S.O.'s inane chatter. Yes, we know Elliot on Scrubs changed her hair again dear, I'm trying to concentrate!

We've tried the integrated MSN chat on Media Center and the Xbox 360 and rate it a solid "meh". It's not great, and it covers up a good portion of the bottom of the screen, which is usually where cleavage shows up. You better move that chat box, Microsoft, if you want this thing to catch on.

Microsoft patents watching TV and chatting at the same time [Ars technica]

Send an email to Jason Chen, the author of this post, at jchen@gizmodo.com.