Microsoft wants to patent the swipe

[Rich_D]

From now on, every time you swipe, you owe Bill Gates a penny!

Microsoft applies for page turn animation.

[ardeegee]

They are trying only to patent the earliest version of swiping, known in the technical community as the "A" swipe. This is only fair, since they did invent the sensor technology that makes finger-swipe technology possible.

So-- anytime you run across a Microsoft employee, you should show them your support-- wave a finger and yell "Hey, 'A' swipe!"

[pholy]

Uhmmm.... which finger?

Is this a hardware patent or one of those 'legally valid (in the USofA)' software patents?

[BenLee]

Originally Posted by ardeegee

They are trying only to patent the earliest version of swiping, known in the technical community as the "A" swipe. This is only fair, since they did invent the sensor technology that makes finger-swipe technology possible.

So-- anytime you run across a Microsoft employee, you should show them your support-- wave a finger and yell "Hey, 'A' swipe!"

LOL, anything to show my support

[Kris777]

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/07...e_turn_patent/



To be fair, the filing does include one breakthough we haven't yet seen in an ebook reader: the ability to turn a pile-o-pages with one gesture. Microsoft envisions the ability to flip through multiple pages by dragging your finger down the right margin. "Furthermore, the relationship between the speed of the gesture and the resulting speed of the page flipping can be linear, exponential, or any other suitable relationship," the filing notes.

[mike_bike_kite]

What happens if I use this method to turn pages in physical books?
Looking at my book collection it appears I owe Microsoft quite a lot of money
Are you sure they invented the idea of turning pages with a swipe?

[nashira]

Originally Posted by mike_bike_kite

What happens if I use this method to turn pages in physical books?
Looking at my book collection it appears I owe Microsoft quite a lot of money
Are you sure they invented the idea of turning pages with a swipe?

Unless I'm severely mistaken, this has to do with the technology, not the action people have been using with real books since they became, well. Books.

[fjtorres]

Like it or not, algorithms are patentable when expressed in associated hardware. This fits the guidelines as its expression *requires* a touchscreen. The hardware doesn't *have* to be new or unique, just the algorithm.

Here's the latest on the issue:
http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Application...t-Case-814678/

Note:

the court also rejected the ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit that a concept called the machine-or-transformation test was the only test that could be allowed for considering whether a a patent should be granted. That test considers whether the patent involves a machine or in some way transforms some object from one state to another.

The courts just said that hardware expression is *not* the *only* test of patentability but clearly, anything that is so expressed *is* patentable.

[LCF]

I like the comments on the website

[nashira]

Originally Posted by LCF

I like the comments on the website

We're a bunch of crazy kids, aren't we?

[Rich_D]

To give up a free swipe is to give up freedom itself!

[Shaggy]

Originally Posted by pholy

Is this a hardware patent or one of those 'legally valid (in the USofA)' software patents?

I'm a software developer, and I think software patents are stupid. So do most other developers that I've asked.

Yet another example of perverting an idea beyond it's original intent in order to fuel corporate greed.

Patents and copyright are both in serious need of reform. Unfortunately, those with the power to do so are the ones that perverted them in the first place.

[MelC]

Kriss777 It should be noted that the PRS600 permits multipage turning by means of the swipe and hold gesture.

Mel

[jbjb]

Originally Posted by Shaggy

I'm a software developer, and I think software patents are stupid. So do most other developers that I've asked.

Yet another example of perverting an idea beyond it's original intent in order to fuel corporate greed.

Patents and copyright are both in serious need of reform. Unfortunately, those with the power to do so are the ones that perverted them in the first place.

Absolutely agreed.

The current patent system (particularly in the US) is now used routinely by large encumbent organisations to squash smaller competitors such as startups. A (completely unjustified) patent lawsuit from a large company can quite easily put a startup with superior technology out of business. It doesn't matter whether or not the startup is actually infringing the patent - frequently the startup will not have funds to fight the case, and will simply fold.

Patent trolls are also a major problem (for large and small companies alike, though any such problem is inherently more serious for a smaller company).

The patent system now severly limits innovation, and needs an overhaul.

/JB