RSSApple secures a patent for a multitouch methodology
By Tim Conneally | Published January 27, 2009, 11:46 AM
The US Patent Office has granted "Jobs, et al" a patent for multitouch techniques. The patent is entitled "Touch screen device, method, and graphical user interface for determining commands by applying heuristics."
Heuristics is a commonly used term in computer science, and here refers to a set of loosely-defined parameters that can be applied to numerous situations, and the important thing to note here is that it's not the commands themselves being patented, rather the device and its associated GUI and methods for recognizing those commands.
"A computer-implemented method for use in conjunction with a computing device with a touch screen display comprises: detecting one or more finger contacts with the touch screen display, applying one or more heuristics to the one or more finger contacts to determine a command for the device, and processing the command. The one or more heuristics comprise: a heuristic for determining that the one or more finger contacts correspond to a one-dimensional vertical screen scrolling command, a heuristic for determining that the one or more finger contacts correspond to a two-dimensional screen translation command, and a heuristic for determining that the one or more finger contacts correspond to a command to transition from displaying a respective item in a set of items to displaying a next item in the set of items."
Apple cites a number of existing patents in this filing, including (#6,597,345) the patent for a touchscreen keypad, (#5,655,094) the patent for a pop-up scroll bar, as well as several patents for scrolling and zooming via touchscreen interface.
Well, it will be challenged for sure as prior art existed but Apple most probably prefer to fight in court than be honest and concede they didn't invent the wheel.
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|They didn't even invent the name "iPhone"!
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|Apple was the first to have touch screens that could see two different thigs happening at once like when you put both fingers in the middle and slide them towards the outsides to increase the size of a picture.
You could already drag and drop on touch screens but they came up with some cool ideas.
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|Apple didn't invent this... There was lots of other who add this concept before.
Even in the movie "Minority Reports” had this concept in 2002.
Look Youtube, Bill Gates shows the "Microsoft Surface", in May 2007. At least Microsoft didn't have the arrogance to say they invent the concept.
Apple is always steeling concept from other.
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|Jeez, the crap you can patent now is ridiculous. I'm considering patenting baldness and breathing out of one nostril and suing every bald nose-breather. Hey, suddenly the economy is looking up!
Only in America (and Britain) do things get this stupid.
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|Even the Microsoft Surface Table add Multitouch in 2007.
This patent was file in 2008.
This US Patent Office is full of crap
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|I remember seeing a private demo video of the Microsoft Surface table (with multi-touch) at least 1 year before iPhone was announced for the first time.
But I guess Apple must have had strong reasons as to why theirs is unique.
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|Because it's Apple so no one complain? If it's Microsoft secured the patent, what would happen?
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|The floodgates will now be opened to sue anyone with a multi-touch screen on any device - hence the threats last week.
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|Didn't apple create the touch screen, mp3 players, mouse and computer?
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|Well, the Catholic Church is in trouble now... :)
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|No. The touch screen has been around for years. Apple may have invented some of the multi features.
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|MIT labs had multitouch displays years before Apple added touch controls to the iPod. The MIT touchscreens used slide and pinch gestures to move and resize, much like the iPhone does now.
The technology department of the patent office doesn't check for prior art. They just approve all patents and let the judicial branch handle it. If you have the money fight it in court you probably have enough money to license it instead.
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