Microsoft’s iPhone-like Patent

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J. Margon, [H] reader extraordinaire, sent me a link to what he says is an iPhone-like patent that covers “extensible, filtered lists for mobile device user interface.” Since the patent filing says “touch screen” three times (in a 13,000+ word filing) and the interface has a flip-3D style, it is automatically billed as an “iPhone-like” patent. What do you think?

The provided subject matter concerns an improved user interface for mobile devices such as smartphones, personal digital assistants (PDAs) and the like. Selected data and services provided by multiple software applications can be accessed through a group or list of items. Each group or list can include multiple items that provide access to data or tasks from multiple applications. For example, a list centered around a user's current day can include items corresponding to meetings scheduled for that day using a calendar application, email received on that day through an email application, and a weather forecast for the day provided by a weather service application. A customizable set of lists of items can be defined to allow users to quickly access relevant content such as commonly used data or tasks.
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I'd say the image on the right does look a lot like coverflow or whatever its called.
 
I will remind all of you jumping to conclusions that Flip3D came around LOOONG before Coverflow. If anything, Coverflow rips off Flip3D.

That being said, sure MS is going to make an iPhone-like mobile OS. I forsee it being the next version of Windows Mobile Smartphone Edition (MS's OS that is between full-blown Windows Mobile, and a basic phone interface).
 
Flip 3d:
getopencontentlz9.png


Coverflow:
iphonecoverflowbeckwo1.jpg


Apple Dock:
screenshotjy4.jpg


Patent:
1192478847wdqmfvtz6e11laa3.jpg


I think it looks a lot more like a combo of the dock (sizing) and coverflow (center image / side -> side scrolling) than Flip3d, as Flip3d puts everything at an angle and has the selected option in the front with everything stacked behind it.

Just my opinion though.
 
I'd probably bet that it's looking to go into their mobile functionality as well, and if anything else, maybe leak down into their tablet software, or even into that tabletop stuff they were pushing (forget what it's called...)

 
jmackay said:
I think it looks a lot more like a combo of the dock (sizing) and coverflow (center image / side -> side scrolling) than Flip3d, as Flip3d puts everything at an angle and has the selected option in the front with everything stacked behind it.

Just my opinion though.
Click to expand...


I do see what you're saying, but at the same time...How many other ways can you visually arrange foreground and background photos and make it 3d effect. Keep in mind the functionality and usebility of that 3d effect, and keep it under a small display. The foreground's gotta be definately larger than the background photos. Yet the background has to show a little so users can a least gets a glimse of it.:cool:
 
If this isn't a prime example of a reason to embrace the "first to market doctrine" in patent reform, I don't know what is.

Generic display ideas like this one, which is no more sophisticated than flipping through index cards or a slideshow, do not deserve to be protected in the marketplace.

Get your device to a working stage, get all the protection you deserve...wait, I think I'm going to patent a way to type a response to this message involving you typing on some manner of device, and if you want to make a point stronger, you hit the key harder.

I eagerly await your royalty cheques.
 
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