Microsoft's Feburary Patent Application Revealed; Android Facing Increased Threat

[WenWM]

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Microsoft seems to be stocking up on patents these days, and one of their older applications have been revealed. The above image is one of a few touch screen based gestures that Microsoft claims is their idea. There are over 5 different gestures in this application, but looking at this one, I'm sure we can find how this applies to Android. The patent essentially says swiping from the bezel downward to reveal information or similar content is something Microsoft's created. This gesture is what Android's shade concept is all about and that means, if granted, Microsoft has one more thing to go after OEM's for.

Share your thoughts on Microsoft's tactics below. See more patents at the source!

Via: Phandroid

 

[NoBloatware]

You know what I think of their patent? It's the wiping my butt gesture.

 

[cush2push]

everybody in a board room pondering

well guys windows 7 is going down faster than a porn star on action what can we do ?

oh i know we have this patent which is very vague we can twist it and use it against google and android to make some money to pay for windows 8 the greatest mobile os out there oh yea thats a great idea good job

 

[sloppy]

I compete against competition on a daily basis that uses close to the same processes as me as well as a lot of the same equipment, Some of that very equipment we patent and make ourselves. I have never been sued and don't plan on pursuing it myself as I am aware that competition is just that and if your product and or services can not compete then its obsolete. Its apparent to me that these companies are scared and rightfully should be. If you can't create something better you don't belong in the game. I don't care what you did before, Its what you've got up your sleeve that puts you at the top of the pack. If lawsuits over decade old patents and doctored documents in the courtroom is all you can come up with. I for one will not glance at your products as you obviously are the spoiled kid on the block that has obviously ran out of new innovative ideas and a poor business concept. Personally these companies deserve to have as much of their market share eaten as possible until they get back to making the next big thing and if they can't do that there is a bankruptcy lawyer on every corner.

 

[jroc]

Ok....if the shade idea was being used BEFORE MS applied for this patent or before they get the patent...how can it affect Android? Its already been in use..

I swear...I wish I woulda went to law school. I think i will advise my kids to become patent attorneys.

 

[SwiftLegend]

Truly pathetic ...If Android violates so manymuch patents, why has itimported taken this long for action.

Its nice to see that Android is so much of a threat that MS and Apple need to attack it with petty crap like this.

 

[red014]

The patent essentially says swiping from the bezel downward to reveal information or similar content is Microsoft's idea.

I don't know about you guys, but the bezel of my phone isn't touch sensitive... I have to actually swipe the status bar on the screen... :icon_rolleyes:

 

[JSM9872]

I know this has been said but all these lawsuits are getting pretty old...

Ok....if the shade idea was being used BEFORE MS applied for this patent or before they get the patent...how can it affect Android? Its already been in use..
...

This is what I was wondering. Initially when I read the article my reaction was, Did they use a time machine to get this patent or something?

 

[Hugh Jass]

I think it's kinda funny that everyone gets butt-hurt over legal battles and patent defense because it has some kind of possibility of a mild effect on us, the end user. Millions of dollars are at stake in competition between these corporations and in a furry to attain or maintain the competitive edge every advantage that can be had is a necessary one. Blaming a corporation for such actions is foolish and immature, because this is the way the corporate world works. If Google is found to infringe said patents then they should remove the questionable content, and vice-versa for any infringement for any party...thus the entire point of patents.

Don't let the fact you're a fanboy cloud your reality.

 

[Hugh Jass]

"Microsoft seems to be stocking up on patents these days, and one of their older applications have been revealed..."

I think this is implying the patent preexists Android, perhaps, and it's only just now come to light.

 

[Trusstopher]

I think it's kinda funny that everyone gets butt-hurt over legal battles and patent defense because it has some kind of possibility of a mild effect on us, the end user. Millions of dollars are at stake in competition between these corporations and in a furry to attain or maintain the competitive edge every advantage that can be had is a necessary one. Blaming a corporation for such actions is foolish and immature, because this is the way the corporate world works. If Google is found to infringe said patents then they should remove the questionable content, and vice-versa for any infringement for any party...thus the entire point of patents.

Don't let the fact you're a fanboy cloud your reality.

My problem is that I'm a fanboy of technology and innovation but these battles, while necessary and part of the process, still stifle progress at least to a degree. It's one of those necessary evils.

 

[Trusstopher]

"Microsoft seems to be stocking up on patents these days, and one of their older applications have been revealed..."

I think this is implying the patent preexists Android, perhaps, and it's only just now come to light.

From the source Tech Crunch article

Back in February of 2010, Microsoft applied for a number of patents related to touchscreen gestures on a tablet. Many of them concern a dual-screen device, conjuring images of the once highly-anticipated Courier slate. The others focus mainly on bezel gestures. Those patents have gone public now, though they have not in fact been granted yet.

 

[Trusstopher]

I don't know about you guys, but the bezel of my phone isn't touch sensitive... I have to actually swipe the status bar on the screen... :icon_rolleyes:

Yeah, if you source back to the original article, it seems like all of these patents deal with one of two things: gestures for multi-screen touch screens and gestures on a touch capable bezel. I don't think any of the android tablets or phones have began using touch screens that extend beyond the screen, have they? I remember reading an article earlier this week that hinted at an "off-screen gesture area to keep your screen free of finger prints" but I can't remember which it was (might have been the Sony Tablet S). But then again, it seems like trying to keep fingerprints off of your touchscreen is kind of counterproductive.

 

[Hugh Jass]

I just saw the title of the thread mentiones Febuary, so something isn't adding up. I feel this story has been botched in some way.

My problem is that I'm a fanboy of technology and innovation but these battles, while necessary and part of the process, still stifle progress at least to a degree. It's one of those necessary evils.

I agree with loving technology but patent disputes force innovation, not stop it. Otherwise everyone and their grandmother would have an iPhone clone and technology evolution would all but cease to exist due to an extreme amount of bandwagon-ing the second something cool would be released, diluting potential profits of a single entity. It's patents that give us work-arounds which then spark new popularity and keep the markets fresh and allow corporations to flourish to begin with. It's actually a positive thing...well, except for the court system which is so crowded with petty cases the serious ones can't get to trial fast enough, but that's a different can of worms.

 

[Trusstopher]

I just saw the title of the thread mentiones Febuary, so something isn't adding up. I feel this story has been botched in some way.



I agree with loving technology but patent disputes force innovation, not stop it. Otherwise everyone and their grandmother would have an iPhone clone and technology evolution would all but cease to exist due to an extreme amount of bandwagon-ing the second something cool would be released, diluting potential profits of a single entity. It's patents that give us work-arounds which then spark new popularity and keep the markets fresh and allow corporations to flourish to begin with. It's actually a positive thing...well, except for the court system which is so crowded with petty cases the serious ones can't get to trial fast enough, but that's a different can of worms.

Good point... I guess what I feel hurts progress is when the genius patent office grants them for something like (to use an example that has been on here the past week or so) "a power button" or "a rectangular shape screen". They (the patent office) just need to scale it back a few degrees to find that happy medium.