Microsoft Patent May Cause Problems for Apple
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I was truly amazed the first time I used my iPad to read a book. Although the experience is not exactly like the “real one,” I was impressed with the iBook features like virtual page turning. Unfortunately, it’s the virtual page turning that might get Apple, Amazon and any other company out there using this technology, into some legal trouble with Microsoft.
In January 2009, Microsoft filed an application to patent the virtual page turn technology, presumably for the Courier tablet project which has since been cancelled. According to a report by GoRumors, an excerpt from the Microsoft patent application states:
One or more pages are displayed on a touch display. A page-turning gesture directed to a displayed page is recognized. Responsive to such recognition, a virtual page turn is displayed on the touch display. The virtual page turn actively follows the page-turning gesture. The virtual page turn curls a lifted portion of the page to progressively reveal a back side of the page while progressively revealing a front side of a subsequent page. A lifted portion of the page is given an increased transparency that allows the back side of the page to be viewed through the front side of the page. A page-flipping gesture quickly flips two or more pages.
It appears the patent has yet to be awarded but if it is, it could potentially present problems for anyone using the technology. Do you think something like the act of turning a page should be patented? Let us know what you think.
