Apple Granted Limited Patent on Pinch-to-Zoom
Apple Granted Limited Patent on Pinch-to-Zoom
Posted 10/13/2010 at 2:27pm
| by Ryan Whitwam
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Apple has been awarded a patent on the so-called "pinch-to-zoom" multitouch gesture today. Apple originally applied for the patent back in late 2006, and many have speculated that other manufacturers were slow to implement the technology for fear of Apple's lawyers. Still, the patent granted is limited in scope.
The patent describes a standard multitouch image manipulation, but part of the approved scheme involves a second gesture. Specifically, contact with the screen is broken, then new contacts are recognized to perform a second gesture within a predefined period of time. How long is that? It could be just about any length of time. This patent doesn't directly apply unless a timer is running to detect a second input.
This isn't going to be the end of multitouch on phones. It is however, more ammunition for Apple to use when they go after companies for infringement. How do you think Apple will make use of this patent?
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cpmuskie
October 13, 2010 at 6:27pm
Knowing apple the medical community will be under fire for if you canpinch more than a inch ads
nadako
October 13, 2010 at 5:00pm
Before you start selling products that already have the pinch and zoom feature you should already have the patent. If you do it reverse then the patent shouldnt be granted or a different kind a patent should be given. (I call it the braging rights patent.) If the company releases the product before they get approved for the patent and other companies add in this technology then they should not get the patent. It should be as simple as that.
Archangel1976
October 26, 2011 at 4:09pm
You know what? I agree. Isn't this how patents used to work? If you released an idea on the market before you had a patent for it, well heck, it was fair game. Companies USED to apply for patents first, then sell the item with their patented idea in deployment.
By the way, isn't the law specific that, only the inventor may apply for the patent?
TechJunkie
October 13, 2010 at 4:39pm
I want to be like apple and try and patent thoughts and images in my head. Just to let apple know....apple you listening?....I have submitted patents for light and warp speeds. So don't try to use them without my express permission. Just hit me up and I'll grant you liscences that are...shall I say...out of this world!!!
Julyjules
October 13, 2010 at 3:54pm
'How do you think Apple will make use of this patent?'
Very simple: sue the crap out of whoever implements a similar gesture. That's Apple's way of doing business.
TechJunkie
October 13, 2010 at 4:41pm
Na. The patent was just granted and limited in scope. They can't go back and sue (they will try though) for something that had no patent at the time.
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