Apple wins patent for iPhone touch-screen controls

gregshap · #1 (**permalink**) 01-27-2009, 02:28 PM

Apple wins patent for iPhone touch-screen controls
11 hours ago

SAN FRANCISCO (AFP) — Apple has won a US patent for touch-screen controls and gained a potential legal weapon against iPhone competitors.

US Patent 7,479,949 is awarded to "(Steve) Jobs et al" for a method of "detecting one or more finger contacts with the touch screen display" to command computing devices.

A multi-page patent available online at the US Patent and Trade Office on Monday details iPhone or iPod Touch commands such as finger or thumb swiping, twisting, or spreading to flip pages, rotate views, or enlarge images.

The patent was issued last week, a day before Apple on January 21 announced record-high quarterly profits.

Word of the patent provides ominous context for a warning made by Apple chief operating officer Tim Cook during a conference call that followed release the California firm's earnings report.

Cook said he believes iPhones are "years ahead of the competition" and that they are vigilantly watching to make certain rivals don't usurp Apple's intellectual property.

"We think competition is good," Cook said. "We are ready to suit up and go against anyone. However, we will not stand for having our IP ripped off and will use whatever weapons at our disposal."

While not mentioning a specific competitor, Cook made his comment in reply to a question related to a new Palm Pre touch-screen mobile telephone unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show this month to stellar reviews.

It sounds like they are afraid..........

demonlordoftheround · #2 (**permalink**) 01-27-2009, 02:40 PM

I wonder if this can be applied to other "computing devices" other than mobile phones. Think Apple will take on other touch screen non-mobile phone device manufacturers?

**skeegcpp** · #3 (**permalink**) 01-27-2009, 05:07 PM

here's an article i found about it today. since the Pre has that type of technology, would they have to pull it?? or just pay like a royalty or something for it?

Quote:

Originally Posted by demonlordoftheround

Think Apple will take on other touch screen non-mobile phone device manufacturers?

yupp

**schettj** · #4 (**permalink**) 01-27-2009, 05:25 PM

I think this patent is going to fail in court. Maybe multi-touch, but touch? Seriously? Prior art much?

memphisboi55 · #5 (**permalink**) 01-27-2009, 05:36 PM

Hmmmmmmmmmm

is the end near for touch screen phones?

**skeegcpp** · #6 (**permalink**) 01-27-2009, 05:39 PM

well, what i got out of it, was that not touch screen, but certain technologies used by touch screens. but i feel what the OP said, it probably wont hold in court, or someone or thing will prevent the patent from being finalized, but hey anything can happen. hell the Ded Sox won the series in '04, anything goes..lol

**chronster** · #7 (**permalink**) 01-27-2009, 05:44 PM

I thought it wasn't so much that they will take down any other multi touch phones as they will any phone that relies on the same technology FOR multitouch, know what I mean?

I ****ing hate Apple. Multitouch was inevitable but since they bought up the geniuses needed to put out the ipod touch /iphone first, suddenly its not ok for anyone else to have multitouch? Bullsh*t like this is counter-productive to technology.

**x10guy** · #8 (**permalink**) 01-27-2009, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chronster

I thought it wasn't so much that they will take down any other multi touch phones as they will any phone that relies on the same technology FOR multitouch, know what I mean?

I ****ing hate Apple. Multitouch was inevitable but since they bought up the geniuses needed to put out the ipod touch /iphone first, suddenly its not ok for anyone else to have multitouch? Bullsh*t like this is counter-productive to technology.

As much as most will agree, this is just reality.
As far as I read it, the multi-touch patent extends to the "gestures" that the iphone/itouch are well-known for, not for the touch screens in general.

As for it standing up in the courts, you never know what can happen, so it's hard to predict. One thing is that we'll probably find out soon with the Palm Pre release coming soon.

budney · #9 (**permalink**) 01-27-2009, 06:25 PM

Moved to Pocket PC News Forum.

I know this is not about the PPC, but could change the future of the PPC.

**CozBoogie** · #10 (**permalink**) 01-27-2009, 07:35 PM

I also read where Apple is going to patent the way you type on your pc keyboard. Essentially they will be protecting the way your finger interacts with the keys. And soon, they will be patenting the way you eat...and the way you sleep....etc.

And I agree with schettj...it will fail.

late,
Coz