Apple granted patent for artificially turning book pages

[struggle4progress]

November 17, 2012 8:43 AM
Tom Cheredar

The U.S. Patent Office recently granted Apple a patent for the functionality of turning a page on an e-reader application.

That’s right, you read that correctly. Apple now owns digital page turning, aka patent D670,713), which is officially titled “Display screen or portion thereof with animated graphical user interface.” Theoretically, this means Apple can now wage a legal war against companies that make apps that compete with iBooks, such as Google Books.

Apple, which filed the patent application nearly a year ago, claimed that its own page turning animation was unique to other e-reader applications. Apple’s page turning mimics how you’d turn a physical page from the edge of the paper, slowly pulling it back to see the following page. By contrast, the e-reader application from Google mimics turning by pressing your finger in the middle of the page to advance to the following page. Personally, I like Google’s method better, but I at least see the contrast.

At the same time, I realize, we’re discussing ownership for methods of turning a damn book page, which is about as arbitrary as outlining the difference between tying your shoes using the Bunny Ears method verses the Crisscross method ....

http://venturebeat.com/2012/11/17/apple-page-turning-patent/

[HopeHoops]

1. What the fuck is wrong with just switching to the next page?

[struggle4progress]

2. I think maybe it fell from favor because it couldn't be patented

[HopeHoops]

3. Yeah, like the "round corners" thing.

[whistler162]

4. I understand they are seeking a patent

on posting about patents on the Internet!

[Flaxbee]

5. You know, from what I recall, you're not supposed to be able to patent something

that is already in widespread use.

Like page-turning on e-readers. Or rounded corners.

The PTO has lost its freaking mind, but it did that a long time ago when it started to allow patents for "ways and methods of doing business".

[rug]

6. They have a patent pending for licking the tip of a finger.

[Spider Jerusalem]

7. Which will be invalidated on grounds of "prior art" the first time it's challenged.

Countless ebook readers have had animated page-turning since before Apple sought a patent. http://www.itproportal.com/2010/07/09/microsoft-claims-patent-e-book-page-turn-animation/ (Note that Microsoft's patent application predates Apple's by over a year.)