[MW] Massive Apple patent win could kill off Android completely
Source: http://www.macworld.co.uk/apple-busi...newsid=3370881
Patent: http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-P...S=PN/8,223,134
Quote:
Apple on Tuesday was granted 25 patents that encompass almost all user interface elements used by modern smartphones. Everything from e-mail, telephone, camera, video player, photos, search, and most importantly multi-touch (the system of using multiple finger gestures on a touch screen display) have all been granted to the Cupertino-based company.
This wasn't really all that clear to me so I read the patent and now I'm even more confused:
Quote:
In a computer-implemented method, a portion of an electronic document is displayed on the touch screen display. The displayed portion of the electronic document has a vertical position in the electronic document. An object is detected on or near the displayed portion of the electronic document. In response to detecting the object on or near the displayed portion of the electronic document, a vertical bar is displayed on top of the displayed portion of the electronic document. The vertical bar has a vertical position on top of the displayed portion of the electronic document that corresponds to the vertical position in the electronic document of the displayed portion of the electronic document. After a predetermined condition is met, display of the vertical bar is ceased. The vertical bar is displayed for a predetermined time period when the portion of the electronic document is initially displayed.
Thoughts? It seems like such a broad idea that it shouldn't have been able to be patented