Amazon finally gets patent for original Kindle
updated 02:30 pm EDT, Tue July 6, 2010
Kindle patent might affect Nook, Alex readers
Amazon today was at last granted a patent for the original, late 2007 Kindle. The USPTO filing covers a device with "dual displays" where a second display has elements that control what's displayed for text or other content on the main screen. Drawings with the patent show the original design and claim that its unique strip represents the second display.
The patent was originally submitted in March 2006, well before the Kindle was unveiled.
It's unclear if Amazon could use the patent to curb competition from its rivals, but the description raises questions. Both the Barnes & Noble Nook and its alleged inspiration, the Spring Design Alex, themselves use a secondary display to control the main interface. Their controls are notably different, however, and might let the creators avoid patent disputes. [via GoRumors]
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jan 2009
Pretty quick, but...
3-ish years is pretty fast for a utility patent to come through the USPTO these days. 5-7 years is not unheard of with that organization.
This patent is not a design patent, covering the actual design of the product, rather it's a utility patent that describes a device with 2 displays - the original Kindle has the e-Ink display and a separate little LCD(?) display down the right side, which is described in the first claim.
This patent shouldn't scare too many people, given the requirement of 2 displays right there in claim 1, unless of course you happen to have 2 displays. Then it may be a little more interesting.