Microsoft page curl patent could hurt Apple's iBooks
updated 12:10 pm EDT, Thu July 8, 2010
MS page turn effect could lead to royalty on iPad
Microsoft has filed for a patent that could create problems for Apple's iBooks and other e-reader apps. The technique for a "virtual page turn" would use the same design as Apple's, where readers can turn the page naturally by touching and dragging from one side of an e-book and curling the page to the other side. It would render the page in 3D and even render the back of a page while in mid-turn.
The patent's unique contribution would be quick flip gestures, which with a flip or a downward swipe could jump at least two pages ahead.
US Patent and Trademark Office officials first received the patent in January 2009, a year before the iPad was unveiled, and was clearly targeted at use for the Courier with images of the concept used as examples. While Microsoft killed the Courier before it left the concept phase, the patent could theoretically let Microsoft ask for royalties from Apple, who uses a similar effect in iBooks on the iPad and iPhone, as well as the creators of third-party iOS apps like Classics and Stanza.
Microsoft doesn't have any known projects in development that would use a page curl and may have trouble showing that its patent is in use. [via GoRumors]
TAGS :
iPhone, patents, industry, gadgets, digital imaging, Microsoft, Apple, Courier, iPad, iBooks, Classics, Stanza
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Sep 2001
so much…
prior art on this one it's not even funny. ironically it's been done in flash since early last decade.