Microsoft Patents Double Click

by Glen Shapiro, LawAndTax-News.com, New York

03 June 2004

It has emerged that software giant, Microsoft has been awarded a patent on the cornerstone of modern computer use, the double click.

The patent, No. 6,727,830, was awarded by the US Patents and Trademark Office on April 27, and covers:

"A method and system...for extending the functionality of application buttons on a limited resource computing device. Alternative application functions are launched based on the length of time an application button is pressed. A default function for an application is launched if the button is pressed for a short, i.e., normal, period of time."

Microsoft's patent application went on to explain that:

"An alternative function of the application is launched if the button is pressed for a long, (e.g., at least one second), period of time. Still another function can be launched if the application button is pressed multiple times within a short period of time, e.g., double click."

Although Charlton E. Lui and Jeffrey R. Blum are cited as the inventors of the system, the assignee is named as Microsoft Corporation.

This move represents part of the firm's campaign to improve earnings from its patent portfolio.

Recommended