Microsoft was awarded with no.of patents related to gestures in tablet computing. We have seen some of them in action in the UX preview of Windows 8. For example, the gesture of swiping from the bezel of the screen to switch between apps is now patented by Microsoft. And some of the patents reminds us the courier days. Here are some of the patents related to gesture awarded to Microsoft today,
Bezel gestures for touch displays are described. In at least some embodiments, the bezel of a device is used to extend functionality that is accessible through the use of so-called bezel gestures. In at least some embodiments, off-screen motion can be used, by virtue of the bezel, to create screen input through a bezel gesture. Bezel gestures can include single-finger bezel gestures, multiple-finger/same-hand bezel gestures, and/or multiple-finger, different-hand bezel gestures.
Bezel gestures for touch displays are described. In at least some embodiments, the bezel of a device is used to extend functionality that is accessible through the use of so-called bezel gestures. In at least some embodiments, off-screen motion can be used, by virtue of the bezel, to create screen input through a bezel gesture. Bezel gestures can include single-finger bezel gestures, multiple-finger/same-hand bezel gestures, and/or multiple-finger, different-hand bezel gestures.
Similar patents are listed below.
- Off-Screen Gestures to Create On-Screen Input
- MULTI-SCREEN DUAL TAP GESTURE
- MULTI-SCREEN PINCH AND EXPAND GESTURES
- MULTI-SCREEN BOOKMARK HOLD GESTURE
- MULTI-SCREEN HOLD AND PAGE-FLIP GESTURE.
- MULTI-SCREEN HOLD AND TAP GESTURE
More details on these patents at mspoweruser.com. Its also important to note that Microsoft has also got patents on several other gestures such as Copy and Paste Gesture, Stamp Gesture, Carbon Copy Gesture, etc. More details on those set of patents here.
Update: The patents listed above are not granted to Microsoft still, they were just made public. Thanks to Robert Anhalt for the info.