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Microsoft Receives Patent For Double-Click

Posted by simoniker on from the patents-patents-go-away dept.

kaluta writes "The Sydney Morning Herald is reporting that Microsoft was granted a patent for double-clicking on April 27. The patent in question is 6,727,830 and says, amongst other stuff: 'A default function for an application is launched if the button is pressed for a short, i.e., normal, period of time. 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'. So this is what we have to look foward to in the E.U. now?"

18 of 836 comments (clear)

  1. April Fool's by Nom+du+Keyboard · · Score: 5, Funny

    Surely it's April Fool's day somewhere in the world for this to happen.

    --
    "It's the height of ridiculousness to say for those 9 lines you get hundreds of millions."
    1. Re:April Fool's by Walt+Dismal · · Score: 5, Funny
      "Still another function can be launched if the application button is pressed multiple times within a short period of time..."

      I hope to god Microsoft has not just patented the clitoris.

  2. Hmm... by peterprior · · Score: 5, Funny

    This is just twice as stupid as Amazon's 1-Click patent...

    ...I'll get my coat..

    1. Re:Hmm... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      Laugh all you will but this is serious.

      That technology was first observed in digital watches of aliens held in Area 51. It is alien technology!

      Don't believe me, ask yourself this:

      Could mere humans have thought up the concept of clicking twice!

  3. LOL by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    I'm breaking patent laws right now...and again...whoops I did again :p

    1. Re:LOL by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      whoops I did again :p

      Britney....is that you??

  4. I cannot believe this crap... by AcquaCow · · Score: 5, Funny


    Next up:
    Microsoft tries to patent the Internet.
    Al Gore files suit.

    --

    up 12 days, 22:30, 2 users, load averages: 993.20, 994.21, 994.56
    *makes note to limit user processes...
  5. Re:Hmm... BUT!!! by jackb_guppy · · Score: 5, Funny

    Triple Click...
    Quad Click...
    Qunice Click...

    Are still available!!

  6. Re:Dear Lord... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Sex: Patent pending (I may never use this but what the hell.

  7. Re:Might As Well Apply For A Patent... by cant_get_a_good_nick · · Score: 5, Funny

    Might As Well Apply For A Patent ... for mouse movements.
    For some reason this reminded me of a .sig I used to see here:
    Windows has detected that your mouse has moved. Reboot now for changes to take effect?

  8. Re:And slashdot posted a story about it April 28th by mikael · · Score: 5, Funny

    It's time somebody patented double posting a story to slashdot.

    --
    Vintage computer adverts: http://www.vintageadbrowser.com/computers-and-software-ads
  9. Patenting The Middle Click by Eberlin · · Score: 5, Funny

    I propose owning a patent for middle-clicking in such a way as to extend the middle finger while curling the others.

    This "click" does not need to be made on any particular surface. In fact, you could roll down your car window, double-click on your horn, then middle click the air with your arm extended outside said vehicle.

    Maybe we should all middle-click Microsoft with both hands as an act of civil disobedience. Needless to say, I don't advice nor advocate doing so while driving.

  10. Re:Hmm... BUT!!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny
    Qunice Click... Are still available!! Not quite... "Still another function can be launched if the application button is pressed multiple times within a short period of time..."

    Sure, but has anyone patented using a specific rhythm? I've got it! Morse code on a cell phone. I here by declare prior art to the whole idea. Whew.

  11. Duh? Elevators by SteroidMan · · Score: 5, Funny

    Elevator companies have been doing this for years. Everyone knows that if you push your floors button multiple times that it gets there faster! It's so obvious even 5 year olds know about it!

  12. Microsoft does own this idea by gosand · · Score: 5, Funny
    Interesting, as it seems to be getting at the idea of launching different applications based on how long you hold down a hardware button, rather than how long you click and hold on the screen.

    Yep, Microsoft does own this technology, or at least they made it popular. That hardware button is the computer's reset button.

    --

    My beliefs do not require that you agree with them.

    1. Re:Microsoft does own this idea by bonhomme_de_neige · · Score: 5, Funny
      Yep, Microsoft does own this technology, or at least they made it popular. That hardware button is the computer's reset button.

      They certainly did popularise pressing the reset button "...multiple times within a short period of time..." ...

      --
      "Why are you watching the washing machine?"
      "I love entertainment, as long as it's clean"
  13. Re:Xerox and Apple by nomel · · Score: 5, Funny

    my pda computes, and it is mine...so...seems to fit the PC deffinition to me!

  14. Things Microsoft should be patenting... by nbahi15 · · Score: 5, Funny

    1) Ctrl-Alt-Del
    2) Rebooting after installing an application
    3) Powering the computer on
    4) The arrow pointer for the mouse
    5) The hourglass