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IBM Patents Checking a Box

Posted by kdawson on from the science-and-the-useful-arts dept.

theodp writes "What do you call it when you drag a pointer over a checkbox to select or deselect it depending on its original state? Answer: US Patent 7,278,116. On Tuesday, the USPTO awarded IBM a patent for Mode Switching for Ad Hoc Checkbox Selection, aka Making an 'X'. Isn't this essentially the same concept as the older Lotus Notes selection model that IBM was recently asked to reintroduce?"

15 of 186 comments (clear)

  1. What do you call it? by kidcharles · · Score: 3, Funny

    What do you call it when you drag a pointer over a checkbox to select or deselect it depending on its original state?

    What do you call it when I drag the U.S. software patent system behind my car until it is an unrecognizable bloody mess?

    Sorry for the graphic imagery, but I'm really getting sick of this crap.

    --
    Ceci n'est pas une sig.
    1. Re:What do you call it? by baggins2001 · · Score: 2, Funny

      Dragging it behind your car would be patentable, but making it an unrecognizable bloody mess has already been done.

      --
      He who said 1,000,000 monkeys on 1,000,000 typewriters would eventually type the great novel, never saw an AOL chat room
  2. Alternative. by JMZero · · Score: 4, Funny

    I'm patenting my own method of box checking:

    1. Cut a hole in the box.
    2. Put your check in that box.
    3. Make her open the box.

    --
    Let's not stir that bag of worms...
    1. Re:Alternative. by terrymr · · Score: 2, Funny

      Are you sure you meant check ?

    2. Re:Alternative. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      I hold the patent to that numbered list thingy! You stole my IP! Where's my compensation?!
      You lose, because I hold the patent to "that numbered list thingy... on the internet! " It's a unique, revolutionary, and non-obvious design.
  3. Anonymous by adam.conf · · Score: 4, Funny

    Well, I guess I won't be posting anonymously for once.

  4. Obviously by packetmon · · Score: 3, Funny

    No one here understands the complexity involved in checking a box. I don't work for IBM and I am not a marketing expert, if you have side questions on my post please contact me at nocengineer@ibm.com with that said:

    IBM's patented technology is a boon to the Interweb of Googletoolbars worldwide. This extremely proficient alternative to physically filling out a form with a paper and pen method deserves its right in Patentdumb history. The traditional approach of said former technology via the pen and the paper is an approach that is inefficient and expensive. IMB's modular design of the radio button and check button interface allows users to utilize with maximum proficiency, the power of checking a box.

    Thank you

    THIS AND OTHER SUBSEQUENT POSTS ARE PATENT PENDING

    --
    Infiltrated dot Net
  5. Re:If someone patents something stupid, do we care by Jason+Levine · · Score: 5, Funny

    As someone who used Notes, let me just say that God had nothing to do with it's design. You need to look in the other direction.

    --
    My sci-fi novel, Ghost Thief, is now available from Amazon.com.
  6. At a party... by Seismologist · · Score: 2, Funny
    I'd like to hear the IBM "engineer" describe that he holds a "patent" during a conversation at some party:

    IBM Guy: Hey man, you know I have an patent?

    Party Dude: Really? What does it pertain to?

    IBM Guy: The "check box".

    Party Dude: The check box? Is that a new microchip technology.

    IBM Dude: No man... it's the box, that, you check... on forms 'n shit

    Party Dude: Really? That's not that novel...

    IBM Dude: Check it... you are on a computer and if you want to indicate that an item needs to be checked... you click on this little box, and, it totally gets checked-off... Way cool, cutting edge shit...

    Party Dude: Cool man. Need to get away, um, I mean some beer. Check you later.

    --
    ~ In Trust, We Trust ~
  7. Re:If someone patents something stupid, do we care by HTH+NE1 · · Score: 2, Funny

    Kids have been drag-selecting check-buttons for years. The de-selection mode of it wasn't done because even the de-selection of even one such button was not implemented for anyone without an elevator key.

    --
    Oh, say does that Star-Spangled Banner entwine / The myrtle of Venus with Bacchus's vine?
  8. Re:If someone patents something stupid, do we care by Chris+Burke · · Score: 2, Funny

    This is a common UI design in the audio world.

    Ah-hah! But this is On A Computer! Completely original!

    Next up they'll patent the same thing, but On The Internet! Genius!

    --

    The enemies of Democracy are
  9. Re:If someone patents something stupid, do we care by Garridan · · Score: 3, Funny

    Damn! I just finished preparing my patent for "Usage of Computer as Human Waste Receptical", and you're telling me that there's prior art?

  10. Re:Prior Art by itlurksbeneath · · Score: 2, Funny

    I think Erwin Schrödinger beat you on the prior art. He invented "checking a box" in 1935.

    --
    Have you ever considered piracy? You'd make a wonderful Dread Pirate Roberts.
  11. Yet more prior art by 6Yankee · · Score: 2, Funny

    Haven't gynaecologists been checking boxes for years?

  12. Re:Broke this patent two weeks ago by Aristotle's+Fearless · · Score: 2, Funny

    Nope. Just send your check to me and I'll make sure it gets to IBM.