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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?"

3 of 186 comments (clear)

  1. 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...
  2. Anonymous by adam.conf · · Score: 4, Funny

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

  3. 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.