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Microsoft Patents "Fonts With Feelings"

Posted by timothy on from the schoolhouse-rock-prior-art dept.

theodp writes "Seems like those old IBM flaming logo commercials (video) should count as prior art, but the USPTO granted Microsoft a patent Tuesday for inventing Fonts With Feelings. Giving font characters sound, motion, and altered appearance, Microsoft asserts, gives a user 'the impression the fonts have personalities,' thereby enhancing the user's understanding and/or fluency of words. From the patent: 'As a few non-limiting examples, the word 'giant' can get very large; the word 'lion' can morph into a line drawing of a lion; the word 'toss' can morph into a hand that animates a ball toss; the word 'bees' could show bees flying around with or without a 'buzz' sound effect'. If you're curious, Microsoft Research offers some explanations and examples of 'fontlings' in action — don't miss 'f' kicks 'a'!"

5 of 150 comments (clear)

  1. Just like WordWorld and a million others by jbeaupre · · Score: 3, Informative

    http://www.wordworld.com/ Then again, the actual claims of the patent may be something entirely different than the summary.

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    The world is made by those who show up for the job.
  2. Prior art exists by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Informative

    There are kids shows already doing this "Word world" among them. Gratz to MS for patenting something that is probably 10 years old and in common usage.

  3. Prior fuzzy art! by djkitsch · · Score: 2, Informative

    I'm pretty sure Sesame Street's been doing this for quite some years!

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  4. 40 years of Prior Art by lymond01 · · Score: 3, Informative

    Apparently no one at Microsoft watches Sesame Street.

  5. Re:This is Ballmer's Baby by silverglade00 · · Score: 2, Informative

    "Toxic Pit Stains"

    So THAT'S what a TPS report is!