“Among the multitude of patents Apple was awarded on Tuesday were two design properties for the page-turning animation seen in iOS apps like iBooks, and IP for the third-generation iPad’s full-body case,” Mikey Campbell reports for AppleInsider.
“The page turning animation IP was first filed for in December 2011 as an ornamental design for a display screen,” Campbell reports. “Users can interact with graphical elements closely resembling a piece of paper, using a finger to slowly curl the page over, or quickly turn the page with a swiping motion. The animation even allows for users to move their finger vertically, revealing the top or bottom portion of the next page much like a real binded book.”
Campbell reports, “The second design patent issued to Apple on Tuesday was for the iPad Smart Case first debuted alongside the third-generation tablet in 2011. Like the original Smart Cover, the Smart Case turns the attached iPad on and off by using magnetic sensors in the iPad that interact with magnets embedded in the top cover, but adds an extra layer of protection for the tablet’s aluminum chassis.”
More info, including Apple’s patent application illustrations, in the full article here.
Didn’t we just examine (in excrutiating detail) the lack of need and desire for this? The torn calandar page, the fabric backgrounds, the wooden bookshelves? Personally, I like it. It gives a certain warmth to the hardness that is technology.
“…much like a real binded book.”
Or even a bound book.
Sort of like Prometheus Bound, huh? You’re bound to enjoy that one. 🙂
As a voracious reader, I like the page turning effect. It gives the device a “real” book look and feel, making the iBooks app superior to other less realistic software approaches.
They stole this…
http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2010/01/apple-tablet-ebook/
I love Apple, but am so SICK of software and design patents.
Fair enough, but you can’t simultaneously argue that something shouldn’t be patentable while, at the same time, calling it stolen.
In any case, Apple started lobbying for patent reform more than a decade ago, before most of us were paying much attention. In the meantime these are the rules as they stand today, and whether Apple agrees with them or not, they have no competitive choice but to continue pushing hard at identifying and patenting all IP that is core to their products.
Patent reform will take time, but frankly I think the major villains here are the so-called non-practicing entities (patent troll corps) who do nothing but take gross advantage of the system as it stands, 100% against the spirit of the law, even if obeying the letter.
Idea was same, but implementation of ‘Classics’ page turning was rougher. Another app called ‘Eucalyptus’ was much smoother… and was also before iBooks. I hear you.
The animation effect for page turning is not original. Someone needs to research Prior Art on this.
Yes. And there could be the argument that you can’t patent natural behavior. That’s what pages do! Our US Patent Office consistently proves itself to be dire brain dead regarding that new fangled technology and such like.
Meanwhile, There Will Be LAWSUITS.
Barnes and Noble Nook: Apple is coming. No page turning for you!
Oddly enough, just last evening I saw an ad for the new Nook and they were featuring the page-turning curl. Looked just like iBooks.
*DING* Saw the same ad.
I guess that the Smart Cover patent must have been part of the licensing deal with Microsoft. Because the Surface is using that concept.