[exodust]

That argument could be applied to any digital concept that has a real life counterpart. "Window" for example, in the real world it's made of glass and keeps rain out. Does that mean the digital window is different enough to deserve a patent?

But more importantly, "slide to unlock" is essentially "swipe to unlock". The swipe zone is confined to a specific area, but it's still swiping. "Flicking" also works. Apple are trying to patent "swiping", which is ridiculous.

Just like "double click to unlock" would be equally absurd as a patent for unlocking a desktop PC. Changing the name to "double press to unlock" doesn't suddenly make it unique.

[dmd]

> Does that mean the digital window is different enough to deserve a patent?

That's an incredibly bad example. Besides sharing the same word (in English), there's almost zero similarity.

"Are computer mice and the kind that squeak different enough?"

[delinka]

Zero? Most glass windows are rectangular; digital windows are generally rectangular. Your view of the outside world is permitted by the glass window; your view of your application is permitted by the digital window.

[SixSigma]

your use of the words "most" and "generally" already cause problems.

Xeyes is not rectangular, Portholes are round. The window on my boiler permits views inside the boiler etc. etc.

[delinka]

I'm not sure why these words cause problems. Refuting the "zero" number does not require absolutes in the opposite direction.

[iopq]

You're making his case for him. A computer windowing system should be able to be patented even if real windows exist.

[jussij]

A computer windowing system does not model real windows, it models pieces of paper, spread across a desk.

On a desk cluttered with papers, you can see bits of some papers and others papers are hidden by other papers that are on top.

There is no way you should be able to patent such an obvious real world, real life experience, just because you were the first to take that real world experience and replicate it on a computer screen.

All you have done is modeled a real work experience.

[exodust]

No! A digital window is not a complex enough system. It would inevitably exist given the hardware allowance and capability to multi-task apps. It merely frames an application or any number of objects within the "parent window" which is your computer monitor.

Frames, boxes, panels, or "windows". A child could come up with the need for a digital version of a container if none existed. The name that catches on to describe that container is irrelevant.

In the digital world we need to be sensible about what would inevitably exist given the hardware allowance for such an obvious software feature. Slide to unlock is child's play.