Apple Granted a Patent for Selecting Text using Gestures on an iDevice

Apple has been granted a patent today for their invention relating to selecting text displayed on a display screen, and more particularly, to selecting text using gestures on a multi-touch sensitive display screen.

Prior to the iPhone, selecting text displayed on the device had not been available or had been very cumbersome. At that time, portable electronic devices didn't provide an easy, efficient way to position a text selection area in text displayed on a portable electronic device. What was needed was an interface to increase the effectiveness, efficiency and user satisfaction with portable multifunction devices.

With Apple's invention and granted patent, the user is now able to interact with the GUI primarily through finger contacts and gestures on a touch-sensitive display. In some embodiments, the functions could include telephoning, video conferencing, e-mailing, instant messaging, blogging, digital photographing, digital videoing, web browsing, digital music playing, and/or digital video playing. Instructions for performing these functions can be included in a computer program product configured for execution by one or more processors.

In accordance with some embodiments, a computer-implemented text selection method is performed using an electronic device having a touch-sensitive display. The method can include displaying text on the touch screen display; detecting a text selection initiation gesture with the touch screen display; and in response to the text selection initiation gesture, inserting a text selection area bounded by a first endpoint located in the text at a first location and a second endpoint in the text at a second location. Word processing function can be performed on the on the text located in the text selection area.

Apple's patent FIG. 5 noted above is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary process for selecting text using gestures; FIGS. 6a and 6b illustrate an exemplary text selection initiation gesture in accordance with this invention.

Apple credits Wayne Westerman, Bas Ording, Michael Victor and Stephan Lemay as the inventors of granted patent 8,650,507 which was originally filed in Q1 2008 and published today by the US Patent and Trademark Office. To review today's 28 granted patent claims and details, see Apple's patent.

Apple Granted Patent for the iPad's Peek Mode

Apple has been granted a patent today for their invention relating to embodiments that relate to a system, method, and apparatus for releasably attaching an accessory to an electronic device. As noted below, the invention covers the "peek mode" feature of the iPad's Smart Cover.

Apple's patent FIGS. 27A-27C show a cooperating system of a segmented cover and tablet device configured to activate only uncovered portions of a display in a peek mode.

For most iPad users today that use a lock screen, the "peek mode" feature is of lessor value. Yet it still allows the iPad to instantly go into sleep mode when the smart cover is closed and wake up instantly as the smart cover is pulled back.

Apple credits VP Industrial Design Jonathan Ive and team members Andrew Lauder, Matthew Rohrbach, Daniel Coster, Christopher Stringer, Florence Ow, Jiang Ai, Elvis Kibiti, John Ternus and Sean Lubner as the inventors of granted patent 8,648,679 which was originally filed in Q3 2012 and published today by the US Patent and Trademark Office. To review today's 14 granted patent claims and details, see Apple's patent. This is Apple's second granted patent for this feature. The first was issued in October 2012

Apple Granted a Design Patent Today for an Adapter

Apple was granted a single design patent today for their Lightning to USB Camera Adapter as illustrated above.

Apple credits VP Industrial Design Jonathan Ive and team members Bartley Andre, Jody Akana, Jeremy Bataillou, Daniel Coster, Daniele De Iuliis, Evans Hankey, Julian Hoenig, Richard Howarth, Duncan Kerr, Shin Nishibori, Matthew Dean Rohrbach, Peter Russell-Clarke, Christopher Stringer, Eugene Whang and Rico Zorkendorfer as the inventors of Granted Patent D699,188 originally filed in Q3 2011.

The Remaining Patents granted to Apple Today

Patently Apple presents only a brief summary of granted patents with associated graphics for journalistic news purposes as each Granted Patent is revealed by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. Readers are cautioned that the full text of any Granted Patent should be read in its entirety for full details. About Making Comments on our Site: Patently Apple reserves the right to post, dismiss or edit any comments.