While doing some IP due diligence, I found that someone is trying to patent the back button… (in case you are wondering, I found this by coincidence, no I'm not trying to patent the back, forward or any other kind of buttons).
You have to be kidding me… See it for yourself…
I don't want to sound too harsh here, but… what the hell! patenting the back button? Give me a break…
The “invention” disclosure describes the use of a stack to keep track of state, which, er, it is not uncommon. And it even makes the following claims:
38. A mobile device with a touch activated `back` command, comprising: a touch-activated `back` command input; a touch-activated `menu` command input; and a memory with sufficient space for storing a mobile client application, wherein the mobile device is responsive to the touch-activated `menu` command input for activating the mobile client application which is, in turn, responsive to the touch activated `back` command input by providing backwards navigation through screens in `back in sequence` mode or `back a level` mode.
44. A mobile device as in claim 38, configured for operating as a wireless application protocol-compliant device.
45. A mobile device as in claim 38 with functionality and profile implemented using a Java 2 Micro Edition (J2ME.TM.) platform.
46. A mobile device as in claim 38, wherein the touch-activated `back` command input includes a button or a soft key.
Say NO to Patent Trolls….
This patent submission will not hold up…
And to the authors… thanks for playing.
ceo