IBM Patents Checking a Box 186
theodp writes "What do you call it when you drag a pointer over a checkbox to select or deselect it depending on its original state? Answer: US Patent 7,278,116. On Tuesday, the USPTO awarded IBM a patent for Mode Switching for Ad Hoc Checkbox Selection, aka Making an 'X'. Isn't this essentially the same concept as the older Lotus Notes selection model that IBM was recently asked to reintroduce?"
What do you call it? (Score:4, Funny)
What do you call it when I drag the U.S. software patent system behind my car until it is an unrecognizable bloody mess?
Sorry for the graphic imagery, but I'm really getting sick of this crap.
Alternative. (Score:5, Funny)
1. Cut a hole in the box.
2. Put your check in that box.
3. Make her open the box.
Anonymous (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Alternative. (Score:3, Funny)
Obviously (Score:4, Funny)
IBM's patented technology is a boon to the Interweb of Googletoolbars worldwide. This extremely proficient alternative to physically filling out a form with a paper and pen method deserves its right in Patentdumb history. The traditional approach of said former technology via the pen and the paper is an approach that is inefficient and expensive. IMB's modular design of the radio button and check button interface allows users to utilize with maximum proficiency, the power of checking a box.
Thank you
THIS AND OTHER SUBSEQUENT POSTS ARE PATENT PENDING
Re:If someone patents something stupid, do we care (Score:5, Funny)
At a party... (Score:2, Funny)
IBM Guy: Hey man, you know I have an patent?
Party Dude: Really? What does it pertain to?
IBM Guy: The "check box".
Party Dude: The check box? Is that a new microchip technology.
IBM Dude: No man... it's the box, that, you check... on forms 'n shit
Party Dude: Really? That's not that novel...
IBM Dude: Check it... you are on a computer and if you want to indicate that an item needs to be checked... you click on this little box, and, it totally gets checked-off... Way cool, cutting edge shit...
Party Dude: Cool man. Need to get away, um, I mean some beer. Check you later.
Re:If someone patents something stupid, do we care (Score:3, Funny)
Re:What do you call it? (Score:2, Funny)
Re:If someone patents something stupid, do we care (Score:3, Funny)
Ah-hah! But this is On A Computer! Completely original!
Next up they'll patent the same thing, but On The Internet! Genius!
Re:Alternative. (Score:1, Funny)
Re:If someone patents something stupid, do we care (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Prior Art (Score:3, Funny)
Yet more prior art (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Broke this patent two weeks ago (Score:2, Funny)