Microsoft Receives Patent for PDA Button Pushing

A Microsoft patent that was filed in 2002 has just been granted by the patent office.  As reported by Smartphone Mobile, the patent concerns the concept of having a handheld device perform different functions when a button is pressed multiple times or held down for a certain period of time.

As the abstract of the patent states:

A method and system are provided for extending the functionality of application buttons on a limited resource computing device. Alternative application functions are launched based on the length of time an application button is pressed. A default function for an application is launched if the button is pressed for a short, i.e., normal, period of time. An alternative function of the application is launched if the button is pressed for a long, (e.g., at least one second), period of time. Still another function can be launched if the application button is pressed multiple times within a short period of time, e.g., double click.

With the addition of this patent, Microsoft may be able to collect licensing fees from companies that now, or have in the past, used this technique.  However, if there is proof that this technique arose before 2002, Microsoft’s patent will not hold up in court.