Re: [Patents] Re: Time based hardware button ...

[Hartmut Pilch <phm@a2e.de>]

> > http://l2.espacenet.com/espacenet/viewer?PN=US6727830&CY=gb&LG=en&DB=EPD
> 
> 
> Thanks  ...
> 
> 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

When arguing with PTO people who claim that this is about technical 
devices, you need to

* refer to the claim, not the abstract
* examine the kind of allegedly new knowledge that it contributes to
  applied natural science.  Is there a new teaching about the causal
  relations of forces of nature, as demanded by EP ?  Or is it about
  programming logic that a progammer would think up and write on paper
  and know for sure to be true (by mathematical proof if needed) ?
* don't get distracted into discussions about novelty ("I have prior art
  for this") or obviousness.  Treat the claimed "invention" as novel
  and non-obvious and don't question this assumption.

It's strange that the PTO people from NL (and now also from HU) chose 
precisely this example to argue their case.  It doesn't really make them 
look very good, but that shouldn't be our concern.  We have to focus
on the question of subject matter.  It might be helpful to also quote an
example from the EP, e.g. the ones in the

        test suite
        http://swpat.ffii.org/analysis/testsuite/

or from the webshop.

-- 
Hartmut Pilch, FFII & Eurolinux Alliance              tel. +49-89-18979927
Protecting Innovation against Patent Inflation       http://swpat.ffii.org/
330,000 votes 3000 firms against software patents    http://noepatents.org/