Apple awarded patent on the Dock
It took nearly nine years, but Apple chief executive Steve Jobs and Co. were awarded this week with a patent for their implementation of a software-based computer dock that has since become a trademark of the Mac OS X operating system.
On Tuesday, the United States Patent and Trademark Office granted the Mac maker patent number 7,434,177 titled "User interface for providing consolidation and access." The 20-page filing outlining the principles behind the Dock and its magnification component is credited to Jobs, in addition to well-known Apple interface designers Bas Ording and Donald Lindsay.
Apple now retains the exclusive right to prevent others from making, using, selling, or otherwise employing replicas of the technology in their own products. Under United States patent law, that right typically extends 20 years assuming the company keeps up with routine maintenance fees due 3½, 7½ and 11½ years following the grant date.
Since the release of Mac OS X 10.0 in 2001, the Dock has been one of the most prominent features of operating system's user interface, serving as a centralized and resizable launch pad for applications and document files.
Over the years, the Dock has evolved in both appearance and function, gaining a 3D look and most recently assuming the role as a container for Stacks, another organizational feature introduced alongside Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard.
Although CDE -- a similar interface element for flavors of the Unix operating system -- preceded Apple's implementation by approximately 8 years, the origins of the Mac OS X dock date back even further. It was actually conceived in the late 80's and release in 1989 as part of Nextstep, an operating system developed by NeXT Computer, a company Jobs founded after being ousted from Apple a year earlier.
When Apple purchased NeXT for $429 million in December of 1996, it absorbed the company's assets and intellectual property, which include the Nextstep operating system.
It should be noted, however, that the patent awarded to Apple this week doesn't grant the company broad ownership to the principles behind software-based application trays. It instead pertains to aspects of a dock specific to the company's implementation, primarily its magnification component and ability to display application names as a user cycles through its icons.
For more on the history of Dock, please see AppleInsider's three page report: Road to Mac OS X Leopard: Dock 1.6
On Tuesday, the United States Patent and Trademark Office granted the Mac maker patent number 7,434,177 titled "User interface for providing consolidation and access." The 20-page filing outlining the principles behind the Dock and its magnification component is credited to Jobs, in addition to well-known Apple interface designers Bas Ording and Donald Lindsay.
Apple now retains the exclusive right to prevent others from making, using, selling, or otherwise employing replicas of the technology in their own products. Under United States patent law, that right typically extends 20 years assuming the company keeps up with routine maintenance fees due 3½, 7½ and 11½ years following the grant date.
Since the release of Mac OS X 10.0 in 2001, the Dock has been one of the most prominent features of operating system's user interface, serving as a centralized and resizable launch pad for applications and document files.
Over the years, the Dock has evolved in both appearance and function, gaining a 3D look and most recently assuming the role as a container for Stacks, another organizational feature introduced alongside Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard.
Although CDE -- a similar interface element for flavors of the Unix operating system -- preceded Apple's implementation by approximately 8 years, the origins of the Mac OS X dock date back even further. It was actually conceived in the late 80's and release in 1989 as part of Nextstep, an operating system developed by NeXT Computer, a company Jobs founded after being ousted from Apple a year earlier.
When Apple purchased NeXT for $429 million in December of 1996, it absorbed the company's assets and intellectual property, which include the Nextstep operating system.
It should be noted, however, that the patent awarded to Apple this week doesn't grant the company broad ownership to the principles behind software-based application trays. It instead pertains to aspects of a dock specific to the company's implementation, primarily its magnification component and ability to display application names as a user cycles through its icons.
For more on the history of Dock, please see AppleInsider's three page report: Road to Mac OS X Leopard: Dock 1.6
Comments
Seems pretty weird to patent the dock at this stage in the game unless Windows 11 will feature it.
It was filed on December 20, 1999.
When Apple purchased NeXT for $429 million in December of 2006, it absorbed the company's assets and intellectual property, which include the Nextstep operating system.
I think that quoted year is about a decade too late. 1996 right?
I think that quoted year is about a decade too late. 1996 right?
Yep -- thanks!
K
It took nearly nine years, but Apple chief executive Steve Jobs and Co. were awarded this week with a patent for their implementation of a software-based computer dock that has since become a trademark of the Mac OS X operating system.
I'd have said, "... that has since become a hallmark of the Mac OS X operating system."
The dock is just a group of shortcuts along the bottom of the screen.
Windows 98 and XP have quicklaunch shortcuts in the taskbar at the bottom of the screen that does the same thing. Heck Windows 95 might have it too, but I can't really remember.
EDIT: upon further consulting with my friend google, Windows 95 did indeed have the quick launch icons in the taskbar.
I hope Apple has the balls to stop MS from copying yet again.
Well, now that Apple officially has the patient, I hope this will deter Windows 7 from using a dock. If you look at an interview with Walt Mossburg where they check out the multi-touch features of Win 7, you can see this little line up of icons on the bottom...hmmm...
I hope Apple has the balls to stop MS from copying yet again.
No no, that's the "Deck". Very different.
I to am a bit confused what this actually gives them. Is it really as specific as the magnification effect with the name of the program appearing above? Like already mentioned Windows has had a quick launch bar that essentially does the same thing although admittedly it doesn't look as cool. Im quite sure there's a few other OS's around with similar things as well.
There are several Dock replicas for Windows, AquaDock and ObjectDock to name a couple. I use them. It means that I had better save a copy because their respective programmers won't be able to sell them any longer.
-Clive
There are several Dock replicas for Windows, AquaDock and ObjectDock to name a couple. I use them. It means that I had better save a copy because their respective programmers won't be able to sell them any longer.
-Clive
Just don't update your version of Windows, or the apps probably won't work anymore.
I love this app!
www.rocketdock.com
Does this mean RocketDock is in deep trouble?
www.rocketdock.com
Based on the patent, yes; but Apple would have to find this app to be a threat, which I don't think the will. Now, if MS implements it as a standard OS option then Apple would have cause for alarm.
Does this mean RocketDock is in deep trouble?
www.rocketdock.com
Yes. If you want Rocketdock in the future you'll have to buy a Mac
Yes. If you want Rocketdock in the future you'll have to buy a Mac
WRONG WRONG WRONG and MSFT will fight Apple if they have to. But google Y'Z' Dock and Kubulator..... He was the inventor. Haven't you guys ever watch Silicon Valley?
I bet half the people here also think Apple invented SPOTLIGHT.
MSFT invented it before VISTA, it was released by MAC OS X, it was journaling, MSFT didn't get it out in time, Apple did, yet I don't see MSFT taking on Apple saying sorry, you have to get rid of spotlight, it uses journaling, something we invented, maybe they will someday and maybe Mr. Koubulator will take on Apple.
Get a grip, get the facts first.
Well, now that Apple officially has the patient, I hope this will deter Windows 7 from using a dock. If you look at an interview with Walt Mossburg where they check out the multi-touch features of Win 7, you can see this little line up of icons on the bottom...hmmm...
I hope Apple has the balls to stop MS from copying yet again.
Code Blue. Call the Doctor. Our Patient is down.
WRONG WRONG WRONG and MSFT will fight Apple if they have to. But google Y'Z' Dock and Kubulator..... He was the inventor. Haven't you guys ever watch Silicon Valley?
I bet half the people here also think Apple invented SPOTLIGHT.
MSFT invented it before VISTA, it was released by MAC OS X, it was journaling, MSFT didn't get it out in time, Apple did, yet I don't see MSFT taking on Apple saying sorry, you have to get rid of spotlight, it uses journaling, something we invented, maybe they will someday and maybe Mr. Koubulator will take on Apple.
Get a grip, get the facts first.
1) Movies, even if they are documentaries which Pirates of Silicon Valley isn't, don't make for proof.
2) We are talking about a patented functions within a dock, not journaling.
3) You have provided any info as to when any of these journaling concepts were patented or any info on prior art.
It sucks having to plug in all my cables manually when I get to work. And I ain't using any stinking ugly third-party docks.