{
  "patent_number": "US 5303388",
  "country": "US",
  "title": "How 3D Icons Rotate to Show More Information",
  "original_title": "Method to display and rotate a three-dimensional icon with multiple faces",
  "summary": "A 1994 Apple patent for a 3D computer icon that can be rotated by clicking specific areas to reveal different sides, each containing extra information about a file or folder.",
  "what_it_does": "The patent describes a method to display a 3D object, such as a cube or polyhedron, on a computer screen. Each face of this object acts as a container for information about a file or folder. By clicking on specific 'button markers' located near the edges of a face, the user triggers a rotation animation that brings a different face to the front. This allows software to pack more data into a single icon without cluttering the desktop, effectively using the object's geometry as a navigation tool.",
  "what_it_does_not_cover": [
    "Does not cover 3D objects that rotate automatically without user interaction via a cursor.",
    "Does not cover rotation gestures performed on touchscreens, as the claims specifically require a cursor control device like a mouse.",
    "Does not cover 3D icons that lack distinct 'button markers' or 'cursor sensitive spots' to trigger the movement.",
    "Does not cover general 3D rendering engines that do not link specific icon faces to file attributes."
  ],
  "filed": "1993-04-23",
  "granted": "1994-04-12",
  "expires": null,
  "status": "active",
  "holder": "Apple Computer Inc",
  "holder_url": "https://patentbrief.org/company/apple-computer-inc",
  "inventors": [
    {
      "name": "Joy Mountford",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/joy-mountford"
    },
    {
      "name": "Kristee Kreitman",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/kristee-kreitman"
    }
  ],
  "times_cited": 257,
  "tags": [
    "consumer_electronics",
    "software"
  ],
  "abstract": "A manipulable icon is displayed with multiple faces having particular application to computer displays and systems. The icon, which represents information about an object available within the computer, can be manipulated by the user to display different faces or views which provide additional information about the object represented by the icon. The user has the ability to manipulate the icon to see additional views of the icon on the computer display device, either by a mouse stroke selection command, keyboard command or menu selection. This selection causes the icon to move from one view or face of the icon to another view or face of the icon. These additional views thus provide additional space in which the icon can supply additional information to the user. Iconic movement from one face or view to another is also typically accompanied by some sound which indicates execution of the movement.",
  "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/5303388/macintosh-finder",
  "markdown_url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/5303388/macintosh-finder/md",
  "google_patents_url": "https://patents.google.com/patent/US5303388",
  "relatedPatents": []
}